Editor’s Edict:

Hello, my lovely readers! It has been a while, no? My boyfriend likes to remind me of the teachings of The Secret and to “Be in an attitude of gratitude…!” I am a fairly positive thinker, yet, sometimes I struggle with this Polly-Anna push and working on the Brown Betties Gazette is not immune to my feelings of not-so-attitudy-in-gratitudy. I get upset that I can’t keep up with my self-developed publishing schedule and as a result, feel negative about my accomplishments, when I should be thrilled.

I started this Gazette one year ago because I love writing, I love celebrating the accomplishments of other women, and I love my show, “Harlem’s Night Cabaret” performed by the Brown Betties. Funny, and here is how The Secret works, because as I write, I now feel a warm glow of attitude of gratitude spreading in my heart-n-soul like yummy honey because I do have joy and I know I’m lucky to be able to do what I love. SO, I (we) will CELEBRATE this new issue! Who has time to read in May, June or July anyway? :) We’re human; life happens; I’m busy; you’re busy…so there you have it. I’m happy to present the August issue of the Brown Betties Gazette and I’m thrilled you’re reading it!

This issue inadvertently became themed around family. My friend and actor LeShay Tomlinson Boyce became married and inherited more than just a husband in the union. Her perspective on juggling family and still striving to reach her dreams and goals made her the August Brown Bettie! In “Two Sides to Every Love Story”, Sidney Gaskins reveals the love she found in adopting her son. On a side note, take a moment to peek at my sister-in-law's new blog, “I am Brown Girl Speaks”…she offers stuff on family livin'. My niece is pictured there too and she’s lovely! To fuel your joy, we offer Tene’ Carter’s beautiful poem for the “In My Solitude” feature section and we introduce “The New Haiku” section which will highlight Tanya Alexander’s original Haikus; be sure to treat your ears and soul to her newly dropped spoken word album, “Pieces of Tanya”. It’s the hotness…and I’m not just saying that because she is the fabulous director of our Cabaret.

Lastly, I could only shake my head as I first gasped, then giggled, and began to nod in strange agreement when I read my mom’s submission for her “Momma Said” feature on her proposed unconventional use of prunes …I imagine you’ll have a similar reaction. When you recover, there’s more of the fiction installments of "Harlem's Awakening"...the back story to Harlem & Joe of “Harlem’s Night Cabaret” for you to consume. As always, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And don’t forget to visit www.brownbetties.com for more on Brown Betties of Harlem’s Night Cabaret! If you have any comments, feel free to hit me up at brownbettiesgazette@yahoo.com

xo
The Hot One

A Brown Bettie Becomes Her Dream

by Peppur Chambers

LeShay ("Mad Energy") Tomlinson Boyce
Actor. Newlywed. Bonus Momma

Miss LeShay and I met years ago in Chicago's former upscale hot spot, the Shark Bar where she was a waitress--rather, I'd like to say she was the self-appointed "Maitre'D Mamma-Hostess With The Mostess" of a grand par-tay. Were it not for her required server uniform, I imagine LeShay would have worked the deep mahogany room in a crisp, white Dior party dress with a dry martini in one hand and a delicate mini-quiche in the other...all while graciously smiling at her guests like Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island. Most times, LeShay was the primary reason my crew and I would return night after night because she made me feel so welcome. LeShay was also one of the first of my Chicago friends to declare that she was moving to LA to act in film. I remember thinking, "Wow! For real?" I, myself, was headed to New York to sing, but to act in LA...now that was somethin'. Today, LeShay, a native of Queens, NY and an eight-year transplant to Los Angeles is a working actor and a newlywed which not only elevated her status to that of "Mrs.", but also placed her on a new throne of motherhood. Even with all these titles that bring on a new set of responsibilities and demands, she remains as gracious and talented as ever. Recently I saw her on stage at the Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) Storyteller Competition where she acted in a scene from Derek Lively's finalist screenplay, "The Nigga", about an out-of-work Shakespearean actor who transforms into a gangsta rapper and becomes a star. While playing a grounded, yet sassy, strong-willed executive who'd been wrongly accused, her graciousness towards the other actor, David Bianchi, as well as the command of her craft had the audience suspended on her every word. (As a result, this screenplay also won the competition!)

Ultimately, Mrs. LeShay Tomlinson Boyce knows how to ENTERTAIN and anyone that knows her, whether professionally or socially, will say the same.

LeShay, I've been wondering something: I tend to pronounce your name Lah-Shay and sometimes I hear you see Lee-Shay. Which is it, please?
It’s technically LeeeeeShay. That’s the name my mother gave me– when I started school my teachers would add the jazzy French pronunciation Lahchez, and I didn’t bother to correct them because I liked that too. LeeeShay is reserved for family.

As actors, we are constantly being defined, undefined, redefined...How do you define yourself these days? If at all?
For the first time in my career, I’m not defining myself as just an Actor. Which is really a nice change – I’m now a real grown up, with responsibilities – it’s really something. So now I define myself as a GAW – a GROWN ASS WOMAN!

What's your next project?
Well now that my former employer’s been acquitted of all charges, maybe “KATHY” from ‘Trapped in the Closet’ will appear in Chapters 50 – 100 of the next installment. :)
KIDDING.

But seriously, I currently have two AFI (American Film Institute) films traveling the festival circuit, the comedy “The Lutheran” and the drama “Stitches”.

What is your biggest dream?
Receiving the Tony Award for my 1 Woman Show on Broadway directed by Meryl Streep.

Do you have any re-occurring dreams? If so, tell us! If not, why do you think that is?

YES! It’s the one where I start chewing a piece of gum that gets bigger and bigger, and every time I try to pull it out, there’s more and more gum in my mouth. I think it means, I have a lot to say and I NEED TO JUST SPIT IT OUT!

What scared you today - literally or figuratively?
The thought of my in-laws coming.

In my opinion, you are a person that creates synergies --whether you are making your famous tuna salad or whether you are on the big screen. How do you maintain this mad energy?

Wow. Thank you. Actually it’s genetic. And God on the inside of me.

You were married recently in Mexico to a wonderful man. Do you remember the day? If so, what stood out the most for you?
The overwhelming feeling of Joy –It was the happiest I’ve ever felt.

I became a stepchild around the same age as your "new kids"; what's the best thing you have learned from them so far?
And I like to say “Bonus”, instead of Step – Step sounds so……not positive.
So you ask, what’s the best thing I’ve learned from my bonus children……PATIENCE.

What advice would you give your step-daughter as she grows to become her own Brown Bettie?
Wait.
Don’t rush in to anything….Think before you act.
And don’t call/text him, if he likes you give him the opportunity to pursue you.

There's a classic Peanuts book titled, "Happiness Is A Warm Puppy" (Charles Schulz' first book). It sites random stuff that makes a person happy, like, "Happiness is a blank piece of paper". Fill in the blank.

"Happiness Is FORGIVENESS."

http://www.leshayonline.com/

Two Sides to Every Love Story
By Sidney Gaskins

Most little girls, as they are growing up, dream of the white picket fence, the husband, and having two children. That is not my story. My Love Story began when I saw a little boy at a foster home in October of 2000. When I tell people about meeting him, it sounds like a made-for-television drama.

The winter began to set in on Cleveland, Ohio; I worked in the Department of Children and Family Services as a social worker. My first children to visit were two girls placed in a foster home. Single, college graduate, no children, those were my basic stats. As I sat on the couch of the foster parents’ home, a tiny boy hid behind the curtains playing peek-a-boo with me and laughing. Soon after his antics with the curtains, he crawled up on the couch, sat next to me, and just looked at me. He moved closer, and then closer, eventually he was on my lap. In a moment of freedom I said, “I’m gonna take you home with me.” There came a day when his foster mother told me he was available for adoption. My heart stopped and I got worried that I would never know how he was or what happened to him. So, I made the choice to adopt him. Single, college graduate, no children, those were my basic stats. Little did I know that day would be a day to chance two lives.

Jamil officially became my son in March of 2003 at the age of 3 years old and the Love Story is still being written. Adoption to me is no different than having a natural child. I question my fitness as a parent, whether I made the “right” decision. And there were times, and still are, when I thought he would be better off with someone else. He would have two parents, a house, a yard, a dog (like he begs me to get), and other siblings in the home (like he begs me to get). And were it not for the support of other family and friends, we would not have made it this far. He is what I live for now. He is the Love of my Life.

I received a call from my sister in California, whom he stays with for part of the summer. He is now nine years old and was asking about his birth Mother. I became worried. She had probed him on what he would change about his life and he said, “nothing”. He expressed that he loves me, he is happy to be adopted, and he would not change that at all. Neither would I.

Still single, still a college graduate, one child, those are my basic stats. Little did I know that day would be a day to chance two lives. That is my Love Story.

Sidney Gakins, Personal and Business Developer/Consultant/Coach, operates Enterprising Life in metropolitan Atlanta, GA. Enterprising Life encourages individuals and businesses to look outside of the box to unleash their dreams and achieve success. Services include exclusive personal & family sessions, executive and management coaching, staff development, and group coaching. For more information visit: www.EnterprisingLife.com or call 678.886.3174 . Are you thinking of adopting? Contact your local social services agency, Adopt America Network www.adoptamericanetwork.org and the National Adoption Center www.adopt.org .

In My Solitude

Spring Love
by Tene' Carter

A New Year
A New Frontier
Fresh Spring Love
Wondering, discovering
Enlightening each other with our fantasies
Holding of hands,
Sheltering Fears
And tears
Wiped Away:
Moments
In
Love

T.C.M.

The New Haiku
Each month we'll feature a New Haiku from
Tanya Alexander, poet and director of Harlem’s Night Cabaret

Haiku #2

Sun down, full moon night.
Streetlights hum and beckon forth.
Chrildren's theatre.

Get Tanya's new spoken word album, "Pieces of Tanya", on Itunes or CD Baby. Some soothing samples are here: