My Church Productions

Meet The Great "8" Team Players from the ensemble cast of the new summer tv comedy series, #BeautyandTheBaller. Set Your DVRs & Watch Live. Episode #3 - "Caught... Up, Part 2." #CentricTV. Saturday, July 29th@ 10/9c. 7pst. Encore presentation immediately follows. So set those DVRs for one hour to bear witness to what shenanigans the Castles go through when they are put on a "shopping budget" or as Aretha Franklin once sang, " WHOSE ZOOMING WHO...?" ( watch out for my character, Jalil Baldwin, the feisty chef and uncle to Deena Castle (Diandra Lyle) at the very top of this episode and throughout the next "6" episodes). Gratitude & Appreciation for your continued support to help us get a pick up for Season #2. Remember to take a few minutes to write your positive comments via this link: http://www.centrictv.com/shows/beauty-and-the-baller.html. ( just scroll down to the comment section). THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOUR VOICE REALLY COUNTS! Alright now, on your mark, set, ready, GO!!! Share. Share.Share. #PreparingBeautyandTheBallerForSeason2

Alright now!!! [Please kindly read the entire message & share.] Lean in closely to bear witness to the ensemble cast of the new tv series, #BeautyandtheBaller. ...Premieres Saturday, July 22nd on #BET #CentricTV. 7pm PST/ 9pm CST/ 10pm EST. Season One airs on SATURDAYS, July 22nd - Sept. 9th. Five Important Things You Can Do To Help This Tester Show THRIVE: 1. Watch Live & Set Your DVRs 2. Have several Watch Night Parties with your village of friends/family throughout the run. 3. Post & Share your POSITIVE experiences immediately with #CentricTV. #BET. #BeautyandtheBaller. #Twitter.#Instagram. #Facebook.#Viacom.#CharlesReese 4. Continue to share the 30 sec promo: https://youtu.be/5_dXaOkRfwE 5. Stay very pro-active with this new tv series throughout Season One (9 episodes)-- ESPECIALLY, Saturdays, July 22nd, July 29th & Aug., 5th-- my character, Jalil, the feisty chef gets introduced in week #2 and then appears regularly throughout the run...watch for it). This is show BUSINESS and "DVR" NUMBERS & WATCHING LIVE along with pro-active social media activity REALLY COUNTS! Please go to www.centrictv.com to look for the channel finder to locate station and time zones in your area--simply by putting in your zip code. On Your Mark, Set, Ready. GO. And so it is. Gratitude & Appreciation. IT REALLY TAKES A VILLAGE. And the journey continues. Carry On. Share. Share. Share.

Bearing Witness: The Evolution of a little Web Series called "WHO..." (created by Michael Ajakwe); and adapted into a major TV Series premiering this summer on ...VIACOM MEDIA NETWORK'S - BET/CENTRIC TV (July 22nd @ 10pm) now called, "BEAUTY AND THE BALLER." By Charles Reese, (Series Regular-Jalil Baldwin, the feisty chef) The Timeline.... ( it is a long read, but HOPEFULLY it will INSPIRE you to keep moving forward and NEVER give up on your dreams, hopes and desires). 2008 My friend and colleague, Emmy Award Winner, Michael Ajakwe said, "Hey Big Charles, I wrote a web series called, "WHO..." and would you come and read for it". OK, there was no dialogue for my character, Jalil---he appearred in each webisode, delivering trays of food at the beginning and the end. So I simply said "YES" and started working on creative ways to enter a room with a tray of food. LOL 2009 We started our journey at Michael Ajakwe's amazing studio space in Sherman Oaks ( his home was literally turned into a studio lot). Along with two wonderful actresses, Shoneji Robison , Nafeesa Monroe and a guy named Charles Reese, coupled with a dedicated crew and staff, we completed 12 webisodes and they aired on Micheal's online channel, www.ajakwetv.com. ( Footnote #1: My character delivered the trays very creatively and by episode 4-- my "no speaking" character, Jalil, the feisty chef had lines and has not stop talking.....YET. My working book title, "From No Lines to Many Lines: The Creative Artist Journalogue") Patience & Gratitude. 2010 WHO....the web series premieres at the first ever Los Angeles Web Series Festival (LAWEBFEST) created by Michael Ajakwe--the first and oldest Web Fest in the world. ( Footnote #2: LAWEBFEST just celebrated 8 years and I was recently inducted into the Board of Advisers). WOW. 2011 WHO... a micro web series was 1 of 23 web shows selected to screen at the Marseille Web Series Festival (MWF) in Marseille, France --the 1st international webfest. ( Footnote #3 : JM Albert, the producer of MWF would later extend a personal invitation for me to serve as the 1st English Speaking Host for the 4th edition of the MWF Annual Awards Ceremony in France.) WOW. 2012 Michael Ajakwe develops an adaption for "WHO" into a single camera scripted TV show called TROPHY WIFE. (SAG/AFTRA New Media Contract begins). There were cast changes and new characters, BUT, Jalil, the feisty chef remained. WOW. 2013 TROPHY WIFE ( an adaptation from "WHO..." a web series) begins shooting in a mansion in Callabassas, CA. The series regulars, recurring and special guest cast members included: Diandra Lyle Kimberly Dooley Calo Rodriguez Charles Reese Shoneji Robison, Nafeesa Monroe, Chante Carmel, Jeanne Chinn, Singer/Songwriter, Karyn White, the late Tommy Ford (Martin), Dorien Wilson (Parkers), Art Evans (School Daze), the legendary Judy Pace, Gwendolyn Osborne-Smith, Susaye Greene, Grammy Award winner, Deneice Willams and the Soul, Rock, & Funk Music Master-Sly Stone; coupled with an incredible team of extraordinary and dedicated artisans, craftsmen, and seasoned technicians. We completed 9 episodes and Michael Ajakwe's passionate journey to find a home for show begins. (Footnote #4: It Really Takes A Village). WOW. 2014 No Movement--- however, the show had to change its name due to another show that was picked up by another network with the same name, but a different premise. The new name was BASKETBALL WIFE (formerly Trophy Wife, an adaptation of WHO...a web series). 2015 No Movement-Michael Ajakwe continues to PRESS. 2016 No Movement- Michael Ajakwe continues to MOVE FORWARD. 2017 And suddenly, there is a NEW CREATIVE SPARK! Micheal Ajakwe renamed the show to "BEAUTY AND THE BALLER." ( an adaptation from "WHO...a web series"). The show gets licensed with BET-CENTRIC and the first trailer is launched via the 18th annual BET Awards with an airing date and time beginning Saturday, July 22nd@ 10pm......4 years later!!!!! Check out the 30 second promo link: https://youtu.be/FADOsTx7Nf4. (My character, Jalil gets the last word at the end of the spot.) NOW is the time for each of you to set your DRVs, share posts via ALL social media platforms, write/email BET-Centric ( so we can get a pick up for new episodes and STAY ON THE AIR.....THIS IS OUR COLLECTED VILLAGE GOAL FOR THESE SUMMER AIRINGS) and sponsor a "BEAUTY AND THE BALLER" Party in your town, city or state. Thanking you in advance for your continued support. As my literary muse, James Baldwin once said, " You don't tell life, life tells you." Continue to go where your blood beats." Never Give Up. This is my history telling moment/testimony and I approve this message. And it is so. And so it is. Gratitude & Appreciation. Carry On!!!!! #BeautyandtheBaller #BETCENTRIC #Jalilthefeistychef #MichaelAjakwe #TeamBeautyandtheBaller #TheCharlesReeseExperience #ItTakesAVillage #WatchBeautyandtheBallerBETCentricJuly22nd

"No one knows what is about to happen, it is happening each time, for the first time, for the only time."---James Baldwin ( 1924 -1987) About Last Night in Harl...em, NY. USA. Bearing Witness to "Theatre as Conversation" at the world premiere of Meshell Ndegecello's CAN I GET A WITNESS: THE GOSPEL OF JAMES BALDWIN@Harlem Stage. It was set up like a church service filled with meditation, ancestrial music-- inspired and igniting the fiery words of Baldwin. Ms. Ndegecelleo and her Awe-Inspiring Choir of Artistians dressed in Ancestrial Robes----spinning an interactive touch of Baldwin's epic essay from The Fire Next Time for an intergenerational 21th century new media ready audience. The audience members were encouraged to dance, move, shout throughout the space, view the art installation within the love space and testify when necessary. It was SRO (Standing Room Only). It was a communion. And it is so. And so it is. Gratitude for the Theatre Experience. Ase. PS: It is Sold Out, however, if you want a ticket, go sign up on the waiting list prior to any of the performances left through December 11th and let it be easy. Carry On!!!!! See more

Congrats to my dear Spelman sister/friend, the late playwright Myla Churchill-Barrett (1962-2014) for winning the New York Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Family Show for her amazing writing for the musical play "A Band of Angels." Kudos to Director Colman Domingo and the wonderful cast, crew and the entire team at the New York City Children's Theatre ( formerly Making Books Sing). A Band of Angels tells the story of the world renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. Alright now,... let us keep Myla Churchill-Barrett's legacy alive via her many literary works. ( plays, screenplays, musicals and more). Special Gratitude and Appreciation to Myla's husband, Hassan Barrett for being a keeper of the flame. Interested in a tour or seeing this production in your city, state or country? Visit: www.nycchildrenstheater.org The 2015 Off Broadway Alliance Awards will take place on June 16th@Sardis. (See the complete list of winners below). And it is so. Ase. See more