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Civil Rights Dean The Rev. Dr. Joseph Echols Lowery Peacefully Transitions at 98 Years Old…

Hello World,

The Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights announced this sad news recently.

Our beloved, Rev. Dr. Joseph Echols Lowery, made his transition peacefully at home at 10 p.m., Friday, March 27, at the age of 98. He was surrounded by his daughters.

Hailed as the “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement” upon his receipt of the NAACP’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Lowery had assumed and executed a broad and diverse series of roles over the span of his nine decades: leader, pastor, servant, father, husband, freedom fighter and advocate.

Born in Huntsville, Ala., on October 6, 1921, his legacy of service and struggle was long and rich. His genesis as a civil rights advocate dates to the early 1950s, when he headed the Alabama Civic Affairs Association, which led the movement to desegregate buses and public accommodations. In 1957, with friend and colleague Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he was a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

He served as Vice President (1957-1967), Chairman of the Board (1967-1977), and as President and Chief Executive Officer (1977-1998). To continue his legacy and promote non-violent advocacy among future generations, The Joseph E. Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights was founded in 2002 at Clark Atlanta University. The Institute was later renamed to include and honor Dr. Evelyn Lowery, his beloved partner in marriage and the movement for 67 years.

Calling on his over 40 years as ‘pastor’ and in his inimitable style, Dr. Lowery delivered the benediction on the occasion of President Barack Obama’s inauguration as the 44th President of the United States in 2009. Later that year, President Obama awarded him the nation’s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the nonviolent struggle for the causes of justice, human rights, economic equality, voting rights, peace and human dignity.

Our entire family is humbled and blessed by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support that has come from around the globe. We thank you for loving our father, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, and for your continuous prayers during this time. However, the family will not be conducting interviews during this grieving period.

In lieu of flowers, cards or food, donations may be made to The Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights. Dr. Lowery’s life was driven by a sense of obligation to our global community and desire to champion love over hate; inclusion over exclusion. The Lowery Institute was founded in 2002 to further Dr. Lowery’s legacy of promoting non-violent advocacy among future generations.

Donations can be sent to The Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute, P.O. Box 92801, Atlanta, GA 30314, or made on-line by clicking here.

Aligning with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines on COVID-19 prevention and social distancing, plans are underway for a private family service. A public memorial will be held in late summer or early fall.

Thank you,

The Lowery Family

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Jacob Greenleaf (Really Lamman Rucker), Tasha Cobbs Leonard & More Star In New Movie ‘SINNERS WANTED’ on TV One!

OWN 'Greenleaf' Actors Star in New Projects?

Hello World,

Still, no word on when OWN’s “Greenleaf” is returning but the actors from our favorite church drama series are making moves…

TV One celebrates Holy Week with the cable-television premiere of SINNERS WANTED on Palm Sunday, April 5 at 4 P.M. ET/3C with encore airings on Saturday, April 11 at 12 P.M. EST/11C and Easter Sunday, April 12 at 4 P.M. EST/3C. The award-winning film features an all-star cast ensemble including Lamman Rucker, Traci Braxton, Clifton Powell, Roland Martin, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, Joseph Curtis Calendar, Hope Blackstock, Tiana Melvina Woods, and Nasir Rhamim.

The movie tells the story of Leo Shepherd (Kenneth Wayne), an unconventional pastor ridiculed by his hypocritical congregation after rescuing and falling in love with Gigi (Ashley Rios), a woman with a troubled past.

“When asked to produce Sinners Wanted it was a no brainer,” said Executive Producer Tressa Azarel Smallwood of MegaMind Media. “I knew that a movie addressing forgiveness and judgement teetering around a pastor marrying a prostitute would change the thinking of many. This movie had to happen and partnering with TV One was genius on behalf of all involved.”

“I am very proud of my sons effort in producing this story,” remarked Pastor John K. Jenkins, First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Washington, DC. “This film will help the next generation understand what God’s Love truly means. It’s amazing how they took the biblical story of Hosea and Gomer and made it present day. I encourage church communities all over to country to see it.”

SINNERS WANTED follows the journey of Leo Shepherd (Wayne), a young vibrant minister from Macon, Georgia, who relocates to Washington, D.C., for an opportunity to pastor Grace Community Church. On his first day, Leo meets a prostitute named Ginger “Gigi” Clementine (Rios). (So this movie has a Gigi too?) Ironically, Leo is immediately drawn to her as she reminds him of his mother. They begin to grow closer and their feelings become stronger. The church finds out about the budding relationship and immediately voice concerns about the impact of the woman’s past on the church’s image. Despite the congregation’s outcry, Leo continues to pursue Gigi and falls deeply in love, eventually asking for her hand in marriage. Their holy union, however, turns out to be catastrophic and reveals both Leo and Gigi’s past.

“It’s interesting to see what Leo and Gigi do, and whether or not they are gonna make it,” commented Lamman Rucker. “I think it’s a good script and it shows that Josh and Jimmy have alot of potential in writing good stories.”

Here’s the trailer:

For more information visit TV One’s YouTube Channel and check out exclusive, behind-the-scenes content on www.tvone.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on TV One’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) and Facebook using the hashtag #SINNERSWANTED.

In Other News: Lovie Simone aka Jacob Greenleaf’s daughter Zora has been cast in “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” according to Variety. “‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ at Starz continues to build out its cast with the addition of Lovie Simone, Variety has learned exclusively. The series will explore the early life of “Power” character Kanan Stark, played in the mothership series by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. She joins previously announced cast members Mekai Curtis, Patina Miller, Omar Epps, and Hailey Kilgore.” Read more HERE.

Also, Bishop Greenleaf aka Keith David starred in a recent episode of “NCIS: New Orleans” according to cheatsheet.com. “The latest episode of NCIS: New Orleans, “Biased,” tackled a difficult topic. When an NOPD officer shoots a black Navy officer he believed is armed, tensions rise. The procedural drama touched on racial disparities, pitting Dr. Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder) against her new love interest, Gene Holloway, played by legendary actor, Keith David. Who is David and what else has he done?” Read more HERE.

And y’all, I think I saw Sophia Greenleaf aka Desiree Ross AND AJ aka Jacob Gibson on some shows as I was going through channels recently…What’s going on? Shouldn’t they be filming more episodes of OWN’s “Greenleaf” that we can watch now?!!!

But if you’re in need of a church drama fix now AND you like my OWN “Greenleaf” recaps, check out my debut novel Destination Wedding which features Minister Jarena Johnson (a mistress minister is what I call her!) who dates married men even as she teaches Bible Study at her church. Some of her antics would even catch Lady Mae and Gigi by surprise! The paperback is on sale for $7.93 today and the e-book costs $5.99 on Amazon! Click HERE. 

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Deitrick Haddon Releases New Album ‘T.I.M.E’ – Available Now!

 

Hello World,

Award-winning gospel music superstar Deitrick Haddon’s new album T.I.M.E (Truth Is My Energy) is available now wherever music is sold and streamed digitally.

Haddon’s new album is hailed as his “best work yet,” and features the Billboard Gospel Radio smash single, “Open Door Season.” Additionally, it boasts a new verse of the worshippers favorite track “He’s Able,” the viral “Gorilla Faith” produced by Zaytoven and “Come Through” lifted from TV One’s original film, “Sins of the Father.”

Deitrick Haddon earned the name, “the new face of Gospel,” after his album Church on the Moon debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel chart. The Detroit native is known for his progressive, urban style of gospel music, but he is also the founding pastor of Hill City Church in California. He is also a former cast member on Oxygen’s reality television show Preachers of L.A. Christmas 2018, Haddon teamed up with super-producer Zaytoven to create what they consider to be their best body of work to date, on the holiday EP “Greatest Gift.” Additionally, Haddon penned three songs on Usher’s most recent album, “A.”

Below is a video for “Let It Go (Everything),” one of the songs on the album:

 

Deitrick Haddon’s new album T.I.M.E (Truth Is My Energy) is available now wherever music is sold and streamed digitally. Follow Deitrick Haddon on Twitter using the handle @DeitrickHaddon; on Instagram at @DHaddy and Facebook at Facebook.com/DeitrickHaddon.

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