Accomplished women speak about their work with organizations empowering black people, the election and their place in history.
By Melonie Magruder / Special to The Malibu Times
In an industry celebration of Black History Month, the Malibu Chapter of Women in Film will be offering a panel discussion this Friday at its monthly breakfast with a group of accomplished black women in today’s entertainment community.
“These ladies are real divas,” WIF Board Director Candace Bowen said. “They’re funny, they do important work and we are putting the spotlight on them because they helped lay the path for our young women today and left the door open to go through.”
Until the 20th century, the history of black people in this country was fairly ignored. The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels, took office in 1870 and the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded in 1909.
But it wasn’t until 1926 that Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an influential black educator of the era, designated the second week of February as “Negro History Week” to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass who both greatly influenced black Americans.
In 1976, President Jimmy Carter spearheaded an effort to designate February as Black History Month.
Friday’s breakfast panelists will include veteran film, television and stage actress Beverly Todd, who appeared in the Academy Award winning film “Crash” and as Morgan Freeman’s mother in “The Bucket List;” motivational speaker Jewel Diamond Taylor; actress, writer and singer Ja’Net DuBois, a two-time Emmy Award-winner for voice-over work; and Mother Love, a national TV and radio talk show host.
Also speaking will be entertainment reporter and editor Tina Marie Tyler.
The women talked to The Malibu Times about their work with organizations that seek to empower black people, the election and their place in history.
Tyler, a feature reporter for MSN and feature editor for Art and Living magazine, develops innovative associations between celebrities and nonprofit organizations, and has served on the nominating committee for the NAACP Image Awards.
“The word ‘image’ has many meanings,” Tyler wrote in an e-mail message. “One does not need a perfect, unblemished image to receive the NAACP Image award … Recipients should inspire, educate or enlighten. Someone who has overcome hardships after a failure is a human frailty we can all celebrate.”
When asked about the significance of the opportunity to nominate a black man to be president during this week’s primary election, Tyler responded: “It will be one of the most defining moments in American history. The irony is that in a country rooted in racism and ethnic inequities, it may take an African American to bridge these deep divides and lead us in a new direction.”
Panelist DuBois, among other work, is known for her five seasons on the 1970’s hit series “Good Times,” as well as for her writing and performing “Moving on Up,” the theme song for “The Jeffersons.” She just wrapped her most recent role as a guest star on “Cold Case: It Takes a Village.” In recent years DuBois devoted her energies to painting and exhibiting around the country, and to the DuBois Cares Foundation, which develops after-school programs that seek to empower youth and create economic futures for the poorest children in Los Angeles County. This Thursday she is hosting the 16th Pan African Film and Arts Festival opening night.
“People of color have tremendous opportunity now,” DuBois said. “We have great artists. We have great projects to share. The one thing we don’t have is cash.
“Our [film] festival brings history and pride into our community so that girls in South Central L.A. can see they do have options. But we need to fund those options.”
DuBois said she is thrilled with the electoral possibilities this week. “I believe God is about to bless the world with this election,” she said. “I am so thrilled to be living now and seeing a woman and a black man running for president. Obama and Clinton, the dream ticket. What a wonderful time to be alive!”
Love (born JoAnne Hart) hosts a talk show on KFI and is author of “Half the Mother, Twice the Love,” the journal of her struggle to overcome diabetes. She is also a motivational speaker on family and women’s issues.
“I’ve always been a talk radio nut,” Love said of her radio work. “I’ve listened to politicians and pundits since I was a kid and love the connection you can have with the community through talk radio.”
Her unchecked honesty has not always played well on the airwaves, however. “I’ve been pulled off the air a dozen times, because I speak my mind and I’m not supposed to have one,” she said. “But you have to stand for something.”
Love is not as impressed with the question of potentially seeing a black man in the Oval Office. “Can we get over it already,” she said. “We have illiteracy in this country and kids toting guns. We’re a mess. Anyone who takes on the burden of running this country better be prepared, black or white.”
Her advice to young women facing career choices in the 21st century is to stay focused.
“Stay on your mission. No one said it’s easy, but we’re greater together in numbers than apart,” Love said. “We must mentor young women, because it’s we black women who keep families together. You know why God made me a black woman? Because He knew I could handle it.”
The WIF Breakfast will be take place at the Chart House Restaurant Friday, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Tickets are $10 members, $15 non-members. RSVP by e-mail to candace@malibuonline.com