The First Wives Club is back but with a whole new twist

The cast of The First Wives Club television series Michelle Buteau, Jill Scott, and Ryan Michelle Bathe

I immediately was so excited for this show to come out when I heard that they were doing a reboot. I am a huge fan of the original 1996 classic movie “First Wives Club” starring Diane Keaton, Bette Midler, and Goldie Hawn. So for those who never saw the film and are not familiar with these amazing actresses let me school you on these ladies.

            Diane Keaton the incredible multi-nominated actress who has starred in some iconic films “Annie Hall”, “The Godfather trilogy”, “Something’s Got to Give”, “Mad Money”, and so many other classics along with Bette Midler “Beaches”, "Hocus Pocus", "The Rose",  “The Women”, "Then she found me", "The Addams Family" animated film (2019), "What Women Want", and Goldie Hawn “” , “Overboard”, “The Out -of -Towners”, “Death Becomes Her", "Everyone says I love you”, "Town & Country", "The Banger Sisters", "The Christmas Chronicles". These phenomenal actresses teamed up in a movie that represents determination, becoming a fierce badass woman, and taking their own lives into power by their own terms and decisions. Each wife made a major sacrifice, they took vows with their husbands, and even gave them many benefits children, companies, businesses, and sacrificed even their own moral compass to make sure each one of their husbands stayed afloat and on top. Their moral compass and their judgment was tested when all three women were tested when their husbands decided to cheat and started relationships with younger women. Some of the women and their ages were too young it almost caused them to go to jail. These three women they are tested in ways mentally with their confidence, their pride, their families, self-esteem, they are tried and pulled when it comes to every aspect of their lives, financially, emotionally, and even with their own friendships.

The cast of First Wives Club 

The movie represents female empowerment, women not believing the old school hype where they believe they are supposed to only be tied to the house cooking, cleaning, and raising children. The three of them realizes that each of them can actually defend themselves, take care of themselves, build their own empire together, destroy their husbands and make them pay for what they took away from them, and also in the end find common ground and a better cause to make all First Wives better in their own marriages, relationships, develop a stronger self-love relationship, and also get everything they deserve in life too.

           

            Now with these new generation of women coming into play these three characters you see a totally different dynamic with this feisty bunch. The three women playing this trio this time in 2019’s “The First Wives Club”,  the first woman is Grammy, Soul train award, NAACP image award nominee and winner , Lady of Soul , BET Award, VIBE Award, MTV Music Award winning, Jill Scott,  she has starred in the television series , “The Ladies No.1 Detective Agency”, “Why did I get married one and two”, “Steel Magnolia”, “Sins of a Mother”, and “Flint. 

            The next amazing actress is Ryan Michelle Bathe wife of Sterling K Brown, and has starred on FOX’s “Empire”, “The Education of Max Bickford”, “Good Fences”, “ER”, “Brother to Brother”, “Half & Half”, “Lackawanna Blues”, “Boston Legal”, “Brothers & Sisters”. “Medium”, “Girlfriends”, “Bones”, “Private Practice”, “This Is Us”.

            The next actress is a comedienne, Michelle Buteau is hilarious I have seen her on VH-1, MTV, and many other television specials and series. She has also been featured on “Isn’t It Romantic”, “Always Be My Maybe”, “Tales of the City”, and currently has her own podcast, “Late Night Whenever”, and Esquire Magazine named her as one of the comediennes to watch. Absolutely hilarious and someone to keep on your radar.  She will star as Bree Washington on “First Wives Club”, Jill Scott plays Hazel, and Ryan Michelle Bathe will play Ari. The television series also features Mark Tallman as David, RonReaco Lee (“Moesha”,”Sister Sister”, “All About the Andersons”, “The Shield”, “Committed”, “In the Motherhood”, BET’s “Let’s stay together”, “Burn Notice”, Survivor’s Remorse”,  “Madea Goes to Jail”, ) and Malik Yoba (“Cool Runnings”, “New York Undercover”, “Smoke”, “Cop Land”, “Soul Food”, “Why did I get married one and two” “Lucky Girl”, “Paradox”, “Empire”, “The Good Wife”, “Blue Bloods”, “Gotham”, “The Last O.G.”, “God Friended Me”, “Til’ Death do us part”, and “Take Point”.) Malik will play the character Derrick featured as a male lead. All  of these amazing actors and actresses I believe will bring their own flavor, spin, and something unique to each of these characters on this television series. Tune in this fall to BET Digital and stream to watch “First Wives Club” on your laptop, tablets, or smart phones.

            All of my amazing readers please visit http://www.bet.com for more information and follow these folks on your social media.

The original First Wives Club (1996) Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton 

The Final Season of Empire September 24th

Final Season of Empire Starts September 24, 2019

I fell in love with this show in 2015 before it became a national success as soon as I saw the trailer and promotions for this series. I knew it was going to be an incredible television show. The television trailers went crazy it seemed like we all knew FOX was expecting a huge hit on their hands. That is exactly what they received. Six seasons of this musical family who completely changed the game of television for the last five years showing the rise of an African American family coming from a rough neighborhood, small house, with three little boys. It showed a teenage boy Dwight “Lucious” Lyon and girl Loretha fall in love with each other, fall in love with the creation of music, and fall in to a passion with the dream building an Empire. They both started a business with each other and when Loretha aka “Cookie” got into trouble and took a 17-year sentence and charge for her husband. We saw a true star was born on the show. Taraji Penda Henson and Terrence Howard made these larger than life characters. I am sure everyone knows someone similar to Cookie and Lucious. A couple whose passion for each other never ends and they will fight and battle for one another. No matter whom the other was involved with or who came in between them in their relationship. They found a way to stick with one another, keep their relationship & marriage in tact, and kept their 3 sons alive and successful. One familiar quote I remember them often saying is “We are Lyons we roar and we don’t stop”.

            If it was Andre Lyon (played by Trai Byers) who was battling mental illness, the financial advisor, his wife, Rhonda, and the battle to be the next CEO of Empire, Jamal Lyon(Jussie Smollet) who was battling his mother and father’s approval of his sexuality, his dream to be a singer and become successful, and a drug addiction. Or Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) who was finding his way through the music industry as an up and coming rap/hip hop artist,  keeping his temper tantrums down, trying to keep his focus on his goals without getting distracted by the ladies, or partying too much. All three of the young men showed the complexities of what African Americans, young men in a modern 21^st century world deal with on a regular basis. The Lyon family truly shows what many African Americans deal with and how we all face some serious issues and problems. Yet we find a way to fight through it all and pull through. This television series has become art imitating music industry/family real life and it is a masterpiece.

The careers of all three young men have launched and become more successful than ever. Jussie Smollet and Bryshere Gray’s careers have gone to become even more popular. It changed their lives professionally and personally in every way. The careers of the entire cast have changed dramatically they have all gone on to become extremely successful.

            On a personal note I loved tuning in every Wednesday or Thursday night to catch the show because I could relate to it. I was an intern for a record label, magazine, web show, and television show. So I could relate to certain themes and characters that were featured on the show. There are so many memorable moments and cast members who were featured on the six seasons of Empire. It is pretty incredible to watch and see how Lee Daniels brought everything to the television screen.

            I will truly miss the series just like all of the viewers around the world this was  a golden era for black television series. Thank you to the entire cast for bringing these characters to life. All of you who were featured made something iconic, memorable, legendary, and reflected African Americans in a positive way that showed a family striving for that American dream. You saw a family who prayed, slayed the sidewalk with their style, fashion, and fought for one common dream to make sure their father’s record label stayed successful, a chance to see his wife, his three sons, and the fictional staff succeed. They were all tested in every aspect of life that made the show relatable. We deal with being tested every day by so many different things in life.  Empire was an opportunity in mainstream media and pop culture to see a show become successful and launch opportunities for everyone. It was successful and I am sure many people will go on to love, remember, and enjoy all of the episodes after the final season. Stay tuned buckle up for the final season for Empire airs on FOX Network, September 24, 2019. Special salute with a champagne glass to the cast despite everything that has happened people still love the show and respect what they built. I raise a glass for the entire cast. Congratulations on one of the most successful television series. I will definitely be toasting you all the first and last episode of season 6. Go Empire. You know I had to include the dynamic and incredible soundtrack. I listened to so many of the hits throughout the season. Visit http://www.fox.com , follow the cast on all social media YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and all websites. 

The cast of Empire 

Why we need diversity in the Oval Office for 2020

"Why we need diversity this next election for greater change"-Chloe J. Riccardo

Will there be a change for all of us after 11/03/2020?

On the night of November 8, 2016 I thought I was going to witness a miracle millions of volunteers who participated in the election we were hundred percent sure that we would have a win for the democratic election. I remember sitting there in the room I was downtown in New York City at 52 Broadway at the United Federations of Teachers building. Along with the hundreds of volunteers locked in to CNN, ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC watching the debates, watching the results also pouring in from all fifty states around the country for who would be our next president and who would run the country. There was something in my spirit known no matter what happened we would witness a true miracle. We would see something amazing happen before our eyes. I didn’t get the miracle I was expecting that night. I was disappointed along with many of you who thought that former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton would win.  The thought that kept going through my mind was “Why aren’t these young men, young women, older women, older men, middle America, conservatives, liberals…why are they not ready for diversity again?” That thought went through my head all the way up until the day our president took the oath into office on January 20, 2017. Now I am not saying that it was the worst day ever. No it wasn’t I think sometimes in life we all need a lesson. God and the universe that night took the blinders and hit us with a one-two punch of “WAKE UP AND PAY ATTENTION!”. We were completely baffled, shocked, and amazed by the results and what was happening on television that night.

            I made a promise to myself get through the next four years and find out why this happened. I prayed on it and tried to figure out what happened? Are you kidding me we live in America one of the most powerful, dynamic countries, we are capable of making, building, creating businesses, creating brands for ourselves, sending our children, grandchildren, and families to schools/universities. Yet why do we not have a female president? We need to see more African-Americans again, An Asian-American, A Hispanic-American, a member of the LGBTQ group. I look at these last three years from 2016-2019 and I am still amazed. Something is happening that we are not addressing it is right in front of our faces. Why aren’t they ready. We have 6 other continents that embrace change, who embrace having female leaders in power. Why are we still so close-minded, so held back, so conservative to give someone the highest office and occupation to serve and live for others. When you are elected as president, vice-president, and you are part of an administration. Your job is to look out not for yourself but to look out for all of the people , God, America, the Electoral College, Voters, your Election Committee, and Staff put in charge so you would be elected. I couldn’t believe when I saw the results all of these amazing people their hard work, loyalty, and commitment. They were so willing to get out there and fight for our next president that year. Yes it broke all of our hearts we thought a new beginning was happening. What we ended up with was a rollercoaster ride, a reality television show, and in need of pain relief to get through the next four years.

            I am not saying we all didn’t learn lessons I am sure everyone around the world has asked someone they are close to “What is going on here? Does anyone not realize that we are watching someone abuse and take advantage of our people?” The people who fought, worked hard, and dedicated hours of their time to change our country? What would our ancestors say if they saw what was happening right now? What would they even think of the behavior that has been displayed by our current president. Sometimes I wish I could have been back in the 1940s 1950s, 1960s, or 70s to witness a time where we had a president who actually stood for something. Who made a sacrifice not only for themselves but wanted to see dreams put to reality. That’s what made me so upset. No one wanted to see progression. We had progression in 2008 and 2012 when President Barack Hussein Obama was elected to office. We had progression when we saw a female secretary of state even. We were getting close to witnessing a change, a miracle happening.

            So why is diversity necessary in our country and current time in the 21^st century? It is essential because people will see themselves. We live in a diverse country where people are descendants of slaves, immigrants from all different parts of the world. Who simply want to give their children the feeling of safety, a feeling of empowerment, victory, a chance to accomplish their own dreams and passions. Diversity is a beautiful thing because the world would be less interesting without it. There is a reason why God created us all in his image because he wanted to show that all people no matter their identity could accomplish powerful things if they listen to him and his word and guidance.

The moment a senator, businessman or woman, governor, former teacher decides to make that decision to run for office. We all want to be behind them to support them .  It is our civil duty and our right and privilege.

Do you know what kind of sacrifice and chutzpah you have to have to make a dedication to impact the country. To change our country and then also have to remember you have influence  on the entire globe too. That is a lifetime commitment and one of the hardest choices ever. You have to go through a series of processes, a background check, if you qualify as an American citizen, your lifestyle, your family, and all of your connections are put on  full display. That is one of the hardest choices to make. So when those do step up and they make a decision to take that chance. You are honored, you believe in that dream, just as much as you want someone to support your own dream.

On a personal note I don’t volunteer for presidents because I just want to see democrats win no not at all. We live in a diverse country where we need change, progression, and everyone in life deserves a chance and a fair opportunity. Our next generations they live in a time now where change has happened and they are gaining the benefits of the sacrifices our ancestors have made.

I want my future children, grandchildren, niece, nephews, and my friends, families, and all of your children to see that progression  it does and can happen. It is not an easy choice to be in political office at all. It is a right a privilege and one that people should uphold to a pristine and respectful role. You should want to see yourself in a positive light, you should want to make a difference, why would you want to be known as “Oh, that guy yes he’s the worst I have ever seen”. I wouldn’t want my children to feel their president is an embarrassment. That is unacceptable we should feel inspiration, hope, pride, and joy. We shouldn’t take our political figures lightly as if they are a clown or jester.

Diversity is needed because we are more than capable, if we can send a rover to Mars, a man on the moon, create social media platforms, technology where buses/trains “talk” to us to give us directions, we should see diversity in the white house.

We have been given the opposite we have one of our own flip and antagonize us. That’s the real joke about these last three years. Someone was given a gift  an opportunity to change the world and leave an impact and a legacy on society. Why would you want to leave your term at the white house on a note where people didn’t take you that seriously. They saw you as someone who was a jester not an inspiration, a person to admire because he made a difference. We had a president and an administration that literally took down the person who tried to destroy our lives on 9/11. Does everyone forget that? That’s the part that kills me why did we settle for a joker instead of getting a man or woman of promise and action. Why didn’t we get what we truly deserve that is the best. It’s funny how we all forget we are competing against not only other people within our industries but we are competing with other people around the globe. We are competing against people around the globe within business, finances, education, politics, trading, and every other industry.

Yet when it comes to our president we are taking our president as a joke. We are looking at him like he’s just a cartoon character instead of looking at him as a man of equal credibility and a person who will set an excellent example for the next presidential administration. There is something about that really gets me because we want our 46^th president of the United States of America to be a man or woman that will set and reflect a positive example. I thought that was what our country stood for liberty, justice, freedom, equality, excellence, greatness, goodness, moral values, commitment, and making wise choices.

Why is everyone afraid of a female president do you know if a woman can run a household she can run the White House? Yes she can she has the capabilities, the attitude, the focus, the multi-tasking skills, and the temperament to handle all walks of life within the White House, her administration, travel the globe, and she can do it in four or five inch heels with her flats in the car, and a smile on her face. Why because women do it every single damn day. I know for a fact we have had female leaders already in power as we speak. Jacinda Ardern is the prime minister of New Zealand and has been since 2017, Michelle Bachelet president of Chile in South America served two terms (2006-2010, 2014-2018), Joyce Banda is the president of Malawi (2012-2014), Violeta Barrios de Chamorro President of Nicaragua (1990-1996), Ana Brnabic , Prime Minister of Serbia, Michelle Calmy-Rey president of Switzerland (2007 and 2011), and if anyone who studies history, political affairs, or international affairs would know the late Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) was a female prime minister of the United Kingdom from (1979-1990).

I get frustrated when I see this because it tells me our country is behind we are still stuck in a time warp where we believe only the good ole boys can handle being in the oval office. We even have had television shows and movies where there was a female president and we still cannot actually see one in our lifetime? Does anyone remember the show, “Scandal” (2012-2018), “Madam Secretary” (2014- present which stars actress, Tea Leoni , “State of Affairs” (2014-2015), and “Commander in Chief” (2005-2006). So that’s the part that is preposterous and unexplainable. We see it in the media in films, television series, and stream it online on Netflix and in other mediums. Yet we cannot see in real life an actual female take the presidential nomination and  actually get into the White House for even just four years or serve two terms? That to me is one of the things that gets me fired up, gets my blood boiling, and why I want to be involved even more with this  2020 election and the next one. I want to see change, progression, and new opportunities for all people. In America we deserve the best, we get the best, we work hard, and we deserve 100 percent diversity from all people. Every living, healthy, breathing, mentally functioning human being deserves an opportunity to become commander in chief and president of the White House as long as she or he is a United States citizen of America.  All  American citizens no matter their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religious background deserves that chance. That is why we have the Equal Employment Opportunity listed at every single job application form and online within the country. I hope this gave everyone an opportunity to think about their next president and who they truly want, deserve, and would love to see in 2020.  I believe we all deserve an honest president because considering everything we have witnessed within the media about president, the chaos, the truth unfolding about that night of the election  and some issues with the voting machines and ballots.  We have heard how there are still conspiracy theories of what took place with other sources making sure that the Republican win would go through. So that’s what we all should be thinking about. It’s about a positive happy ending. A time for justice , a time to be proud whomever this lucky person is to be selected.

We all still owe it to ourselves to have a male or female president who will uphold outstanding standards for all of the people within our country and the globe.

Thank you all for reading this and I hope I gave all of you a little more hope , something to consider before you place your ballot, visit your local voting district, and decide who you want to see in the very near future.

This is from 2012 actually but I wonder has there been a difference in 7 years so far when it comes to 2020. I wonder. 

"Boss Up and Double Down with Tricia Clarke Stone & Antoinette Clarke

Ladies Be A Bad Ass Boss with these two get advice, follow your dream, and take charge!

These women are absolutely incredible with their careers, business acumen, and what they have achieved. I have met them when I was a teenager actually one of them worked for my mother as a sales account executive for WQHT’s Hot 97 radio station in New York and later down the road went on to be successful and started a brand for herself and with her twin sister as well, Tricia Clarke Stone was not only working a day job but also worked an incredibly busy side-hustle. She basically started a brand and worked for one of hip-hop music’s founding fathers and record executives, Russell Simmons with his GlobalGrind.com company. I heard about her career and achievements through word of mouth through my mother over the years. She was so proud because these women always had a fire and hustle to start their own businesses. They became a huge brand for themselves. I was extremely proud I witnessed today September 10, 2019 a boss move live in person. I was invited to attend a taping at Build NYC a popular television series you can watch and stream online that features some of the most successful entertainers, athletes, celebrities, and people from all walks of life come on and are interviewed. I have seen Build NYC many times and have caught many interviews. So when I was invited and found out that my mother’s old coworker and her sister would have an opportunity to discuss their book and promote it here in New York. 

It was a no brainer I am a writer after all and I am someone who is completely about entrepreneurship, branding, marketing yourself, promotion, and giving people something that will inspire, educate, uplift, motivate, and help assist with the dream/passions that are lying within their hearts and minds. We need someone or something that ignites that attitude to push forward and to succeed by any means and to keep pushing.

The women I am talking about are entrepreneurs, authors, Antoinette Clarke and Tricia Clarke they have just released their new passion project and book today! “Double Down” I have already placed a hold on the book in case stores sell out fast and may need to restock. I couldn’t be more proud because for me watching their taping as they were interviewed inspired me of course. Tricia was actually an assistant producer for the Montell Williams show. I never told anyone I was in the audience when I was a kid I was sitting there in the audience as they were discussing the topic of the 9/11 tragedies.

So I am honored yesterday I had an opportunity to see these gorgeous ladies in person again talk about their upcoming book. For me it was a surreal moment but so beautiful because I realized yes this can really happen. I have seen many people accomplish their dreams and I am very lucky I have been able to witness and see the start and finish of a lot of projects people were working on behind the scenes. These ladies put in many hours and sacrificed their time and efforts. They made sure that they surrounded themselves with like-minded people and were able to succeed with those people as well. I was watching one of their recent interviews on Power 105.1 FM radio station, they were featured on the afternoon hit television show ABC Sara & Michael Strahan ft. actress & singer, Keke Palmer. 

They have been getting a lot of promotion and are touring for their book tour. They mentioned how not only their mother, father were apart of their hustle and drive. They also mentioned how they had aunts who also were apart of their journey in becoming entrepreneurs and assisted them with advice, guidance, and inspired them to become involved. They each have done that and accomplished it through perseverance and determination to succeed. Tricia and Antoinette’s book is definitely one for the masses of women who want to earn their rightful spot in business and entrepreneurship as well. They want a chance to succeed and to follow the American Dream. I highly recommend this book to all of you. 

Get to know these amazing wonder twins, Tricia Clarke Stone and Antoinette Clarke 

Please visit http://www.doubledownbook.com and to see where they are heading to next on their book tour/promotions and more about their upcoming projects and business ventures follow Tricia Clarke-Stone on Instagram at @tricia002 and Antoinette Clarke at @nette_clarke.

Visit http://www.buildnyc.com to watch their exclusive interview.