Lets Be Frank  

Roland Laird is an acclaimed author who has appeared on MTV, NBC, ABC and CBS.He has written on the topics of politics, relationships, hip hop and entertainment. Earlier this year he re-released his nationally acclaimed book STILL I RISE:A GRAPHIC AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.Born and raised in Brooklyn he grew up and played basketball with the likes of RUN DMC and Russell Simmons and thus can speak at length and with authority about hip hop culture

Ever wonder what it took to become the next Spike Lee or John Singleton? This Monday on Lets Be Frank we interview a panel of award winning up and coming filmmakers who share their thoughts on the process...on the next Let's Be Frank show

Host of the longest running comedy spot featuring black comics in Houston, TYMES Square and one of the oldest in the country.

The Ensemble Theatre is the oldest and largest professional black theatre of the southwest. Tonight our special guest is Eileen Morris, artistic director of the Ensemble Theatre of Houston. Tonight, she'll talk about the theatre its history and its current season, the state of black theatre today and a very special event coming up soon honoring playwright August Wilson

While some celebrities in the entertainment industry are creating buzz because of impromptu bad behavior, one celebrity is making a concerted effort to move beyond the headlines by demonstrating a commitment to serving the community and by providing a positive example. Houston's premiere spoken word artist Se7en (pronounced “seven”) is a poet whose actions speak louder than words. Having opened for John Legend, Erykah Badu, Lyfe and Anthony Hamilton, in addition to providing intermission entertainment for Oprah Winfrey's presentation of The Color Purple, he has performed for an unprecedented 10 years in Houston at the Shadow Bar's Poetry Lounge on 213 Milam St, helping him to build a large local fan base. He toured nationally as the poet in the theatrical hit Cheaters featuring Brian McKnight, James Avery and Syleena Johnson. This Superman of poetry and prose has a Clark Kent alter-ego as civilian Varien Howard, a school counselor at Westfield High in Spring Independent School District with a dual undergraduate degree in psychology and social work and a master's degree in counseling. But the impact Se7en is making does not end in the classroom. This soulful Shakespeare also served the community by promoting AIDS awareness and education. He used the art of spoken word as a performance tool to deliver a thought-provoking piece about AIDS for the Amerigroup Hip Hop for HIV Concert 2008. Se7en also participated previously in World AIDS Day, and the NAACP Total HIV Wellness Symposium. Se7en's success as a performer is countered by his service to the community, making him one celebrity whose buzz bears the mark of humility. Hear Se7en in his own words on the next Let's Be Frank show

e7en

While some celebrities in the entertainment industry are creating buzz because of impromptu bad behavior, one celebrity is making a concerted effort to move beyond the headlines by demonstrating a commitment to serving the community and by providing a positive example. Houston's premiere spoken word artist Se7en (pronounced “seven”) is a poet whose actions speak louder than words.

Having opened for John Legend, Erykah Badu, Lyfe and Anthony Hamilton, in addition to providing intermission entertainment for Oprah Winfrey's presentation of The Color Purple, he has performed for an unprecedented 10 years in Houston at the Shadow Bar's Poetry Lounge on 213 Milam St, helping him to build a large local fan base. He toured nationally as the poet in the theatrical hit Cheaters featuring Brian McKnight, James Avery and Syleena Johnson.

This Superman of poetry and prose has a Clark Kent alter-ego as civilian Varien Howard, a school counselor at Westfield High in Spring Independent School District with a dual undergraduate degree in psychology and social work and a master's degree in counseling. But the impact Se7en is making does not end in the classroom. This soulful Shakespeare also served the community by promoting AIDS awareness and education. He used the art of spoken word as a performance tool to deliver a thought-provoking piece about AIDS for the Amerigroup Hip Hop for HIV Concert 2008. Se7en also participated previously in World AIDS Day, and the NAACP Total HIV Wellness Symposium.

Se7en's success as a performer is countered by his service to the community, making him one celebrity whose buzz bears the mark of humility. Hear Se7en in his own words on the next Let's Be Frank show on Blog Talk Radio, Monday September 28 at 10 EST, 9CST AND 7 Pacific (www.blogtalkradio.com/letsbefrank)