GBMNews - Articles -

Anthony Cole and the CAC Rep

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:17:31 CDT

By Ashwon Martin

This is one of my best of friends Anthony Cole, the director of The C.Anthony Cole Repertory Dance Theatre. Anthony a dancer and a budding entrepreneur. It was a pleasure catching up with him and getting him to do this interview. Here's what he had to say.

C. Anthony Cole

What's been happening with you?

We have just completed our 8th season and it went very well. We are in the midst of preparing for our training program that will start in January 2009. We will be holding auditions for the company on January 10, 2009. I have been looking at grants and sponsorships for the company, and I'm looking forward to be finding individuals who are interested in being serious dance artist.

What involved in the training program?

The training program will consist of individuals from grade levels 9th - 12th. The training program uses the conservatory model, it's more structured, discipline based that focuses on 3 techniques (ballet, modern and jazz). We will also offer master classes from well known instructors from the L.A. and the San Diego area. The training program will prepare the students for the real world of dance i.e. college dance major or a professional dancer.

Please continue to Full Story

A Tragic End

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:50:56 CDT

During the summer season, gay people around the country often have fun and enjoyment by attending prides in various cities. It is a time of bliss and freedom. Recently the bliss came to a tragic end for three men returning from Chicago.

A popular young gay man, Eric Lamar Turner died in a terrible car accident returning from the Chicago Gay pride.

Turner was a former CoCo Dorm model "Lamar" and promising actor.

The accident took place the day after the final day of Chicago Gay Pride. It was a rainy Monday morning, on I-65 near Lafayette, Indiana. Turner and two passengers were headed to the state capitol of Indianapolis in a rented Mazda.

According to police, Turner slammed, head on, into a tractor-trailer truck. The car split into two pieces. Turner and his passengers were killed immediately. State Police Sgt. Kim Rile tells local news, WTHR-TV "It's not surprising that no one lived." "We assume Turner just wasn't paying attention or just came off the roadway and lost control in the wet grass."

Police say the crash was so severe that seatbelts would not have prevented injury or death. They believe the driver was wearing a seatbelt. However, they could not determine if the passengers had seatbelts on.

Jocqueline Turner, Eric's grandmother, said Eric Lamar had lived in New York, Alabama and Indianapolis before returning to Louisville.

The other victims, also from Louisville, were Tyrone Alexander Richie Jr., 18, and Julius Mitchell, 19.

Eric Lamar Turner was 23 years old. Funeral services were held this past Sunday at Refuge in Kentucky Church, 207 S. Hancock St., Louisville.

Sources: The Courier Journal & Times, WTHR Indianapolis

SERAPIS KEPHRA ( K - R O C K ) 1976 - 2008

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:59:11 CST

It is with great sadness I announce, that one of our community more well known members have expired. For those of you, who haven't heard, Serapis K-ROCK has passed, as of this writing two nights ago in Atlanta, GA. The cause is still not known. However, we will celebrate his life no matter what was the cause.

GBMNews, will be posting a memorial article on his brief life and legacy this coming week.

IF you are in the Atlanta area or near the Atlanta area and would like to attend the memorial services, the information is provided below.

Memorial services will be held this Friday, which is also his birthday, at 1 p.m in Atlanta, Ga. The services will be held at

Tabernacle Baptist Church
475 Boulevard NE Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-876-3777

Because of his statue in the community, it is recommended that individuals come early to get a seat. Tabernacle Baptist can hold up to 2000 people. For more information please contact a representative at this number (404) 688 - 7940

Introducing Waddie Grant - Chicago Gay Entrprenuer

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:09:19 CST

Waddie Grant

I had found Waddie Grant AKA Professor GQ to be such an interesting person that I had to snag an interview. You will probably ask. Who is this person? Well let me shed a little light on this interesting individual. I’ve met Waddie several years ago through a group that was run by a mutual acquaintance.

We keep in contact off and on then we meet up again through MySpace. But who is he? You might ask. He is a cultural critic, an event planner and entrepreneurial and the list goes on and on. So, I asked him for an interview so the general LGBT community can get a more in depth view of him and he graciously accepted.

Please continue to Full Story

The Atlanta Power Couple

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:45:34 CST

Shawn Joyner and Will Horn live in Atlanta, GA, where they own the Joyner-Horn Realty Group While they have made a name for themselves as a couple, their individual accomplishments are equally as impressive.

Shawn Joyner (33) is the creator and host of the Falltacular Retreat. Shawn was known for throwing parties in the Atlanta area. People would come from all over for his birthday. Instead of them flying in for the weekend and not have anything to do or doing things on their own, he decided to make it a weekend event. The first few years he invited family and friends for a weekend in the mountains. He chose the mountains for relaxation and spiritual purposes. However, in 2005, the event was opened to the public and Falltacular was born. Located at a resort in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the weekend offers a variety of events including horseback riding, hiking and mountain climbing. The Falltacular Retreat is held every year in the fall. Future endeavors include Fire Fridays held the first Friday of every month from 8 p.m. to midnight and a couples group.

Will Horn (37) is a pastor of The Power Center church in Atlanta, GA. While working as an assistant pastor at another Atlanta church, he decided he wanted to do something totally different. Will wanted a church that was more inclusive and open to all people. So he created The Power Center. The focus of the Power Center is to be out and about in the community, helping and ministering to people. The Power Center holds an annual coat drive, provides food for the homeless and, of course, community service. The Power Center has a service every Sunday from noon to 1:30 at the Apache Café located at 64 3rd St NW.

Passing of a good friend and colleague

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:23:03 CST

Recently, we lost a great friend and a strong advocate for gay rights and a great family man. R. Vinnie (not his real name) was a feature writer for us (GBMNEWS : Comfortable & Closeted / DL for over 30 years) . He was also a great advocate for dl brothers, although he wrote only 3 articles, they sparked much debate. He and I would have our disagreements, but we remain friends till the end.

Allow me to briefly tell you all how we met. We met in a chat room that was popular at the time and one day I was hit up by him and it went from there. Eventually, we exchange numbers and eventually met. At the time he was recently divorce with 2 young sons and a very young daughter, I think 3 at the time. And I had just moved back to AL from NY, which is where he was originally from. As our friendship grew we would talk more about things concerning politics to homosexuality to the church. And what it was like being a divorcee and down low with children and I of course would talk about what it was like being an out black gay man and how the two would often conflict.

Now to bring you up to date...

The Declining Of the American Dollar

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:12:27 CST

According to USATODAY, celebrities like Jay – Z to supermodel Gisele is using EURO dollars now instead of American dollars and Gisele prefer to be paid in Euro.

The falling buck now worth less than the Canadian dollar and down 40% against the Euro.

By this measure Americans is feeling the effects, from high gas prices to expensive steel. The main reason given were we consume too much ( meaning: greedy) and save to little (meaning: why save when you can spend). On the larger scale, credit deficit poor performance of our stock markets and doubts that we, Americans can handle our financial affairs, which make for world investors not to invest in our economy or country

All its saying that in all scheme of things money makes the world go around and how can we make the world go around when America is experiencing a 92 trillion deficit? With a weak dollar and a weak economy, you will have less of a voice in the world economics and less influence with world political leaders.

If we ever get our financial house n order, maybe we can gain more respect from rap artist and models alike.

Source: USATODAY

Not In Our City

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:03:28 CST

This past Thursday (Nov 15th), something that most of us Mobilians couldn’t phantom happened in our city. According to local reports, a 14 year old African American girl went to her locker between classes , to prepare for the next class period and found a note sliped in her the locker that reads. “To: you, From: me” and went on to say “Its black ppl (people) like you that make me sick and I don’t like you…. I want you to leave now and go to a skool (school) with your ppl (people).” (Mobile Press) School officals decline to comment on camra.

At the bottom of the letter was a drawing of a tree with a noose hanging from a limb and the inscription “Whites Only”. The student name is Kenyaitta Hackworth who’s on a track scholarship of the prestigious private catholic all white school, ST. Paul. About 100 students stood outside in the courtyard to show support of their fellow classmate Kenyaitta. Student Government Association President Carmen Chambers spoke to the media on behalf of her peers before leading the group in prayer Thursday morning.( Associated Press)

The top administrator of the school, Marty Lester did not comment on camera but instead directed all questions to the Mobile Police Department. He did give a written statement that says, "The act of one person does not define our school."

Black Americans and Pessimism

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:42:01 CST

Black Americans are upset and disgruntled. Here’s what black people say, according to a recent poll by Pew Research Center, only 1 in 5 blacks say that things are better for them than 5yrs ago. In 1984 2 in 4 said that it was better 5yrs earlier. Less than half feel things will get better, as opposed to 57% in 1986.

Here’s why blacks feel the way they do:

• In creasing crime rates
• Unemployment and mortgage foreclosures
• Shrinking wealth
• Jena Six
• Noose hanging around the country

Pew survey also noted that race relations have showed very little change.

• 1 in 4 whites see blacks favorably, compared to 17% in 1990.
• 27% blacks see whites favorably, which remains constant.

However, the survey went on for several more paragraphs, including talks of wealth decline and how African Americans have think that they have progressed economically. If you want to read more Http://www.usatoday.com

Source: USATODAY.COM

Name Calling Is Not Nice Even In Jest

no@spam.com (Ashwon Martin) — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 10:38:12 CST

Name calling even in jest is not nice. It often leads to hurt feelings and emotional scarring. Take for instance in Louisiana. In Houma, LA, a white state lawmaker who is in a run off election called a civil rights veteran “Buckwheat” (a racial stereotype in the late 30’s and early 40’s.)

The Democratic white lawmaker has since been urge to leave office by the NACCP, who also told voters not to vote for her. Carla Blanchard Dartez, acknowledge the incident and said that she was just ending the conversation with the veteran civil rights leader Hazel Boykin. By saying, “Talk to you later, Buckwheat!”

Rep Carla Blanchard Dartez, accredited Hazel Boykin for actually helping her gain votes.

Mrs. Dartez could not be reached for comments nor has she apologized to Hazel Boykin personally. Mrs Dartez has no intention of dropping out of the race, according to reports

Source: Associated Press