Oprah Winfrey To Host Primetime Television Event, ‘An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution,’ Airing Monday, March 18, on ABC and Next Day on Hulu…

Special Features Conversations With Medical Experts and People Who Have Taken the Medications, Discussing the Pressing Questions Around Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Other Prescription Diabetes and Weight Loss Meds...

 

Hello World,

This is not expressly a Christian topic, but body image issues have had me seeking God for many years. Like many young girls growing up in America and likely elsewhere, I struggled with my weight and thoughts about whether I was enough because of my weight. At one point in my life, I overexercised as a way to my control my weight. Thank God I no longer feel compelled to overexercise and I am now more accepting of how God made me externally and internally. All of that being said, I have never been obese so I don’t know what it’s like to struggle with hundreds of extra pounds. But because of the struggles that I have had, I have paid attention to all of the ways that people approach weight loss, and I’ve definitely watched Oprah and how has she has traveled on her years-long weight loss journey. I remember when Oprah wheeled that wagon of fat onto her show while wearing skinny jeans, I bought Make the Connection: Ten Steps to a Better Body – and a Better Life, her book with exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer Bob Greene the same year I graduated from college in 1996; I paid attention to when she connected with Weight Watchers more recently and now she has left Weight Watchers in favor of weight loss medications. And she looked snatched too especially while promoting The Color Purple! For her sake, at 70 years old, I hope she’s come to a place of peace and acceptance around weight WHILE doing the best she can with the body God gave her. 

And so I will be watching as Oprah Winfrey hosts a sit-down conversation around the radical impact of prescription weight loss medications in the primetime event, An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution, airing MONDAY, MARCH 18 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC and the next day on Hulu. The special delves into the prevailing questions and concerns surrounding the impact on our health care, economy, lifestyle and culture.

Speaking in front of a live studio audience, Oprah gathers the country’s leading medical experts and everyday people who are in the battle of one of the biggest health care crises the world has ever known. For the first time in history, new drugs could prove to be the game changer to stem the tide of people living with obesity, an epidemic which has grown exponentially since the 1970s, costing $173 billion per year in medical costs in the United States alone.

“It is a very personal topic for me and for the hundreds of millions of people impacted around the globe who have for years struggled with weight and obesity,” said Oprah Winfrey. “This special will bring together medical experts, leaders in the space and people in the day-to-day struggle to talk about health equity and obesity with the intention to ultimately release the shame, judgment and stigma surrounding weight.”

“We are thrilled to work with Oprah and the voices she has assembled to open a dialogue that destigmatizes and educates viewers on the important and polarizing topic of weight loss,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group. “I can think of no one better to lead this meaningful conversation about such a critical issue that touches all of our lives.”

Joining the conversation are medical experts including Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. W. Scott Butsch, ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Dr. Amanda Velazquez and patients from around the country who have a range of personal experiences with prescription weight loss medications, including a teenager who was among the first to take the new drugs and begs the question whether these medications should be given to minors. Oprah also invites leaders from the two global pharmaceutical companies behind these revolutionary drugs to address what this means for the 100 million Americans and over 1 billion adults worldwide living with a deadly disease.

Key questions are addressed: Why is obesity designated a disease? Who are the medications really intended for? Who is eligible to receive weight loss drugs? What should folks ask their doctors? What are the short-term and long-term side-effects? What are the supply chain challenges and the impact on those with diabetes? Why is there shame surrounding taking medication, and what is the future of these medicines in our society and culture?

An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution is produced by Harpo Productions, executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Tara Montgomery.

Here’s a conversation she had with Jimmy Kimmel a few days ago about her upcoming special. Didn’t she look and sound good? Definitely goals at 70…(And she shared a bit about Stedman as well…)

Will you be watching tomorrow?

About Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is a global media leader, producer, philanthropist, actress and author. Over the course of her esteemed career, she has created an unparalleled connection with people around the world, making her one of the most respected and admired figures today. For 25 years, Winfrey was host and producer of the award-winning talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show, engaging in range of multifaceted cultural conversations. Currently, Oprah oversees Harpo Productions, serves as chairman and CEO of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, is the founder of O, The Oprah Magazine and digital companion site OprahDaily.com, and the host of the award-winning podcast “Super Soul.”

For more information on An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution (#OprahSpecial), visit abc.com and follow ABC on FacebookInstagramTikTok and YouTube.

Any thoughts?

Alert! Pastor Jamal Bryant & Bishop Marvin Sapp to Coach at Official Stellar Awards Celebrity Basketball Game in Atlanta Tomorrow, July 14…

Hello World,

As Atlanta prepares to welcome Gospel’s biggest music award show, Bear Tag Entertainment (BTE) under its CEO, Lamont Sanders is gearing up for a community event like none other. On July 14th, Sanders, and his partners Marie, Milliicent Brathwaite, Michael Gordon are hosting the official Stellar Awards Sanctioned Celebrity Basketball Game at 7pm at the Riverside EpiCenter located 135 Riverside Parkway in Austell, GA. The doors will open at 6pm with DJ Lil Will.

Pre-show with Agape Music Group and a smashing halftime show with Brea, Twyse & Canton Jones. Kicking off with Kim Burrell singing the National Anthem. National recording artist and former NBA player Ben Tankard, recording artists Tywyse, Canton Jones, Jor’dan Armstrong, Jermaine Dolly, Kelontae Gavin, Mali Music, Jason Clayborn and Cortez Vaughn are some of the confirmed players. Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and national recording artist Zacardi Cortez will coach the East while national recording artist and pastor, Bishop Marvin Sapp and former NFL player Dr. Irving Fryar Sr. are serving as coaches for the West.

I can’t see Pastor Jamal Bryant and Bishop Marvin Sapp coaching basketball teams, but at the very least, it should be an entertaining game! LOL…

JOB RECRUITMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

BTE is partnering with Faith Broussard Cade, Speaker, Author, Humanitarian of Fleur De Lis Speaks to share about the state of Mental Health. Also, CTL Staffing Agency to provide on-site job recruitment for individuals seeking employment while offering mental health resources to attendees from various participating organizations including professionals from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the morning starting at 11am. It also is partnering with the nonprofit organization Supreme Gospel Entertainment & Ministries to distribute school supplies to area youth during the early afternoon.

ABOUT BEAR TAG ENTERTAINMENT (BTE)

Founded by international recording artist, entrepreneur, Lamont Sanders, Bear Tag Entertainment is a company that provides a global platform for entertainers (i.e., artists, models, singers, dancers, musicians, actors, actresses, etc.) in the industry to showcase their raw talent. BTE is committed to spreading the vision of God’s love and endless hope worldwide with thought provoking and life changing entertainment through sports and music.

ABOUT THE STELLAR AWARDS

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production and Producer. The Stellar Awards recognizes the year’s best performances in the gospel music genre, honors gospel music icons, and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the gospel music industry.

​Bear Tag Entertainment’s Stellar Celebrity Basketball Game is sponsored in part by Indie Go Inspire, Gray Photo, Gr8trks, Gospel Music Buzz, Praise 102.5 (Radio One), Millions Billions Trillions, DJ Lil Will(St. Louis, MO), Reach Gospel, Merge Music Group, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, VTV Television, Walmart+ and CTL Staffing Agency, Faith Broussard Cade/ Fluer De Lis Speaks and GC Public Relations.

Tickets are currently on sale on Eventbrite.com! Click HERE to buy them…

Any thoughts?

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Jamal Bryant Takes Daughter Grace to Daddy-Daughter Dance, Some Critique Her Dress…

Hello World,

The first time I officially danced with my father was during my wedding in 2013. It was one of the most special moments in my life because the first man I had ever loved gave me away to the man I will forever love. I don’t recall any of the schools I attended when I was growing up having a Daddy-Daughter Dance, but I hear about them all of the time now. Apparently, the school where Grace Bryant attends had a Daddy-Daughter Dance on Saturday as Bravo reported that New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Jamal Bryant took his daughter Grace to one. Grace is also the daughter of Gizzelle Bryant, who is on the cast of  The Real Housewives of Potomac.  Both of the Bryants, who are back together after being divorced for several years, posted about this special occasion on their Instagram pages. But Grace’s dress, which is somewhat short and tight and shiny, has received some critical feedback…Below are some of the comments and Pastor Bryant’s IG post…

“No Mam Grace. Come with a dress to your knees . Y’all look good but no Mam I’m old school.”

“Naw. Naw grace lookin to grown 😭”

“Tell her to get back inside and put a crinoline over that Sir 🤭😉😆”

But I must say, most of the comments were complimentary…So what do I think? Believe it or not, I started receiving attention for my backside when I was still in elementary school. As a result, as I growing up, I tried to wear clothes that weren’t too tight or too short because of the unwanted attention. That being said, that’s just me. If her parents are cool with it, then that’s that…

What say you?

Any thoughts?