March 29, 2024

Community News

E-news: "Ray Taliaferro, Emmit Powell, Nancy Wilson, Penny Marshall, Solemn So Longs as Year Nears End"
December 21, 2018

E-newsletter sent to subscribers December 20, 2018.  Be the first to receive it. SIGN UP FOR W.E. COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT NEWSLETTER!

Wright Enterprises-Community Spotlight
Wright Enterprises-Community Spotlight
                                                                       
(Greatest Message of All time)                                             
Press Release

Dec. 20, 2018

 
SOLEMN SO LONGS....
Merry Christmas...
[Official Video] Joy To The World - Pentatonix
[Official Video] Joy To The World - Pentatonix
The last verse of "Joy to the World" is seldom sung...
"No more let sins and sorrows grow
nor thorns infest the ground:
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found."
Yet, that last verse reminds us of why we can say "So Long" because Christmas, the Advent of Christ means the elimination of the "CURSE!"...DEATH!  The last enemy "Death" shall be destroyed as 1Corinthians chapter 15 states... Christmas is a prelude to Easter...leading to  "And there shall be no more DEATH"... as chronicled in Revelation 21...So there is hope through Christ...and "we sorrow not as the world."  We say "So Long..."  Condolences to all who have experienced the loss of a loved one especially during the holiday season.
 
Ray Taliaferro, WE Bid Thee Farewell 
National Association of Black Journalist honored Taliaferro at Washington D.C.'s Newseum in January 2011.
Condolences are extended to the Taliaferro Family as they search for answerssurrounding Ray Taliaferro's disappearance and death.
"You know what my affliction was as a kid? I stuttered. So, I never dreamed I could be a broadcaster." Ray Taliaferro
From Bayview Hunter's Point in San Francisco, Ray Taliaferro, an award winning broadcast Journalist was a true overcomer.  Jim Harrington's 2011 Mercury News article points out that his arts beginnings began by knocking on the door of a church.
It's gives one pause to note that he was last seen alive at door of a church, West End Baptist Church  in Paducah, Kentucky.
As media covers the tragic loss of Ray Taliaferro, let's not exercise revisionist history.  Ray Taliaferro was forced off the airwaves. January 2011, The National Association of Black Journalist honored him at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. and by December 1, 2011, he was walked out the door with his personal belongings with no advance notice of what was coming. 
In the article, "What Happened at KGO Radio December 1, 2011, Does it Matter?" W.E. asked why the San Francisco Chronicle chose this photo of Ray Taliaferro in its coverage of the 12/1/11 KGO Firings?
In a story about the "veterans leaving," the accomplished broadcast legend and community leader is pictured between two clowns.  Really?! This is the most professional photo that the San Francisco Chronicle could find?
There's a lot to read between the lines about that fateful December day. It's been previously said that the situation was so stressful until radio legend Gene Burns, who had fragile health at the time, died within three weeks.  After being fired from KGO, Burns was to start a new job at KKSF in January 2012.
It so sad to note that the San Francisco Chronicle used this same photo in its coverage of Ray Taliaferro's demise.  
Why would anyone use a photo with comic elements to speak of a person's death. This photo in the SF Chronicle goes beyond being tasteless. It makes the coverage seem totally insincere.
The photo caption is incongruous with the laughing clowns background image:  "The family of Ray Taliaferro, a longtime Bay Area journalist and radio host, announced his death Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018."  This photo with its caption makes the article disingenuous in my assessment.  Maybe it's just my southern upbringing that seeks honor and decorum when speaking of the lives and deaths of people.
From the word going out and the signal sent, "The media is the enemy of the people," to Khashoggi's execution, to the five newsroom murders at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, MD, to the mail bombs sent to  CNN, and the bomb threat at CNN this week alone, the state of affairs in media is of grave concern.  The elimination of acting "in the public interest" has created a cannibalistic beast to aggrandize the balance sheets managed by greedy moguls resulting in diminishing returns for humanity.   
Democracy does not exist without a healthy Fourth Estate.  The media are only as good as the people in the newsroom, the management and the owners. 
Real Fake News...
"Danke Schön, Claas" for Adding Fuel to 
Trump's Fake News Fire...
Click Image for the Real Story About Fake News.


 
Emmit A. Powell Founder of the Gospel Elites
It's with condolences W.E. notes the passing of Emmit Powell known for his world famous Gospel Elites and Powell's Place.  Powell served food for the soul with his Gospel group and radio show on KPOO and he delighted many with his soul food at his restaurant the was in Hayes Valley for 30 years and then in the Fillmore.  Here's a look at the Fillmore restaurant as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle:
Emmit A. Powell in Photo by Brant Ward at Fillmore restaurant location. Click Image to ready 2005 article by Amanda Berne.
The Gospel Elites shared the stage with Joan Baez at her 1987 Christmas Concert in San Francisco. Among their many memorable performances they have performed at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, The Gewandehaus in Leipzig, The Hercules Saal in Munich, The Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, The Hartwal arena in Helsinki, The Banlieue Blues Festival in Paris, The Carlo Felice Theater in Genoa, The Mystic Festival in Istanbul, The San Francisco Blues Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in the USA. The performance in New Orleans was reviewed by Billboard Magazine and included the following - "The Emmit Powell Gospel Elites tore the roof off the tent with their half hour set ... perpetuated by hand-claps, tambourines and call and answer-gymnastics, the performance was spine-chilling in its intensity."
In addition to performing on stages around the world, Emmit A. Powell and the Gospel Elites also were featured in various films.  We are thankful in San Francisco for the cultural enrichment he brought.  Rest in Peace, Emmit Powell. 
World Renowned Celebrity Musical Voice 
of Nancy Wilson Will be Missed!
Click Image for Memorable "Christmas Waltz."
We're thankful that we have the memories and recordings that remind us of Civil Rights Advocate Nancy Wilson's virtuoso voice... "Christmas Waltz..." "It's that time of year when the world falls in love...Every song you hear seems to say Merry Christmas..."
Remembering Otis Redding's 
"Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," Celebrating 50 Years!
(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay | 50th Anniversary Song Around The World | Playing For Change
(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay | 50th Anniversary Song Around The World | Playing For Change
Thanks for the Joy & laughter Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall, pioneering director and actress, dies at 75
Penny Marshall, pioneering director and actress, dies at 75
 
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Announces
 Youth Mentoring Program Open Enrollment
Click Image for Omega Psi Phi Youth Mentoring Program Details. Photo & information courtesy of Dr. Tony Anderson, retired SFUSD Administrator.
Click Image for LHT Tickets

Congratulations to Author Linda Sanders
If you missed the latest reading and book signing, Click Image for book details!
Follow us on Twitter
View our profile on LinkedIn
 

Related Articles · More Articles
Posted Courtesy of Wright Enterprises Community Spotlight San Francisco ~Dallas Mayor London N. Breed today joined the Department on the Status of Women (DOSW), Elected and City leaders, and community advocates to celebrate Women’s History Month at City Hall. At the celebration, the Mayor honored five local women for their contributions to San Francisco. This year’s event is themed ‘Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.’
Key Scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Posted Courtesy of Wright Enterprises Community Spotlight ~San Francisco ~ Dallas ~~~ The San Francisco Police Department's Missing Person Unit is seeking assistance in finding a teen girl who was reported missing on Wednesday, February 14. Mizan Dadres-Oman , 16, was last seen around 4:30 p.m. on the 800 block of Foerster Street, located towards the southern part of San Francisco. She is described as a Black teen, 5-foot-3 and 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Back To Archives