It’s Simple…Eric Garcetti For Mayor!

 

I interviewed LA’s next great Mayor, Councilman Eric Garcetti. He came down to South Los Angeles and made it profoundly clear why he is the best mayor for the diverse city of Los Angeles. He wants to bring ALL stakeholders to the table. Marguerite LaMotte, Isadore Hall, Mike Davis, Councilman Bernard Park, Former Supervisor Yvonne Braithewaite Burke and many more were in the house at Maverick Flats to show love and make the case. In 2 minutes he says it best…and most simply. Take a listen!!!!

A Night to Sparkle…

A Night to Sparkle…

“When you hear of my home-going…don’t worry about me” I heard Whitney say from the screen Thursday night as I watched her final onscreen performance and enjoyed her vocals on what came to be her final recordings.

As a child of particular era I heard this song sang at the funeral of many elders as they got their wings and so it was Thursday night at Grauman’s Chinese Theater I along with many others said final good-byes to our sister, daughter, mother and friend Whitney Houston.

(You guys know how I feel about Ms. Houston check the link) http://becomingahollywoodproducer.tumblr.com/page/2

We welcomed a new generation of on-screen forces of nature whose performances were simply to die for. Adding rich flavorful butter-crème icing to Sparkle’s tasty cake was the wardrobe and costumes delivered by none other than 2 time Oscar Nominee, Ruth Carter.

In a room that boasted Hollywood’s brightest and best in front of the camera, behind the camera, as well as, behind the scenes (T.D. Jakes, Debra Martin Chase, Devon Franklin and Tyler Perry to name a few) Whitney could not have asked for more.

We only wish that she could’ve shared the room with us. We are certain that from heaven, she sat on the front row.

Watching Jordin Sparks, Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter inspired the inner diva in all of us. As we witnessed those ladies Sparkle, so did we. Much credit is due to Twinkie Byrd (far right) for casting beyond perfection, 

Fatima Robinson for seductive and soulful dance moves,

Kim Kimble for beautiful hair everywhere and Kimberly Jones and Lauri Cuppetilli for make-up that was flawless. Debra Martin Chase, Patricia Houston, T.D. Jakes, Devon Franklin, Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil were the dream team who alongside many others brought the vision to life.

As the remake of Sparkle originally penned by Howard Rosenman and updated by Mara Brock Akil  is the return of a classic so is having Black Opal cosmetics as a marketing partner the emergence a modern classic.

Established in 1994 Black Opal Cosmetics is a leading beauty authority for women of color, with an impressive range of formulas, products and shades to complement and enhance natural beauty, with fashion-forward seasonal collections to bring women of color wearable trends.

This was a night to celebrate the Sparkle in all of us… and we partied !

Day 16, 023 of the journey….

I just love her picture.  There is no real reason for it.  I just love her face and her gaze of resolve as she stands around this pole. Yesterday I missed a walk against Global Girl Abuse hosted by my friend Sha Givens founder of I Can Fly International.  This girl’s picture reminds me of the resource I am responsible for protecting.

Today’s lesson…”just do you” or in my case….”just do me” …whichever it is you know what I am saying ..

It’s Sunday and I saw a great play last night called Sunday Mourning.  It was a testament to the work of artists trying to rise above some of the art of the current marketplace.  Afterwards I was inspired and looking for my “playwriting muse”.

We all enjoy works of art whether at a playhouse or in a movie theater that have given life to our passing thoughts and ideas.  We wonder “why didn’t I write that?”

The truth is we all share in competencies and capabilities, but we are distinguished by our aspirations and choices. We can write the play too…

Repeat after me…”Just Do Me!”

write, produce and direct

Danna

Day 16, 022 of the journey

Day 16,022 of the journey…

Today’s lesson…EDUCATE YOURSELF – be a lifelong learner…

There is no end to knowledge and information. The more you know truly the more you grow.  Some knowledge will help you graduate and get promoted, but some knowledge just improves your modus operandi. 

The world, the ether, the atmosphere, the climate changes around us every minute of every hour of everyday.  I am not suggesting to keep up with or manage change at that rate, but change (the thing I hate MOST) is the only constant.  In order to not be overwhelmed or run over you must breathe it in and keep moving.

Living with and through change is educating yourself.

Today so far is not the day that I wanted.  Its 1:30p and there has already been victory and defeat…I made it though my radio show, I made it through my contribution to my girl’s radio show and I spoke briefly with Freeway Ricky Ross …the REAL Rick Ross aka Donnell Ross. He was an authentic inspiration…20 years in Prison and 600 million in drug sales and he lived to tell…

Shout out to Black girls and Black boys everywhere and around the world doing the right thing in the face of so little that affirms your presence on this earth…I glorify you !

Who is Masika Katsuva …

I am grateful…

write direct and produce

Danna

The Rape Capital of the World

The Rape Capital of the World

Who is Masika Katsuva

Day 16,021 of the journey…

 It’s Friday…thank God

Today’s lesson…build each piece well and then it will be well with the whole thing.

Everyday and almost everything feels like production.  Being a mother has taught me the most about production in reel time. I love my son and I want “it” (all of it) as perfect as I can get “it” for him.  That’s production…

The weird thing is when you become self-employed …your understanding of time as your own must shift drastically…I feel like I am never off the clock.  The morning has not been what I /”we” planned, but I stand on the mission…to be significant…with a measurable impact on my industry.

I then roll with today’s soft punches.

write, produce and direct.

danna

Day 16,020 of the journey…