#stop broadcasting Tyler perry shows and put this on

[calzona-ga]

Taraji P. Henson and Ellen Pompeo are two of the most powerful women on television, sitting at the center of major broadcast hits. On Fox’s “Empire,” Henson’s Cookie Lyon has proved to be a fan favorite, while Pompeo’s Meredith Grey has kept viewers obsessed with ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” for a decade and a half — making the series history’s longest-running medical drama. Both stars, too, have found their voices, speaking out about inclusion and inequity in Hollywood.

TARAJI P. HENSON: Ellen, we’ve been living with your character for 15 years now. How was the character written on the page?

ELLEN POMPEO: When I read the script, the thing that stood out was that it was the lead character. I had been in a bunch of movies, but just the girlfriend or the wife. And then — listen, the nature of how she’s evolved is that I’m 15 years older. What about you when you read the pilot for “Empire”?

TpH: I thought, “The NAACP, they’re going to get me for this one.” She calls one son, who’s gay, the F-bomb, and she beats one son with a broom. This is something that has never been shown on national television — certainly not by a black woman. When you’re a person of color, you have to be careful about the roles you pick. You want to uplift the people. Once I got past the fear, I was able to really see her. I didn’t want just black people to identify with her. I wanted every mother in the world to understand the sacrifices that only mothers can make.

EP: I think that Caucasian actresses don’t understand the nuanced struggles that you have as a black woman, and the roles you choose — what you’re sidestepping, what you want to make sure gets out there. It’s a whole different layer of difficulty that I certainly didn’t understand when I started my show. I knew that we were doing special things by showing people of color as doctors, which hadn’t been done on television in a long time. But when we’re young actresses you’re trying to get any role you can. You don’t have time to have empathy. I’ve had a tremendous education, not always in the most pleasant of ways. I’ve had to observe and have a lot of uncomfortable moments, which is fine, because I’m happy to have uncomfortable moments as long as I’ve learned.

TpH: That means you’re growing. Growth is uncomfortable. When I booked “Empire,” I had a momentum going that I’d been waiting my entire career for. I seized every opportunity. If I was getting 5 or 10 million a movie, I wouldn’t work so much. I’m working because I have bills to pay. I have dreams. I have to get it in.

EP: For me the performance that stands out is “Hustle & Flow.” Your quote should have shot up after that.

TpH: It did not. I think the industry knew I was talented. But it’s about money. Are you bankable? I had to continuously prove that. I’ve been trying to prove and improve. I was asking for half a million. I didn’t get paid that until I did my first Tyler Perry film. He was the first person who paid me $500,000. I was never in a position where I could not take a job; by the grace of God, they have all been really good characters. But it was never a situation where I was like, “I’m not going to do that.” Now, I’m finally there.

EP: It’s impossible to have this conversation without talking about race. It’s such a significant piece of pay parity.

TpH: It’s not going to change until privilege reaches across the table and helps. Otherwise, we’re playing a rerun. The only narrative that I wish I could change is my money. It’s almost like they want this incredible performance for a discount price. The black movies — we don’t get big budgets. I have to wait until Scorsese or someone with a franchise film calls.

EP: You hear that? She wants a franchise movie. Who’s calling?

TpH: We’re going into our sixth season. How did you do 15? Was there any moment where you were like, “Child, I want off this bus”?

EP: There were many moments. It’s funny: I never wanted off the bus in the year that I could get off. The first 10 years we had serious culture issues, very bad behavior, really toxic work environment. But once I started having kids, it became no longer about me. I need to provide for my family.

TpH: I know that.

EP: At 40 years old, where am I ever going to get this kind of money? I need to take care of my kids. But after Season 10, we had some big shifts in front of the camera, behind the camera. It became my goal to have an experience there that I could be happy and proud about, because we had so much turmoil for 10 years. My mission became, this can’t be fantastic to the public and a disaster behind the scenes. Shonda Rhimes and I decided to rewrite the ending of this story. That’s what’s kept me. Patrick Dempsey left the show in Season 11, and the studio and network believed the show could not go on without the male lead. So I had a mission to prove that it could. I was on a double mission.

TpH: Were you and Patrick getting paid the same in the beginning?

EP: He was being paid almost double what I was in the beginning. He had a television quote. I had never done TV.

TpH: I know that story. Is there wine in this cup?

EP: “He’s done 13 pilots.” Well, none of them have gone. I didn’t even realize until we were renegotiating Season 3. No one was offering that up.

TpH: That story sounds about like mine. But when all the tweets were about Cookie, I said, “It’s time to renegotiate. Can everybody sit down at the table, please?” I’d been in the game long enough to know the numbers game, and I knew Cookie had become iconic. You need her. So I need my money.

EP: My husband says, “Closed mouths don’t get fed.” But if you have to walk, don’t be a victim. If you don’t get what you want, put your big-girl panties on …

TpH: And bounce.

EP: You can know your worth, but if they don’t know it, you can’t cry.

TpH: I had to leave a show before, and it was the most money I’d ever seen in my life, and I was so miserable. It was stealing my joy. I just remember praying to God: “God, I’m not happy creatively.” And the next day, I called the producer. He got it. And I walked away, not even knowing where I was going. I ended up doing a play in Pasadena. I didn’t care about who was coming to the theater, executives or casting directors. It was about Taraji falling back in love with this craft. Fox had to woo me. I wouldn’t read the script. I was done with television.

EP: It’s a grind.

TpH: It’s really not for me. I had to say, “I want my money because I know what I bring to the table and I know the following that I have.” I know if there’s money to be had, I should be paid.

EP: I now have three kids. And we turned the culture around. I’ve hit some marks that have made me feel accomplished in a different way. Shonda Rhimes has been amazing. She lets us be mothers. I don’t have to travel. I don’t have to go anywhere.

TpH: I don’t know if I could do 15 seasons of Cookie.

EP: Are you involved in your storyline at all?

TpH: Absolutely. No one knows Cookie better than me.

EP: I haven’t been challenged creatively at all. Every once in a while we do an amazing storyline. But for the last five years, I’ve had other milestones that we were trying to achieve behind the camera.

TpH: For me, one of our proudest moments was with gay marriage. Because we didn’t know how the black community would accept Jamal, the gay son [played by Jussie Smollett, who since this conversation has not been asked back to the sixth and final season of the show], because it’s so taboo. There’s still the homophobes on Twitter, but those are small voices compared to the resounding voices of love that he gets, the character. I’m just proud to be a part of this show that’s not afraid to get people talking. That’s the only way you’re going to get change.

EP: We have the most incredible community of actresses right now. Everybody is just pushing and taking all these old stereotypes and throwing them out the window.

TpH: I don’t want anyone that looks like me, or any woman at 40, to feel they have to stop being sexy on-screen. I’m not ready to just collect a check. I want to open films. I’ll be 49 this year.

EP: Me too.

TpH: And we still have an audience.

EP: We still have an audience.

TpH: We’re still bankable, and we’re still sexy as hell.

[nilority-blog]

See this story at CaribbeanLifeNews.com.

By Vinette K. Pryce

Come rain or shine, on Sept. 29, a galaxy of stars will shine on the Great Lawn at Central Park during the annual Global Citizen Festival to ensure that 17 goals of bettering the world’s population are closer to meeting the 2030 deadline agreed by the United Nations.

Super-achiever and pop star Janet Jackson is expected to dazzle a planetary lineup of celebrity citizens which include The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, Cardi B and Janelle Monáe.

Along with singer John Legend, actor Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra Lee-Furness, the star-studded showcase is expected to engage more than 60,000 citizens with live performances while millions more tuning in around the globe will be updated about progress being made in ensuring throughout nations in the developing world.

The festival serves as a platform from which millions of people demand that the world’s leaders fulfill their obligation to achieve the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and end extreme poverty by 2030.

“This year, Global Citizens will be taking action toward ensuring people don’t suffer needlessly from preventable diseases; giving every child access to a quality education; getting US states to banish child marriage with new laws; making sure all people have access to enough nutritious food and clean drinking water; prioritizing menstrual hygiene; reducing the amount of single-use plastics that are used; eliminating bail bond programs that unfairly target the poor; and more.” Liveforlivemusic.com

First held Sept. 29, 2012, the Global Citizen Music Festival coincided with the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly attracting world leaders and ambassadors who agreed at that time to set 17 goals with a deadline of the year 2030 as the marker to solving some of the biggest problems plaguing developing nations.

“These goals have the power to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change. Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to work together to build a better future for everyone. No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, clean affordable energy, decent work and economic growth, climate action, peace, justice and strong institutions.”

Since 2015, the goals of the festival have been closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include 17 tasks to end extreme global poverty by 2030. Reportedly, to date, Global Citizen has gathered commitments and policy announcements from leaders valued at almost $38 billion, affecting the lives of more than two billion people.

This year as world leaders gather for the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly the SDGs will again be topical with fundraising events slated and added commitments from like-minded new and emerging nations.

Extreme poverty has been cut in half, millions of children’s lives have been saved and people are living longer and healthier lives than ever before.

Last year the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation started Goalkeepers, an added initiative to meeting the SDGs. The billionaires said that “despite remarkable advances in the fight against poverty, inequality and disease, the job is not yet finished.”

“Progress is possible,” the couple said “but it is not inevitable and that’s why Goalkeepers was designed. It is a catalyst for action, bringing leaders from around the world to share what is working, what’s not and to forge new partnerships for action.”

At the inaugural event a diverse group of global leaders met for an inspiring day of assessing progress, relating stories and implementing actions.

Along with entertainers, advocacy groups, and armies of volunteers throughout the world offering service and input, talk-show host Trevor Noah, Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and other world influencers committed to advancing the SDGs.

“We are investing all our resources in that fight. But that doesn’t mean every dollar spent on development has maximum impact. And that must be our goal,” the Gates’ said in a statement.

“If we don’t reaffirm the commitment that has led to so much progress over the past generation, that world will remain out of reach. Leaders everywhere need to take action now to put us on the path we set for ourselves just two years ago.

“The decisions we collectively make in the next couple of years are going to have a big impact on the shape these curves take. Of course, it’s not really about the shape of the curves. It’s about what the curves signify: whether or not millions or even billions of people will conquer disease, lift themselves out of extreme poverty, and reach their full potential.

Speakers included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Barack Obama, Nobel Peace Prize winners Leymah Gbowee and Malala Yousafzai who all shared stories of bold leadership and innovative solutions that are driving progress on the Global Goals.

“We have to stand up for each other, recognize that progress is never inevitable, that it often can be fragile, it’s in need of constant renewal, and our individual progress and our collective progress depends on our willingness to roll up our sleeves and work,” the former US president said.

“This year as the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly opens, both the event and the report will focus on youth population growth that will affect future world progress. If countries invest in the health and education of their young people, we will unlock productivity and innovation, cut poverty and generate further prosperity. But if we ignore young people’s potential, we risk jeopardizing the progress that has been made. As world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, we will host the second annual Goalkeepers event in New York City on Sept. 25 and 26,” a statement from the organizers said.

Hopefully, speakers from around the world will attend the two-day event, share their stories, ideas and challenges in an effort to advance the 17 SDGs that were agreed to by 193 world leaders Sept. 2015.

In addition to the Central Park concert, Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100 will be held on Dec. 2 in Johannesburg, South Africa with a lineup that represents numerous nations and genres.

Already billed are: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Cassper Nyovest, D’Banj, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Femi Kuti, Pharrell Williams, Chris Martin, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Usher, Wizkid.

The concert will celebrate the life’s work and lasting legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 will be held at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium for three days prior to the fifth anniversary of the passing of the human rights activist, leader and revolutionary on Dec. 13, 2013.

Model Naomi Campbell, Sir Bob Geldof, Gayle King, Tyler Perry and Forest Whitaker are the hosts.

Oprah Winfrey will deliver a keynote address for the event which serves as the culmination of Mandela’s 100th birthday.

Throughout Mandela’s centenary year, the Mandela 100 campaign launched numerous activist-driven events throughout the world with the ultimate goal of ending extreme poverty. Mandela 100 aims to raise $1 billion for initiatives working to end hunger, increase access to good nutrition for adolescent girls, reduce HIV/AIDS transmission rates, advocate for quality education, provide funding for women’s health, ensure access to clean water and safe sanitation worldwide and more. At least 50% of that sum will go towards efforts to improve the lives of women and girls around the world.

Beyonce headlined the New York concert in 2015.

The following year Rihanna took the spotlight position.

Last year Stevie Wonder delivered a stellar showcase and in solidarity with footballer Colin Kaepernick took a knee for America.

The concert will begin at 2 p.m. and broadcast live on MSNBC.

It will also be streamed live on their MSNBC.com web portal until 10 p.m.

The festival will also be live-streamed on social media outlets YouTube and Twitter.

To get tickets, one must earn points on the Global Citizen website through interactive questionnaires, videos, and present projects, suggestions and acts of good deeds pertaining to the less fortunate.

Although with only days left to the event and little time to accumulate points, early responders who have secured amounts will be enabled admission tickets to the free ticketed concert.

Catch You On The Inside!

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Go to Source Global citizens unite to sustain UN’s 2030 goals See this story at CaribbeanLifeNews.com. By Vinette K. Pryce Come rain or shine, on Sept. 29, a galaxy of stars will shine on the Great Lawn at Central Park during the annual Global Citizen Festival to ensure that 17 goals of bettering the world’s population are closer to meeting the 2030 deadline agreed by the United Nations.