Michael Baisden

(YourBlackWorld.com)--Just a few days ago, it was announced by Michael Baisden that he was leaving his popular radio show.  The announcement stunned observers, since the show was doing so well.  It also appeared that Baisden was leaving on his own accord, and that he would have a few days to say goodbye to listeners before heading off the air.

But these reports are being contradicted by Access Atlanta, who says that Baisden has been locked out of his studio and can’t even finish out the show on his own terms.  Here is the original tweet that Baisden sent out to the public.

At 3pm ET today, Michael and George (Willborn) will begin saying goodbye after 10 years on radio. Tell everyone to tune in and call in to show some love for the most thought provoking, funny, and socially active shows ever to come to radio!

Baisden’s tune changed later on when it was revealed that he’d been locked out of the studio and couldn’t come in to properly finish off the show before leaving.

 In the words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all get along?” Just because we couldn’t come to an agreement is no reason to deprive the listeners, our affiliates, and our advertisers of only 9 days to say goodbye and show our appreciation.

All their action does is make me more determined than ever to come back! And next time there will be no middlemen between me, my affiliates, and my listeners. Lesson learned!

I’ll miss you family, stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter for my daily inspiration post and updates on the return of The MB Show! The journey continues!!!]

Radio Facts claims that the negotiations between Baisden and Cumulus did not go well and that they are upset that he released information to the public before getting their permission to do so.  Negotiations were still pending, but it appears that Baisden walked away from the table.

Baisden said more about the situation on his Facebook page:

Who would have ever thought that a Black man from the South Side of Chicago, with no college degree, no formal training in radio, TV, or writing, and the youngest son to a single 17 year-old teenaged mother with three children, would one day lead civil rights protest and help to elect the first Black President. Life is truly amazing!

I am proud of what I have accomplished with my life and look forward to what is to come next. Life is full of new beginnings, whether it’s a new relationship or a new business venture; change is the one constant…and we must learn to embrace it.

For years I’ve encouraged you to step out on faith to live your dream, to never compromise your principles, and most importantly, not to be afraid to try something new, but above all else, dare to be different. Well, it’s time for me to practice what I preach!

When I began writing books in 1993, my only goal was to have a positive impact and challenge people to think outside the box. In 1995 I took that leap of faith and left my job with a four-year-old child to support, three thousand dollars in my pocket, and a dream. And as strange as this may sound, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would make it.

Call it cockiness or confidence, but I was determined that no force on earth was going to stop me from realizing my dreams. And after five best selling books, two stage plays, two televisions shows, three DVDs, and one of the most successful radio programs in history, I’m just getting started!

No, it was not my intention to leave radio, I had plans for The Michael Baisden Live Tour, my 10-year anniversary party in DC in July, and I was looking forward to being on the air this summer to get justice for Trayvon Martin and his family.

But sometimes fate, the universe, God, or however you want to label that undeniable force, has it’s own plans. Someone once told me that the greatest experiences in life are unplanned ones. I guess I’m about to test that theory.

We wish Michael the best of luck in his new endeavors.  We’re sure they will be successful.

AYANA MATHIS

You’ve always tried to do best for your family.
You make sure everyone’s fed nutritious food three times a day. You put clothes on their bodies, bubbles in their baths, and a soft bed beneath them every night. There are toys on the floor, couple dollars in the bank, holidays are all good, and you do your best to make sure it stays that way.
But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things just go bad. That’s when, as in the new novel “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” by Ayana Mathis, doing your best just isn’t good enough.
Floyd always thought of himself as the oldest Shepherd child, even though the twins came before him. His mother, Hattie, never forgot about her dead babies and as a result, Floyd and his siblings grew up in a suffocating house. That was good reason to leave home as soon as he could. Why he felt a strong pull toward loving young men, well, he couldn’t answer that.

Just fifteen, Six wondered if he had somehow inherited his mother’s temper. People thought he was a quiet child; poor Six with scars from that long-ago accident. What they didn’t know was that the accident charred more than just his skin: he burned with fire enough to beat another boy near to death, and he burned with the Holy Spirit.
Growing up, Alice was like a mother to her own brothers and sisters. It almost had to be that way; their father, August, was always away, and Hattie had her hands full with babies. Alice had a particular soft spot for her brother, Billup, and she promised to take special care of him for life.
Billup didn’t need Alice, and he told her so. She didn’t need to protect him any more. She wasn’t the one who was molested, anyhow.
And there were always more babies. Ruthie, who was the child of another man. Ella, whom Hattie gave away. Bell, always on the outside.
And then there was Sala, the child Hattie could do right by. The child she could save. The child who could save her.
Who can resist a book that starts out sweet, quickly turns tragic, gives you hope and then… well, not me. That’s why I loved “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” so much.
Author Ayana Mathis doesn’t bother to tug on our heartstrings in this book. No, she rips at them with this story of a woman who holds her hurts close and in doing so, makes her pain echo through several decades.
Where this book shines is in Mathis’ character development: it’s oh-so-very easy to forget that the people aren’t real. You’ll squirm at some of the troubles here. For sure, there are parts of this book that will make you breathless.
Be aware that you may want a tissue for parts of this novel. Be aware that you won’t be able to put this book down. If you need a good story in the worst way, “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” may be best.
(“The Twelve Tribes of Hattie” by Ayana Mathis, Knopf, $24.95, 247 pages.)

(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn: I have been married for seven years and the marriage has been horrible from the get-go. In short, Gwendolyn, I have suffered abuse, abandonment, disrespect and dishonesty. My mother advised me not to marry him. I have truly regretted not taking her advice.
The problem continued…My husband left me because I refused to take a job in a rundown hotel in a rundown section of town. He was trying to push me into danger but he didn’t have a job at all. After I refused to take the job, he started calling me names. He tried to assure me I was a nobody, I couldn’t take care of my child and that I was stupid. About six months ago, he called and said he didn’t want to be married anymore. From that point I moved on with my life and have found happiness. I now have a new friend and he treats me like gold, bronze, and silver. He says I am more valuable than diamonds. When I told my husband, he started to be nicer and wanted to come back. I think he realizes I don’t want to give him another chance. I have filed for divorce. What makes me angry is that he has taken up friendship with another woman so soon after our separation.—Joan
Dear Joan: Your husband more than likely already had his new friend. Do not become bitter with him. He is not worth your thoughts. It is only a matter of time before he starts to mistreat her as well. And, Joan, he might treat her good but don’t concern yourself with that. A failed marriage or a failed courtship hurts and hurts badly. Enjoy your new friend. Girl, you got it going on. Many men will treat you like gold, bronze, and silver—but seldom you find a man who will think of you as—diamonds in the mix.
(Got a problem? Don’t solve it alone. Write to Gwendolyn Baines at: P.O. Box 10066, Raleigh, N.C. 27605-0066 [To receive a reply, send a self-addressed stamped envelope]. Or email her at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and visit her Web site at: www.gwenbaines.com.)

WORLD PREMIERE-- Jubilant Sykes and Kecia Lewis in a scene from “Breath and Imagination” (Hartford Stage/T. Charles Erickson)

by C. Denise Johnson

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Most playwrights hope their creations will move, entertain and meet favorable reviews.  In the case of “Breath & Imagination,” Daniel Beatty’s latest work is a 3-pointer. City Theatre’s latest offering, a world premiere co-production with Hartford Stage, offers an outstanding platform for stellar performances.