Free Anancy Festival in Queens

Wendy Williams.
Wendy Williams.
Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/Associated Press

New York is included among the eight cities earmarked to be treated to this year’s free Anancy Festival. On June 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p. m. the Caribbean’s most-beloved, trickster will demonstrate his appeal to children when his folk tales are revealed at the Langston Hughes Branch, Queens Public Library at 10001 Northern Blvd. in Flushing. Admission is free.

The Anancy Festival celebrates Caribbean cultural heritage and is designed to appeal to children and teenagers curious about the region. Anancy is the West African prankster hero of numerous folk tales that are popular across the Caribbean. His clever and conniving character is familiar to millions of people around the world. His stories provide the appropriate icon for the festival’s blend of Caribbean culture on a platform geared for children and adolescents. For more info visit: anancyfestival.com

“Ask Wendy” Advice Book Responds To Hot Topics

Wendy Williams has compiled some of the most common questions asked by her fans in a 281-page book entitled “Ask Wendy.” The advice book offers a no-nonsense, guilt-free, guide to life’s ups and downs with the 23-year radio veteran tackling queries about sex, love, work, parenting, beauty relationship and play. Offering the same candid responses she dished on WBLS, Williams delves deeper with responses that may baffle, surprise or even shock readers. The questions are uncomplicated. “Is honesty always the best policy?” “How to look 10 pounds slimmer?” “Is there such a thing as too much sex?” “How to have less drama at work?” are all queries unraveled by the wife, mother, daughter and best-selling author.

In the book, Williams for the first time reveals never-before-heard stories about some of the challenges she’s had to overcome in her life. Her fans – and those in her head – will relish the straight forward she offers.

The national syndicated daytime talk show host burst onto the television circuit in 2009 with a show named for her. Along with gossip, entertainment news and segments titled Hot Topics and Ask Wendy, the hourly, weekday broadcast airs in 52 countries.

She first published “The Wendy Williams Experience,” a book named from the radio show she hosted afternoon weekdays in New York. She also penned novels titled “Ritz Harper Goes To Hollywood,” “Is The Bitch Dead or What?’ and “Wendy’s Got The Heat.”

“Ask Wendy” is published by William Morrow, an imprint of Harper-Collins Publishers.

MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO MALCOLM X GRANDSON

On May 9, just days prior to the 88th birthday anniversary of El Hajj Malik Shabazz AKA Malcolm X, his grandson and first male heir, Malcolm Latif was reportedly killed in Mexico City, Mexico. In his honor and remembrance of his life, a community celebration was held at the First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem. Invited to offer tributes were recording artist Jaheim, Dr. Adelaide L. Sanford, Vice Chancellor Emerita–NYS Board of Regents, Sister Souljah, author, activist, Rev. Conrad Tillard, Ernest Davis, Mayor of Mount Vernon, Abiodun, poet, Etan Davis, former NBA Player, Atlanta Hawks, Dominique and Ashley Sharpton, daughters of the Rev. Al Sharpton. Born Oct. 8, 1984 in Paris, France, Shabazz was buried on May 21. He was challenged by many obstacles including the tragic death of his grandmother whose life ended due to a fire he was reportedly alleged to have started.

However, after rehabilitation, he was allegedly on a path to pursuing a revolutionary life and determined to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather. He allegedly dedicated himself to human rights activism.

On the journey to fulfill his destiny, Malcolm completed his Hajj and visited the tomb of Hazrat Zainab, the granddaughter of the prophet Muhammad AS. He returned to teach Islam and the love of the Ahlul Bayt Prophet’s Household. Malcolm reportedly spoke out against injustice whenever he encountered it and advocated peace and freedom. He became a student and a teacher with his peers as well as a son within his community of elders. He was fluent in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. Malcolm’s international travel destinations included Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Holland, Canada, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. He travelled extensively across the United States in response to requests for his appearance as guest lecturer on college and university campuses. He also addressed junior and senior high school students and visited neighborhood community centers. Malcolm was also committed to aid in the building of several Masjids and educational centers throughout the country. He consistently emphasized the need for qualitative changes in the overall American education system. Malcolm was collaborating with educators at the University of California Berkley when he met his untimely death. Allegedly, in response to a call to aid the plight of African-Mexican construction workers, he travelled to Mexico City and there he was attacked. Malcolm was preceded in death by his grandparents, Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz.

He is survived by his daughter, Ilyasah Saudi Shabazz; mother, Qubilah-Bahiyah Shabazz; aunts: Attallah, Ilyasah, Gamilah, Malikah and Malaak; cousins Malik Shabazz-Pizarro and children and Julie Pleasant and children; great uncles (maternal) Shelmon Sandlin Jr. and wife Patricia, Rev Stanley Sandlin, wife Janette; great aunt (paternal) Hilda Little; cousins Shelmon Sandlin, III, Parris Sandlin, wife Darlene, Patrick Sandlin, Candace Sandlin, Tiffany Sandlin, Stanley Sandlin, Jr.; and paternal cousins.

Catch You On The Inside!