Tie Tuesday (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

I love, love, love to see the world wake up and embrace & respect someone's talent.  LOVE it! 

Case in point:  Chiwetel Ejiofor.  A British-Nigerian actor known in America for his roles in Amistad, Inside Man and American Gangster.  Chiwetel started out as a theater actor and has since, balanced stage productions with film and television commitments.   

His latest role as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave is....brilliant, to say the least.  His talent is so dope that there are scenes where he doesn't even speak and he KILLS it.  Just amazing. 

The buzz has already started about an Oscar nomination for Chiwetel.  Shame on Hollywood if they don't honor him!  He deserves it and then some.    

In the meantime, learn to pronounce his name correctly.  You'll be talking about him for a long time.  Chiwetel is pronounced Choo-EH-tell.  Ejiofor is pronounced Edge-ee-OH-for.  Got it? 

Tie Tuesday (Darrell Wallace Jr.)

Remember this name:  Darrell Wallace Jr.  He recently became the first African-American driver to win in a NASCAR national series in nearly 50 years with a victory in the Kroger 200 Camping World Truck Series race.  

No African-American driver has won a NASCAR national touring race since Wendell Scott won in Jacksonville, Florida (my hometown - Woot!) on December 1, 1963. 

Darrell is only 20 years old (so young!) and grew up in Concord, North Carolina.  He started racing at the age of nine.  Nine?!  I was baking cakes in my Easy Bake Oven at nine years old. :)   

When asked about this historic win and what it means to him, he said: 

“I want to be a role model and inspiration to the younger kids and just change the sport as a whole and change it for the better, bring in a new face and just new activity into the sport, and winning helps everything."  

Nice. 

Tie Tuesday (Dennis Kimetto, Chicago Marathon Winner)

Last year in November, I ran my first half marathon.  It was one of the most challenging and rewarding accomplishments of my life!  I was soooo proud of myself - 13.1. miles!  I plan on running a full marathon.  One day.  I'm not quite ready yet, but yeah.  

Anyway....the Chicago Marathon was held on Sunday, October 13th.  The winner, Dennis Kimetto of Kenya, finished the race in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 45 seconds.  Whew!  He beat the previous record set by Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede last year (2 hours, 4 minutes and 45 seconds).

The Chicago Marathon was Dennis' second major victory this year.  He won a race in Tokyo in February.  And to think, just a few years ago Dennis was a farmer, tending to cattle in a west Kenyan town.  Pretty dope, right? 

Dennis Kimetto

Tie Tuesday (Dr. Joseph Lowery)

I've been thinking about Dr. Joseph Lowery lately...  He's an icon who is best known for his leadership in the civil rights movement.  His tireless work has stretched over 60 years.  In fact, after Rosa Parks' arrest in 1955, Dr. Lowery was instrumental in leading the Montgomery bus boycott.  And at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King, he led the Selma to Montgomery march of 1965.  He later founded the Christian Leadership Conference with Dr.King, and led the organization from 1997 to 1987.  In 2009, Dr. Lowery was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.

He celebrated his 92nd birthday this past Sunday in Atlanta at Morehouse College. Celebrities, politicians and community leaders came out to honor his life and contributions. One person was missing though.  His wife of nearly 60 years, Evelyn.  She passed away a week ago. 

My heart goes out to him for his loss...60 years is a long time to love someone.  But I know he's a man of faith.  And I know he'll keep pushing forward.  One of the many reasons I love and admire him...

Tie Tuesday (Earvin "Magic" Johnson)

He's one of the biggest athletes of all times.  His skills on the basketball court have cemented him as a legend - no question about that.  But his legacy will be what he's done off of the court. 

Magic Johnson is the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company that has a net worth of $700 million.  He's also part-owner of the LA Dodgers and has several other enterprises including Magic Workforce Solutions, Sodexo Magic Food Service, Magic Airport Holdings and ASPiRE TV.

The five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer recently launched his "Friends of Magic" project in Chicago.  The goal: To help at-risk students, including dropouts, graduate from school.  It gives them a second chance.  

As he wiped away tears during the announcement event, Magic said, "I've been so blessed in life. I'm trying to give back to the same community I grew up in."

Magic Johnson's Bridgescape Academy contracts with the Chicago Public Schools to help dropouts complete their graduation. 

Tie Tuesday (Wen Jones - Ex-Marine Stood Up For Bullied Teen)

Disclaimer:  If you know ANYTHING about me, you know how much I hate bullies.  HATE.  I know hate is a strong word, but in this case it's true.  I loathe bullies.  

A few months ago, Wen Jones, a 43-year-old former Marine from Jupiter, Florida saw three men (in their 20's) picking on a 14-year-old at their local beach.  

According to witnesses, the men had been bullying kids on the beach all day.  One of those kids was a 14-year-old named Zion Wright.  The men kicked him repeatedly and called him racial slurs.  Zion is black.  

When they saw Zion and his father near the restrooms, the men started up again.  Wen heard them and stepped in.  He told them to calm down.  The men (cowards) proceeded to beat Wen until he was unconscious.  Video was taken by witnesses showed Wen falling to the ground during the attack.  The men fled the scene when they heard police had been called.  Last week, the local police department identified and arrested all three men: Tyler Carswell, Cody Roon and Eric Deiter.   

Wen Jones shows physical damages sustained during the attack.

The beat down left Wen needing surgery to fix a fracture under his eye, as well as stitches all over his face including his tear duct.  His response to the incident:

"I'm not happy to have been injured pretty severely, but at the same time, I ask myself, would I do it again?  You know, it was the right thing to do, so I probably would." 

True definition of a good samaritan.

Cody Roon, Eric Deiter, Tyler Carswell

 

Tie Tuesday (Congressman John Lewis)

I met Congressman John Lewis a few years ago and got a chance to sit with him in his office in Washington, DC.  I sat and listened for hours as he shared his personal stories about the civil rights movement.  I was in awe.  Speechless.  

The fact that he held no bitterness, no anger and no malicious feelings about his experience impacted me.  It takes a special person to live in a place of peace after that journey.  I was humbled by his presence and vowed to do my best to emulate that in my own life.  

Congressman Lewis joined tens of thousands of people on the National Mall this past Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 March on Washington.  He was a featured speaker at the march and urged the crowd to continue to fight for equality. He also expressed his outrage about the recent high court decision on voting rights by stating, "I gave a little blood on the bridge in Selma, Alabama, for that right to vote."

Take a look at Congressman Lewis' full remarks here: 

Tie Tuesday (Héctor Lavoe)

I loooooove music.  All kinds!  My taste in music can't be described.  It just depends on my mood really.  I'm a fan of a wide range of talented artists.  Hector Lavoe is at the top of my list!  Whenever I listen to his music, I smile....and dance. :)  

He was born Hector Juan Perez Martinez.  To distinguish Hector from other Latino singers, a former manager made him adopt Felipe Rodriguez's moniker, "La Voz" ("The Voice"), and it turned into his stage name, Lavoe. 

"The Voice"......perfect choice.  In 2006, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez starred in El Cantante, Hector's life story.  It was tragic and sad, but his music.... Amazing. 

If you love great music and you don't know who Hector Lavoe is, do yourself a favor and get to know him. You will not be disappointed.  I promise. 

Tie Tuesday (Johnny Depp)

John Christopher Depp, Jr AKA Johnny Depp.....  One of the highest paid actors in Hollywood (He reportedly makes more than $30 million per film).  An amazing talent.  Worth every dime!  He seems so unassuming and unaware of how great he is.  And that makes him even more appealing.

Now, listen.  It's been widely documented that I hate Westerns.  HATE.  And I'm here to report that nothing has changed on that front.  HOWEVER, *peers over sunglasses*  there are exceptions to this rule.  Only a few people can get me to go see a Western, and yep Johnny Deep is one of them!   

I WILL be going to see The Lone Ranger.  Johnny Depp as Tonto??  What?!?!  I'm so here for it.  The movie comes out tomorrow, July 3rd.  Get there early, 'cuz uh.... Johnny Depp. :) 

Johnny Depp as Tonto in the Lone Ranger.

Tie Tuesday (Patrice O'Neal)

L-O-L!  Where do I start?  Anybody who knows me KNOWS I love to laugh. So, who better to highlight than a man who makes me laugh so hard, my eyes water.  Dude is THAT funny. 

Seriously folks, if you don't know who Patrice O'Neal is... *sigh*  He's just amazing. He's one of the smartest, most talented comedians I've ever seen. His timing, delivery and overall sarcastic personality mixed with some offensive, cold-blooded honesty is a dope combination!  

Sadly, Patrice passed away in 2011 due to complications from a stroke. He'd suffered from diabetes for years, and ironically he joked about it in his routines.  That's the bad part.  The good part?  He left a legacy of amazing work that we can all can sit back and enjoy for years and years to come.  Here's one of his "clean" stories about women being horrible storytellers:  

Tie Tuesday (Jay-Z)

I've always loved Jay-Z, the rapper.  But Jay-Z, the business (not businessman)?  Whew!  I'm not sure about you, but he inspires the heck out of me.  He grew up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, but today at age 43 he's reportedly worth nearly $500 million. 

With stakes in the Barclays Center, Roc Nation Sports, Budweiser Select (Co-brand director), Carol's Daughter (He knows what women like) and Rocawear (He sold it, but still has stake in the company), Jay-Z has literally gone from a street corner to a big, beautiful corner office.   

                                                              " I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man."  -Jay-Z

Tie Tuesday (Vince Vaughn)

If you know me, you know I love to laugh.  And if you REALLY know me, you know how much I LOVE Vince Vaughn.  I mean...he's tall, handsome, smart AND funny???  What's not to love, right?   *swoons*

Anywho.  I can't remember when I first fell for him, but it's been a minute.  There are only a handful of people in Hollywood I'd die to meet and he's one of them.  I've heard that his nickname is "Mr. Sunshine."  So appropriate.  So very appropriate. :)

"The Internship," Vince's latest movie will be in theaters on Friday, June 7th.  

Tie Tuesday (He Needs No Introduction)

Like him or not, you gotta respect his swag.  And that's all I'm sayin... 

Tie Tuesday (Cuteness Meter Just Exploded!)

Look at that beautiful brown baby below.  Look.  At.  Him.  Gorgeous, handsome and oh so sweet.  

In full disclosure, let me just say....this little angel is not mine.  Not even sure who sent me this picture.  All I know is when I saw it, I fell in love.  I mean, how can you NOT love a face like this???  

Tie Tuesday (David Beckham)

David Beckham will make you do a double take.  Not only is he GORGEOUS, but he's often seen out and about with his beautiful family, which makes him even more endearing.  Here he is with his daughter, Harper.  So cute I can't stand it!  That Victoria is one lucky lady. :) 

Tie Tuesday (Dr. Steve Perry)

Dr. Steve Perry is the founder and serves as principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Connecticut. Capital Prep has sent 100% of its predominantly low-income, minority, first generation high school graduates to four-year colleges ever since its first class graduated in 2006.  The school has been deemed one of the most successful schools in the nation.

He is a CNN education contributor and Essence best selling author with his book, “Man Up! Nobody is Coming to Save Us.” He has also been a regular contributor on issues of education for CNN, MSNBC and Fox.

In 2009, Dr. Perry released his fourth book “Raggedy Schools: The Untold Truth,” which takes a look at urban public education. He was most recently featured on TV One's popular series, "Save My Son." 

Click here for more info on Dr. Steve Perry.

Tie Tuesday (Cory Booker)

I grew up in Florida, so engaging in politics has always been second nature to me.  I love it (I can debate with the best of 'em!)  

Anybody who knows me knows how much I love and admire Cory Booker.  He's the mayor of Newark, New Jersey...and will probably be a U.S. Senator sooner than you think.  Click here to learn more about Cory, his work with Newark and his plans for the future. 

Tie Tuesday (Benjamin Bratt)

Probably one of the most underrated men in Hollywood....  He's best known for his role as Rey Curtis on Law & Order, but he's had appearances and noteworthy roles on lots of movies and television shows including Miss Congeniality, Traffic and Private Practice.

He and his wife Talisa Soto have been married for 11 years.  Click here to hear how he keeps the spark in his marriage.  

Tie Tuesday (Idris Elba)

*sigh*   I mean..... *sigh*   Actor, Idris Elba folks.  Idris Elba.  No words.  I have no words. #speechless