Though she’s a judge on TV, Ephriam was only a trial lawyer when she went in to audition for the slot on the syndicated court show. She was not a novice by any means, having served as a mediator and deciding on plenty of cases before taking the bench on “Divorce Court.”

Ehpriam is also a motivational speaker. I witnessed her in action as the personable TV star spoke to a group of children at an elementary school in Los Angeles, CA. She shared the importance of doing well in school, going to college, having a spiritual foundation, and staying out of trouble. The children looked on in delight as Ephriam spoke and encouraged them to excel.

“I speak at elementary, junior and high schools, and colleges. Whenever the opportunities present themselves and the door is open, that’s where I go. I also do public speaking at churches, community groups and organizations, women’s groups and organizations. Wherever the door is open I am definitely there,” expressed Ephriam.

As we left the school, Ephriam – sans an entourage – signed autographs and shook hands for teachers, students, and fans who were elated that the TV talent was visiting their inner city school. The love continued as we walked down the street to a nearby coffee shop for lunch. It was almost like we were in the courtroom and the bailiff announced, “Here comes the judge!” Everyone wanted to greet and show love to the Los Angeles native. “I am the hometown girl, I’m approachable,” laughed Ephriam. “It’s just my personality!”

Not only is Ephriam a humanitarian, but she’s also an entrepreneur. The divorced grandmother started a limousine service this year. “I started the limousine service because I had a driver, a young black guy to drive for me and he was enjoying it. He had worked at another limousine service and he told me it was his dream to own a limousine service,” explained Ephriam. “So an opportunity presented itself from another limousine company in the community. After 9-11 it had experienced some financial difficulties and had to dump some of their cars to fix their cash flow issues. I bought one of those cars and told the original young man we could start a limousine business together. I fronted the capital and told him to do the marketing, public relations, and handle the business expect of it.”

Just when things were falling into place, Ephriam was faced with a problem. “Well, he quit,” said Ephriam. “His grandmother died and it had a devastating effect on him. He became a different person and he left. But I had bought the limousine and I was stuck with it. So I am making it work now. My oldest brother is a businessman and he is running the company now. It’s called Mablean’s Limousines,” she smiled. Business is definitely looking good since Ehpriam’s limo service was booked for the 2002 Academy Awards.

The limousine company isn’t Ephriam’s only business venture outside of “Divorce Court.” “My law offices are still open,” said the honorable TV star. “I was able to hire two new attorneys and I hope I can keep it running. It’s now a partnership but my name is still there.”

Why would a woman with the number three syndicated court show on TV continue to work so hard? “I have to send all of my grandkids to college,” chuckled Ephriam. She’s even passing on her business savvy ways to her family as well. “I am teaching all of my nieces and nephews how to save and invest. I opened an account and every dollar they save, I am going to match it,” she shared.

She loves her family, has a heart for the community, and is a fine businesswoman. What else is there to know about Mablean Ephriam? “I love me some Bishop T.D. Jakes. I haven’t met him yet, but I go hear him preach any chance I get.” She wasn’t lying either, because the good bishop happened to be in L.A. the night of our interview and Ephriam had turned down a party invitation to attend Jakes’ service. Amen, sister Ephriam!

To find out when “Divorce Court” airs in your city, check your local listings. For more information on Ephriam or the show, just go to DivorceCourt.com.

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Fun In The Sun: I was invited by J Records and the Courtney Barnes Group to attend a press junket for R&B; singer Tyrese in Miami, FL this past weekend. Also along for fun in the sun were Cori Murray of Essence, Doreen Arriaga of Honey, Hyun Kim of Vibe, Kelly Bryant of Popstar, Dodai Stewart of J-14, Jamie Harkin of Twist, Gina Van der Vilate of M Magazine, and Erick Johnson of the Beck Smith Syndicate. Our gracious hosts were the lovely Sidra Belfield of CBG and Lois Najarian of J Records.

After leaving 40-degree weather in D.C., I was elated to arrive in South Beach, where the temperature was in the mid-70s. After checking into the all-suite Casa Grande Hotel – where a basket of Florida oranges and jazz music playing on the stereo awaited in each room – I had to get ready for our poolside dinner and listening party with Tyrese at the Delano Hotel. We made it to the Delano around 8pm, and dined and got aquainted with each other until Tyrese arrived. Deborah Cox came by to hang out with us, but by the time Tyrese made it, it was a little too cool to be sitting poolside. We moved our little shindig upstairs to a hotel suite, and Tyrese began playing tracks from his upcoming December 17th release, “I Wanna Go There.” This album is certainly way more mature than anything Tyrese has ever recorded before. It even features a ballad titled “I Want You On Top Of Me.” The first single, “How You Gonna Act Like That,” is already making buzz at radio. I definitely liked what I heard, but I’ll have more on Tyrese’s album in the weeks to come.

Day two started with a breakfast at the outdoor Mezzaluna restaurant. After that, I interviewed the lovely Deborah Cox for Black Elegance magazine. Can I just tell you that Deborah is more beautiful in person than she is in photographs. She’s also very down-to-earth! There was some time to shop and lounge on the beach before my afternoon interview with Tyrese, so I made the best of it. I was the ninth person to interview Tyrese that day and he was definitely worn out. Nonetheless, he was a trooper and we had a great interview.

The R&B; star and former MTV veejay Tyrese is definitely ready to viewed as an adult. In our interview, the J Records artist was quite forthright about his personal sex life. “I have a lot of sex,” admitted the star of the upcoming “Fast and the Furious 2.” “But, I don’t do group sex. I don’t like being in a room full of all of my homies giving each other high-fives and [yelling], ‘Switch!’ I’ve never filmed myself or none of that crazy stuff.” When asked about being romantically linked to other celebrities, he was just as candid. Tyrese on Brandy: “No. I have been knowing her since I was 14 [years-old]. She’s a married girl now and I wouldn’t want to attempt to put anything out there even if there was something.” Tyrese on Maia Campbell (“In The House”): “Yeah! We ain’t date. We just did the do.” Tyrese on Mariah Carey: “No Comment!”

The full interview will be featured in Black Elegance early next year.

~~~

Love Is In The Air: Seems like everyone is getting hitched. Comedian Kym E. Whitley recently announced her engagement to director Timothy Wayne Folsome (“An Invited Guest,” “Jacked”). Rapper Nate Dogg also announced that he an actress Tamala Jones (“The Wood,” “For Your Love”) are engaged. Actor Mel Jackson (“Soul Food,” “Living Single”) and actress Jazsmin Lewis (“Barbershop,” “Deliver Us From Eva”) are engaged as well. Congratulations to all!

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Gospel Gumbo: All roads head to Las Vegas, NV for Dr. Bobby Jones’ International Gospel Industry Retreat. The event will take place December 1-3, featuring artists like Mary Mary, Shirley Caesar, Kim Burrell, Dottie Peoples, Deitrick Haddon, Karen Clark-Sheard, Tramaine Hawkins and many more. Also on hand will be yours truly. I will be sitting on a panel with dish diva Tanya Hart, Sheilah Belle of The Gospel Times, promoter Veryl Howard, and several others. For more information go to BobbyJonesGospel.com.

Sources say that either R&B; veterans Patti Labelle or Aretha Franklin is scheduled to appear on the upcoming Potter’s House recording by Bishop T.D. Jakes. Apparently, Aretha was scheduled to be featured on the last CD, but scheduling problems prevented it from happening.

Gospel artist Nysa Shenay is part of an all-star cast in the new gospel stage play, "Do What I Gotta Do", by playwright, Rev. Garrett A. Davis. The play also features “Soul Food” stars Darrin Dewitt Henson and Rockmond Dunbar, gospel comedian Sister Cantaloupe, Anthony McDonald of the R&B; group Prophet Jones, and newcomer Cherie Hinton. The production will kick off in December Syracuse, NY and run through January 2003 before going national.

Gospel recording artists Mary Mary, Ted & Sheri, and Smokie Norful are scheduled to perform on December 7 at The Maryland Division Of Pretrial Detention And Services in Baltimore. Ted Winn of Ted & Sheri asked Mary Mary, Norful, and others to help him launch the Healing Coalition, a national tour of jails. "Let's use our talents and our ministry and spread the message of healing and deliverance to those in the jail system to bring about true change in their lives," Winn said. The ministry has also received the support of the NAACP, the Lt. Governors Office, and others.

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Girls From My Block: Look out for the sister duo Aaries, who are actually twins, and their debut release, “Always Remember,” in stores early next year. Many may remember Aaries, who are signed to Atlantic Records, from singing background for Musiq during his “Aijuswanaseing” album. Aaries was featured on “Aijuswanaseing,” appearing on the track, “Settle for My Love,” and Ayana, one half of the group, was featured on “Girl Next Door.” Aaries’ first single off of their debut album is called “Strangers To Lovers.” The duo, who reside in Philadelphia but were bred in Arlington, VA, recently wrapped a promotional tour sponsored by Courvosier. Little known Black History Fact: I actually grew up with Ayinke and Ayana, and we sang in a community choir called Images of Unity based out of Arlington, VA. Our choir actually recorded an album that was never released. Those sisters sing a mean version of Richard Smallwood’s “In The Shelter!”

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Things That Make You Say Hmm?: RCA artist Heather Headley on making the transition from the stage to the recording studio: “I hate that! I sing best when I am in front of people. Hearing sniffles from the audience and seeing people smile or laugh. It’s so beautiful when you are singing something or you have a moment and you look into the audience and see a husband grab his wife’s hand, it does something for you. The studio takes all of that away. CeCe Winans came to “Aida” one time and we were talking and I told her I was in the studio. She was like, ‘You hate it don’t you?’ I was like, ‘I despise it!’ She said she hated it too. It was like good, studio haters anonymous.”

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Can’t Say Names: What A-list Hollywood actress is rumored to be crying broke? Said actress apparently has serious financial woes and industry insiders say she is begging colleagues to help secure her work. If that’s not enough, the sistah is also rumored to be considering posing for Playboy to make some extra money. Many speculate that a past relationship wiped out the star’s finances, while others say the actress lives beyond her means. * What comedian, who was rumored to have attempted suicide early this year, is now being investigated by police for having alleged R. Kelly-esque problems? Sources say that the rumored suicide could have occurred because the comic knew that his secret fetish for young girls was about to be made public.

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Quickies:

~ “Juwanna Mann,” the gender-bending comedy starring Miguel A. Nunez, Jr. as a banished pro basketball player who combines on-court skill with the right shade of lipstick to put him in a league of his own, debuted on VHS and DVD last week on Warner Home Video. The DVD contains extra bonus features like Fat Joe’s music video “What’s Luv,” additional deleted and expanded scenes, commentary by director Jesse Vaughan, Tommy Davidson and Nunez, and the BET special on “Juwanna Mann.” The DVD also includes cast/director film highlights, Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and subtitles in English, French and Spanish.

~ Rise/Columbia recording artist Amerie is in the studio with P. Diddy working on a remix to her latest single “Talking To Me.” Expect the single to impact at radio before the Christmas holiday.

~ Get ready for the return of Jodeci sometime next year. K-Ci & JoJo claim that while they are out promoting their current duo effort “Emotional” on MCA Records, Devante and Dalvin are back in Los Angeles working on pre-production for the long overdue Jodeci reunion set. K-Ci will also drop his solo debut prior to the Jodeci comeback release.

~ Former Miss America Vanessa Williams is apparently negotiations to develop a sitcom for NBC. Vanessa is currently featured in both TV and print ads for Crest toothpaste and recently starred in the Broadway production, “In The Woods.”

~ Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, pop star Enrique Iglesias, “American Idol’s” Simon Cowell, and jazz musician Harry Connick, Jr. were among those who made the list of People magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive. J.Lo’s newest finance Ben Affleck was the #1 pick. Those making their On The Verge list include Mekhi Phifer (“E.R.,” “Soul Food”) and Michael Ealy (“Barbershop,” “Fast and the Furious 2”).

~ Thanks to Arch Wireless for providing my paging service. For more information on Arch Wireless, visit their website at Arch.com or call 888-534-1397.

~ They have dressed Free from “106th & Park,” Ruff Ryder's deejay Swizz Beats, Jaheim, and even lil’ old me. A special thanks to Aja Imani for keeping me looking good. Aja Imani is located at 9244 East Hampton Drive, Suite #622, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Contact them at 301-324-8300 or e-mail them at ajaimani@aol.com.

Well I’m Jawn and that’s your Juice! See you next week!

E-mail: GarekNews@hotmail.com

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