TRENDS, TRAVEL, FILM, HISTORY and BOOKS

Trends, Travel, Film, History and Books provide readers with information that might be off the beaten path of their traditional news sources.   Whether its innovation, unique travel, classic or new age films and documentaries, looking at history from a different perspective or discovering new and established authors, it brings a fresh look to things that are either old or new again.

SOURCE:  Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 /OWN

Almost Famous Women
By Megan Mayhew Bergman. Photo Courtesy: Oprah Book Club 2.0 Newsletter

Books Too Good Not to Share
with a Friend

Slide these in her bag. Send these to her snail mail. Read these with her and discover why the two of you always have so much to talk about. (Or give them to yourself, because—after all—you are your own BFF.)

• Powerhouse books to give to your best friend
• 17 novels that will transport you to another world
• Books you’ll never want to end
• What’s your reading personality?

NEW BOOK EMPOWERS MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE “LIVING SINGLE IN A MARRIED WORLD”

SOURCE:  Blacknews.com

Maitland, FL — The new book, Living Single in a Married World: How to Survive and Thrive It’s Not Easy, But it is Possible! ($16.99, paperback, 9781498402699; $7.99, e-book, 9781498402705) was penned to encourage and empower men and women who are struggling, striving, and strategizing in their singleness. So often singles get caught up in their marital status (or lack thereof), but in reality, there is so much more to life. Author H. Roxanne Banks is a rare class

Bookcover and author, H. Roxanne Banks. Photo Courtesy: Blacknews.com

of woman that exemplifies that, although the single life is not easy, it sure is possible!

“This is a survival guide to encourage singles to recognize that they are not a failure or a misfit; and that being single is not a curse,” states the author. “It is to encourage singles not to focus on fervently chasing after a soul mate, but to fervently and intentionally chase after an intimate relationship with Christ in order to allow and accept God’s timing and will for their relationship status.”

Having earned an undergraduate degree at UCLA in psychology and a Master’s degree in biblical studies with an emphasis in Christian education at Talbot School of Seminary at Biola University, Ms. Banks is known as a national and international motivational conference speaker for Christian organizations and corporations. She is also a businesswoman, a foreign missions leader, an international orphanage project leader, Bible study teacher, and preacher. She is single, yet prayerfully and intentionally waiting on her Boaz. The author has never married, has no children, and truly understands the challenges of “Living Single in a Married World.”

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Communications, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 12,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order Living Single in a Married World: How to Survive and Thrive It’s Not Easy, But it is Possible! through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors.

Ruby Taylor, Social Worker, Author and Documentarian Raises Money For Upcoming Project To Award 12 Girls A Life Changing Moment. Photo Courtesy: Blacknews.com

THE CROWN AND GOWNS PROJECT: BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM AND EMPOWERING BLACK GIRLS THROUGH ART

SOURCE:  Blacknews.com

Lancaster, PA — The images of dark-skinned black girls in the media can be negative, stereotypical, angry and sad. Passionate and retired school social worker, Ruby Taylor has joined creative forces with world-renowned illustrator, Shaneque Gay, to birth the uplifting and inspiring The Crown & Gowns Project for black girls, ages 11 through 20.

Crown and Gowns will document the personal story and reaction of 12 girls through film and canvas upon receiving an all expense paid life changing experience: a gown, tiara and an original portrait by Shaneque Gay. The Crown and Gowns project needs support to raise funds to cover expenses and materials; a small donation of $5 or more can change the conversation as it relates to beauty, love and empowerment.

What started for Ruby Taylor and her niece as a happy trip to New York City to bask in culture at the Studio Museum in Harlem turned into a disappointing revelation of black beauty? While experiencing the popular exhibit, Jet Beauty of The Month, my nieces face went from joy to sadness as she observed the images of beauty which did not celebrate her complexion and rich hue. We as black women come in all different shades, sizes, height, hairstyles and the exhibit portrays a certain look: light-skinned, tall, mixed, curly and straight hair. Although I was happy to see a sprinkling of dark-skinned beauties in the exhibit, it was not enough.

I was encouraged to create a platform for girls and women to showcase their inner and outer beauty. Joining forces with the talented Shaneque Gay for The Crown and Gowns project, has truly been magical and bigger than I envisioned, says Ruby.

Ruby Taylor, MSW, is a trained schoolteacher, social worker, motivational speaker, author, with degrees from both Virginia Union University and Howard University School of Social Work. In 2012, she suffered a brain injury, forced to retire from teaching and pressed reset to remix the message of love and pain as a documentarian.

Ruby’s first documentary, Mad Believer, explored her faith in light of her brother’s murder. Her film was screened at the African-American Museum in Philadelphia, and accepted into a few festivals: the Cape Fear, Lancaster Area, and the Urban Philadelphia Film Festival. She is the author of two books including, Confidence to Greatness for Teenage Girls.

Shaneque Gay, the super talented Atlanta-based artist was selected by Low Country Luxe and The Congressional Club to create an illustration for the White House, which was featured and presented to First Lady Michelle Obama in 2013. Her artwork has been showcased in the Zane movie, Addicted and on the popular BET show, Being Mary Jane. Gays work is among the private collections of actor Samuel L. Jackson, musician/songwriter Leon Russell, and event planner to the stars Preston Bailey.

Her exhibit appears around the world and has permanent artwork in the collection of SCAD, Hong Kong.

Ruby Taylor smiles, It is my prayer that we can change the energy and conversation to celebrate black beauty, knowing that we are all physically beautiful. Using a visual and showing black girls on canvas which is a staple of magnifying beauty forever, is imperative to shape shift a new conversation which would simply start with the words, Girl you are amazing just the way you are.

Get involved, donate, share the video with a black girl, women and let them know they are beautiful from their crown to the gown. For additional information on the Crown & Gowns Project, support the campaign, visit, Indiegogo.