Category Archives: Writing

Posted on

OWN’s New Drama ‘Delilah’ From Acclaimed ‘Greenleaf’ Creator Craig Wright Announces Additional Cast & Directors, Will Air on OWN in March 2021…

Hello World,

Greenleafers, our favorite show creator is back! OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network recently announced  the addition of 14 new roles plus directors Ayoka Chenzira and Crystle C. Roberson for new drama “Delilah,” from acclaimed “Greenleaf” creator Craig Wright, who serves as executive producer along with Charles Randolph-Wright and Oprah Winfrey. In 2020, “Greenleaf” was the year’s most-watched original cable series with African-American viewers.

Delilah left a demanding white-shoe law firm a decade ago and hung up her own shingle so she could make raising her kids her number one priority. Now she takes on cases the big firms ignore and finds herself, more often than not, going head-to-head with the powerful and privileged as she fights for the disenfranchised. In addition to raising her two kids, Maia and Marcus, Delilah also cares for her young nephew Dion; manages her relationship with her frustrating ex; and to top it all off, she’s about to go up against her best friend Tamara in court for the first time. Delilah has always represented the underdogs. Tamara has always represented the wealthy and powerful. But this case is different: this time, Delilah’s most cherished friendship is on the line, and there are lives at stake. But Delilah does what she always does – she seeks justice for those who need it most. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Harpo Films, filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will air on OWN in March 2021.

The new series regulars announced include:

  • Kelly Jacobs plays ‘Maia’ – smart, feisty, and creative, Maia is Delilah’s teenage daughter. She’s confident and unafraid to speak her mind or stand up for herself. A talented violinist, Maia plays with the school orchestra, but when she meets Miss Virginia, a renowned former violinist who offers to give Maia free lessons, Maia sets her sights on bigger aspirations, much to Delilah’s dismay. (Series Regular)
  • Khalil Johnson plays ‘Dion’ – Dion is Delilah’s nephew, her brother Nate’s son. Dion has not had an easy life and all he wants is some stability and his absent mother’s love.  However, the love he’s getting from his aunt is unconditional – and he’s starting to feel at home. (Series Regular)
  • Braelyn Rankins (“Faith Under Fire,” “Genius”) plays ‘Marcus’ – a sweet kid, Marcus is Delilah’s son. Energetic, confident and sharp, he is a little annoyed that his five-year-old cousin has been staying at the house – and wonders how long he has to put up with it. Nonetheless, Marcus is a good-natured boy who likes to have a good time. Also perceptive, when he sees his mother is distracted, he knows how to make her smile. (Series Regular)

New recurring cast includes:

  • Lyriq Bent (“Four Brothers,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Saw”) plays ‘Gordon’ – Delilah’s ex-husband and the father of their kids. Unfortunately, his good looks and charisma have caused him some problems. A professor, he slept with one of his college students, losing his job and his marriage to Delilah as collateral damage. Despite their differences, he and Delilah must work together to coparent the kids they both love. (Recurring)
  • Joseph Callender (“Overcomer”) plays ‘Andre’ – a man who has considerable authority over Christine, he’s “visiting” her apartment and claims to be a friend of both Nate and Christine.  But the nature of his “friendship” with Christine looks mighty suspicious, especially to Delilah. (Recurring Co-star)
  • Michel Curiel (“Sistas,” “The Walking Dead: World Beyond”) plays ‘Jamal’ – Casey’s handsome and single best friend. When Tamara and Casey introduce him to Delilah, he’s very interested and courts her. (Recurring)
  • LaMonica Garrett (“Arrow,” “Designated Survivor”) plays ‘Casey’ – tall and handsome, “perfection,” Casey is the Deputy Mayor of Charlotte and considered one of the most eligible men around. Charming, intelligent, professional, he is dating Delilah’s best friend, Tamara Roberts. (Recurring)
  • Nigel Gibbs (“Breaking Bad,” “Beautiful Boy”) is cast as ‘Wes’ – the Chief of Police in Charlotte. Delilah’s father, he has a long-strained relationship with his daughter which he is hoping to repair. Wes is also rebuilding a relationship with his son, Nate, Delilah’s younger brother, and Delilah’s not happy about it. (Recurring)
  • Leonard Harmon (“Black Boots”) plays ‘Nate’ – Delilah’s warm-hearted younger brother. He is an Army veteran who has been living in the Veteran Affairs Rehab Center after an injury abroad left him paralyzed and using a wheelchair. While he is adjusting to the VA and his new physical condition, his son, Dion, has been left in Delilah’s care. (Guest Recurring)
  • Candace B. Harris (“The Single Life,” “Valor”) plays ‘Christine’ – Nate’s estranged wife and Dion’s mother.  Too much of a wreck to properly care for her son, she has (briefly) entrusted Dion to Delilah’s care — but “brief” is a very elastic word, and this situation is getting tighter and closer to the snapping point with every passing hour — and so is Delilah’s temper. (Guest Recurring)
  • Gray Hawks (“Outer Banks”) is cast as ‘Win’ – southern, patrician, he is Tamara’s boss.  He likes having her on the team and entrusts her to defuse a challenge the company is facing. If she succeeds, she’ll make partner at his firm. (Guest Recurring)
  • Joe Holt (“The Walking Dead: The World Beyond,” “The Punisher”) plays ‘Mace’ – a private investigator, and one of Delilah’s good friends. Smart, sharp-witted, with a fun, easygoing manner, he’s always the reliable friend Delilah can turn to for anything, personal or professional.  When Delilah asks for his help on Leah’s case, Mace is intrigued. (Recurring)
  • Saycon Sengbloh (“In The Dark,” “Scandal”) plays ‘Leah’ – Leah and Delilah have known each other since college, but have fallen out of touch in the years that have passed.  After suddenly and unjustly being let go from her job, Leah decides to reach out to Delilah hoping her old friend will take on her case as her attorney.  Leah is a bit rough around the edges, tired, nervous and skittish from the fallout of her firing. (Recurring)
  • Amanda Tavarez (“Queen Sugar,” “Cake: The Series”) plays ‘Katya’ – Gordon’s girlfriend, she used to be one of his students, and is ready to take their relationship to the next level by moving in and meeting his kids. (Recurring)

Previously announced cast includes Maahra Hill (“Black-ish,” “How to Get Away With Murder”) starring as Delilah Connolly, a headstrong, highly principled lawyer living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Delilah’s doing her best to raise two kids alone and keep her ties to family, friends and faith strong, all the while ceaselessly seeking justice for those who need it most, in a time when the rich and powerful of Charlotte and beyond will do anything to stop her. Jill Marie Jones (“Girlfriends”) appears as Tamara Roberts, Delilah’s confidante and best friend; Susan Heyward (“Orange is the New Black”), portrays Demetria Barnes, Delilah’s newly hired, fearless, and ambitious associate; and Ozioma Akagha (Marvel’s “Runaways”), plays Delilah’s unfailingly sunny secretary, Harper Omereoha.

Additionally, Ayoka Chenzira (“Queen Sugar,” “Greenleaf,” “Trinkets,” “Alma’s Rainbow”) directed two episodes. Crystle C. Roberson (“Greenleaf,” “American Soul,” “First Christmas,” “Diary of a Future President”) also took on an episode in the eight-episode season. Award-winning directors Charles Randolph-Wright (“Greenleaf”) and Cheryl Dunye (“Queen Sugar,” “David Makes Man”) were previously announced.

  • Ayoka Chenzira —Ayoka Chenzira is an award-winning filmmaker and a recognized pioneer in Black independent cinema. Her distinctive body of work spans fiction, documentary, animation, performance, experimental narratives, interactive cinema and television.

She is one of the first African American women to write, produce and direct a 35mm feature film, Alma’s Rainbow (developed at Sundance Institute).

There have been many international retrospectives of Ayoka’s films and several of them are in permanent collections including the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

In 2018, Ayoka directed a season three episode of Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar” for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, for which she was nominated for a 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Director in Drama. Her animated film, Hair Piece: a film for nappyheaded people, was one of twenty-five films inducted into the 2018 National Film Registry, which preserves films deemed as culturally, historically or aesthetically significant. She received the 2018 BronzeLens Catalyst Award for her pioneering work.

Ayoka’s early films are currently being archived and preserved at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and in 2020 will be rereleased by Milestone Films.

In 2019 Ayoka directed a season four episode of “Greenleaf” for OWN, back-to-back episodes of “Trinkets” for Netflix and later in the year was invited by Ava DuVernay to direct the season four finale of “Queen Sugar.”

Based on her interactive sci-fi fantasy film, HERadventure, Ayoka was invited to be a TEDxAtlanta Speaker where she presented on imagination and diversity in sci-fi/fantasy films.

Black Women Animate and the Cartoon Network honored Ayoka Chenzira in 2020 with the Cultural Innovator Award.

Ayoka is a member of the Director’s Guild of America. She is the Division Chair for the Arts at Spelman College.

  • Crystle C. Roberson – Since being honored by Women in Film & Television Atlanta with the Woman to Watch Award in 2008, Crystle has been creating cinematic stories for all who wish to see. Born in Germany and raised in the heart of middle Georgia USA, Crystle fell in love with film as a teenage photographer and continues a life of unique expression through the camera.

Crystle was awarded by HBO, Chase, and Kodak for her short film Next Door’s Next (2009) and has written/directed dozens more indie projects to date – including Private Garden with Idris Elba, The Black Cage with Mykelti Williamson, The End Again with Columbus Short and most recently Black Girls Guide to Fertility with Raney Branch. Crystle is a proud member of Yale University’s Storytellers in Modern Media Program. A 2018 Sony Pictures Diverse Director Program Participant, Crystle is a member of the Directors Guild of America and has directed many episodes of television including the hit series “Greenleaf” on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, “American Soul,” on BET, and “Diary of a Future President” on Disney+. Currently, she is in development of a dramatic series as co-creator and writer at HBO.

In addition to creating and executive producing OWN’s hit drama series “Greenleaf,” Craig Wright is currently developing a spinoff of “Greenleaf” for OWN.  Wright served as writer and producer on “Lost” and “Six Feet Under,” and was supervising producer on the long-running series “Brothers and Sisters.” He was Emmy-nominated for his writing on “Six Feet Under,” and received three WGA Award nominations, winning the Dramatic Series award in 2004 for “Lost.” In addition, Wright was executive producer and writer for “Tyrant” and “Rush” and was consulting producer on “United States of Tara.”

“Delilah” is produced for OWN by Warner Bros. Television and Harpo Films. The executive producers are Craig Wright, Charles Randolph-Wright, and Oprah Winfrey.

Follow “Delilah” on social media at:

FB: facebook.com/DelilahonOWN

TW: twitter.com/DelilahOWN

IG: Instagram.com/delilahOWN

Will you be watching next month? I’m mostly waiting on the “Greenleaf” spinoff, but I’m a HUGE fan of Craig Wright’s writing so I will give it a chance…

Any thoughts?

Posted on

Pastor Tom Buck Calls Vice President Kamala Harris ‘Jezebel’ on Twitter & Stands By Slur After Backlash…

Hello World,

Even though I’m hurt, I’m not surprised. Tom Buck, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lindale, Texas tweeted this about our country’s first female vice president, Kamala Harris, who is of black and Indian descent. See below:

As was noted in an article “SBC [Southern Baptist Convention] pastor calls Vice President Kamala Harris a ‘Jezebel’ two days after inauguration” written by Mark Wingfield of BaptistNews.com, “calling a black woman ‘Jezebel’ is a racist trope documented by the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University. It has roots in slavery and the perceived sexual promiscuity of black women compared to white women.”

Below is how Pastor Buck explained his statement because he likely was told that his comment seemed racist.

Obviously, many had lots to say in response to these tweets. Here is one  response from Wingfield’s article: “Some noted his hypocrisy for eagerly supporting Donald Trump; others castigated him for advancing a racist trope. One commenter wrote: ‘It’s funny how willing the SBC was to overlook Trump’s divorces, his affairs, his sexual assault allegations, the dishonesty, and the constant cruelty, but it is a woman whose politics they disagree with who draws their contempt.'”

You can read the entire article HERE for all of the details. But this is why I’m hurt. Everybody knows that black people have been marginalized and much more in these not so United States of America for generations. As black people have ascended, through the grace of God, to places and positions that would have been unthinkable to previous generations, black people feel a sense of pride that we are finally able demonstrate that we’ve had the potential all along although it wasn’t recognized on a wider scale before recent history.

And people of other races, ethnic backgrounds, etc. should be able to understand why although some don’t or maybe won’t, which I’m not surprised by. Sadly, it’s been that way for longer than I’ve been here. Even if you disagree with Vice President Harris’ politics and that is fair, name calling, particularly, in this example is insensitive. The more productive thing to do would be to work to change policies with which you disagree. The same grace that was extended to the former president despite how his choices didn’t always reflect Christian principles  is the same grace that needs to be extended to Vice President Harris. Actually, let me rephrase that as some supporters of the former president appeared to be in a cult or else the insurrection at the capitol wouldn’t have happened. A better way to say this is that many Christians were willing to work with the former president even if they didn’t agree with everything about him. That should be true for Vice President Harris.

Christians will be never be able convince the broader culture that we are different unless we are different. I try my hardest (well not always) to be different. Anywho, that’s all I have to say about that. Below are a few more of Pastor’s Buck’s tweets just for additional information…

Final thought:  I will stop being proud of “first black” or “first female” designations for that matter when we no longer need to denote “first black” or “first female.”

What say you?

Any thoughts?

 

Posted on

It’s First Lady Friday Featuring…Darline McElroy, First Lady of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Forney, Texas!

Hello World,

During Women’s History Month 2019, I’ve launched a new interview series featuring First Ladies! In thinking about my mother who was the First Lady of Central Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia for 38 years before my father retired in 2017 and after reading Kimberla Lawson Roby’s final Rev. Curtis Black book “Better Late Than Never” which explored Charlotte’s desire to not be a typical First Lady, it dawned on me that I should feature First Ladies, which are revered positions particularly in the black church. Everyone is always talking about what the pastor of this church and that church is doing, but First Ladies are equally as important as the pastors to whom they are married! So periodically, on a Friday of course, I am featuring a First Lady. So if you know of a First Lady who should be featured, please e-mail me at jacqueline@afterthealtarcall.com because I’m looking for notable First Ladies to feature!

So with that being said, let me present to some and introduce to others the First Lady of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Darline McElroy!

Below is her biography followed by my interview with her. Read, enjoy and share!

Darline Amos-McElroy grew up in Leland, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, she settled in Dallas, Texas. Darline served in education where the storyline for I Ate the Cake: A Journey for Justice began. As a school counselor, Darline followed the responsibilities. As a servant of Jesus Christ, she followed the purpose of His calling. Darline resides with her husband, Pastor Robert B. McElroy and her four children in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. I Ate the Cake: A Journey for Justice is Darline’s debut book.

1.How do you feel about the term “First Lady?”

When my husband, Pastor Robert B. McElroy, and I accepted the call to Mt. Zion, we agreed to use the term Pastor’s wife. I equated “First Lady” as a position to be highly regarded as someone worthy of different treatment than others. However, my preference is to be one with people of God, so most often, I am referred to as Minister Darline, the Pastor’s wife, or simply my name. I have learned that the term is also one of endearment; therefore, I am not offended by the term as it is a tradition for many. In truth, the Pastor’s wife is set apart, so the choice of terminology doesn’t override expectations and responsibilities.

2. What is the “job description” of a First Lady?  

I chuckled when I heard this question, and one word came to my mind, all-encompassing. The First Lady is a wife first. With her love for her husband and wanting the best for him, she will do what supports him, whether cleaning the restrooms to leading praise and worship songs. The job description is different in each church depending on the available people and resources. The Pastor’s wife will also have a desire, like many Christians, to use her God-given gifts and talents. The description will evolve as the Pastor’s wife, or First Lady learns who she is in Christ. The most important is to support the Pastor’s vision and maintain balance within herself and for her family.

3. What is the best part and what is the worst part about being a First Lady? 

The best part is to assist my husband in creating a welcoming church culture for God’s people. My nature is to care, encourage, and protect, which many members need when coming in from a world that can be cruel. My training as a counselor assists me in the role of First Lady. My desire for each child and adult is for each person to reach their God-designed plans. God has placed me in a position to help others when needed. The worst part is learning balance. Mt. Zion is our first church where we have served as leaders. I can be a very driven person, so I tend to go “all in,” which can lead to energy and emotional depletion especially having my own family and career. However, I have very supportive members who often encourage both my husband and myself to slow down. I think I have reached a point of understanding.

4. What are some misconceptions that people have about being a First Lady? 

The Pastor and his wife as human and have personal struggles. We are not above life as many believe. When we experience problems, it is exceptionally delicate, and often, we have no one to call on safely to release emotionally. Being a “First Lady” can be daunting if you regard yourself as above others. Self-perception is crucial. If I am one with the people, then I am just like others needing Christ to forgive my sins, give strength, and fulfill my life’s purposes. I realize that people have misconceptions; however, many have misconceptions about the uniqueness of being a Christian. For this reason, I remind myself often that I walk in the freedom of Christ, and my walk, actions, etc will help those misconceptions to change eventually.

5. How has your church transitioned during the COVID-19 pandemic and how has the transition affected your church? 

With the assistance of the church ministers, the church has transitioned well. My husband became ill during the early onset of the pandemic, and the ministers helped to transition the church. Initially, we used the phone lines that we use weekly for prayer. We are now using Zoom for Wednesday night Bible study and Sunday morning church service. Each week more members are getting involved. Our women and men groups also meet by Zoom once a month. The Pastor and the board members are working on a building project. With God’s favor, the church is doing well.

6. You worked in the field of education for many years but recently wrote the book I Ate the Cake: A Journey for Justice. Why did you decide to write a book and how did you come up with this interesting title?

Yes, I am a former school counselor and now a licensed professional counselor with an agency, having started Ellipsis Counseling Services. I decided to write the book for three reasons. First, I wrote, “at God’s word.” We see in the gospel of Luke 5:5 that Simon Peter was unsuccessful in his career. Jesus sends him back and tells him to drop the net. The summer I sought help from the district leaders, God told me to keep notes and records. I shared with one of my sisters on a road trip that God was leading me to write a book about the school district’s experiences. Writing the book was my response to God saying, “drop the net.” If placed in God’s hands, every talent or gift we have will capture people’s hearts and lead them to a place of encouragement, peace, or direction.

I also wrote because of Isaiah 30:8, “Go now, write it on a tablet for them, inscribe it on a scroll, that for the days to come it may be an everlasting witness.” God encouraged and instructed Isaiah to write so that the children of God would realize that the writing would serve as a witness to their rebellion once God decided to act. In other words, it could not be said, “we didn’t know or didn’t understand.” As Christian, we are to serve God’s purposes in every life area, including our careers.

Lastly, I wrote the book because it has always been my desire to publish. I Ate the Cake: A Journey for Justice gave me excellent writing material. It is a testimony I never anticipated, and writing the memoir helped me release emotions and understand why God allowed these troubles to be on my journey. As for the title, the story tells the reason. At some point in life, we are all forced or tricked into taking a bite of things intended for harm, but God will turn it around.

7. What do you hope readers will learn from your book? 

My hope is readers will understand the importance of standing up for righteousness and allowing God to work through us daily. My prayer is that the memoir teaches we will have troubles in life, and not all of the problems are self-inflicted. Many issues come as an opportunity to do God’s work and honor His command to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it” ( Genesis 1:28 NIV). We use God’s strength to accomplish “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 NIV). Furthermore, I want readers to see that the Pastor’s wife or First Lady struggles to honor God just like others. I shared authentic lessons I had to learn as a follower of Christ. At the end of the day, we all walk the same road, trying to please God.

Any thoughts?

Again, if you know of a First Lady who should be featured, please e-mail me at jacqueline@afterthealtarcall.com because I’m looking for notable First Ladies to feature! And if you would like to have conversations about faith, relationship, pop culture and more, please click on this link to subscribe to my blog 🙂!