june 15 edition insider news

JORDAN PAYNE - ALL AROUNDCHAMPION

Holding on to Hope Pg.4Holding on to Hope Pg.4

High School AthleteHigh School AthleteAlso Positive RoleAlso Positive RoleModel Pg.6Model Pg.6

Insider Shoutouts Pg.10Insider Shoutouts Pg.10

Get Unstuck and FulfillGet Unstuck and FulfillGod's Plans for YourGod's Plans for YourLife Pg.14Life Pg.14

'America's Night Out'America's Night OutAgainst Crime' Pg.16Against Crime' Pg.16

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The Insider News Wisconsin, April 1-15, 2012

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The election is over and Gov. Scott Walker is the first gov-ernor ever to survive a recall election, Senator JohnLehman defeated Senator Van Wanggaard, and RebeccaKleefisch will remain as Lieutenant Governor. Regardless of the outcome, much was accomplishedthrough the recall election. Seventy Five percent of RacineCounty turned out to vote. That is historic for this areaand the citizens of this county should be proud of thosenumbers in the face of voter obstacles.This should also speak very loudly to politicians and thosewho desire to represent us. It lets them know that we arenot afraid of a challenge and will not allow others to makedecisions about our lives without making our voice countthrough voting.It is imperative that we continue to press forward and notget comfortable. Our assignment is to continue to educate ourselves about all the upcoming elections.It certainly is important to vote in the presidential race, but we cannot neglect the local races at thegrassroots level. The next primary election is taking place on August 14, 2012. You can go to the GovernmentAccountability Board Website: http://gab.wi.gov/ to find out who is on the ballot. At this time, thecandidates have not been solidified, but that information should be coming forth soon. You can alsocall the Racine City Clerk’s Office at (262) 636-9171 for information. Also, if you are not yet registered to vote, now is the time! Be sure to obtain your photo ID as well soyou are prepared.The Insider News will play an important role in keeping this vital information in the community.There will be a section specifically designated for political information in upcoming editions.

The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012

Our Assignment Continues

Publisher PerspectiveOwner/PublisherYolanda James

Layout & AD DesignerJames Ford

Account RepresentativesMelvin LewisMarvin Ellison

PhotographyDamion DolleyC-Moe Vision Photography

The Insider News Wisconsin(INW) is a community based newspaper published in Racine,Wisconsin. The newspaper cov-ers a variety of events that high-light lifestyles in the AfricanAmerican communities inSoutheastern Wisconsin.

The INW is a free publicationprinted on the 1st and 15th ofeach month and is distributed inover 100 locations. All inquiriesabout advertisement or newsshould be made five to sevendays before the 1st and 15th ofeach month

3001 Douglas AveRacine, WI 53402(262) 681-2345

Visit our website:www.insiderwisconsin.com

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BY: Allena G. Berry

We’ve all heard the story before. A young manfalls in with the wrong crowd at an early age,drawn into a life of crime and violence at anearly age. Sadly, this story is one repeated timeand time againBut what about that young man who decidesto change his story? What about the boy whodared to dream beyond his bleak circum-stances? Montreal Martin changed his storyand is sharing it in his new book, There is StillHope: Six Practical Keys for Getting OverLife’s Obstacles and Distractions.

Montreal Martin, 26, started his life in a lessthan desirable situation. Martin’s biologicalmother, an alcoholic, lost custodial rights toMontreal when he was a mere four-monthsold. His aunt, a single mother, adopted Martinand raised him as her own along with her ownfour children. Growing up in Racine’sMidtown neighborhood, Martin quickly feltthe absence of a father figure in his life. “[Iwould] witness people with that father pres-ence. It made me insecure [to not have afather],” Martin recalled. Montrealbegan looking to other influences tocompensate for his insecurities; unfortu-nately, those other influences weredrugs, alcohol, and eventually gangs.“Without a father in the household, Iwas out in the community, getting introuble,” Martin said. “With a gang,you have the leader that stands in asthat father figure.”

At eight, Montreal received his firstarrest for armed burglary. He cites boththe pressures of gang activity and thedesire to acquire money for the house-hold as motivations for the burglary.“Anything I had to do to get what Ineeded, I would do,” Montreal statedabout his criminal activity.Throughout his adolescent years,

Montreal was arrested several times.But it wasn’t until five years later, atthirteen, that Montreal’s life came to acrossroad. Arrested for car jacking, witha pistol in hand, Martin was faced withthe stark reality that he could becharged as an adult. That charge camewith a potentially steep 60-year incar-ceration sentence. Whether by a strokeof fortune or divine intervention,

Montreal’s attorney struck a deal where theteenager would be tried as a juvenile. Martinwould spend the next three years at EthanAllen Boys School in Wales, Wisconsin, a maxi-mum-security facility for juvenile boys.

“In my first 30 days there, I had to go to theintake college,” Martin recalled. “Those werethe worst 30 days of my life.” In the “cottage,”young men were confined for 22 hours in theirrooms, receiving fifteen minutes for mealsthree times a day, and a discretionary hour forrecreation based on good behavior.

However, Montreal excelled at the school,receiving his high school diploma at fifteen.Based on his behavior, Martin was acceptedinto Rawhide Boys Ranch, a Christian-basedprogram in New London, WI. After spendingabout a year at Rawhide, progressing from amilitary-style curriculum to an independentliving program, Martin found himself back inRacine at the age of eighteen. Returning home, it may have been temptingfor Montreal to also return to his old habits.However, with only a year and a half of proba-

tion left, Montreal decided to take his success-es from his time at Ethan Allen and Rawhideand continue to improve his life. In Racine, Bishop Kirby of St. Paul MissionaryBaptist Church would change Montreal’s lifeforever. Bishop Kirby proposed that Montrealattend American Baptist College in Nashville,Tennessee. The former seminary would allowMontreal to continue his education, as well as“accepting the call to preach the Gospel,” asMartin said.

Although Montreal was still on probation, hepetitioned the state to allow him to attendschool out of state. Martin received an inter-state contract which would allow him to startschool at the American Baptist College. Atschool, Montreal would begin to realize that hehad his own story to tell. Working as an assis-tant chaplain at the Juvenile CorrectionalFacility in Nashville, Montreal came into con-tact with young people every day with onediscouraging characteristic in common: theyall felt hopeless. “I figured if I could justencourage them, I could do something worth-while,” Montreal stated as his motivation for

writing the book during his last year ofschool.

The book, which took Martin fourmonths to complete, is meant as anencouragement to youths, who, likeMartin, were headed in the wrongdirection. Of all the advice presented inthe book, Montreal encourages youngadults to “give themselves up to God.”For Martin, it was only through “com-pletely surrendering” that he was ableto turn his life around. From elementary school felon to a

young man of faith, Montreal Martindecided to change is story and encour-ages others to do the same.If you are interested in purchasingMontreal’s book, There is Still Hope: SixPractical Keys for Getting Over Life’sObstacles and Distraction, it is availableat mdmministries.net, lowbarbook-store.com, amazon.com or at your localBarnes and Noble. Furthermore, if youare interested in speaking directly withMontreal about his life story, he encour-ages you to reach him via mdmmin-istries.net, Facebook (search MontrealMartin), or 615-582-3691.

Local NewsHolding on to Hope: Racine Author Writes Book to EncourageOthers with Life Story

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The Insider News Wisconsin, April 1-15, 2012

BY: Allena G. Berry

On Saturday morning, June 2nd, Lisa Wilderwas tending to her yard; the beautiful weatherdrew Lisa, like many others, outside thatweekend. Around 10 AM, Wilder noticed thatthe postman was coming to deliver her mail. “Istood up to greet him, as I have many timesbefore, not particularly him, but postmen ingeneral,” Wilder explained, “And that’s when Iheard him say it.”

The man who delivered Ms. Wilder’s mail didnot garner a friendly greeting; rather, he saidunderneath his breath, “f*****g n******s.” Theobscenity caught Ms. Wilder off guard. “It wasn’t just what he said,” Wilder recalled.“It was how he said it.”

Ms. Wilder questioned the postman, assuringthe man that she would report the incident. “I

don’t care,” she recalled theman stating. “They [the PostOffice] are not going to do any-thing.” Ms. Wilder, whose fiancé andthree children are AfricanAmerican, stood in shock.Although the postman eventu-ally returned to apologize, shefelt that something more shouldbe done. Ms. Wilder filed anofficial report with the postoffice that day, and followed upon her complaint the Mondayfollowing. The woman shespoke to confirmed what the

postman stated that Saturday: “Maybe he’ll getan incident [report],” the Post Office employeebegan, citing possible consequences for theoffending postman, “But we are union.” That answer was not enough for Ms. Wilder,who called TMJ4 news station, noted for theirI-Team investigative reporting on local issues.The I-Team told Ms. Wilder that the PostOffice was willing to rectify the situation. Ms.Wilder was to go to the Perry Avenue Station,1300 Perry Ave, in Racine to talk to thePostmaster. However, when Ms. Wilderarrived, she felt as though the post office was“about to shove me off again.”

The situation has not been rectified at thistime. Ms. Wilder is seeking a zero-toleranceapproach to such behavior. “He is wearing agovernment uniform,” Ms. Wilder explained.“He was on my property. That is the energy heis brining to my home daily.” Although Ms.Wilder explained that she did not want theman to lose his job, she did want to see a sin-cere apology from the Post Office.

Local NewsWoman Seeks Apology from Postman

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BY: Allena G. BerryThey always say good things come inthree’s. This is especially true for JordanPayne, the Park High School first-team all-county football, basketball, and track senior.Payne recently placed fifth in the state inthe triple jump, qualifying in that event forthe second time in his high school career;Payne also qualified for state in the longjump this year.But sports, school, and a part-time job areanother set of three’s in which Payne hasworked hard to excel. “I try to stay busy andstay out of trouble,” Payne said of his busyschedule. “[The activities] help you stay ontop of your schoolwork.”Payne has been balancing practice sched-ules and schoolwork for some time, andenjoys pushing himself both on and off thefield. Time-management has become asmuch of a skill for Payne as throwing afootball or making a jump shot. “I set myschedule so I don’t have to make a choicebetween [homework and sports]. Knowingme, being such a sports person, I wouldprobably choose sports,” Jordan joked. Recently, Jordan received a full athleticscholarship to play football at Alcorn State, ahistorically black college in Lorman,Mississippi. Unlike other schools Jordanlooked at, the coaches at Alcorn were will-ing to let him play starting as a freshman.Because Jordan grew up with a love a foot-ball, his “desire to play” was a driving forcein finally deciding with Alcorn. The distancefrom home doesn’t scare Payne, though.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Payne admitted,“but I feel like it’s another test I have to gothrough.” Jordan is no stranger to tests. On the field, inthe classroom, and even socially, Jordan hasbeen tested throughout high school to makethe decisions befitting a young role model.“When a [tough] situation comes up,you have to ask yourself ‘is itworth it’?” Jordanrecalled onhow hedealtwithpres-suresto getinto trou-ble. “Now,everybodyunderstandsthat I’m try-ing to dosomethingwith my life.”Through doingsomething with hislife, Payne wants tohelp others have more opportunities.Working part time as a PlaygroundSupervisor at 21st Century PreparatorySchool, as well volunteering with PositiveImpact, Jordan has encountered students inneed of positive influences. “There’s a boy [Iwork with]. Mom is in jail, doesn’t know his

dad, and lives with his aunt,” Jordandescribed of one of the students in hisPositive Impact group. “He came up to meone day and told me Iwas his best friend. It putsa smile onmy face [tohelp].”Jordangaveone ofhisstate

medalsto the boy as apiece of encourage-ment. Jordan sees himself as having a career help-ing people. He would like to be either a highschool math teacher or a physical therapist.“I like math,” Payne explained. “I’m a num-bers guy.” Jordan is also drawn to physicaltherapy because it would give me a chanceto stay around the sports he loves. High school athlete, graduate, and rolemodel: Jordan shows that good people, notonly things, come in three’s, too.

Local NewsHigh School Athlete Also Positive Role Model

Dyland Weather's voice cracked as he told friends and relatives aboutthe killing of his daughter, grandchildren, and nephew a year ago.Weather told about 250 individuals who came out to Gerald’sSmokehouse, 1501 Washington Ave., to help him celebrate his 50thbirthday, that he had not yet gotten over the incident, but wanted tothank the many people that meant so much to him. One-by-one hecalled his supporters to the stage, describing how each had a positiveinfluence in his life. “As you all know I have at one time lived a roughlife before becoming saved, and many of you played a part in me turn-ing my life around, but ultimately it was God that saved me,” heexplained. The highlight of the birthday part was the performance of anewly formed soul band named “Chicken Grease.”

Dyland Weathers pose with newly formed band Chicken Grease

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Pastors of local African American congrega-tions and elected officials met on Thursday,May 31, 2012 to devise a strategy on how tostress the importance of voting to the minoritycommunity in the recall election. Bishop L. Kirby, pastor of St. Paul MissionaryBaptist Church, committed to encouraging hispeople to get to the polls as well as the sur-rounding neighborhood. Pastor Mark Freeman of Racine’s SecondMissionary Baptist church pledged to use theirchurch van to take people from their homes tothe polls. Pastor Buddy Vinson was organized the meet-ing where approximately 20 people attended.The group also held a “get-out-the –vote” rallyat St. Paul Baptist church the next day.

Local NewsVoters Meeting Bring Out Pastors And Leaders

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Sunday School - 8:45 a.m.Sunday Worship Service - 10:00 a.m.

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Wednesday: Midweek Worship

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ZOE OUTREACHMinistries2130 Racine Street

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825 21st Street • RacineSunday School Worship Service 9:00 a.m.Mid Morning Worship Service 10:30 a.m.Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study 12:00 noonWednesday Dinner 5:30-6:30p.m.Wednesday Evening Bible Study 6:30 p.m.Saturday Morning Prayer 8:00 a.m.

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New Brighter Day Baptist Church1225 25th Ave., Kenosha, WI262-552-8090

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Insiprational NewsDo you have dreams and goals you’re reach-ing for? How do you feel about your life? Areyou happy, or do you have an “I hate my life”attitude? Everyone faces problems in their life. We allhave disappointments, shattered dreams,people who don’t like us, and people whoeven come against us. And the devil wants touse these things to discourage us and keepus from moving forward with our lives andthe plans God has for us. He’s a dream thief,and if he can get you to focus on what’swrong or what you don’t like about your life,he can defeat you.How you think, the attitude you have, whatyou say and how you act determines whetheryou live in your problems or you move for-ward in the plans God has for you. Becauseour thoughts prepare us for action, we haveto be determined to think like Jesus andagree with God’s Word. Disappointment That Could Have Held MeBackIn the early years of our ministry, we had ourTV program on a particular station once aweek. At the time, this was a really importantstation for us to be on. One day, they calledand said they were cancelling our contractwith us because of programming changesthey were making. I was so upset about itand wondered how they could just tear upour contract. It’s so frustrating when there’san injustice and you feel like somethingneeds to be done, but there’s nothing you cando about it.Shortly after this happened, I felt God speak

to my heart about forgiving the peoplewho made this decision. The devil wantedme to believe that nothing would change,but the truth was, if I would trust God andlet it go, He could take it and do somethingwith it. By His grace, I did, and about ayear later, this same station contacted usand asked us to come on their stationevery day.The devil wanted me to get stuck in myanger about the injustice that had beendone. And if I had, it’s likely we wouldn’thave made much progress in God’s will forus.God has made a lot of things possible forJoyce Meyer Ministries, including opportu-nities through our world missions out-reaches. We’re currently providing foodfor thousands of hungry children everyday, supporting efforts to rescue victims ofhuman trafficking, providing free medicalcare in places where health care is eitherhard to get or nonexistent, fully supportingchildren’s homes in foreign countries, andmuch more. We’re also providing our TV program to two-thirds of the world and broadcasting on hun-dreds of radio stations. These are just a fewexamples of how God has blessed our min-istry. But if I had chosen to believe the devil’s liesover what God could do through our ministry,we wouldn’t be helping the hurting andreaching the lost today.The Power of Having the Mind of Christ

Until we agree with God, He can’t do anythingin our life. We have to learn to recognize thelies of Satan and stop believing him. We needto glance at our problems and stare at Jesus.Then we can have the mind of Christ andthink like God thinks.First Corinthians 2:16 says, “…We have themind of Christ” (NIV). We also have the Wordof God to teach us about God’s promises forour life. When our thinking lines up with theWord of God, we are in a position to walk byfaith and do what God is leading us to do.When the devil lies and says you can’t,remember that God’s Word says you can doall things that God wants you to do throughChrist who strengthens you (see Philippians

4:13). When he says it’s impossible for you todo what God has put in your heart, remem-ber that all things are possible with God (seeMatthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27).Make up your mind to shake off the lies thathold you back and have a good attitude. If youwill, the devil can’t defeat you. Remember:Nothing is too hard for God!

Get Unstuck and Fulfill God's Plans for Your Life

Kingdom Builders Fellowship Center & OutreachMinistry Opens Community Food Pantry!

“Days of Hope”Racine, WI, May 30, 2012: Kingdom Builders Fellowship Center & Outreach Ministry will open our doors to the community with a Food Bank.Beginning Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 10:00 – 12:00 pm weekly, we will pro-vide monthly food baskets to local families in need. This is just a small token ofthe love we want to share with our Community here at Kingdom BuildersFellowship Center & Outreach Ministry.Our desire is to be a model Church in all that we do so we want to feed all whoare burdened & heavy laden in these most difficult and pressing times. We are here to serve our neighbors as ourselves both spiritually and physically.We are looking to win souls for Christ Jesus for He is the provider for every mealwe eat.We also solicit volunteers who would like to share in this great experience of“serving"

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Jesse Jackson Inspires Community To VoteCommunity Events

Rev. Jesse Jackson was the guest speaker for a “get-out-the -vote” rally held on Sunday, June 2 at the George Bray Center. Many peo-ple from the community gathered to hear Jackson’s message and also learn how they could effectively encourage people they know tovote. Volunteers were solicited to canvas the neighborhoods with flyers and help get people to the polls.

Rev. Jesse Jackson reads the Insider News as he waits for thevoter rally to begin.

Rev. Bobby Vinson listens intently to Rev. Jesse Jackson’s mes-sage regarding the June 5 recall election.

Bishop Tavis Grant, National Field Director of the RainbowPush Coaltion, and Della Buckley smile as they prepare for thevoter rally.

Jesse Jackson greets people as he enters the Bray Center.

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'America's Night Out Against Crime'Community EventsRegister for National Night Out by July 16National Night Out 2012 is Tuesday,August 7. City of Racine residents areinvited to join the 29th Annual NationalNight Out crime and drug preventionevent. It will involve over 15,000 commu-nities from all over the country, U.S. territo-ries, Canadian cities, and military basesaround the world. Over 37 million peopleare expected to participate in 'America'sNight Out Against Crime'.National Night Out (NNO) is designed to:* Heighten crime and drug preventionawareness* Generate support for, and participationin, local anticrime efforts* Strengthen neighborhood spirit* Build partnerships with local public safe-ty officials* Send a message to criminals letting them

know neighborhoods are organized andfighting backNNO 2012 is being supported in part byTARGET, a national corporate sponsor whichhas been actively involved in Racine's eventsin recent years. Generous donations have alsobeen received from SC Johnson, A FamilyCompany; Great Northern Corporation; andRacine County Food Bank.City of Racine resi-dents are encouragedto host a gatheringon their block, of anysize. It can be a frontporch party, or abackyard barbecue,or the street may beclosed off so thatneighbors can con-gregate out front.NNO events range

from simple to elaborate. Most involve foodand socializing, and many events offer cre-ative games for all ages. NNO offers resi-dents a chance to become better acquaintedwith one another and their public safetyvisitors, in a friendly, relaxed setting. ANational Night Out event is an excellentway to initiate or build on community tiesamong neighbors.National Night Out events must be regis-tered with the Neighborhood Watch office.A registration form is available by requestfrom [email protected]<mail-to:[email protected]> or bycalling Racine Neighborhood Watch, Inc. at637.5711. It can be mailed, faxed or emailed.Registering by the July 16 deadline ensurescoordination of event visitors, chosen fromPolice, Fire, Sheriff, and McGruff, and otherevent resources.A request for street barricades requires aseparate registration. A block party form forthis purpose is available from the City ofRacine Department of Public Works, or theRacine Neighborhood Watch, Inc. office.Mary McIlvaineProgram DirectorRacine Neighborhood Watch, Inc.800 Center Street, #316Racine WI 53403262.636.9574

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Mary J. Blige is the heart and soul of hip-hopinfused R&B. Recently, the stylish and dedicat-ed music diva took some time to discuss herrole in the new film, ROCK OF AGES, the storyof small town girl Sherrie (Julianne Hough“Burlesque”) and city boy Drew (Diego Bonetain his feature film debut), who meet on theSunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywooddreams. “MJB” in the role of “Justice,” ownerof a gentlemen’s club, lends a needed hand toSherrie when her world falls apart.

Always coiffed, “MJB” with everyblonde hair in place, rocked a gorgeous pair ofred-framed glasses. Wearing jeans, her trade-mark high heels and hoop earrings, the Yonkers(NY) born, 41-year-old opened up during a con-versation at the posh London Hotel off SunsetBoulevard in Los Angeles.

There she spoke candidly--

You are comfortable as a recording artist andsolo soul singer. What has been your process oftransitioning and preparing for the movieworld?

MJB: It’s not a transition because I’m not giv-ing up my day job which is singing but it’s anadd on-- it’s something that I’m attaching to mycareer. To answer the question, getting an act-ing coach and preparing for the acting part is awhole new thing. I also loved the coachingaspect of it because it’s therapeutic. As an actor,you have to find this person (your character) --who is she-- and you’ve got to dig within your-self to bring her to life. As you’re looking with-in, you’re finding all this stuff and it needs tocome out, especially if the character isdepressed or doesn’t trust men…you have tofind this person. That aspect was the best partfor me, again, it was therapeutic.

Did “Justice” feel familiar to you?

MJB: Yes. The fact that she works in a stripclub, first of all, means she has to be strong forall the other women (there) and to be a light ina dark place; to believe in herself regardless ofher circumstances. Justice does not let her envi-ronment dictate who she is. She’s teaching thesame thing to the women by being strong andletting them know that they are better than this;this (type of work) is just a rest stop that hope-fully can help you out there in the world.

Adam Shankman of “Hairspray” famedirects "Rock of Ages" from a screenplay byJustin Theroux, Chris D'Arienzo and AllanLoeb, based on D'Arienzo's musical of the samename. The film’s list of producers is long includ-ing Tobey Maguire with Shankman andD'Arienzo serving as executive producers.

Shankman said he thought no further thanBlige as Justice. She was reciprocal of his confi-dence in her abilities and she in his—

MJB: It was so great working with Adam. Itwas pleasant because he just knows exactlywhat he wants and he tells you what he wants.He’s just beautiful, he’s he’s fun to be aroundand he makes us (the cast) feel comfortable. Youknow, to the point where it (the role) doesn’tintimidate you or to work next to Tom Cruise

(the film’s lead as “Stacee Jaxx”) or all the otheractors in the movie. He just makes you feelcomfortable to do what it is that you do todeliver the character.

He said you were his first choice forthis role; did you know that?

MJB: Yes, I mean, he told me atJennifer Lopez’s housewarming partythat he was going to put me in amovie. You don’t pay attention to thatbecause in Hollywood, people justsay stuff. But, six months later heshowed up with the role, I didn’teven have to audition.

In addition to Blige, Hough,Boneta and Cruise, "Rock of Ages"costars include: Russell Brand("Arthur," "Get Him to theGreek"), Oscar® nominee PaulGiamatti ("Cinderella Man"),Academy Award® winnerCatherine Zeta-Jones("Chicago"), Malin Akerman("The Proposal") and Oscar®nominee Alec Baldwin ("TheCooler," TV's "30 Rock").

You’ve explained how thecoaching aspect of actinghas meaning for you.Exploring this character,did you decide that“Justice” had been astripper before she owned theclub and perhaps she was there was to“in a way” serve as a mother to these girlsbecause she knew what that life was like? Whatback story did you give your character?

MJB: I just decided that she had beendestroyed by men-- completely destroyed bythem and she wanted to gain her power back onsome level. Something happened in her child-hood with some man that snatched all of herpower away and she’s been violated since then;in an environment like the gentlemen’s club,she can gain all her ground back because she’sin control of the money, she’s in control of themen, she’s in control of the girls-- that’s how Isaw her.

Speaking of childhood influences, what kindof music did you like to listen to early on?

MJB: I was listening to R&B; Anita Baker(recording artist) was everything to me in the80’s. I listened to Melissa Morgan and TinaMarie…all the women that were out back then;I listened mostly to R&B.

During the years when you were workinghard for your big break, what were the thrillingparts of the journey even through the struggle;what were the things that got you excited asyou got another step further in the music indus-try?

MJB: Honestly, it was the fans and loving themusic and buying tickets to come to the con-certs, buying the albums. Selling some fourmillion or five million albums or even two mil-lion or one million-- it was that, that keeps you

going.

With everything that you’ve been throughprofessionally and personally, at what point do

you really start to fall in love with your-self and just feel comfortable in

your own skin?

M J B :

It’s

beend u r -

i n gthe tri-

als thatI ’ v e

learnedto fall in

love withm y s e l f - -

in thosehard times,

in thosetimes of

r e c o v e r y(drugs and

alcohol), inthose times

where theworld is against

you. It is duringthat difficult

period that yougo through, not

because your hairlooks nice but I’mtalking about going deep inside so you canwalk outside with your head up. And that’s notjust something from the past, that’s every day,constantly, all day.

The struggle of life in the spotlight is a bal-ancing act that many can’t seem to handle, thegood and the bad. What have been the joys ofbeing a famous artist?

MJB: Well, you are constantly having to fightfor your identity as a female artist; everyone isnot happy for you and there are those who justsay ‘yes’ to everything. When there are peoplearound you that just say ‘yes,’ it can really bebad for you. No one is telling you the truth.I’ve learned to be more confident so I make bet-ter ‘people choices’ in my surroundings. Ifyou’re not confident you are going to lean onthose people that are lying to you. If you areconfident, you can tell those types, ‘you’relying, get out of here.’ I know who I am andwhat I want. I thank God that that part of mylife is gone. I wish I had had more parentalguidance back then, I wouldn’t have gotten intoso much trouble. I would tell any of you moth-ers and daughters, if she’s 19 and getting intothe music business, please go with her becauseit’s hard out there.

Clearly, this film is a showcase of the intensi-ty and frenzy in a rock star’s life. Along withthis reflection, the look of Cont. Page 18

What’s New?MJB Says ROCK OF AGES is Personal

Junel-15 2012_May050107.1 6/19/2012 9:27 AM Page 17


ACTSO Community Events

the film is tastefully retro and thesoundtrack is awesome. Roundingout the "Rock of Ages" creativeteam are director of photographyBojan Bazelli ("Hairspray"), pro-duction designer Jon Hutman ("It'sComplicated"), editor Emma E.Hickox ("A Walk To Remember"),Oscar®-nominated costumedesigner Rita Ryack ("How theGrinch Stole Christmas,""Hairspray"), Grammy-nominatedmusic supervisor Matt Sullivan("Dreamgirls," "Nine"), and EmmyAward-winning choreographerMia Michaels ("So You Think YouCan Dance"). The original score is

by executive music producerAdam Anders and Peer Astrom(TV's "Glee").

Are there elements of this filmyou kind of identify with in someways?

MJB: Yes.

Do you still party like a rockstar?

MJB: Not like I used to. I’ve hadmy ‘party like a rock star’ years butI still have fun though.

What does that mean today?

MJB: That means my girlfriendswe go to dinner, we laugh, we havedrinks, we go to bed and go towork the next day. Like there’s nomore hanging out until 7:00 in themorning and doing it again. Thebody just can’t take it.

Blige is celebrated for upliftingwomen through song. Asked toshare lyrics of future songs that fol-low in that tradition, she holdssuch intelligence close to vest butdid say--

MJB: Let me just tell you thisbecause it’s weird that you’re ask-ing me, the timing of your questionand all. Instead of getting angryabout what life is doing to you,what trial you’re in or what some-one has done to hurt you, it’s whenwe get muscle, spiritual musclethat we get stronger. When we’re inthose trials you learn to gather upenough strength to say ‘thank you,’for everything. That’s really hardto say when people have hurt you,but when you come out, you cansay, ‘thanks for that.’

Cont..MJB Says ROCK OF AGES is Personal

Elementary and middleschool students showcasedtheir talent during theACTSO (Afro-American,Cultural, Technological, andScientific Olympics) talentshow and dinner on Friday,June 8, 2012 at Infusino'sBanquet Hall. The eventalso included the revealingstory of the "Dred ScottDecision", the true case ofa slave who sued his mas-ter for freedom.Floyd G. Harmon Jr., Christopher Rogers, Justice Weaver, Ryan Thompson, Michaela Usher,Lataisha Dismuke, Turiya Hamilton

Toussaint Cruise, Camille Cruise

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