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Emmy award winning actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph, is still bringing awareness to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.Ralph is the brains behind a short documentary, 'Unexpected,' which premiered on Hulu on Dec 1 (World AIDS Day). The film examines the new HIV epidemic among straight Black women.Cici Covin and activist, Masonia Traylor, are the main subjects of the film as they create an underground network of women helping women cope with and survive HIV diagnoses in the rural South.Unexpected explores the critical issue of women facing HIV and looks into why Black women are disproportionally affected by the disease. According to the CDC, the HIV infection rate among Black women was the highest compared to women of all other races and ethnicities: 11 times that of White women and four times that of Latina women.https://www.instagram.com/p/C0S0pK1rGMm/The star of ABC's hit sitcom "Abbott Elementary" found herself speaking out for victims of AIDS as she was gaining success in the Tony Award-nominated original Broadway cast of "Dream Girls" in 1983, around the same time the U.S. AIDS epidemic began. "Of all the wonderful things that we did, nobody every talks about the fact we lost one-third of our original company to AIDS," said Ralph to <a href="https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/emmy-award-winner-sheryl-lee-ralph-continues-fight-against-hivaids-amidst-rising-infections-in-shelby-county/522-f6245219-0f27-42c3-aa4f-a80d5b21415e">ABC24 Memphis</a><a href="https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/emmy-award-winner-sheryl-lee-ralph-continues-fight-against-hivaids-amidst-rising-infections-in-shelby-county/522-f6245219-0f27-42c3-aa4f-a80d5b21415e">.</a>Over the forty years that have passed, Ralph has made continuous efforts to shed light on the topic. She created the <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/sheryl-lee-ralph-rebrands-expands-the-diva-foundation-nonprofit">DIVAS Foundation</a> in remembrance of the many friends she lost to AIDS during her Dream Girls acting days. To date, the foundation has raised over $3.5M from corporations and individuals to deliver community-based programs targeting the most at-risk for poor health outcomes.“So many people around the world have moved away from the conversation around HIV and AIDS,” Ralph says. “In 40 years, I have seen this narrative around this disease go from that they wanted to call a ‘gay white man’s disease’ to a ‘Black woman’s disease,’ especially the Black woman in the south of the United States. It has become the burden of this group of women to continue to do the work of raising awareness, and that’s exactly what this film does.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph's HIV Film ‘Unexpected’ Focuses on Black Women

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<a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/sheryl-lee-ralph-delivers-inspirational-commencement-speech-for-rutgers-grads">Sheryl Lee Ralph</a> is rebranding her non-profit, <a href="https://diva.foundation/">The Diva Foundation</a>, which she founded initially to eradicate the <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/mya-and-ashanti-to-headline-2023-aids-walk-atlanta">stigma</a> around HIV. In the aftermath of the pandemic and battles for social justice in recent years, the foundation is seeking to broaden its programming efforts to empower communities to achieve better health outcomes. The new multi-layered program features five pillars - Health Awareness, Women and Girls, LGBTQ+, Social Justice & Racial Equity, and Food & Housing Insecurity.https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpnt7iJPYtY/?img_index=1"I have always believed that the core of effective artistic activism is trusted messengers. Trusted messengers make a world of difference because they make people feel seen and heard. They are transparent vessels that bring their lives and full experiences to the table to help others,” said <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/sheryl-lee-ralph-babyface-will-lend-their-vocals-at-super-bowl-lvii">Ralph</a> in a statement."The Diva Foundation works hard to ensure that the people who serve are represented by messengers they can trust", she added.Tech executive, Norman Lee will serve as the Diva Foundation’s executive director to help carry out the new programming initiatives."I have been so blessed to have been a part of this work for the last 18 years,” Norman said in a statement. “When I began volunteering with The Diva Foundation, it started with DIVAS Simply Singing! and me dedicating my time and work in memory of two of my beloved aunts who died from AIDS complications. Over the years, getting to do work in South Africa with our Sisters Circle program or launching new virtual programming like DIVAS Health Awareness Week and hearing the feedback from persons impacted by our service to the community motivates me to want to keep going to reach even more people.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph Rebrands & Expands The Diva Foundation Nonprofit

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Five-octave vocalist, Melba Moore is the latest entertainer to receive a star on the coveted <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/ashanti-will-receive-a-star-on-the-hollywood-walk-of-fame">Hollywood Walk of Fame</a>.“As I look back over my life in Harlem / Newark [New Jersey] , I am proud. Receiving a Hollywood Star made me reflect on the goodness of God. It took me a lifetime to get here. I am a late bloomer. I am still trying to find the words,” said the 77-year-old on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvZsCj5rPg4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>.Moore will be awarded with the 2,760th star on August 10 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star will be unveiled at 1645 Vine Street near the historic corner of Hollywood & Vine. She will be awarded her star in the category of Live Theatre/Live Performance.<a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/sheryl-lee-ralph-delivers-inspirational-commencement-speech-for-rutgers-grads">Sheryl Lee Ralph</a>, Freda Payne and <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/katt-williams-joining-the-cast-of-black-ish">Katt Williams</a> will be guest speakers at the ceremony. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvZsCj5rPg4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D<h3 id="h-melba-moore-s-impact">Melba Moore's Impact</h3>Since starting her music career in the late 60s, Moore has left an indelible mark in music. She is the first African American woman to win a featured actress Tony Award and a prolific 5-octave singer. She has conquered the genres of Broadway, Contemporary Soul/R&B, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Gospel, and Classical music.Destined to be a star and with no training as an actor, Moore started out her Broadway career in the original cast of HAIR, where she replaced Diane Keaton, becoming the first African-American woman to replace a white actress in a lead role. She later solidified her place in America’s heart with her Tony Award-winning performance as LuttieBelle GussieMae Jenkins in Purlie.“We are very proud to honor Melba Moore who has lent her beautiful 5-octave voice to various genres of music. Not only is she an entertainer, she is an activist, a trailblazer and so much more” <a href="https://walkoffame.com/press_releases/entertainer-melba-moore-to-be-honored-with-a-star-on-the-hollywood-walk-of-fam/">stated</a> Walk of Fame Producer, Ana Martinez. “We know that many of her long-time fans will be lining up the day of her ceremony to see this musical gem as she is honored with her well-deserved Walk of Fame star."

Singer Melba Moore To Receive Hollywood Star On Walk of Fame

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Sheryl Lee Ralph has continuously shown fans the <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/sheryl-lee-ralph-stuns-crowd-with-acceptance-speech-after-winning-first-emmy">proof of perseverance</a> and believing in yourself. She has had quite the year ever since ABC's Abbot Elementary rose to become a sitcom masterpiece. Now, graduates at Rutgers University got the chance to witness a bit of her Black girl magic, up close and personal. https://www.instagram.com/p/CsO0p_zu67i/The Emmy-winning actress took to the stage on Mother's Day to deliver a speech about the key to a happy life. Ralph graduated from New Jersey college in 1975 and became the youngest female graduate at the time. “In the fall of 1972, I became one of 400 teenage women chosen to form the first freshman class of women to break the gender barrier and usher co-education,” she said during the ceremony.“I could have just imagined what it was like when you first came here to the campus as freshmen,” Ralph continued. “Our country and the world took a tragic and difficult turn. Kobe died, George Floyd was killed and then the world and everything changed when COVID-19...shut down the world. But you, you stayed the course, you never gave up, you found your way, you kept on studying, you kept doing the work. And you are here on graduation day!”The graduating class was enthralled by Ralph's message. Her words instilled hope in everyone's hearts. Finding joy is important to her and she made sure to drill that into the grads. “Hold on to it. Wrap yourselves in it. Live in it, because that is the key to a happy life.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph Delivers Inspirational Commencement Speech For Rutgers Grads

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Last week, Sheryl Lee Ralph opened up about experiencing sexual assault from a "famous TV judge on Way Up with Angela Yee. Although she didn't name her abuser, the actress clarified that it was not Judge Greg Mathis. Now, Judge Joe Brown has broken his silence as it is rumored that he is the accused. https://twitter.com/JudgeJoeBrownTV/status/1639398672445349888?s=20The personality took to Twitter to clear the air. “There’re false rumors being spread that I mistreated a certain lady ≈ 25 yrs ago. I categorically deny both the accusations & acquaintance with the lady,” he tweeted. “Those rumors started with certain identified parties & spread. They ought ‘Cease & Desist’ or contemplate a Defamation Action.”Brown also addressed the accusation in a separate interview. “It’s a warning to anybody listening. I might bring in my legal team and proceed for <a href="https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/tasha-k-new-trial-against-cardi-b-1234691048/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defamation</a> of character," he said. "When they put my face next to hers […] that becomes innuendo. That’s very destructive to my reputation. Not only do I have a long track record ensuring that women get justice when they been done wrong, my motto for the last half century is ‘protecting womanhood and promoting manhood and [sic] those who don’t seem to like it.”Brown, however, did make it clear that Ralph has not explicitly named him as her abuser. “So far, she hasn’t said anything that implicates me [but] the fact of the matter is I don’t know this woman, never met this woman, certainly haven’t had any kind of contact with her,” he continued.<h2 id="h-sheryl-lee-ralph-s-story">Sheryl Lee Ralph's Story</h2>When Ralph appeared on the show, she recalled a difficult time in her career. She shared her experience with an unwanted advance that studio executives witnessed. “I was handling my business for the television show I was on at that time. He and I were on the same network. This man walked in, grabbed me by the back of my neck, turned me around, and rammed his nasty ass tongue down my throat,” she recalled. “And everybody at the network saw it.”She added that she reached out to the then-mayor of New Orleans, Marc Morial. The mayor suggested calling the police, but a network executive told her not to. “Somebody at the network tapped me on the shoulder; they said, ‘Please don’t,’” she said. “Do you know that they did not want any bad press around their show and did not care what had just happened to me?”“That’s the kind of stuff that happens. That’s what happens; that’s what makes it hard for women to speak up about these things.”

Judge Joe Brown Address Sheryl Lee Ralph Accusations

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Sheryl Lee Ralph reveals the disturbing details about her being a victim of sexual assault. In an <a href="https://apple.news/AB8hYwNeqTo2ILeiFj18VoQ">interview</a>, the <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/sheryl-lee-ralph-stuns-crowd-with-acceptance-speech-after-winning-first-emmy">Emmy- winning actress </a>stated that the assault happened years ago and it was by a famous TV judge in a public setting. She didn’t name the judge but she say that it wasn’t Judge Greg Mathis.Ralph said, “I’m at a very public place. I was suited. I had my suit on. I was handling my business for the television show I was on at that time. He and I were on the same network.” She continued, “This man walked in, grabbed me by the back of my neck, turned me around, and rammed his nasty ass tongue down my throat. And everybody at the network saw it.” The legendary actress also explained that the mayor of New Orleans was willing to help her catch the judge, however, the network disapproved. “Somebody on the network tapped me on the shoulder saying, ‘Please don’t.’ They did not want any bad press around their show and did not care what had just happened to me. They saw what happened,” she said.Ralph also added, “That’s the kind of stuff that happens. That’s what makes it hard for women to speak up about these things.” Sheryl Lee Ralph has since been encouraging victims of sexual assault to speak up and have their voices heard. “Speak up, tell your truth, do not carry the burden of pain… especially if you feel like it’s something you can’t work through.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph Opens Up About Being Sexually Assaulted By A Famous TV Judge

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Sheryl Lee Ralph & Babyface will lend their vocals at Super Bowl LVII!<a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/award-winning-abbott-elementary-renewed-for-3rd-season">Abbott Elementary </a>actress Sheryl Lee Ralph is stepping away from the classroom to sing The Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing". Later, veteran songwriter, singer and producer <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/babyface-inks-new-deal-with-capitol-records-new-album-on-the-way">Babyface</a> will take center stage to sing "America the Beautiful."Ralph, 66, shared the news on Instagram to her 806k followers."Come on now. Don’t you ever give up on you baby! I’ll be singing Lift Every Voice and Sing at Super Bowl LVII – See you there."https://www.instagram.com/p/CnzPNLYre0Z/The twelve-time Grammy Award-winning singer shared, "Truly excited and honored to perform America the Beautiful at Super Bowl LVII and to be a part of this pregame lineup."https://www.instagram.com/p/CnzO2L9LNOn/Ralph has become a staple in the entertainment industry with a career spanning three decades. She recently won her first Emmy for her role in ABC's Abbott Elementary and later received her first Golden Globe nomination for the same role.With a forty year career, Babyface has produced and written 125 Top 10 hits, 44 No. 1 R&B hits and 16 No. 1 pop hits. Girls Night Out, his latest album, follows his traditional theme of love & heartbreak but with a modern feel.The NFL organization <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/super-bowl-lvii-pregame-entertainment-lineup-announced-chris-stapleton-to-sing-n">announced</a> musician Chris Stapleton will sing the national anthem.Last year, it was revealed that <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/rihanna-drops-trailer-for-superbowl-halftime-performance">Rihanna </a>will serve as the Apple Music Superbowl Halftime Show performer. Super Bowl LVII, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023 will mark Apple Music's first year as part of the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Sheryl Lee Ralph & Babyface Will Lend Their Vocals At Super Bowl LVII

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Sheryl Lee Ralph reveals her true sentiments about the 2006 movie Dreamgirls an adaption to the Broadway musical that Ralph starred in. In a recent interview for Essence Magazine’s Of the Essence series, the actress was speaking with fellow actress Jackée Harry, discussing their longevity in the business until Harry called out the fact that Ralph did not receive the proper recognition for the film Dreamgirls when it was released. “You know something, Jackée? You and I have been around long enough to realize that everything comes around the way it is supposed to come around. Yes, they ignored us when they made the movie. Whatever that choice was, it hurt my feelings, because we literally created Dreamgirls. Tom Eyen handpicked us, put us all together- and we improvised and put those moments together that became that groundbreaking musical,” she said. She added, “And when they chose to go to Hollywood and make the movie, to act like we weren’t a part of it- there were so many things they could have done. They could have added us, but the choice was made not to. And God and Goddess know why. I’m just like, ‘It’s okay.’ Because we are moving forward.” The conversation between the two legends went on to talk about full-circle moments and how it is always good to be nice to people. Ralph revealed that Mara Brock Akil would bring her coffee while on the set of Moesha. Harry went on to say that Kenya Barris would bring her the scripts while on the set of 227 and that she was not nice to him at all due to her ego. You can watch the full interview <a href="https://www.essence.com/of-the-essence/supporting-a-queen-jackee-harry-sheryl-lee-ralph/">here</a>.