New Bibles Help Children and Teens Cope With Life Through Scriptures

Coping with depression. Dealing with worry. And tackling fear all are lessons taught in a new Bible series geared toward African American youth called 'My Holy Bible for African-American Children' and 'Our Heritage & Faith Holy Bible For African-American Teens.'

The releases arrive just in time for Easter, one of the most important holidays in the Christian faith. For teens, they come in color palattes for girls (pictured) and boys.

The Bibles come at a time when the nation's youth are experiencing a so-called crisis of faith or lethargy, said Wade Hudson, the nationally acclaimed author and publisher of Just Us Books, who along with his wife, Cheryl Hudson, served as general editors of the Bibles. The project took a year of research and writing.

Hudson hopes the Bibles will serve as a foundation for today's youth to help them move toward religion to seek answers instead of away from the church.

He sees today's youth as possessing a devil-may-care attitude, a trend he fears may have played a role in the death of a 15-year-old Massachusetts girl who recently committed suicide after a spate of bullying by nine teens.

At the core of a lot of problems I see today is that many people feel disconnected to anything of value, including their parents, close friends and God,'' Wade Hudson said.

"So many of us are just wandering alone in the universe and not understanding that we are connected to something larger. I think these Bibles will help our youth to begin to understand their lives and give them a sense of purpose. Having a strong spiritual connection to the Lord is important. It's key to feeling good about who you are and accepting other people. We are all in this together.''

Indeed, the teen Bible offers ways to deal with emotional issues such as being bullied and bullying through a special "question and answer" section at the back of the Bible. When depressed and overwhelmed, for example, the teen Bible urges readers not to deny their feelings. "Read Psalm 42:11" (You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations).

"The psalmist acknowledges his depression,'' the excerpt reads. "He did not pretend he didn't feel awful. You cannot get help when other people don't know how you are doing. Follow his example. Expect to get better.''

When worried, the teen Bible urges readers "to trade your worry for something better -- peace.'' When fearful, it reminds readers that "God's help is to make YOU the conqueror of your own fear.''

"In spite of Sunday school classes, children don't get a good understanding of what our Christian faith is all about,'' Hudson said. "We felt there was a need to develop a vehicle for children and young adults to help them understand what their faith is all about. There are so many young people who are turned off from the church experience. We wanted to provide them with a resource in a presentable, non-threatening way.''

To that end, the children's Bible tries to "connect the spiritual challenges and triumphs of today's youth with the journeys of well-known Bible heroes.'' It illustrates biblical stories with people of color, including striking images of Daniel in the Lion's Den, David and Goliath and, of course, Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. The teen Bible, on the other hand, attempts to address the traditions of the African-American church.

One hundred six pages of articles and essays help teens understand religious heritage, forms of worship and the roots of their Christian faith. Photos help readers relate to contemporary religious figures, ceremonies and experiences. Eight pages of maps help readers imagine the world during biblical times.

'Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens' is available in both the New International Version (NIV) and King James Version (KJV) translations.

"I think we need to delve deeper into the Bible stories to add meaning to our lives,'' Wade Hudson said. "That's what these books are all about, teaching the younger generation to find nourishment in the Holy Bible.''

Kirk Franklin Reveals the Secrets to Surviving Life's Storms

If you thought you knew gospel artist Kirk Franklin through his music and interviews about his porn addiction and childhood abandonment, think again. The seven-time Grammy award winner opens up further in his new autobiography, due to hit shelves on May 18.
This time, however, he provides a blueprint to help others triumph over life's challenges through his powerful and awe-inspiring life story in 'Kirk Franklin: The Blueprint, A Plan for Living above Life's Storms.' Developing a blueprint includes embracing "non-sexies" or good works that do not involve obvious payoffs, examining your relationships with others and establishing a good support team.
"I didn't have any blueprint when I was coming up, any kind of instruction manual on how to be a man,'' he writes. "All you have to do is look at any city corner to know that my education was flawed. And so was my behavior. Many of us had either no blueprint or a bad one -- maybe you had to be a daddy to a drunk daddy or mama to a mama who was raising you all alone.''
Franklin's blueprint looked like this: His father abandoned him at an early age, and his mother flat out told him she did not want him. She eventually left him in the hands of an impoverished and un-nurturing aunt.
As a result, he learned to fend for himself on the gritty streets of Fort Worth, Texas. By age 11, he believed that sex equaled love and became a teenage father. He smoked, drank, use drugs and developed an addiction to pornography that would last through adulthood. He was on the fast route to self-destruction until he developed a father-son relationship with God and his pastor, Tony Evans, who helped him begin to etch out a blueprint for his life.

"There are so many vivid examples from my own flawed upbringing,'' he writes. "I never saw a man who was faithful to his wife. Think about that one -- not one! I was told by my own mother that she did not want me, that she had wanted to abort me. That messed me up real bad!''

The twain between Franklin's award-winning music and his life story is remarkable. In one case, he sings about his past in a hit single 'Let it Go,' from the best-selling album, 'Hero.' The song seems so much like the precursor to 'The Blueprint'' that this writer mistakenly thought the name of the single was 'The Blueprint.'

"My mama gave me up when I was 4 years old,'' he raps at the beginning of 'Let it Go.' "She didn't destroy my body, but she killed my soul. Now, it's cold because I'm sleepin' in my back seat. I understand the spirit's with m,e but my flesh is weak. Let me speak. I never had a chance to dream. Ten-years-old and finding love in dirty magazines. Miss December, remember I bought you twice? Now I'm 30-plus and I'm still paying the price."

But Franklin was able to stop overcome his obstacles by getting rid of textbook religion and developing a close relation to God, he said. Today, he and his wife, Tammy, have been happily married for 14 years and are the proud parents of four children. And since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1993, he has been an innovator, mixing hip-hop and gospel. 'Kirk Franklin and the Family' changed musical history when it became the first gospel album to sell more than a million units.

"We can't live by a bunch of rules,'' he said. "We were created to have an intimate relationship with God. Most of us treat God like a spare tire. We go to him when we are sick, when we are pregnant, when we are about to lose our job or when we are scared. He wants a father-son or father-daughter relationship with us. He doesn't want us to stop by when we have a problem. We need to develop a one-on-one relation with life's architect, God.''
In 'The Blueprint,' Franklin provides ample steps for developing a relationship with God, which can lead to developing a road map for your life. Here are five:

1 .Embrace the non-sexies: What are the things in your life that do not win applause, do not earn bonuses and do not always return what you give? Those are the things you need to be committed to.
2. Examine the fruit: Some of you may ask, 'How do I know if I'm working with the right blueprint, the one that will relieve me from the despair?' We have to pay attention to what our souls are trying to tell us as we attempt to walk the right path. If the fruit doesn't look right or smell right, keep steppin.
3. Not even Kobe can do it alone: It is possible that these changes you begin to make within yourself won't be warmly embraced or understood by the people who are close to you. In this case, you have to let everybody know how they're going to benefit from a better you. You have to reinforce what everybody's going to get from it.
4. This is your life--not a step program: 'This program is a life-long journey, not a step program. I think the most destructive thing we have done to people is we have given them steps. But the kind of meaningful change I'm seeking for you does not come in steps.
5. God brings order to confusion: Why do bad things happen to good people? I don't know. But when I look through the lens of God's love letters and promises, I see the pieces of life's puzzles come together. If I can trust Him with all the hell and horrible things in my life-things that made sense in the end-you can, too.

Jennifer Hudson Reveals How She Became a Size 6

A month following the announcement of her endorsement deal with Weight Watchers, Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson has already witnessed positive results from the company's products.
In the new issue of People magazine, Hudson says that she's "in the best shape" of her life, slimming down from a size 16 to a slender size 6.
The actress's newfound weight loss is also due in part to her forthcoming role as Nelson Mandela's ex-wife in the biopic 'Winnie.' The 28-year-old said she was determined to lose her post-pregnancy weight, noting that she would do "whatever it takes to morph into a character."
"With Weight Watchers, I am enjoying the weight loss because I'm doing it the right way. I feel empowered with what I've learned," she told the weekly just last month. "Everything from portion control to what foods will help keep me satisfied -- it's a lifestyle change, not a diet."
With production set to begin in South Africa on May 31, Hudson's Weight Watchers counselor, Liz Josefsberg, is more than optimistic that the actress will stick to her diet regimen.
"She will need to investigate every new product on this new continent," Josefsberg explained to People. "I am not the least bit worried about Jennifer. ...She is an amazing and resilient personality who will be just fine in her surroundings."
On the heels of her breakout role in 'Dreamgirls,' the former 'American Idol' castoff graced the covers of magazine such as Ebony, Essence and Vogue as the new face of big and beautiful. Now, she's on People looking slim and trim.

Do you think Jennifer Hudson will keep off the weight?

Kirk Whalum: Jazz Saxophonist Still Speaking the Gospel According to Jazz

Kirk Whalum's talents have taken him all over the world. He's worked with the likes of Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, and Quincy Jones, to name a few.
He's an eight-time Grammy nominee and two-time Stellar Award winner. His uncle and nephew are both saxophonists (his nephew recently toured with Maxwell), his brother is a singer, and his son is a bassist and singer-songwriter.
Music is not only in Whalum's blood (he played the sax solo on 'I Will Always Love You'), but it's also a family affair.
His latest release, 'The Gospel According to Jazz III,' is slated for release next month via Rendezvous Records. This talented act isn't letting fame go to his head, though. He's humble and rooted in his faith. If you don't know, get familiar.
We recently caught up with Whalum to talk all things music and where Whalum's most likely to find inspiration.
You grew up in a musical family as a pastor's kid. Would you say music was with you from the very beginning?

Absolutely. Music chose me. But even if I hadn't been that intrinsically destined to do music, I was still surrounded by it. My grandmothers were both musicians.
It's a family affair.
It's a family affair, and that's something I kind of resisted for the longest time. At a certain point, I had to go, "Wait a minute." It was a family affair long before I got here.
Your latest project is 'The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III,' which will be released on March 16. Tell me about that.
'The Gospel According to Jazz' is about that pursuit of excellence in one's craft as a worship to God. My devotion to that instrument and trying to really master an instrument is my primary worship to God. I certainly worship him with my mouth. I just praise God. I try to serve him in whatever way I see fit. Loving my wife, well, that's a worship to God. I do that not just because I love her, but because I know that pleases God.
'The Gospel According to Jazz' is so profound not because the songs are likable. It's deeper than that. When people see the DVD, they're transfixed; 5- and 6-year-olds will sit there and watch that whole DVD. I've seen it happen too many times, because you're watching the results of years of devotion to an instrument. We've got all the hype around something like 'AmerKirk Whalumican Idol,' and rightfully so, it's really cool. But, there is nothing like seeing somebody who has been playing an instrument or singing for years.
You mentioned 'American Idol.' Those kind of shows are for entertainment and quick output. What would you say about the current music scene?

What I do is absolutely not traditional jazz. I love that music, and I will always be pursing that music, because when I listen to Coltrane or Michael Brecher or Charlier Parker or Dexter Gordon or Miles Davis, I hear something that I aspire toward. So, that music will always inspire me and I will always want to do it. I hear Branford Marsalis and Kenny Garrett...these are my heroes.
But I grew up in Memphis, so really I'm a soul musician. I'm a gospel, soul, R&B musician. Jazz came later for me when I was in high school.
About the current scene, I'm really excited in many ways about hip-hop, because it is the jazz of today. It's the music that encapsulates black culture and kind of presents it to the world.
I grew up with hip-hop, and it's becoming harder to defend it. But it's like a love-hate relationship.
Love-hate, yes. I do have lots of problems with misogyny and violence, particularly misogynistic culture. And the bling-bling. All that is so useless to me. There is that kind of exaggerated bravado that is part of our culture and that is fun. But when the industry gets a hold of that and takes it to a direction that's negative and destructive, especially, toward women, I resent that. And I don't think that's the heart and soul of hip-hop.
Your experience growing up on hip-hop is similar to, say, my parents growing up on jazz. When I hear The Roots, I hear, absolutely, a direct umbilical cord back to that era. There's this improvisation, like the New York tap dancers and the cats who used to challenge each other. All of that was a part of black culture. And black culture is the salt of the whole world culture. And it sounds kind of arrogant, but it's true. And I do believe hip-hop is the modern-day jazz.
Talk about the fusion of jazz and gospel.
There was never a time when jazz and gospel were not together, it was just a well-kept secret.
Why was this a well-kept secret?
Because of the fact that it was culturally convenient in the religious setting to have this sort of duality in place where there was secular life and sacred life. So, that way you can say what is wrong and what is right. That is sort of a convenient way of dealing with the issue of temptation. But when you can approach life from a holistic point of view, that it's just one life and you try to live that life with integrity and the way that pleases God, you're going to have bad days, you're going to have the blues. And so, what are you gonna play when you have the blues? You gonna play a gospel song? You probably need to play the blues.
It's a very interesting dichotomy in which secular audiences are not wanting to be imposed upon with your gospel message, but by the way, they really do want to hear good news. Who don't want to hear good news, especially right now? We all need some good news. Then you got your religious folks, who are highly offended by your secular. So we move our bodies. Is that somehow supposed to be wrong?
In Africa we were moving our bodies.
We were moving our bodies. It's a part of our culture. I'm insulted that somehow people try to make it taboo. Now, we're going back. Not just black people, but the world is appreciating Africa's preeminence when it comes to things cultural, things artistic. When we talk about the civilized versus uncivilized argument, African intelligence and wisdom was an oral tradition. They didn't have to write it down. And you couldn't take that away.
Talk about success and what that means.
I think we sell ourselves short, and I have done that when it comes to the pursuit of success. A hit record. Material success. Sometimes, we can sell ourselves short, because really the main thing is that God would be pleased with what I have accomplished on this instrument.
'The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter II,' is a two-disc CD that fuses jazz and gospel. The album will be released March 16 by Rendezvous Records -- and distributed by Mack Avenue Records -- and includes a special hi-definition DVD. You can learn more about Kirk Whalum and his music at kirkwhalum.com

Gospel Musicians Charged With Church Break-ins

They played and sang uplifting spiritual music for several churches, but after the praise and worship and soul food fellowship was through, police say they came back and stole more than $100,000 worth of equipment from several Georgia churches.

Police charged gospel singers Deshawn Rico Thomas, 28, of Augusta and Rico Pionegro Blackshear, 28, of Dublin with nine counts of theft and burglary.Police had been investigating break-ins at several central Georgia churches. A tipster suggested they take a closer look at Thomas and Pionegro. A search warrant revealed the stolen equipment in the pair's vehicles and homes.
No one is perfect. I'm not sure what would push these two men to praise the Lord one minute and then steal the equipment that other Christians use to praise the Lord in the next. It's not about what we do or say in public that counts but what happens when no one is looking. As my mother quoted to me all the time as a child, "What you do in the darkness shall come to light."
If these men are found guilty of theft, the churches that they stole from have an opportunity to practice what they preach and forgive these two wayward men.
What do you think?
 
Do these men deserve a second chance?

Christophers Gourmet Grill: Great Burgers in Portland, OR

This place has got some great burger deals. That burger up there is the "Louisiana Cheese Burger" with a delicious spicy hot link topper along the usual suspects. With fries its $5.50.
They also have chicken burgers, fish burgers, and the "Man Up Cheese Burger" (bacon, egg, double cheese, and a hot link).


Christophers Gourmet Grill


(503) 939-4643
3962 Ne M L King Blvd, Portland, OR 97212 Get directions
Cross Streets: Between NE Shaver St and NE Failing St

Neighborhoods: King Portland, OR, Northeast Portland, OR

Tell Them Asa from PO Soul Sent Ya!!!

New PO Soul Entertainment Website

Check out our new website. It is a great place to go to hear and see wonderful things happening around the NW. Here are a few thing that stand out about this new website.

• Free Online Bible
• Watch TBN Live on our website
• Get info on other gospel companies - ITM Live, Genuine Life Records and more
• PO Soul TV
• Read PO Soul Radio News

Check It Out!

Click Here to Go To PO Soul Ent.

Ex-Chicago Cop on Trial for Torturing Confessions From 100 Black Men

Darrell Cannon was asleep with his common-law wife and son in 1983 when a group of white police officers burst into his Chicago apartment. They said he knew something about a homicide, threw him in the back of a police car and took him to a secluded location.
In an effort to get details, the officers first performed a mock lynching. When that didn't work, one of the officers pretended to load a pump-action shotgun, put the shotgun in Cannon's mouth and pulled the trigger three times.
"One of them said, 'Go ahead, blow that nigger's head off.' And that's when [officer] Peter Dignan forced the shotgun in my mouth. And he said, "You're not going to tell me what I want to hear? You're not going to tell me?" I said, "No." And that's when he pulled the trigger," said Cannon. "The third time they did it, when I heard the trigger pull, in my mind, I thought he was blowing the back of my head off, because the hair on the back of my head stood straight up when I heard that click."
Finally, the rogue cops pulled down Cannon's pants and forced his legs apart. Using a battery operated cattle prodder, they repeatedly shocked Cannon's testicles. It was the final straw, Cannon told Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!
"Finally I agreed to tell them anything they wanted to hear. Anything. It didn't matter to me. You know, if they said, "Did your mother do it?" "Yes, yes, yes." Because the diabolical treatment that I received was such that I had never in my life experienced anything like this. I didn't even know anything like this here existed in the United States," Cannon said.
Not only does such treatment exist in this country, prosecutors in Chicago allege that it flourished under the wicked guidance of ex-police Lt. Jon Burge (pictured).
In all, Burge may have overseen the torture of and obtained coerced confessions from more than 100 African American men over the course of a 22-year career.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Juice' Star Khalil Kain Added to Tyler Perry's 'For Colored Girls' Movie

Black Voices has exclusively learned that Khalil Kain, best known for his role in the 1992 hip-hop film 'Juice,' has been cast in Tyler Perry's 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.'
According to our sources, Kain's character will be paired with Tony Award-winning 'Princess and the Frog' star Anika Noni Rose.
The 45-year-old New York native, who recently got some shine as Darnell in the popular TV series 'Girlfriends,' joins Omari Hardwick, Isaiah Mustafa and Richard Lawson as the men in the film.
Other actors will be named at a later date.
Based on Ntozake Shange's award-winning 1975 play, 'Colored Girls' is scheduled to shoot in June in New York with a possible late-2010 release.
The riveting play, consisting of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women known only by a color,- deal with such subjects as love, abandonment, rape and abortion. The play garnered much acclaim, becoming the toast of Broadway when it opened at the Booth Theater in 1976.
Already cast in the movie are Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine and Macy Gray.
Kain made his feature-film debut playing opposite rapper Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps in Ernest Dickerson's 'Juice,' which is considered a hip-hop classic.
He then appeared in numerous TV shows, including 'Girlfriends.' He also appeared in an episode of 'The Ghost Whisperer' and on the series 'Medium.'
Are you interested in seeing Tyler Perry's adaptation of 'For Colored Girls'?

ITM Live Radio - KLAY 1180 AM - SUN 7pm

Tune in to ITM Live Radio on KLAY 1180 AM 
Tune in to http://www.klay.com/ to hear it Live
SUN 7pm / 10pm est.
With your hosts E Rocka & AR

Juanita Bynum: Popular Prophetess Partners With Beyonce's Dad

Prophetess Juanita Bynum has signed a new deal with Beyonce's dad, Mathew Knowles, for both a joint-venture recording agreement and management representation.

BV Buzz broke news via Twitter on Sunday, May 9, that the renowned preacher-singer had entered an agreement with Knowles' Music World Entertainment for a multi-layered deal.

Official news that 51-year-old Christian personality was confirmed by Music World rep Gwendolyn Quinn on Monday, May 10.

"Dr. Juanita Bynum has built a solid foundation, with her ministry leading the way to her music and literary accomplishments. Her global brand potential is extraordinary," said Knowles,President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. "She exemplifies the strength of human character and has the passion and talent to inspire."
Though she just released her eighth CD, 'More Passion,' on her own label, Flow Records, on May 4, Bynum is slated to drop a new CD called 'The Diary of Juanita Bynum' later this year on her new venture Son Flower Records, in partnership with Knowles' Spirit Rising label.

"I am elated about what the ingeniousness of Mathew Knowles, mixed with the gift that God, has given me is about to produce," said Bynum. "It's a new day. I'm a new Juanita Bynum, and I'm ready for this new start."

Bynum is best known as the author of the book and sermon 'No More Sheets' and as one of the most sought-after evangelists on the Christian speaking circuit. Her success has been overshadowed by her highly publicized domestic dispute in 2007 with then-husband Bishop Thomas Weeks.
The two have since divorced, and Bynum went on a whirlwind media campaign after the ordeal and touted herself as the "new face of domestic violence."

Abercrombie Discrimination Case Dismissed

A lawsuit brought against Abercrombie & Fitch by a former black saleswoman in New York has been dismissed, according to WWD. Dulazia Burchette filed suit against the retailer in 2008, claiming supervisors discriminated against her by asking her to remove blond highlights in her hair, claiming they looked unnatural.

She claims her employers didn't ask the same of the white employees with highlighted hairstyles.

On Monday, the case was dismissed by a New York judge who says Burchette didn't produce "any triable evidence" that she had been "treated more severely than similarly situated coworkers." The judge also thought there was a lack of evidence for her claims of conspiracy against her and retaliation by her bosses.

Of course, the words Abercrombie and racist have crossed paths a few times before this trial.

In 2004, a victorious $50 million class-action lawsuit addressing racist hiring practices was won against the retailer, which overtly favors blue-eyed, blond-haired models and shop clerks.

And over the last two years, another three complaints have been filed against the brand: one by a British law student with a prosthetic limb and another two by young women wearing traditional Muslim headscarves. All of these employees said they were discriminated against because they violated A&F's "Look Policy."

According to The Telegraph, the Look Policy of A&F requires that employees have fingernails that are "clean and presentable"; any makeup must "enhance natural features and create a fresh, natural appearance"; tattoos are only acceptable if "they represent the Abercrombie" look; and employees must only sport "a clean, natural, classic hairstyle."

Do you think the Look Policy is discriminatory in itself? Let us know in a comment below.

Look at this, the new Apple iPhone 4G HD

Apple's latest invention The Iphone HD

HTC Evo 4G for Sprint — First Look

A wireless phone that is as fast as most peoples basic DSL and cable wired connections. Featuring a 4.3-inch screen, 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and the ability to connect to your HDTV for viewing HD movies this phone is built for rich streaming multimedia enjoyment from the palm of your hand or the comfort of your sofa. Don't miss any of our upcoming videos, subscribe now:



Soon to be released Summer 2010 - June 16th looks like the day and Best Buy is sure to have it. It is supposed to be priced around $199 after rebates. Closest thing to a iPhone but the new iPhone HD is look sweet. Just not to sure about the design though.

Im Getting my HTC EVO in July so I can tell you then what it dew!

Asa aka "DJ Spoons"

Tamara Does Her Little Motivational Rap at Christ Fellowship

Tamara does her little motivational rap at Christ Fellowship.

The NEW "PO Soul TV" YouTube Channel

Subscribe to PO Soul TV on YouTube.com to stay up to date about hot Christians events and and live video performances. Keep up with PO Soul and other great Gospel acts in the Portland area. We would to have you video posted if you have some available. email posoulradio@gmail.com about you events and video links.


You are watching a perfromance by Gospel Award winnning TEPH & The Amazing Jerks. This concert was held at Jefferson High School by IVY Keller Productions. This was a hot set.

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COMING SOON The ITM Gospel Awards!

Go to ITM LIVE.org for more Info

Rickey Smiley: Raising 10 Kids Is No Laughing Matter

Comedian Rickey Smiley is one funny brother!
Before he began hosting his nationally syndicated 'Rickey Smiley Morning Show' on radio in 2004, the Birmingham, Ala.-bred standup hosted BET's 'Comic View' in 2000.
Having appeared in films like 'Friday After Next' and 'First Sunday,' Smiley is now gearing up for a guest turn in 'Stomp The Yard 2: The Homecoming.'
BV Buzz caught up with the proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on the Atlanta set of the film and Smiley opened up about everything from his career in entertainment to raising 10 children.
You're appearing in the sequel to 'Stomp The Yard.' Why haven't you done more acting?
I get people offering me to do stuff. I don't do everything; it just has to be the right role. I'm kind of busy with radio and stand-up comedy on the weekend, which I never want to stop doing. Then, I have children and responsibilities. I can't spend my whole life chasing money. I am working on some stuff coming up with David Talbert. We're talking about developing my grandmother character into a full on project. I'll want to make a reality show based on my morning show. I'm really excited about that.
What made 'Stomp The Yard 2' so appealing to you?

I am so excited to be in a movie where there is no killing, violence, stabbing and shooting. I hope that young people are inspired to go to college and join Greek organizations, not just for the step show but for the service. Everything is about doing community service and understanding that all of the fraternities and sororities are all about service. I hope people find the one that they think is best for them and get in and serve people. You are born to serve and life isn't about you. This right here is a great movie and I just hope that it inspires people to go to college. It's too dangerous out here. You have to have an education. A Black man with a degree is about as equal as a White man with a high school diploma. We have to be bigger, smarter, better, faster and stronger just to make the playing ground even. This movie is so important and I'm glad to be working with brothers that just put out a good project like 'Stomp the Yard.' My role is easy because I used to host step shows all the time.

You're a proud Omega man. Are you one of those Que Dogs who breaks out into a party hop as soon as 'Atomic Dog' comes on?
If 'Atomic Dog' comes on I could be sitting in the front row at somebody's mama's funeral and I will set out and hop. If somebody is playing 'Atomic Dog' outside of that funeral and I hear that beat, I will be in aisle gettin' it. 'Excuse me Pastor!'

A lot of comedians do comedy so that they can have careers in film and television. Do you actually enjoy the grueling life of comedy or are you attempting to transition as well?
I like being on the road because I'm a grimy road kind of dude. I still drive to some of my gigs. If it is within five hours, I will just jump in my truck; load up my iPod, some potato chips, Mountain Dew and some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and just drive. I will think and reflect and listen to my gospel music, my Outkast, my T.I. and just enjoy myself. I've been driving a lot lately, especially since I'm in Atlanta. When I was in Dallas I would have to fly, but if I do a show in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi or Arkansas, I just jump in the car and drive. I have been kind of enjoying being a real comedian again.
Why do you think people find you funny Rickey?

You have to be born to be a comedian. Everybody doesn't have the 'it' factor. I don't know what the 'it' factor is for Rickey Smiley. I know I'm funny, but some people think I'm funnier than what I actually think about myself. I've been funny all of my life, but some people think I'm funny and I don't even have to say anything. Then, I'll say something and they will laugh, but when I say something funny they will fall out crying. I have literally had people taken out of my shows or run out of my shows and I had one lady who actually passed away at one of my shows. The lady straight up died and I noticed that when everybody was leaving there was a couple still sitting there and the next thing you know the paramedics came. This happened in 2003 and I think it was in Cincinnati. They said that the lady had a smile on her face in the casket and her teeth were showing.

We'll have to nickname you the "Killer Comic!" Have they invited you back to that place.

I've been invited back since.
One of the things that has made your radio show so successful is that you've been community oriented. Where did that passion begin?

That's important because you can't laugh people's problems away. People are out here hurting, children are being mistreated, senior citizens are being neglected and people need to register to vote. It's just a lot of things out here that people need to be made aware of. There is some serious domestic violence, breast cancer, prostate cancer, hypertension and all of that stuff. Growing up listening to Tom Joyner, I do recognize that there are some things in the community that we really need to get busy on. In order to get respect from people, you have to have a serious side because there is a difference between a comedian and a clown. I don't laugh and joke all the time, especially when I'm talking about serious issues because you have to establish respect for yourself as a man and they won't if you make people laugh all the time.

How many kids do you have Rickey? I know you've adopted several as well.

I have two biological kids, but in all it's about nine or ten. Some of the mothers are on drugs, parents been killed. I have an apartment in Atlanta, but my home is in Birmingham. They are all in Birmingham so I drive back and forth on the weekend and sometimes during the week. On an average weekend, it's probably nine to fifteen kids in the house. People have to get outside of the box. Your kids might put you in the nursing home. It could be that very one kid that used to come stay over there that lets you stay with him and his wife. You have to sow seeds because that's what you're here for.
It's got to be expensive to raise all of those kids!
I don't own any rims. I don't have a diamond or a piece of gold. I would be filthy rich if I was selfish. I would have a lot of money in the bank if I was selfish. God blessed me because every time I get something, I pay my taxes and tithes and give the rest of it away. I have three jet skis and my wave runners are my life. I love to go in the ocean and ride those waves. I bought them cheap off of Craigslist. Me and the kids find a cheap plane ticket to Fort Lauderdale and we ride wave runners or roller coasters. Everything that I do is for the kids. I don't do nothing for myself. I wear sweat pants and t-shirts everyday. True Religion jeans and these shirts and stuff I call costumes, because this isn't how I dress.
You're radio show has nearly 40 markets and continues to grow. Why do you think people are gravitating to your radio show.
I just try to work hard and everybody doesn't appreciate it. You can go out here and help people and give somebody a piece of bread and they complain that they don't like wheat bread. They would rather have white bread. You can have a radio show and be the ongoing joke on the golf course that Rickey Smiley is considered crazy because he doesn't let people push him around because I have an opinion. I would never let any company in radio water me down to be a radio personality and take away my star status because then they own you and you have nothing. This radio game is tough and cut throat. I had to get that off my chest. I do stand-up comedy and I do movies. I do radio because I want to, not because I have to.
'Stomp The Yard 2: The Homecoming' opens in theaters this fall.