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Interview with legendary jazz artist Bob James
Tag Archives: Sherlene Shanklin
Louisville museum receives national recognition for their preservation of Black history
By Sherlene Shanklin
When I received this notification from Lamont Collins, founder of Roots 101 African American Museum I could hear validation without him even saying a word.
Stellar TV is recognizing Roots 101 in their 4th Black History Honors in 2026.
Roots 101 African American Museum serves as an important cultural institution in Louisville, KY dedicated to preserving and sharing the fearless and sometimes heartbreaking stories of African Americans.
The museum was founded in 2020 by Collins, that was during social unrest in Louisville after the death of Breonna Taylor and the global pandemic. Roots 101 African-American Museum became a meeting place for protesters and community leaders.
The museum is where visitors can see themselves in history, explore the African American story in its entirety, and gain a greater understanding of the achievements, cultural contributions, and experiences of the community. It also houses a lot of Kentucky history from ‘The Roots of Music’, ‘The Four of Us’, ‘Big Momma’s House’ and ‘Static Major’ just to name a few of the many exhibits in the museum.
The museum is a history lesson as soon as you walk through the doors. Room after room sets a scene. Like a ‘Greenbook’ of places set in a certain time period of Black history.
The 2025 featured museums were:
- California African American Museum (CAAM)
- National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel
- Stax Museum of American Soul Music
- Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
- Whitney Plantation
- Congo Square
When we receive additional details of the celebration we will share with you.
Roots 101 African American Museum is located 124 N 1st Street in downtown Louisville, KY.
Rap legend Ice Cube hits the road with his Truth to Power tour along with new music
Ice Cube in Denver kicking off his Truth to Power Tour. Photo credit: Marc Wood/TreMedia
By Sherlene Shanklin
The Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude Tour is underway with no other than hip-hop legend Ice Cube. The tour is all about celebrating 40 years of creating groundbreaking music and becoming of the most influencers of the culture.
Ice Cube’s iconic career is admired by many and the open of the tour in Denver set the standard that fans all over the U.S. will experience when he makes a stop in your city. Performing some of his biggest hits and fan favorites. Imagine singing along to “It Was a Good Day,” “Check Yo Self,” and “You Can Do It,” alongside new material including “Before Hip Hop” and tracks from his new album Man Up.
The tour started in Denver, Colorado on September 16th and scheduled to end October 17th in Houston, TX.
Tickets available at icecube.com/tour
ICE CUBE — “TRUTH TO POWER: 4 DECADES OF ATTITUDE” TOUR DATES:
· Tue Sep 16 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
· Wed Sep 17 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
· Fri Sep 19 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
· Sat Sep 20 – Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum
· Mon Sep 22 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
· Thu Sep 25 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
· Sat Sep 27 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
· Sun Sep 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
· Tue Sep 30 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
· Thu Oct 02 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
· Sat Oct 04 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
· Mon Oct 06 – Chicago, IL – United Center
· Wed Oct 08 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
· Thu Oct 09 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
· Sun Oct 12 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
· Tue Oct 14 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
· Thu Oct 16 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
· Fri Oct 17 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Rahaman Ali’s Janazah service announced
By Sherlene Shanklin
The family of Rahman Ali would like to sincerely thank everyone for the kind words, calls, and messages shared following his passing on August 1, 2025. Your outpouring of love and support has brought great comfort during this difficult time. In accordance with Rahaman’s wishes, a private Janazah service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
A Janazah service refers to a funeral service for an individual of Muslim faith. It’s a ceremony that’s filled with prayers, the washing and shrouding of the body and then the burial. This is an Islamic tradition.
Plans for a public celebration of life will be shared once finalized.
This weekend Sherlene Shanklin receives her third Emmy Award
Shanklin won in the serious news feature category with the exclusive with Sydney Thomas. She was rescued from her semi cab that was hanging over the Second Street Bridge in Louisville, KY. The world watched as she was looking down at the Ohio River hoping to be saved before the cab of the semi-truck falls into the river. She sat down and explained for the one and only time about how that 45 minutes felt like forever.
Down the Stretch with Sherlene Shanklin
Each year, I announce all the biggest Kentucky Derby events and the celebrities it attracts. This year is no different. Checkout the big names coming to Louisville the first Saturday in May. Plus, the many events leading up to the ‘greatest’ two minutes of sports. I will add names up until Derby 151 is at the post.
Special report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11, ABC Louisville
To see the list of events and their celebrity guests click the link below. https://www.whas11.com/article/entertainment/events/down-the-stretch/celebrities-attend-kentucky-derby-151-parties-events-louisville/417-5b0183ea-545f-41f9-94e6-7509fbaff8c0?fbclid=IwY2xjawKBHq9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlV1JYUWNvUDRVQzVOenJZAR7nRRyPlSYN89XfLmA4oc0Ds9ESGf0S14G7c6zKRCv4GEMMYVH75UH75te08A_aem_eZ4n8oEaz1Agfzmh-R9Spw
Follow me on my social platforms. @Sherlenemediapro @thevippreport
Shaboozey will headline FanDuel’s Kentucky Derby Party on Derby Eve
By Sherlene Shanklin- Special KY Derby Report
Down the Stretch with Sherlene Shanklin: With 19 days before Kentucky Derby 151. The guest lists are being to pop up. For the second year, The FanDuel Kentucky Derby Party will host a party Oaks night, Friday, May 2nd. This exclusive, invite-only event will take place at Paristown Hall.
Fresh off his Coachella performance and now he will perform in Louisville. This year’s entertainment will be Grammy-nominated country music sensation Shaboozey. The rapper, singer, and songwriter, best known for A Bar Song, (Tipsy) will perform. holds the record for the longest-leading Hot 100 No. 1 while also topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay Chart, and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts. The single has accumulated over a billion streams across DSPs and made history, making Shaboozey the first Black male artist to simultaneously top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot 100.
With his Nigerian roots he’s found a way to blend, country, hip-hop, rock and Americana is what music critics have called him a true cross-over artist.
Shaboozey says, “I’m hyped to be part of the Derby this year. It’s one of those bucket list events you dream about playing and we’ll be bringing serious vibes to Louisville with FanDuel.”
When entering, VIP guests from the worlds of sports, entertainment, music, and horse racing will walk a blue carpet.
FanDuel will make a $100,000 donation in support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The nonprofit organization supports the care, retraining, and rehoming of retired racehorses. This is the fifth year, FanDuel have donated to the organization.
“The Kentucky Derby is a celebration of tradition, energy, and unforgettable moments,” said Andrew Moore, General Manager of Racing at FanDuel. “Horse racing is where FanDuel’s journey began, and it remains a central part of who we are as a company. Between the iconic FanDuel party and our donation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, we’re looking forward to making FanDuel’s presence in Louisville known.”
FanDuel Group, the premier online gaming company in North America and an Official Partner of Churchill Downs Inc,
Even though this event is new when it comes to Kentucky Derby parties last year’s inaugural event featured performances by Luke Bryan and Ne-Yo.
If you have a Kentucky Derby event, send it to me at The411@whas11.com.
The day the world watched this rescue in Louisville, KY.
THE DEION BRANCH FOUNDATION GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING FAMILIES THAT NEED A LITTLE ASSISTANCE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Official News Release
THE DEION BRANCH FOUNDATION GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING FAMILIES THAT NEED A LITTLE ASSISTANCE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
(Louisville, KY) Two-time Super Bowl Champion & Super Bowl 39 MVP Deion Branch along with his foundation assisted 20 families in making the holiday season brighter for their children. Children had the opportunity to shop for clothes, toys, and gifts for loved ones at the Walmart on Standiford Plaza Drive. To help them pick out their selections, players of the University of Louisville Football team played Santa’s helpers.
Branch currently works as a staff member at his alma mater, University of Louisville. Branch says, “It is so important to give back to those so support you, the fans. That is why I always try to bring the guys out with me to show how important it is to the community. To see these young people smile, run up and down the isles full of excitement makes my heart happy. You can see the relief in parents’ eyes that their children are going to be able to celebrate and go back to school with a story or two from their holiday break. We definitely created memories and fans.”
Youth participating in the shopping spree came from the Neighborhood House, Louisville Central Community Center Mini-Versity Child Development Center, and the West Louisville Performing Arts Academy.
A special thank you to R&B Roofing and Remodeling who donated their time and a monetary gift to each child involved in the holiday spree. We also would like to thank the team at Walmart for being so accommodating as we took over the store and even had shoppers stopping to get photos with the team and Branch.
Branch goes on to say, “The holiday season is challenging time for families, so I hope we were able to relieve some stress and in return remind the team that we are blessed. We do not take anything or anyone for granted. This was a community project, but it was a reminder that we all need to work as team. When we do, we can win.”
The Cards will now focus on their bowl game which will be played on New Year’s Eve against Washington in the Sun Bowl.
The Deion Branch Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer support to children’s mental, physical, emotional wellbeing and for those who have been infected with meningitis. The DBCF’s mission is to help with research and to find a cure to ease the struggle for children like Deion’s son. The foundation goal is to assist by providing programs and initiatives aimed at improving their quality of life. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information on the foundation go to http://www.deionbranchfoundation.org.
If you have any questions, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306 or by email at info@vippcommunications.com.
*Photos attached courtesy VIPP Communications. You can also go to our social pages @vippcommunications
Travis Scott announces 2024 tour schedule and Louisville, KY made the list
The411: In 2023, Travis Scott’s Utopia -Circus Maximus Tour was very successful. The hip-hop artist announced that he will be adding Louisville, KY to his 2024 tour. Save the date of Monday, February 5, 2024, at the KFC Yum Center. (Rescheduled from January 3, 2024).
Scott was nominated for BEST RAP ALBUM nomination for the 2024 GRAMMY® Awards which will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024. Just a day before his Louisville show.
Louisville is one of only 11 cities announced for the second leg of the tour.
Two dollars from every ticket sold will go to Cactus Jack Foundation which is a 501(c)3 with a mission to uplift Houston youth through toy drives, scholarship programs to HBCU college students, and fulfilling expenses for education and creative endeavors.
UTOPIA finds Travis Scott at the height of his powers as a performer, songwriter, producer, and collaborator proving once again that nobody sounds like Travis. It continues to enshrine him as the culture’s foremost sonic innovator and has been heralded as ‘album of the decade.’ The album held strong at No.1 on the Billboard Top 200 for four consecutive weeks, spent seven weeks in the top 5 and more than ten weeks in the top 10. It has garnered over 2.7 billion streams globally to date. Additionally, Spotify named UTOPIA the most streamed album in its first day for 2023, and Apple Music confirmed the second biggest first day streams of an album in 2023. UTOPIA is available at shop.travisscott.com, alongside five unique album covers as a part of vinyl, CD and merchandise box sets.
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see this story and other announcements I’ve made for 2024 click the link below:
World Ballet Series brings Swan Lake to Louisville
Special announcement: Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 News, Louisville ABC
The411 with Sherlene Shanklin: This year is going to be a big for the entertainment industry. For ballet lovers or those looking for an unbelievable experience. You have to add the following show to your list. Swan Lake, one of the most beloved ballets of all time, and the production is scheduled to be at the Louisville Palace Theatre on Wednesday, March 6th at 7:00 pm as part of the World Ballet Series 2023-2024 tour.
Swan Lake features hand-painted sets, hand-crafted costumes with intricate design, great story telling, and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable music. Performed by talented multinational ensemble of 50 dancers.
To date, World Ballet Series has travelled to more than 280 cities reaching an audience of more than 250,000, many of whom are first time attendees to a ballet and now Louisville is on that prestigious list. Tickets start at $40.00.
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To read this story and other announcements click the link below:
Legacies Unlimited presents Rambling at Club Morocco
(Louisville, KY) Legacies Unlimited Inc. presents The Walnut Street Revue ‘Rambling at Club Morocco’ featuring the Unlimited Show Band and The VilleEffect Band,
The show will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, (KCAAH) located at 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd at 7:30pm.
Reserved tickets are $65 per person and $45 for general admission. You can purchase them on http://www.redpintix.com or you can also purchase them at Better Days Records. (both locations).
Ken Clay, Founder of Legacies Unlimited, says “Louisville has a rich history when it comes to music. Each year, I try and introduce to the younger generation music from my time period. It’s an opportunity to experience the soulful sounds while giving those who lived it a walk down memory lane. Hearing the songs they grew up on. It is an evening of great music and I invite you to come out and enjoy Walnut Street Revue experience.”
Tickets for The Walnut Street Revue are $65 for general admission and $45 for cabaret seating. (limited space)
Rambling at Club Morocco is presented by Legacies Unlimited Inc. and is made possible through the support of the Owsley Brown II Foundation, Hardscuffle Inc., WLKY-TV and Radio Station WLOU.
Please announce and/or post on your community calendars. If you have any questions or would like to setup an interview with Ken Clay, please contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com or by calling 502-341-7306.
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Twenty-seven ladies will compete for titles of Miss, Ms., and Talented Teen Miss Black Kentucky USA
United Crown Productions is excited to announce the date of Miss Black Kentucky USA. On
Sunday, October 15th, at 3:00 pm at Memorial Auditorium our community will witness the
crowning of three women who will represent Kentucky in Miss Black USA 2024.
After a successful restart in 2022, Kentucky will have six (6) in the talented teen division, eight (8)
in the Miss. division and thirteen (13) in the Ms. division competing for the crown. Each looking
forward to the experience along with the activities leading up to the October 15th event.
Tickets are now on sale, and you can purchase them on Eventbrite. We have provided a link for
promotion. Miss Black Kentucky 2023.
Last year’s winner in the Miss division, Miss Ariel Thompson went on to win Miss Black USA in
Washington, DC and will reign for the next 12 months.
Dr. Ashley Anderson, Executive Director of Miss Black Kentucky USA says “I am so happy to give
women of color the opportunity. It is more than just a pageant but a chance for these young ladies
to showcase themselves. This is something the community can be proud of because we are
helping prepare our future leaders. The contestants are free to be who they are as they embrace
their heritage. I invite you to come out and support them as they compete for scholarships which
will help with their future career goals.”
To be a sponsor and/or if you would like to set up an interview with Dr. Anderson and/or last
year’s winners please contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com.
Stay tuned for additional information and the names of the contestants and the counties and/or
cities they represent.
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A mental health expert offers some insight and how she’s helping break the stigma
I sat down with Gail Bibb a psychotherapist a few months ago and she gave some valuable information that I wanted to share. This story was originally written during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mental illness doesn’t choose who is affected by it, but culture, race and gender can affect access to treatment, support and quality of care. July is Minority Health Awareness Month. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five people experience a mental health condition. I sit down with a psychotherapist Gail Bibb who is working to get rid of the stigma of seeking help.
Bibb says “Anytime that anybody has a big change in their moods, it’s an indicator that something’s wrong.”
She explains some of the warning signs when you may need a mental health checkup. “People are excessively worrying, extreme mood changes, highs or lows, avoiding social interactions with other people having thoughts about suicide, or really difficulty connecting in social settings could be indicators that there is something wrong” according to Bibb.
There’s several ways to treat patients. Bibb explains her method. “So, I use a holistic approach. It’s just a modality that encompasses the mental, emotional, psychological, social impacts of a person and their well-being.” Bibb talks about how major life changes or maybe something in your past unresolved resurfaces. She says “Triggers are just unhealed wounds from your past. And so anything in the environment can trigger it a smell, somebody’s personality, something that someone can say to you can trigger an emotional response.”
Bibb explains why so many African Americans are so apprehensive about seeking help. “I think historically, there’s been a mistrust in the medical field, with getting services getting adequate care that you need. Generally, I think a lot of African Americans have used the church as their provider for mental health. Particularly growing up for me, it was always whatever happened in the house stayed in the house.”
Bibb has obtained three masters degrees not just because of the science but her personal connection. She says “I think more so experientially, for me, I grew up and I didn’t really have a relationship with my biological parents. And one of the reasons is because my biological mother was diagnosed with bipolar and schizophrenic. And so I think that my interest was sparked because of my own traumas that I’ve grew up with.” She also explains why many Blacks chose their faith to help them instead of medical assistance. “I think faith particularly in the African American community is so important, because it has been the outlet that we have had with no stigma. And so it’s always been something that we could go kind of cry with no shame, shout, right and really have emotional expression that wasn’t demonize in our community” says Bibb.
She tells her clients of faith that its okay to seek medical help. “Absolutely. Prayer is a weapon. But therapy is a strategy and we need both to be the very best versions of ourselves. And I think that when you really lean in on your faith, it really gives you a level of resiliency. And therapy gives you that opportunity to co regulate with someone else that could be safe, and we can heal in safe and trusted relationships.” Bibb wants to reassure people that her business and businesses like hers is a safe place for mental, physical and spiritual health.
If you need help you can contact Gail Bibb and other psychotherapists in this community. If you need immediate help call the suicide hotline by texting LOU to 741741.
Bibb is the co-owner of Revive Counseling. They offer mental health therapy, life coaching and nutrition and wellness coaching plus much more. Go to revivecounselingwellness.com for additional information.
To see the video of my story click the link: https://wwwhttps://www.whas11.com/video/news/community/moments-that-matter/erasing-the-stigma-of-mental-health-in-the-african-american-community/417-becfb1dc-fa8b-4395-a538-66372b5c98a5
Countdown to the Kentucky Derby 149
Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 Television, ABC, Louisville
As we approach the first Saturday in May. There’s will be a lot of events, galas and activities taking place. At this time every year, I begin to layout the long list of celebrities that will participate in Kentucky Derby events. Click the link below to see who will be in Louisville the first week in May.
TheVIPPReport: Louisville Native George T. French, Jr., President of Clark Atlanta University, to speak at the Louisville UNCF Luncheon honoring Alice and Wade Houston and give a full scholarship to a high school senior in Louisville
George T. French, Jr., graduate of Trinity High School and the University of Louisville and now the President of Clark Atlanta University is coming to Louisville to help Mayor Fischer honoring Wade and Alice Houston for all their years of dedicated service to the UNCF (United Negro College Fund).
To help celebrate the event and especially the Houstons, President French will provide a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University for the Fall 2023.
For upcoming high school seniors, please submit a one pager (no more than 500 words) on why you want to attend Clark Atlanta University and why community service is so important to your educational experience.
The HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Clark Atlanta University initiatives include:
·Innovative research to help cure prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s
·Create new solutions in cybersecurity
·Accelerate new avenues of entrepreneurship
·Opportunities in finding new ways to eradicate social and racial injustices
Clark Atlanta University (CAU) was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans and was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with over 4000 students, representing 9 countries, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine) that comprise the Atlanta University Center Consortium. Clark Atlanta University is also the largest of the 37-member United Negro College Fund (UNCF) institutions.
Clark Atlanta University continues a 150-year legacy rooted in African American tradition while focusing on the future through global innovation, transformative educational experiences and high-value engagement.
CAU Programs Include:
•The only Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development of its kind
•A Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development
•An Institute for Civic Engagement, Social Justice & Leadership Institute
•The W.E.B. Du Bois Southern Center for Studies in Public Policy
•A Center for Workforce Development
•A program in Cyber Physical Systems
•39 undergraduate programs, 28 graduate programs, 9 doctoral programs
“I am proud of my Louisville legacy – being born and raised with my sisters, graduating from Trinity High School and then from the crown jewel of the city – the University of Louisville. Now, as the President of the largest College Fund school – Clark Atlanta University, I want to provide an opportunity for a 2023 high school graduate – a future innovator, entrepreneur, C-Suite Executive through a full scholarship to Clark Atlanta University.”
For upcoming high school seniors, please submit a one pager (no more than 500 words) on why you want to attend Clark Atlanta University and why community service is so important to your educational experience.
For interviews with President French: sshanklin@vippcommunications.com
Please send your 500-word essay to: Rohena@nichemktg.com
TheVIPPReport: Louisville native Marzz shoots for the stars
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 ABC Louisville
Inside the Mercury Ballroom on a June summer night, Louisville’s newest sensation Marzz waits in anticipation to give fans a show.
As music fills the streets of South Fourth Street, crowds begin lining up with tickets in hand, ready to see the return of the up and coming R&B singer at the Ballroom.
“I feel it’s the atmosphere is what makes it so different,” they said.
Marzz, who is signed to Keep Cool/RCA Records, is back at the venue for a second time where others like fellow Louisvillians Bryson Tiller and Jack Harlow have also graced the stage.
“I just wanted to connect and vibe with yall, this is my home,” they said.
This night, it’s different. It’s the first time since releasing their full-length album “Love Letters” to fans – Martians as they call them, across the country.
“Baby, that’s my heartbeat. Got me looking – going crazy,” they said.
The journey to Marzz started in Louisville for Laria McCormick, a Fairdale High School graduate. The humble beginnings put the singer on the path to reaching for the stars.
They started singing in church from an early age where their mother and grandmother were both heavily involved in church leadership.
“Since I was a kid, I grew up in church. Singing in the children’s choir, I feel like that had a lot influence too. Literally being a pk, my aunties and them always had me singing solo in the choir, I used to hate it cuz it’s like literally all eyes on me,” Marzz said.
Marzz said their sound and gender identity, which is non-binary, moved them away from the church and toward the R&B billboard charts.
Marzz prefers the pronouns “they, their and them” – not “she.”
“I feel like in the church there was a lot of judgmental people. You know what I’m saying, it’s kind of weird to transition from that, but it felt good to transition into a place where I felt welcome – where I knew that ain’t nobody going to judge me,” they said.
Drawing from personal experiences of hardship and heartache, Marzz poured out feelings on pages of notebooks – each with different colors – that would eventually become the inspiration for their debut release.
“I feel like really didn’t start getting into song writing in my music until I was like 11. You know what I’m saying, that’s when my mom and dad was going through a divorce. I kind of just went to notebooks. You know, just expressing myself, I wasn’t a real verbal kid growing up. I have different color notebooks that I write in,” they said.
It wasn’t until an Instagram post, standing out from the typical scrolling, that garnered the attention of super producer Timbaland. The stars began aligning for the young artist.
“Usually, I get like 300 views but then the day that I posted it this Jhené Aiko freestyle I believe. I had went in my phone, I woke up, and I see my phone kept going off – what’s going on with my phone and I look on my Instagram — I seen Timbaland repost it and I was like hold up – I was like hold up I started screaming, I was crying. I was like is this really him?” they said.
The social media post, plus their connection with Timbaland and several recordings in tow, landed them in front of RCA Records.
The songs of love and heartache would be released as a six-track EP that would take on a deeper meaning.
“Just me exploring, you know, figuring out self, loving myself, and understanding who I am as a person, you know what I’m saying.”
The standout single, “Countless Times,” dives right into their world.
The Mercury Ballroom would seem as far away as the moon, where Marzz was headed.
They captured national attention performing during the Soul Train Awards on the BET Amplified stage, receiving kudos from the likes of JaRule.
From that moment, Marzz skyrocketed into the stratosphere. They have been named a “Future Five Artist” by SiriusXM and Billboard magazine’s “R&B Rookie Artist” in April.
“It was a super humbling moment for me. I was like dang, ‘this is so incredible’, you know what I’m saying? I was like, speechless, I was like they really mess with me. I appreciate all the love cuz what else can I say other than thank you for hearing me,” they said.
The young artist’s career is coming at a time when the tide is changing in the music industry. Social media is playing a huge role in how hits are determined.
Their meaningful melodic vibe is separating them from the rest, pushing the realm of R&B music beyond its limits.
“I think I’m outside the box, like I don’t think that I make just R&B music. I make everything, like, it don’t matter what it is. I don’t even know if it’s got a name to it. The genre or the type of – whatever the beat or wherever the beat is taking me, that’s where I go,” they said.
Music and the way hits are made might be changing, but it’s not about topping the charts for the young artist.
“I ain’t gon’ lie I don’t think I would be this far—you know what I mean? I still have so much more to go but I’m super grateful to be where I am at,” they said.
It’s the emotions of break-up and finding new love that gives Marzz and their Martians a world of their own .Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.comor follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
To see the story click the link: https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/marzz-louisville-music-r-b-music/417-64505fd4-3d92-4a20-a750-66a6ec7f50bf
TheVIPPReport: The face and shirt behind the Louisville Fairness Ordinance
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11, ABC Louisville
I sat down with the person who helped change the landscape for ‘fairness’ in Louisville.
It all started with this t-shirt. Creating a cultural shift in the Louisville community.
“I always wanted too. If I was gonna get in this, I was in this for the fight. Because I knew it wasn’t just my fight. It was a fight for lots of people.” Says Alicia Pedreira.
Pedreira was thrust into the spotlight after thousands of people saw this photo at the Kentucky Star Fair in 1998. It led to her firing from the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children Inc… where she had worked for six months.
She says “So, I had two interviews and on the second one when I thought it was serious that they were going to actually perhaps hire me, that’s when I told them on the second interview that I was gay, and that if that was a problem, not to hire me.”
She was hired and loved the job. So, when the photo of her and her then partner Nance was taken she had no idea of the repercussions. Her lawsuit against the company pushed her into the forefront of a movement that she was not expecting.
Pedreira says “Absolutely not! No, I was a volunteer. As a matter of fact, I think Nance at the time was a volunteer coordinator for the fairness campaign. And I volunteered but neither one of us would have imagined.”
So, how did the t-shirt come into play and when did she wear it? She says “This was a walk for AIDS and it was at the Belvedere. And that was my then girlfriend, Nance Goodman was her name then her name has since changed and we were waiting for the festivities to start because it was kind of like a party before they needed the walk or whatever… I remember a photographer came by and I’m kind of a ham and so we just smiled at the camera and he took his picture went on his way and that was it.”
Out of the lawsuit, the Louisville Fairness Ordinance went into effect after three attempts on January 26, 1999. Giving legal protection in the workplace and the right to live anywhere you want. That was a pivotal moment. Pedreira agreed saying “Yes, yes. I mean, for I think it was a cultural shift for the queer community, because we live in fear that if someone were to find out, then they could throw you out of your home. I actually didn’t live in fear. I wasn’t put in that situation when it all came out. I was renting a house and my lovely landlords called me up and said, We don’t care. You guys are great. We love you and we stand by you don’t have to worry about that.”
Fast forward twenty years later, Pedreira finally got some type of closure in the court system but not in a monetary way. “Well, I didn’t get a settlement, because that usually sounds like I got money. I didn’t get a dime ever. As a matter of fact, I signed with the ACLU not too settle because those attorneys all wanted to change law. They wanted it for everyone.”
So, this shirt, won as a door prize in a local bar becomes a conversation piece. Starting a conversation of change. But with all of the heartache, setbacks and years in litigation was worth it? She say “Honestly, I want to say yes, and if it isn’t my fight, then it’ll be somebody else’s.”
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Here’s the link to my story: https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/pride-louisville-fairness-ordinance-creation-lgbtq-issues-local/417-47beae98-fdcd-4959-a409-baa2c88df3a2
TheVIPPReport: Bryson Tiller aka Pen Griffey teams up to hit a homerun with clothing line with Ken Griffey Jr.
Louisville’s own R &B/Trapsoul artist Bryson Tiller and baseball legend Ken Griffey, Jr. have teamed up to release the S24 X Trapsoul Apparel and Accessories Collection. The collection was released at midnight on March 24th. The collaboration is a combination of classic swingman style gear with a R&B/Trapsoul edge. It’s bringing culture, sport and style. It’s designed to reach the next generation of fans with a fusion of Tiller and Griffey’s style.
The collection will include jerseys, hoodies, t-shirts, pants, ball caps and backpacks. This is a limited edition S24 X TRAPSOUL Capsule Collection. To commemorate Griffey’s all-star legacy with the Seattle Mariners you will see the colors teal, ocean blue, black and white in the collection. The unisex collection ranges in sizes XS (extra small) to 3XL (triple extra-large) and it will cost you from $35 to $195.
The photos given to me for this story we actually taken in Louisville for the launch of the collection photographed by Antonio Pantoja. They were taken here in homage to Tiller and his hometown.
Excitement is building around the launch. Dorian Washington, SVP of Artist Relations for S24 says “I’ve been involved in a lot of great projects throughout my 30 year career in the music industry, but this is without a doubt the most exciting,”.
The original swingman brand was founded in 1995 reaching accolades as one of the highest grossing sports brands worldwide. Now, with the collaboration with Tiller its expected to reach that status once again by knocking out the previous records out of the park.
S24 X TRAPSOUL launches exclusively online at www.werunthegame.com.
TheVIPPReport: Louisville’s own dancer/model/actress Jhana Waddell making a name for herself in the entertainment industry
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 ABC Louisville
A rising star in the entertainment realm is backing up some of the biggest entertainers in 2022. Louisville native Jhana Waddell is showing up in music videos and live shows like Beyonce’s Academy Awards performance at the open of the show to performing with Mary J. Blige at the halftime of the Super Bowl 56.
I’ve been staying in touch with Jhana since I’ve learned of her great success. I spoke to her just days after the Super Bowl in February and she was still on a high after the performance and how it was a surprise to everyone but her parents. Jhana says “It was no secret. I told them. (laughing) They were beyond supportive and they love Mary J. Blige. They know as me being a professional dancer this is a big deal. So, everybody was getting calls the weeks leading up till asking are you ready, are ready, are you ready. Yes guys I’m so ready. I’m so excited It was all super exciting.”
Jhana grew up in the Park Duvalle and Shawnee neighborhoods attending YPAS,(Youth Performing Arts School), Spelman, a HBCU and then finishing at the University of Louisville. The professional dancer whose trained in ballet, modern, dance and tap currently lives in L.A. took me through how she was chosen to perform with the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
Jhana says “We have auditions out here. I have an agent. The agent relays that there’s an audition. You’ve been selected here’s the time, here’s the location. So you come with your best hair and makeup. Come with your best self ready to perform. So you learn the step. You perform in front of the choreographer. If they like you they let your agent know. Hey we want to use them. This will be the days of rehearsal and day of the show.”
During big productions normally the artist or host normally has a fill-in to stand in for them so they don’t have to be there all day. I asked did Mary J ever practice with her? She says “Yeah, not very surprising. It was fun you know. It showed that her as an artist she too wanted to make sure it looks good and felt right. So, we practiced with her and stand ins. She was there a lot. So, I’m off her left shoulder which when you look at the video I’m on the right. I’m the second on the right. Um but yeah. it was so fun.”
I asked her to explain the feeling when she knew it was showtime. Jhana tells me “It’s so indescribable the breathe of everybody when you walk into the stadium and it’s just full and packed with people. It’s a pandemic so I haven’t seen that many people in so long. I felt like tears of joy and my smile immediately came out. I’m so happy this is just a big experience. Here we go. We’re about to do it.”
She’s no stranger for big moments. She’s performed at many of the biggest music award shows with Selena Gomez to Bruno Mars and touring with Lil Baby and Future. She has some exciting news she hopes to share with us soon.
She gave some advice if you want to be in the same field. She said to trust yourself, follow your heart, be consistent, know your craft and research where you want to move were just a few of the positive words of encouragement she gave.
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the television version to this story just click the link: https://www.whas11.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/the411/the-411-louisville-native-opens-up-about-super-bowl-performance/417-bccc1974-a671-44bc-978f-a2e71ddfa889
TheVIPPReport: Meet the leader behind the MOLO Village
Dr. Jamesetta Ferguson is building back her community one block at a time
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 ABC Louisville
Kentuckiana has so many fascinating women leaders working for the betterment of the community. Dr. Jamesetta Ferguson had a vision that takes up a whole block. I spoke to the visionary in today’s Moments that Matter.
Ferguson spent a lot of time just across the street in Beecher Terrace at her aunt’s when her mother was at work. Not knowing as a little girl that someday she would be able to turn the parking lot into a block of desperately needed resources. But before she had the vision Dr. Ferguson also fondly known as Pastor J travelled to Africa on a mission trip where her vision became clear.
Ferguson says “I visited a young woman who had, who was taking the anti-viral drug. She had HIV. She had a young son and the mission that I went there for working with people infected or effected by HIV and AIDS because reckoning race and reconciliation. So when we went to this young woman’s house. I came into her house and she grab me and starting weeping and started saying MOLO momma MOLO and learned that meant ‘welcome home’.”
While in Africa. Ferguson spoke to a minister with a large congregation. He shared his success and how to be resourceful. The minister said to Ferguson, “I used what I got! I use what I got! I had the mindset prior to that, that we had this historical building next door but we were not using the entire building.” She went on to say “So when I came back. We changed our attitudes to use what we got . God would not bless us more until we start using what God had provided for us already.”
She had a shift in her mindset. Her faithful team started serving about a thousand people a week. Plus, providing a long list of resources and services. “We had the clothes ministry, we had recovery ministry, we had Dare to Care ministry, Senior ministry, We had Youth ministry. We had everything in that building. We no longer worried about the condition of the building. It wasn’t that it was falling down it just needed some repair.”
Early, 2006, Dr. Ferguson was welcomed to church but not with some opposition but later being named pastor of the congregation. She says “And at that point there were 15 German-American senior adults at the church of that 15, one left cause he did not want to worship with a person that look like me.
Even though she could not speak German but she had an appreciation of their culture because her father. Ferguson says “My father actually was the first student at Louisville Municipal College which was the Black portion of the University of Louisville to major in German.”
They went into planning, and creating partnerships of how to utilize the city block they owned. They started the process to resurrect the community. “We decided to take the east parking lot of the church and develop the Village of West Jefferson. Being in a community one without for such a long period of time. This facility here is the first new construction on Jefferson Street of West Jefferson Street in over 30 years.”
Dr. Ferguson tells me she’s far from being done. She has a lot more work to do. Her next big undertaking will be in the renovation of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ.
The MOLO Village is located at 1219 W. Jefferson Street in West Louisville.
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the television of the story, just click the link provided: https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/molo-village-jamesetta-ferguson-west-jefferson-russell-outreach-ministry-africa/417-0abc671e-f2b2-47cd-8007-af312c638a74
TheVIPPReport: Surekha Kulkarni talks to me about why she moved her family from India to Louisville
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
Special Report–Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 Television ABC Louisville
Surekha Kulkarni and her husband moved their family from India in 1986 to Louisville to make sure her young son had every opportunity to be the best he could be. She tells me why she made the sacrifice. “We did not move here for money or fame or fortune we came here because of a school.” Her young son was in kindergarten and she had learned he was dyslexic needed additional educational instruction which the de Paul School in Louisville, Kentucky provided.
We felt it was not a choice really, so we moved a family of four. With no job, no way of knowing but the school was there. And it was actually a totally different experience for me. She says “After moving here, I have experienced so much! I’ve done so much.”
Kulkarni says a recession was going on and all the degrees and experience her husband had still did not help him get a job at first. She says “When he couldn’t get a job. We decided to buy a grocery store so that way we could get food.” They owned and operated the store for years at Oak and Swan Streets called the 828 with no previous experience. She goes on to say that the community embraced and supported them. “They just accepted me but They could not pronounce our names so they changed it I became Sue and Suhas became Sam. So Sue and Sam of the store.”
When not working in the store Kulkarni volunteered at the school. Kulkarni says “So my son started school from day one and we appreciate and let so grateful, I started working in library as a volunteer just a way to give back. That might be what started, my beginnings of volunteering career.”
Within three years, the family was on track which gave her the confidence to say you can do whatever you want. She went to India for a stay and decided to take a jewelry class in her free time. “So, I took this class and I enjoyed it so much that I haven’t stopped” Kulkarni says.
Then The Beaded Treasures Project was created. She volunteered with the Kentucky Refuge Ministries. Where she says, “I found that I really enjoyed it and loved teaching and connecting. It was amazing to see the transformation. Because in the beginning, these women came from various countries, like Iraq, and the Congo. All faced terrible ravages. They were traumatized.”
Beaded Treasures not only generated wealth but generated self-esteem, a sense of purpose and self-sufficiency. Kulkarni says “I saw that not only were they making jewelry, and selling it at the events, five of them started working full time, three of them started working on their education. Some had finished high school and some had a couple of years of college. One of them now has gone back to Nepal. To start a school because growing there was no school in her village.”
In 2019, Beaded Treasures became a part of Volunteers of America. “This was way more that I expected. Quite amazing like. I had somehow became a part of their transformation. Transformation from diffident to confident, and dependent to independent.
I wanted to know what she wanted to remember her by. She says “That I tried! I want people to know that if you just step out of your comfort zone there’s no stopping you. I’m the perfect example of that. We are the ones that hold ourselves back. And we can make a difference. Each one of us can make a difference. Look at me!”
Kulkarni has a new project “Empowering Beads”. It will be a pop-up shop this summer on the weekends in Norton Commons.
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the television version of my story, click the link provided:
TheVIPPReport: Robin Givens, actress/director will start filming her lasted movie in Louisville later this week and extras are needed
The Nana Project starring Mercedes Ruehl will start filming Wednesday
Special Report: Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 News, ABC Louisville
The buzz is still in the air from all of the celebrity sightings during Kentucky Derby weekend and other films being shot around the state featuring major Hollywood stars.
Actress Robin Givens is set to return to the area to shoot another film, according to her team.
Her new movie, “The Nana Project” will be shot around the Louisville area.
The storyline is set in a retirement home with a “feisty chess master” played by Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl.
Her character Helen “Nana” Lewis has two estranged grandsons Andrew and Cody who will be played by Nolan Gould and Will Peltz.
The family will head out on a road trip to support Nana’s rise to the state championships.
They are expected to begin filming on May 18 and will be here through June 4.
We hear the filming was scheduled for another city, but I have learned Louisville is a good spot.
It could be from the great response that was given to the “The Cookout” that was also filmed in Louisville and directed by Givens.
Submission instructions can be found by clicking the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Alexis-Leggett-Casting-118037106989200
You need to be fully vaccinated for this project. You need to provide proof of vaccination and take a mandatory COVID-19 test upon arrival on your shoot date.
If you get a role in this film, please let me know.
►Contact WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
TheVIPPReport: Jamey Aebersold shares his love for jazz
Tucked away on a New Albany street named after his family. Jazz master Jamey Aebersold has been playing music for most of his life. I caught up with him in his studio which is covered with some 15 thousand vinyl albums, thousands of photos which he calls the Smithsonian Jazz Institute of the Midwest. He talks to me about how he was introduced to jazz. He says “Jazz is the coming thing. When I was young, I got my driver’s license at 16. I got me a 35 dollar car. I drove to Louisville, in westend where jazz was playing. Every club had jazz. Rock-n-roll had not been invented yet. Country western wasn’t popular so jazz was basically everywhere. I would go to those places and listen to them. I would wonder what was going on in their minds.
He never liked to stick to the traditional format. Aebersold says “My dad like Dixieland music. I bought some records. Yeah, I liked it but then when I heard Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, I kinda went that way.” As he hand gestured.
He goes on to say “It was years later, I would realize that was the foundation that I needed those scales and cords and the fingering of it, so forth…because that would allow me to play what I heard in my head. (as he hummed a tune) then add a cord to it. That’s how I got started.”
Jamey told me that he was not a good student and the teacher actually returned his money because he just didn’t have the patience to play the standard scales and cords. In his mind, he was just copying what he saw in the music book. He wanted to play what was in his head which we know today as improvisation. When he got older he did receive his formal training and we talked about it. He said, “I went to Indiana University and they didn’t have saxophone but they put me on the woodwind degree. So, I had to take lessons in oboe the flute, the basson, clarinet, and I don’t think I took saxophone lessons from anyone but the second year a guy was getting his graduate degree and they let him give me lessons. I played the first jazz recital at Indiana University which was a big deal back then 1960/61.” He talked about the audience giving his a standing ovation for that performance.
Aebersold was very humble, knowledgeable, and full wisdom that we could of literally stayed with him all day and still would not of been able to cover everything he’s accomplished. He Performing in the all over the world and receiving so many accolades along the way. From receiving the National Endowment for the Arts which is the highest honor given to jazz musicians in the U.S. to receiving the Indiana Governor’s Arts Award by Mitch Daniels. He had a table full of awards, even a letter from the White House from President Barack Obama.
I wanted to know if he thought jazz was a lost art. He responded quickly by saying “No, no, no. I tell you why. When people play jazz they use their imagination. They are very creative and its coming from here to the fingers and that’s not going to stop.”
He says anyone can improvise. He says, “Too many don’t even try because they feel like they are not good enough”.
I wanted to know what would be his legacy. He says there’s to much to do now to worry about the future. There’s still so much to do now. He gave some good advice that he hopes more people would apply to their life and that was to be nice to people.
To learn more about Jamey Aebersold and his Jazz Play-A-Longs, go to jazzbooks.com. you may even see him a classroom if you attend Bellarmine, I-U, or U of L.
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the television version of the story. Click the link provided: https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/jamey-aebersold-new-albany-jazz-muscian-beallarmine-uofl-indiana-university-teacher-music/417-c14b168b-979e-430c-b9e6-198f5d81fe57
TheVIPPReport: Vincent James Sr, Dare to Care’s new president
Vincent James Sr. works “faithfully” in the community. Once the Chief of Community Building for Metro Louisville, and pastor of Elim Baptist Church, to now… President and CEO of the fourth largest non-profit in Louisville.
James says “I went to Stephen Foster Elementary School, Gutermuth Elementary School because bussing had started at that time and graduated from elementary school went to Southern Middle/High at the time the middle school and high school were actually in the same facility.”
James graduated from Atherton High and got a finance degree from UofL with hopes of becoming a Wall Street investment banker, but he told his church, his purpose in life shifted.
He said “We are going to be involved and engaged in the community and pretty much we were doing things in isolation as many churches do.”
Then violence renewed his purpose. He will never forget. “It was a life changing moment. May 17, 2012 there was a triple homicide outside my church. I was there. I actually arrived when the first responders arrived. I saw two young men who had shot at each other and had killed each other and that was devastating to me. And then a couple of hours later a couple of ladies with 60 police officers, detectives and news reporters shot another young lady shot her that was traumatic for the community, myself. I said whatever I need to do I’m going to do it.”
Then Mayor Fischer put James in the forefront. James says “I know I made a change. When I look at not as much as I want too but when I look at the response of the community. How our community was hurting. Things in terms of the administration was in. what was happening across the country one of the things I intentionally did as a pastor and chief of community building was how do we begin to build healing in our community.”
James believes he laid the ground work for the office, and now he plans to nourish the community after being named President and CEO of Dare to Care. “I’m excited! I can’t tell you enough how excited I am about Dare to Care Food Bank. It’s an incredible organization. Dare to Care’s mission is to led the community feed the hungry and ending the cycle of need.”
James has found his mission in life. “I’m walking in my purpose. I get excited every morning when I wake up and I get to live out my dream in terms of helping people.”
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the story, click the link https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/vincent-james-sr-dare-to-care-elim-baptist-church-chief-community-building/417-53813831-6c28-4de9-8933-38f1551bb636
TheVIPPReport: Julia Youngblood, honoring women in our community
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11, ABC Affiliate
Many may not know the name Julia Youngblood but countless youth and artists know her as the woman who gave them a chance to expand their horizons. I sit down with her to talk about the importance of giving back.
Youngblood is one of the quiet forces in our community making sure the arts is available for anyone whose interested. She worked at the Kentucky Arts Reach program. Dedicating her life to make the community better.
Youngblood says “For the 16 years I took care of it. I really worked on opening up the space more and more for communities especially communities of color or folks that might of felt like they really could walk in that door. I produced 100s of events open mics and many performances on many big stages, all the stages throughout the building.”
Introducing some 50 thousand people to the Kentucky Center for the Arts space that normally would not of had that opportunity. She says “One of my biggest joys was creating culturally related performance pieces that came from the community. It wasn’t me creating those pieces. It was reaching out to the community and saying what do you want to express today. To me that’s extremely powerful.”
Youngblood currently owns Youngblood Harmonizing Arts. She took me to a time in her life when she decided to focus on helping others. She took me back to when she was 20 years old. “A really pivotal part of my life. I lost the ability to walk at the time they thought I had multiple sclerosis . Over time being helped by many other people I was able to get well.” She goes on to say “Once I really got to where I was able to function and walk again I thought that I just want my life to be of service.”
Her unique way of looking at life and understanding that expression is a part of the process when healing a community. She says “A lot of time people feel the need to feel seen and that’s a healing.”
Youngblood admits she’s not outspoken but her now 90 year old mother gave her some advice when she was younger. “Walk into any space and sit down. So that is what I hope for all of us in life that we call all walk in and feel like it okay to be where we are.”
She tells me that her mom and 25 year old daughter Johnny Storm inspire her. She goes onto say she appreciates how her daughter views life. Youngblood, a self-taught artist has an art exhibit with almost 40 pieces ranging from paintings to print on textiles.
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the television version of the story, click the link https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/julia-youngblood-harmonizing-arts-lodgic-kentucky-performing-arts-artsreach/417-2988a064-00aa-42cb-b148-694888bc87e8
The VIPP Report: Introducing you to the West Louisville Performing Arts Academy
By Sherlene Shanklin
In today’s Your Story. Their name has changed but their music remains the same bringing all genres of music to West Louisville. I talk to the founder about their success. You recognize them as the West Louisville Boys Choir.
In 1990, McDaniel Bluitt started The West Louisville Performing Arts Academy originally named the Moore Temple Boys Choir. In 2002, the choir expanded by adding girls to the program.
McDaniel says “We started the program because kids needed a way they can be engaged positively and doing the kinds of things that can make them productive members of the community.”
Two current students, Sylvia Lontz and Alexandria Bluitt were introduced to the program differently but both believe it’s an amazing opportunity and everyone feels like family.
Sylvia Lontz is heading to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) this fall. She says “I personally found out about this choir from my former choir director at Central High School. He introduced it to me. I though it would be an amazing opportunity for me and my younger sister.”
Alexandria Bluitt is currently in high school but understands the importance of legacy. She says “I’ve been in this choir ever since I was 4 or 5 years old. Considering my grandparents started the choir. This choir gave me a sense of family, not because they started it but because of the connections I made with people in this choir.”
The program is a melting pot of talents discovered within each child. A. Bluitt goes on to say “It gives me a sense of structure. For me personally anyway and I believe everyone needs a foundation to build on top of.”
M. Bluitt says “It’s a part of our slogan its more than just music…its more than just singing because children bring with us whatever they have with them at the time. Some have training prior to coming to me while others haven’t.”
They’ve had a chance to travel and perform all over the world from Bahamas to Las Vegas, and all over the state of Kentucky. With that exposure caused some of his former students to think out of the box. Key’mon Murrah & Kay’mon Murrah both participated in the program. As adults they are both classically trained.
Key’mon is moving to New York. He says “I’m going to Juilliard in the fall for a graduate diploma. And then I have me Opera debut this winter.”
Kay’mon remains in the area to help others interested in the arts. He says “I’m working with Kentucky Opera at various events but right now im working as a board member for the public arts commission in Lexington, KY. So that’s been really fulfilling. “
Mr. Bluitt says “Music evolves its never to stay the same.” And so does its leadership. His son Joshua will take the helm and carry on the tradition. Bluitt says he will still be around consulting and help counsel but feels it’s the right time to pass the baton so his son can take the program even further.
McDaniel says “One of the things its accomplishing its helping to dispel the myth in the minds of so many people. Not just Black people, White people m Jewish people not just men but men and women. They get a chance to see the program that’s holistic. They get a chance to see the program as positive and believe it or not got their children in it. That’s ongoing and I’m proud of that.”
Kay’mon says “You have to be open for new things and be willing to absorb it all. I really believe once you start that process you will be able to fly anywhere.”
The West Louisville Performing Arts Academy has a 100% graduation rate and they now enjoy new home for their program. You can now find their studio in the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage at 17th and West Ali. To support go to www.wlpaa.org.
►Contact Your Story’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the story, click the link below.
The VIPP Report: Helping businesses obtain construction opportunities the right way with Vincel Anthony and the 7PM Group
By Sherlene Shanklin
Love for community and wanting to see others reach their ultimate potential as an entrepreneur is the goal for Vincel Anthony and the 7PM Group. In today’s Your Story, I spoke to Anthony about holding businesses accountable when it comes to minority construction opportunities.
Vincel Anthony and his mentor Carl Brazley started the 7 PM Group symbolizing the number for perfection in biblical terms and P-M stands for project management.
Anthony says “We’re the glue, the liaison between the owner of the big project and the general contractor who in many cases has been challenged with executing whatever the owner wants to have done.”
He attended Male High School and Western KY University as a student-athlete playing football for the Hilltoppers. Graduating with a Bachelors in Business Administration later receiving his Master’s Degree in information technology, (I-T). He talks about where his focus currently is when it comes to projects. “We wanted to work specifically in our community”.
Many contracts allot a percentage for minority businesses. In construction its 15%. Anthony breaks it down so we can understand how its determined. “Well, Its off of every dollar, 15 cents needs to ideally be spent with a minority business owner. 10 cents of that dollar needs to be spent with a woman owned business owner and that’s is the goal.”
He also adds, “All of this construction you see going on over this community like a lot of urban communities -decent sized cities…Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville there’s cranes everywhere and the challenge is, are minority businesses actually participating.”
Anthony says the community needs to lift as they climb. As you succeed, reach back down and pull someone else up.
“To be intentional when it comes to caring about other people and to really feel in your heart that its really possible for us all to win.”
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.comor follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the story, click the link below.
The VIPP Report: A look back to how Ronnie Baker qualified for the Tokyo Olympics
By Sherlene Shanklin
The Tokyo Olympics is in the books and Louisville native Ronnie Baker did us proud. He did not bring home any hardware but friends, family and supporters couldn’t be more happy on how he represented U.S.A.
Let’s take a look back at my story on Baker just days before he went to the Olympics.
It’s the race 27 year old Ronnie Baker has dreamed of and trained for all his life. Now, he’s just a few days away from making that dream come true. He tells me he’s a product of West Louisville, JCPS and most of his family lives in Louisville.
Baker says “I went to Ballard and Highland Middle. I lived in the west end and grew up in Village West. My whole family is there actually. My mom, my brother moved back, my sister is there. Pretty much even my extended family is there.”
Baker started with cross country and then later became a sprinter. It all happened after a coach watched him compete.
He says “They saw me run and they were like hey you should go out for the track team. That’s when I started running track. That conversation I had on field day. I always had the speed. I just did not know where to put it.”
Now, he will head to Tokyo but it will be much different than he dreamed. Missing the opening ceremonies due to the flight schedule and no fans. I asked what he needed to run to win gold.
Baker says “I don’t know what it is going to take because Tokyo is going to be different you know Tokyo is not going to have spectators so the atmosphere, kinda the crowd, the energy that’s not going to be there. Crossing multiple time zones and jet lag could be a factor. “
Winning the 100 meters in Monaco, the last big meet before the games. I asked does this put him in excellent position to win gold?
The Olympian says “Absolutely, That race was It was a good momentum booster, motivational. Like… It gives me momentum going into the Olympics. I think it was great for me being there and to experience with all the guys potentially be running against in events as well.”
He goes on to say “This is when you do a lot of light work and focusing on the small, I mean the tiny-ist things that are the difference between gold and silver.”
Ronnie Baker will run in the 100 meters on July 31st and then he will be a member of the four by 100 relay team. Baker’s wife and mom will watch with other families in Orlando at Disney World while his family in Louisville will be apart of a couple of watch parties cheering him onto gold.
I’ve been in contact with Baker this week and he sounded confident and relaxed leading up to the biggest race of his career thus far.
Here’s a fun fact. Former Olympian and Kentucky native Tyson Gay and Baker are cousins. So, running literally “runs” in the family. For “Your Story.”
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the story, click the link below.
The VIPP Report: Preparing Young Ladies To Be Successful Both On And Off The Basketball Court
STARS Youth Enrichment Program will spend the day in Troy, Ohio empowering future leaders
(Troy, OH) With the increased interest in females wanting to participate in sports the STARS Youth Enrichment
Program, (STARS YEP) and the Lincoln Community Center team up to host an all-girls camp. It’s the 2021 Girls Life
Skills and Empowerment Camp. It will be held on Saturday, August 28th from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Lincoln
Community Center located at 110 Ash Street in Troy.
This year’s camp has a vast array of experience when it comes to basketball knowledge and skill set. Former NCAA
coach and Co-author of Skills for Life Mike Jarvis will discuss his personal life experiences and perspectives that camp
attendees need to hear! In addition to Coach Jarvis, the following sports icons will be onsite throughout the day: NBA
star Dale Ellis, former NCAA Women’s assistant coach, Nikita Lowry Dawkins, and NBA scout Don Sellers. Sellers will
make a debut as alter ego: “Professor Basketball”, a motivational, fun-spirited coach who encourages participants to
strive for excellence, will emcee the event.
The camp will also begin to lay the foundation on how the camp participants can begin to prepare themselves with
useful life skills lessons. There will also be plenty of fun, food, music and much more! This camp is free. Registration
begins at 6:30 am with opening ceremonies beginning at 9:00 am.
Jarvis is excited to be a part of the program and encourages others to participate in the camp. “I have the unique
opportunity to teach these young ladies the proper techniques of basketball and teach them the necessary life skills to
be successful. I hope to help inspire them to be the best version of themselves. As a former player and coach, I have
been in their shoes. I can share what worked and did not work that helped to mold me into the person that I am today”.
We would like to thank our program partners Magnified Giving, Never the Less Inc., and the Lincoln Community
Center for working with us to help make the camp a wonderful experience for everyone involved.
If you would like to be a sponsor for this camp and/or another S.T.A.R.S. youth programming activity, please visit our
website at http://www.starsyep.org or email info@starsyep.org. To setup interviews please contact Sherlene Shanklin, VIPP
Communications at 502-341-7306 or by email at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.
S.T.A.R.S. Youth Enrichment Program (Skills, Talent, Action, Results, and Success) is a unique program that supports
and mentors youth ages 8-15. And a certified 501 ©(3) non-profit organization.
Follow us on social: Twitter: @starsyep; LinkedIn: starsyep-org & Facebook: SHININGSTARSYEP
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The VIPP Report: Remembering Wilma Rudolph one of U.S.A’s greatest track and field stars
*PHOTOS: When you open the story you can see the slideshow of photos courtesy Rudolph family
Rudolph set the “gold” medal standard for sprinters
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin. WHAS11, ABC Louisville
With the Summer Olympics just weeks away, there was an athlete that changed track and field in the 60s. Did you know that Olympic champion Wilma Rudolph has family in Louisville? I sit down with her nephews who just know her as Aunt Wilma.
She was an Olympic champion, civil rights activist, coach, educator and mom of four. Born Wilma Glodean Rudolph, a premature baby having pneumonia, scarlet fever and polio. At five she wore a leg brace and could barely walk but was later named the fastest woman in the world. She was the first American woman to win three gold medals at one Olympic games back in 1960. Some of Rudolph’s family lives right here in Louisville.
Larry Rudolph, Wilma Rudolph’s nephew tells me how they are related. “I am Wilma Rudolph’s nephew. Wilma and my dad were brothers and sisters.” Larry and Sammy Rudolph tell me there were 22 children in the family. Wilma was number 20 and their dad was the first son. Rudolph was called the Black Pearl, the Chattanooga Choo Choo but if you called her by her childhood nickname you really knew the track and basketball star.
Larry says “Skeeter was her nickname,. They called her Skeeter because she was so small. (Laughter) She was called Skeeter all through college and most people don’t call her Wilma. The ones who really know her called her Skeeter.”
Even as a child she was resilient and turned obstacles into opportunities. Rudolph says “She had polio and had to wear braces the whole nine. More or less they thought she couldn’t walk again but she proved them all wrong. And when she finally got to walk and then run she would always race against the boys, would beat the boys. After a while, boys would never want to race her because they let a girl beat them and she was that fast.”
Sammy did not know his aunt was an international star until he was in fourth grade. Here’s how he found out.
“I called my dad. I’m doing a story on a Wilma Rudolph, he said do you know who that is? No sir, that’s your auntie, that’s my sister. I went back to school telling everybody that Wilma Rudolph was my aunt. I was so proud to have a famous aunt in a book that you read in school. It was just amazing.”
Larry says his dad actually kept Wilma’s three gold medals from the 1960 Olympics in his Louisville home for years. “They were in his basement at one time. I remember going to his house and they were hung up in the basement. They were there for years but to us it was common knowledge and paid no attention it was medals to this day I couldn’t tell you what happen to them.”
Sammy tells me that a young Cassius Clay and Wilma were an item after the Olympics. He talks about the time when they showed up at his school in Louisville.
“Well that’s funny. I used to play basketball for Thomas Jefferson High School my junior year and a big limo pulls up outside Wilma Rudolph and Muhammad Ali at the time was Cassius Clay they came to my school to watch me play ball. I was telling everybody that’s my aunt. You don’t know that woman. I said Aunt Wilma and she came over and gave me a hug and I got to shake Muhammad Ali’s hand.”
This week, Wilma would have been 81 years old. She died in 1994 of cancer. The state of Tennessee recognizes it as Wilma Rudolph Day. I asked how significant is her legacy?
Larry says “For a poor Black woman, little Black girl to come up , reach the status she did equivalent it means a lot to the whole town because she put that town on the map Clarksville, TN was known because of Wilma Rudolph.”
Sammy added by saying “Not only did she win three medals in one games. You realize she was the fastest woman in the world in the 60s. Its amazing. The fastest woman in the world. So she was the GOAT. She was the goat of track and field. Its hard to believe coming from what she went through as a kid. To be the fastest woman in the world. It’s just an amazing story.”
“Her name will live forever”
To see the story, click the following link https://www.whas11.com/video/news/local/wilma-rudolphs-louisville-family-reflects-on-her-legacy/417-9257361c-c952-461b-a6cb-2639d21bc52f
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The VIPP Report: Remembering Muhammad Ali, the GOAT five years later
I’ve covered Muhammad Ali for many years since I’m from his hometown of Louisville, KY. Even receiving an EMMY nomination. When i received that call five years ago preparing me for what was about to happen I will never forget. Then one day later, the champ passes away. Only a handful of people outside the family received that call. I will forever be grateful that the Ali family trusted me as a journalist, a person who really cared and someone that grew up in the same Black neighborhood he grew up in.
Sherlene Shanklin
By Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 ABC Louisville
Five years ago today, boxing legend and Louisville native Muhammad Ali passed. In today’s Your Story, we remember his legacy. I talk to Marilyn Williams. Ali’s caregiver and sister-in-law who shared some fond and funny moments about the champ.
Williams says “When he would have visitors over to the house he would play possium. He would sit with his eyes closed. He knew if they were leaving he would wake up so they could take pictures and autographs and they were excited. Muhammad knew…everybody knows he was Muhammad Ali is. He’s known around the world and he wanted to know who you are and I thought that was really neat about him.”
Williams got to witness so many things up close that some people had no idea. She remembers one doctor who liked to make house calls to see Muhammad because they both shared a common interest. She says “He would come every other Sunday. Muhammad and I were always watching westerns. And Muhammad always thought he was a Black cowboy. With Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Kris Krostophenson. Those were actually his friends.”
Williams also tells me that legendary musician Sam Cooke and Ali were best friends. I found tons of footage and photos of the two talking about things they were working on even a singing project.
When Marilyn was a teen Muhammad gave her some advice. That she still cherishes. “I got a problem. He said what’s your problem. So, I told him. He said that’s not a problem. And I said its not? To me it is..but he would tell me he said a problem is when you can’t solve it. When you can solve it, it’s not a problem.”
Another fond memory. Marilyn and Muhammad would take rides all over Louisville. She reflects on the reaction when people would recognize him. “We would get in the car we would go in the Westend to Shively the Eastend and we were all over riding and every now and then somebody would notice him and say Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali. He would wave and give them that bite like he was going to fight. He would blow them kisses.”
As the family continued to learn about his Parkinson’s diagnosis. They took it one day at a time. Williams says “The only thing I could tell Lonnie at that time was Lonnie were gonna push him as far as we can and eventually he’s going to come back. But if we get him so far he will live long and that exactly what happened”
Williams did get a chance to say goodbye to Ali and she shares a little of what she said to him. She tells me “The last word I said to Muhammad was that he was going to go to heaven. I whispered in his ear and I was going to meet him and they would do this again.”
And still today….
Williams says “His legacy lives on.”
If you have a story about Muhammad Ali you would like to share send it to sshanklin@whas11.com.
►Contact Your Story’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see my story click the link-> https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/5-years-after-muhammad-ali-death/417-7d8da576-5081-46bd-be9e-d50f737ac8c8
The VIPP Report: Moments that Matter with Huanmei Wang
By Sherlene Shanklin
In today’s Moments that Matter, As we come to the close of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month we have learned a lot about culture, lifestyle and to learn more about our neighbors. I spoke to a JCPS teacher who helps make a child’s transition a little smoother.
Let me to introduce you to Huanmei Wang. She was born in China. Serving as an ESL teacher at Camp Taylor Elementary.
She says “I help ESL student to learn English. ESL stands for English as a second language.”
Ms. Wang as students call her explains her role and importance. She says many of the students have never been to school until they get to her.
Wang says “This program is designed especially for those who like speak a language other than English at home. A lot of students come from foreign countries and a lot of people are even refugees.”
She’s a support system for many. She tells a story of a young child born in the U.S. that went back to her country so her grandmother could care for her while her parents worked. Upon her return, Ms. Wang was an link to home. She says “That person came, she wouldn’t talk to anybody else except for me because maybe I talk maybe in her language. They say this student cant talk. Yes, she can just with me. I think I am a support for her. A person she can come too.”
Today, that young lady is a sophomore in college. Ms. Wang meets each student where they are working to get them caught up with their peers.
So when did Ms. Wang know she wanted to be a teacher? “That’s very funny (laughing) I had a dream actually. Wang you are a kindergarten teacher in that local school. I said oh really you know. I think I was meant to be a teacher.”
She literally followed her dreams. She beams so much pride and a sense of accomplishment when they learn. “When you see a student say something you teach you feel really excited aww we got it. We got it.”
Ms. Wang wanted to give fellow educators some advice on non-verbal communication. She says to try and greet them with a smile. It will go a long way. She goes on to say “God created everybody in different purposes maybe was made for that purpose. If kids like you, they will be willing to learn.”
►Contact Moments that Matter’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the story click the link > https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/jcps-esl-teacher-helps-students-cross-language-barrier/417-bdca5638-a73e-4c24-a278-6b4b66478253
The VIPP Report: DCorey Johnson’s rendition of the National Anthem is opening doors for the young star
The story and video that went viral of a nine-year old Louisville sensation with a special gift
By Sherlene M. Shanklin
Louisville, Kentucky
For the last few weeks, my story of DCorey (DC) Johnson has been truly an unbelievable journey. I was tagged on Facebook by several friends and family members because I do a segment for WHAS11 Television, ABC Affiliate in Louisville called The411. I highlight people and organizations who you normally don’t see on a newscast until I started doing it. I currently, have a new segment called “Your Story”. I thought he could talk to me about all of the attention he has received.
I watched the video of DCorey multiple times around 11:00 pm one night. Instead of going to bed I reached out to the Jefferson County Public Schools, (JCPS) public information office to see if I could get permission to go into Bates Elementary School to speak to the student and his parents.
I had to move quick because I knew this child had a gift and I wanted to be the first to speak to him. I got the interview setup and was assigned a photojournalist to assist me with the story.
Everyone that knows me, know that I’m not a morning person. So, I had a hard time going to sleep. So, as I laid there watching the clock afraid that I would oversleep for the interview. I starting thinking about different scenarios. What if the third grader is actually shy and I can’t get him to talk. So, I considered a few alternatives just in case.
Well, I hate that I worried about it because there was no need to worry about this rising star what so ever. DCorey was full of personality and at one point I just let the nine year old go. He laughed, talked and one thing we all know children speak is the truth. He had no problem explaining to me who did and did not help him on his musical journey.
DCorey gave me so much material to work with. I actually had enough for multiple stories. I was wrapping up the interview, I promised to follow the third grader on his journey.
As I drove home from the interview, I envisioned how the story would look and sound. Because of COVID-19 restrictions my photographer and I work from our homes but we had already discussed a game plan.
Once I handed off the approved script, I voiced the package. I sent it Phillip for editing. I felt great about the wording, my pacing and the interview itself. I knew Phillip would make it come to life.
Just a few hours later, we were ready for air. When the story aired on WHAS11, ABC Louisville my phone starting ringing from text messages, social media messages and people wanting to congratulate me on the story. I knew if I was getting that type of response I could only imagine what the Johnson family was getting.
I have a company that host events and someone texted me asking, “Don’t you remember in your KY Derby event that DCorey played young Michael Jackson in the tribute?” I remembered the amazing talent and I remember that a child received a standing ovation but I had not put two and two together.
As soon as I got a link to my story, I started to circulate. Within a couple of hours ABC contacted me and wanted to know who was this gifted child? Because I worked for an ABC affiliate tv stations all over the country were running my story. I have gotten calls Tennessee to Washington. The network used my video and script and made stories that aired on almost every show from World News Tonight to GMA3. I have received some of the craziest calls from professional sports venues to large scale prominent productions wanting me to help get in touch with the child’s parents.
I’m in contact with his mother and we touch base every few days so I can give her the messages and she shares with me what is happening behind the scenes. I hang up somedays saying “I’m witnessing the makings of a future star.” I cant wait to share more on DCorey.
I’ve provided a link of my story for you to review. Kentucky student singing National Anthem on PA system goes viral | whas11.com
You will be amazed if you watch other stations around the world use my wording and approach to the story. As a journalist and storyteller to see your work hit numerous media outlets and they keep its original form for three weeks is a testament to myself and Phillip’s work. Its hard to change when it was done so beautifully the first time.
Checkout some of my other stories. I think you will like my style and approach to storytelling. Articles by Sherlene M Shanklin | WHAS-TV (Louisville, KY) Journalist | Muck Rack
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The VIPP Report: Actor Hill Harper’s Financial Tour Makes A Stop In Louisville
Special from Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 ABC Louisville
The Good Doctor’s Hill Harper aka Dr. Marcus Andrews is known for giving medical advice but when he’s not on the set he’s giving guidance on how to create generational wealth.
Hill, a Brown University and Harvard graduate founded the Black Wall Street Digital Wallet which promoted financial independence and economic influence.
Hill also cofounded The Digital Financial Revolution Tour and it will make a stop in Louisville of Sunday, May 23rd from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Club Cedar, 416 South 26th Street.
The financial tour will be virtual but participants will gather at Club Cedar.
To learn more about the tour and the Black Wall Street Digital Wallet go to www.theblackwallstreet.com.
You can watch the Good Doctor’s on Mondays at 10:00 p.m. on WHAS11.
►Contact The 411’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The VIPP Report: NFL star Bilal Powell is building relationships and homes in Indiana and Kentucky
The Former University of Louisville running back says Louisville is a good place to raise his family
Sherlene M. Shanklin
Your Story: As we wait for the football season to get started. A former Cardinal and NFL star actually lives in Louisville hoping to build relationships and homes. WHAS11’s Sherlene Shanklin talks to Bilal Powell.
As Bilal Powell awaits to hear what team he will play for this NFL season he continues to build.
Homes that is…The former UofL Cardinal and NY Jets Running Back is now the co-owner of a home building company.
Powell says “I was always into real estate and my partner and I was introduced through some mutual friends. It started off a friendship and we got to talking finally realized he was a builder.”
His business partner at GreyBuilt Homes is Aaron Witt. They decided to team up to grow the business. Named after Witt’s daughter.
He says “The people I know and the people he knows we figured that we don’t have to be a small time business we can really take over the area.”
Powell me on a tour of Floyd Knobs, Indiana . He’s currently looking into opportunities to help in West Louisville. I asked the Florida native why did he decide to come back to Louisville? “Louisville is a great city you know my wife is from here. The city is so family oriented. And I was like this is a great place to raise a family.”
I had to ask the question his fans wanted to know. If a NFL team calls tomorrow would he go back? He says his magic number is 10. So he continues to work out five days a week in the morning before heading into his office. His answer, “Yes, I want to get in 10 years. Its just a personal goal for me to get in ten years. I got the opportunity to play under Ladamion Thompson and he did 10 years obviously Matt Forte’ did 10 years.”
Powell keeps up with his brothers of U of L and the Jets and some plan to team up on future projects.
“Just being an alumni of U of L, the brotherhood. I actually have other teammates they do concrete, they do all of these different things we are now starting to connect which is awesome.”
He gives some advice to those who want to be in the NFL. It’s not where you start but how you finish and he’s a true testament to that. He was drafted in the fourth round at 126. “You definitely have to have a focus and dedication. One thing about the NFL the talent margin is small. “It doesn’t matter if you come in as a first rounder or a seventh rounder or undrafted. If you work hard and do what you need to do and be consistent at what you do. You can stick around for a long time.”
I also asked Powell what legacy would he like to leave behind? He says, “I’m a guy of few words, but my actions speak louder than my words. I just want to be a guy known to be consistent, my profession, my friendship, my marriage whatever it maybe I was consistent in what I did and something like this is an opportunity to leave something like this for my kids.”
Bilal Powell hopes to build six to eight homes this year since the economy is now on the upswing. Focusing on building on both sides of the river. The free agent had nine successful seasons in the NFL to date.
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The see the WHAS11 story on Powell click the link provided https://www.whas11.com/article/features/bilal-powell-focused-on-building-homes-in-louisville/417-df751bbf-c074-432a-b06c-2839dd630e99
The VIPP Report: Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month by talking to Olympic Silver Medalist Grandmaster Hwang
Sherlene M. Shanklin
May is Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month. I spoke to a man who was born in Korea but now calls Louisville his home.
Raising a family and teaching our children the art of Taekwondo. In today’s Moments that Matter, I introduce you to Jung Oh Grandmaster Hwang.
I have seen the business & community leader many times but this was the first time I had the opportunity to sit down with him. I had so many questions and he was sincere and patient with me.
Grandmaster Hwang called me before the interview to make sure I found his studio. I told him I was just waiting outside awaiting my photojournalist to arrive. The door swings open and he came out to greet me. He stood out there with me until we were ready to begin.
As we entered Hwang’s Marital Arts we were welcomed by students. They were clapping and cheering as we entered the venue. Once we entered they gave us a demonstration of what they have learned under Hwang. His daughter Mimi was directing the students but he was off to the side giving additional instruction.
Mimi led me to his office so we could sit and talk. I had so many questions. Some of the most simple questions in Asian culture like is it disrespectful to bow when you don’t know the meaning. I have to say he was very patient with me to make sure I understood.
So, when we officially started the interview I asked him to give the pronunciation of his name.
He says “My name is Jung Oh Hwang”. He tells me where he was born. “I’m from South Korea. I come to the United States in 1987 I studied at the University of Tennessee.”
When he was in elementary school in South Korea he started learning taekwondo and judo. Leading him to the Olympics not once but twice. He missed the opportunity of a third because his country sat out. Hwang says “Seoul Korea boycotted the Olympic games so he had to wait for more years for his chance to compete.
1984 changed my life I got a silver medal at that time.”
Hwang also tells me that he was the international referee for his sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Hwang, his wife Sun and their two year daughter Mimi came to America in 1987. Eventually moving to Louisville and opening three martial arts studios in the city. He says “Louisville is my hometown. I love Louisville. Louisville is the best city. I love Louisville.”
He also loves to teach children the core values of his heritage that we all can relate to regardless of where you are from. “I wanted to give more opportunity to children to learn respect, discipline, and positive attitude. He can do, she can do, why not me? Yes I can positive attitude.”
Grandmaster Hwang believes every person should have the following: Focus, Discipline and Respect this is very very important.
In Asian culture It’s mind and body together. That’s respect. That’s for all Asians especially Marital Arts. Giving over a million dollars to charity like the Crusade for Children, and now starting his own foundation. He just wants to leave a legacy of hope.
Hwang says “I want to share my Olympic three’s. Never, never never give up. You know. Teach the generation they quickly give up. We always never, never, never give up. Yes, I can I can do it!”
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the story, click the link https://www.whas11.com/amp/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/grandmaster-hwang-teaches-his-students-respect-and-discipline-in-louisville/417-8fd30281-40c1-4b7b-8aea-9832046c7f3b
Kentucky Representative Pamela Stevenson gives a passionate testimony
By Sherlene Shanklin
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentuckians who may not have known freshman state Rep. Pamela Stevenson likely do following a heartfelt, impromptu speech given as the legislative session came to a close.
The retired Air Force Colonel and associate minister at Oak Grove Baptist Church represents District 43.
As lawmakers worked against the clock to finish bills, veto overrides and other business, Stevenson chose to speak after listening to Rep. Fugate (R-84) during a debate over the partial ban on no-knock search warrants.
“Banning no-knock warrants? That’s not the answer,” Fugate said. “Our society will never get better until we’re allowed to lift up the name of Christ in the public sector again.”
According to Stevenson, Fugate then said, “Life was good in America until 1962 when they took prayer out of the schools. God calls us to love everyone.”
She had decided she was not going to say anything because everything had been said then she heard another representative speak. She said the lawmaker is a friend and pastor but she couldn’t let the moment be lost.
“I start sitting in my seat and I get irritated because in 1962 life for African American and brown people sucked,” Stevenson said. “You could be lynched, raped, you couldn’t walk down the street, you had no freedom.”
She chose respond to the lawmaker who she considers a friend.
“You want to tell me about putting God back in schools? Well, put Christ back in Christians,” Stevenson said. “Don’t you dare ever propose to know what it’s like to be less than, what it’s like to be in a country that disowns you, what it’s like to be lynched, what it’s like to be raped, what it’s like to be a nothing.”
While trying to put her mask back on after the speech, Stevenson said she noticed a crowd beginning to grow around her.
“Other representatives started coming up to me either wanting to hug, saying they didn’t want to break the rules or ‘I want to say thank you,'” Stevenson said. “And my friend who made the statement came to me we had a great, beautiful conversation.”
Life before politics
Stevenson was born and raised in Louisville — her parents still live in her childhood home in West Louisville. She attended Shawnee and graduated from Brown High School before joining the US Air Force.
During her 27 years of service, Stevenson said she lived in 11 different countries and several parts of the United States.
“Then I switched over and became a JAG [Judge Advocate General],” Stevenson said. “So I spent most of my time in the legal world, training people, prosecuting. I was chief criminal defense attorney, negotiating contracts, running my own office and deploying to Croatia, Bosnia and Africa.”
Because she’s traveled the world, Stevenson said she understands the common thread that unites everyone.
“Whether I was In Europe, Africa, the Middle East or California, what I discovered was we all basically want the same thing,” Stevenson said. “They want their children to grow up and be better than them, they want to leave their children something and they want their life to matter.”
Now, she’s using her knowledge to represent a district stretching from Brownsboro Road to the Portland neighborhood and a portion of West Louisville.
“You can’t tell me how things are for me when you don’t know,” Stevenson said. “All people, all lives have different experiences than yours and don’t be presumptive to know you understand. Listen and ask, and then based on what they say — not what you think — come up with a solution.”
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see television of my story click the link provided -> https://www.whas11.com/article/news/politics/pamela-stevenson-louisville-rep-air-force-colonel/417-e130961a-eb46-4afc-8074-25cf1583b4a5
What do you know about Kentucky native Whitney Young Jr.?
Lincoln Institute remembers civil rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr.’s historical impact on Kentucky, nation
He’s advised presidents and even held the top post at the National Urban League. Young also had a role in the famous March on Washington more than 50 years ago.
The Lincoln Institute remembers civil rights leader Kentucky native Whitney M. Young Jr.’s and his impact on the Civil Rights Movement
By Sherlene Shanklin
SIMPSONVILLE, Ky. — Whitney M. Young Jr. had the respect of many, especially around the state of Kentucky.
He was an advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon.
Young was born on the campus of the Lincoln Institute – a boarding high school for Blacks created by trustees of Berea College after integrated education was outlawed in Kentucky in 1904 due to the Day Law.
“I am not anxious to be the loudest voice or the most popular. But I would like to think that at a crucial moment, I was an effective voice of the voiceless, an effective hope of the hopeless.”.
He served as president for the National Urban League and played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement.
“He was part of the Big 6 and how President Nixon even asked him to be part of his cabinet and he felt like he could do more for us as a race if he used his platform versus being in the cabinet,” Vivian Warren Overall, a retired community member and Lincoln Foundation board of trustee member said.
Young also helped organized the March on Washington for jobs and freedom with his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brother, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
His parents also played an important role in history.
“Whitney Young Sr. was the first African American president of Lincoln Institute certainly having his own prominence as well as Whitney Jr.’s mom was the first African American postmaster in Kentucky and second in the nation,” Paula Campbell, development director said.
The permanent exhibit in Young’s childhood home is like taking a journey to the past. Campbell said there’s so much history – not just Kentucky history but US history that’s steeped on the land.
Young died on March 11, 1971 at the age of 49.
“He was overseas in Lagos, Nigeria for a conference and had gone swimming and the story is that he drowned,” Campbell said. “Some suspect that was not the case, including his sister. He was a champion swimmer she does not believe he accidentally drowned.”
Campbell explained there are many people who believe that Young may have been one of the leaders during the movement that may have been assassinated. She said it’s something they will never know because it’s been a big mystery.
“President Nixon sent his personal jet over to bring his body back and at that time – one of the Tuskegee Airmen flew that jet now that was special,” Overall said.
Young’s funeral was held in Kentucky with thousands in attendance which included Rev. Jesse Jackson and Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott King. The eulogy was given by President Nixon.
“The funeral procession part of it came back here to the campus and circled the campus. That was his last ride,” Overall said.
What would Young think about the fight for social justice happening now?
“I think this correlation between the 1960’s and now – because all of the things he did to fight for equal rights,” Campbell said.
To see the story click the following link-> https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/black-history/whitney-m-young-jr-black-history-month-draft/417-edb48591-ade6-4b58-8a16-26bad7b8b721
►Contact The VIPP Report’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The VIPP Report: A Louisville church bouncing back after unrest in the city due to Breonna Taylor and pandemic
Little Flock Missionary Baptist Church uses their faith to motivate its members and the community they serve
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 Television, ABC Louisville
In Today’s ‘Your Story’ organizations and churches are starting to help get the COVID-19 vaccines to those in need. Even though, Little Flock Baptist Church has faced some setbacks due to their unwavering faith they press on.
In the Smoketown community sits the church on South Hancock. It’s pastor Rev. Bernard Crayton tells me of their beginnings which dates back to 1867.
Rev. Bernard Crayton “By newly freed slaves. The church was originally on Ormsby back in that time. They actually put the building on trees and rolled it here to the site on Hancock Street. It’s been a fixture in this community every since. It has a rich, rich, history.”
Growing up in Cleveland Ohio. Being a part of a family of ministers. Rev. Crayton in April 1999 moved to Louisville in hopes of becoming a pastor of his own church.
Crayton says “I never been to Louisville, I’ve been through Louisville but applied for the church Little Flock Baptist Church and when I got here, I knew this was the place I was supposed to be. It’s been a great blessing for the past 22 years.”
With COVID-19, he tells me how he’s been keeping up with his members to see how they are doing? Crayton: “People call in on the prayer line. I have anywhere from 60 something people that will call in. It’s not only my members but people from all over. I mean all over the United States.”
Dealing with the pandemic and protests in the city last summer. The pastor takes a call in the middle of the night that tried to break his spirit. He tells me what was said, “Well, that was just unbelievable. One our members passed by the church and said the church doors had been shot out and I was going, WHAT!. That was right during the time when tensions were high in the city. I just couldn’t believe, I don’t know why but I just couldn’t believe it happened to our church. When I saw where the front door windows had been shot out and bullet holes in the foyer. It really took me back. I had a lot of people not only the black community but the white community in this city. That came and wanted to do whatever they could.”
Turning to his faith, the pastor took a call from a company that wanted to fix their doors free of charge. Whichh renewed his faith. Crayton said, “Even in spite of that there are still a lot of good people in this world.”
So even though the doors of the church remain closed for services. Little Flock wanted to find a way to help. So, they will open their doors Saturday to help its members and the community. Crayton says, “Saturday we are having our own pop up clinic. We have partnered with Norton Healthcare. We have been talking reservations but walk ins will be available. Anyone who wants to come.”
Rev Crayton is trying to reassure people of color to get vaccinated. He says “It comes from those who are just not trusting the govt. Historical things that have happened. It comes from misinformation. It comes from lies. It comes from conspiracy. And we’re trying to break all that down to make sure that people of color understand how important it is especially African Americans understand how important it is to get your shot.”
People of faith have been asking for a sign and the pastor believes this is it. “If you’ve been praying to God about a healing praying this will go away. God has given us the answer. Its right there in front of us. And what you need to do is just trust him. Call in and get your shot. That’s how I see it. That’s how I really see it.”
The church is working on renewed faith that you should never give up regardless of your situation.
Crayton says “What I have tried to preach every single Sunday is HOPE.”
Ending Covid-19 ONE SHOT at a time vaccine clinic“ will be on Saturday, March 20th from 10:00am to 4:00pm at Little Flock Missionary Baptist Church located at 1030 S. Hancock Street. Walk ups are welcomed but if you would like to schedule an appointment call Delane at 502-381-2354 or Charlotte at 502-494-8411.
►Contact Your Story with Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
To see the story click the link ->
The VIPP Report: The Muhammad Ali Center announces Laura Douglas as their first Black woman interim president
By Sherlene Shanklin, Special Report with WHAS11, ABC Louisville
After nearly a decade in Louisville, Donald Lassere will leave the Muhammad Ali Center and move back to his hometown of Chicago. In his seat as president and CEO, Laura Douglas.
In ‘Your Story’ I sit down with the respected corporate leader.
To many in the community she is called the stabilizer. Because she helps corporations and non-profits maintain their business practices while stabilizing their leadership.
First, Laura Douglas did it at TARC; now she’s moving to the Muhammad Ali Center; serving as its first Black woman president. Making history in her hometown.
Douglas discusses her family and her close connection to the city. “Well, I grew up here in the Russell neighborhood. I had eight brothers and sisters. We started out at James Bond Elementary School which is now Byck. I went to Western Junior High School and to Shawnee High School.
After graduation, Douglas continued her education to become an attorney. She explained her career path. “I started out my career as a lawyer, I’m a graduate of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law and I’ve been a general counsel at several organizations and my most recent position was at LGE and I retired from there. Throughout my career I have always been a volunteer and I’ve always served on a number of boards in the community. And one of the places I invested a great deal of my board serve was here at the Muhammad Ali Center.”
As the immediate past board chair, she is now ready to get the doors of the Ali center reopened. Douglas says “Here at the Muhammad Ali Center the good news is, it’s an outstanding organization with a very impeccable national a reputation. My role is here is to keep the ship steady in the water as the board looks for a permanent CEO. I’m happy to do that”.
Douglas came out of retirement to take on this role, but i wanted to know if she planned to go back into retirement, as she shaped the next generation’s CEO’s at home. Douglas with a smile says “Yes, yes I will. I was a granny and my grandchildren kinda run my life for me.”
Douglas is excited about keeping the Ali Center moving until the national search is completed which could take up to six months. Douglas’ family is happy about her and understand the importance of the position but see what her family thinks her most important title is to them. She says “My family is proud but one thing they remind me every day, I’m just granny as far as they are concerned and I’m mom.”
June will mark the fifth anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing. The Ali Festival will honor him with his six core principles: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect and Spirituality. I asked Douglas did she expect the opportunities she’s seeing today?
She says “As a small child I know my mother and father encouraged all of us to expand our horizon and to dream big. I’m really fortunate to have the opportunity and to be able to continue to work in a community that I really love
The Muhammad Ali Center will reopen to the public on Thursday, April 1st.
This year’s Ali Festival will be June 4th to the 13th.
The Truth Be Told Temporary Exhibit has been extended to 2022.
The Muhammad Ali Center is located at 144 N. 6th Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
Contact The 411’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
To see the story click the link: https://www.whas11.com/video/news/community/louisville-native-laura-douglas-named-muhammad-ali-centers-interim-president/417-738e504a-52d4-47fb-8bdd-f03f6ffcf312
The VIPP Report: Muhammad Ali’s caregiver opens up to Sherlene Shanklin for the first time since the GOAT’s passing
Special Report from Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11, Louisville
Orginially aired on January 14, 2021
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Sunday, Muhammad Ali would have been 79.
On June 3rd, 2016 Ali passed away and thousands lined the streets of Louisville to thank the champ who was not only a boxing champion but an activist and philanthropist respected by many across the world.
For the first time, in an exclusive interview, WHAS11 talked to the person who was his childhood friend, caregiver and sister-in-law. You saw her in many photos over the years.
Now, Whas11’s Sherlene Shanklin tells you her story of the Champ you didn’t know.
Marilyn Williams says “Muhammad’s mother Odessa Clay and my mother Marguerite Williams were best friends.”
Their families were very close. As a child, she looked up to him as a big brother having no idea that years later she would call him her brother-in-law.
‘Lonnie Ali is my big sister,” Williams said.
Prior to working with family, she was a successful entrepreneur owning her own salon and then worked at the Ford Plant right here in Louisville.
So, when Lonnie was looking for someone to help with their business affairs and later assist Ali and with his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Marilyn was the perfect choice to be his caregiver while some even thought she was their bodyguard.
“I was his security because if you got close to Muhammad you were in trouble if you weren’t supposed to be there,” said Williams.
She talked to me about being a caregiver for Ali. “I knew I had to do the best I could do. I had to be the best. I had to be on it. I knew this man. I knew him ever since I was a child so I had to be on it.”
People always asked, could he speak after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s? Williams said, “Muhammad could smile, stars eyes would just sparkle and he talked a lot with his eyes, he talked with his voice, his hands. He definitely got his message across.”
Anytime ‘the Champ’ could get home he did and Marilyn shared this fond memory.
“Muhammad loved Louisville. You say Louisville if I was working and I said I was going on vacation. Where are you going? I said I’m going to Louisville. I wanna go.”
I also asked Williams could she tell me something about Ali people didn’t know. She sighs before answering–“Muhammad and Lonnie will say this too. He had a kind and loving heart. He saw nothing wrong with no one. He would be with kings and queens, presidents and then turn around and be with the poorest person on this earth or the sickest person on this earth. It didn’t matter to him. He loved all.”
To see everything happening in Louisville sometimes even along the street that bears his name and across the country how does that make you feel?
“Well I can’t actually speak for Muhammad because he can speak for himself but a few things he taught me and that was respect for all mankind. One thing I asked him, I was always asking him questions when I was younger growing up and he told me that there’s good and bad in every race and every religion. There’s good and bad,” Williams said.
The final question of the interview I had to ask what she misses the most about the GOAT?
With tears in her eyes, she responded by saying “His eyes, his kindness, his spirit, his spirit was so beautiful. To be around him he gave you energy. Even if there was a gray day outside he made the sunshine.”
I had to use the video one more time of Louisville’s own, the man who had no problem telling you “I’m still the greatest!!!”
Link to the WHAS11 story https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/muhammad-ali-caregiver-marilyn-williams-talks-greatest-of-all-time-goat-champ/417-b3ecdbeb-97b1-4062-9e01-ecf439074c89
Since the story aired on WHAS11, an ABC/Tegna affiliate here’s some of the other stations that picked up my story:
King5.com, 11Alive.com, WTHR.com, 12newsnow.com, ksdk.com, WUSA9.com, kentuckydailynews.com, firstcoastnews.com, kcentv.com, wkyc.com, wfmynews2.com, WLTX.com and MSN.com.
The VIPP Report: Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment releases latest project ‘Dream from the Edge’
STARRING MARK CURRY, BERNADETTE STANIS AND ALEXIA FAITH ROBERTS
(Los Angeles, California) As we remember the significant contributions of the past during Black History Month. In 2021, there’s businesses and people working behind the scenes to continue the legacy.
Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment, LLC is working to bring positive images from Black actors to the big screen. Their latest project, ‘Dream from the Edge’. The short film tells the story of a young girl by the name of Davina, (Alexia Faith Roberts) who tries to embrace her uniqueness. Davina sets to make it in Hollywood and follow her dreams, facing many obstacles attempting to derail her, including emotional challenges from her mother, Rose (Bernadette Stanis). It speaks to difficulties we often face in work/life balance.
Writer, Director and Executive Producer of the short film, Ericka Nicole Malone says ‘Dream from the Edge’, is more than a young Black woman following her dream but it speaks about the inclusiveness of people who may be different but they are the very people who make our society so unique. I wanted that to be reflected in this film. With the challenges Black Americans face on a daily basis I wanted to write a story that humanizes us in a very real way. I wanted to create a story where we have dreams, we thrive, we fall, we rise, so that people could understand our lives and dreams matter. Just the history alone of the actors in this film shows that Black people in entertainment have played a vital role in this industry and helped this film come to life.’
The international short film drama also stars Mark Curry and Bernadette Stanis. You’ve seen both stars’ programs that shaped the stories of Black families. Curry on ‘Hanging with Mr. Cooper’ and Stanis on ‘Good Times’. Grammy Award winning writer producer “Printz Board” co-producer/writer of super music group, The Black Eyes Peas hit “Where Is The Love” is Music Supervisor. Dreams from the Edge’ can be seen in film festivals across the world.
ERICKA NICOLE MALONE ENTERTAINMENT is a production company focused on the development, production/co-production and distribution of film, television, and animated projects nationwide. In addition to Dreams From The Edge her latest project is film “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story” starring Ledisi, Columbus Short, Janet Hubert, Keith David, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Keith Robinson.
To setup an interview, contact Sherlene Shanklin at VIPP Communications at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com. To read learn more on the Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment go to www.erickanicolemalone.com.
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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand. Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes. Contact one of our team members to see how we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com. www.vippcommunications.com
The VIPP Report: Remembering Muhammad Ali on what would have been his 79th birthday
For the FIRST time, his life-long caregiver sits down with me for more than a hour telling me things so many people have no idea about the ‘Greatest of All Time’. This is just a small portion of my interview that I wanted to share.
Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11, ABC Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Sunday, Muhammad Ali would have been 79.
On June 3rd, 2016 Ali passed away and thousands lined the streets of Louisville to thank the champ who was not only a boxing champion but an activist and philanthropist respected by many across the world.
For the first time, in an exclusive interview, WHAS11 talked to the person who was his childhood friend, caregiver and sister-in-law. You saw her in many photos over the years.
Now, Whas11’s Sherlene Shanklin tells you her story of the Champ you didn’t know.
Marilyn Williams says “Muhammad’s mother Odessa Clay and my mother Marguerite Williams were best friends.”
Their families were very close. As a child, she looked up to him as a big brother having no idea that years later she would call him her brother-in-law.
‘Lonnie Ali is my big sister,” Williams said.
Prior to working with family, she was a successful entrepreneur owning her own salon and then worked at the Ford Plant right here in Louisville.
So, when Lonnie was looking for someone to help with their business affairs and later assist Ali and with his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Marilyn was the perfect choice to be his caregiver while some even thought she was their bodyguard.
“I was his security because if you got close to Muhammad you were in trouble if you weren’t supposed to be there,” said Williams.
She talked to me about being a caregiver for Ali. “I knew I had to do the best I could do. I had to be the best. I had to be on it. I knew this man. I knew him ever since I was a child so I had to be on it.”
People always asked, could he speak after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s? Williams said, “Muhammad could smile, stars eyes would just sparkle and he talked a lot with his eyes, he talked with his voice, his hands. He definitely got his message across.”
Anytime ‘the Champ’ could get home he did and Marilyn shared this fond memory.
“Muhammad loved Louisville. You say Louisville if I was working and I said I was going on vacation. Where are you going? I said I’m going to Louisville. I wanna go.”
I also asked Williams could she tell me something about Ali people didn’t know. She sighs before answering–“Muhammad and Lonnie will say this too. He had a kind and loving heart. He saw nothing wrong with no one. He would be with kings and queens, presidents and then turn around and be with the poorest person on this earth or the sickest person on this earth. It didn’t matter to him. He loved all.”
To see everything happening in Louisville sometimes even along the street that bears his name and across the country how does that make you feel?
“Well I can’t actually speak for Muhammad because he can speak for himself but a few things he taught me and that was respect for all mankind. One thing I asked him, I was always asking him questions when I was younger growing up and he told me that there’s good and bad in every race and every religion. There’s good and bad,” Williams said.
The final question of the interview I had to ask what she misses the most about the GOAT?
With tears in her eyes, she responded by saying “His eyes, his kindness, his spirit, his spirit was so beautiful. To be around him he gave you energy. Even if there was a gray day outside he made the sunshine.”
I had to use the video one more time of Louisville’s own, the man who had no problem telling you “I’m still the greatest!!!”
Here’s the link to the story. -> https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/muhammad-alis-caregiver-marilyn-williams-talks-greatest-of-all-time-goat-champ/417-b3ecdbeb-97b1-4062-9e01-ecf439074c89
Contact Sherlene Shanklin at sherlene@sherleneshanklin.com or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
The VIPP Report: ‘Staying Strong’ in 2020 and hoping for ‘Peace & Prosperity’ in 2021
Sherlene Shanklin
December 31, 2020
What can you say about 2020? I call it the year of the ‘thick’ skin. We have endured a lot. Every generation faces the unthinkable and you wondered how did they make it? Now, we have a story to tell. Especially those of color who’ve privately faced obstacles of discrimination for many years. From being overlooked, told they were not good enough, why can’t you just work one job, you do too much, and why do you work in your community so much with no pay helping people you don’t even know.
If I ask that question, the majority of you will say ‘What I went to school for I was never given the chance to see where it could take me.’ Some will also point out that they never reached their ultimate potential and that’s why they had to utilize their skills in other ways.
Some employers hire people of color and then leave it there with no further action. Regardless, how hard you try you can never get ahead. Then you realize that you’ve wasted valuable years being faithful to someone who could care less about your progression. So, instead of letting your skillset go, you find alternatives to keep them sharp.
When protests broke out across the country especially in my city of Louisville so many individuals thought to themselves, ‘So I’m not the only one?’ Feeling like you’re facing situations alone and that became a defining moment that you’re not.
When people begin to speak out it gave those suffering in silence some hope. Even if you didn’t see them marching in the streets. There’s a lot of people in their workplace trying to change the culture even putting their careers on the line. In offices, boardrooms, and in closed door meetings people are speaking up & finally being asked their opinion. The invitation to the table will bring a long term foundation instead of a quick fix. There’s so many working behind the scenes and do not want the credit. Find your place and let’s all help make a difference.
As we head into the new year, how do we juggle our emotions? Pinned up anger while you’re still working at a high level. Its been a year of sickness, death, and heartache. While many want people to forget we have to remember how we got here so that we don’t let history repeat itself again.
The VIPP Report: One of the world’s top African American sculptors is honored by his hometown
Ed Hamilton named Louisvillian of the Year
(Louisville, KY) You’ve seen his works from The Amistad, Muhammad Ali’s steel boxing gloves both in Louisville, The African American Civil War Memorial, ‘Spirit of Freedom’ in Washington to the Unfinished March of the late Dr. Martin Luther King in Newport News. Now, the American Advertising Federation of Louisville announces that Ed Hamilton will receive the “Louisvillian of the Year” award.
Hamilton is receiving the award for his outstanding achievement and generous personal contributions in the areas of civic, educational and business. The sculptor only needed to possess only one of the three, but this talented humanitarian is a true community ambassador who works tirelessly who in turn is an inspiration to so many within Louisville and communities around the U.S. The national acclaimed sculptor gives his time and talents.
Ed Hamilton says “As a citizen of Louisville, KY, I’m proud and honored to have been chosen as the recipient of the 2020 Louisvillian of the Year award. I know I owe my success to many who saw my talent during the early years of my artistic journey.
It is in the spirit of family, parents that adopted me and are now deceased, Edward Norton and Amy Jane Camp Hamilton. They raised me to have respect for all people, the value of hard work and development of moral values. This enabled me to extend myself into the Louisville community.
To the love of my life and soul mate of 54 years of marriage, Bernadette, I seriously believe if not for her love and support, I would not be the man, the father, or the artist that I am today. How lucky I am to be alive today.
I extend blessings to all past recipients and indeed I’m in good company.”
Other works Hamilton has designed is the 16th President of the United States and Kentucky native Abraham Lincoln with the Lincoln Memorial which is located along the Ohio River in downtown Louisville. He’s known for but not limited to is The Booker T. Washington Memorial in Hampton, VA, Joe Louis Memorial in Detroit, MI, and the Amistad Memorial in New Haven, CT just to name a few of the many works you can visit around the U.S.
To learn more about Ed Hamilton and his works contact, Sherlene Shanklin with VIPP Communications for appearance and speaking engagement availability at sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.
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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand. Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes. Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com. www.vippcommunications.com
The VIPP Report 