Generations United’s 2012 Oscar Picks

This Sunday millions of people will tune in to watch the 84^th annual Academy Awards. While there are dozens of films that deserve mention, Generations United wanted to highlight two of our Oscar picks this year that highlight the strong bond of families coming together during tough times.

Best Picture: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

This best picture nominee sheds light on the importance of relationships and family during life’s toughest times. The film’s lead character, Oskar, a nine year old boy who loses his father on 9/11, spends a year searching for someone that might know the answer to a question about his father. Oskar enlists the help of his grandfather in the search, and a strong bond is forged, despite the fact that they recently met. Along the way, Oskar meets hundreds of people who have their own story to tell, all filled with struggles and triumphs. Though Oskar’s search does not turn out the way he imagined, he develops a deeper understanding of himself, his family, and the moments that can change your life.

 

Best Documentary Feature: The Undefeated

This Oscar nominated documentary focuses its story on several members of a Memphis inner-city football team and chronicle the tough season they face. All of the players come from backgrounds filled with hardships, but one finds his way out with the help of his coach, sponsor, and his grandmother. At age seven, after the death of his mother, O.C. Brown moved in with his grandmother. His grandmother, Ethel Hayes, also raised his two younger sisters and a niece in a tiny house in the poorest part of town. Tough times would not stop Ethel Hayes from believing that her grandson could be a successful and upstanding young man. When his grades began to slip Ms. Hayes threatened to take away the thing O.C. loved the most, football. O.C. grades began to improve with the help of a tutor and encouragement from his family, and he was able to stay on the football team and was immediately noticed by recruiters. O.C. Brown went on to sign with Southern Miss and plans to get a degree in education and become a coach to help at risk youth.

 

What are your picks for the Oscars?

 

Image: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

Image: The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, TN

Grandfamilies and the 2012 Grammy Awards

At this year’s Grammy Awards, we once again take the time to celebrate the best of the music industry. Though there are many terrific artists and musicians that deserve mention, Generations United wanted to highlight two individuals that have risen to great heights from humble beginnings; humble beginnings which involved growing up in grandfamilies.

LL Cool J

LL Cool J, an award winning rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, was this year’s Grammy Awards host. His story of success starts with living with his grandmother at the age of three in Queens, New York. LL Cool J attributes much of his success to his grandmother’s strong and stable presence in his life. At age 11 LL’s grandmother gave him DJ equipment to stop him from riding motorcycles, and he began to write his own songs; the beginning of what would be a successful career in the entertainment industry.

Before his grandmother passed away she requested he produce an album she would enjoy listening to, and he made it his mission. He even wrote a song in honor of his grandmother thanking her for taking him in and raising him as her own. Below are lyrics taken from her song “Big Mama Unconditional Love.”

A toast to a woman that raised a man
In popular demand all across the land
You're my lawyer, my teacher, my doctor, my friend
My mother, my father, you with me 'til the end
I love you, I mean that from the bottom of my heart
That's the reason why my record's #1 on the charts
I'm a tell it like it is, I love you forever
Dead or alive, we'll always be together
Big Mama I love you

 

Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin is an internationally known gospel musician. He has been recognized for transforming traditional gospel sound to incorporate hip beats and delivery to inspire traditional and urban gospel congregations alike. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, to a teenage mother, he never knew his father and was adopted at the age of three by the only mother he ever really knew--his great-aunt Gertrude.

At an early age, Gertrude took special interest in assisting Franklin to develop his interest in music. She and her young nephew would collect recycling cans and newspapers and use that money to fund his piano lessons beginning at age four.  Her commitment to helping him find his passion has resulted in Franklin receiving numerous awards as an accomplished musician. Adding to his accomplishments, Franklin now can include the two Grammy’s he received at the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Album. There’s no doubt that great-aunt Gertrude was in his mind as he took home these honored awards. "She taught me everything. She taught me how to respect people and respect myself, and that's something I'll never forget."

 

Photos courtesy UPI Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea and WENN