I WASN’T EXPECTING A BABY! Premieres TODAY, Feb. 8 at 10pm/9c on Lifetime…

Hello World,

This isn’t a Christian production as far as I know but since I found twin pregnancy to be so difficult this show is fascinating to me…

Lifetime’s new series tells the unbelievable true stories of women who were completely unaware they were pregnant…until they are just about to give birth! A phenomenon known as cryptic pregnancies, one in 2,500 women experience pregnancies that go unnoticed until delivery. With personal videos, photos, and gripping first-hand accounts, these unsuspecting moms-to-be share their unexpected journey to motherhood that leave everyone wondering just how in the world they could have missed the signs a baby was coming.

Below is the trailer…

Will you be watching?

Any thoughts?

 

 

Two Novels About Black Queens To Read During Black History Month: ‘The Queen of Sugar Hill’ & ‘The American Queen’

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!

Thursday, February 8, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion
In Conversation with Tiffany L. Warren
Politics & Prose Bookstore – Union Market
1270 5th St NE
Washington, DC
7pm
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion
With Victoria Christopher Murray

Rose State University
Oklahoma City, OK
4-6pm
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Charlotte, NC
5pm
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion

Book Boutique
100 Columbiana Circle
Columbia, SC
2pm
Monday, February 26, 2024
Booksigning and Discussion

Keith Summey North Charleston Library
3053 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC
5:30pm

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?

 

Why I Will Be Watching the Lifetime Two-Part Documentary ‘Where is Wendy Williams?’ on Feb. 24 & 25 And More…

“Where is Wendy Williams?” will debut on Saturday, February 24 and 25, 2024, at 8pm ET/PT on Lifetime.

Hello World,

It’s me. Jackie. Founder and Proprietor of After the Altar Call, my humble corner of Al Gore’s Internet…

Let me be real with you. I was seriously thinking of not coming back. My thinking was that I’ve been going pretty hard on here for roughly 15 years as of last year. I have lots of content that I’m proud of here and that people can still find should they want or need to read it. And being the mother of nearly two-year-old twins (at the end of the month), they are my absolute priority and greatest assignment from God (next to being a wife) during this time period. And speaking of time. I have little of it. So there’s that. BUT when I thought about not posting anything else for years and just letting this site gather virtual tumbleweeds, it made me sad. AND I thought about the unique voice that God gave me — I love God with ALL of my soul…But He also gave me my love of shade…I LOVE combining soul and shade on After the Altar Call …And I haven’t come across any other journalist/writer who does it the way I can and on a consistent basis…Yes, I’m popping my collar right now…but I can’t take the credit. God made me this way…So here I am again. With all of my time (and energy) constraints. But I’m trusting that if God intends to use me right here that He will help me to do His will…

All of that brings me to the main topic of today’s post…As far as I know, Wendy Williams is not a Christian, but as a lover of shade, NO ONE does it like her…I believe God made her that way. She has a unique voice that, to date, has not been duplicated…She’s been off the scene for a while dealing with a myriad of issues, but Lifetime recently announced that on February 24 and 25, the network will be releasing a two-part documentary “Where is Wendy Williams?” which is executive produced by the Queen of All Media herself. See the trailer below…

I have a few thoughts after watching this trailer…

  1. Wendy said she has no money. Considering how much money Wendy amassed during her career, I know it seems tragic that she either has no money or has access to the money she does have as I believe she has a financial guardian. However, I believe that having money is the least of her worries. In fact, it’s probably a good thing that she doesn’t have money right now because having money may lead her to believe that she is self-sufficient. Right now, she needs to be banking on God. If she can allow God to straighten her out spiritually then money can be added to her…The Bible does say “Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and all things will be added to you”...And speaking of adding, let me add this: Another benefit of her having no money is that her ex-husband and his former mistress now baby mama cannot profit from her pain…And that’s just how God works…On the one hand, He’s enabling Wendy to see that she cannot depend on her money when it comes to the condition of her spirit AND enabling her ex-husband to reap what he has sown…Sorry not sorry Sharina….Hopefully, you are raising your daughter with more scruples than you have…
  2. And speaking of Kevin or Kelvin or whatever his real name is, I do believe in losing her marriage, Wendy believes that she lost the main source of her support system, but I was encouraged to see her father, sister, niece and son in the trailer. I believe that losing her mother also deeply saddened her as that was and is understandable, but she still has a family. I hope she allows them to love on her and be used by God to help heal her.
  3. I also saw that she has at least one Christian person in her friend circle. Did y’all notice that Blac Chyna aka Angela White was hugging her in one scene? Over the years I’ve heard Wendy say that she shunned celebrity friendships so that they didn’t influence her commentary on Hot Topics, but considering that she herself is a Hot Topic right now, it’s been time for her to redefine some of her former standards…

So those are a few of the thoughts I had as I watched the trailer, but below is the official description of the two-part documentary:

Over the course of nearly two years, cameras chronicled the former television host and radio star Wendy Williams’ on the next phase of her life, following the end of her iconic talk show. The documentary provides a raw, honest and unfiltered reality of Wendy’s life after she was placed under financial guardianship, shedding light on the vulnerabilities that has turned Wendy into the Hot Topic herself. Suffering mental and physical issues, Wendy’s delicate state of mind, erratic behavior and declining health were all captured by the cameras. Where is Wendy Williams? is the story of Wendy’s journey to resurrect her career, and what filmmakers discovered along the way. But many questions remain – who truly has Wendy’s best interest at heart? Is she healthy now? And Where is Wendy Williams?

If you need a refresher on what’s been going on with Wendy over the last few years, below are a few of my previous posts…

‘SHERRI’ Talk Show To Start Tomorrow in Same Time Slot Previously Held by Wendy Williams…

Sherri Shepherd Tells PEOPLE Every Day Podcast That Motherhood is Her ‘Biggest Insecurity’, Responds on IG to Wendy Williams Saying She Won’t Be Watching Her New Show…

Why Tabitha Brown Was Right for Her Classy Clap Back But Wendy Williams Wasn’t Completely Wrong Either…

I will definitely be watching. What about you? I don’t know where Wendy is, and truthfully, none of us need to know. Wherever she is, God knows and can always get to her. My prayer for her is that she will allow Him to heal her in every way that she needs to be healed…

And one additional thing:

Speaking of seeking God first, this is the best rendition I heard of the song “All Good Things Will Be Added Unto You.” Claire Huxtable aka Phylicia Rashad was truly used by God in this moment…See for yourself…

Any thoughts?

 

 

So do you intend to watch?