By: Erica M. Ponder Get your reading glasses ready, and get your book club together, because Michelle Obama and Penguin Random House Publishing made an exciting announcement Sunday! The former first lady announced she will be releasing her new memoir Becoming, which will focus on her journey from a little black girl with big dreams growing up in the South Side of Chicago, to the woman who made an incredible impact on the White House and nation. Writing BECOMING has been a dee

By: Erica M. Ponder Award-winning producer and screenwriter Lena Waithe does her hometown of Chicago justice as she embodies innocent humanity and everyday struggles of the inner city in her new Showtime series The Chi. The new drama, which officially airs on Jan. 7, gives viewers a beautiful, yet raw peak into the world of young black boys and men from the city’s south side, as well as the women in their lives, as they battle their own personal conflicts while trying to hold

By: Erica M. Ponder Ever since its founding The Ensemble Theatre has encouraged talented and gift artists to follow their dreams no matter where the road takes them. Annually they recognize those who have taken the path less traveled with the Black Tie Gala honoring celebrities and supporters of the mission of the Ensemble Theatre. Irma P. Hall will be among others honored by the Ensemble Theatre at their 2015 gala: Follow the Dream: Celebrating the Empire. She expressed her