Singer and actress Syesha Mercado’s career mirrors not only the possibility, but the reality of how dreams come true. In her film debut, she co-starred in the film Dreams, which was recently released on DVD. Directed by Joel Kapity and starring Angie Stone, Marvin Winans, Jr, Vickie Winans, Mel Jackson, Tommy Ford, Terri J. Vaughn, Geoffrey Owens, Lou Myers, Marchello Lee, DeLeon Sheffield, Dennis “LA” White, Jaylin Fleming, Joseph Awinongya, J’son and Lisa Tucker, she says the movie is a family film for anyone who has a dream and who had a difficult past.

How do artists stay motivated and where do they dig to find their inspiration? They face the pressures to stay at the pinnacle of their careers and to surpass each accomplishment with another one or two. R&B singer Wayna is no exception to the rule as she worked on her most recent project, The Expats, after coming off of a Grammy nomination.

Black Coffee is playing in select AMC Theaters in Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore and Washington D.C. until Jan. 16.

As we approach the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy and live in the presence of both the election and re-election of our country’s first African-American executive commander-in-chief, one would think times have changed. Indeed they have, but subtle and some rather blatant incidents and comments linger to remind me slightly of what generations before me experienced, questioned, challenged and fought for.

When I was 14 years old, my mom retired from her job and wanted to return to her hometown to live closer to my Big Mama, so most of my teenage years and the first few years of my adulthood were spent in Mississippi. Adapting to saying “yes ma’am” and “yes sir,” as opposed to a simple “yes” when speaking to my elders and to an overall change in the ebbs and flows of everyday life were adjustments for me, but nothing I couldn’t handle.

As the summer season comes to a close, a part of me looks forward to the fall season. I love to wear blazers, scarves, slim pants and riding boots (not winter boots, but riding boots – don’t get it confused). Fashion is my favorite part of fall, but the cool weather reminds me that winter is near. I must admit it also spares me from seeing the rainbow of colors of bra straps that young ladies insist on exposing through their sundresses, tank tops, tube tops, bandeau tops, halter tops and others that call for another form of upper body support.

Dancer/choreographer Ashley Everett testifies there’s no goal that’s too far out of reach. With the aspiration to attain a career as a dancer, she says she never imagined she would be superstar entertainer Beyoncé’s lead dancer. As the performer prepares for The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, Ashley pauses for a moment to take it all in as she reflects on where she is and where she’s headed.

This weekend, check out the “Maleless to Manhood: Reclamation of the Young Black Man” exhibit and Dwyane Wade's World Foundation's events.