MAVIS STAPLES TO RELEASE NEW CD: ‘Mavis Staples Live: Hope a the Hideout’ will be in stores in Nov.

     The first lady of Gospel/Soul, Mavis Staples, is scheduled to release “Marvis Stables Live: Hope at the Hideout” on November 4. 

     Staples’ Gospel career spans over 40 years; first as lead singer of the Staples Singers, where her voice became the living soundtrack to the Civil Rights Movement, continuing through to 2007 when she won a Free Speech Award created to honor artists that have incited discussion and worked against the status quo through their music and their actions.

     On June 23 lucky Chicagoans were treated to an intimate performance at the Hideout by Mavis Staples. Staples played with a three-piece band and a handful of back-up singers and provided a rare opportunity for fans to get close with a figure who has led the musical charge towards equality and justice for the past five decades.

     The magical set was captured on tape and now the rest of us can experience the righteous protest and joyful inspiration Mavis imparted that evening via “Mavis Staples Live: Hope at the Hideout.”

     For more, log onto www.myspace.com/mavisstaplesmusic.

On Monday night, Michelle Obama took center stage at the Democratic National Convention, sharing with those in attendance her love for the nation and making her case for why her husband should be the next president.
Michelle Obama says Barack Obama embodies within him the "hope" to lead America as its next president.
"I come here as a wife who loves my husband and believes he will be an extraordinary president," she said of her husband, the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The woman who stands the chance of becoming the nation's first African-American first lady, Michelle Obama centered her speech on a theme of unity in light of controversial comments she made earlier on the campaign trail, which raised doubts about her patriotism.
"All of us are driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won't do," said Obama. She added that Americans 'have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be."
Michelle Obama was at times teary-eyed when delivering her address. She shared her childhood experiences and the hard work her and Sen. Obama endured to achieve their goals.
"That is the thread that connects our hearts," she said. "That is the thread that runs through my journey and Barack's journey and so many other improbable journeys that have brought us here tonight, where the current of history meets this new tide of hope."
"And you see, that is why I love this country," she said to a standing ovation.
At the conclusion of her speech, Sen. Barack Obama appeared via satellite to congratulate her and to addres the Denver convention.
"You were unbelievable. You also look very cute," Obama, said. "Now you know why I asked her out so many times -- you want a persistent president."
Sen. Barack Obama intends to give his main speech Thursday night, formally accepting the party's nomination at Invesco Field in front of an expected audience of 75,000.

Justice – From the death penalty to affirmative action, federal policies have tended to disproportionately affect Black citizens, often in more harmful than helpful ways. Recent history has shown that the death penalty is typically applied or reserved in patterns that reveal common characteristics of race and class status among those condemned or spared, while federal law stopped government-funded agencies from hiring and recruiting, according to race. The president has sole power to appoint Supreme Court justices, who ultimately help decide federal matters that have either benefited or harmed the Black community throughout America’s history.

Civil liberty – What’s the difference between protecting citizens and oppressing citizens? The president’s approach helps determine the answer. By signing the Patriot Act into law in 2001, President George Bush created a program that allows added surveillance and scrutiny toward all citizens, but its pressure has been felt intensely by people of color. The Act states its purpose as intercepting terrorist efforts, though racial profiling has been a common side effect, critics say. The president helps set guidelines for how personal freedoms are protected.

Global relations – By declaring war, promoting immigration laws and in various other ways, the president both directly and indirectly influences survival, suffering and perceptions of people throughout the world.

In short, the Black vote can both help promote and help destroy Black advancement.

TIMOTHY WRIGHT'S CHURCH MORTGAGE TO BE PAID: John P. Kee makes commitment to pay injured pastor's monthly fees.

     The Rev. John P. Kee, Pastor of the New Life Fellowship Center, is known for bringing us the best in Gospel music but he is also known for helping communities throughout the world with a generous heart.

     Two weeks ago, Pastor Kee announced that he will be supporting Rev. Wright and the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of Brooklyn by paying the mortgage on Rev Timothy Wright's church until he returns.

     This is to relieve some of the financial stress on the family and the church during the healing of their father and pastor, Rev. Timothy Wright.  
      On July 4th, Rev. Wright was in a devastating car accident and during this time of healing and need, Pastor Kee is with him all the way.

      "Rev. Wright is a great friend, preacher and singer who had so much to do with our success. My heart goes out to Timothy, his family, and to his church family. We are thanking God for his immediate healing, strength and total recovery."  Pastor Kee said.

   He encourages all singers and fans to continue showing their support and assist with all of the medical expenses needed for this great man.

BIRTHPLACE OF GOSPEL MUSIC OPENS DOORS AGAIN: Pilgrim Baptist Church now being honored for its restoration completion.

     The historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago is a landmark church known as the birthplace of Gospel music and has opened its doors for the first time since a fire two years ago ravaged the structure on the city's South Side. The fire was caused accidentally by workers performing roof repairs during a ½ million restoration.

     The building was designed in the late 1800s by the famous architectural firm headed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler. Mahalia Jackson, Sallie Martin, James Cleveland and the Staples Singers are among those who have sung at the church.

     The Pilgrim Baptist Church, formerly Kehilath Anshe Ma'ariv Synagogue (reformed Judaism), is located at 3302 S. Indiana Avenue and is in the heart of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.  Adler was a member and his father was a Rabbi.

     A Baptist congregation moved into the building in 1922 forming Pilgrim Baptist Church.  The church is credited for birthing Gospel music in the 1930s. Thomas A. Dorsey, the 'Father of Gospel Music," was music director for decades. In 1973 the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Chicago landmark in 1981

     Pilgrim Baptist Church played host recently to members of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs in Chicago for their annual convention. The group toured the salvaged space of the church.