Victoria Rowell and me

Victoria Rowell and me

actor, writer Victoria Rowell, her husband, the artist Radcliffe Bailey, and their daughter

Grabbing a moment to catch up with Viva

This is me with artist Radcliffe Bailey

James Andrews and daughter Skye. James is on the GCAPP board and is responsible for me being a blogger!!

Ruby Dee did this clock

Tyler Perry, a hero of mine, did this clock based on his hit movie 'For Colored Girls' and my friend, Lyn Ross who runs Dermed Spa, bought it.

Blue Medspa had this clock donated. Cool, huh?

Queen Latifah did this clock and my friend and fittness partner, Jeanette Jenkins (The Hollywood Trainer) brought it to the party and then went and bought the Sidney Poitier clock!

The great glass artist, Hans Frabel, made this gorgeous clock...all glass!!!

These are the Myers...Rick (a board member) and Lisa. They are over-the-top generous and always buy a bunch of clocks. I think their home may be wallpapered with them!

Dolly, Lily and I shipped this poster back and forth till we had all signed it, then it became a clock and my friend, Sharon Maxwell Ferguson bought it.

G-CAPP's CEO, Michele Ozumba and CBS reporter, Adam Murphy

Jeanette Jenkins with Adam Murphy, right after she won the Sidney Poitier clock and was explaining the Queen Latifah clock which she brought with her.

My friend, the rapper Big Boi, hamming it up with auctioneer, Uladia Taylor (an excellent auctioneer!) and Adam Murphy

My friend, actor Phaedra Parks, now on ;Desperate Housewives of Atlanta' bidding for the Sidney Poitier clock. Phaedra was on the Gallapagos trip with us a year ago.

Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe who played Precious—brilliantly!!

Queen Latifah, Me and Richard

Richard, Me and Lenny Kravitz

We saw “Precious“, the remarkable, powerful film directed by Lee Daniels. It opened the New York Film Festival. I read the book, “Push” —by Sapphire–more than a decade ago and felt it to be one of the most powerful, provocative books ever. The film is very good. I am grateful that it has been made and that Oprah and Tyler Perry have stepped up to help ensure it’s distribution. I wish everyone could see it. I’m thinking back over the years to the (white) men, usually business men, who asked me why my organization did “all these programs for those girls? You’re just rewarding them for their bad behavior.” It has taken time, patience and a great deal of faith to try and prove to them that most of the “girls” weren’t “bad.” They were victims who had been on the receiving end of so much dehumanizing, brutal, cruel behavior, then ignored, cast aside. They needed care and attention not more demonizing. The movie is wonderful in how it subtly shows that hope and confidence can bloom in someone when a little love and attention is sent their way. At least two Oscar worthy performances: Gabourey Sidibe is Precious and stand-up comedian, Mo’Nique, is jaw-dropping as her mother, Mary. Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz are excellent as well. Bravo to all!!!

The next night was went to the opening of Carrie Fisher’s “Wishful Drinking.” We had a big group—Troy, Simone, Harvey and Daphna Keitel, Pat Mitchell, Kenny Vance, Claudia Potempkin, Annette and Joe Allen, and more. I meant to take pictures but, as often happens when I’m having fun, I forgot to take any. Carrie was hysterical. I’ve seen an earlier version and was surprised to see how well she’s tightened it up and made it resonate for folks who aren’t of Hollywood. Given her uniquely dysfunctional childhood, one reviewer said it is amazing how she makes the audience feel she is just like them. It’s a must see. So is “Precious”.

Daphna, Harvey, Daphna’s mother, Richard, me and Eve Ensler

Daphna and Harvey Keitel

Then two more glorious days of great food and much fun with Richard’s friends and mine—we had a reunion party with the cast of “33 Variations” and Moises, the author and director. I’m very moved by the fact that Richard’s friends from childhood, High school and college still love him and stay in touch…same with old girlfriends.

33 Variations cast reunion

33 Variations cast reunion

Richard signing doo wop with Kenny Vance. Kenny had long been Richard’s friend. They both had singing groups back in the late fifties...Richard’s was The Escorts, Kenny’s was the Planetones...still is...still sounding like dream

Cannot believe that, except for the photo of Richard singing with Kenny Vance, I forgot to take any pictures. Shame on me.

See You Next TIme