Click Start: Editor’s Preview
Believe it or not, we’re in the month of October already! Where did this year go? To add more shock to the moment, Christmas holiday commercials have begun running even before we get past Halloween. Some of you might have even noticed a few stores with holiday displays and other trappings showing up on merchandise displays. No wonder online sites are getting in on the action.
While the holiday jingles get dusted off, in this issue’s Lead Story we cover the reboot of the sitcom ‘A Different World.’ It features an actress with NJ roots, along with one of our TFL member families to cheer her along. In the Hot Take, there’s background on the link between gas/food prices and the Middle East conflict. Visit the About page to learn more on how this portal of ‘Family Line Influencers’ came to be.
For some, this Homecoming edition might mean remembering the good times on campus, from watching the show’s reboot. But it might also mean seeing how the social topics of their past times as students seem to be repeating themselves in this generation. How can that be? In part it’s a case of folks re-asserting a sense of entitlement and a feeling of nostalgia for what they think were the ‘good ol’ days.
If you’d like to be among the families covered each month, then link-up by dropping your email below. Hope you’ll enjoy the stories and feel free to leave your comments. Thank You!
The Family Line Mission/Purpose Statement
“Joining hands and hearts across old-timers and next gens to make family connections feel more real, with courage to change and humility to heal.”
Celebrity Row: Here for the Culture – “Can’t Get Much Hotter Than This!”
Bruno Mars has been selling out stadiums worldwide. His Romantic Tour keeps chugging along with multi-day stops in cities at venues that are normally filled with cheering football fans. These days, the cheering is for his full-complement of pop culture acts across various genres. His shows are a celebration of his musical chops and cultural roots, which help to draw a wide diversity of lovers…and music lovers.
As die-hard fans know, he grew up in Hawaii to a Filipino/Spanish mother and Puerto Rican father. They didn’t have much back then, so he started performing on stage at a young age to help make it through. Nowadays with 15 Grammys to his name, he’s joined on stage by artists like Anderson Paak and Raye, while doing doubling-feature performances with Paak under the name Silk Sonic.
His mother was a dancer, his father a percussionist, which helps explain the artist Mars has become today. As a family, they’d perform sometimes for up to six nights a week to keep the lights on. In his early young adult years, he changed his name from Peter Gene Hernandez to Bruno Mars, because he didn’t want to be seen as just a Latin artist. Before hitting it big he wrote songs for other artists.
His concerts are hotter than ever, rocking and rolling to the hits he’s had over the years. And as if things couldn’t get any hotter, he just dropped a new mix single of his hit ‘Dance with Me’ that features Karol G. It’s a nod to the old Romea & Juliet theme, with a modern flare. For those looking to turn-up their ‘hotness’, his song “Just Might” from the latest album, gonna have you strutting with a bit more “Finesse”.
The Family Line Press: News, Testimonials and Feedback
Press: Checkout Doc’s new Caribbean-flava commercial jingle on his life’s work and book; Public Good Sense: Rebirth in Voice of a People and Soul of a Nation available here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZFH5TK3. Checkout the jingle here: https://youtu.be/tQzbRFcn-9A.
Event: At a recent brand development and book promotion event, Doc had a chance to meet-up with Marc and Dr. Pam Perry (the “PR Guru”). Appreciate the invitation into their world of speakers, authors and media players. If you’ve got a pic you’d like featured in The Family Line, then drop us a note to be entered into our ‘Pic of The Year’ contest.
Lead Story: “A TV Reboot for The Streaming World”
You heard the expression “jump out of the frying pan and into the fire”. The visual of that helps describe situations people might find themselves in, going from bad to worse. If the pan was hot, then being in the fire gotta be hotter. Another interpretation might be the idea of going from hot to hotter, as in career moves or pop culture grooves. That might be a way to describe the new version of A Different World.
Some will remember the original sitcom featured Whitley and Dwayne, based on an HBCU college campus known as Hillman College. Well, the show has gotten a TV reboot for the streaming world, and recently dropped on Netflix. As you might have guessed, TFL member Walter Jackson and his J5 crew were there to cheer on Maleah Joi Moon (center), who plays the leading role in the Hillman yard reboot.
While times have changed, some things are relatable from how life plays out. For example, many of the characters in the reboot play the role of daughters and sons of the previous leading characters. Moreover, the HBCU campus experience might bring flashbacks to alums, even though the social issues have taken on a new level of ‘hot topic’. It might even be said, “this is not your father’s version of A Different World.”
Moon entered showbiz in Alicia Keys’ Broadway production of Hell’s Kitchen. She went from the kitchen (hot) to the streaming world (hotter) in a role destined for her skillset. With Homecoming a big attraction for HBCUs like students at Howard University (where some of the stars graduated), they’ve been getting their own behind the scenes fix, as the show gears up for season 2, which has already been greenlighted.
Island Vibes: With Scoops of Roots & Culture from the Diaspora
Barbados prime minister drops a ‘bar’ at the recent UN General Assembly.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdvSTRSK1Xw/?stkn=MWEzeXlwemYwbGlrZQ==
Haiti and its revolution, the untold and under-appreciated.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdPqlTHt3_R/?stkn=MWZrb215bW5yMHZydQ==
The African country Burkina Faso is rewriting its history books.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hx3k841Td/
Family Feature: “Passing the Baton Without Dropping the Stick”
By: Wayne Dawson
In track and field, one of the most exciting races is the relay event. It features four runners who pass the baton (stick) in-between relay legs. It’s a great feeling of how to rally behind a team or cheer like you are their biggest fans in the world. Well, that’s true not just in sports but also in the life of your family. We get to moments where it’s not so much about raising them as it is about empowering them.
When my youngest son and his wife recently came home, they took the lead in redecorating and even hosted an informal family financial session. At that moment I realized something beautiful. The changing of the guard and passing of the baton is an important part of empowering them. Whether in a race or in life, there are adjustments being made with passing the baton without dropping the stick.
Our role now goes through an adjustment where it’s not to control the race, but to become sage… listening, supporting, sharing wisdom when invited, and giving the next generation the agency to lead. In their early days we raise them up in the way they should go. Then as they get older, we let them step out into the world. We have done our part. Now, our job is to cheer them on as they carry the legacy forward.
Hot Take: A Spark, A Note, A Voice
The United Nations recently held its annual General Assembly Conference in New York. World leaders from member nations came together to discuss the issues of our times. There were many speeches made during the weeklong event, with Jamaica’s foreign minister and the Prime Minister of Barbados being among them. When the dust settled, some folks had mixed feelings on the call to action.
For decades we’ve come to know tensions in the Middle East being a major source of angst and dread among world leaders. These days it’s no different with the ongoing conflict with Iran and the impact to our economy in prices for goods. From as far back as many of us might remember, things just seem to flare up with tragic casualties, as a lasting solution keeps falling through the cracks.
We’re seeing it again, with back-and-forth on who has the last say about a nation’s sovereignty. Many years ago, at a different conference, a guest speaker shared his take on the root cause why so much drama has played out in that region (video below). You realize that quarrels, squabbles and persistent disagreements usually have a deeper reason, e.g. like money or who gets to own/manage resources.
Meanwhile, midterm election season is in full swing. For those who have checked out of being aware of social issues, here’s a friendly reminder. Think about how you made it this far as a family, in your career or as a community. When there were moments you felt stifled or stymied, chances are the problem was an issue, a person or a clog that blocked getting to the bottom of things. Is that the Middle East too?
Thanks to TFL member Wayne Dawson for sharing this video clip: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DsAxPPtHW/
Turn Up Tips: Notes on Trusting the Process
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.” – Anatole France
“You never lose until you stop trying.” Joseph McCreary, Project Runway
“Anything you want can be found on the other side of hard.” – Frances Tiafoe, Pro Tennis Player
Good Stuff: “What You Create Starts With How You See”
By: Garett Campbell-Wilson
Give two people the same tools, the same information, and the same assignment. You probably won’t get the same result. And even if you do, they might have arrived there for completely different reasons. One person notices something the other overlooks. One has experience that changes how they approach the problem. One cares about a detail the other doesn’t consider important.
That’s what makes the way we see things so interesting. Everything we’ve experienced, studied, questioned, practiced, and paid attention to influences how we interpret what’s in front of us. You see this in how two artists interpret the same subject; two entrepreneurs recognize different opportunities in the same market. Or how two writers explore the same idea and arrive at completely different conclusions.
Of course, having a point of view doesn’t mean it’s a good one. Sometimes experience teaches us something useful. Other times it leaves us with assumptions we eventually need to unlearn, and that’s a good thing. It can become sharper as we learn, cause us to test what we believe, encounter different perspectives, and discover things we hadn’t noticed before.
Because our point of view isn’t fixed it means the source of what we create can keep improving too. Your work is the expression. Your point of view is the source. Turns out, the most interesting thing you’re developing might not be the thing you’re making. You can create almost anything now, so good luck deciding what, as that’s becoming one of the stranger problems having so much possibility in front of us.
Other Mentions: Added Touch Like Gravy
Looks like Neil was in a throwback mood? Here he is with wifey Annetta, clocking what the 80s thing was all about. Maybe a little Run-DMC influence.
Happy anniversary to Terri & Norman, one of our downsouth TFL member families. They sure know how to bring the fashion scene to wherever they step.
Our TFL member Shawn Dove got to spend some South Florida time with his mom on her birthday. Momma Deanna is still going strong at 86. We agree when he said, “God bless those majestic Jamaican genes.”
There was sad news to report on the passing of Trinidadian calypso musician the Mighty Sparrow. His music was the life of the party when folks wanted to switch-up from reggae.
Who knew there’s a drink in Mexico named after Jamaica? Well, folks gonna find out more, now that for the first time there’ll be non-stop flights between the two countries.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DdlytUwDOv6/?stkn=NHBhM3Y5cnl4YjZ5
Oscar-nominated actor Delroy Wilson is high on giving the Jamaican film industry a boost. He believes the talent there can have a global impact. Well, it’s the vacation spots too as a bonus, right? https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdkdWK8RviD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&vrfl=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Smile Emoji
Work got you worked-up, family got you stressed, life got you stretched? How about trying a bubbly?
https://www.threads.com/share/KYI_xeTBj/
A child’s sketch of her missing dad, which seemed to help to locate him.https://lnkd.in/p/ePSNQdqV
Some spooky stuff happening that has kids crying for their mom. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP9Ds7pvntoHQ-K3vqC/
Life & Times Flava (Chill Sauce for the Grind): “An Honor and Privilege”
Anybody feeling for some wings? Well, the answer to the type of wings might depend on where you live. For some, the debate is lemon pepper vs old bay. The first is has a downsouth popularity while the second might be more up north. Then there’s the preferred dipping sauce. Some wing lovers like to go with ranch while others are more inclined to go with blue cheese.
Which part of the wing is your thing? There are those who’ll go with the ‘flats’ with the twin bone of meat, and others prefer the drumette part, kinda like a mini drumstick. As the holiday season approaches there’s often a debate around dessert that might tell something about you regionally or culturally. It’s the debate of sweet potato pie vs pumpkin pie. Black households tend to go with the sweet potato kind.
In America, the north/south food preferences aren’t just about place but sometimes about the history of race in America. What you might also find both regional and cultural is this idea of privilege. At a basic level, you’ll hear folks say it was an honor and privilege to serve in a certain way or to be recognized by their peers. What they’re really saying is they appreciate having the courtesy that was extended to them.
When folks say the word privilege, it can be a good thing but maybe a bad thing if it’s viewed as having a sense of entitlement for what should come their way. Having your favorite wings or pie might say something about where you’re from. But when serving a company, community, your family or country, having a ‘privileged’ attitude does not put your mindset, work ethic or bias in a good light.
(For a deeper dive on the issues of our time, checkout https://SeeAmericaInColor.com).
Line Jams
Kirk Franklin Ft GloRilla – This Time – https://youtu.be/za06CCJ8tyE?si=1QK3AfnRG-RHiYSr
Protoje – Love Overflow – https://youtu.be/WR7Q0plVn4U?si=nX7-e96Fyd6I25tu
The Family Line Motto: “Open Door to Good Cheer.”
