My School Rocks Tour 2012 Featuring Jason London

The Jason London will begin the My School Rocks Tour 2012 this Thursday January 12, 2012 in Atlanta Georgia. Along with DJ Dre ATL, Jason London will be on hand for a half time performance during the Clark Atlanta University’s men and women’s basketball games. The fact that Jason is a huge advocate of education and doing the things necessary to achieve one’s life goal’s this is the ultimate setting for delivering an amazing performance and reinforcing the importance of going after your dreams. Jason London has been in concert and/or performed with Melanie Fiona, Next, Silk, Dwele, Jagged Edge and a host of other award-winning musicians. Jason is also a nominee for Best R&B Artist in this year’s Georgia Music Awards. You can vote for Jason by going to the website www.GeorgiaMusicAwards.com and clicking on nominees. Sponsors for the opening show of the My School Rocks Tour 2012 include Clark Atlanta University, DTP Radio (Disturbing The Peace Radio) The Dr. Malee Scholarship Foundation, My Urban Swagger (Dubai Most Recognized Urban Diamond Jewelry Store), Above Radar Designs, Exclusive Game Fashions and Rich Lavish Clothing. You can also follow Jason London on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/IAmJasonLondon and check out his fan page at www.Facebook.com/IAmJasonLondon

Clothes vs Style

You can buy clothes but you can't by style. Clothes last for a length of time. Style is forever.

Booker T. Washington - The Atlanta Compromise Speech (1904)

CAST DOWN YOUR BUCKET!

The Magic Of Magic

November 7, 1991 was one of the worst days of my childhood as I then knew it. I remember walking in the house from school and my mother telling me Magic Johnson was about to retire because he had HIV. At that very instant I ran into the bathroom, burst into tears and cried like a baby. Not because Magic was retiring, but because of the death sentence that came along with the diagnosis of HIV at that day and time. In 1991 HIV simply meant you were going to die of aids, sooner rather than later. As a fourth grader I didn’t know much about HIV/AIDS or how you caught it; all I knew was that it was bad and that it would make you really sick really fast and that you would die, looking like a shell of your old self. That was all that I could think of; my basketball idol, Mr. Showtime, Magic Johnson was going to die. As we watched the press conference all I could think was that Magic is going to die. In life everybody will die, but to a kid heroes don’t die, they are invincible. This harsh reality was something that in 1991 was unavoidable. Magic reiterated during his press conference that he would fight this disease with the same winning attitude and determination that he had on the basketball court. He made it be known that he would still be here for years and that he was not going anywhere. Although he was extremely optimistic about his future battling the illness, the consensus was that we would witness the death of a beloved superstar before our very eyes. Fast-forward 20 years later and everything that Magic Johnson said has not only came to pass, but he has exceeded the expectations of everybody except himself. Two returns back to the NBA Courts (1992 &1996), and 1992 Olympic Gold Medal with the Dream Team and a stint as part owner of the Los Angeles Lakers are just a few of the many things Magic Johnson has done since he was diagnosed with HIV in 1991. He has become a spearhead for urban development across the country. From movie theaters, restaurants and coffee shops to fitness facilities Magic has used his platform to inject life and money into neglected areas of the black community. As an advocate for HIV and AIDS awareness, he has been a strong voice in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the educating of people (the black community in particular) about the causes of AIDS and the reality which is AIDS. The fact that Magic Johnson has HIV has been a driving point for the fact that anybody can get this disease. Magic realizes that his positive status drives home the seriousness of this disease, yet his status also serves as a wakeup call for people to become educated about this disease and take safety measures to prevent themselves from acquiring this disease. The past 20 years has allowed Magic Johnson the opportunity to not only be an educator and an advocate for the fight against HIV/AIDS, but this time has also enabled him to be an inspiration for those living with this disease. The fact that he has overcome HIV with the same vigor that he overcame foes on the basketball court is Magic in itself.

Jacqueline Smith’s Dream: Her Stand

There are two sides to every story; whether they are seen or unseen. Many times things are thrust into our eyes, yet we have the option of viewing or turning an oblivious eye to the source or sources being placed in front of us. Mulberry Street is the where the curtain closed on one of the dreamers of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4th 1968 an assassin’s bullet killed King on the 2nd floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel, the place where he was staying during his stay here in Memphis to help with the sanitation strike. An important voice of the movement died that day, but there was another voice within the same building which would be heard years later, that of Jacqueline Smith.
Jacqueline Smith made national headlines on March 2, 1988, as she was forcefully withdrawn from the Motel as a tenant, in preparation for the overturn of the Lorraine Motel into what was to become the National Civil Rights Museum. The fact that the Lorraine Motel has been turned into a tourist attraction rather than an entity that can refurbish the community and uplift the community is something that Jacqueline Smith has protested peacefully for the last 23 years. The gentrification of Mulberry Street and the surrounding neighborhoods has been based solely on the establishment of the National Civil Rights Museum. Gentrification is the act of the wealthy coming into an impoverished, low income area, renovate the area, move the current residents out and raise the prices and standard of living to where the poorer people that previously lived there cannot live or return because they are financially unable to live in the “gentrified” area. Smith has seen this happen to Mulberry Street. An area that once thrived off of the black dollar is now not able to entertain the black dollar. King was in Memphis during his “Poor People’s Campaign,” a campaign to make sure that the needs of the poor and oppressed of the US were met and addressed. This fact is one of the foundations for Smith’s protest. Gentrification is not about spreading money, but it is about making money and many times when is it comes to making money, extreme measures are taken. The National Civil Rights Museum generates millions of dollars a year, yet if one were to look around the neighboring community, this would not seem factual. Smith shares the same dream that MLK had in the fact that everybody should be equal and that nobody should suffer inequalities at the hands of others. The former residents of Mulberry Street and the surrounding areas have suffered the consequences of gentrification. Would Dr. Martin Luther King Jr want a community dispersed and disregarded for the reward of monetary gain and historical gratification? The King family objected the idea of building the Civil Rights Museum as did Jacqueline Smith. Her protest is that of peace, humility and knowledge. She doesn’t impose her protest on anybody, yet if you are wanting and willing to listen and engage in a conversation with her, she will enlighten you on her stance. The fact that she has maintained a peaceful protest with the same profile and location for nearly 25 years is extremely admirable. If you understand what Dr. King truly fought for then you will definitely understand Jacqueline Smith and her stand.

To Learn More About Jacqueline Smith And Help Her Fulfill The Dream In Any Way Visit Her Website At http://www.fulfillthedream.net/

Meet Hollywood's Next Leading Man: Timon Kyle Durrett

Every year Hollywood presents us with a new arrival that captivates the attention of its audience. The moment when a fresh face combined with an undeniable on camera presence grabs your mind and the star is revealed to you before your eyes. This past spring the world faithfully tuned into the new VH1 series "Single Ladies." Created by Stacey A. Littlejohn, "Single Ladies" is about 3 best friends living their lives in the city of Atlanta, working, playing and exploring the relationships that engage their lives. One of the most talked about and breakout stars of the show was Timon Kyle Durret, who played the characters of Quinn Davis an NBA Player and the ex-boyfriend of Val, one of the 3 best friends. "Quinn Davis" not only locked the interest of his ex-girlfriend Val, but Quinn also kept the viewing audience wanting more as well. Prior to his role in "Single Ladies" Timon Kyle Durrett performed in the Tyler Page stage play "The Marriage Counselor" in addition to work in numerous commercials,music videos, television dramas, sitcoms and feature films. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Timon and discuss his background, how he began acting, his career and his future.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) Could you tell me a little bit about your background? What part of the country are you from?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’m a big city guy, born and raised on the South side of Chicago. I grew up in a big house with a big family. Lived there until I moved to
Los Angeles to actively pursue a career as an actor.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) As a young child did you ever think that you would become a professional actor?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’ve always had an admiration for good stories, mostly the visual stories that movies told. Whether the movies were on the big or
small screen, I loved them. But my desire to actually be an actor
came about…I’d have to say in my mid-to-late teens. Before that,
I had a firm desire to be a visual artist. I had dreams of being a
modern day Leonardo Da Vinci.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) When did you first catch the "acting bug" that everybody speaks of? Was it due to a particular instance in your life? A certain movie or play that you saw?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Having a love for great stories, I would come up with some of my
own. I’d tell them to anyone who’d take the time to listen. My mother
would always say to me, “You know, you should be on TV.” One day
she told me about a radio announcement she’d heard saying there
were roles available for a movie being shot in the downtown area [of
Chicago] called There Are No Children Here starring Oprah Winfrey. I
booked a really small role. I contained myself when I was on set, but
my heart was racing a mile a minute. I was super excited. I couldn't
believe I was actually working on a movie. That’s when the “Acting
Bug” first bit me.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) At what point in your life did you fully realize that you had the potential to become a great actor?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Well, I’m still realizing potential now. I believe there’s always room to grow. Whether it’s acting or any other profession, if there’s a desire
to learn, which I love to do, there’s a place for growth. But when I
got the call from casting that I’d booked the role of Henderson in 20th
Century Fox’s feature film “Like Mike,” I was blown away. I thought
to myself, “Man, I’m really doing this?” That was a major point in life.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) What was your first audition? How did it go?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} My first audition was for the made-for-television movie There Are No Children Here. But to be honest, I can’t really say how it went. I was
just amped that I was auditioning for a movie. But I guess it went
okay. I booked the part I auditioned for, right? (Laughs)

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS)You Attended Alcorn State University, which is in Lorman, Mississippi. How was the transition moving from the big city of Chicago to the small
town of Lorman? Tell me about your college experience.

{TIMONY KYLE DURRETT} Seeing different parts of the country wasn’t unfamiliar to me. My family went on vacations just about every summer. But my first year
at Alcorn brought on a heck of an adjustment. I was used to being a
mile or two – or even a few blocks – from whatever I needed. Plus,
I could take the bus and A-train if I needed to go further; like to the
North side. But not in Lorman. Everything was far away, there was
no public transportation system that passed by Alcorn, and I didn’t
have car at the time. So, I had to make friends quick, especially those
who had wheels. (Laughs) But I wouldn’t trade those four years for
anything. Some of my best friends to this day are my boys from “The
Yard.” (That’s what we Alcornites call the campus.)

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) You’ve had the opportunity to work on many different shows, sitcoms,movies and plays. Could you tell me about your body of work and which
was the most memorable experience?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’ve done print work, runway modeling, I’ve done commercials,
music videos, television dramas and sitcoms, feature films, and
one stage play, all of which I enjoyed very much. But I’d have to
say that Vh1’s “Single Ladies” and Tyler Perry’s “The Marriage
Counselor” are my most memorable acting experiences. With Single
Ladies, I love the angst and drama that happens in front of the
camera. Off camera, the laughs, fun and welcoming environment
make it seem more like I’m hanging with family instead of working a
television series. With “The Marriage Counselor,” the travelling and
sightseeing, the camaraderie and laughs – on and off stage – were
all fantastic. We had a ball. But to have every eye in a house on you,
to know that you have some control over the emotions of all those
people right then and there was a hair-raising, yet invigorating feeling
I hadn’t felt before as an actor.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) You've had the opportunity to perform in Tyler Perry's play "The Marriage Counselor." I've seen this play 2 times and I must say that it was an excellent play. The characters in the play were people that could easily
be identified in real life. The actors that portrayed the characters did an
excellent job of bringing the characters to life. Could you speak on your
experience with the play?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Being on tour with “The Marriage Counselor” was a lot of fun.
Travelling across the country. Seeing new places. Meeting new
people. Making new friends. Playing practical jokes on the other
cast members. (Smiles) It’s a time I’ll never forget. But what I enjoyed
most was playing Ronald Henry. I’d never played such a bad guy
before. Becoming someone totally opposite of myself and making so
many people believe it was authentic was…interesting. According to
a few of my friends, there are still people – men and women alike –
who can’t stand me because of that role. (Laughs)

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) If you could work with any actor/actress that is dead or alive who would it be and why?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Meryl Streep. She embodies each emotion appropriate to not only a scene, but also an entire film. Her sentiments are almost…tangible,
if you will. She has this captivating sophistication that allows her to
say so much without uttering a single word. In short, she’s the bomb.
I’d love to work with her because I’m sure she’d bring something out
of me that I’ve yet to discover.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) You recently completed the first season of the highly acclaimed VH1 series “Single Ladies.” The show proved to be a smash and definitely left viewers anxious for next season. Talk about the show and your character.

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} "Single Ladies" is a modern, sexy, comedic drama about Val,
Keisha, and April - three best friends with mixed views on sex and
relationships, which is set in the world of Atlanta fashion, music,
and celebrity. I play NBA star Quinn Davis, Val’s now ex-boyfriend.
Quinn, in my opinion, isn’t as bad a guy as most viewers make him
out to be. But I do thinks he’s an opportunist who’s used to getting
his way. He’s spoiled. It’s a fun role. I like the controversy it stirs
up.

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) What do we need to be on the lookout for in the future from Timon Kyle Durrett?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} I’ve gotten several offers for roles in feature films. So, I’ve been doing a lot of script reading to see if the characters pique my interest.
There is one character/project that grabbed my attention and I’ll be
working on that film in October 2011. But I can’t say what it is. It’s a
confidentiality thing. You know how that goes. (Smiles)

(D JORDAN PRODUCTIONS) If you could give some advice to that one reader out there that is trying to break into the showbiz business, what would you say to them?

{TIMON KYLE DURRETT} Think BIG, and then take action that’s even BIGGER!

For more details and updates on what Timon Kyle Durrett will be working on and events
he'll be attending, just go to www.facebook.com/tkdurrett or
www.facebook.com/timonkyledurrett to contact him.

http://DJordanProductions.com/

Happy Birthday John W. Coltrane

Happy Birthday John W. Coltrane. One of the greatest and most influential jazz musicians ever, John Coltrane transcended the world through his playing of the alto, tenor and soprano saxophones. Today is a day to celebrate the life and legacy of the great John Coltrane.