Can We Talk for REAL

The co-host of CWT4R Terry Boi, Ina Antony and Michelle E. Brown,  this week will like all of the Empire, Facebook Posters to join us at 9:30 pm, Wednesday night - as we start to talk about EMPIRE as it winds down its first season. We are aware that the last show starts at 7pm and ends at 9 pm. That will give all of our Empire fans a chance to call in and be ready to talk about one of the hottest series on Fox right now. Oh by the way did I say it is on FOX Network?

Join us for an open conversation about the women/men of EMPIRE, with some honest talk. Every week you watch the show and before the show is over Facebook is on fire with conversation. Let your fingers rest tonight and let’s talk. The issues are real but the series EMPIRE is for entertainment but it makes for good conversation about Motherhood, Identity Issues, LGBTQ issues, Entrepreneurship Opportunities, Rising for the Bottom to the Top and The other Woman.

Be honest could you go to jail for 17 years and leave your children? Would you have been able to come back to your family where your kids don’t know you, hate you, love you, disrespect you and still be on the top of your game? Could she come back from jail and be a part of YOUR family and company?

Check in time and show starts at 10:30 est/9:30cst. Call into 347-215-8985 and Press 1 to speak.

BLACK WOMEN/MEN, Strong and in Charge not being Silent anymore even when it’s only for entertainment.

When you went to the doctor and the diagnosis you received was you have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, your whole life changed. Can We Talk for REAL, co-host Ina, Michelle and Terry welcomes Aileen Hetherington recently diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes a medical worker and now her life has changed and she would like to hold the conversation that is being hidden in so many people’s closet that needs to come out in the open. There are two types of Diabetes and you could have one and are ignoring the systems. We can talk about relationships, break–ups, family, and even sex on Facebook, in bars, at work or even to total strangers. Well let’s talk about something that effects millions and changes lives with one diagnosis. Aileen will discuss the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 as she tells her story and why this disease is one that needs changed her life with a change in eating habits and a routine exercise plan. Many people with Diabetes feel they are alone and there is no one to support them to help get them through this. Aileen started the A1Club which offers support to those diagnosed with Diabetes as well as her upcoming documentary will answer a lot of questions and provide a lot of guidance.

Can you have Diabetes and not have to take medicine, give yourself shots? Aileen is working on a documentary, so if you have a story to tell call and share with us. Let Aileen Hetherington know you would like to get involved with her group and or documentary.

February is supposed to be the month of love and romance. The year is 2015 and in January and February the lives of Trans Woman have not matter because 6 have already been killed. There is no national or local uproar for justice for the families, friends or the victims. There are no marches scheduled through social media with expecting crowds of 1000 or more expressing outrage. There are however organizations that are raising theirs voices and hoping you join them as this is a trend that MUST STOP NOW. Joining co-host Ina, Michelle and Terry Wednesday night, February 25th will be Monica Roberts, aka the TransGriot, is a native Houstonian and a trailblazing award winning trans community leader. She has lobbied since 1998 for trans human rights protections at the federal, state and local levels in Kentucky and Texas.  January 2006 she founded the award winning blog TransGriot. We will talk about why the deaths of 6 transgender women have had little mainstream media attention, no community leadership out cry, nothing. New Orleans LGBT youth of color activist group, The BreakOUT stated in the Feb 10th news story, "The silence and lack of action from media on behalf of the Black transgender community sends a strong message that Black Trans Lives, in fact, do not matter."  At last count 5 black transgender women and 1 Latina transgender woman have lost their lives. Where are the black and latina leaders that scream when a black or latina man or woman are killed for no reason? When does a human life not matter and who determines that?

Can We Talk for REAL welcomes Joi Rhone as we shift the conversation in Black History Month to Spirituality and Sexuality. Joi Rhone is a powerful, inspirational speaker that will join co-host, Ina, Michelle and Terry, Wednesday Night Feb 18, 2015. Joi is Founding Minister of Healing Hearts Ministry, a ministry under Bishop Yvette Flunder at City of Refuge UCC in Oakland, CA. We will discuss how far has the black church come with issues of sexuality and homosexuality?  Our discussion will also go into the pulpit when we discuss what your thoughts are when as part of the LGBTQ community you keep hearing the following message: “You are going to hell and damnation because of your sexuality”. Joi will talk to us about why over the last 5 years, love and healing has become a large part of the ministry conversations. That is only the beginning of her conversation. In addition, Joi is Founding Minister of Healing Hearts Ministry, a ministry under Bishop Yvette Flunder at City of Refuge UCC in Oakland, CA. Question to the audience how have you been able to align your own spirituality and sexuality? Conversations being heard all around, “Can You HEAR us NOW”! Joi is excited that 2015 will see the publishing of her book “Joi In The Morning – Meditations For Finding Your Way Back To God”.

CWT4R will discuss with Dr. Rhue the movie SELMA and how the character Bayard Rustin who was one of Dr. Kings’ advisors was portrayed. We will ask Dr Rhue to explain how important Bayard Rustin was to the civil rights movement and how he should really go down in history. Dr Rhue will be talking about other LGBT African Americans leaders who paved the way for us as Black Americans and were hidden during the movement but were instrumental in its success as Bayard Rustin. Join us as Dr Rhue discusses the many faces in history and the many faces of those who were GAY.

Dr. Sylvia Rhue is a writer, activist, filmmaker, and producer. She is a native of southern California. Sylvia went on to receive a Doctorate in Human Sexuality from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco, CA. She was the first African American to receive this degree. As a part of her dissertation, she was able to create a documentary on black lesbians, which re-kindled her childhood interest in making movies. This passion culminated in her co-producing with Dr. Dee Mosbacher and Frances Reid, the acclaimed documentary “All God’s Children,” a film that dealt with African American values, gays and lesbians in the civil rights movements, and African American responses to homophobia.

This year, February 7, 2015 marks the 15th year for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). This is a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative targeted at Blacks in the United States and the Diaspora. The Black Aids Institute is the only organization that focuses their attention solely on black people with HIV/AIDS. This year there are some shocking findings and scientific evidence that speak about treatment and opportunities in the black community when it comes to the HIV/AIDs epidemic.National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a call for Black American to recognize that HIV is indeed a Black phenomenon & the reality that HIV disproportionately affects Black people and especially Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and Black women. Hank Millbourne will discuss information about the number of Black MSM diagnosed with HIV and the myth of black men and how they engage in sex. Hank will also talk about how the community should educate themselves, become more involved, and know what their status is and if you are infected to get treated.

The documentary “For Faith, For Love, Forever” explores the debate on same-sex marriage in the African-AmeTrican community and its inclusion of the black church. Despite media portrayals suggesting complete disapproval, ordained African-American pastors and ministers are given the opportunity at a Town Hall Meeting in Oakland, CA to speak openly about their reasons for being for the inclusions of same sex couples, their rights to marry and being active members of their individual congregations. The film offers its viewers a powerful exploration of the effect that California's Proposition 8 had pre-and post-Election 2008 on the gay community. The discussion of black gays having a right to marry as a matter of inclusion in the church makes for a most diverse and unique topic. The film’s director Nefertiti Strong, Rev. Roland Stringfellow, who appears in the film, and James Felton Keith, CEO of the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, that will be hosting a screening on February 2, 2015 followed by a town hall meeting Also speaking in support of marriage equality at the Town Hall Meeting featuring a panel of experts to discuss the economic benefits of Same-Sex Marriage in Michigan and Detroit to demonstrate how important inclusiveness is, in the economic growth of our communities. In partnership with MEGA Dream and Catch A Dream Entertainment Inc.Twitter: www.twitter.com/lilmogul- Face Book: Richard E. Pelzer II. MEGA Management Inc is proud to celebrate 20 Years in buiness.

Russell D. Roybal, Deputy Director of External Affairs at the National LGBTQ Task Force will join CWT4R. This year marks the 27th year that the National LGBTQ Task Force will present Creating Change, the premier annual organizing and skills-building event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and their allies. The event will be held in Denver Colorado, February 4-8, 2015. Taken from the website, “The Task Force has advanced a vision of fairness and justice that include the creation and implementation of the New Beginning Initiative coalition, which secures federal administrative policy changes to improve the lives of LGBT people and their families. The conference attracts more than 3,500 people from all over the country every year. Presenters and participants come from all walks of life and include members of the business community, elected officials, students, faith leaders and staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations”. There is an organization named The National LGBTQ Task Force that fights for change in your life every day. Join us Wednesday Night starting at 10:30est, 9:30cst, 8:30mtn and 7:30pst call 347-215-8985 to find out what they are doing in 2015, how young leaders are being trained, and what impact these changes could have on your life and that of your family. Remember to Press 1 to speak, to get involved. It is not too late to get our tickets and be a part of CREATING CHANGE 2015 in Denver, Colorado.Silence has been an Option for way to long. Now it’s time to ask “Can You Hear Us NOW”?

When we talk about being a family in the LGBTQ Community we start a whole different type of conversation. Family in our community could mean two mothers and two fathers but the questions that are being asked more then not is: How Are We Having Babies?  Who is Having Our Baby? How do your answer our child when they ask “Where did I come from” if you are in a same sex relationship/marriage couple? Can We Talk for REAL will be joined by expecting parents Jonica Burkhead and wife Nkenge Jazz Burkhead.  They talk about their journey to parenthood was understood from the time we started dating. We discussed our desire to have children early on. After a year of marriage we decided it was time to start trying. Our first challenge was finding a clinic we trusted and were comfortable with, that was gay friendly. We prepared ourselves for homophobia or outright rejection; however we found a great clinic and doctor. Another challenge was having a million questions and neither of us personally knowing another gay couple who had been through it. Once we were in the process, we had to have many discussions about choosing a donor, like race, as many black men don't give specimens so we were limited. We then had to figure out what we valued in other areas like education, hobbies etc. the hardest part was the waiting, waiting to ovulate, waiting to test, and then waiting for baby. zLet's talk about how lesbians have babies, how gay men have babies, how the transgender couples have babies. If you would like to be an active participant in this conversation of “How Are We Having Babies” just inbox us so that can include your family in our family conversation. If you adopted your child, took legal responsibility of a family members child, used a turkey baster, a friends sperm or the sperm bank or if you had sex the old fashion way with the opposite sex let us hear from you.

It’s a new year and like so many of you Terry, Ina and Michelle have made resolutions. So we will tell you ours if you tell us yours. Let’s talk about why do people make New Year resolutions? Okay so did you say that you want to lose weight? Are you on your way to the gym twice a week? Will get your finance in order? How many of you will get married, or engaged? Make that change I your life but unsure how? How many in the LGBT community have or will schedule those doctor appointments this year and keep them?  

Here are some numbers that may surprise you about how long it will take you to forget the New Year’s Resolution: About 75% of people maintain their resolution through the first week. Congratulations to those who made that goal.  If you have pasted the two week mark and still working your plan then you are in the 71% to achieve. Now if you get past the six month mark you are in the elite 46% that made that promise Jan 1st and you stood strong. So will you make it? We would love to know what the numbers are for those who make it to the end of the year.

Wednesday night call in at 347-215-8985 and share your New Year’s Resolution. This is an open dialogue so don’t be scared, don’t just post it on social media; let’s talk about it on the award winning show, Can We Talk for REAL. Show starts at 10:30est/9:3cst. Stay up with us and hear what people promised to change, give up or address this year. We know you did! Will you be able to keep them and if not what will stop you for your goal?  

We can’t wait to hear your resolutions as we share our resolutions with you.  Last year it was, “Silence is not an OPTION”, this year, “Can You Hear Us Know”?