San Francisco Native, Chante Moore, Comes Back Home to Yoshi’s

By:  Kevin L. Nichols

For those of us who have been in the Bay Area for a while, you may recall seeing Chante Moore perform at Kimballs East in Emeryville regularly back in the 1990’s.  I have had the pleasure of seeing Chante there numerous times and she puts on a fantastic show, by speaking and singing straight from her heart.  Next week, Ms. Moore will be performing at Yoshi’s San Francisco, and she will have a lot to share with us after her divorce with Kenny Lattimore. 

Recently, I spoke with Chante and asked her about her new album that she has been working on and what the audience can expect to hear at Yoshi’s.  Chante mentioned that since her divorce, this album will be about “things that she won’t talk about.”  Chante said that all of her music is about what is currently going on in her life.  For example, please see this clip below titled “Bitter”.

I think that song resonates well with her fans here in the Bay Area.  Chante hits notes that many humans don’t know exist, but dogs and other animals with keen senses do.  Her voice is amazing.  Some of my favorite tunes are “I Wanna Love (Like That Again)” (1992), “Love's Taken Over” (1992), “Candlelight And You” duet with Keith Washington (1992), and her part in "Contagious” featuring The Ron Isley and R.Kelly.

Being from San Francisco and growing up in the church, she is also doing gospel music.  Since the loss of her mother to melanoma, she is also actively involved in cancer related fundraising causes.  Chante’s coming back home, so let’s roll out the welcome mat and celebrate the 4^th of July holiday with a unique entertaining experience.

Chante Moore will be performing live at Yoshi’s San Francisco located at 1330 Fillmore Street,  SF, CA 94115, Phone: 415.655.5600 on July 5, 2012 at 8pm and 10pm.  For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/LWIYte 

Kevin L. Nichols is the President & CEO of KLN Publishing, LLC

He is also a social media consultant based out of San Francisco. 

For more information, please visit www.klnconsultinggroup.com

Follow us @KLNPublishing and @kevnix

Copyright 2012   KLN Publishing, LLC   All rights reserved.

Rose Royce - A blast from the past that everyone still loves

By Joy M. Marion

You’re driving down the road with the radio tuned to your favorite R&B station and a blast from the past begins to play.  The timeless song “car wash” with that unmistakable clapping intro instantly transports you back to the 70’s; or as some call it, back in the day, when music was soulful, funky and fun.  It’s an unmistakable tune by the super group Rose Royce that nearly everyone knows with that infectious guitar rift featured with simple lyrics.

It has been over 30 years since they burst onto the music scene with other monster hits that so many of us grew up with and still love.  “I wanna get next to you” and “Wishing on a star” are only a few of the songs the group which reins from South Central LA has produced to create the soundtrack to the lives of millions of their fans around the world.

Right out of the gate they saw superstardom, eventually earning them eight gold and five platinum records. There were eight talented male musicians and the unmistakable voice of female singer Gwen Dickey, who all shot to the top of the charts almost from the beginning.

I had the opportunity to talk to Rose Royce leader and trumpeter, Kenny Copeland, a few days before the group preformed at Yoshi’s in San Francisco.  Many may be wondering what they have been up to after so many years, and the short answer is they never stopped playing.  They have been touring for the past 15 years and remain hugely popular with their loyal fans, especially in Europe.

“There has been no age barrier with our music and it’s still so popular after all these years,” explained Copeland.  “ We play our music all over the world and people 25-85 years old show up to listen.  The music is in our blood and the moment I hit the stage it’s like going into a trancelike state.  We really want to give people a good show because we still love what we do.”

I asked Kopeland what current artists he likes to listen to and shouldn’t be surprised to learn that one of his favorites is Charlie Wilson, aka ‘Uncle Charlie’ of the Gap Band, and to a small surprise, R. Kelly, whom he called “super talented.”  He rounded his picks out with one female singer, former superstar voice of none other than Whitney Houston.

Rose Royce’s biggest influence on them as a band…?  None other than Earth, Wind & Fire, whom he says they patterned themselves after as well as Cool & The Gang.  Copeland proudly acknowledges that his band has been the muse for current artists such as Mariah Carey, Jay-Z (“Wishing on a Star”) and Mary J. Blidge (remade the hit “I’m going down”) who have both recorded from the groups catalog of songs, along with various other musicians who have sampled in the familiar tunes, further extending the timelessness of their songs.

What is Copeland’s favorite Rose Royce song to perform? “Love don’t live here anymore.”  The most exciting developments with the group are their plans to hit the studio in the near future to lay down some new tracks with the guys and the new female vocalist Debelah Morgan (see her here) whom he says blew his mind after being introduced by a friend and heard her sing.  Morgan had limited success here in the U.S. but had done exceptionally well in Europe before joining the group.  Morgan replaced former original singer, Gwen Dickey, who helped drive the groups unique sound.  She left the group many years ago after band infighting, financial and legal issues tore them apart.

Other members of the original group included Henry Garner (drums), Terral "Terry" Santiel (congas), Lequeint "Duke" Jobe (bass), Michael Moore (saxophone), Kenny Copeland (trumpet, lead vocals), Kenji Brown (guitar, lead vocals), Freddie Dunn (trumpet), and Victor Nix (keyboards).

How much longer can Rose Royce keep going?  Copeland, a young 57 years old, says he and the group have much more to achieve and wants the chance to achieve success again.  “I want to make more money and it’s also a prestige thing.  Just like 50 Cent got his mega mansion, I want mine too,” he remarked.  “I just want to keep on pushing it and see how it feels.”

SMASH Needs Math & Science Speakers!

Summer Math and Science Honors Academy (SMASH) presented by Level Playing Field Institute (LPFI) is hosting a Speaker Series. In brief, the intent of the Speaker Series is:

• An opportunity to expose our SMASH scholars to ideas and career fields which they may not have previously considered within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). 
• Present speakers with similar backgrounds as our SMASH Scholars (low income, minority and first generation college graduates)to share their stories and their paths to their current careers. 

SMASH Speaker Series & Dates:

(1) SMASH-Stanford: Seeking speakers who are entrepreneurs, who have studied environmental sciences, or a combination of the two

Stanford University
July 7th & July 28th: 7:30pm - 9pm
Contact James Sarria for more info: james@lpfi.org

(2) SMASH-Berkeley: Seeking speakers who have used their STEM degrees to pursue careers that our scholars may not be aware of (environmental, IP law, artistic, etc.).

University of California at Berkeley, Barrows Hall
Saturday July 7th & 21st: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Contact: Ruby Geballe at ruby@lpfi.org

(3) SMASH-USC: Seeking speakers to expose our scholars to STEM fields

University of Southern California
June 30th – July 28th, 2011
Sundays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Contact: Shantina Jackson at shantina@lpfi.org

(4) SMASH-UCLA: Seeking speakers to expose our scholars to STEM fields

University of California at Los Angeles
June 30th – July 28th, 2011
Sundays, 4:00- 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Cathy Douglas at cathy@lpfi.org

If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact the individuals listed above.  Please help support this cause.  Our Youth need it.  Many thanks.

Sincerely yours,

KLN via Danielle Rose

Kevin L. Nichols

Community Call for Return of KBLX Staff After Purchase by Entercom

Community Call for Return of KBLX Staff After Purchase by Entercom

From the offices of Darla Nealy and Shelly Tatum information about the firing of key KBLX staff unfolds. Concern has been expressed that the elimination of key staff after the purchase of KBLX by Entercom will result in a lack of localism and community service. Steve Harvey's tape-delayed syndicated show replaces "Your Cousin Kevin Brown."  Contact: savekblx@gmail.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KEVIN BROWN FIRED FROM KBLX!!!!

 

April 30, 2012 - San Francisco, CA - After 22 years of faithful service at KBLX Radio Station, program director and on-air personality, your "Cousin" Kevin Brown has been fired.  KBLX as we know it exists no more.  The new owners, Entercom Communications Corp, announced on Friday, April 27^th they have replaced "Cousin Kevin" with the syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show. The Steve Harvey show is tape delayed and broadcast from the east coast.  It's generic content will not speak directly to the Bay area Community as Kevin Brown did every morning. 

 

Beginning May 7, there will be no more listener interaction in the morning-- the personal contact is gone! Your favorite segments, "Over and Under 30" are gone!"Hollywood Minute" - GONE! "Strange but True" - GONE!  The Bay Area deserves a morning show produced here at home with the familiar voice of our community.  WE WANT KEVIN BROWN BACK!

 

Prior to this shocking announcement, Entercom Communications Corp said they would not change the station's format.  In a statement issued by Entercom on April 2, 2012, CEO David J. Field stated, "KBLX ......has a long history of producing distinctive and compelling programming ...."  Further, in the April 27^th press release issued (the same date that Kevin Brown was fired), Entercom's San Francisco Vice President and Market Manager, Dwight Walker said, "KBLX has done a magnificent job of servicing the local community".  With all of this said, their word means nothing.  Before the ink was dry on the sales agreement they not only fired Kevin Brown (the heart of the station) they also fired longtime General Manager Harvey Stone and longtime Vice President Barry Rose. These people made KBLX what it is today.  We strongly urge that they be rehired immediately. 

 

These unwarranted firing decisions clearly demonstrate that Entercom has a complete disconnect with our Bay area community; they are a corporation that is out of touch with the mass audience that KBLX serves.

 

KBLX is an essential, relevant and vibrant community-based, Urban Adult radio station that services minority businesses, informs the community, and plays music that speaks and represents the diverse Urban Adult community of the Bay Area.  Big corporations have run through the Bay Area and turned OUR stations into cookie cutter styled stations, duplicated across the country. These generic types of radio stations do not speak directly to the markets they service.  Now, our long standing, lone soldier, KBLX is on its way to becoming another casualty. 

 

It is important that KBLX continues its commitment to the Adult Urban Community and maintain the format and programming that speaks to us directly. 

 

With your help we can ensure that KBLX remains OUR radio station.  Remember, the PUBLIC owns the airways. ACT NOW. We have POWER when we are UNITED.  PleaseTAKE ACTION and call Entercom Communications at 415.546.5600.  You may also email Entercom executives Dwight Walker at DWalker@Entercom.com and Deborah Kane at DKane@Entercom.com .  Further, you should also contact the Entercom President and CEO David Field at 610.660.5600. 

 

It is URGENT that you let Entercom Communications, Corp know how important "Your Cousin" Kevin Brown is to KBLX and the Bay Area Community. 

 

YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!! .... LET IT BE HEARD!!!

 

 

Additionally please contact your United States Representatives:

 

Senator Barbara Boxer

Local Office: 510.286.8537 or DC Office: 202.224.3553

email:  http://www.boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm     

 

Senator Diane Feinstein

Local Office: 415.393.0707 or DC Office: 202.224.3841

https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me

 

Congresswoman Barbara Lee - 9^th District    

Local Office: 510.763.0370 or DC Office: 202.225.2661

email: https://leeforms.house.gov/legislation-comment-form1

 

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi - 8^th District  

Local Office: 415.556.4862 or DC Office: 202.225.4965

email: https://pelosi.house.gov/contact/email-me.shtml

 

Congressman Pete Stark - 15^th District

Local Office: 510.494.1388 or DC Office: 202.225.5065

https://forms.house.gov/stark/webforms/contact.htm

Western Province Council Public Meeting

The Western Province

KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.

Public Meeting

Friday, April 13, 2012

The Oakland Airport Hilton Hotel

Oakland, CA

Samuel B. Knight, MBA

Polemarch
PUBLIC MEETING

Friday April 13, 2012

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

“Training for Second Century Leadership-Brighter Tomorrows Begin Today”

Prelude                                                                  Tamika Nicole

                                                                              Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Call to Order                                                          Terry L. Allen

                                                                              Jr. Province Vice Polemarch

Posting of Colors                                                    U.S Air Force ROTC

                                                                              University of California - Berkeley

                                                                                               

Pledge of Allegiance                                               Gilbert D. Brown, III

                                                                               Sr. Province Vice Polemarch          
                                       

"Lift Every Voice and Sing"                                      Tamika Nicole

                                                                                Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Master of Ceremonies                                              Brandon Floyd, Vice Polemarch                                                                                                        Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                                                   

Invocation                                                                Rev. Efrem Smith

                                                                                Berkeley Alumni Chapter

Greetings                                                                  Terrell A. Gray, Sr.,  Polemarch                                                                                                           
                                                                                Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                           

                                                                                Mrs. Jacqueline Berryman, Coordinator                                                                                             
                                                                                Western Province Silhouettes

                                                                                               

Citations and Proclamations                                       Frederick Roots, Strategus

                                                                                 Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                                                               

Recognition of Dignitaries                                          Kevin L. Nichols

                                                                                 Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                                                               

Social Action Awards                                               Samuel B. Knight, MBA

                                                                                 Polemarch, Western Province

                                                                

Social Action Awards

Life Course Inc.

NAACP

UNCF

                                                                         

Atty. Thomas Bradley Distinguished Citizen Awards

Father J. Matthews, Pastor

St. Benedict’s Church, Oakland, CA

Regina Jackson, President & CEO

East Oakland Youth Development Center

London Breed, Executive Director

African American Arts & Culture Complex

Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Service Award

Assemblymember Sandre’ R. Swanson (D)

16^th District, California State Assembly

Musical Selection                                                         Tamika Nicole

                                                                                    Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

                                                                                                           

Introduction of Keynote Speaker                                   Robert L. Harris, Esquire

                                                                                     Grand Polemarch (27^th)

                                                                                     Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

                                                                                                 

Keynote Speaker                                                          The Honorable Elihu Harris

                                                                                     46^th Mayor of Oakland, CA (1991-1999)

Special Remarks                                                           Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D)

                                                                                     9^th  Congressional District - California

                                                                                               

Greek Medley - Jovan Nelson

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority                                           Iota Phi Theta Fraternity

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity                                              Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority                                              Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority                                                     Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

                                                                   

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

Closing Remarks                                                               Samuel B. Knight, MBA

                                                                                         Western Province Polemarch

Benediction                                                                       Rev. Ralph E. Butler

                                                                                         Western Province Chaplain

Vernon Davis Foundation's Hamlin Mansion Fundraiser 3/31/12

For press and media 
Theodore Palmer - 646-575-2967
creativeedgepr@gmail.com

Theodore Palmer 
Creative Edge Public Relations LLC, CEO 
www.creativeedgepr.com 
www.myspace.com/creativeedgemarketing 
www.twitter.com/creativeedgepr 
646-575-2967

Foundation Ticket Link http://vandvfamilyfoundationfundraiser.eventbrite.com/

PRWeb

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9266989.htm

Bidding for Good

http://www.biddingforgood.com/VandVDavisFoundation

Text to Give

https://apps.guidebycell.com/gbc/commerce/mobilepay.jsp?mid=5

Facebook/rootsquared

 https://apps.facebook.com/rootsquare/?redirect_frp_id=35

paperless post

paperless.ly/zMy1zb

National Bar Association's Youth Symposium