Megafest: Celebration of Unity Concert

Bishop T.D. Jakes received a Humanitarian award from former New Orleans Mayor Mark M. Morial during the concert in Celebration of Jakes 30 years of ministry.



Will Smith, the star of Pursuit of Happiness, introduced Kirk Franklin. Franklin, in his angelic white shirt, brought the down the house, after walking off stage the crowd begin to sing the chorus of Looking for You. Then he could not resist and came back on stage and sung Revolution from his second album Nu Nation Project.

Donnie McClurkin told of his funny rendition of how Lady Serita Jakes introduced Bishop Jakes for the first time. Then McClurkin continues of how the message that Jakes gave touched him on a personally level that he has stayed in contact with Jakes ever since. In the end McClurkin sung until we cried with joy.


Shirley Caesar brought in the old school gospel.

Other guest singers included were Aretha Franklin, Kelly Price, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Fred Hammond Jeff Majors.



In addition, former NFL Cowboys Emmit Smith and Michael Irvin told how they see Bishop Jakes as their dad and mentor thru their ups and downs of life.

Photo Slide Show

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CD release for party for B. R. U. T. H. A.

Someone told that there was free food at Atlanta's Jock & Jills for a release party; I was more excited about the food. After the event ended at Megafest, I headed over to the restaurant after leaving Megafest. The road manager handed me a cd. I was not impressed with album and just thought they may be another Christian rap group. Then I heard the music from the speakers.

I asked my friend, is this the group?

He said, yes!

I was like; I am going to stay now.

After eating the wonderful cheesy-chicken-quesadillas, I left to see the performance.

Their gospel songs have an R&B flavor of their own. They even performed the oldie song Oh Happy Day with a twist.

Close is an upbeat song that will get you on your feet, while singing the words: time and time again, you kept me. I will stay close to you Lord.

Atlanta V103’s Greg Street hosts the CD. Heaven, Love, and Hey are great songs.

The song Hey, lyrics are It’s going to be ok... To blessed to be stressed, I ain't got time for any mess. After the singing this song you will not be stressed.

The group B. R. U. T. H. A. performs live for the audience from their Rise Up CD Release party on July 23, 2006. Pierre and Erin are very talented and groomed performers. The crowd reacted very positive to their performance. They performed as if it was their Time (track 7) and it was their shot. I give this CD a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more booking, visit www.brutha.org. In addition, you can request for a free full length CD..

Atmoshphere at Jock & Jills in Atlanta Ga.

Gwen and Lanica posing with Pierre and Erin from the group BRUTHA.

Frankie Beverly

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly performed so well that I didn’t take notes because I was to busy doing the electric slide. It was so much fun!!!!

Got God?

Toni Braxton's Cold Concert

Toni Braxton dancers wore dressed in white mini dresses as she wore a yellow- fringed mini dress. Braxton belted out Let me Count the Ways, which her voice sounded better than her performance in Dallas at Nokia Theatre. The fast paced show left little time for wardrobe changes, as her fans are use to from her tour. Braxton’s concert is very fun to watch because she picks men out of the audience to serenade. One gorgeous stern face guy surprisingly begin to thank God as she sat in his lap. During her performance of Unbreak my Heart, Braxton’s voice was very low due to the cold she had been fighting for the past couple of days.

In her concert tour, Spanish Guitar song begins with two women salsa mixed with hip hop and breaken dance as the intro plays in the background. This song alone choreographed beautifully was extraordinary to watch.

Who you Calling a Ho? Sisters Take Back Our Sex!

Take Back the Music: Jill Scott made a major point that there are more women buts seen on music videos than at the gym. She uses song and poetry to get across to the crowd of the positive entertainment is out there but needs support.

Shemar Moore

Common
YoYo
Author of Diary of a Video Vixen, Karrine Steffans, Michaela angela Davis (scheduled to appear but absent), and Toni Blackman(scheduled to appear but absent).

Jennifer Holiday wooed by Shemar Moore

During a nice interlude, Jennifer Holiday sang her infamous song I (New Orleans) am not going any where, with a few changes to the song to indicate that New Orleans was here to stay. The crowd had water in their eyes, as the words belted, you're going to love me. Afterwards, Susan L. Taylor requested Holiday to give us one more chorus. Then surprisingly, Shemar Moore gets on his knees and begs Holiday to sing the song one more time. Of course, who would not give in to Moore’s request? Holiday granted his request and sung the lyrics one more time for the crowd.

Sharpton says We are Still In the Day

Reverend Al Sharpton reminds African Americans, we are still

in the day but we need to stand like our ancestors like back in the day.

Sharpton said our parents gave us more than what they had.

This would be the first generation to give their children less than what they had.

Sharpton tell of a story of a woman telling him

good luck in the struggle.

Then he says,

who made you free and I remain in the struggle.

Just like the redwood trees, Sharpton reminds them that African Americans roots run deep.

Rev Jackson speaks Out

Reverend Jesse Jackson pointed out that the entire media outlet reflected

All Day, All Night, All White

eventho America has many races. Jackson pointed out that we should deal with lion (markets) instead of each other.

Jamie Foxx at Essence

Jamie Foxx performed 5 minutes after his scheduled time but the crowd did not care as they stood to their feet. He sung the concert version of “DJ Play this Song”. Also, Foxx sang songs from the movie Ray Charles.

Magic talks Business Magic

Earvin “Magic” Johnson gave out key points on how to build wealth. Johnson stated facts there are more millionaires but less business owners. He gives clues to his successful business is to hire 9 and 10 people. They should have same mindset as the owner.

1. Build a Brand
2. Customer Service or African Americans will go down the street
3. 3-5 year plan
a. Also, have an exit strategy just in case someone buys you out.
4. Buy some land

Johnson stated with Starbucks menu was changed to accommodate his customers. i.e. scones changed to pound cake and soke it to me cake.

In addition,he said money should be spent our community but if we are not business owners, then other business owners will spend money elsewhere.

Ray Nagin Mayor of New Orleans speaks at Essence Festival

Ray Nagin Mayor of New Orleans said that if you remember anything from his speech, “buy some land in New Orleans”. Right now, you can buy land at half the appraised amount and then in turn get your own appraiser. He pointed out
1. Stick together
2. Economic development- Be your own boss
3. Home ownership, not car ownership
4. Black men need to get stronger as leaders, fathers, and husbands. Strong reentry programs (for prisoners)
5. Politics with Economic as with money is fools gold.

From Broke to Blessed: 10 Top Tips to Financial Freedom: Dr. Julianne Malveaux

From Broke to Blessed: 10 Top Tips to Financial Freedom: Dr. Julianne Malveaux requested everyone to learn the rules and play the game, Broke are you? Here are some tips Malveaux gave:
1. Claim it Now
a. How much money can you put your hands on now?
b. Do you budget?
2. Stop charging, Stop shopping
a. Is shopping your favorite past time?
b. What are we shopping for?
c. Austerity Budget- just say you haven’t got it.
3. Start the repair process-pay down your debt
a. Disposable income not for disposable stuff (food)
4. Change the equation
a. Spend less
b. Earn more
c. Can you work a side job/gig
d. Can you work overtime
5. Cultivate a saving habit
a. 10% God
b. 10% Charity
c. 10% Yourself
6. Claim Ownership
a. Home
b. Business
c. Stocks
7. Develop a plan and count your blessings
a. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

Bobby Brown & New Edition

New Edition and Bobby Brown Reunion performed in their all white suites and shoes with their smooth dance moves. Johnny Gill song Red Dress then Bobby Brown lead My Prerogative as the crowd waived their hands in the air. Gill came back to sing, Can you stand the Rain as everyone felt the beat of the drum pounding on their chest. Gill begin to assure the crowd that after being in the music business of the twenty-three years that the group has been lied and that

no weapon formed against them shall prosper.

With a cheerful end they belted out with That Girl is Poison.


Bobby Brown came on stage and performed by himself. During his performance, he took off his shirt and belt. The audience begins get suspicious of what was come next. Brown stated that if Whitney were there he would be

tearing her ass up backstage.

As young innocence girls being to tell Brown that they loved him, he chanted,

I love you too but I love Whitney more.

At the end of his performance, the back up singers belted out the chorus to My Prerogative as the curtain came down. Then out of nowhere Brown came from behind through the curtains, came out singing the words of “My Prerogative” and the crowd went crazy. At the end of song when Brown, with only his pants and shoes on, he tried to say my prerogative but his mike was turned off, then he began to just throw his towel in the air as the crowd sung the words to his song. That was the most memorable part of the evening because as for as Brown was concerned he wanted to end the show when he wanted to!

Jahiem in Concert

At 7:15 pm Jahiem came out on stage with a straight-blow-out-combed back hairstyle in gray suit with lilac & yellow tie & lilac matching belt. His performance of “Put Your Woman First” was great but sources revealed that the hairstyle just looked more pimped than thugged out. As a tribute to Luther Vandross death on July 1, 2005, Jahiem belted out “A House is not a Home.” His voice had so much volume that he brought his mike down to his waist so it would not overpower the crowd-filled stadium. Jaheim surprised the audience by singing a very old gospel song “Trouble in My Way, I gotta cry sometime”.