Guest columists
“In Gratitude” The year 2022 has come to an end. Indeed, it's had its share of challenges; however, it's also had blessings. As an independent novelist and columnist at this stage of my life, I have much to be grateful. First, I give honor and thanks to God for this gift of writing. Truly, our [...]
“December 1, 1955” In this day and age, we remember December 1 as World AIDS Day. Even with the medical advances in treating HIV and AIDS, it still impacts people around the globe, particularly people of color. In the height of the fear, ignorance, and paranoia of the 1980s, I attended more funerals than I [...]
By the time Clyde McPhatter crossed the line from being a gospel performer with The Lebanon Singers, he was a seasoned, standout voice with a unique delivery and a stage presence that captivated audiences. Clyde Lensley McPhatter was born on November 15, 1932, to Rev. George McPhatter and his wife, Eva, in the Hayti community of Durham, North Carolina. [...]
“Role Reversal” As men of a certain age, especially if we are fathers, we are reminded that being a parent never stops. Sure, my son is 22 and a young adult, but I’m still a dad. I may take a step back, but I’ll always be a dad. Yes, I’m at the age where grandchildren [...]
“The Seeker” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley James Richmond Barthé was born in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to Richmond Barthé and Marie Clementine Robateau. When James was just a few months old, his father passed away at 22, leaving his mother, a dressmaker, to raise him alone. Before Barthé began elementary school, she married William Franklin, and in time [...]
“Roscoe Lee Browne: A Master Class in Cerebral Eloquence” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley Roscoe Lee Browne was born in Woodbury, New Jersey. Conflicting reports have stated 1922 and 1925, but in an interview with Camille Cosby, he stated, “I was born, Camille, so they say, May 2, 1922, in Woodbury, New Jersey." The fourth son [...]
“Reunion and Remembrance” Over this past weekend, my high school class celebrated our 50th reunion, which was delayed due to COVID. Yep, 50. At the time we graduated, turning 70 was such a foreign concept. But now that we’re here, well… I missed so many of my reunions, mainly because I moved out of state. [...]
“Billy Wright: Prince of the Blues” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley In nature, we often hear the thunder before the lightning strikes, yet both can be powerful--and even frightening. Such was the case with Little Richard, the iconic and influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. The forerunner to that very well-known entertainer was the [...]
“To Thine Own Self: It’s in His Kiss” Hey, Pride Month is here. Darrell Edwards and Cesare Morelli-Montgomery, the main characters in my upcoming male/male romance novel, To Thine Own Self, have been nudging me to share a little more spice in their story before the book is released. For those of us of a certain age, [...]
“School Daze” Recently, a group of my classmates was in a meeting, planning for our 50th high school class reunion. As we reminisced, the subject turned to high school crushes. For the first time, without naming names, I shared my own crush. To a certain extent, times have changed due to the greater visibility of [...]
“Piano in the Background” Guest Writer: Bishop Hartsel Clifton Shirley Aaron Bridgers was once called one of the “last remaining links with the sophisticated, elegant musical world of Duke Ellington and his collaborator Billy Strayhorn.” Sophisticated and elegant he was. Born January 10, 1918, in Winston-Salem, Bridgers grew up studying classical piano, having an affinity for French [...]
“To Thine Own Self: Darrell Lives His Truth” For all of you who have been following my column, you have seen both the book cover and read an excerpt of To Thine Own Self, to be released later this year. As we LGBT/SGL brothas know, coming out isn’t a finite event. It is an ongoing process, as [...]
