REFLECTION & REASON

Sister Souljah. Omar Tyree. Iyanla Vanzant. John Singleton. Eckhart Tolle. Terry McMillan. These are the handful of writers who have influenced me through their words over the years. Influenced me in my decisions and ideologies, my passions, and my goals. After reading " How to Get Out of Your Own Way" I can now add Tyrese Gibson to this list. It didn't take me long to read this book. In fact, in less than a day, I was engrossed in his words from start to finish, and closed that book with a literary satisfaction I haven't experienced in a while. The satisfaction of reading GOOD writing. The satisfaction of LEARNING something new and knowing that the application of the lessons would make a significant contribution to my personal and professional life. The satisfaction of turning pages mechanically and eagerly, and taking in each and every sentence...straight to my soul. This is the joy of reading that every writer enjoys! The essence of publishing that is refreshing!...

When I hear good music , I realize it has the ability to take me out of the audio experience, and into a visual wonderland. The way the instruments collide, the movement of the bass and rhythm, and the overlay of the artist's voice create another dimension of experience. When I hear good music , it inspires dialogue, it motivates creativity, and reveals storylines to me. As an author, I thrive on receiving new lyrics, and intricate sounds. As a music-lover, I appreciate receiving new creations and allowing them to transport me beyond the CD. Beyond the liner notes. When I hear good music , I realize that there's nothing else in the world that can tell a story, and explain an emotion or personal journey, like music can. Tyrese is an actor, and has the gift of storytelling , so as a songwriter, his talent is evident with the way this musical plot moves and develops. It is more than just an album, it is an experience. If Tyrese Gibson 's 5th studio release " Open Invitati...

I am impressed by R&B singer/ actor/ model/ author Tyrese Gibson. Physical beauty aside, I am impressed by the role he is claiming in pop culture, and the effort he is making to share his wisdom, carve his niche, and maintain his abilities across the entertainment spectrum. He is a pop prophet on the rise: speaking by divine inspiration; a spokesman for a movement; gifted with moral insight and powers of expression. There haven't been many lately. I think with the hype and excitment of Barack Obama entering the United States presidency, there was a huge void filled in pop culture discourse and "urban" cultural leadership . Obama represented the voice of reason, the voice of hope, and the voice of self-identity for many. I've always felt that since the highly visible and highly vocal fraternity of the Civil Rights Movement, that there has been a lack of dominant leadership. Black male leadership, specifically. Rather than looking to ministers and politicians, busin...