Grammy Award Winner, gospel composer singer and Pastor Walter Hawkins passed July 11, 2010 at the age of 61 after battling pancreatic cancer. This Oakland California native, was a self-taught keyboard player.  While helping to organize summer events for the Church of God in Christ, he and his brother, Edwin, recorded their first gospel record.  This project was meant to raise money for the church, but the song "Oh Happy Day" became the first crossover gospel hit credited to the Edwin Hawkins Singers and has also been featured in box office hits such as Sister Act II and Big Momma's House.  With best-known songs like, Changed, Goin Up Yonder, Marvelous, and Thank You Lord, Hawkins music was classified as church music with a rock n' roll groove.

Mr. Hawkins later founded his own church, The Love Center, and choir in California while serving as the pastor.  With former wife, Tramaine, his siblings, and The Love Center Choir, he produced and recorded more than a dozen albums which collectively more than a million copies.  His Album entitled, "Love alive IV"" reached #1 on the gospel charts and remained for over 35 weeks.  This son, this brother, this father, once husband, friend of ours will be greatly missed.

JO Magazine would like to offer our deepest condolences and offer this tribute to the late and great Mr. Walter Hawkins

HE IS...

WHEN THE BATTLE IS OVER, He Is,SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS
and yes, some sweet day we will meet again
HE'S THAT KIND OF FRIEND
although His will and His way maybe hard to understand
but ALL I KNOW
is what the Bible tells me so...
FAITHFULLY, I AGREE
to COME TO JESUS on bended knee
He Is just A PRAYER AWAY, He IsMARVELOUS, He Is always right on time
He Is yours and He Is mine

Walter Hawkins is GOIN UP YONDER, GOIN TO A PLACE, where he's been granted ETERNAL LIFE
by the way of Jesus Christ...
                  

R.I.P.

LaShai

     As the legendary singer, actress, activist, and all out woman of distinction goes to a better home. We at Jo Magazine send out our prayers and well wishes to Lena Horne’s family. The world mourns the passing of an icon. She paved the way for the many African-American women performers of today.

     Like Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) who loved him some Lena Horne, who did everything in the book to get Lena to come to his house. JO readers, do you remember the episode, little Lamont (Demond Wilson) was on his death bed and Fred was able to get Lena to come over to his house to pay little Lamont a visit? The episode was very funny. For me in watching Lena Horne, I always loved the sound of her voice. It was so raspy and husky. The kind of voice I wanted to have, sounding so sexy. Thank you Lena for brightening our lives and showing us what beauty, brains and strength from a woman of elegance can inspire.

Yvonne

     Passing away at the young age of forty-two Gary Coleman left this world, leaving us saddened. I came to know Gary Coleman when he starred on the sitcom Different Strokes. The cute little Arnold always saying, ‘What cha talking about Willis?’ This catch phrase stuck with him for the rest of his life. For years Gary Coleman was off the radar of the paparazzi, then suddenly we see Gary Coleman sitting on the top of a woman’s car. He was working as a security guard and the woman wanted an autograph, but he didn’t want to sign one.

     From that moment, Gary Coleman was in the spotlight again. He showed up as a guest star on several television shows. To name a few: Married with Children, The Jamie Foxx Show, Wayan Bros. etc. He played on the VH1 reality show The Surreal Life. Throughout his adult life, we seldom heard the phrase that made him famous. JO Magazine sends out prayers and blessings to his family.

Yvonne

What Women Want

Let's face it, today's woman wants it all, but often settle for less. Women are satisfied with just having one to call her man; but ladies, we use that word "MAN" too loosely. Before one can be called a man, he must show and prove. Women are looking for love - period. There was a time when money was a bigger motivator; but women nowadays are more educated and self-sufficient. So now all that is missing is a soul mate, one who will appreciate, what that woman has to offer.
Women should be searching for good husbands and better fathers. The Bible tells us that a MAN should be the head, not the tail and that love never fails but a woman must first love herself and the rest is left up to what all that woman can stand for. I think women want a man that is:

1. A Believer
2. Stable/with benefits
3. Committed
4. Faithful
5. Trustworthy
6. Respectful
7. Thoughtful
8. Honest
9. Romantic
10. Spontaneous
11. Goal-driven

Like I said, women want a lot but ladies let's not get it twisted and forget about what you want. Get what you need or you just might miss it -- love, true love. So for women to want any or all of those things
she should be willing to BRING IT!!!

LaShai

A Dozen Things
That Can/Do Happen
When Women Pray

When women pray, asking and believing that God is truly concerned about us, His word does say(and I believe it)He will perfect those things that concern us.

When the mind is open and the heart is receptive ‘eyes have not seen, ears have not heard and neither has it entered into the hearts of (WO)men what God has in store’…

When women pray the world can be turned
“ back to the future.”

When Women Pray…

1. We can move God right into our circle.
2. The enemy can be made our footstool.
3. A wayward child can be delivered.
4. A Black man can be the president of the United States of America.
5. Unsung heroes return home.
6. The prison doors can swing open, no matter how many times they say, ‘Guilty.’
7. Revival can happen in the most unlikely of places.
8. Yes can become No and No can become Yes.
9. A place where you never thought it possible, Jesus will walk in.
10. We can become Stronger, Wiser and Better (M. Sapp, thank you for that reminder.)
11. We can continue to Stand when we have done all we can do.
12. We can even Forgive.

Rita

Tasha Smith

Keep your eyes open for the season premiere of “My Black is Beautiful LIVE,” Sunday May 2, 2010. Hosted by Tasha Smith (Why Did I Get Married, Too?) and Aleesha Renee (BET).
Tune in for discussions with celebrities, beauty experts, and other inspiring individuals who have made an impact in the African American community. Season two is sure to bring even more exciting topics on entertainment, music, lifestyles, black beauty, and how African American women are portrayed in the media. Set your DVR because you won’t want to miss an episode.

Lucretia

Lisa Raye McCoy

Lisa Raye McCoy is talented, beautiful and resourceful. Now, we can add reality star to the list. That’s right; she’s joining the parade of reality TV programs with her own show. LisaRaye: The Real McCoy, debuted this April on TVOne. Be sure to check it out and support the celebrity sista who is making it happen.

Lucretia