Growing up with a father who suffered from a mental illness didn’t steer TV’s Divorce Court host Judge Lynn Toler from achieving her goals. A mother, wife, graduate from Harvard University, author and star of a nationally syndicated television show, Toler is looking for ways to make a name for herself behind the scenes of the screen. In 2006, Toler published “My Mother’s Rules,” a memoir filled with situations that helped guide her through her emotional struggles.

From having his photo along the side of a city bus as part of a no smoking campaign in his early teens to writing a student theater production as a college graduate and hosting a friend’s gig at Chicago’s House of Blues, Brandon ‘Real Talk’ Williams—writer, playwright, host, director, poet and rapper—is now taking the time to focus on his ultimate business plan.

She’s got her “Swagg On,” and up-and-coming R&B artist Star Murphy is determined to make it to the top. “I can’t live without music, I fall asleep to music,” Star said. “I fall asleep with music, and I know it might sound cheesy, but I’m so serious about music. Music brings me to a better mood.”

Why Walk, When You Can PHLI!

It was a welcome home party, as well as a re-grand opening for Dave Jeff, founder and owner of PHLI, one Friday evening.