I Didn't Know My Own Strength

Love's Gonna Get You








So finally coming down from the whirlwind that was Valentine's Day weekend...and I must say it was awesome. "Love's Gonna Get You" by James and Michele Woodson went very smoothly I must say. It was great to see people that I care about and that care about me come out and show support. Thank you guys for being there...I'll never forget it.




The cast was phenomenal, some really talented folks that I LOVED working with. Some for the 2nd and 3rd time...Steven you know how I feel about being onstage with you. Special thanks to my lovely roommate that made me breakfast before the first show...first of all it tasted delicious. And second...I needed all the energy I could muster. I mean, we only ended up doing 5 shows...but that's still a lot!! But we pulled it together and I think people were entertained. At least that's what they told me :)
My yummy pre-theater meal.

Playbill...hey is that my face?

Nate and Jasmine doing the "Wobble" at our reception :) Sorry Daniel...I had to do it to ya.


And I have to just say this: so, I guess God is working on me or trying to get me out of my comfort zone somehow because I've been finding myself singing (alone. in public) more and more lately and I don't really know what's up with that. I'm trying to live a life that pleasing to him and in the center of His plan for my life but OMG...that is one of my LEAST favorite things to do. I am not a singer. And yet opportunities for me to sing keep popping up out of nowhere. I'll keep you informed about that one.




If you missed this show, my daddy says this all the time, "It wasn't your first and it won't be your last" so I'll let you know when the next one is and I'll see ya then.

Final Bows







Here's a peek Behind the Scenes






Giants Win
While prepping for my 6 shows in 2 days...the New York Giants won the Superbowl. Now, I'm not a hater, but I'm ALSO not a Giants fan...but Daniel and I did go to the Superbowl parade in the city just to see what it's all about. Daniel, my fantastic co-star in Love's Gonna Get You is a bigger non-Giants fan than I am so we didn't stay long. :) Plus I don't really do big crowds so that wasn't going to work. But at least I can say, I didn't allow my fear to keep me at home and that I've been to the parade of a Superbowl champ...now when the Falcons or the Eagles win one...that'll be a different story.

Quick preview of the chaos...notice how far back I like to stand from the crowd. #toomuch




If you follow me on TWITTER or on my FACEBOOK page then you'll know that I've been reading Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" for the past 36 days...I can't honestly believe it's almost over! It is a 40-day challenge to find your purpose in life. And I must say, it is an incredible read. You MUST, and I can't stress it enough, you must get someone, or a group to partner with you in reading it so that you have someone to hold you accountable to complete it. It's is definitely changing my life, for the better, and I hope it will do the same for you. The book talks about God using what you go thru and the struggles you have to help someone else. So that's kind of also why I do my blog...hopefully you can see my failures, my pain, and hurts and maybe find comfort, inspiration, or whatever you need to help you with what you're going thru. God can do it for a country girl from Carrollton, GA...surely he can do the same for you!

What I've learned about myself from reading is that most of my prayers and my life has been extremely selfish and self-centered. I've been focused on Lenore, and what I want and need that I haven't had a chance to do good in my neighborhood or complete my purpose here on Earth. I've started to shift that focus onto whatever it is that God wants me to have and to do...and that is making a huge difference in my life. I'm now looking for ways to serve others and do for others already knowing and believing that God is working on my behalf...and He also knows the dreams and desires I have for myself....I don't have to keep asking him everyday when I'm going to get my tv show...if it's his will for me, it's already done. If not, he has something totally more awesome in store.

And that, at times is a hard pill to swallow. But I'm giving him complete control. Even when it's scary and I don't want to give up on my dreams, cuz I've had them so long...but I feel like I'm becoming more of the person he wants me to be, more of the person that I used to be and know, and more of the person I want to become. I'll keep ya posted on how this goes.

If interested in learning more and getting the book for FREE...click HERE: The Journey Church is an awesome ministry here in the city and will send you the book for free if you live Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bronx or Metro New York (including northern NJ, southern CT, Long Island or southeastern NY). Enjoy...let me know if you need a partner to commit with you! Perhaps we could do a group read. I can definitely read it again...some parts I still need work on. Take that back..most parts.

Spikes
So...the series that I've written, hopefully you remember that. Nothing extremely new to report. Lots of people keep saying similar things tho....it's too big, it costs too much, no one's gonna pick it up, you should put it on the web, you have no training in screenwriting..etc, etc. And although all these things may be true.

I. Still. Believe.

It's pretty simple. I know the goal I have for myself and my team and I'm gonna do everything possible to make it happen.

Of course things have to change in the script, and I value the honest feedback. I think I've also been convinced that it makes more sense to have a 1/2 show than a full hour one. You wouldn't BELIEVE how painful it was to let that go. But I think it's for the best and I'm still excited to see the outcome.

I've teamed up with an enthusiastic and ambitious filmmaker (#5in8) that truly believes in my project and we're going to shoot a teaser trailer by May. I'll keep you guys in the loop about that...as you can see at times I'm a bit wordy and he's only allowing me 2 minutes to get my point across!!

But it'll be great and I'll make ya proud!

MADENYC

Everyone remembers the reality challenge show that I'm apart of? Well...they have a new website with pictures of the cast and our challenges...check it out HERE:

Also, our last challenge, I was Team Lead and we had to create, write, and shoot a 7 minute mini-drama featuring our teammates...well, aside from the horrible experience (which I'm sure you'll see when the show airs) we pulled it together and you can watch what my team, TEAM A came up with. Special shout out to Sydnee, Kenya, Leafi and Aisha for coming thru in the clutch.

ACE OF SPADES (Get it...cuz we're Team A...the Ace lol)

Heading Home this week
Baby T is making her grand appearance within the next month or so and her aunties and grandmother are throwing her the affair of the year! I'm so excited for my beautiful sis and her hubby and can't wait for our new bundle of Joy get arrive. She's already so loved and completely spoiled :)

Our French Country-side Themed affair will be this Saturday! Can't wait to show you guys the pictures.
Side Note. She'd kill me if I posted pictures from her maternity shoot so you'll just have to imagine those :)



It is with sadness that I have to write these words.

We lost another icon recently. Whitney Houston has finished this portion of her journey and left us all to grieve. If you've ever met me or asked me who my favorite singer is...it has been without a doubt the talented Mrs. Houston (yes..I love her more than Beyonce and Aaliyah combined). I've loved her as long as I can remember and loved every song she's ever sung. It seems ironic, or maybe not that she passed while I was onstage doing what I loved and found out during intermission. It's still unbelievable. I think perhaps I'm still in denial. I remember going out the very first day and buying her last album "I Look To You" ...the song "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" helped me thru a pretty awful year. Forever grateful to have had the song.

Her contribution to music and to the world is undeniable. She was and still is, one of the greatest of all time.

I love you Whitney and I always will.

In her memory, I'd like to introduce to you Sasha Allen. I never thought anyone would be able to capture or even stand close to the gift that was Whitney Houston, but this young lady is talented beyond measure. I wish her the best of success in the industry and lots of love.



Last but not least, a friend of mine Corey Grant has put out a really incredible film with tons of stars that you know...do me a favor, GO SEE IT!! It's called Dysfunctional Friends and it's hilarious.



Well...all for now. I'll leave you with some edits from a recent shoot with these talented ladies







Photographer/Editor: Kantrell Ashley
Make-up: Nessa Hurtado
Stylist: Jamee Jones


I love you all,
Lenore

Doing what I love...Loving what I DO!

I know it's been awhile so forgive me...I know it's long...but there are pictures :)

Spikes (reading)

At this point, everyone knows that we've written a show right? For television? For network distribution, to be green lit, etc, etc? (Just making it clear what I want) so I wanted to update you on what's going on with that project...so far so good. I want to make a show that I'd like to see, with a diverse cast and that's not been done before.

Those that have gotten around to reading it (it's a really long script) have really enjoyed it and given me some really good feedback. We're prepping for our first reading of the script before the month is out (YIKES) I mean it's only November 14th so we have plenty of time, right? RIGHT?!?!?

But seriously, we're really focused on getting that done so we can make any edits and changes and move forward.

Speaking of moving forward...I think we're going to first pitch it to a production company since they have the capabilities/network connections that we don't have and see what they're response it. I'll keep you updated on that as it comes. First step...solid/tight script. Thoughts?

So we've locked down a location (that was fast, thanks again you're awesome) and I'm working on securing actors for it...just a reading but still, I want it to sound good! And we'll probably do a public reading soon.

Overall goal, Summer 2012...before the London 2012 Olympics. Why you ask? I'll let you know later :)

Convo w LA writer

Speaking of asking and you shall receive...I found a really great article online this past week written by a NBC correspondent, professor at USC, best-selling author, extraordinaire and I sent him an email.

Yep. Just like that.

I wanted to talk to him about what he thought about the project and if a certain organization would be interested in learning more about it, etc. And he readily answered all my questions and thought it would be a great idea! He even gave me contact information to someone within the organization that may be willing to help.

I.Was.Floored.

I mean you always wish and hope and pray and dream that stuff can happen but when it does it kinda freaks me out. Well, not really but I was SUPER nervous to talk to him and was concerned that I wouldn't have anything to say and he'd laugh in my face. But he didn't, he was super kind, and shocked that I would reach out to him. (Granted I did a bit of research on him before just calling him out of the blue and practiced what I was going to say to him and emailed all my friends to ask what I should say!) But it was a great convo and one step closer to making this dream become a reality.

Just reminds me that God really wants me to be happy. You can dream all day and that's great...but sending an email and making a phone call are the only way things are going to happen. You have to be apart of the #dreamchasing momentum. God can't give you a tv series if you're sitting on the couch just watching tv all day. And that's just a reminder. (to myself)

Plus, I've adopted a new saying that I read somewhere this week, "They can't eat you." Which basically means...the worst thing someone can do is say no...they can't eat you, so you'll be fine. Ask anyway. Find out...send an email. The answer is always no if you don't ask.

SN: I sent an email to Max Siegel...if anyone knows him I'm trying to get in touch with him...I think he'd be great to help me with my project! Thanks in advance.

Even still as I write this blog, I'm nervously anticipating emailing this lady he put me in contact with...what do I say???? UGH!! She can't eat you Lenore...bring it on down. You can do it.

Heavy D

I didn't know Heavy D personally nor his music (wasn't allowed to listen to secular music as a child)...but I am sad he's gone. I'm sure his family and friends miss him dearly...he was pretty young. I do remember him from an episode of A Different World...and that's how I'd like to remember him. Fun, carefree, and living his dream. I aspire to do the same. RIP Heavy.

Black Latina

This weekend we shot the finale for The Colors of Love tv series which will air this winter. It was super fun and here are some behind the scenes photos courtesy of The Black Latina Movement and our guest director Mr. Michael "Boogie" Pinckney (yep...Spike Lee's protege) Click on their links for more info. Pretty cool stuff.


"Mel and B" on set...episode 1...actress/CEO Crystal Roman :)





REASONS I LIKE WORKING WITH BLM:
1. It's like a group of friends getting together just to talk, laugh and have fun each time we're on set.
2. The food is AH-MAZING!! Shouts out to Shirley and her amazing cooking skills.
3. I'm inspired by the founders and CEO...women, of color, making their dreams come true. (noticing a theme here I assume) They're doing it...initially by themselves and have surrounded themselves with people and products (yep...check THIS link out-it talks about a MAJOR partnership with the movement) and they have already secured distribution before we even set foot on set. I think it's pretty cool and aspire to do the same thing. With NBC.

Yeah I said it...that's the network I want. I think it'll be a great network home for the show. We'll see.

Elliot

So I've been sad a little (lot) sad lately...my cousin passed this Friday...he will definitely be missed. RIP Elliot D'Juan Thompson. We love you a whole lot and you'll always be in our hearts. Give Grandmama and Joy a big hug from me.

If you get a moment...can you pray peace for the family? And comfort for his mom? It's hard losing someone so young.

Baby T

In my grief...I've come upon some exciting news...the little baby that my sis is carrying around is a GIRL!!! I convinced myself that it was a little boy, so I took about 20 seconds to get over it and jump for pure joy after finding out. This little one is going to be soooooo loved!! I saw her picture yesterday (I mean she's only 20 weeks old) but she was holding up her arm like, "No pictures please...ur interrupting me" ummm....does that remind you of anyone you know? Here's a hint...she sometimes writes the blog you're reading! Ha...but seriously, this little precious angel is beautiful just like her mommy and I CANNOT wait to meet her.

New Job

So my time at Yankee Stadium has come to an end...at least for the winter. And I find myself doing a similar job at a new place in Midtown. Be grateful, Lenore, you're bills are being paid and you're not living on the street. But seriously, I'd much rather spend my days on set, making a living that way...than trying my hand at more customer service. Ugh! I'm definitely learning humility at this place. I just hope I end up on a tv series sooner than later.

Lastly...if you've ever visited my website www.lenorecoer.com at the top it reads: Fearless. Limitless. Powerful.

And although I'm not completely there yet, that's what I aspire to be. That's how I aspire to live my life.

Completely fearless that I'll fail, that it won't work out, of people, of my own insecurities, of diabetes, of being alone, etc, etc.

That I'll realize the only limits that exist are in my mind and "no" only means not now...it's mine if I really want it.

And accept that I am incredibly powerful, beyond my wildest dreams.

I hope this all for you as well.

Until next time! Dream Big...Cuz when it happens it's gonna happen real QUICK!!!

Xoxo,
Lenore
@coerlessly