Dawnn Lewis Talks Bowling, Sickle Cell, Urban League & New Projects

I interviewed Dawnn Lewis on the red carpet of at Kiki Shepard's 12th annual bowling challenge. Dawnn is not only a close friend of Kiki Shepard, who carries the sickle cell trait, but she is also on the board of the Kiss Foundation.    I always get a thrill with the actress who once played 'Jaleesa' in one of the best TV shows ever, A Different World.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about please get yourself Netflix today and binge watch 'A Different World! ' You can now catch Dawnn in a recurring role on the hit TV shows MAJOR CRIMES & BETTER CALL SAUL, and as the narrative voice for BET’s bio-series BEING.  Find out what projects Dawnn has coming up next and the awesome animated projects you may have heard her in but never knew was her. Watch below.  

Richard Brooks Talks Being Mary Jane

I interviewed Richard Brooks at Kiki Shepard's 12th annual charity bowling challenge for sickle cell awareness.  Most viewers might recognize Richard Brooks from his days on Law and Order as A.D.A. Paul Robinette, but all I wanted to talk about was the 3rd season of Being Mary Jane. Find out what Richard says about his character, who is the brother to Mary Jane played by Gabrielle Union in season 3. Watch below.

Quencie Interviews Bishop T.D. Jakes

I had the honor and privilege of attending an intimate Q&A and book signing with Bishop T.D. Jakes at the William Morris Endeavor Screening Room in Beverly Hills, CA.  Many other celebrities and well known industry executives were also in attendance.  Some included: Robert Townsend, Sheryl Underwood, Robi Reed, Debra Martin Chase, and DeVon Franklin.  The conversation surrounding Bishop Jakes #1 New York Times Best Selling book, Instinct was led by Stephen Galloway of The Hollywood Reporter.  Within minutes of Bishop Jakes speaking the room was filled with inspiration, motivation, and an amen corner. To be 2 feet away from this great man of God and have the opportunity to experience his spirit-filled message, was beyond amazing.

A few days later I sat down with Bishop Jakes for my own one-on-one interview at his office in Los Angeles.  I was so nervous that I completely went blank in the beginning of the interview! I was silent when I should have been asking a question.  Can we say awkward! Lol! Somehow I got it together and  was able to complete the interview.  Watch below.

KiKi Shepard’s 12th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge for Sickle Cell Disease Awareness

On Saturday September 26, 2015 I attended the 12th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge to ‘raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease’ hosted by  KiKi Shepard and The K.I.S Foundation.

The event was held at PINZ Entertainment Center in Studio City, CA.  The doors opened at 6:30 p.m. with celebrity bowlers, sponsors and supporters walking the Red carpet and playing a 2-game bowling tournament at 8pm. There was also onsite bone marrow registration, opportunity drawings, awards, surprise entertainment, food and a variety of event goodies.

“As we celebrate the 12th anniversary of the “Celebrity Bowling Challenge”, I remain extremely grateful to our amazing supporters. It takes a village to make a difference in the lives of many.  The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. is proud to be a part of that global village.  We remain committed to educating the public about SCD, and are dedicated to improving the social health and quality of life for SCD patients and families here in Southern California. That is exactly what the Celebrity Bowling Challenge does and has done, year after year,” says Founder KiKi Shepard.

Raising awareness for Sickle Cell has always been a personal mission for KiKi Shepard (Actress/ Host of “It’s Showtime at The Apollo”) since she discovered she carries the SCD trait and lost a close friend to this crippling disease. KiKi, her celebrity friends, and corporate supporters  showed up strong to raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease and the need to get tested NOW!  Check out all of my red carpet interviews with celebrities, Rocky Carroll (NCIS), Tonya Banks (Little Women), Dawnn Lewis, Richard Brooks (Being Mary Jane), Elise Neal (Hollywood Divas), Omar Gooding (Family Time) and Affion Crockett.  Watch below. 

New Music: Gerald 'Da Gospel Truth' Jones Presents Independent Spirit, Vol 1.

Today is a great day because it is the official release date of my good friend Gerald 'DaGospelTruth' Jones first project, Gerald 'Da Gospel Truth' Jones Presents Independent Spirit, Vol 1. with some amazing artists. This is the first installment in a series that shines light on, and provides a platform for, the undercurrent of great "independent' gospel music.  Gerald and I worked together as producers for the Fox TV show, Divorce Court.  Even as a TV producer Gerald always had his hand on the pulse of what was hot in music. When it comes to gospel he knows his stuff. Anything he puts together is an automatic recommend! 

Independent Spirit, Vol. 1 features "If it Had Not Been," by gospel soul band SENSERE, and other brand new music from some of the hottest unsigned talent in the country.  This compilation is a stunning hand-picked collection of 14 ear-worthy Gospel songs from an impressive roster of largely unknown diverse talent.  The project features all new music from Deah Harriott, Bam Travis and Chris Jackson (Toni Braxton, Tank, The Isley brothers) in addition to songs from Bryan Pound, God's Chosen, and Danielle Munizzi to name a few. 

PLEASE make sure you head over to iTunes or Amazon and download this today! The song "I Believe GOD" is special on the album because Gerald Jones actually cowrote it with his music partners @justindjuane & @carloswoodard. I am super proud of my friend! He is bringing fresh new music to the market and allowing us all to be inspired by amazing new artists that we may have never heard of otherwise. Support Gerald and these emerging independent gospel artists by downloading one of the many the singles or the whole album below.  Watch Gerald talk about the album in the video below.

Sidebar: Congrats Gerald! I bought my copy! 

Gerald Da Gospel Truth Jones Presents Independent Spirit, Vol 1

$9.49

Mixed Bag Music Group, Llc.

Buy on Amazon

The story behind "Independent Spirit, Vol 1"...

We are super excited for the release of "Independent Spirit, Vol 1", available now at iTunes (https://itun.es/us/c_n28) & Amazon (http://amzn.to/1LHqOz2) and other digital services! Learn more about this unprecedented compilation of 14 up-and-coming independent gospel artists, curated by blogger, songwriter and A&R exec Gerald "Da Gospel Truth" Jones.

Posted by The Independent Spirit on Friday, September 4, 2015

Happy Birthday to China Anne McClain!

China Anne McClain with her sisters

Happy 17th Birthday to China Anne McClain who is an actress and singer that became known for playing Jazmine on Tyler Perry's House of Payne. She released the Billboard Hot 100 song "Calling All the Monsters" and received the 2014 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance for her role in Disney's A.N.T. Farm. She also plays the lead character, Gabby Harrison, in the 2014 Disney TV movie How to Build a Better Boy. I got a chance to ask China how it felt be nominated for a NAACP Image award before she actually won. Watch below. 

Happy Birthday to Loretta Devine [VIDEO]

Happy Belated Birthday to Loretta Devine! It is hard to believe that she turned 66 on August 21, 2015. She is one of my favorite actresses. Check out an interview I did with her on the red carpet of the NAACP Theater Awards. She received a well deserved Lifetime Achievement award that night. Watch below. 

Quencie Interviews Eric Benét

Check out my interview with one of R&B Music's greatest tenors!  I got to interview Eric Benét inside his recording studio in Studio City, CA.  It was right before the release of his album 'The One' which was distributed on his own record label.

This guy is down to earth and beyond talented. His beautiful love songs are songs that you get to married to. Check out my interview with Eric Benét below.

Quencie Interviews Will Downing

I sat down with Will Downing to talk about his latest album, Euphoria.  We also discussed how he suffered from the disease, Polymyositis, his amazing recovery from the disease, and how he has stayed relevant in the music industry.  Watch my interview below with the prince of sophistication himself.