::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . In closing out #BHM , here is a lesser known factoid about singer/Civil Rights Activist Mavis Staples. Staples and Bob Bylan were an item in the early 1960s. In fact, Staples has stated Dylan was her first love and he asked her to marry him. She said in a recent interview that she turned him down because they were too young, but she regards the folk singer as the one who got away. Other than singing they share a common interest in freedom for all that was woven into their music. A new documentary titled "Mavis!" airing on HBO tonight covers her 60-year career, both with The Staple Singers and as a solo artist and part of her personal li fe from her own pers pective . The "Mavis!" album is al so available and Sta ples a nd Dylan are back toether again on a tour.

buzzz worthy. . . TONIGHT: INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY PREMIERES NEW SERIES  --Hosted by Tony Harris, the First Installment of New Series Premieres TONIGHT at 8/7c, Only on ID- (Silver Spring, Md.) -  Investigation Discovery (ID)  and Emmy Award-winning journalist  Tony Harris  are teaming up once again with premiere civil rights advocacy organization, the  Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) , to produce  HATE IN AMERICA , a new documentary strand that showcases the SPLC's efforts to combat bigotry and hate groups in the United States. The mission of the SPLC and its legendary founder,  Morris Dees , are to combat the hate, intolerance and discrimination perpetuated by these groups through education, litigation and advocacy. According to the SPLC's 2015 Intelligence Report, the number of extremist groups operating domestically grew by 14% from 2014, and the SPLC catalogued an astounding 892 hate groups in the US, in...

buzzz worthy. . . A police officer on the first day of the job was killed in the line of duty on Saturday in Woodbridge, VA.  Officer Ashley Guindon was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call where the victim,  Crystal Sheree  Hamilton,  was also slain.  Guindon had just been sworn in the day before. Two other officers were also wounded. Quickly spreading online, the sad news of her Guindon's death has touched hearts far and wide.  The Slice joins the chorus of condolences pouring in from around the nation.  The families of both victims are in our thoughts and prayers. The Prince William County Police Department release the following special press release. LINE OF DUTY DEATH OF OFFICER ASHLEY GUINDON The Prince William County Police Department is in deep mourning over the loss of Officer Ashley Guindon. Our sincere condolences go out to Ashley's family and friends, as well as, our fellow officers and department staff. We a...

buzzz worthy. . . For weeks fans of  Melissa Harris Perry knew something was amiss as the MSNBC host has been MIA. Perry has finally opened up about why she has not been appearing on the Sunday morning issues and commentary program regularly and ultimately, why she decided to walk off.  She says she feels hurt and disrespected by MSNBC program leads because they made decision about her show without telling her.   As explained in the following letter she e-mailed to her co-workers, she lost autonomy on the show and was not willing to be a "puppet": Dearest Nerds, As you know by now, my name appears on the weekend schedule for MSNBC programming from South Carolina this Saturday and Sunday. I appreciate that many of you responded to this development with relief and enthusiasm. To know that you have missed working with me even a fraction of how much I’ve missed working with all of you is deeply moving. However, as ...

buzzz worthy. . . There were so many artists among the "who's who" in music  at the White House on Wednesday to pay homage to  the music of the "High Priest of Soul," Ray Charles you would have thought it was a Grammy event.  During the day, White House regulars like Yolanda Adams and Demi Lovato were joined by Andra Day, Empire's Jussie Smollet, and  Leon Bridges for an interactive student workshop with school children from all over the country that covered the legacy of the iconic singer, songwriter, musician, composer.   The workshop was the 11th such evnet the Obama Administration hosted since the series started in 2009.  Encouraging music students to diligently pursue their dreams, First Lady Obama said, "As Ray Charles said, if there’s truly something you want to do in the world, you can’t be satisfied until you do it.  And today is your chance to learn from him as well as all these extraordinary folks on stage." On Wednesday ...

buzzz worthy. . . President Barack Obama has nominated Dr. Carla Hayden of Maryland  as the first African American and female Librarian of Congress.  On February 24, her nomination for a term of ten years was sent to the Senate for confirmation. James H. Billington is the vice nominee.   President Obama said in an announcement about the decision, “Michelle and I have known Dr. Carla Hayden for a long time, since her days working at the Chicago Public Library, and I am proud to nominate her to lead our nation’s oldest federal institution as our 14th Librarian of Congress. Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to modernizing libraries so that everyone can participate in today's digital culture. She has the proven experience, dedication, and deep knowledge of our nation’s libraries to serve our country well and that’s why I look forward to working with her in the months ahead. . . ”   He added having a woman or Black person in the position is "long ov...

buzzz worthy. . .   Filmgoers Show Faith in New Biblical Epic HOLLYWOOD — Feb. 25, 2016 —Motion picture audiences across the country have embraced the latest faith-based hit from Sony Pictures Entertainment’s AFFIRM label:  RISEN , the story of a Roman tribune’s investigation to prove the Resurrection a hoax, emerged as the weekend’s number-one new movie and the fourth-highest opening of all time for a faith-based film, scoring an A- CinemaScore and exceeding industry predictions.   From Columbia Pictures and LD Entertainment,  RISEN ’s three-day box office win of $11.8 million on 2,915 screens signals another win for AFFIRM.  Sony Pictures now claims four of the top six faith-based-film opening weekends of all time, five of the top seven faith movies in the last five years, and five of the top-ten-grossing films in the genre in industry history.   The success of  RISEN  follows on the breakthrough hit  WAR ROOM , which Sony...

buzzz worthy. . . Stellars Set To Air On TV One Sunday, March 6, 2016 @6:00 PM EST Chicago, IL: Pastor Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago were big winners at the 31st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards that took place this past Saturday February 20th at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Rev. Jenkins took home the Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year Award while the ensemble as a whole earned the Choir of the Year and Traditional Choir of the Year Awards. The music video for their Billboard Gospel Airplay chart No. 1 hit “#War” won the Music Video of the Year Award. After earning the second most wins of the evening, Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago set the stage on fire with a thunderous performance of their current radio smash “#WAR” that had the capacity audience up on its collective feet and chanting the lyrics of the song with the group. The rousing, spiritual anthem spent five weeks a...

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin The SAG Awards picked up the Academy Awards' slack in its recognition of Blacks in film this year Idris Elba receives the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for 'Beasts of No Nation' onstage during The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Blacks were honored for their accomplished works in several major categories at the 22nd Annual SAG Awards last Sunday night--an  outcome that will be impossible at this year's upcoming Oscars.  As two of the earliest airing award ceremonies, the Golden Globes and SAGs usually foreshadow what is to happen at the Oscars.  That is not the case this year.  There is not even a remote possibility we'll see a similar string of actors and actresses on the Oscar red carpet, in the audience as nominees or on the stage as winners when it airs on Sunday, February 28 at 4 PM Eastern on...

buzzz worthy. . . Hooded KKK allegedly rallied for Trump at a caucus event in the Las Vegas area. Trump has yet to denounce the endorsement of ex-Klan leader David Duke. He is aware he has the support of White Nationalist extremists and hate groups. Confederate flag waving radicals attend his rallies regularly. The Southern Poverty Law Center has tracked the connection between hate groups and Trump support online. Trump's overall attitude toward undocumented immigrants and referring to them as rapists and murderers, is appealing to anti-immigration white nationalists.  Trump has said that he hopes there is nothing in his message that is striking a chord with the wrong groups. However, he has done nothing to discourage them.    Barack Obama was ram-rodded for associating with Pastor Jeremiah Wright, who was considered a Black nationalist. Before becoming president Obama disassociated with Wright and his church. Donald Trump confirms, then denies, his fathe...

buzzz worthy. . .     LOS ANGELES, CA – Raise Em Up Records has released the first single from its debut project “The Sparrows Now & Then,” an inspirational soundtrack from the family friendly movie “The Sparrow’s Nesting.”  The rock band Ambrosia known for its soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics penned a track that sums up the movie in two words “Hopes and Dreams.”  The feel good track is the perfect mixture of country, soul and rock with a hint of down home gospel.  “Hopes and Dreams” is currently available for purchase on iTunes, https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hopes-and-dreams-single/id1079480784 .     The full soundtrack is scheduled for an April 1, 2016 release and features original music from Ambrosia, The Bellamy Brothers, Keaton Simons, Billy Dorsey, Victoria Reed, Peter Beckett, the Manhattans and Disney superstar China Ann McClain and the McClain Sisters.    About Ambrosia: Ambrosia  is an Amer...

buzzz worthy. . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RYuAqmOVug&feature=youtu.be Do you think Donald Trump makes the run for political office look bad? Not even Trump can trump this level of embarrassment among candidates. . . A  heated debate between two pastors running for Dallas Commissioner, the incumbent John Wiley Price and his challenger Dwaine Carraway, nearly turned violent on Monday.  Pictured: Carraway (l), Price (r). A cell phone video captured the men in the studio of KHVN 97 Gospel Radio Station being restrained by staffers. From the clip alone it is difficult to understand what triggered the frenzy, but  the verbal exchange provides a hint that the dispute was personal.  The tension between the men  fell short of coming to blows as Pastor Carraway shouted accusations that the current City Commissioner, Pastor Price had an affair with his wife. "Nig** you fu** my wife in my house. My daughter's...

buzzz worthy. . . Infidelity is one of the toughest obstacles to overcome in any marriage. Christian entertainers are no exception to the rule.  Grammy winning gospel artist Israel Houghton announced via a Facebook statement today that he and his wife Meleasa divorced following a long separation. "I failed and sinned in my marriage," he admitted. Israel has publicly shared the story of how he met his wife at a church event in Philadelphia and they wed five months later. The Houston based couple had four children.  Together they founded New Breed Ministries an were married for over 16 years.  Mr. Houghton asked for privacy in the  FB statement posted earlier today:  

buzzz worthy. . . Nashville, Tenn (February 21, 2016) Gospel Music legend, Richard Fay "Buck” Rambo, beloved patriarch of the Gospel music family, The Rambos, died, February 21, 2016, at 6:02 PM in Palmetto, FL at the age of 84 surrounded by his loving wife Mae and family members. He was born in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, son of Noah Burton Rambo and Mary Irisilda Rambo. Buck was married to Mae Kutz Rambo on April 1, 1995. Survivors include his wife Mae, daughter Reba Rambo (Dony) McGuire, grandchildren Israel Anthem McGuire, Destiny Rambo McGuire, Dionne (Scott) Dismuke, Dyson Dismuke, sister Hilda Bullock, brothers Donald (Betty) Rambo, Jackie (Shirley) Rambo of Dawson Springs, KY, sister-in-law Anna Jo Rambo of Hopkinsville, KY, and brother-in-law James Ausenbaugh. After The Rambos disbanded in about 1994, Buck continued to travel and minister with his wife, Mae, for the next several years doing concerts in churches and as a missionary in many countries, with ...

buzzz worthy. . .   2016 31 st  ANNUAL STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS COMPLETE WINNERS LIST       CATEGORY #1 ARTIST OF THE YEAR ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY,  EVERYDAY JESUS , KEY OF A/TYSCOT   CATEGORY #2 SONG OF THE YEAR ANTHONY BROWN, WORTH -  EVERYDAY JESUS (ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY) , KEY OF A/TYSCOT   CATEGORY #3 MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR ANTHONY BROWN,  EVERYDAY JESUS , KEY OF A/TYSCOT   CATEGORY #4 ALBERTINA WALKER FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR TASHA COBBS,  ONE PLACE LIVE , MOTOWN GOSPEL    CATEGORY #5 GROUP/DUO OF THE YEAR ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY,  EVERYDAY JESUS , KEY OF A/TYSCOT   CATEGORY #6 NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR CASEY J.,  THE TRUTH , MARQUIS BOONE/TYSCOT   CATEGORY #7 CD OF THE YEAR ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY,  EVERYDAY JESUS , KEY OF A/TYSCOT   CATEGORY #8 CHOIR O...