Black Nativity Musical Brings Joy To Atlanta

credit: Black Nativity Atlanta

Black Nativity is a phenomenal gospel musical based on the song play by Playwright and Poet Langston Hughes. The show is currently showing LIVE in Atlanta at Georgia Tech's First Center for The Arts.

Running until December 19th, the show is a must see.

Check out more details on our BOLD TV YouTube Page. 

For more information on Black Nativity and tickets to the show visit: http://blacknativityatlanta.com/

Latice Crawford Releases Brand New Singles "Amazing" & "Something Something"

Latice Crawford is back with new music! The Gospel Artist just released not one, but two new singles "Amazing" and "Something Something". She is signed with EOne Nashville. Both singles showcase Latice's ability to deliver melodic and soulful messages to listeners and followers of Christ. 

Latice recently shared a statement about her new projects: "This new music I'm releasing is all about our common symptoms (our temptations, struggles, stumbling blocks on our journey, those pills we use to maintain or fill our voids.) My hope is that my music will simply help us identify our stuff, see that we all have the same issues, and that we all use a variation of the same resources. I hope that we can judge less, and come together to see, and ultimately find our common source, the cure, Jesus Christ,"

After stealing the hearts of believers on BET’s singing competition Sunday Best, using her three-octave, contralto vocal range, her self-titled debut album reached two Billboard charts, and the Top Gospel Albums chart. Her second album, “Diary of a Church Girl,” also appeared on the Top Gospel Albums chart. The gospel superstar is back in action. Her new songs deliver the powerful, passionate message we need right on time! 

"Something Something", a fresh, original take on a classic expression is a funky feel-good melody! It has a nice vibe that will make you want to get up and dance, and praise at the same time! Check out the official video for "Something Something" below:

Both songs are available now at all major digital retailers, You can check them both out  HERE. and connect with Latice on Instagram @LaticeCrawford

What are your thoughts on these fresh new singles? Leave your thoughts about the new music in the comment section below and share them with us on all social media platforms @BOLDJournal

Erica Campbell Shares Her Thoughts On Masturbation/Self-Pleasure

“Where does God go when you are self-pleasuring?” - Erica Campbell

In an interview featured on a national radio show, Gospel Singer Erica Campbell shared her thoughts on Masturbation.

DJ Envy: “You talked about self love, you talked about self pleasuring. And you said, ‘Where does God go when you’re self pleasuring?” 

Erica Campbell: “Where does He go? Somebody asked me the question, ‘Was it wrong, was it right?’ I know some churches say for the bruthas. ‘It’ll keep you from slipping up. Go ahead and handle yourself. I’ve heard some women say, ‘I take care of myself before I go out on a date.’”

"I think about purity and purity happens before the actual action of whatever you do. Whatever you watch, whatever you listen to, whatever you do with yourself. Your mind being a place of purity is very crucial. But I think in our society today, everything is sexualized. You could be selling chicken and there will be a pair of boobs there. It’s just everywhere. So I think guarding your mind and guarding your thoughts and treating sex and sexuality as something beautiful that God created that’s supposed to be beautiful and otherworldly and you come together with somebody and your lives come together. It’s not so cheap."

“I just don’t think it’s supposed to be done by yourself,”  “I got an amazing, fine, wonderful husband so I just don’t have to. I got a husband there. Now, I know for singles, it might be a different story, but there are married people who would just rather handle it themselves." "And I can’t imagine what your husband feels like. Now, I gotta compete with your toys. It’s too much.”

"That’s between you and God but I just think when you are trying to live a pure life, when you are trying to hold yourself and keep yourself, for this beautiful, special wonderful moment or life with a spouse, don’t lessen it. Don’t cheapen it."

“I’m not judging nobody. I’m just talking about what God created,” she adds. “And it’s always the enemy’s job to pervert it, to twist it, to corrupt it, to make it filthy. He gave us free will. We can choose Him or not. There is a way that is right. There is a way that is honoring God. And the scripture says, there is a way that seems right to man. That doesn’t mean that it lines up with God wants for you.” " And I feel like God’s plan is always a bigger, better, more awesome plan that we can’t see and we don’t understand but I believe there is greatness in that obedience, in that faith.”

What are your thoughts about self-pleasuring and Masturbation? Leave your comments in the comment section below and share them online with us on all social media networks @BOLDJournal

References:
https://madamenoire.com/1103775/erica-campbell-masturbation-is-not-pure/
https://thegrio.com/2019/10/04/erica-campbell-says-self-pleasure-is-not-pure-where-does-god-go-when-you-are-self-pleasuring/

OWN Network's Greenleaf Announces Series Finale

On May 3rd, The Own Network Series "Greenleaf" announced that Season five would be it's last season. The final season will be returning in June with no exact date given.

The previous four seasons are available to stream on Netflix. In it's duration The series from Lionsgate won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Drama Series this year, as well as back to back wins (in 2019 and 2020) for star Lynn Whitfield (Lady Mae Greenleaf) in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama category.

In an official statement Greenleaf's Writer/Executive Producer Craig Wright said from the beginning him and Oprah knew they wanted to end the series after 5 seasons. Watch the official video to hear his remarks below:

What are your thoughts about the series coming to an end? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and connect with us online @BOLDJournal on all social media networks to follow the conversation.

Gospel Artist Kierra Sheard Releases New Self-Titled Album

GRAMMY^® and Stellar Award-winning artist, actress and entrepreneur, Kierra Sheard, released her highly anticipated album KIERRA. Marking her sixth studio album and first project with RCA Inspiration. KIERRA includes the songstress’ latest single “It Keeps Happening,” and the popular anthem “Don’t Judge Me,” featuring Missy Elliott. Also, the album is accompanied by the release of a new video for another single, the atmosphere moving, “Something Has To Break (Live)” featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard. The video will debut exclusively via YouTube Premiere today at 1pm EST.

With a mission to deliver uplifting music, KIERRA provides a fitting sanctuary amid these difficult times, “Faith and inspiration have been the driving force of my career. We’re going to get past this. We have to. The Lord has so many things for so many of us to do,” Kierra shares. 

The album includes 15-tracks with sounds ranging from Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Gospel, and features some live recorded songs which Kierra performed before a sold out crowd in her hometown of Detroit, MI. Demonstrating her lyricism, Kierra either wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks on the album including the beautiful ballad “Grateful,” the authentic and raw “Human,” and “Better.” Assisted by a dynamic team, KIERRAfeatures production from her frequent collaborators, Harmony “H-Money” Samuels and her brother J. Drew Sheard, as well as songwriters Mia Fieldes, Varren Wade, Edgar “JV” Etienne, Justin Brooks and rising Chicago artist Sir the Baptist. In addition to Missy Elliott and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, the album features vocals from other star Gospel Artists Todd Dulaney, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Le’Andria Johnson and Kierra’s nephew Jacob Sheard.

On top of her new music, Kierra is celebrating the fifth anniversary of her fashion line, Eleven60, which is available at Macys.com. Showcasing her versatility and range as an artist, Kierra continues to act and co-stars in the Lifetime biopic, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, which premiered on April 11^th to 2.7 million viewers. In the film she depicts her mother, legendary gospel artist, Karen Clark Sheard. 

KIERRA is available now via all major digital providers. 

Juan & Lisa Winans Release 'It Belongs To Me' feat. Marvin Winans

Gospel Music's premiere millennial GRAMMY-nominated couple, Juan and Lisa Winans’, celebrate the release of their official debut single, “It Belongs To Me,” featuring 6X GRAMMY-Award winner Marvin Winans. Following the success of their 2018 Holiday EP, A Little Soul for Christmas, “It Belongs To Me” encourages all that the good news and promises of God are for them and will come to pass. It’s a beautifully rendered and timely message as the world faces a global health crisis and rising social and political unrest. “It Belongs To Me” will be available on all major digital retail outlets on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Juan Winans began his career with the Billboard #1 Gospel Album, “Winans Phase 2: We Got Next.” Juan and his sister Deborah Joy Winans (“Greenleaf”) toured in the original musical Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story, for which Juan won Best Male Lead at the 2019 NAACP Theater Awards. Lisa Winans (formerly Lisa Kimmey) is best known as one third of the Dove Award winning, Contemporary Christian Music trio, Out of Eden. The group was active from 1994 to 2006, producing seven albums. During Lisa’s tenure with Out of Eden, she appeared on the 90’s sitcom “Moesha,” and hosted original programming for the Gospel Music Channel. In 2006, Out of Eden retired and released a greatest hits compilation. The trio reunited in 2014 for a special Gotee Records compilation album with a cover of House of Heroes’ single “Constant.”

“Our single, (“It Belongs To Me”) is more than a song to us, it’s the way we are aspiring to live. Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life. That’s a big, bold statement and just one of many promises offered to us as children of God. This song is a declaration of our desire and dedication to living in those promises; to possessing every gift and blessing that God makes available to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. ‘It Belongs To Me’ is our anthem of grace and faith,” says Juan Winans.

Listen To It Belongs To Me In The Official Lyric Video Below: 

“It Belongs To Me” will be available wherever music is sold and streamed on Friday, May 8, 2020. For more information on Juan and Lisa Winans visit JuanAndLisaWinans.com; follow them on social media using the handle @JuanAndLisaWinans. Dare Records is distributed by ADA (a Warner Music Group company).

Follow the conversation @BOLDJournal

Top Tweets From The Legendary Clark Sisters Movie

The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies Of Gospel was a Phenomenal film! Phenomenal! It may have been good to make it more than than two hours. Can we just gift all these Actresses and Artists with their awards now?! 

@BOLDJournal was LIVE on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and the commentary was pouring in. A lot of people had something to say. From the favorite parts to the crazy parts. Here are a few things Twitter had to say about The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel:

An ode to Dr. Mattie Moss Clark . . .

Beautiful! https://t.co/Aj2o0kS9Mo

— Breath Of Life Daily (@boldjournal) April 12, 2020

Aunjanue Ellis! Give her ALL the awards! #TheClarkSisters

— Breath Of Life Daily (@boldjournal) April 12, 2020

Beautiful! https://t.co/zlp7BFaYkf

— Breath Of Life Daily (@boldjournal) April 12, 2020

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 https://t.co/4KiEaMz79K

— Breath Of Life Daily (@boldjournal) April 12, 2020

“You gone live what you sing about” #TheClarkSisters pic.twitter.com/bENlRSf1Ki

— Cearah Hamilton (@CearahHamilton) April 12, 2020

Yaass!!! LORD "Thank you for saving me from myself!🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 #TheClarkSisters

— Breath Of Life Daily (@boldjournal) April 12, 2020

Did you catch the movie? What were your thoughts about it? Leave a comment in the comments section below and connect with us @BOLDJournal on all social media platforms to follow the conversation!

The Best Of The Clark Sisters

Gospel Icon Bebe Winans Opens Up About Coronavirus Diagnosis

Jesus! Don't take Bebe! Legendary Gospel great BeBe Winans is the latest celebrity to open up about a difficult coronavirus diagnosis, and the gospel icon stopped by SiriusXM's The Joe Madison Show to reveal that while he has recovered, it wasn't an easy process.

"Sometimes, for some reason, we as a people when we look in and we look at television and various things that's going on around us, we somehow say, that can't happen to me for some reason," he explained. "I don't know why, but sometimes we believe that, and even myself being cautious, when the outbreak started, I did just a little travel. I was actually in New York and I was like, well, I'm going to Detroit because I had a friend pass and we were having a funeral and just that little travel, I caught it."

"You can't just go to the hospital, and if you're not in need of a respirator they won't even take you," he continued, before noting that both his brother and mother also caught the virus. "I'm a man of faith and just raised in and in my mind, I'm just concrete in the subject matter that God is greater than everything. Yet, and still, it's so important for us to use common sense. So, being on the other side of it now, I'm just grateful that the word, I just finished my run and through the whole run, I was just saying, God, I thank you. I thank you because it could have been a different outcome for me and my family. So, I've learned to be more grateful for life itself. Forget about homes and automobiles and all these things. You can't take none of that. That means nothing to you when your health is gone."

"I'm going to do what's best for me, and that is keep moving health-wise in my mind and my spirit," he added. "Keep the spirit moving. You can sit still and keep your spirit moving. I read a whole bunch. I didn't know I could read so well."

It is incredible to hear that Bebe Winans has recovered. We definitely will still be praying for him and his entire family. As gospel fans we know what a talented, multifaceted family it is.

Please stay safe out here in these streets, as a matter of fact STAY HOME! Make sure you wash your hands and take all the safety precautions, and more. GOD is a healer, but do not be foolish. Too many people are dying. GOD rest their souls.

Please, please be wise about this! Read! Get educated before hand. Remember like scripture says Wisdom is the principle thing.

Follow @BOLDJournal on all outlets for the latest inspirational news and updates!

source/image: Billboard.com  Hear Bebe's full interview on Billboard.com

The Clark Sister's Biopic Set For Easter Debut On Lifetime

The anticipated Clark Sister's biopic has officially set a premiere date. The film will debut on Lifetime Network Saturday, April 11th at 8 pm ET. This will be on "Easter Saturday" as some would call it.

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, is the official musical tale of the incomparable gospel singers, The Clark Sisters.  The film recounts the story of the highest selling female gospel group in history and of their trailblazing mother, Mattie Moss Clark played by Aunjanue Ellis.

The icons are credited with bringing Gospel music to the mainstream. Grammy Award winners Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott serves as Executive Producers on this project.

The five Clark sisters (Christina Bell as “Twinkie,” Kierra Sheard as “Karen,” Sheléa Frazier as “Dorinda,” Raven Goodwin as “Denise,” Angela Birchett as “Jacky”) overcame humble beginnings in Detroit, enduring abuse, loss, rejection, betrayal, and sibling rivalries to achieve international fame as icons of the Gospel music industry. 

The official hashtag is #TheClarkSisters @LifetimeTV.

 Watch the official trailer for

 THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL below:

Sleeping With The Enemy - Greenleaf Recap

Charity is getting in a tangled web of deceit...

How often do we get entangled with the devil behind something that we want? To feed our own selfish needs apart from GOD's will for us?

This seems to be Charity's case in the series "Greenleaf". She's literally getting into a romance with the enemy. While we're at it so is Kerissa and she has a whole husband.

While the situations may be slightly different the root cause of these indiscretions is the same. Desiring what they want in their own time, and trying to achieve it by their own means. 

It's so important to pray and be led by our GOD's will for us, and get divine instructions about how to maneuver in trying situations.

I doubt very seriously that Charity and Kerissa's actions, and the boundaries that they're crossing to get what they want is in line with the holy spirit, or anything like what Jesus would do.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil." - Proverbs 3:5-7

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like Charity and Kerissa aren't doing so much trusting and acknowledging, and I have a strong feeling it's gonna lead them into a lot of pain and trouble down the road.

What are your thoughts on the events that are transpiring with the Greenleaf clan? Leave a comment on this post and follow us for the latest updates on all social media channels @BOLDJournal

The Glow Up of Eva Marcille

Eva Marcille is unapologetically amazing! She is as fascinating and fierce as you might have imagined based on the many roles we’ve seen her in on television and in films. Sheen recently sat down with the brilliant model and actress where she shared some insight on her latest projects, personal beauty and fashion tips, and her secret to gaining confidence.

Marcille recently joined the cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta. The first episode featuring her as a cast member will premiere on January 7, 2018. She’s newly engaged to lawyer and former Atlanta Mayoral Candidate, Michael T. Sterling. What most people don’t know is that her Atlanta roots actually helped spark her interest in modeling.

The former Clark Atlanta University Student was inspired by her experience with campus fashion shows to compete on America’s Next Top Model, where she won season three!

Being a part of the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast is perfect for Eva because she's the epitome of the modern day woman. She’s historically been able to handle what life and “critics” have thrown her way. Handling motherhood, her career, and relationships with runway confidence definitely requires strength.

“We’re all trying to move through life the best way we can despite the obstacles.”

Marcille credits her pastor and the women in her life including her mother for being her sources of inspiration.

“It’s nice to have women that are older than me and mature and
wiser and those things, to kinda help us on this journey.”

Eva is definitely goals when it comes to confidence. She’s making moves in film, television, as a mom, in business, and she currently has several films starring her streaming on Netflix.

When asked for her advice to everyone working towards their glow up, Marcille stated,

“The pursuit of your goal is not gonna be easy it’s something
you have to workout everyday. We all have our timing. Trust in that.”– Eva Marcille

Eva describes her mantra for her beauty and fashion style as, “Less is more.”

We’re definitely looking forward to more great things from this beautiful, talented starlet!

*this post was originally featured on sheenmagazine.com

The Genius of Marshall

So whenever people clap at the end of the movie it seems kind of awkward to me, like "you know they can't hear you right?!" eventually I wave it off and know that performance must have been really touching, and its custom to clap anyway when you're pleased I guess, but I was too happy to join in the applause with the audience after "Marshall" !! 

The screenplay was well executed and creative with some nice surprises here and there. In any instance I thought the writer may have been imposing a certain view on history, I can look past that and focus on the biblical reference shared between "Thurgood Marshall and Sam Friedman.

When you walk away from a movie and it makes you think, I would say it's done a good job. It's a good movie! Marshall was executed brilliantly and it made me see the Genius of Thurgood Marshall's service in his tenure. 

The film helped highlight that he was truly called to do what he was doing and gifted in an amazing way! I'm glad this was brought to the light. Hopefully we can all aspire to be excellent in the calling that we're blessed with and also be a relentless as he was, and was portrayed to be.

Great casting and great job to all the players involved!! Not discounting, but especially noting that it was a biopic, I pray that we see more films that make a powerful impact for good.

Remakes vs Originality in Theatre, And The Power Of Gratitude

I'm probably the only nerdy person listening to "A Raisin In The Sun" on audio right now. The dialogue is brilliant. Since reading it in high school i'm realizing how diverse and controversial it actually is. To me Lorraine Hansberry is a Genius! I was just thinking with the "all-black" remake of Fried Green Tomatoes, oz, and others, how original, authentic black cinema should be celebrated more! 

Still much respect to whoever came up with these casting and interpretative ideas. They fortunately bring a nice sense of flavor to the stories. The musical aspect of "the wiz" may be the whole draw for me anyway because at the same time the christian-ism in the back of my mind is like: magic? wizardry?...is that borderline witchcraft?

Hmmm...Let's hope that the nature is truly good anyway and Dorothy's testimony can maybe minister to someone for a positive change, beyond the sing-a-long and fan fare I ultimately see a celebration of gratitude. We should be grateful for what we have and not take it for granted. There really is no place like..........the presence of God. Yeah that was supposed to be home...but in His presence is truly where my heart wants to be. Besides who needs a wiz to fix all your faults anyway when you have a heavenly father who is omnipresent?!

I'm excited about The Wiz Live tonight I loved the original film with Diana Ross!! Will you be watching? Live tweet to me @aprilinspired.


Peace and Blessings Family!!