This week I came across an article about two individuals(both women) who lived to be well into their 100’s…one was 114 and the other was 113, and both lived in New Hampshire. Reading this got me to thinking what exactly is contributing to our longevity..for some prayer is such a powerful everyday action, or not smoking or drinking or other vices that seem to shorten life. For me personally the oldest person who was filled with such wisdom and much love was my 96-year old Grandmother. Who’s the oldest living relative in your families and if you were able to live to the ages of the two Women mentioned earlier in this blog, what would or could you do to add those extra years of life and even become living known history within your own family?

Folks, we’ve almost survived another Winter season…giving thanks to his Almighty for seeing us thru some rough weather at times! And as I was reminded so kindly by our loving QMG family…every season has it’s place, whether we like it or not..It’s God’s wonderful will at work,  and I must give thanks to the beautiful weekend we’re in store for..thinking of all the winter storms we’ve had(so far) won’t dampen what we’re about to be blessed with…so please really time the time to walk barefoot through the grass(if that’s your kind of thing…LOL), smell the flowers and look up toward those beautiful blue skies…and give thanks to our Creator up above! HAVE A GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND…this and every weekend:)

One of the biggest events that highlights and celebrates the creative artistry of Hollywood is the Academy Awards and the 82nd Oscar ceremony is all set for Sunday, March 7th. Now I have to admit I haven’t been much of an awards viewer over the last several years, in fact I really couldn’t tell you the last time I sat down in front of a television and watched an awards show of any kind from beginning to end…and that very well may be the case for this year’s Oscar with the EXCEPTION of a few noted categories.

So before writing this blog, I did a little research, and thanks to Wikipedia I discovered quite an impressive list of Black Academy Award winners and nominees, many of which I didn’t realized were included in as many categories. Let me begin with the grand-daddy of the Oscars…BEST PICTURE- back in 1985 the first Black person to be nominated for the category…Quincy Jones/Producer for the movie, “The Color Purple…this year BOTH Lee Daniels and Broderick Johnson represents the first time 2 Black producers are nominated for Best Picture for the films “Precious” and “The Blind Side” respectively.

BEST DIRECTOR…in 1991 John Singleton was the first person of color to be nominated and the youngest person ever at age 23 for his film, “Boyz n The Hood.” Now fast forward to 2009 and the honor goes to Lee Daniels- the 2nd Black person to earn a Best Director nomination…BEST ACTOR/LEADING ROLE… started in 1958 with Sidney Poitier, the first Black actor to be nominated for best actor for “The Defiant Ones,” and the first to win an Academy Award in 1963 for “Lilies of The Field.”…then came 2001 and Denzel Washington won the Oscar for “Training Day”…the honor in 2004 was bestowed to Jamie Foxx for his incredible rendition of Ray Charles in the film “Ray”..Jamie recieved 2 acting nominations in the same year and was the youngest Black actor to win at age 34, and two years later Forest Whitaker was a winner for the movie “The Last King of Scotland and Will Smith was also a nominee for the film ”Pursuit of Happiness.”

BEST ACTRESS/LEADING ROLE…in 1954 the beautiful Dorothy Danridge made history as the first Black actress to be nominated for “Carmen Jones,” but it wasn’t until 2001 that Halle Berry(who irconically portryed Dorothy in movie on her life story) was the first and only Black actress to win Oscar gold…now in 2009 nominee Gabourey/Gabby Sidibe is the young Black actress to nominated for her powerful role as Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones in the fim, “Precious.”….BEST ACTOR/SUPPORTING ROLE….Lee Gossett, Jr. won the big Oscar prize in “An Officer and A Gentlemen, and the first Black actor to win in this category…1989 Denzel Washington won the honor for “Glory…1996- it was Cuba Gooding, Jr., the youngest Black actor to win at age 29 for “Jerry Maquire,” and 2004 was the last year a Black actor won and Morgan Freeman did it for(as the oldest actor-age 67) “Million Dollar Baby.”

And lastly there’s BEST ACTRESS/SUPPORTING ROLE…and many of us weren’t likely born when Hattie McDaniel won the category in 1939 for “Gone With The Wind” as the first Black person(male or female) to win an Oscar. This didn’t happen again until nearly 50 years later…1990 when Whoopi Goldberg claimed the prize for her role in “Ghost.” Another 16-years later and Jennifer Hudson was the winner and the first and only Black actor male or female to win an Academy Award for a debut film performance for “Dreamgirls.” And other nominations worthy of note…2008 Taraji P. Henson for her role in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and 2009 with Mo’Nique(and she could take home the prize March 7, 2010) for her incredible performance in “Precious.” What a history lesson to pass along, hoping this will inspire and encourage the NEXT talented/acting generation(especially of color) to keep reaching for the ’stars!”

I’m back to address another safety issue, after my last blog on the massive Toyota recall and safety being compromised amongst its owners..this time I want to speak on all of the social networking sites out there, and as a person who works for a radio station, it’s such am important part of staying connect through our wonderful radio family. BUT it amazes and shocks me at the same time that there are people/persons who are so ready to take advantage and greatly abuse the initial purpose of wanting to stay connected to friends and family.

Case in point, it makes me sick to my stomach to hear the recent arrest of a young man who posed as a young girl on Facebook to lure other young men to actually post lewd pictures of themselves for his ‘disturbing’ pleasure. I know there are so many of us who use Facebook on an everyday basis- myself included, so Parents just how comfortable are you using this among other social networking sites, and especially knowing you children are regular visitors? Must there always be someone out there who has to spoil the fun and joy of staying in touch in this advanced age of technology!?….I’m just saying!!!

Although I’ve never owned a vehicle from Toyota, I along with the rest of the world were very familiar with (until now) Toyota’s impeccable reputation for safety. So the real question has now been asked, especially from Toyota owners…WHAT WENT SO WRONG? At the posting of this blog, Toyota’s president is expected to tell members of Congress(today) that he accepts “full responsibility” for the recall of more than 8.5 million vehicles. Akio Toyoda, who happens to be the grandson of the founder of the company will also offer his condolences over the deaths of four San Diego, California family members in a Toyota crash last August.

Yesterday, I watched CSPAN and heard testimony from a Tennesse couple, where the wife shared a horrific story of her car unaccountably surging to 100 miles per hour. Rhonda Smith said NOTHING she did would stop her Lexus, and that it went six miles before, ‘God intervened.’ She was one of the fortunate ones to live to tell the tale, but sadly it took over four years for anyone to initially believe her story, as she also shared that numerous warnings to Toyota went unanswered, and when they finally did respond, called both her and her husband ‘liars.’  I can only wonder did Toyota really put PROFIT BEFORE SAFETY, and many Toyota owners had to suffer those consequences.

In closing it’s not just this recall that has put drivers in jeopardy, as I observe in my daily travels behind the wheel, there continues to be way too many of us more focused on our cell phones than the others drivers around us, and I still can’t understand how anyone can text AND drive at the same time..and I’ve recently heard that even the State Highway Patrol has a hard time catching folk in the act. Well if Toyota doesn’t put safety first, let each of us as drivers put that as the first and foremost agenda in our everyday drive! Bless us all on these highways and by-ways to stay safe!

Life is so precious, so anytime news of the death/passing of a dear friend or loved one, can still come as a shock, especially given that to some of us the person was still considered young. Case in point Tom Joyner announced the passing of a fellow radio/television personality…Bo Griffin, a Greenville, South Carolina native whose bubbly personality was enjoyed by listeners and viewers everywhere. I personally remember her appearances on the TV show ‘Extra’ and becoming a designer for women’s apparel. Just 51 years young, Bo succumbed to cancer, and the question of  ‘why so soon, why so young’  has entered the minds of the TJMS family. As we remember Bo, please remember that life is short and tomorrow is promised to NO ONE, so I want to encourage all of us to PLEASE take better care of ourselves, and don’t wait to the last minute to see a Doctor or Physician. And may we continue to be the soldiers in the fight against Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke, High Blood Pressure and other factors that took a dear friend like Bo Griffin, ‘just a little too soon.’

February 14th marks a special day for lovers everywhere, and as you fine folks celebrate the love of your mate and/or significant other let Valentine’s Day remind you that its more that just how many flowers, or how well in advance you book dinner reservations…they are nice ‘accessories’, but your true love from your heart, soul, and spirit can be the greatest gift(s) in itself! It should be a love that can stand the test to time and get you through even the toughest of days, and your TRUE valentine will understand and appreciate what your love represents. So to all Valentines, everywhere, although I can’t send you a bouquet of flowers or a box or candy…just know that MY love I send to you comes not just on Valentine’s Day…but everyday!… and yes I do LOVE YOU and please make sure you show YOURSELF some love….I’m just saying:)

What do you get when you put over 200 ladies (and yes there were fellas in the house as well) on center court during halftime of a professional basketball game….ZUMBA TO THE ONE HUNDRED POWER!! I had the wonderful pleasure of being a part of a 5-6 minute Zumba routine that entertained friends and family, and especially a HUGE sports crowd, Saturday, February 6th at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte. I have mentioned to many of you before about my participation in Zumba- the Latin style of aerobics that mixes great music with a great form of exercise that really doesn’t seem like it once it’s all said and done! Well after getting the invite to be a part of this once in a lifetime opportunity..I just couldn’t pass up! So to my entire Zumba family- and you know who you are..ladies and gentlemen..YOU ROCK AND PLEASE INVITE ME BACK SOON! And I lastly send the invite to YOU as you read this blog to join our Zumba family..we will welcome you with open arms and a workout you won’t soon forget:)

Sending out the battle cry for ALL prayers going towards ENDING this now miserable winter weather. It was a beautiful site at the beginning of last weekend, given that we haven’t had a really good snow in several years. BUT when it starts happening on the regular…and a pattern seems to be developing here…remember the Friday/weekend going into the Christmas holiday of 2009? Last weekend of course and now this weekend only leaving Sunday, which for most of us is the last day of trying to get any type of rest before heading back to work(good luck on this by the way with this being the BIG GAME WEEKEND)..Alright everyone, let’s get into the prayer position(s) and pray this weather away…at least for another day!

Not only do we reflect on the history of African-Americans, but Black History Month allows ALL of us to learn and gather a respect of the rich contributions of men and women who were doctors, lawyers, city council members, teachers, athletes, great orators,  preachers, mothers, fathers, grand-parents… any and everyone who made a difference in our schools, neighborhoods, churches, and in every nook and cranny of our society!

Sadly, there’s history that this country should continue to be very ashamed of from denying the rights of voting, going to a college or university of our choosing, or not able to ride in the front of a bus or other forms of public transportation or drinking out of a water fountain marked ‘white’ and ‘colored’ and eating in separate restaurants and other public places that serve food.

But we (African-Americans) as  a people continue to have a strong faith that has helped us overcome adversity and has brought us a mighty long way, although we will always have a long way to go…but the journey in the process continues to give us the hope and strength we need to survive and carry on!

Just the recent events that February 1, 2010 brought us with the grand opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, just seeing and hearing from the remaining 3 survivors of the N.C. A&T 4 that sparked a change in black history forever (February 1, 1960), should be a reminder to us all that history never stops being made! So let’s continue to teach, talk about, and especially inspire one another to never forget where we come from and that WE ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY to make history!