Hello World,

I know it’s been a minute, but I’m still around although much of my time that I had for blogging is now devoted to raising my rambunctious twin girls.

But once the girls go to school (and we’re looking for schools now), I expect to have more time to reignite my online presence…

But in the meantime, in between time, I’m poppin’ in to let you know that I will be participating in the Peachtree City Library’s 2025 Local Author Expo THIS SATURDAY so if you live in the metro Atlanta area, please stop by…

And if you stop by, please ask me how I got kicked out of a salon last week because of these two…SMH!!!

I call this photo Before & After…LOL

Any thoughts?

The post Check Me Out at the Peachtree City Library’s 2025 Local Author Expo THIS SATURDAY AKA Yes, I’m Still Around… appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Hello World,

Producer and Preacher DeVon Franklin is combining two of my favorite things – good food and conversation – in new show Food For Thought! See his announcement below…

Below is an excerpt of the official Deadline article “Dr. Holly Carter’s MergeTV Launches On In The Black Network; Slate Includes DeVon Franklin Series ‘Food For Thought’ & More” by Denise Petski.

EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Holly Carter (The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel) today announced the launch of her family, faith and lifestyle network MergeTV on James DuBose’s In The Black Network, a streaming service that highlights Black voices and original stories.

Carter also announced MergeTV’s slate of original programming dropping on April 2, which includes its flagship show Food for Thought with DeVon Franklin, hosted by the bestselling author, producer and preacher. Franklin will be joined by some of his famous friends “to bake up delicious desserts and share deep conversation,” according to the series description, with guests ranging from Smokey Robinson to Cedric the Entertainer.

Another interesting show that will be featured on In The Black is a Preachers of LA reunion, according to the Deadline article.

PREACHERS WEDDING EDITION
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Dr. Holly Carter, Keesha Brickhouse, Paul Mays
TALENT: Bishop Noel Jones and First Lady Loretta Jones, Pastor Deitrick Haddon and First Lady Dominique Haddon, Bishop Ron Gibson and First Lady LaVette Gibson, Bishop Clarence McClendon, Pastor Wayne Chaney and Myesha Chaney.
LOGLINE: The long-awaited wedding event of Bishop Noel Jones and Loretta Jones is finally happening and your favorite high-profile Pastors and First Ladies are together again to celebrate–but will they be able lay those long-standing arguments to rest, or will the drama surface again after all these  years?

Click HERE to read the entire article…

Considering the wedding of Bishop Noel Jones and Loretta Jones that took forever and day to happen and the divorce of Pastor Wayne Chaney and Myesha Chaney, that should be an explosive reunion to say the least…

Now in more messy news, DeVon has been spotted with a new woman according to The Shade Room. Click HERE to see the paparazzi photos of him and this new unidentified woman. According to the photos, they are definitely dating at the very least. Just from the pictures, his type may have shifted a bit post his divorce from Meagan Good. While this woman is a pretty woman, she doesn’t have that actress vibe that Meagan Good has. In fact, she seems like the girl next door. Judging from Meagan Good’s new man Jonathan Majors, her type has most certainly shifted…Apparently, she is in love, according to People magazine…

I continue to wish both of them the best…

Any thoughts?

The post Producer and Preacher DeVon Franklin To Host New Talk Show ‘Food For Thought’ & Allegedly Has New Girlfriend… appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Hello World,

As it is Black History Month, I want to highlight two recently released novels about Black queens that illuminate Black history…

The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel by ReShonda Tate

Bestselling author ReShonda Tate presents a fascinating fictional portrait of Hattie McDaniel, one of Hollywood’s most prolific but woefully underappreciated stars—and the first Black person ever to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in the critically acclaimed classic film Gone With the Wind.

It was supposed to be the highlight of her career, the pinnacle for which she’d worked all her life. And as Hattie McDaniel took the stage in 1940 to claim an honor that would make her the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award, she tearfully took her place in history. Between personal triumphs and tragedies, heartbreaking losses, and severe setbacks, this historic night of winning best supporting actress for her role as the sassy Mammy in the controversial movie Gone With the Wind was going to be life-changing. Or so she thought.

Months after winning the award, not only did the Oscar curse set in where Hattie couldn’t find work, but she found herself thrust in the middle of two worlds—Black and White—and not being welcomed in either. Whites only saw her as Mammy and Blacks detested the demeaning portrayal. As the NAACP waged an all-out war against Hattie and actors like her, the emotionally conflicted actor found herself struggling daily.

Through it all, Hattie continued her fight to pave a path for other Negro actors, while focusing on war efforts, fighting housing discrimination, and navigating four failed marriages. Luckily, she had a core group of friends to help her out—from Clark Gable to Louise Beavers to Ruby Berkley Goodwin and Dorothy Dandridge.

The Queen of Sugar Hill brings to life the powerful story of one woman who was driven by many passions—ambition, love, sex, family, friendship, and equality. In re-creating Hattie’s story, ReShonda Tate delivers an unforgettable novel of resilience, dedication, and determination—about what it takes to achieve your dreams—even when everything—and everyone—is against you.

Below is information about the upcoming stops on ReShonda’s book tour!

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller 

There is only one known queen who truly ruled a kingdom on American soil.

Transformative and breathtakingly honest, The American Queen is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 – 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life. As seen on Good Morning America: GMA 15 New Books to Read!

Over the twenty-four years she was enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one thing: hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there’s no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.

But when William finally listens to Louella’s pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people off the plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.

Soon, William and Louella become the appointed king and queen of their self-proclaimed Kingdom of the Happy Land. And though they are still surrounded by opposition, they continue to share a message of joy and goodness–and fight for the freedom and dignity of all.

The American Queen weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. With every turn of the page, you will be transported to a pivotal period in American history, where oppressed people become extraordinary heroes.

Below is information about Vanessa’s book tour!

Any thoughts?

The post Two Novels About Black Queens To Read During Black History Month: ‘The Queen of Sugar Hill’ & ‘The American Queen’ appeared first on After the Altar Call.