Happy New Year From The Board Room

I want to thank each and every last one of you for supporting this blog over the past year. We've come a long way and we're about to go to an even higher level. I hope 2010 was a great year for you and I pray that 2011 is even greater. Again, I thank you and wish you all a Happy New Year.

Mod Lumpkin
Chairman of the Board

Mississippi Governor Playing Politics With The Scott Sisters

Nice try Governor, but I'm not buying it. These two women have been sitting in prison for 16 years and all of a sudden, the Governor grants them a "conditional" release. The "condition" is, one sister has to give a kidney to the other one.
MANNN PLEASE!!!!
Jamie Scott has needed a kidney transplant since the summer. Now all of a sudden you want to release them?
What has happened to give this defiant Governor a change of heart?
Is he just in the holiday spirit?
Is it the pressure being put on him by the NAACP?
Or is he trying to score some political points after putting his foot in his mouth about the KKK, Conservative Citizens Council during the Civil Rights era.

Last week, Governor Barbour said of growing up in his hometown of Yazoo City, Mississippi, "They didn't have a Klan problem." (in Mississippi.......in the 50s &60s). He said "People from the north had it wrong about the Conservative Citizens Council. The Conservative Citizens Council was a great organization of businessmen who protected it's citizens from the Klan."
Yeah, right!
The Conservative Citizens Council was a group of local businessmen who made sure that segregation was kept in tact during the 50s & 60s. They mad sure that if anyone was found to be registering people to vote, they were "dealt with". In other words, these group of men were CCC in the daytime and KKK at night.
After Gov. Barbour made the above statements, many people, including people in his own party ran from him like he had a disease or something.
The NAACP was hammering him left & right.
The natinal media was all over him.
He had to do something to get everybody to settle down.
And what does he do?
He grants the Scott sisters a "conditional" release.
He does that, thinking, "THIS should calm them down."
"THIS should show I'm not a racist."
" THIS will take the heat off of me."
 And guess what, it probably will. But make no mistake about it, THIS wasn't done because he felt it was the right thing to do. THIS was done because Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour is playing politics with the Scott sisters.

I'm glad they are going to be released but I would like to see the Governor grant them a NON-CONDITIONAL release. Something they deserved about 10 years ago!

Another Pastor In The News.......For The Wrong Reason

*taking a deep breath*
You know, I tried, I really tried to stay away from the "Pastors Gone Wild" news this year. Not because I'm afraid of judging them or anything like that. But at some point, all the piling on becomes a bit much. It amazes me how people love to talk about things like the Eddie Long scandal but never talk about the Pastors who are practicing what they're preaching. Speaking of Eddie Long......If he was so adamant about "having his day in court" to defend himself, then why in the world is he trying to settle out of court? I have a few friends who are members at New Birth and I have heard them on several ocassions call themselves "Sons of the Bishop". Man.......don't get me started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk about.
Have you guys heard about this woman out in Texas?
Her name is Pastor Sandy McGriff. She is accused of breaking into a church members house and stealing some of their stuff.
Her reason?
She claimed that she just happened to be in the area, saw two men on the side of the house, saw a broken window and decided to do something about it. So instead of calling 911, she went into the house, took a couple of fur coats and a laptop so that the crooks wouldn't steal it.
*BLANK STARE*
Ummm........ok........sure!!!!!!!!!
I've heard of some crazy excuses but this one takes the cake. Look, I don't know what's going on in this season where Pastors and leaders of churches are acting as if they aren't going to be held to a higher accountabilty for their actions. But I do know, people need to really examine who they sit up under. I understand, everybody has a past and everybody makes mistakes, but this has got to stop, soon.

Good Morning!

Soooo........How was your Christmas?
Did you eat enough?
Get snowed in?
Had unexpected company that got on your nerves and didn't want to leave your house regardless of how many hints you dropped?
Ok.....Ok......settling down.
Man, there's been all kinds of stuff going on since we last met.
Teena Marie passed, TEENA MARIE PASSED!!!!
I used to love me some Teena Marie!!!
*singing*
I'm talking Square Biz to you baby.....Square, Square Biz!
My bad, I almost forgot I couldn't sing.
Got any big plans for 2011?
I know I do!
This year has been a year of construction for your boy.
I've been focused on building some things: a career, a new relationship, writing this book.
Hey, let me tell you something, this project that I'm working on has really tested my patience. But I know, that the end result will be well worth it. I'm not going to give much detail. All I will tell you is to expect the unexpected.
It's been in the works for a minute and I can finally see the finish line.
And no.......I'm not writing a Steve Harvey type of book (by the way, I still haven't picked up his latest book yet, but I will.)
Hmmmmm........I think that's all I wanted to say.
I think I'll post a few blogs now.....lol!

Merry Christmas From The Board Room

There will be no meetings in The Board Room for the remainder of the week. I pray everyone has a safe and wonderful week. If for some reason you don't get what you WANT this Christmas. Just remember, you already have everything you NEED.
Merry CHRISTmas!

A Secession Ball ? Seriously South Carolina ?

This is one of those rare occasions where I am speechless.
A Secession Ball??
For what?
Why?
What are you celebrating??
The fact that your state was so determined to have slaves that you suceeded from the Union?
I don't get it!
Has this what we've come to in this country?
Is this what Conservatives mean by "taking their country back"?
Is this where they want to take it back to?
Did the election of Barack Obama cause you to resurrect "The South Shall Rise Again" slogan?
I know it's a tough pill to swallow.
Someone who doesn't look like you can become President.
I know that threw you for a loop.
But THIS-THIS is ridiculous!
The NAACP is planning a protest, and that is fine.
But the way to let the "good people of South Carolina" know that this is unacceptable, is to hit them in their pocketbook.
I wish people would stop visiting the state.
I wish......I WISH.....football recruits would boycott attending any universities in the state.
I wish artist wouldn't do concerts or shows in the state.
I wish those type of things were done to make these people understand, they can not function as a state without the help of black people.
Ok, I'm running out of things to say!
Well, not really!
I'm running out of constructive things to say!
So I'll just keep quiet (for now).

Spoken Word Sunday Night

Sunday Morning Praise & Inspiration

Neo Soul Saturdays In The Board Room

Say It Ain't So Keri Hilson

I first heard of Keri Hilson a few years back on Timberland's debut album, Shock Treatment. Man, that album (CD) was off the chain. Since then, Ms. Hilson has done her thang on the music scene. Everytime I've seen her in a magazine or on an awards show, she has looked very classy and sexy too, if I may add.(picture on the right).
BUT NOW.....................
I don't know WHAT she's doing!
Now, Ms. Hilson has opted for a new look. She has,what the music industry likes to say "added an edge" to her image.(picture on the left). Her latest video had the internet buzzing because of it's sexual nature. Not that videos with sexual overtones are anything new, but it just didn't seem to fit Ms. Hilson.
This may have been Ms. Hilson's true image all along, but I don't like it. Maybe a few years ago when I was younger that may appeal to me but not now. Personally, I'm tired of attractive singers adding "a sexy edge" to their image to sell a few more records. That may help you short term, but your TALENT is what will sustain a career.
Thank God for the Jill Scott(s), Leela James(s), and Ledisi(s) of the world. They may not flaunt their sexiness all over the place, but to me, as a man, that's what makes them sexy.
Plus, "Dem guhls can sang shawty" (said in my Birmingham, Al. dirty south voice).

I hope somebody gets in Keri Hilson's ear before she commits career suicide and become just another cute face with a nice body trying to imitate a real artist.

Old School Friday Night

My favorite group in the entire world!

Conservatives & White Supremacist Groups Boycotting Idris Elba's Role In Movie

I know, I know........some of you are looking at the title and trying to figure out the difference between a Conservative and a White Supremacist. We'll get to that another time.
Has anyone ever heard of the movie Thor?
Is anyone familiar with Thor?
Don't feel bad, I had never heard of it either.
Thor is a comic book movie about a Norse God, Heimdall, a mythical character from an early German tribe from way back, like the 9th century or something. (that's what the thang said when I pulled it up).
Well, some Conservatives are upset because Idris Elba, a black man, got the role. These people are actually calling for a boycott of the movie.The Council of Conservative Citizens and other crazies like the tea party folks are calling this, affirmative action gone wild.
I guess the shoe doesn't feel so good on the other foot. For YEARS we as black people have had to watch shows with an all white cast. You never heard us talking about boycotting a movie because the character should be black.
Besides, it's a MYTHICAL character!!!!!!!!
CALM DOWN!!!!!
It's not like someone did a movie about the bible and decided to cast Morgan Freeman as Jesus. THEN I could understand why you would be upset.
Although Morgan Freeman is closer to the TRUE physical description of Jesus than that red haired man hanging on most people's wall.
(Revelation 1:14-15)

He's Out On Bail!

I'm kind of cautious about even discussing this story, so I'll be brief. The guy that released some documents that were leaked to him was granted bail this morning. Not exactly sure what this means but I don't think it's good for the U.S. government. This man has already said if he is arrested or something happens to him, all he has to do is hit a button or type in a code or something and he can mess up computer systems all over the world. Doesn't this sound like some Jason Bourne, James Bond type stuff? If this was a movie I would be glued to the screen. But since it's not, I'll limit my words for fear of being targeted. Laugh if you want to, but I'm serious!
I have a question though. What's worst, this man releasing documents or Fox "news" creating an atmosphere of hate surrounding the President of The United States?

Another Senseless Murder

This one comes from Sacramento, California where Monique Nelson, a 30 year old single mother was killed by a stray bullet outside a strip mall. Monique had just loaded her 2 year old son into his car seat when shots rang out. Monique was struck in the chest and killed instantly. Six other people were shot (all males) when two cowards walked into Fly Cuts & Styles and opened fire. Not sure if Monique was struck by the gunmen who stormed the barber shop or the owners of the barber shot shooting at the two cowards. But at this point, it doesn't matter. Another family has lost a daughter, a son has lost his mother and we have witnessed Another Senseless Murder.

Oh No........Not Another Season Of THIS Mess!

Last night marked the return of the trainwreck known as Basketball Wives on VH-1. 
Quick question: Why is it called "Basketball Wives" and none of these women are actually married?
Well I take that back, one of them is married but she sees her husband when he wants her to see him.
Is it me or is this the new norm for black women on television?
This mixed with the Real Housewives of Atlanta have set black women back 20 years. At least that's what this older black woman said on a radio show today.
Is this what black women have to do to get a "meaningful" role on television?
See who can become the biggest drama queen?
Shaunie O'Neal has tens of millions of dollars at her disposal and this is what she decides to put her name behind?
I guess when you live in a world as shallow and as fake as Basketball "Wives" do, we shouldn't expect anything more.
Millions of people will tune in to watch this mess this season. Sad thing about it, many of those people are young girls who have the false impression that THIS is the good life.

Steve Harvey's New Book

I wasn't a big fan of Steve Harvey's first book. Not really sure why, considering I didn't read one single page. I guess it was because I had a closed mind, or maybe I just thought of Steve Harvey as a comedian.The title didn't appeal to me either.
 "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man"
I recall thinking to myself, "Here goes another brotha throwing men under the bus to(fill in the blank)___________
Sell a book!(Steve Harvey)
Lure folks to go see his movie! (Tyler Perry)
Get people to tune to his radio show! (Michael Baisden)
I've since changed my mind on Steve Harvey and Tyler Perry but Michael Baisden is another story.
*detour*
How many shows can you do on "I Caught My Man With Another Woman" or "Black Men Can't Handle A Real Woman" or "Pimps In The Pulpit"? That last one drives me nuts! Seriously, it's like that dude hates anything having to do with God and religion. Does he not realize that God is the one who gave him his platform? Yet he use it to criticize people for believing in prayer and call people who tithe "stupid"? He better be careful before God takes that platform and give it to a 5'8 155 lbs light skinned dude with freckles, who has a swagger like TI and a nonchalant, bold attitude like Kanye, who DESIRES to glorify God and uplift his people (in that order).
*back to the blog*
The other day, I was taking my weekly stroll around my local Books-A-Million and saw Steve Harvey's new book all over the place. I couldn't help myself, I picked up a copy and to my surprise, I couldn't put it down. From THE FEW PAGES I read, it wasn't the male bashing directory I thought it would be. It made a lot of since and really was aimed at the responsibilities of a man rather than his short-comings. As I walked out of the book store I started to wonder why Steve had changed his stance, why he went in a different direction than his previous book.
Why did I dislike the concept of his first book but seemed to appreciate the second book. Then it hit me, maybe the problem wasn't the book.
Maybe the problem was ME! 
Maybe I was so caught up into the "anti-male bashing movement" that I couldn't see the only person doing the male bashing was ME!
I'll be picking up a copy of Steve's latest book and I'll tell you what I think once I finish reading it.

What's Up Board of Directors!

I've been out of comission for an entire week (thanks to a virus on my laptop), but I'm back!
So what's been up?
What's been on your mind?
 I'm sure there are plenty of things you want to talk about, plenty of things you want to discuss.
This whole wiki......well I won't even type the words on my laptop. From what I've read, just typing the words can cause you to get connected to a network that automatically hacks into your computer.
Not sure how true it is, but after the week I had, I'm not taking any chances.

What was up with the President this week?
Looks like he caved to the GOP. Oh, my bad, COMPROMISED, whatever you want to call it, HE CAVED!
Then he invited a former President to come and explain to the American people why he did it. I told someone the other day when President Clinton was standing at the podium that "this is the day President Obama became a one term President."
I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt. Not only do I think he will be a one termer, but he will probably end up getting a Democratic challenger.
If that happens, can you say President Palin? ME EITHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, it felt strange just typing those two words together. But if the President doesn't start calling the GOP bluff on some issues, who knows what may happen because Democrats (self included) is starting to feel like the President doesn't understand how to fight politically.
Speaking of Sarah Palin,
Did you see where she took a trip to Haiti and FOX "NEWS" was there to interview her?
Can you say, PR stunt!?
Oh and I touched on this briefly last week, but why is Keri Hilson "going in a different direction" as her management team calls it.
I guess sex sells! (to the shallow)
Anyway, just wanted to type "something" on this page since it's been dead for a week.
Got a lot of stuff I need to get off of my chest. So hold on and stay tuned for what promises to be an interesting week in The Board Room.

Thanks again for your support and PLEASE spread the word.

The movement is about to start.

Let's Get It!

Sincerly,
The Chairman of The Board
Mod Lumpkin

The Board Room Praise & Inspiration

The Board Room Jam Of The Week

Been out of pocket for a minute but I'm back in the building now. Has anyone seen the new Keri Hilson video? You haven't? Sorry, you won't see it here either. We support REAL music and REAL artists here in THE BOARD ROOM. It's sad when an artist has to sell sex to sell records. Anyway, enjoy this jam from my girl Chrisette Michele.

The Cabrini Green Syndrome

A federal judge had to order 12 remaining families to evacuate the Cabrini Green housing projects that are being torn down. They refused to leave the building that has been deemed unsafe, unhealthy and a financial burden to the city and it's residents. When I read this, something clicked in my mind.
"A federal judge had to MAKE people leave a place that is being torn down."
Isn't this kinda of ironic when it comes to people who live in areas such as Cabrini Green? No offense to those people but many people grow up in this environment and have children. Their children grow up in this environment and have children. Then THEY grow up in this environment and have children. Pretty soon, you have three generations of one family that grow up in an area like Cabrini Green, a place where there is no hope and no signs of prosperity. When that happens what has been created is a "this is the way things are" type of mentality, where people don't think they can do better or deserve better.
Of course I'm not painting every one of these folks with a broad brush but you know as well as I do that many people get settled and don't make an effort to try and better their lives. They're content with where they are and the only way to get them out of that place physically and mentality is for something to happen that forces them to leave.
But sometimes even when they are forced to leave (that place or mentality), they are still content with being stuck there.
It's like an old hip hop song by one of my old favorite groups, Mobb Deep. There's a line in their song "Survival of the Fit", where they proclaim:
"No matter how much loot I get I'm staying in the projects.....FOREVER".
THAT type of thinking is one of the major problems we as a people have to deal with......being MENTALLY stuck in a place that we are PHYSICALLY able to leave.
Thus, the Cabrini Green Syndrome!

University of Colorado Could Hire A Black Football Coach......Because He's Black?

Washington Redskins assistant coach Jon Embree was reportedly offered the University of Colorado head coaching job. Former head coach Bill McCartney was also named as a candidate and that's where things got interesting. McCartney told members of the press that his name was removed from consideration because the university wanted to hire a "black" coach. Now, the University of Colorado has said they're still interviewing other coaches for the job. It sounds like McCartney is saying that's the reason they didn't re-hire him as head coach. Maybe they didn't want to hire McCartney because he's 73 years old. Maybe they wanted to hire Embree because he is younger and a better fit for the job. Sure, there were other candidates who were more quailified, but Embree played at Colorado and knows the area which helps in recruiting.

Why is it when a black candidate gets a job over a white candidate, that person always cry affirmative action?
Why is it when a white candidate gets a job over a black candidate, that person always cry racism?

Those are legitimate questions in the real world, but in college football it's different. Out of 119 Division one college football programs there are only 3 head football coaches and one of them, Randy Shannon, just got fired so that only leaves 2.
If the University of Colorado wants to hire this coach because he is black, does that mean that the other college football programs hire white coaches because they're white?
Just something to think about!