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Tag: ELEVATE

  • Mona Love on Colorism, Fame, and a Life-Changing Prayer

    Comedian Mona Love, also known by her viral moniker “Don’t Call Me White Girl,” recently sat down for a candid conversation on “The Morning Hustle.” She opened up about navigating identity, dealing with public criticism, and the profound impact of a single prayer that shifted her life’s trajectory.

    Addressing Colorism and Identity

    Mona Love brought her signature candor and humor to the interview, addressing complex topics like colorism within the Black community. As a light-skinned Black woman, she pushed back against the assumption that her complexion made life easier, sharing that she faced bullying growing up. “I love being a black woman,” she affirmed, highlighting the tensions colorism can create.

    Her appearance also touched on the intense backlash she received after a photo with Dr. Umar Johnson went viral. Mona Love explained the context of the appearance, noting that Dr. Johnson was aware of the potential criticism. She suggested that this intense public reaction underscored how quickly opinions can become personal attacks.

    From Prayer to Viral Fame

    Mona Love revealed that her first major viral moment occurred during a challenging transitional period in her life. At her lowest point, she turned to prayer, asking for a sign. That moment led to a Facebook post that garnered 3.5 million views, dramatically altering her life and career path.

    The comedian also revisited her public disagreement with fellow comedian Jess Hilarious. Mona Love attributed their fallout to significant differences regarding LGBTQ+ issues, expressing disappointment in what she described as harmful views and emphasizing the importance of allyship.

    Growth Through Challenges

    Further discussing her journey, Mona Love spoke about her experience joining the intense audience of the Joe Budden Podcast. Despite initial concerns about adjusting to the show’s demanding fan base, she found the experience to be a valuable opportunity for personal growth.

    Closing out the interview, Mona Love reaffirmed her deep passion for stand-up comedy. She emphasized that performing live remains the core of her future endeavors, signaling her continued dedication to the art form.

    What are your thoughts on Mona Love’s insights into colorism and her journey? Have you experienced a moment where prayer significantly changed your path? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • Erica & Warryn Campbell Renew Vows After 25 Years

    Love, faith, and commitment truly stand the test of time! Gospel superstar Erica Campbell and her husband, producer and pastor Warryn Campbell, recently celebrated a monumental milestone: 25 years of marriage. And how did they mark this incredible occasion? By reaffirming their commitment with a beautiful vow renewal ceremony!

    A Testament to Enduring Love

    The heartfelt ceremony took place on May 16th at their spiritual home, the California Worship Center in San Fernando, California. Surrounded by family, friends, and over 600 guests, the event was more than just a renewal of vows; it was a powerful testimony to perseverance, grace, and enduring love after a quarter-century together.

    Erica and Warryn, who originally tied the knot in 2001, have openly shared the joys and challenges of their marriage, from navigating ministry and music to parenting and public life. Their journey together is an inspiration, proving that lasting love requires daily effort.

    A Star-Studded Celebration

    Erica looked absolutely radiant in a custom beaded mermaid gown designed by Nigerian bridal designer Nneka C. Alexander of Brides by NoNA. The celebration was further elevated by the presence of notable guests, including music legends Stevie Wonder and PJ Morton, adding an extra layer of magic to the unforgettable evening.

    The soundtrack for the night was a reflection of the couple’s journey, featuring songs tied to meaningful moments throughout their relationship. It was a beautiful way to honor their shared history and the love that continues to grow.

    Lasting love does not happen by accident. It requires faith, forgiveness, growth, and the decision to keep showing up for one another every single day. — MadameNoire

    As Erica and Warryn celebrate 25 years, their vow renewal serves as a powerful reminder that true partnership is built on a foundation of faith, forgiveness, and a daily commitment to each other. Congratulations to the happy couple!

    What are your thoughts on Erica and Warryn Campbell’s vow renewal? Share your well wishes in the comments below!

  • Unlearning Church Rules on Sex & Sensuality

    For many raised in the church, the message was clear: sex is sacred, reserved for marriage, and best kept quiet. But what happens when you reach that sacred destination and find that enjoying intimacy still feels taboo? This piece explores the journey of unlearning restrictive church teachings about sex and sensuality, and reclaiming pleasure as a vital part of faith and self.

    From Aspiration to Disruption: Visible Christian Intimacy

    The author recalls watching Erica Campbell’s wedding as a teenager, seeing her as the epitome of a “saved Black woman doing things the right way.” Over time, Campbell’s openness about her active sex life with her husband, her embrace of her curves, and her sensuality have been disruptive. For those raised in similar environments, this candidness challenges the ingrained notion that faith and open enjoyment of sexuality are incompatible.

    Millennials often lacked visible examples of Christian couples who openly enjoyed their intimacy while remaining deeply faithful. Couples like KevOnStage and Melissa Fredericks, or younger pairs like Jayla and Tony Henry, are now expanding this visibility by speaking candidly about attraction, sex, and the effort required to maintain connection. This provides a glimpse into a reality often left unspoken.

    The Legacy of Purity Culture

    Growing up, the messaging around sex was often about avoidance and suppression, not about understanding desire as something sacred or connected to worship. Even seemingly subtle acknowledgments, like T.D. Jakes’ ‘Sacred Love Songs’ CD, existed in a realm of hushed knowledge, reinforcing that intimacy should remain tucked away.

    The author recounts a high school sermon titled “The Best Sex of Your Life,” which offered a clarifying perspective: sex within marriage, free from shame and fear, would be the most fulfilling. This contrasted sharply with the prevailing message that sex was simply something to be avoided and that one’s body needed to be managed, often with the male gaze in mind. Verses about modesty were frequently used to police women’s bodies, often misconstrued from their original context addressing wealth and status.

    Reclaiming Agency and Pleasure

    LuzCelenia Arce describes how ‘sexy’ was often treated as a threat within Christian circles, both to male purity and women’s own. This indoctrination can lead to struggles with self-esteem and a disconnect from one’s body. The theology often centered male pleasure, leaving women unsure of their own needs and desires, or believing sex ends when their partner’s does.

    Arce points out that this doctrine also impacts men, teaching them that women’s bodies are triggers for inevitable urges, rather than fostering responsibility for their own gaze. This creates a confusing dynamic where sexual women are deemed immoral, yet the “good” Christian wife is expected to be un-sexual. Many were taught premarital sex was sinful, a framing challenged by scholars who note the original text may refer to prostitution rather than consensual premarital intimacy.

    The author’s own journey, marked by divorce, led to a process of deprogramming, decentering the male gaze, and decolonizing her thinking. Reclaiming her sensuality began with simple acts, like taking boudoir photos for herself, realizing she could feel sexy without needing an audience. This personal redefinition of ‘sexy’ involves embracing her body’s legacy, honoring her desires, and experiencing pleasure without shame.

    Ultimately, the piece argues that if the church encourages waiting for marriage, it must also prepare individuals for the intimacy that follows. This includes teaching self-awareness, embracing sexuality, and fostering mutual responsibility rather than solely enforcing restraint. True healing, Arce suggests, begins with coming back into one’s own body.

    How have your experiences shaped your views on sex, faith, and sensuality? Share your thoughts and journey in the comments below!

  • Usher Approves Aaron Cole Sample of ‘You Make Me Wanna’

    Talk about a dream collaboration! Christian Hip-Hop artist Aaron Cole has received the ultimate co-sign from R&B superstar Usher himself. Cole’s new track, ‘Usher In The Spirit,’ which creatively samples Usher’s 1997 classic ‘You Make Me Wanna,’ has officially gotten the legendary singer’s approval.

    From Viral TikTok to Official Release

    The journey of ‘Usher In The Spirit’ is a testament to the power of social media. Cole shared a video of his gospel-infused flip of the iconic R&B track on TikTok, and it quickly gained viral traction. What started as a creative experiment soon caught the attention of influential figures in the music industry.

    According to Cole, several gospel music legends played a role in bringing the video to Usher’s attention. These influential figures reached out to Usher, sharing the clip and praising Cole’s talent. This led to Usher reaching out directly to Cole via DM, simply saying, ‘Blessings.’

    A Harmonious Blend of Genres

    This pivotal moment paved the way for Usher to give Aaron Cole the official green light to release the song. The result is a unique and powerful fusion of classic R&B smoothness with uplifting gospel elements, creating a sound that resonates with a broad audience. Cole’s career has undoubtedly received a significant boost from this remarkable endorsement.

    Cole expressed his excitement about the spotlight this collaboration has brought to his career, highlighting how the song has become a bridge between different musical worlds. It’s a fantastic example of how artists can innovate and pay homage to musical legacies while forging their own path.

    What do you think of Aaron Cole’s ‘Usher In The Spirit’? Have you heard other artists successfully sample classic hits? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • Rev. Stephen Green: Faith, Justice & The Black Church

    In a world where faith is sometimes twisted for political agendas, Rev. Stephen A. Green offers a refreshing and powerful vision. He champions community, accountability, and a radical love rooted in the liberating gospel of Jesus. As the senior pastor of The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, Rev. Green masterfully blends spiritual conviction with social action, honoring the Black Church’s incredible 200+ year legacy of resilience and resistance.

    A Calling Beyond the Pulpit

    Rev. Green’s path to ministry began in his childhood in Orlando, Florida, where his father served as a pastor before becoming a bishop in the A.M.E. Church. By the age of 17, he felt a profound call to preach, but this calling wasn’t confined to Sunday mornings. He felt a divine nudge to be an activist, to minister not just within the church walls but also in the wider public square.

    His journey through institutions like Morehouse College and the University of Chicago Divinity School, alongside his work as the NAACP’s National Youth Director, solidified his belief that his faith and activism stem from the same deep wellspring. For Rev. Green, these aren’t separate pursuits; they are two sides of the same coin.

    The Liberating Gospel vs. White Christian Nationalism

    Rev. Green draws a clear line between the authentic, liberatory gospel of Jesus and the ideology of white Christian nationalism that often dominates religious and political conversations today. He points out how this ideology can masquerade as true faith, noting that historically, similar interpretations of Christianity were used to justify slavery in America.

    He powerfully references Jesus’s first sermon in Luke 4, where he read from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to preach good news to the poor, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to give recovery of sight to the blind, to set the captives free.” For Rev. Green, this message is the core. He urges us to measure the words and actions of white evangelical leaders against these foundational teachings of Jesus, especially concerning the poor, the oppressed, migrants, and the needy.

    The Black Church: An Enduring Organizing Force

    The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral, celebrating 192 years of service, stands as a testament to the Black Church’s role as a hub for organizing and resilience. It’s more than just a place of worship; it’s a vital space for civic engagement, community training, and holding elected officials accountable. Their website even offers tools for voter registration and absentee ballots, underscoring their commitment to active participation.

    Radical Love in Action

    Rev. Green leads with a practice of radical love, deeply influenced by the South African concept of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” He believes that embodying this principle means our humanity is intrinsically linked. True liberation, he asserts, is collective – we are all liberated together.

    Faith as a Shield Through Crisis

    Reflecting on the enduring spirit of Black communities through centuries of hardship—from slavery to ongoing struggles for voting rights and DEI protections—Rev. Green finds profound hope. He marvels at how God has preserved a people who, despite immense suffering, continue to produce “love warriors and truth tellers.”

    Even amidst current crises, Rev. Green’s faith serves as his anchor. He finds immense joy in witnessing his wife and others step into leadership roles and in observing the divine orchestration of life’s journey. His hope is palpable, rooted in a deep trust and a forward-looking perspective.

    What are your thoughts on Rev. Stephen Green’s message of faith, justice, and radical love? Share your reflections in the comments below!