In January, I wrote a story African American Women with HIV/AIDS Are Not Seen on TV because I felt that Black women are virtually ignored by mainstream media in general.  Just look at TV shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox; blockbuster films; and TV commercials. They are NOT there.

Anyway, I received a press release from Carol Ash, 5 a.m. Producer on NBC 5 – Chicago, about the “Color of AIDS” Campaign that is taking place between February 7 – February 12, 2010.  Two of the journalists quoted confirmed what I shared in my story:

According to Chris Pena, Assistant News Director:
“We are excited about this opportunity to shed light on an issue that is often overlooked, but affects such a large number of people in our community.”

Zoraida Sambolin, NBC-5 news anchor observed:
“This is something many people don’t talk about.  HIV/AIDS does not get the attention it used to and it certainly isn’t covered in communities of color….”

Even though the two news people were referring to people of color in general, the fact that African American women account for over 50% of the newly reported HIV/AIDS cases needs to be publicized more.  Their health should be as important as the next person’s.

Maybe this is an assignment: to make sure African Americans with HIV/AIDS are seen on TV.

While listening to a couple radio personalities discuss the disappearance of Jahmeshia Conner in Chicago in November 2009, there was discussion that white female teens are reported as missing or abducted while black  female teens are generally reported as runaways by news media.

I did find one CBS news story that stated Jahmeshia was reported as a runaway.

Is this discrepancy faulty reporting by the police,  media stations, or both?

What do you think?

Photo credit: www.thaindian.com/

If you’ve ever wished you could turn back the hands of time and be a kid again, you’ll be happy to discover you can—by making a pit stop to Sweet Momma’s Candy Shop a few blocks off of the corner of 95th and Ashland.

To quote a common expression, “you’ll be like a kid in a candy store!”

Here you’ll find dozens upon dozens of gooey delights to suit your sweet tooth.
Indulge in everything from “old school” candy like Mary Janes, Chico Sticks and Bit-O-Honey, to” new school” treats like Now and Later and Laffy Taffy.

And just as sweet as the varied selections, is the disposition of the owner, Darlene Gaston– who treats every customer like a friend.

Open since February 2009, this nurse turned entrepreneur caters to kids and adults of all different races and ages.

Today As Not Seen on T.V. is pleased to give you the scoop on this new addition to the community.

Darlene Gaston - Sweet Momma's Candy Shop

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I’m a registered nurse, part-time in the evenings. I’ve been in nursing for 29 years. I want to be an asset to the community and to the environment. God has blessed me, so I don’t mind being a blessing to other people.

2. What makes Sweet Momma’s different from other stores that sell candy?

We offer a Christian outlook for the kids. We provide a safe haven for them so they don’t have to get involved with “liquor store clientele.” Also, if a kid comes in and doesn’t have enough money for the purchase, we give them trivia questions so they can earn their candy for the right answers.

3. Where does the name from the shop come from?

Actually the name comes from my mom. She would always carry candy in her purse for the neighborhood kids, who often referred to her as “sweet”.

4. Do you offer any “sugar free” stuff?

No. I had it in the store for the first three months, but then it would expire. I couldn’t even give it away!

5. What’s your favorite candy choice?

Mary Janes!

6. Why a candy store?

I wanted to do something quick and simple that would be an outreach to God’s children.

7. What’s the most popular item you sell?

Of the new school candy it would be Now & Laters; old school would be Turtles and Nut Chews.

8. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Sweet Momma’s is sponsoring a weekly can drive for my church. We want to feed 500 people for Thanksgiving. If you bring in a canned good, you’ll get free candy or a juice.

Old School vs new school candy - Sweet Momma's Candy Shop

Stop by Sweet Momma’s, located at 1632 West 95th (off Ashland) in Chicago, to check out the sweets. Chips, juices, and water are also sold.

Contributor: Jennifer Brown-Banks

Urban Match Incorporated (UMI) is the first matchmaking service that targets the ethnic community in the Chicagoland area and Northwest Indiana.  UMI is committed to helping busy urban men and women who are serious about finding partners.

Talawn Unger Jackson, Founder, Urban Match Incorporated

Talawn Unger Jackson, Founder, was inspired by a matchmaker from New York that was a guest on the Oprah show.  Impressed with her style; how she handled her business; and her overall business sense, Talawn decided to look into similar services in the Chicagoland area.  After much research, she discovered that there wasn’t one. She then combined her human resources expertise with her matchmaking knowledge to create UMI, which officially launched on July 31, 2009.

Visit www.YourUrbanMatch.com to learn more about the confidential services provided.  Contact info@YourUrbanMatch.com or call 888.51.URBAN to speak to a consultant.

I forgot to mention one of the most of the important facts about the preview last night.  The largest theater in the place was packed and people had to be turned away.  The 10:00 a.m. preview was filled as well.  I wasn’t there, so I can’t speak on that. But I can say that neither sold out crowd was seen on TV.

The Real Ajayla, The Nubian Princess

I had the pleasure of previewing the production of AJAYLA, The Nubian Princess tonight, and it was a nice family film that was written, produced and directed by Ametra Gibson-Self.  The positive emphasis on little brown and black girls was unique.  The participation of all of her family members  in the movie really made it a family film. Some of the actresses were new to acting, but continuous practice will lead to success.  Nothing pertaining to this independent film was published or heard in mainstream media.  It is truly an honor for As NOT seen on TV to be one of the first sources to share information about this movie.  Bravo to Ametra, her entire family, and everyone who came out to Chatham Theater in Chicago to support this film.

Ajayla, The Nubian Princess, Marcie Hill, Ametra Gibson-Self

Tataneisha Carr - Giavanna Mc Call - Three little princesses

Four Little Princesses - Ajayla, Nadia, Niyah, Tamia

Ajayla, The Nubian Princess, Signs Autographs

I attended Black Mary’s Line Dancing Extravaganza this evening and found two more line instructors that have NOT been seen on TV.

Dee Pillows - South Side & South Suburbs in Chicago

Novella Tomlin - Mz. Georgia's PR Specialist

Ms. Novella perform double duty at Mz. Georgia Plaze in Chicago.  She is not only the PR specialist, she is also an instructor.

One last thing. The oldest line dancer that attended the line dance extravaganza tonite was 85 years old.  I didn’t get her name, and she didn’t want her photo taken, but Mama looked good doing her thing in slow motion.  I just wanted to give a mention to mention to my senior dancer doing her thang.

A special screening of Ajayla, The Nubian Princess, will be featured at the Chatham movie theater located at 210 W. 87th Street in Chicago.  Showtimes are at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  The tickets are $5.00.

Ajayla, The Nubian Princess - July 30th in Chicago

I learned about Carter G. Woodson School in Chicago on Thursday, and was absolutely heartbroken.  The information I am about to share is strictly third party as I had never heard of the school before yesterday.  However, the concept behind the school is very funky if what I was told is true.

Carter G. Woodson has two schools in one building.   One school is run by Chicago Public Schools, the other school is a charter school run by the University of Chicago.  From what I was told, there is a wall that separates the two schools.  Not only does the wall separate each group physically; it separates them intellectually and socially.

According to what I was told, the children are not allowed to interact with each other; therefore, they have different break and dismissal times.  That’s the physical disconnection.  Intellectually, the charter school children are being prepared for college and ultimately corporate America.  Looking at CPS’ track record, the kids on the other side of the school is looking at a good 5 years…in prison.  Lastly, these two programs are examples of the division of race and class in America.  How?  You have young Black children with similar backgrounds with the same opportunities (ideally), but physical, intellectual, and social restrictions are placed on some while other are encouraged to grow.  

Like I said, I had not heard about the school before yesterday, but I can say that there is irony in the school.  Carter G. Woodson was an African American scholar, educator and historian.  He was brilliant.  Also, he wrote The Mis-Education of the Negro.  Do you see the irony of the school named after Mr. Woodson who was a scholar that believed in education and felt that Negroes were being mis-educated?  One side of the educational institution is educating students while the other is mis-educating.  Nice!

I am going to try to visit the school in the near future to take a look for myself.  In the meantime, you read my thoughts about Carter G. Woodson School in Chicago on As NOT Seen on TV.

Note: The photo was taken from cps.edu website.

I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Real Men Cook for the first time ever this year.  Celebrating 20 years of family, food and health, this event was held at the new Kennedy King College campus on 63rd and Halsted on Father’s Day, June 21, 2009.   

Yvette Moyo, President & Co-Founder of Real Men Cook, estimated that at least 3,000 people came out to celebrate and honor fathers and other special men in their lives on this beautiful day.  Even though this event has been covered by the media, the following photos have not been seen on TV.  Enjoy my brief photo journey through Real Men Cook Chicago.  Go to www.realmencook.com for more information.

Marcie Hill, Editor, took the photos.  Aren’t they lovely?  I’m working on my humility.