E2W NEWS

I n the late 2000’s she took a interest in modeling when she was stopped walking through her neighborhood Target store by a photographer who told her she had “The Face”. She began to research the fashion and modeling industry where she grew to be influenced by Tyra Banks and her show America’s Next Top Model. She states her biggest influence was Eva Pigford who won cycle 3 because she could relate to her so much.
Gerald then teamed up with Upcoming Entertainment Group and began doing promotional modeling on the side. Once she realized how popular she had gotten in her area she then moved to Albany, New York to jump start her new career as a model. She linked up with EsClass Enterprises and MB Productions for her first video debut, lead role in “They Ain’t Gotta Know” starring rapper Self Made Vega which can be viewed on YouTube. Just as her career was shooting off like a rocket she was faced with reality, her mother had sclerosis of the liver and kidney failure and was soon facing major surgery; which sent her packing back to Flint, MI to be by her mother’s side. But she didn’t let that stop her career or drive.
Since she has returned to the Flint area she has done some promotional modeling, you may have seen her on a few flyers such as hair, nails and toes and a few upcoming designer fashion & hair shows. She recently collabed with Team 810 for a photo-shoot with Harley Davidson and a short role in their upcoming movie Goon 810 to drop summer of 2013. Gerald says look forward to her 2014 calendar and many more projects in the near future because she is not stopping until she puts her city on the map … “New York Born but Flint Raised” Leggo. You can follow her on twitter @KissMyPink_ or add her on Facebook

The show began at 11:00am and did naught but grow with progression; as did anticipation for each act to come. Groups of kith and kin gathered ’round covered benches, smoking, drinking, and over all enjoying the atmosphere during breaks in music. By 1:30pm, when Native Born began, Metal was in full swing. Bloody mouthed moshers emerged from the pit, with sanguineous smiles, only to eagerly return for more. The aroma generally produced on April twentieth wafted about the reciprocated chaos, and climaxed as Hostile took to stage at 4:20. It was then that a contagious feeling of awe betook the on-looking ruck; as bodies collided, in heavy rhythm, to the enthralling dark tones, then, cried encore.Tickets to the Hottest Shows in Las Vegas at VegasTickets.com
From Albatross Overdrive’s classic groove, to Catharsus’s cathartic aggressiveness, 2013’s Metal in the Park provided the setting for all genres of rock to unite with common purpose. When asked to sum up the day’s experience…by consensus, two words: ****ING HOSTILE!

Tela was originally born in Memphis, Tennessee. His grandfather was the manager of the late great B. B. King. Music and the music business has always been in and part of Tela’s life. He grew up listening to great and favorite artists like “Marvin Gaye”, “Al Greene” and “The Isleys”.

Tela says that the music that these kind of artists made was termed as, “Pimpin’ Music”. He also liked and enjoyed the music of “Michael Jackson”, “Queen”, ‘Black Sabbath” and “Coltran” just to name a few. He himself has worked alongside artists like: Snoop Dog, Too Short, Pimp Cee, The Game, Ace, 8 Ball & MJG, Yuck Mouth and UGK.
For the past 5 years Tela has taken a needed and most valuable time out from the constant grind of the music game. He has taken this time out to be with his beloved family and children. He realized that time waits on no man, neither does the growth of his beautiful children. One of the most precious gifts one could ever have is time-shared, and the bonding with his offspring. He knows that there is no way to make loving and lasting memories unless you are there and present in the mix.

Although not as heavy in the game these days the Legend has gone “independent” and still managed to produce a new mixed tape called, “Grown Man Situations” aka “GMS”. You can check for this to drop around 3/15/13 on Mixedtape.com. Tela hopes the game continues to grow creative wise and artists keep it interesting. He says, “Nowadays it’s hard to tell artists differences one from another. Also, don’t clown yourselves if you are going to make music; true talent stands out for itself. No more dream jacking… please! No more Lil Waynes, Drakes, Rick Ross’, or Nicki Minajs.” Lastly, PLEASE NO MORE RATCHET BLACK WOMEN!!! Black women do not need to be ratchet to make money. Our women need to start living with structure, refinement and an assignment for their lives.
You can find him on @TelaOfficial ya heard! By: ANGELICA MANN

The impact of returning to prison after serving 16 ½ years for a crime I was, and am innocent of, is tremendous. Where do I start? Being the rock and glue of my family, I immediately took charge of my position when I was freed. I wasn’t the only one who was permanently scarred from my wrongful conviction, my family suffered badly also.

Our healing process started the day I was released. In the short period of time I was home, I tightened my family bond that was shattered by the Justice System. The feeling of coming home from work to my wife, going to dinner at Big Mama’s house (mother) with my brothers and sisters, taking my mother shopping for her birthday, bringing her gifts for Mother’s Day, my kids, going out with my wife, speaking to trouble youth and speaking with other: men and women who were also wrongfully convicted at speaking engagements was priceless.

So, after the above and much more, returning to prison, and still is like living a re-occurring nightmare. I feel the pain double fold due to being through this wrongful imprisonment once, and being freed only to be back to endure it once again. If I was weak minded, and didn’t have the blood of our ancestors running through my veins, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

My family and supporters is crushed by this ordeal but, being through this once before, they have first hand knowledge of what’s necessary to support me mentally and emotionally. Let me not leave out friends and my fellow comrades, and my N.Y. and PA. Legal Teams. This has hit everybody extremely hard. What can I say? My situation has pulled my support system together tightly.

To say the System is prone to mistakes is an understatement. My reason for saying this? When someone’s conviction was strictly based on: ‘faulty’ Eye Witnesses, (Brady-violation) a coerced confession and (Ineffective Counsel) just to name a few out of many, and the Judge don’t grant relief or when he or she does grant relief, the Prosecutor still prosecutes knowing it was an injustice.

That’s intentional, not mistake. When DNA clears a person, the duty of a prosecutor should be to immediately ‘halt’ the prosecution as an, Officer of the Law. Not all prosecutors are corrupt, but the one’s that are is “the Deep Rooted Cancer” in the Justice System that is responsible for ‘Wrongful Convictions’. And as I always say, if you intentionally caused a wrongful conviction, not only should you never be able to practice Law, you should be ‘prosecuted’.

Upon filing for Re-argument with the, U.S. Supreme Court, my case was ‘Remanded’ back to the, Third Circuit Court of Appeals (the Judges who freed me). Due to the U.S. Supreme Court not allowing my attorneys the right to submit briefs or oral arguments. Not only did they make an error giving me a charge I never had, they made a mistake of basing their decision to ‘Reinstate’ my conviction strictly based on a Brady violation witness. This Brady Violation was clearly established in the Federal District Court in 2008. You would of thought that the U.S Supreme Court would of reviewed the record. Not in this case. “The Pain Within”

To Society,
My personal view on my husband, Lorenzo Johnson’s Wrongfully conviction and what it done to the family.
Wrongful convictions has a huge impact on all parties involved. How is it ok to keep people in prison for crimes they didn’t commit? It’s an injustice that affects peoples lives tremendously. My family and I have suffered for far too long because of this.

One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was watch my husband return to prison after five (5) months. He had already given the state of PA. 16 ½ years of his life for a crime he didn’t commit. Our children couldn’t understand how or why this was happening again! How could I explain this to them when I didn’t fully understand how something like this could take place.

I remember thinking how much could one man take? Was he strong enough to keep fighting for his freedom (a second time) or was his energy going to run out. I thought about our financial situation and how I would have to take care of us again. I thought about the system and how foul they really are. How could they come into my world and take all I had in a blink of an eye.

I cried for days feeling like they tore my heart out. I couldn’t eat or sleep, not to mention gained a lot of grey hairs.
A lot of extra spending we were doing also had to stop. I now had to make sure I had collect on my house and cell phones so he could call. Had to make sure I was able to order his food packages when he was allowed to have them. Also to make sure that I could get to PA. to see him as often as I could, living 2/12 hours away from the prison isn’t always that easy between: the price of gas, tolls, maintenance to our car and making sure he’s fed on the visits takes a hit to our savings.

It’s emotionally devastating as well, I love seeing him, but my heart breaks when it’s time to leave him there. He knows how bad it hurts me so he calls as soon as I get in the car to comfort me for my ride back to N.Y.. I totally agree with the saying, “if you do a crime, you should do the time”, but to keep an innocent man in prison for almost half his life, let him out, and bring him back, is: “Cruel and Unusual Punishment”.

I try to remain positive, but honestly have lost faith in the justice system. Wondering, “will they ever do what’s right? Are they willing to say we made a mistake not only once, but twice? The children ask all the time, “when is he coming home” The only answer for them is, “soon I hope” Although Lorenzo is the one behind those walls living this nightmare, we are all suffering and I will continue to suffer until justice is served!
FREE LORENZO JOHNSON-I LOVE YOU.

Throughout time, the public has been fascinated with stories detailing perceived shady business practices of long time friends, turned successful entrepreneurs, but also becoming “bitter” rivals on the opposite sides of the coin. Try to understand the penetrating impact of assisting someone of which you were instrumental in creating a multi-million dollar career for.
The name may have been overshadowed by the success of this said friend, but the credit has been granted. However, money and opportunity had not been dispersed properly according to some. Whichever way the reader decides to interpret this scenario, the results remain the same.
DJ Superior, known to fellow Yonkers, New York natives affectionately as a solid stand up man. In the same vein, demoralized as a bitter DJ/Producer and the one time comrade of a very successful franchise brand and artist.
Superior has been silent for years about his personal role he has played in: creating, molding, and developing the careers of some of your a-list performers. But, something does not add up. Pesos.

How long have you been in the Game?
I’ve been in the Rap game since about 1990, 1991.

Who were some of your influences coming up as a youth?
Some of my influences were and still are: RUN-DMC, LL COOL J, Donald Trump, and Hulk Hogan.

What’s your position in the industry?
I’ve always been a d.j. and continue to be one, But I am the CEO of MOST HATED ENTERTAINMENT, much like Wakim of the RUFF-RYDERZ

What are some of your current projects?
I’m working on, HUSTLE ENTERTAINMENT with CHEF DADDY O.G., projects with MS. BEY THE GODESS and recently assisted in the completion of a VH1 documentary on DMX, and I have also completed a book about the both of us.

How do you stay relevant in the Hip Hop game?
We are worldwide and I have artists in almost every town; I have the IN-THE-MIXX radio show going on; I just stay busy. We stay grounded and down to Earth. When you become a part of this team, you become family. “I want to say, out the gate, that I do not want to disrespect the RUFF RYDERZ.”

We just got M.H. models and were doing a DVD called, “Straight out of Yonkers” We have a Women’s forum that helps women learn how to become entrepreneurs and we also continue to work with the youth. We stress helping the youth and showing them how to get their lives together.

If you want the world to get to know each other, then you have to open the door for other races and ethnic groups. We are all in the same boat. I have personally donated a Gymnasium for the youth in Yonkers at School #12 in Yonkers. I continue to help the youth in any way that I can. It is about respect and a deal with everyone the same.The world is divided; Most Hated is taking it to the next level.THE SAGA CONTINUES…Part 2 coming soon…

In time, you are immediately hit with the anniversary of his/her death. The day, the hour, the moment, and I cannot forget the very knock at the door; yes they do actually show up at your door with the news. I remember when watching old movies, the setting around World War I, when telegrams were sent informing the family of their soldiers’ death. How emotionally detached that must’ve seemed. Can you ever imagine while sitting in your home, preparing a meal for the family when the postman shows up to your front door with a piece of paper in hand to express the most devastating news you’ll ever hear? And all those parents in those days when the news was delivered in such a way could only weep, alone with no explanation. Though today, the news is delivered with a dark sedan parked outside your door, blue or black, soldiers dressed in full uniform, one your casualty officer and the other a priest. I could never imagine having to prepare, as an officer, to bring such news to a mother.

Another year pasts and the birthday of your soldier is the following month. A mother is instantly placed on defensive mode. It’s hard to explain, except to say there is no such thing as preparation. Instead we are emotionally and physically exhausted. Nevertheless, we are committed to celebrating in some form or fashion, making note of the reality they were born to us, whether it’s lighting a candle for our soldier, baking a cake or visiting the cemetery to release balloons. In that same year comes, Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Gold Star Mother’s Day, Veterans Day (all Military Holidays), Thanksgiving and Christmas all over again.

As each of these holidays, anniversaries and birthdays approach, we, meaning Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families, must discover various means in surviving through them. However, this holds true for Blue Star Families, families who soldiers are still serving as they pray for their loved ones safe return.
I state all this because a New Year is here, where these events will happen whether we’re here or not or whether we’re prepared for them or not. We will nevertheless have to ready ourselves once again.

With the bond we share we take hold of the emotional roller coaster and prepare for the ride. And as we do, something else will certainly occur, a new chapter will emerge, we will encounter new friends, learn new lessons, a beautiful birth will take place, a graduation will occur, a precious union of two will transpire, a love will prevail and another year will pass. Truly it’s all about transformation and evolution. As we travel through the manifestation of Life it will go on, but what’s in the rear view mirror, we can Never Forget. We will smile and truth will endure in our hearts and we will live until it’s our time.

In Time comes A New Year, get ready for the evolution 2013 . . .
Gold Star Mother signing out . . . Hooah! BY: HOPE HOLLINGSWORTH

I will never forget that moment because her energy was so strong I felt the vibe that she represented something important and she had something to say. After the press conference was over she walked up to me and introduced herself, fast speaking and dominant she said “Hi my name is Daqueen Monroe and I have a non for profit called “The Autism Project” within 3 minutes I was going to be receiving a call from this woman if she doesn’t hear from me soon because she needed to talk to me.

After a few phone calls and running into one another at other community meetings and not being able to really talk due to our busy lifestyles, we finally have come to the moment in time where I get to hear her story and a Story hat is worth sharing with the world.

Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. Most parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time the child is 18 months old and seek help by the time the child is age 2. Some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly “regress” and lose language or social skills they had previously gained. This is called the regressive type of autism.

This particular situation happened with Shaquan Daqueens son except it took 9 years for him to be diagnosed correctly. In between that time, the experiences were exhausting, confusing and surprisingly typical for a mother in her position at the time. Shaquan was a normal kid as far as Daqueen was concerned. He was growing and developing normally from the time he was born up until around the age of 21/2. Then she noticed some changes in his social and behavior skills. “He was aggressive, didn’t

want help, then he got quiet and didn’t use any words” said Daqueen. She would question it to her family, friends, and friends of family who were mothers that experienced raising kids already and say that it was normal the way he was behaving. But still knowing something wasn’t right, a friend of the family who worked in behavioral issues said “yeah you’re right something isn’t”. So she did what any mom should do and took her son to be evaluated. By this time, he was 31/2 yrs old.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t diagnosed correctly. The hospital where she had him evaluated diagnosed him as being multiply disabled. This was typical for low-income earners who were on government services such as Medicaid. If something is wrong and you don’t have money and you’re relying on Medicaid, the correct diagnosis is very important because the intervention is linked to the diagnosis’.

By this time while under the impression she knew what was going on with her son, he was getting speech and occupational therapy, she felt as if she was just going through the motions, hoping he would grow out of it. That wasn’t the case by age 7 it seemed that Shaquan was getting worse and he would regress, he would be slobbering and acting out with bad behavior. Between the age of 7-11 were the toughest times even though by age 9 he was correctly diagnosed with Autism and started the journey to becoming the wonderful young man he is today.

He had gone through both Special Ed and BOCES, she fought tooth and nail with the Board of Education, conducted research, and made hundreds of phone calls to advocate for her son and get him the services he needed. Residing in Yonkers NY where at that time in the 90’s the city rarely had anything to service Autistic children.

Finally, her research paid off and a gentleman from Westchester Health stepped in to help get Daqueen and Shaquan on track. Not only did he mail her different books with a bunch of schools to service him, he also took her to visit the schools to help him get in. What a blessing that was! Finally, Shaquan was placed in a wonderful school by age 11 not to far from his mom and though the road from there on wasn’t easy it did restore hope and offered opportunity. Still not having a place for him to go during home visits for special needs extra curricular activities and mingle with kids with the same disabilities that was affordable or free, those visits were hard.

Even now at 21 she still has trouble with connecting Shaquan with friends and activities. Although Autism has grown its awareness due to the ever so popular Autism Speaks Campaign/Organization, most services are for younger children. That brings us to today. From experiencing having a child that was typical and developing normally, to having a major problem being a shock to her system, not being able to work or keep a steady job, experiencing watching her son being dumped together with other kids like himself and not really getting the help they needed, things took a toll on this mom.

But to God be the glory, through the rocky road of as she puts it “fighting a battle but fighting the wrong thing”, battling with powers that be, not being able to keep job and so on… This mom, Ms. Daqueen Monroe who has a MBA in Business and her Undergrad in health gave birth to THE AUTISM PROJECT-FLOS with a dream of Servicing the AUTISM Community through Recreational Therapeutic Recreation for Special needs autistic children is READY, EDUCATED WITH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND WILLING to lay it all on the line and continue to fight and Advocate not only for her son but for other families with autistic children.

You never stop fighting for your child, its a constant battle for those who are not financially stable or wealthy and even they continue to go through the motions. Why not bring some relief, hope and education to families who go the extra mile in all that they do to make sure their children have the best life possible.

THE AUTISM PROJECT-FLOS- Goals of servicing Pre-teens, Teens, and Young Adults with Autism. A facility where Fun Cool things are done for the kids and friends for both child and parent can be made. Music, art, physical, and aquatic therapy under one roof. Workshops and information. Well that sounds awesome to me. A Vision and a Dream worth supporting don’t you agree?

WE ALL SHOULD TAKE HEED TO THIS AND REMEMBER THAT THERE IS VICTORY AGAINST ALL ODDS. Daqueen made a statement that wealthy people are at an advantage with services for their children. At first I didn’t quite agree until I heard her story of being a mother on Government services due to a disability of her child and from being THE ADVOCATE and seeing both ends of social and economic living conditions from Housing-Eduation.

I can definitely apply the advantages and disadvantages. She proves that you can make Lemonade out of Lemons although she need funding and has been in the community seeking assistance from leaders and parents. She is praying that someone will hear her story and take a chance on her vision. From the day I met her I can see that that won’t be a problem for her at all. If you are interested in helping or finding out more information for THE AUTISM PROJECT-FLOS please visit www.facebook.com/theautismprojectflos

I AM THE ADVOCATE AND I APPROVE THIS CAUSE!!!! BY: LEKIA K. HILL,”THE ADVOCATE”