The Official Program For Aretha Franklin’s Funeral Friday August 31st

DETROIT – The full program for Aretha Franklin’s funeral service on Friday, Aug. 31 has been released.

Story by Urbaninsite

Local 4 plans to carry the funeral live on-air and on ClickOnDetroit.com. Coverage begins at 9 a.m.

Here’s a look at the full list of speakers and performers:
Related: Aretha Franklin funeral in Detroit on Aug. 31: What you need to know

9:30-9:50 a.m.: Musical Prelude: Aretha Franklin Orchestra
9:50-10:00 a.m.: Lighting of Candles: Swanson Funeral Home, Inc.
10:00-10:20 a.m.: Processional: Clergy, Ministers and Family
10:20-10:25 a.m.: Prayer of Comfort: Dr. E.L. Branch, Pastor, Third New Hope Church
10:25-10:40 a.m.: Scripture of Comfort:
10:25 a.m.: Old Testament: Bishop T.D. Jakes, Potter’s House, Dallas, TX
10:30 a.m.: New Testament: Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Triumph Church
10:35 a.m.: The Psalm: Bishop P.A. Brooks, Pastor, New St. Paul Tabernacle Church
10:40-10:45 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir
10:45-10:49 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Faith Hill
10:49-11:03 a.m.: Remarks:
10:49 a.m.: Brenda Jones, City Council President
10:51 a.m.: JoAnn Watson, Detroit City Council
10:53 a.m.: Mike Duggan, Mayor, City of Detroit
10:57 a.m.: Governor Rick Snyder, State of Michigan
11:03-11:08 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Ariana Grande
1108-11:13 a.m.: Musical Tribute: The Clark Sisters
11:13-11:18 a.m: Acknowledgements and Condolences: Barbara Sampson
11:18-11:23 a.m.: Musical Tribute: The Williams Brothers & Vanessa Bell Armstrong
11:23-11:40 a.m.: Family Reflections: Vaughn, Cristal, Victorie & Jordan Franklin
11:40-11:45 a.m.: Family Musical Tribute: Edward Franklin
11:45-11:50 a.m.: Obituary: Sabrina Owens
11:50-11:55 a.m.: Musical Tribute: Alice McAllister Tillman
11:55-12:00 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Audrey DuBois Harris
12:00-12:15 p.m.: Personal Remarks:
12:00 p.m.: Eric Holder, Former U.S. Attorney General
12:05 p.m.: Senator Gary Peters, State of Michigan
12:10 p.m.: Former President, William (Bill) Jefferson Clinton
12:15-12:19 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Pastor Shirley Caesar and Tasha Cobbs-Leonard
12:19-12:36 p.m.: Personal Reflections :
12:19 p.m.: Greg Mathis, Retired Judge, 36th District Court, Detroit, MI
12:23 p.m.: Brenda Lawrence, State Representative, 14th Congressional District
12:27 p.m.: Rev. Donald L. Parsons, Logos Assembly Church, Chicago, IL
12:31 p.m.: Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder, National Action Network
12:36-12:41 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Chaka Khan
12:41-12:51 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Ron Isley
12:51 p.m.: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Founder/President Rainbow P.U.S.H. Coalition
1:00 p.m.: Dr. William J. Barber, II, Pastor, Greenleaf Christian Church, Goldsborough N.C
1:05 p.m.: Rev. James Holley, Retired Pastor, New Light Missionary Baptist Church
1:10-1:15 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Fantasia Barrino-Taylor
1:15-1:30 p.m: Personal Reflections :
1:15 p.m.: Tyler Perry
1:17 p.m.: Cicely Tyson, Actress
1:20 p.m.: Clive Davis, Chief Creative Officer, Sony Music
1:25 p.m.: Smokey Robinson, Recording Artist
1:30-1:34 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Bishop Paul Morton and Yolanda Adams
1:34-1:53 p.m.: Personal Reflections :
1:34 p.m.: Mildred Gaddis, Radio Personality
1:38 p.m.: Isaiah Thomas, Former NBA Player, Detroit Pistons
1:42 p.m.: Ron Moten, Personal Friend, Franchise Owner, McDonald’s Restaurants
1:48 p.m.: Michael Eric Dyson, Professor of Sociology, Georgetown University
1:53-2:00 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Bishop Marvin Sapp and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir
2:00-2:05 p.m.: Sermonic Selection: Jennifer Hudson
2:05-2:35 p.m.: Eulogy: Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., Pastor, Salem Baptist Church, Atlanta GA
2:35-2:45 p.m.: Musical Tribute: Stevie Wonder joined by National Artists
2:45-3:00 p.m.: Recessional: Jennifer Holliday and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir

Colin Kaepernick wins summary judgment case vs. NFL keeping grievance case alive

An arbitrator ruled that Colin Kaepernick’s grievance case can proceed after the NFL requested a summary judgement. (AP)

Story by Yahoo Sports
Written by Charles Robinson/NFL columnist

Colin Kaepernick won the summary judgment phase (https://sports.yahoo.com/crucial-hearing-colin-kaepernicks-grievance-vs-nfl-begins-162805447.html) of his collusion case against the NFL, a ruling that allows his grievance to continue against the league.

The NFL requested a summary judgement ruling from arbitrator Stephen Burbank, saying that Kaepernick’s legal team, after the discovery phase of the grievance process, hadn’t reached the standard to prove that the league and its owners colluded to keep Kaepernick out of pro football.

Since he opted out of his contract in March 2017 with the San Francisco 49ers, Kapernick hasn’t landed with a team, sitting out all of last season.

Here’s why Raiders, Khalil Mack are in contract stalemate with no end in sight

Khalil Mack hasn’t reported to training camp for the Raiders in a dispute over a contract extension. (AP)

Story by Yahoo Sports
Written by Charles Robinson

The Oakland Raiders and Khalil Mack have made no progress on resolving a contract impasse that is now likely to result in the All-Pro defensive end missing regular-season games, according to sources familiar with the standoff.

As of Monday evening, sources said both sides remained entrenched in the same positions that have contributed to a stalemate in negotiations since February: with the Raiders declining to offer Mack a contract extension and with Mack seeking a long-term deal that would make him the NFL’s highest paid defensive player. One source said there have been no meaningful talks between the two sides in months and that the situation has devolved to a deadlocked “pay him or trade him” conversation.

As for the granular points of the impasse, sources told Yahoo Sports:

• Head coach Jon Gruden has not been directly involved in talks, but the deal is not entirely in the hands of general manager Reggie McKenzie. While McKenzie has long had his own thought process on how Mack would be extended, a deal of this magnitude can’t be consummated without Gruden’s approval. Needing Gruden to sign off essentially has put him in charge of the purse strings when it comes to Mack’s extension (or lack thereof), which has apparently been a drag on talks that haven’t gotten off the ground. This was a point made forcefully clear by multiple sources – that unless team owner Mark Davis steps in, Gruden has the final say over whatever happens with Mack’s deal. This means whether Mack is traded, extended or shelved until reporting to the franchise on his current deal, Gruden’s final call is the definitive piece of the puzzle.

• Funding a long-term deal for Mack is not an issue for the Raiders’ Davis. Sources said Davis has the necessary financial liquidity to put Mack’s fully guaranteed funds into escrow, per the league’s collective-bargaining agreement.

No wait for Aaron Donald
• The still-pending Aaron Donald deal with the Los Angeles Rams has not been a prohibitive force for either side. Instead, the contract discussion between the Raiders and Mack first arose in February, long before Donald and the Rams had made any progress in their own negotiations. Sources have said the two sides have failed to come to a deal because they are approaching it from fundamentally different leverage points, not because either is waiting to see what a new Donald contract will look like.

• Regardless of what Gruden has said publicly, the Raiders will pick up the phone for potential trade offers. Gruden, however, is going to go above and beyond to make one point clear to teams: Despite the contract issue, the Raiders consider Mack an elite-level edge talent and their best defensive player. That means Oakland is going to only consider deals that are significant superstar-level overtures.

Another NFL team isn’t going to get Mack for an aging star and a draft pick, or a hodgepodge of middle-round draft ammunition. Oakland feels it’s in a position of leverage over Mack and the franchise would rather gamble on that leverage than give a superstar away.

Neither side appears to be giving in
In many respects, this is a situation that has fallen into two sides staring at each other and waiting for the other to blink. That hasn’t changed in months and doesn’t appear to be headed for a watershed moment without ownership intervention. When Yahoo Sports visited Raiders camp in early August, staffers were already suggesting the team was prepared to deal with Mack likely reporting under a cloud of dissatisfaction over his contract. Once a front office or coaching staff begins to accept that threshold mentally – dealing with a player who isn’t happy financially or simply moving forward without him – it can reinforce a barrier to fruitful talks.

That barrier appears to be firmly in place for the Raiders brain trust. With the regular season less than two weeks away, it shows no signs of weakening. Nor does the resolve of either side in this confrontation. And now more than ever, it looks like the Raiders and Khalil Mack will officially start the 2018 season in the same place they were six months ago: Far apart.

How I learned that being West Indian did not make me better than African-Americans

Lisa from Haiti, grew up in the United States.

Story by Lisa A La Mode

I first wrote this piece two years ago when I was an editor, at the now-defunct, Black Girl Long Hair. I’m resharing it today, on my own platform, due in part to the piece I wrote a few days ago in regards to the twitter drama surrounding Pop Culture writer, Luvvie Ajayi. You can read about that here: https://lisaalamode.com/2018/08/19/awesomely-luvvie-tevin-campbell-twitter/. I’m also sharing my story again because it holds me accountable. It forces me to remember, that although I was born and raised in this country, there is still much to learn about the African American experience.

When I was growing up in the 80’s and 90’s I learned very early on that being Haitian wasn’t exactly the thing to be. When my family moved to a new town, my older brother and I simply hid it. Nobody asked, so we didn’t tell. Then it all began to unravel. My third-grade teacher assigned a family tree diagram which forced me to reveal our heritage. I recall coming home from school that day feeling dread as I told my older brother (by two years) that the jig was up. The tears came quickly, from both us, as we understood all too well what it would mean to reveal that we were Haitian. The teasing would be brutal, but tolerable. Feeling ostracized was what we feared the most.

But then we grew up, and like most people, the very thing we were teased about as children became the thing we cherished with the utmost pride. We embraced our heritage, and slowly the larger West-Indian community began to accept us. Gaining this acceptance, however, came at a price. While I had always heard family members speak with disdain about Black Americans, it wasn’t until I was a teenager when I learned that this us vs. them mentality spanned across West-Indian cultures. When I’d hear West-Indians attributing certain stereotypes to African Americans, I found myself nodding in agreement. We were different, I insisted. We were educated. Our children were better behaved. We were hard-working. Our food tasted better. African Americans, we said, gave us all a bad name. And while we would befriend them in public, in private, we’d deride them for being stereotypical.

I carried this belief with me to college. I was even proud when white people would praise me for being different from what they’d imagined. My French last name was also a crowd-pleaser. I ate it all up with a spoon. My hubris, however, came to an abrupt halt towards the end of my freshman year when, in a moment of drunken courage, one of my white dorm-mates screamed at me to, “Go back to Africa!” I was stunned. Surely, she couldn’t mean me? I had perfectly straight hair. I dressed well. I made the Dean’s list. I spoke the Queen’s English. How could she, in a moment of anger, reduce me to being a black face just like any other? I was different. Wasn’t I? It was a hard, but much-needed lesson. While I can never profess that African American culture and Haitian culture are one in the same, our differences are not so great that we should ever feel that one culture is superior to the other.

Huffington Post writer Nadege Seppou, who is of Cameroonian heritage, penned an open letter to African immigrants, urging them to not fall victim to the same belief system. She writes:
White Americans will say you are better than American blacks, but please do not fall for this trap. You will be told you behave better, work harder, and are more educated than American blacks. You will be tempted to agree and will sometimes want to shout, “YES, I’M NOT LIKE THEM, WE AFRICANS ARE DIFFERENT!” Just don’t…don’t even think it.

The praise of your acquired characteristic and culture becomes a justification for white Americans to perpetuate discriminatory treatments towards American blacks. These statements of praise have an underlying message of, “If Africans can do so well then surely racism has nothing to do with anything, therefore, American Blacks are to be blamed for their condition in America”. This problematic line of reasoning sustains cultural racism. I beg of you, refrain from nodding in agreement when you receive such faulty praise.

Indeed, West Indians, like the African immigrants described in Seppou’s letter, are guilty of the same misdeeds. In wanting to carve out a place for ourselves in a society where being black places you on the bottom rung, we have perpetuated the belief that we are better than our African American counterparts.

Still, culture is this interesting thing, right? Here I am, a black woman, born and raised in America, and yet I cannot call myself an African American or even say, I am of the culture. I am for the culture, of course. I would, today, defend the culture against anyone who would seek to tarnish it in any way, but I wasn’t raised with any real understanding of African American culture. Not in school, certainly not in my home, and not even with the few friends with whom I was permitted to spend time (Haitian parents don’t really do the whole “friend” thing).

Consequently, I have spent the better part of the last 16 years learning, understanding, and appreciating the beauty and the richness of African American culture, but I have never forgotten where I am began. It is this understanding of self, I believe, that now allows me to navigate both worlds, African American and Haitian, with ease. I only know what I know, and what I don’t know, I’m open to being taught. This, friends, is how I believe we can, as a people, come together and stay together.
______________________________________________________________________

Lisa.

Well Hello! My name is Lisa and you’ve stumbled upon my own little corner of the world. I’m a lipstick-loving, high heel junkie, mom, and wife. When I’m not here bringing you the latest in beauty, fashion, hot topics, and bits and pieces of my life with my family, you can find me over on youtube swatching lipsticks and sharing my latest natural hairstyles. Make sure you also follow me on Instagram and Snapchat under my brand name Lisa A La Mode. I’m a real person. I promise.

McCain requested Obama and George W. Bush deliver eulogies at funeral

Story by CBS News

John McCain requested that former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush deliver eulogies at his funeral, CBS News has confirmed. McCain, who had been suffering from an aggressive form of brain cancer, died Saturday at the age of 81 at home in Arizona. Both Obama and Bush will deliver their remarks during a service at the National Cathedral.

Former Vice President Joe Biden will speak at a separate service honoring the senator in Arizona.

McCain will later lie in state at the Arizona State Capitol before traveling to DC where his body will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. The senator asked that he be buried at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland near the grave of a long time friend, something he told Lesley Stahl on "60 Minutes" in September 2017.

"I want-- I want-- when I leave, that the ceremony is at the Naval Academy. And we just have a couple of people that stand up and say, 'This guy, he served his country,'" McCain said.

Mr. Obama, who defeated McCain in 2008 presidential race, issued a statement shortly after McCain's death saying that "we shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher — the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed."

"Few of us have been tested the way John once was, or required to show the kind of courage that he did," Mr. Obama continued. "But all of us can aspire to the courage to put the greater good above our own. At John's best, he showed us what that means. And for that, we are all in his debt."

Mr. Bush, who defeated McCain for the GOP nomination in 2000, issued a statement hailing McCain as a "a man of deep conviction and a patriot of the highest order."

"Some lives are so vivid, it is difficult to imagine them ended," Mr. Bush said. "Some voices are so vibrant, it is hard to think of them stilled."

Happy Birthday Legendary Saxophonist Wayne Shorter

Incredible solo performance by Wayne Shorter in concert with one of his most versatile music groups' "Weather Report".

Building a Strategy for Black America

Story by RainbowPush Coalition

Today, our nation faces a man-made crisis. On a daily basis, the Trump administration is working to roll back our civil and human rights. As history has taught us, we are our strongest when we operate with unified determination. Today is no different. Our community demands that we collaborate to ensure its strength and viability in the face of empowered hostile elements that seek to not only impede our progress but reverse our hard-fought gains.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in conjunction with the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition, invites you to participate in a national public panel discussion concerning the future of the Black Community
______________________________________________________

7 p.m. on September 11th

United Negro College Fund

1805 7th Street Northwest

Washington, DC, 20001
______________________________________________________

Leaders from all of our civil rights organizations, denominational conventions, presidents, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Black Greek lettered organizations members of the community, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, UNCF, Thurgood Marshall Fund, and the National Black Lawyer’s Association, have been invited. Our goal is to identify a set of practical strategies that can be implemented to target the following priority concerns: voter rights reform, voter turnout and engagement, education k-12, equity funding, funding for HBCUs, criminal justice reform and health care.

Aretha Franklin to join her family, Rosa Parks at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan USA

Story by Detroit Free Press
Written by Ann Zaniewski
Photo: Leni Sinclair

Legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin will join her late family members and many other well-known Detroiters in her final resting place: Woodlawn Cemetery.

Franklin, who died Aug. 16, will be entombed at Woodlawn alongside her father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin; her brother, Cecil Franklin; her sisters, Carolyn Franklin and Erma Franklin, and nephew Thomas Garrett, according to a family representative.

Located on 140 acres off Woodward Avenue, Woodlawn also hosts the remains of city leaders and titans of industry and Motown. It was founded in 1895.

Read more about Aretha Franklin:

1. Family: Funeral will be private: https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/aretha-franklin/2018/08/20/aretha-franklin-funeral-private/1043064002/

2. Public viewing at Wright Museum: https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/aretha-franklin/2018/08/16/aretha-franklin-died-funeral-memorial/1009278002/

3. Full coverage remembering the Queen of Soul: https://www.freep.com/entertainment/music/aretha-franklin/


Janet Jackson on Aretha Franklin: https://twitter.com/i/status/1031261435588956160

Here's a look at some of the famous people who are resting there:

• Civil rights icon Rosa Parks. Parks was interred in 2005 at a mausoleum that was renamed the Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel. The Free Press reported in 2006 that prices for the chapel crypts jumped from 42% to more than 100% following the renaming.

• Rev. C.L. Franklin. Franklin, Aretha Franklin's father, was a well-known minister who founded New Bethel Baptist Church. He died in 1984 and is interred in a mausoleum at Woodlawn, as are Aretha's siblings, Carolyn, Erma and Cecil.

• Former Detroit Mayor Albert E. Cobo, who died in 1957.

• Automotive industry pioneers Horace and John Dodge.

• Several members of the Ford family.

• Gospel singers Ronald Winans and David Glenn “Pop” Winans, Sr.

• Several Motown artists, including Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of The Four Tops; Bobbie Smith, founding member of The Spinners; and singer David Ruffin of The Temptations.
_______________________________________________________

Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com

Radio Shows Respect To Aretha Franklin

Songs by Aretha Franklin

Story by Inside Radio and *Kirk Tanter

Radio was quick to pay tribute to The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, upon news of her passing at the age of 76 on Thursday, due to advanced pancreatic cancer. The music of Franklin was heard coast-to-coast as stations aired tributes and produced special programming in honor of the legendary singer.

Radio One urban AC WDMK (105.9) in Franklin’s hometown of Detroit was playing her music non-stop since news of her death came early this morning as was crosstown iHeartMedia urban AC WMXB (92.3). Urban contemporary WGPR (107.5) in the Motor City was airing three-song sets throughout the day.

Bonneville urban AC KBLX-FM (102.9) abandoned regular programming once the news broke as “The Morning Dream Team” shared their thoughts, as did station listeners who called in. “We started at 7am with this tribute and we will continue until 7pm tonight,” operations director/PD Elroy Smith said. “The Aretha Franklin takeover is well deserved.”

The death of Franklin was also acknowledged outside of urban-formatted stations as her music took over the programming at University of Pennsylvania adult alternative WXPN Philadelphia (88.5). Across town at Entercom classic hits WOGL (98.1) midday talent, and market legend, Harvey Holiday, paid tribute to Franklin with a focus on her ‘80s music, including the hit “Freeway of Love.” Pillar of Fire contemporary Christian “Star 99.1” WAWZ Middlesex-Somerset-Union, NJ went all-Aretha on its HD2 channel.

Syndicated radio host Tom Joyner said in a blog post, Franklin “has represented her people well and super-served us with live performances, recorded music, activism, and fierce support of the city she loves so much, Detroit,” he wrote. “As a friend, she has allowed me, my family, and my co-workers into her private world and that’s one of the reasons why I am so protective of her legacy and her love.” Joyner plans a tribute to Franklin on his Friday morning program.

*In the Washington DC Market, Gospel WPRS's Program Director Ron Thompson stated "We are rollin' with all of Aretha Franklin's Gospel music." Urban AC WMMJ's afternoon driver Donnie Simpson played nothin but Aretha including his Mix DJ Rico on his Mix Segment blending all Aretha's biggest hits and live performances, while Simpson was being interviewed by multiple TV News and Entertainment reporters. Nighttime Syndicated host John Monds played all of the Queen of Soul's ballads and smooth "live" tear-jerking gospel masterpieces.

Benztown was quick to produce an audio tribute to Franklin, who is the recipient of 18 Grammy awards and has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. She was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with a career that included 112 charted singles, the most for a female artist in history.

Franklin’s 1967 hit “Respect” had over 300 spins across all formats by late afternoon Thursday, according to Mediabase.

One Month before 9-11 in New York, Michael Jackson live

LeBron James opens a public elementary school in Akron, Ohio for at-risk kids

LeBron James sits down with ESPN's Rachel Nichols for his first exclusive interview since signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, to talk about the "I Promise" School he started in Akron, Ohio, joining Magic Johnson, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and the rest of the Lakers, the team's chances of winning an NBA championship with the likes of the Golden State Warriors in its conference, how much he thought about signing with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers or James Harden, Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets, and more. (ESPN)