MCJ Family on the Move!

Fall greetings to all MCJ Family, I hope you have seasonably good weather to usher in the fourth quarter of the year. We have some much deserved shoutouts for you to let you know about family members doing big things. You probably can't wait to boast and say that's my cuz! First, huge kudos are in order for Jennifer Hill Booker for her recognition on Essence Magazine's list of young, super talented female chefs that you should know.

If you recall from the reunion last month, Jennifer is currently on tour promoting her second book, Dinner Deja Vu Southern Tonight, French Tomorrow. In addition to appearances in various events and competitions, Jennifer also has been featured in multiple local and national television segments as well as participating in cook-offs to showcase her talents. Please join me in congratulating Jen on being one of the most talented and acclaimed chefs in the USA! Check out the full Essence write up here.

Meanwhile, your MCJ President Ernest Collins has been busy with one of his documentary projects that was selected to be screened in the prestigious New Orleans Film Festival. Respect: The Original Pinettes Brass Band documentary short was among nearly 6000 entries to the festival and only 230 were selected to be screened. The New Orleans Film Festival is one of only a handful of film festivals whose selections automatically qualify for consideration for an Academy Award (Oscar). Check out the documentary trailer here.  As producer, director and videographer, this story of New Orleans' only female brass band continues Ernest' longtime passion for creating New Orleans music television and film. His television series New Orleans Live is currently in distribution in foreign markets and follows a music television lineage that goes back 30 years with "Louisiana Jukebox" and "Music City".

If you have good news you'd like to share with the family, don't forget to hit me up at ecollinsemg@gmail.com so I can let everyone know. Now, let's turn to a couple wrap-up items from the reunion. 

Our upcoming hosts in Virginia Beach are busy meeting and planning an awesome event for us this coming Labor Day 2019. The hotel has been selected and the first letter will be coming soon so you can begin reserving your hotel rooms. We are pleased that due to your generosity we were able to transfer a total of $1,713.00 to our 2019 hosts in seed money left over after all expenses were met from 2018. In addition, Myzella received the $300.00 we voted on for the benevolent fund so all in all, our business is in good order at this time. Also, as a further followup from the reunion, our excellent scholarship committee has provided a spreadsheet tracking awards to our kids for the last several years.

Lee has pics from MCJ 2018 on his website @ www.alphaomegacontracting.biz. 

Well, that's about it for now. Great shoutouts, a few reunion loose ends tied up, and looking forward to getting on board for MCJ 2019 soon. Take care family.

Much Love,

MCJ Communications