BV Entertainment Newswire May 10

The Truth About Star

Amid all the scuttlebutt that tabloid news outlets are reporting about TV personality Star Jones Reynolds leaving her long-time post as a co-host of ABC's 'The View,' Black Voices has obtained an official statement from her camp. "Star has enjoyed co-hosting 'The View' for the past nine years and truly loves her job,' said Brad Zeifman, who reps the best-selling author and Payless Shoe spokeswoman. "She’s been assured by [show executive producers] Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie that she’s welcome back for the 10th season. Anything further you have to ask Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie."

On May 5, Fox News gossip columnist Roger Friedman reported that Oprah Winfrey pal Gayle King was being considered as a replacement on the show, which will add Rosie O'Donnell to its line-up in the fall. The notorious 'New York Post' gossip column Page Six, also picked up on the story, along with news outlets including ABC's Chicago affiliate, WLS-TV. Yesterday, King -- a top editor at 'O: The Oprah Magazine'-- told 'Extra's' A.J. Calloway: "You can't believe the things you read in the paper. I certainly haven't talked to anybody about joining ‘The View,' and I don't believe Star Jones is going anywhere. I can't imagine ‘The View' without her."

'Mother' Love

Just in time for Mother's Day, 'Mama Made the Difference,' (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) the latest book from Bishop T.D. Jakes has arrived in stores. The purpose of the hardcover is two-fold; an inspiring guide to living for all women and men, and a moving tribute to the woman who shaped the multimedia minister and to mothers everywhere.

"First, as a Christian, I believe that motherhood is a woman’s sacred calling to collaborate with God in other human lives," Jakes explained. "Second, as the son of a woman who deposited herself into her children and, by extension, into every life that her children touch, I want to applaud and assure other mothers that their investments stand to reap long-term dividends."

Jakes (nee Thomas Dexter Jakes, Sr.) was named "America's Best Preacher" by 'Time Magazine' in 2001. The Charleston, West Virginia native wears many hats: a beloved pastor, a successful entrepreneur, a global advocate and philanthropist, and a spiritual shepherd to millions. In 1979, he founded the 10-member Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith in West Virginia. Today, he helms The Potter's House, a multiracial, nondenominational church with more than 50 active outreach ministries. "Love is a universal language—it transcends all barriers, genders, and classes," he said of the ministry's ascent. "The Potter’s House is known for its love and its ability to deal with the issues common to all human beings, and that covers people from every walk of life."

In the book, his thirtieth, Jakes includes 21 lessons that mamas teach about life, love, and longevity; believing in God and ourselves; responsibility and broad-mindedness; education and endurance; setting the standards high and living out our legacy; and a host of other vital matters that touch us every day. Click here to read excerpts from 'Mama Made the Difference.'

At the end of each lesson, "A Mother’s Secret Prayer" guides reader's meditation, while "Homework for the Heart" poses provocative questions and suggests specific steps that one can take to put the lesson into practice.

The best-selling author also weaves the stories of biblical mothers with accounts of contemporary mothers.

'Mama Made' also feature portraits of other mothers by the bishop’s famous friends and colleagues: Coretta Scott King has a fitting homage paid by her daughter, the Reverend Bernice King; gospel singer CeCe Winans pays tribute to her mother Delores Winans; former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell and his mother, Maud Powell, share insights.

With the book's concluding chapter, "Motherhood Hall of Fame," Jakes shares a sampling of what other celebrated Americans, including B. B. King, Dorothy Height, Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington and the late Rosa Parks—have said about their mothers.

Mommy Dearest

Angela Bassett has motherhood down to a science. The Academy Award nominated actress has played a mother in a number of films including 'Boyz N' the Hood,' 'What's Love Got To Do With It?,' Waiting To Exhale' and the recently released 'Akeelah and the Bee.' (Click here to see our special tribute to Black mothers on film and TV here.) But with the recent birth of adopted four-month old twins (daughter) Bronwyn and (son) Slater, the 47-year-old actress isn't playing anymore. "We prayed for them to be here and they are here," Bassett -- who is married to 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' star Courtney B. Vance -- tells 'Ebony' magazine. ""We just look at them. It's so miraculous. Just miraculous! From nothing comes this something that I am responsible for."

Bassett tells 'Ebony' she was firmly against hiring a full-time nanny to care for the newborns -- but did make a concession to have a part-time person to help out overnight. "I've got to get some sleep," she says. "You talk about sleep deprivation, it's really real. I've got it, but I don't have it as much as I would if I didn't have a night person. I'm with them all day. My mom's been here and she's real protective."

Bassett and Vance met while attending Yale University's graduate school and have been married for eight years. Very selective of the roles she takes on, Bassett says that she will "probably work less" now that the twins are in the mix. "They'll always come first," she explains.”I want them to always know that they're loved and appreciated. While they're young, I can be gone and take them with me."

Dawn of the 'dead'

The documentary, 'Dead Prez: It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop,' a one-hour analysis on the state of Black America from the rootsy rap act (consisting of M-1 and stic.man,) premiered at last weekend's Atlanta Hip-Hop Film Festival, where it was honored with the Revolutionary Spirit Award. The premium cable channel, Starz In Black, will air the film June 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Said to be more than just a concert documentary, the John Threat-directed project brings attention to the inadequacies of the public education system, minority entrepreneurship, and social revolution. Taped in San Francisco, Calif., 'Bigger Than…' is infused with dialogue and interviews not only from dead prez but other socially conscious personalities including Kamel Bell, owner of Ankh Marketing and son of incarcerated Black Panther Herman Bell, Bay-area rapper Ise Lyfe and hip-hop activist/radio personality Davey D. "We’ve never had the opportunity to express ourselves on this level of magnitude,” stated M- 1. "Starz In Black taking a chance on us lets us know that the work we are doing is not in vain. That our message is penetrating, it’s getting through."