Aha Moments and Life Lessons From the New Edition Family Tree

I'm an NE 4 Lifer, but I didn't show up to the party until 1985 or 86. Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike, Ralph, and Johnny of New Edition are The Temptations, The Jacksons, and The Beatles of my generation. Period, full stop don't argue with me about this. They provided the soundtrack of our lives. We sang each hit and tried, some unsuccessfully, to recreate their intricate choreography. We've gone from wanting to be Candy Girls to playing Can You Stand the Rain at our weddings, to playing I'm Still In Love With You at our anniversary parties/vowel renewals to yes, playing Is This The End at divorce parties. Don’t even get me started on that madness, but yes divorce parties are a real thing.

Boston Arts Academy Honor Michael Bivins and Maura Tierney

Vocal Music Honoree Michael Bivins, has spent most of his life entertaining fans around the world. The living legend has won many awards and showered with countless accolades throughout his career with New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD). In 2017 New Edition was honored with a BET Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and served as co-producer on the New Edition biopic.

Ronnie and Shamari DeVoe Married 4 Life Walk

Ronnie and Shamari DeVoe are using their platforms as entertainers to make a positive impact in the community. Music lovers should recognize the Devoes from their successful music groups. Ronnie is one of the original members of the R&B super groups New Edition. When NE is on hiatus,  he performs with BBD and RBRM, both groups are off shots from the New Edition family tree.  As the lead singer of Blaque, Shamari’s angelic vocals are front and center on the group’s biggest hits. She performed with the multi-platinum chart topping group at Silk's 25th anniversary celebration.  The success the DeVoes have earned in the music industry is just part of their story.  While raising the cutest set of twin boys you’ve ever seen, the couple still finds time for philanthropy and helping others realize the dream of home ownership.

Donnie Simpson’s 40th Anniversary celebration recap

When I think of the DMV I think of the Mecca, Ben's Chilli Bowl, and The Green-Eyed Bandit Donnie Simpson. When I landed at National Airport in DC with my stiff Howard University t-shirt I was anxious. I glanced at my uncle to tell him not to take me to freshman orientation and then I heard the melody of the Commodores' Jesus is Love playing on the radio followed by Donnie Simpson's velvet smooth voice.From BET's Video Soul to WPGC 95.5 to Majic 102.3 for the last 40 years, the soul of DC has been Donnie Simpson. In many ways, Simpson is as ingrained into the fabric of Washington as the old velvet paintings of Dr. King and the Last Supper's our grandmothers had hanging in the living room. For a few hours last Sunday Simpson's fan, friends, and family came together to celebrate one of Washington D.C.'s icons.