DIVERSITY IS OUR BUSINESS
The
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1986
Chronicle
Volume 1 Number 07
News
www.thechroniclenews.com
June 09 -June 15, 2022
A Native Son ReturnsHarrell Holmes Jr. “Ain’t too Proud” at Wharton Center There aren’t very many times in our lives that the stars perfectly align; that a proclamation we make as a kid is realized in adulthood. If that was the case, I would be in New York, NY… living in the sewers, lawyering and making music by day; eating pizza and fighting the Foot Clan by night. Harrell
Holmes Jr. first saw “The Five Heartbeats’ and knew, at just 8 years old -that he was going to be a Temptation. “I wanted to be Ruffin. My voice was a lot higher then.” Holmes said. Not only did the Temptations’
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The Queen Speaks! A Conversation with Laure’ Pen “The Jingle Queen”
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“Lyft, they don’t have one, and they started in Atlanta, which is near and dear to my heart.” Matthew Thornton Story
Laur’e Pen shares-we listen! I caught up with the rising star for news on her upcoming 3rd album, Super Ho: Don’t Play with God… and for a little fun, forming her ‘perfect fantasy band’ lineup. Laur’e Pen will use the life and experiences of her alter ego Lauren Watson to spread her message. With heavy influences from legends like Lauryn Hill and Toni Braxton, she delves deep into relationship woes, and so much more of her life. Check out her single Poison Pt. 2: Dumb Dial https://youtu.be/
movie start his singing journey, but his enthusiasm also gave way to a group called the ‘Little Temptations’, who performed in and around his hometown of Saginaw, MI. One of his fondest memories, (outside of music) was playing AAU basketball when Draymond Green was coming up. Courtesy Photo-Harrell Holmes Jr.
Seizing the Opportunity, Maya James becomes an Opportunity Arts Affiliate
Courtesy Photo-Lauren Watson also known as -Laur’e Pen “The Jingle Queen” THv9cG76AEL Laur’e: “I’ve dated men and women. Overcome domestic abuse, sex trafficking with a married couple, drug and alcohol abuse, and a few neardeath experiences. All of this to come out on the other side to walk a righteous path. I plan on sharing all of this as my testimony on this album.” Me: “If you could travel in time and put together the perfect band like Bill and Ted, who would be in it?” Laur’e: “Jimi Hendrix on guitar, Read more ............ page 3
Maya James is an artist, writer, creator, dancer, tarot reader and activist based in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. Her works center around feminism, anti-racism, socialism and her experience as a cross-cultural black American from a racially hostile town in Northern Michigan. As a young freelance journalist, James’ works were featured in the New York Times Race/Related, USA Today College, and YR Media about controversial issues like the Flint Water Crisis and hate crimes growing up in her hometown. She has been on countless news syndicates for work she did on a particular socialist political campaign and had multiple interviews for different media publications like Rose from Concrete with Justin Black, WIDR, and IPR
Courtesy Photo-Maya James with her art stations across Michigan. She Plaza, the Dennos Museum, also did an episode of RISK. the Black Arts and Cultural Center and the Arts Council of As an artist, Maya’s works have Greater Kalamazoo. Maya was been exhibited during Artprize the first black female recipient 2018 at the Grand Rapids of the National Arab American African American Museum Museum City Hall Art Space and Archives (which won best Residency in 2019, and she has juried venue) and 2021 at the been a speaker at numerous Fountain Street Church and events on the importance of a sponsored mural in Calder Read more ............ page 2