Documentary that explores some of the complexities of the Black male experience in America. This is Tavis Smiley’s first film which features Dick Gregory, Michael Eric Dyson, Cornell West, Cliff West, Eddie Glaude, Bebe Winans, Wren T. Brown, Daron Boyce, Robert Smith and Raymond Ross.

Runtime: 90 minutes Airing date: Sunday, May 24 from 9-11 PM on TV One

Homepage: Standthemovie.com

by D.S. Brayboy

(Blackinformant.com) Some of the most sacred moments in the life of a Black man in America are spent at the local barbershop. There, you hear about the daily experiences of men from all different backgrounds. A song comes on the radio and in an instant, the conversation switches from politics to jams back in the day. It’s a place where ideas are exchanged; heated debate is rendered; hilarious conversation is prevalent; and a remembrance of the good ol’ days reigns supreme. Tavis Smiley was able to capture all of that in his first film, STAND. In this film, Tavis invited 10 of his closest friends (whom he affectionately calls his ‘Soul Patrol’) on a journey that took them throughout Memphis and Nashville during the summer of 2008. While they spent time reflecting on the rise of our nation’s first Black President, Barack Obama, they put into context the history that has led us to this point in time. This film is a breakaway from the format many of us are accustomed to seeing from Tavis. In his ‘State of the Black Union’ gatherings where panelists are in a more formal setting. In STAND, you have 10 brothas on a bus, being followed by camera from one destination to another as they tackle topics such as religion, music, the portrayal of Black men in the media and more. Stops on their bus tour include the home of Sam Moore of the the singing duo “Sam and Dave”, Fisk University, Mason Temple (the church in Memphis where MLK delivered his ‘I’ve Been to the Mountaintop’ speech). They wrapped up their journey at the Lorraine Motel (where MLK was shot).

I was very intrigued by the conversation on religion between professor/author Michael Eric Dyson, actor Wren T. Brown and professor/author Eddie Glaude. This was an intense conversation where the brothas asked each other tough questions and agreed to disagree. Later in the film, these same men were crying on each other’s shoulders and praying for one another.

Perhaps the most powerful moment in this film was when comedian/activist Dick Gregory shared his memories of personal experiences with Martin Luther King Jr. on the night before he died. He also talked about the strength of the Black church and what it meant for him personally. STAND serves as yet another example of how Tavis can bring people of all backgrounds together to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the Black community. I believe viewers will walk away both challenged and inspired to do what so many in our history have done for us: take a STAND.

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On this edition of Blackinformant.com Podcast, I am joined with Brenda Ross-Dulan. She is the Senior Vice President, Regional President, Los Angeles Community Bank and National Spokesperson for Wells Fargo’s African American Business Services program [Click here for more information].

For our Home Page segment, we’ll also talk with Steven Saloom. He is the Policy Director for The Innocence Project.

And finally, we’ll chat with independent recording artist, Casuell. [myspace page]

All this and more, on this edition of Blackinformant.com Podcast.

Other notes:

Wells Fargo Meets Goal to Lend $1 Billion to African American Small Business Owners (2/19/08) [Link]

Wells Fargo Announces $2 Billion, 10-Year Lending Goal to African American Business (8/21/08) [Link]

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Innocence Project wins again (8/18/08) “A man who spent nearly 20 years behind bars is walking free after new evidence showed that he was wrongfully convicted of murder in the 1988 shooting of a motorist in Southeast Washington. ”

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Casuell (Bio)

Born in Arlington, Tx. of  parents of humble means, comes this talented vessel of songwriting genius. Her flavor of backwoods meets suburbia brand of music is a breath of fresh air. At the young age of 12, Casuell began crafting her style of music and writing skills to maximize her abilities. What began as a career in Rap eventually parlayed into singing and songwriting. Casuell began performing first, as a novice violinist and flutist

and then in the school bell ensemble. As time progressed, she grew disinterested in the three activities as she wanted to nurture her affinity for singing by joining the school choral ensemble. Casuell developed her vocal ability very quickly and began leading sacred and secular arrangements. By junior high school, she had already been a member of the Georgia All-State Choir 3 consecutive years and had enough charisma and ability to land the Alto Section Leader position, while maintaining a busy schedule as a track star MVP and record breaker and basketball player. During high school, she not only honed her singing craft, she earned a place in her school’s history as a charter member of the choral ensemble along with being an accomplished athlete, breaking the state discus record and being entered into Who’s Who of High School Athletes. Post high school, she attended college but her love for music drove her to leave school and pursue her singing career.

Since then, she has had the opportunity to work with many of the music industry’s elite. Recently, she has cultivated her production and mixing capabilities working as her own engineer. Now, Casuell holds a number of skills including singer, songwriter, vocal arranger, producer and engineer. She has opened up for such artists as Brandy, Outkast, Eric Roberson, Dwele, Cameo, Groove Theory, Freddy Jackson, Laura Hayes (comedian of BET Comic View) and many more. She has written for A-list producers such as Sean Puffy Combs, Teddy Riley and Red Spyda to name a few. Casuell’s neo-soul style and jazzy overtones make it easy to relax and welcome the harmonious melodies she strategically places in every beautiful composition. She’s the new breed of soul, the new essence of smooth and the new sound of southern soul. Are you ready for the smooth sultry sounds of the newest member of the neo-jazz movement?

The soon to be released single, “Wherever You Are” is a hit with Neo-soul and R&B enthusiasts alike. Her debut album, “Chocolate Covered Soul” encompasses an extraordinary list of contralto overtones and unique melodies to comprise an exceptional masterpiece of Soul, R&B, Jazz and Hip-Hop with a touch of Gospel. She has fused all of her distinctive talents to present a rare brand of music to the starving ears of an audience that appreciates real music and real music is who she is. She has been compared to the likes of India Arie, Lalah Hathaway and Anita Baker, yet she has a style all her own. She is Casuell.

My Goals: To humble myself before the world with a lyric and a song to move the hearts of man.

For Booking Info: Angel Lucas for DigitalSoulMusic LLC 678-405-9052 or

Diara Watkins 706-231-3063 Email: casuell@hotmail.com.

For Production Info: DigitalSoulMusic, Group L.L.C. 289 Jonesboro Rd Ste 335 McDonough, Ga. 30253 Voice: 678-405-9052

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On this edition of Blackinformant.com Podcast, I will have a conversation with producer and director of the film “What Black Men Think”. Also we will get a chance to hear the poetic artistry of spoken word artist Real Insight.

About Janks Morton

JANKS MORTON is the founder of iYAGO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, LLC, a multimedia production company. He states “the company came into existence to reflect both the consciousness and the unconsciousness soul of Black America. He has also established GIVE US FREE PRODUCTIONS, INC., a commercial production company which produces independent documentary, motion pictures and videos for distribution. He also serves as Executive Vice President of JYNXDACAT PRODUCTIONS a music production company. JANKS MORTON has been in the entertainment industry for more than 20 years

In delivering his first feature length documentary, WHAT BLACK MEN THINK, JANKS MORTON took on the role as producer, director, cameraman, lighting, editing, mixing, entrepreneur, graphic artist, actor, inspirational speaker and more.

Link to the What Black Men Think website Link to purchase the film

Other special guest

Real Insight [link to website]

Some of the music heard on the show provided by The Fuzion Project [link to myspace page]

Other Show Notes

If you would like to advertise on the show, please click on the CONTACT link on the right sidebar.

If you are an independent performing artist and would like to have either your music or spoken word featured on the show, again send an e-mail via the CONTACT link.

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