The Guardian | June 16, 2020

“The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s agent Will Trent, and medical examiner Sara Linton, are called in when a man is murdered in the state penitentiary. During their inquiry, a prisoner, Daryl Nesbitt, tells them that a recent attack on a young woman looks exactly the same as the one he was jailed for eight years earlier, which means a serial killer could have been operating ever since. Will is wary of looking into the case – the chief of police responsible for arresting Nesbitt was Sara’s late husband, Jeffrey Tolliver, who was murdered five years earlier. ‘Obviously, the worst part would be realising that a serial killer had been operating for years without their knowledge. The second worst part was more personal. A wrongful conviction was the kind of scandal that had onions inside of onions.’ The Silent Wife is the 10th book in Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent series, but such is her skill that it’s perfectly possible to join the story here, though be warned, if you do, you’ll want to go back to the beginning and discover just how Will and Sara (from her Grant County series) ended up together. As sharp and absorbing as ever.”

The Silent Wife by Karin Slaughter was included in this fantastic thriller round-up! Follow the link above to read more.

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The Blade | June 16, 2020

“Moms usually get taken out to brunch on Mother’s Day.

On Father’s Day, though, the tradition is that Dad does all his own cooking.

We’d say that’s not fair — why don’t dads get to rest on their big day?

But since the stereotypical gift for the occasion is grilling equipment ... well, in that case, let them have some fun playing with their new toys.

While Dad mans the grill to make the entrée, though, the rest of the family can take care of the side dishes.

And we’ve got some perfect options for Pops.

For starters, we’re serving up two seriously delicious dishes: Pap’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese, a creamy three-cheese wonder, and Tender-Crisp Green Beans that have been glammed up with, oh, just a mere half-pound of bacon.

But lest you worry about the dreaded dad bod, we’ve also got vibrant, spicy Broiled Sweet Corn with Tarragon-Cayenne Butter and A Genius Caesar Salad to offer some lightness and freshness.

So, speaking of food, did you hear the one about the restaurant on the moon?

Great food, no atmosphere.

(Groan.)”

Follow the link above to get Alexander Smalls’ recipe for Broiled Sweet Corn with Tarragon-Cayenne Butter, which was included in his cookbook, Meals, Music, and Muses.

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Bethesda Magazine | June 13, 2020

“The idea for Lauren Francis-Sharma’s second novel came to her while she was listening to a radio interview with Willie Nelson as she waited in the carpool line at Norwood School in Bethesda. She thought of her parents, who grew up in Trinidad loving country music, and an idea hit her for a character in what would become Book of the Little Axe (Atlantic Monthly Press, May 2020). It’s a family saga set against the backdrop of colonialism, violence and slavery in the 1800s in Trinidad and the United States. The quest to belong and the meaning of home remain relevant today, says Francis-Sharma of Kensington, an attorney who became a full-time author after the success of her debut novel ’Til the Well Runs Dry (Henry Holt and Co., 2014). ‘We’re still interconnected globally, and we have been forever,’ she says.”

Follow the link above to see the full article!

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The New York Times | June 11, 2020

“The political calendar is a bit like the liturgical calendar: People pay more attention when a big event is on the horizon (Election Day, Christmas), but the most meaningful experiences often occur on their own schedule, in reaction to private or unplanned happenstance. A death, a disaster — that’s when you see protests, or conversions, start to take hold.

David Frum’s new book is both protest and conversion. Frum is the former neoconservative who came out early against Donald Trump’s 2016 run for the presidency, and in ‘Trumpocalypse’ he tries to figure out where Republicans and conservatism in general went wrong. It’s one of the more overtly political books we recommend this week, but politics unites a lot of these titles, from history (‘The Black Cabinet’) to analysis (‘Away From Chaos’) to Masha Gessen’s cleareyed guide for surviving autocracy (‘Surviving Autocracy’). There’s a novel about terrorism in India, and a filmmaker’s prison memoir, and a journalist’s account of homelessness and hope by way of the Girl Scouts. We also recommend David Kamp’s look back at the golden age of children’s television in the 1970s, André Leon Talley’s memoir of life in the upper echelons of high fashion, and works of fiction by Ivy Pochoda, Naoise Dolan and Richard Ford.”

The Black Cabinet by Jill Watts was included in this fabulous round-up! Follow the link above to see the full list.

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The Girly Book Club | June 10, 2020

“I absolutely love a thriller with an unexpected end, and the last chapter of this book had plot twist on top of plot twist – literally until the last sentence. That’s exactly why I loved it.

The authors did an amazing job developing the characters. They’re remarkable, but irritating, and I was so angry with them all the time. But of course, everything has a reason and we learn about the character’s past throughout the story.

Joanna and Leo are going through a rough patch. Leo has been depressed lately and Joanna is doing everything she can to lift his spirits. She recommends a meditation class at a rehabilitation center. That’s where he meets Piper – a beautiful, fun, and friendly woman. They immediately feel attracted to each other and from then on, Joanna’s life turns into a living hell.

Piper is a mysterious and determined woman and in no time, she takes Leo away from Joanna. But Piper wasn’t expecting that Leo’s son Stelli was going to get in the way. He doesn’t accept that Piper took his mom’s place and he does everything he can to get back at her.

Meanwhile, Joanna is doing her best to find out about Piper’s past. After all, it’s very strange that she can’t find anything about Piper online, even though she’s such a successful business woman. It turns out Piper changed her name. She’s been married twice and both her husbands died in mysterious ways.

It all seems very obvious. Crazy ex-wife obsessed with the new Mrs. that took her place; husband that doesn’t believe when his ex-wife tells him she’s crazy. But you’re in for more than just the obvious!

I was hooked and on the edge of my seat the whole time, and when everything was finally explained in the last chapters, I was so shocked! I knew something crazy was about to happen, but I did not expect the ending at all! I highly recommend it!”

The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine received a glowing review from The Girly Book Club!

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People | June 10, 2020

"‘There is no noise as powerful as the sound of the marching feet of a determined people,’ Martin Luther King Jr. said at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. No words better capture the moment we're in right now, as millions take to the streets to protest against police brutality and racial injustice.

Protests have erupted in cities throughout the United States following the May 25 killing of George Floyd, 46-year-old black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes after a deli employee accused Floyd of using a counterfeit $20 bill. The officer, Derek Chauvin, is facing murder and manslaughter charges, while the three other officers who were on the scene are under investigation. All have been fired.

In the midst of this painful — and necessary — reckoning with racism in the United States, many have sought resources to learn more about the issues at hand. We march, but we must also listen — and music helps us learn, reflect and heal when conversation fails.

Keep reading for music, podcasts, audiobooks and more resources that deconstruct systemic racism and paint a vivid portrait of what it’s like to be unheard, and unseen as a black American.”

Radical Hope by Carolina De Robertis, which People described as “powerful and full of hope,” is included in this article. Follow the link above to read more.

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Hypbeast | June 10, 2020

“Co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement and queer activist Patrisse Cullors will perform a ‘public act of mourning’ as the inaugural event of Pride at the Fowler Museum. Rooted in a prayer that Cullors wrote with artist Damon Turner after the death of Ahmaud Arbery, the performance, called A Prayer for the Runner, responds to the question, ‘What role does collective prayer have and how can it inspire our healing?’

Originally trained as a dancer, Cullors told the Los Angeles Times that performance gives her ‘a sense of agency’ and brings together her roles as both an artist and activist. ‘I get to dictate how the world sees me and what they see me doing, what they hear me saying, or feeling,’ she explained. ‘And oftentimes, we don’t get to make those choices. As black people, choices are made for us, and often it leads to deadly consequences.’ On her latest performance, Cullors says, ‘This piece takes us through ritual, prayer, and ancestry. Black death, trauma, and pain are age-old crises. Our bodies have been used as sacrifice. How do we manage?’

In addition to the performance, the program will feature a talk-back with Melinda Abdullah, founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter. Both women will share their thoughts on topics such as grief, healing and parent-child relationships. Other events include a dance class on AfrikFusion/VogueAfrik and a conversation ‘tracing queer Angeleno artists’ contributions to contemporary art.’

Cullor’s performance will take place on June 13 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. For more information on the events or to RSVP to any of the digital programs, head to the Fowler Museum’s website.”

Follow the link above to read more on Hypebeast and tune in June 13.

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Vulture | June 9, 2020

“Recommending summer books at a time of national grief is like interrupting a funeral to ask the bereaved if they were aware that they can save 15 percent or more on car insurance. I won’t blame you if you’d like to file this away for another time — a time when escaping into a book feels more like a delight than an abdication. On the other hand, you may be yearning to carve out a moment for imaginative therapy, and dropping $25 on a set of bound pages is a reasonably cheap method of doing it. Either way, I wish you safety and solace.”

My Mother’s House by Francesca Momplaisir was selected to be included in this newsletter! Click the link above to read more.

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NBC News | June 9, 2020

“During President Barack Obama’s town hall, Reimagining Policing in the Wake of Continued Police Violence, on June 3, he mentioned Tony McDade, the Black transgender man who was shot and killed by police in Tallahassee, Florida. It was a somber moment, but also one where many Black trans men felt seen. Too often the violence against Black transgender people at the hands of the police are ignored when, in fact, transgender people are seven times more likely to experience physical violence when interacting with the police than non-trans people according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. And, according to a 2011 report from the National Center for Transgender Equality, nearly half of all Black transgender people have been incarcerated. This is a direct result of Black transgender people being marginalized within our own community and beyond.This movement for Black lives must include us too.

Not only have Black transgender people borne the brunt of the violent police system, we’ve fought against it as well. Black queers, from the civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, who helped organize the 1963 March on Washington, to the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza,have helped shape and organize some of the most effective strategies and movements for the equality of Black people.”

Follow the link above to read more.

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The Times | June 9, 2020

“The slogan ‘Defund the Police’ has been chanted by crowds at rallies across the United States. It has been painted by activists in giant yellow letters on a road leading to the White House. And it has been seized on by President Trump as an argument to voters that his opponents ‘have gone Crazy!’

But what does it actually mean?”

Follow the link above to read more about defunding the police and what that entails.

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E! Online | June 9, 2020

“On Feb. 26, 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot to death while on his way back to the house he was visiting in a gated community in Sanford, Fla.

A month later, President Barack Obama, making his first public remarks about the case, said, "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon." A full investigation into what happened was imperative, he said.

George Zimmerman, the man who pulled the trigger, was charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. He didn't testify at trial but the defense maintained that he shot Trayvon in self-defense. He had spotted the teen walking while patrolling the area in his own vehicle as a volunteer neighborhood watch leader and, Zimmerman claimed, Trayvon punched him when he got out of his car and banged his head against the sidewalk, causing Zimmerman to fear for his life. There was "something off" about him, Zimmerman had told police, per a recording played in court.

The prosecution argued that Zimmerman saw Trayvon, decided he looked suspicious, followed him for awhile, got out of his car and had the upper hand when he shot him. 

On July 13, 2013, Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges.

Appalled by the verdict, Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi took action.”

Follow the link above to learn more about the Black Lives Matter founders.

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Cosmopolitan | June 8, 2020

“‘People across the country are ready for a defunding framework,’ says Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter and founder of Reform LA Jails, in a report from TIME. ‘Police should not be in charge of mental health crises, dealing with homelessness... in charge of “supporting” people with drug dependency and addiction. Those are three line items which we can cut out of the police budget and then put that back into health care.’”

Follow the link above to read further about defunding the police and all that entails.

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Los Angeles Times | June 8, 2020

“When I coined the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter in the hot summer of 2012 (later popularized through the activism of Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi after Michael Brown’s death), racial healing, reparations and transformation were heavy on my mind. I had been bearing witness to the possibilities and problems of America for more than 30 years — raised amid the war on drugs, the LGBTQ rights movement, the end of the Cold War, the rise of hip-hop and the fulfillment of the prophecy of the civil rights movement as expressed through Barack Obama’s historic two terms as the country’s first black president.”

Follow the link above to read more!

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Broadway World | June 8, 2020

“To support the ongoing Justice for George Floyd and Black Lives Matter movements, The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia will stream their 2018 production of James Ijames' KILL MOVE PARADISE from today, June 8, 2020, to June 21, 2020, featuring members of the Wilma's HotHouse Company. The play, a New York Times Critics Pick, and winner of the Whiting Award and the Kesselring Prize, is inspired by the ever growing list of slain unarmed Black people in America. 100% of the proceeds from the streaming event will benefit Black Lives Matter Philly.

‘The streaming of this production of KILL MOVE PARADISE is an opportunity for us to use what we do best to raise awareness and money for Black Lives Matter Philly, which is working tirelessly towards transformative justice,’ said playwright and Wilma Co-Artistic Director James Ijames. ‘This play contains a lot of pain, a lot of sorrow, but I hope it also offers my own community a space of healing and hope.’

Directed by Artistic Director Blanka Zizka during the Wilma's 2018-19 season, KILL MOVE PARADISE tells the story of Isa (Lindsay Smiling), Daz (Brandon J. Pierce), Grif (Anthony Martinez-Briggs) and Tiny (Avery Hannon), four black men who find themselves stuck in a cosmic waiting room in the afterlife. The play depicts these men as symbols of life and hope. Gone but never forgotten, KILL MOVE PARADISE illustrates the possibilities of collective transformation and radical acts of joy.

To stream the production, virtual audience members will be asked to make a contribution of any size to Black Lives Matter Philly. Black Lives Matter was created by co-founders Patrisse Kahn-Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi, in response to Trayvon Martin's murderer, George Zimmerman, being acquitted for his crime. It gained more traction On August 9, 2014, when Officer Darren Wilson murdered 18 year old Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. That same summer, local Black activists and organizers in St. Louis issued a call for Black organizers, healers, artists, attorneys, and independent media folks to come to Ferguson to demand justice for Mike Brown. On August 28, a Northeast contingency of about 30 activists bused for 20 hours from New York City to Ferguson, Missouri for the Black Life Matters Freedom Ride. Months after the life-changing experience in Ferguson, BLM Northeast held their first of several meetings. Soon after, they began exploring more city-based meetings. In February of 2015, two of the original Ferguson Freedom Riders decided to form Philadelphia's official chapter. Months later in May, BLM Philly held the first local chapter meeting at the St. Paul's Baptist Church. Since then, the chapter has flourished and launched a number of initiatives, including letter campaigns, Black Joy and Healing circles, vigils, and forums.”

Click the link above to read more.

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CNN | June 8, 2020

“Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, said defunding the police means reallocating those funds to support people and services in marginalized communities.

Defunding law enforcement ‘means that we are reducing the ability for law enforcement to have resources that harm our communities,’ Cullors said in an interview with WBUR, Boston's public radio station. ‘It's about reinvesting those dollars into black communities, communities that have been deeply divested from.’

Those dollars can be put back into social services for mental health, domestic violence and homelessness, among others. Police are often the first responders to all three, she said.

Those dollars can be used to fund schools, hospitals, housing and food in those communities, too -- ‘all of the things we know increase safety,’ McHarris said.”

CNN published an in-depth article about defunding the police and interviewed Patrisse Cullors for her input. Follow the link above to read more.

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Hollywood Reporter | June 8, 2020

“Boy George and Tituss Burgess also are among the many stars who have been added to the virtual event, taking place Saturday, June 13.

Abby McEnany, Lilly Wachowski, Boy George, Black Lives Matter co-founder and political strategist Patrisse Cullors and Tituss Burgess have joined the lineup of Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter's second annual Pride Summit and Prom.”

Follow the link above to read more about this fabulous event! The event will be held on Saturday, June 13, at bbthrpridesummit.com.

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Billboard | June 8, 2020

“As celebrities continue to protest across the nation in hopes of accelerating justice for George Floyd and the entire Black Lives Matter movement, YG participated in the action and had a resounding message for his detractors over the weekend.

‘For anyone out there talking I don't question your advocacy and don't think you should question mine,’ he wrote in an Instagram post Monday (June 8) after protesting in Los Angeles alongside BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, Melina Abdullah of BLM LA and Kendrick Sampson in Hollywood.”

Follow the link above to read the entire Billboard article.

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Vanity Fair | June 5, 2020

“DDespite the pervasive threat of the coronavirus pandemic, in which the United States has far outpaced other nations in terms of reported cases and deaths, hundreds of thousands of protesters have filled streets with demonstrations against police brutality and unchecked violence against Black Americans. Minneapolis, Atlanta, New York, as well as many small towns across the country, felt the familiar collective response to the string of murders of Black people by police and white vigilantes. This week, all 50 states have held demonstrations. Ahmaud Arbery, Nina Pop, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and George Floyd, whose final plea of ‘I can’t breathe’ was captured on video, have galvanized the national conscience, echoing an impassioned response six years ago following Eric Garner’s death.

The cycle of death, online outrage, and civic demonstration, without any tangible resolution, is brutal in its familiarity, and especially taxing as much of the population remains under lockdown. But the halt to daily life, in which families and communities separated in order to stay alive, was not enough to pause the cruelty of systemic racism. ‘This moment—both the resistance and what people are resisting to—is a part of a long history in this country,’ Charlene Carruthers, a Black, queer, feminist organizer, explained in a phone interview with Vanity Fair. ‘This moment is reflective of the work that our ancestors did first and we are building on that.’

Carruthers and other activists throughout the country—including Clarissa Brooks, a community organizer in Atlanta; St. Louis native Brittany Packnett Cunningham; Los Angeles–based Patrisse Cullors, a cofounder of Black Lives Matter; and Rachel Cargle, an Ohio–born New Yorker—see their roles in the larger movement for Black lives as inherently building upon uprisings and organizing that came before, while also emphasizing a new generation of influence and energy. Carruthers, who is a founding member of Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) and served as its national director from 2013 to 2018, says that working alongside activists who were in some cases a decade her junior is a strength because ‘it allows a continuum in the movement.’”

Follow the link above to read the entire article on Vanity Fair.

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