Debra Winans: Ex-Wife Of BeBe Winans Breaks Her Silence

It's been a chaotic year for Debra D. Winans, the ex-wife of Grammy winning singer BeBe Winans.
Last week a judge dismissed domestic violence charges against BeBe, who was booked on a domestic violence accusation for allegedly shoving his ex-wife Debra after an argument this past February.
(Read: 'BeBe Winans: Gospel Singer Arrested for Domestic Assault.')
Despite the judge's ruling, Debra said her ex-husband knows what really occurred and she has vowed: "I will not be silent anymore!"
Why do you think the judge dismissed the charges against BeBe?
First of all dismissal doesn't mean absence of guilt and neither does it mean he was exonerated from his actions. But this was dismissed because of the psychologist. He had two sessions, not 10, but only two sessions with him. Not 30 days, but two sessions. He said BeBe showed no domestic violence behavior. But my response to the District Attorney is neither did the man who killed all the people at Fort Hood. They did a psychology analysis on him as well and he showed no signs of domestic violence. But the proof of the matter is that he did it. BeBe is in the wrong business, he needs to be an actor because he's good at what he does!

saw the letter your daughter Miya wrote to the Word Network and sent to Gayle King where she detailed her account of what she saw her father do to you. Was that letter or your kids' testimony admissible in this case?

They would not let the kids speak. I sent that letter to the D.A. I told them, 'Somebody needed to see this. The judge needs to see this.' But BeBe's people were pushing so hard to get this exonerated because they knew my Word Network interview was airing last Saturday. But I had to tell my kids because they go to school and they look at YouTube and the whole nine. But they were furious and wanted to know why their dad gets away with everything.

If what you are saying is true, do you at least believe that BeBe will learn from this last incident and be careful of how he treats you moving forward?
No, I don't. Because nothing happened to him! There are no consequences for his actions. How does he keep getting away with stuff? Again, he's not being accountable for his actions or his behavior.
You filed domestic violence charges against BeBe before but ultimately dropped them. Do you regret that decision now?
Absolutely! I realize it was a big mistake. At that time, all I wanted was my kids and I really believed he had that kind of power to take them from me, because he has more money than I did. It was a huge mistake! But I learned later he couldn't take them from me! What kind of man would try to take his kids from their mother? What kind of man does that? He doesn't even spend time with them. He doesn't even know them. They are a part of his image, period!
The Word Network was threatened with a lawsuit by BeBe's attorney's on Friday Dec. 4 and ultimately did not air the interview on 'The Lexi Show' that you already taped. How did that make you feel?
I was so furious when Lexi told me. I was so angry! I've been silent for so long, now I'm fighting back and I have been for a little while, ever since the first time he tried to take my kids from me. He's a manipulating liar. I've covered so much about him...he really ought to be nice to me. People know what he is. But if he could take my parental right from me, he would because he is set out on destroying me. But that is not going to happen!
In a statement released by his publicist Patti Webster, BeBe celebrated the dismissal of the charges against him.
"Even though this allegation has affected not just me, but also the entire Winans family, my children and certain aspects of my career, I chose to stay quiet because I knew the truth. To be exonerated of all charges shows the power of trusting in God, and is a wonderful Christmas gift for me and my children," the 47-year-old singer stated.

Debra said the references to her children, Miya, 14, and Benjamin, 11, in BeBe's statement upset her because they were present when the BeBe & CeCe singer allegedly shoved her. Additionally, Debra said the kids have limited contact with their father.

"Benjamin's birthday was December 1. Ask me if he received a card or call from his father. No! I don't care if he was out the country, I don't care where he was. You don't have to talk to me, but that's why they have text message and emails. But he didn't even think it was important enough. I always make their birthdays a big deal. But before he closed his eyes that night, he said to me, 'Daddy didn't even call me to say Happy Birthday.' Miya had a concert at school and she looked at me and said, 'He promised me he was going to be here. But why am I trippin', he's only been to one thing I've ever done and that was only to pick me up,'" she shared.

Winans continued: "So I saw his statement, but he will have to deal and live with the fact that his children will never forget what they saw!"

Debra shared that she doesn't intend to dwell on the past. Her platform now is about helping women reclaim their voice.

In her debut tome, 'Life, Altered Not Over!' Debra deals with that subject matter in an effort of showing women "their journey to wholeness."
Though her interview on The Word Network did not air on television, the interview in its entirety is available on YouTube.
Gospel singer Lexi, the host of 'The Lexi Show' acknowledged to BV Buzz that she was dismayed that TV viewers didn't get to see her dialogue with Debra, but it was it was a situation that was out of her hands.

"Due to reasons beyond my control, Debra's interview that was scheduled to air on Dec. 5 did not. While I am disappointed my TV audience wasn't able to view this remarkable and inspirational story that Ms. Winans has to tell, hopefully my online viewers can view this interview in its entirety and be encouraged nonetheless. I am hoping this interview will help create a dialogue for women and men all over the world that are struggling with the same issues. I am confident that after watching this interview, my viewers will be informed, enlightened and motivated to create positive and necessary changes to overcome any and all adversities in their lives," Lexi offered.

For more information on Debra Winans, go to http://www.debradwinans.com/

If you or anyone you know is dealing with a domestic violence issue, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233

Part 2

Part 3

Back for More: Shirley Murdock Readying R&B Return

Music veteran Shirley Murdock is headed back into the studio to record her first R&B CD in almost 20 years.

The vocalist, best known for hits like 'As We Lay,' 'Husband' and 'Go On Without You,' has spent two decades both recording gospel CDs and traveling in touring plays.

Murdock emphasized that her decision to return to the R&B isn't a "flip-flop" between gospel music and the R&B genre.

"I've got something to say again," Murdock explained to me. "It's still going to have substance and be faith-filled. So I'm not changing who I am, but its just time to encourage a different audience."

R&B star Kelly Price and music producer Shep Crawford (Tamia/Whitney Houston) will oversee songwriting and production on the CD, which they plan to begin recording in Feb.
Murdock's last gospel CD 'SoulFood' was released on Tyscot Records in 2007.
The Stellar Award-nominated CD featured the single 'I Love Me Better Than That,' a contemporary record that crossed over to Urban Adult Contemporary radio formats and had R&B fans yearning for new music from Murdock.
Last year, Murdock was also featured on the duet 'Soldier' on Teena Marie's 'Congo Square' CD.
The Toledo, Ohio native, who is favorite of singer's like Jennifer Hudson, Lil Mo and Fantasia, released her last R&B CD, 'Let There Be Love!' in 1991.

So how do you feel about Gospel Singers and Rapper going back to a secular genre?

Pulpit Ponzi: Winans Family Member Accused In Massive Money Scam

A member of the legendary Winans gospel family is being named as the ringleader of a Detroit area Ponzi scheme that could have made him as much at $11 million in early estimates.

The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation announced today that a 14-month investigation uncovered that Michael Winans Jr., a member of the gospel quarter Winans Phase 2 and the son of The Winans singer, Michael Winans Sr., apparently led the Ponzi scheme that involved a Saudi Arabian crude old bond scam.

On a conference call led by Michigan state regulators today, the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation said it was determined that Winans Jr. was the mastermind of the multilevel scam.

It is believed that Winans Jr. was able to secure investors in Ponzi scheme by using his family name to earn the trust of his victims in the Detroit community.

The scheme targeted members of the Genesis New Beginnings Church in Detroit and others throughout the city.

Additionally, state investigators revealed that they have uncovered $5 million in new Ann Arbor-based scams run by one of the Winans victims, Mark Carpenter. They are now warning residents to steer clear of Carpenter and his company, TGBG Financial.

"This was a multi-headed Ponzi hydra," said OFIR Commissioner Ken Ross. "Bank records indicate that Carpenter got scammed and then set up his own scam. We found fraud within fraud involving working people who were robbed of their life savings."

State regulators suspect that his father, Winans Sr. may have also been one of the promoters of the Ponzi scheme as well.

The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation issued two cease and desist to Winans Jr., his associates Desmond Weems, Latonya Garth and Michael Winans Sr., and a number of other related business entities to stop selling unregistered securities products, a direct violation of the state's Uniform Securities Act.

State officials determined that Winans Jr. and his subordinates were not licensed to sell securities products in Michigan and the products sold were not registered with the state.

"We believe that the Winans family Ponzi scheme ran its course at the end of 2008," said Ross. "There are few winners here outside Mr. Winans Jr."

Winans Jr. was a member of the contemporary gospel quartet, Winans Phase 2, which included his cousins Marvin Jr., Carvin III and Juan Winans. The group released one CD, 'We Got Next' in 1999.

His father, Winans Sr. is a member of the Grammy winning gospel group The Winans. Best known for hits like 'The Question Is,' 'It's Time' and 'Ain't No Need To Worry,' the group was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2007. He also released three duet CDs with his wife Regina Winans.

 

How To Act Like A Lady And THINK Like A Christian Man Jamal Bryant

Enjoy the rest on YouTube.com

FREE GET-AWAY MARRIAGE RETREATS

We pay for the workshop, lunch, and the hotel stay Saturday night. Topics we will cover include:

• What does a Healthy Marriage Look Like?
• Design and Placement of Intimacy in Marriage
• Seven Stages of Marriage
• Discovering Your Color (Temperament test)
• Making a Faithfulness Plan
• Problem Dynamics
• C*E*A*S*E Fighting (Conflict resolution tool)

What if I'm the Only One Wanting to Make My Marriage Work?

Click on the registration link below for a list of available workshops. Each workshop is limited to 50 couples, they will fill up quickly. Register today.

TO REGISTER PLEASE CLICK HERE

Dr. Bob Whiddon, Jr. serves as the director of the Northwest Marriage Institute. Below are the qualifications for Dr. Whiddon.

• Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling, Trinity Theological Seminary, Indiana, 1996
• D.Min. in Pastoral Ministry, Northwest Graduate School, Seattle, 2001
• Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor, National Christian Counselors Association
• Certified Temperament Counselor, National Christian Counselors Association
• Registered Counselor, State of Washington, RC#00049626
• Founder and director of Northwest Marriage Institute, Vancouver WA
• Staff counselor, Agape Counseling Center, Vancouver office
• Twenty-five years experience in ministry and counseling 

History

The Northwest Marriage Institute was born of necessity to help address one of the greatest problems in our society - marriages that are falling apart. The statistics are staggering: Half of all first marriages will end in divorce, 75% of all second marriages will end in divorce, and one-third of all third marriages will end in divorce. This means, when you spend thousands of dollars to see your child walk down the aisle during a marital ceremony, you may actually be sending them towards THE most stressful event in life - divorce. The problem is great, but solutions are few. Some churches have marriage and family experts on staff and provide marriage workshops of their own. But here's the real problem - 65% of all who live in Oregon and 67% of all who live in Washington have no connection to any church. The great need, then, was to take marriage education and marriage counseling to the communities. With this in mind, the Northwest Marriage Institute was loosely organized in June of 2004.

During the first few months of operation, the director relied upon private donations. But with the steady donations there was a need for the Northwest Marriage Institute to be able to receive and account for tax-deductible donations. So, on February 1, 2005, the Northwest Marriage Institute became a non-profit organization in the State of Washington. It was also the day that the initial filing was made with the Internal Revenue Service for federal recognition of our non-profit status. After an eight-month process, on September 13, 2005, the Northwest Marriage Institute received notice that the IRS had officially recognized the organization as a tax-exempt, public charity according to section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.

 

Me & my wife Nikia went and I must say, me and my wonderful wife had a blast! It is worth the trip. We went to Seaside OR and stayed at Shilo Inns on the Beach Front. We have been married for 11years and still love to find great tools to use that will increase our love.

Asa aka DJ Spoons

Deitrick Haddon Launches New Movie

Verity Gospel Music Group artist Deitrick Haddon is preparing to make his motion picture debut in the new movie Blessed and Cursed. Written by the artist, the movie serves as a modern day adaptation of the Biblical account of Saul and David. Joining Haddon in the film are actors Sheryl Lee Ralph and Drew Sidora. In addition, the film features guest appearances by Kierra Sheard, Karen Clark Sheard, Damita Haddon, Dr. Bobby Jones, J. Moss, Jor'el Quinn of 21:03 and Rance Allen. The movie is set to release to DVD on June 15. Haddon is also releasing an accompanying soundtrack to the movie, featuring the lead single "Judah", which has just been released to radio.

Top Gospel Albums 4-18-10

Here I Am, the latest release from Marvin Sapp, celebrates its fourth week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. In addition, the release sits at #7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Charts and #17 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums charts. WOW Gospel 2010 maintains the #2 position this week. Karen Clark Sheard's All In One debuts at #3, while the self-titled debut from Smokie Norful's Victory Cathedral Choir debuts at the #4 spot. Still from BeBe & CeCe Winans rounds out the week's top five albums. In other chart news, The Master Plan, from Tamela Mann moves three places to #7, while Won't It Be Wonderful from James Hall & The Voices of Citadel jumps twenty-seven places to #18.

In the world of radio, Marvin Sapp's "The Best In Me" spends its fifth consecutive week at the top spot on the radio charts. Earnest Pugh's "Rain On Us" holds to the #2 position, while "They That Wait" from Fred Hammond & John P. Kee takes the #3 position. "God Favored Me" from Hezekiah Walker & LFC featuring Marvin Sapp and D.J. Rogers takes the #4 position, while "Encore" from James Fortune & FIYA rounds out the week's top five songs. (Apr. 18, 2010)

10 Fake iPad Apps for Black Folks

There are thousands of iPad apps in the works, but how many are geared toward the black community? We need our high-tech tools too and if the technology industry wants to address the practical needs of regular black folks, here are 10 iPad apps that would make a killing.

1. Real-Time Ghetto Brawls
Take advantage of the smash hit underground DVD series, "Ghetto Fights" with Real-Time Ghetto Brawls. This app would allow users to view around-the-way fights pulled from video phones at lightning speed. Users can browse brawls using a crystal clear interface and even cheer them on using a special microphone attachment -- at an additional cost.


2. Baby Daddy Tracker
While this would require the surreptitious hiding of a tracking device on your baby daddy's person -- it could be a "gift" of a key chain or necklace -- once the device is in place Google Maps would enable you to find your baby daddy no matter where he is. No more missed child support payments! Can also work for probation officers.

3. National Hair Weave Price Index

Ever get that sneaking suspicion your hairdresser is cheating you on the price of your hair? Or that you could get a better sew-in a couple of states over? No need to worry. With the National Hair Weave Price Index, black women everywhere will be able to enter the real prices of their weaves and weigh the cost against the quality with a uniform rating system. A stock-like ticker will list the relative values of different hair textures, stylists and procedures. The National Lace Front Index would be the next obvious step.

4. International Jump Off Organizer
This will be a necessary tool for any man who has ever wondered if he's slept with a woman that his boys have also sampled or even wanted to track down a particular jump off. With this tool, men can use their social network to list, rank and recommend jump offs, as well as know who to avoid for reasons like disease or insanity.

5. Should I Smack This &%#!?
If you are a wronged woman, pimp or just plain mad at someone, the Should I Smack This &%#!? app will take you through a series of questions and calculations that will weigh what the person has done versus the potential fines and penalties in your state and the likelihood of getting away with the crime. No more taking impulsive action and paying the consequences later!

6. Speed Preacher
This app puts the Lord on speed dial. Need a riveting sermon by T.D. Jakes? Gotta hear some inspirational prosperity gospel from Creflo Dollar? Speed Preacher will allow you to enter your emergency spiritual need and match it to your preferred style of evangelical minister. God's love, at your fingertips!

7. Jailed Rapper Reports
Collect data related to your favorite incarcerated rapper in real time from the cell phones prisoners have in their jail cells. Jailed Rapper Reports will also contain an organized scrap book of all jailed rappers past and present, with "best of" highlights from their bids.

8. Nail Tips Design Wizard

Don't be limited to the two hundred tired designs available at your local nail shop. With this app you can gather inspiration from pop culture, like Nicki Minaj's latest green wig to Lady Gaga's freakiest outfit, to develop an acrylic nail look that lets you do you.

9. Family Function Finder

Need a free meal? Some place to leave your kids for free for a few hours? Family Function Finder will let you do all of that and more! Special features will also allow you to track which of your relatives you've taken advantage of the most lately and help you intelligently rotate your get-over antics.

10. Celebrity Drama Updates
Never forget who has beef with whom using this hot iPad application. From politicians to rappers, get a running list of which black stars are spitting bile at one another and why.
 
What are you feeling about this? I feel we glorify being ghetto way too much. We are all not ghetto, we like to classy but just dont play.

Freshness x Nike iD Canvas Design Contest

Among the latest round of additions to NIKEiD is the Sweet Classic hightop lifestyle sneaker. We gave you a look at the new set of side panel patterns and graphics last week, and now you can even go a step further and upload your own images! The Freshness x Nike iD Canvas Design Contest gives you the chance to win a free year of Nike iDs if you submit the winning design. This contest runs throughout the month of April, so break out your pen and (stylus) pad and get to sketchin!

Click here to get started http://www.freshnessmag.com/nikeidcanvas/

Posted By: Asa Pritchard aka DJ Spoons

Top Five Reasons You need An iPad, Top Five Reasons You Don't

The world is buzzing about the new Apple iPad, the hottest tablet computer out now. There are some who love Apple's iPad to no end, and some who hate it. Rather than telling you to love it or hate it, we are going to share with you five reasons that you can do either and let you make your own decision.

Five reasons to love the iPad:

1. The screen and interface of the iPad are beautiful, allowing the reader to enjoy outstanding graphics and image quality.

2. There is a long list of media apps that help you express your creative side. Apple went out of their way to prepare for those who would want to produce various forms of art on this platform.

3. Excellent products are being developed for the iPad. Apple's new flat screen computer has attracted the attention of a league of developers, who've been creating very enhanced functionalities for the iPad. One author mentions the Scrabble game built for the iPad, which has an impressive multi-player format.

4. Great for gaming. If you enjoy having fun on your computer, then the iPad is a great match for you. Gamers seem to enjoy the quality of the interface.

5. Touch screen browsing is a breeze. The iPad is revolutionary in the ease with which you can surf the Web and the interface is totally intuitive.

 
Five reasons to hate the iPad:

1. Still the same old network -- AT&T. If there is anything that has angered most iPhone users, it's Apple's decision to stick with AT&T. Rather than spreading out to other networks that provide more reliable coverage, Apple is risking losing some loyal fans by using the relatively weak AT&T system. There are also problems reported with WiFi not staying connected.

2. Typing is both painful and inconvenient. In case you haven't heard, the iPad doesn't have a keyboard. Instead, the keyboard and the screen are both one in the same, and you have to pound away on the flat screen in order to get your words out. Early adopters are finding the keyboard to be a terrible inconvenience.

3. No USB support. If you have a digital camera and take pictures, you can't just connect it to your iPad to download the pictures onto your computer. Sorry, but that option is simply unavailable.

4. It's no fun to read books on the iPad. The iPad has positioned itself as a killer of Amazon's Kindle, but that's just not the case, according to many who have used and reviewed the product. Some users have argued that two hours of reading on this screen will make you run for the sink to wash your eyes out, since its just flat out uncomfortable.

5. No multi-tasking. The iPad won't allow you to do more than one thing at a time, which can be a drag. It only makes sense that you should be able to listen to music while you read, for example.
Overall, it appears that the iPad is revolutionary as a simple, beautiful and light computing device. At the same time, the first version of a product usually needs to evolve. I'll wait for the next round from apple to buy one. With prices started at $499, the iPad should at least address some of its negatives before expecting much wider adoption.

Your Affirmation Prayer for Today!

My word is a powerful force, for with it I create heaven or hell on earth for myself. Today I attentively anchor my every word in the Spirit of God and the very best of life flows easily to me through grace. Thank you God.

Be blessed by your word,

Barry Johnson

Barry Johnson is a businessman, motivational speaker and writer. He holds a B.S. degree from Yale and an MBA degree from Harvard. You can follow him at twitter.com/thebarryjohnson and email him at bjohnson@risemovement.org.

Bible-Toting Prophet Stands Trial for Killing Wife and Raping Young Stepdaughter

Anthony Hopkins was a God-fearing Christian. As he traveled throughout the rural South, preaching the word of the Lord, he would always have his Bible in tow. Folks who would gather to hear him preach stood in awe. Many even referred to him as a "prophet." This preacher did more than spread the Holy word, though. Little did Hopkins' followers know that he was a possible murderer, rapist and child molester.
In 2008, the 39-year-old was arrested when police swarmed around a revival that he had organized in Clarke County, Alabama.
One of his stepchildren, who had allegedly been raped and sexually molested as a child for years by Hopkins, led police to the grave of a murder victim, her mother and Hopkins' wife, Arletha.
The 36-year-old woman was killed in 2004, and her body had been jammed in to a freezer that was kept in the couple's Mobile, Ala., home. The couple had six children together and also raised two stepchildren, whose ages ranged from infant to teenaged.


Police records state Arletha was allegedly killed by Hopkins, after she caught him having sex with her daughter, who was pregnant at the time with his child.
The stepdaughter, who is now 21 years old, testified at Hopkins' trial, which took place on Tuesday. She spoke of the tormented years of having to endure physical and sexual abuse and being powerless. She told the jury that her ordeal began when she was only 11 years old and continued until 2008.
The young woman explained during trial that Hopkins would cleverly translate Biblical passages that seemed to sanction what they were doing sexually. He would then swear her to secrecy after their trysts.
She also recounted how she actually heard her mother being murdered, desperately yelling out to her children to call the police. When prosecutors asked why she had not sought aid for her mother, she sobbed uncontrollably, saying that she was confused at the time
Hopkins' stepdaughter also said that when she saw her mother lying on the floor, gasping with her foot twitching, she took her 1-month-old sister and locked themselves in the bathroom until Hopkins banged on the door. According to her, Hopkins was crying hysterically, apologizing and pleading for her to help him.
The victim decided to help Hopkins dispose of Arletha's body, because she was afraid of what he might do to her. She helped Hopkins bury the corpse in one remote area, then another, but soon, the alleged killer worried that a dog would dig up the evidence.
So Hopkins purchased a freezer that he placed in a utility shed and the young woman helped him again to cram Arletha in to it.
The body at one point unthawed, then it was frozen again; this process caused it to decompose to the extent that medical examiners could not determine a cause of death.

If convicted of the murder, Hopkins faces life in prison.