WASHINGTON (NNPA)—TV One’s new television show Donald J. Trump Presents “The Ultimate Merger” sounds more like business program about joint ventures than an African-American dating show—but it isn’t.

Trump and the producers of the highly-successful NBC reality program “The Apprentice” have brought their can’t miss formula to TV One hoping that one of their most infamous “Apprentice” contestants can close the deal on love.

If nothing else, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, usually just known as Omarosa, always makes for good television. Trump knows this. That’s why he invited his season one contestant back for a second time as a participant on “Celebrity Apprentice” and has now green-lighted her a reality show of her own.

For those wondering what ever happened to Jada Pinkett, now Jada Pinkett Smith, well, she’s alive and well, but not on the big screen. She’s on TNT. She’s the star and executive producer of “HawthoRNe” a hospital series, in its second season, which focuses on the nurses. If you can’t get producers to cast you, then produce your own. That is what she’s doing.

HAWTHORNE CAST OF NURSES—From left: David Julian Hirsh, Christina Moore, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Vartan, Hannah Hodson, and Suleka Mathew.

TNT is making a strong bid for Black viewers with programs like Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns” along with several programs featuring Blacks as stars and co-stars. Blacks who are hungry to see Black faces on the tube helped make “HawthoRNe” a solid success in its first season which has led to the premier of the second season June 22.

The Fair ­Housing Partnership presented its fourth annual Poetry Slam entitled “From Words to Actions: Remaking Communities for Everyone” at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater.
Local poets speak out about the need to create communities that are built on inclusion, diversity and fairness; that are free of discrimination and intolerance; and embrace change that is citizen driven.

WINNERS AND JUDGES—Angela Reynolds, Shawnetae Spencer, Ranikaa Chaney, David Jones, Natassia Howard, Tene Croom, and Adrienne Walnoha.

This week I visited the Oceans at the River Casino on the North Shore, the William Pitt Student Union in Oakland, Calvary Baptist Church in the Hill District, Club 21 in the Strip District and YaMomz House Recording Studio in East Liberty.

My first stop was Club 21 in the Strip District. Hip-hop recording artist Mista Scrap and the crew held it down by presenting an event called “Proud To Be Local” featuring local artists from around the Pittsburgh area. B-Flames and other artists performed for the crowd and ripped up the stage.

The party was hot at Jai Legacy’s event at the River’s Casino at Ocean’s Drum Bar.