Divabetic Salutes Regina Belle

“I want to be who I am now. I rock my gray hair because it is a blessing,” says Regina Belle. “I colored mine for many years, but I’ve gotten compliments from so many men and women about being brave enough to sport the gray. I even wear it on the cover of my record. I am comfortable in my skin and I want listeners to feel that as well.”

Regina Belle began performing at a young age at Englewood’s Mount Calvary Baptist Church in New Jersey. She studied opera and jazz at Rutgers University, with a combined major in Africana Studies and Music. She learned to play trombone, tuba, and steel pans before leaving college to purse a music career.

Her debut album, All by Myself, had her first hits, “So Many Tears” and “Show Me the Way.”

Regina, “If I cannot identify with the songs, and if the music does not move my soul, make me feel better, take me up when I’m down or higher when I’m up, then I don’t want to record it, play it or sing it!”

A few years later, her duets with Peabo Bryson, “I Can’t Imagine,” “Without You,” and “A Whole New World,” solidified her pop music success. “A Whole New World, from the soundtrack to the 1992 Disney film Aladdin, peaked at no.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and received a Grammy Award in 1993 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and the Academy Award for Best Song of the Year.

I saw Regina Belle perform at B.B. King’s in New York City a few years ago. So many of Regina Belle’s songs are embedded in my soul, and I was excited about her concert.

Sadly, Regina Belle was still grieving over the loss of her brother, who passed away a few days before the concert. She admitted she wasn’t really in the right frame of mind. Her show underwhelmed me. I was frustrated when she melodied many of her biggest hits, “Make It Like It Was,” “Show Me,” “So Many Tears,””Baby Come To Me,” and “All I Want Is Forever.” I loved these songs, and a medley was not cutting it.

My disappointment got the better of me, and I took to social media to express my displeasure. Would you believe she responded? Regina Belle apologized and admitted that her brother’s recent death had affected her performance. So much for social media anonymity!

Thirty years after leaving Rutgers and 10 albums later, Belle started taking online courses, which earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Africana Studies and a Minor in Music. Belle walked the stage with her ‘new class’ from Rutgers in May 2015. She states, “This achievement of finishing my degree, which I started almost 30 years ago and finally being done, was a bittersweet moment and rates as high as my Grammy Awards.”

Her life was eventful, the journey purposeful but not without misfortune. After releasing her first Gospel album, Love Forever Shines, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Regina Belle returned to performing after two surgeries, health challenges, and 10 months of rehabilitation.

“I’m amazingly blessed. I will never ever say that I’ve lived the perfect life to be shown such favor with God or the people but here I am,” declares Regina Belle.

I wanted to create this series for Women’s History Month because many artists who made music in the 80s and 90s are no longer with us, or they’re not promoted as prominently as I had hoped. Once hip-hop took center stage, the lush, elegant songs I loved were being pushed aside. Sadly, most of these artists are no longer with us or aren’t actively performing.

I chose artists whom I greatly admired, and their music touched my soul and shaped my ideas about love and romance.

Join us for our Luther Vandross: Never Too Much birthday celebration featuring a Music Panel, Fashion Show, Luther Trivia Games, Live Performances, Style Vendors, and Live DJ on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

Come dressed in your Big 80s Bling!

Luther Vandross was known for wearing rhinestones, silk tuxedos, and tailcoats on stage and Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Tom Ford off-stage! He wasn’t afraid of bright colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, and fringe. His style and incredible showmanship brought him legions of fans worldwide.

We’re celebrating the Glitz, Glamour, and Romantic Elegance that made his concerts memorable and set him apart from other entertainers.

MUSIC PANEL: Luther’s Vocalist, Cindy Mizelle, Luther’s Choreographer, James Ervin, and Graffiti Glamour Makeup Artistry Founder Alicia Mitchell give us a closer look into the Shine of the Rhinestones, Big Luscious Hairstyles, Bold Makeup, Graceful Moves, and Tight Harmonies comprising Luther’s iconic stage shows. Hosted by Max Szadek.

FASHION SHOW: Designers showcase their gorgeous creations inspired by Luther Vandross’s romantic elegance. See the latest styles from Harlem’s Heaven and Modafleur, among others! Hosted by Catherine Schuller.

LIVE PERFORMANCE: Luther’s most iconic songs performed by Luther’s most iconic songs by vocalist Keith Anthony Fluitt.

STYLISH VENDORS: Shop for apparel, jewelry, and teas from a dazzling array of small entrepreneurs.

COCKTAILS & LITE BITES: Enjoy signature cocktails and delicious appetizers.

Register at Eventbrite.

Divabetic Salutes Roberta Flack

Roberta Flack is the daughter of a draftsman and a church choir organist who learned to play music at her mother’s knee. She studied both Chopin and Methodist hymnody before gaining admission to Howard University.

“For the first three decades of my life, I lived in the world of classical music,” Robert Flack said in an interview with NPR. “I found in it wonderful melodies and harmonies that were the vehicles through which I could express myself.” 

After graduation, she dreamed of becoming an opera singer but instead chose a career in music education. She taught in rural North Carolina and Washington, D.C.- area schools while performing in nightclubs on the side.  Her unusual repertoire of folk revival ballads and Motown hits made her a sensation. In 1969, signed to Atlantic Records, Roberta Flack released  her debut album, “First Take.”  One of her many accomplishments is being the only solo artist to win the Grammy for Record of the Year two years in a row — in 1973 for “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and in 1974 for “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”

Although she occasionally co-writes her material, Roberta Flack is mostly known as a deeply intuitive song interpreter.

“I always say that ‘love is a song’ — meaning that music reaches beyond age, race, nationality and religion to touch our hearts,” Roberta Flack told NPR. 

Throughout her career, Roberta Flack has had 18 Billboard-charting songs, four Grammy awards, 13 nominations, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. 

 Her hits include soul-stirring collaborations with Peabo Bryson and Donny Hathaway and chart-topping singles, showcasing her musical brilliance and emotional depth.

“My music is inspired thought by thought, and feeling by feeling,” she said in the same article. “Not note by note. I tell my own story in each song as honestly as I can in the hope that each person can hear it and feel their own story within those feelings.”

In addition to her music success, she founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, offering underprivileged students a free, inspiring music education. Her dedication to music and welfare culminated in the formation of The Roberta Flack Foundation, which supports animal welfare and music education.

Roberta Flack’s music remains indelible in our lives, touching hearts and minds globally.

Divabetic Pays Tribute to Regina Belle

“I want to be who I am now. So I rock my gray hair because it is a blessing,” says Regina Belle.

Today, the Grammy Award-winning singer Regina Belle celebrates her 59th Birthday. 

“I colored mine for many years, but I’ve gotten compliments from many men and women about being brave enough to sport the gray,” she adds. “I even wear it on the cover of my record. I am comfortable in my skin and want listeners to feel that.”

Regina Belle was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009 and underwent an eight-hour surgery. The Grammy Award-winning singer said, “I had to learn humility because I couldn’t do anything for myself, and I needed help with everything that I wanted to do; everything that I could think of.”

It had to be a shock as well as scary for Regina. The emotional strain and burden of experiencing a health crisis and setback are undoubtedly challenging. Many of us struggle with disappointment and depression relating to thoughts of our body letting us down. It’s incredible to After being signed to Columbia Records in 1987, 

Regina Belle skyrocketed to fame after her debut album, All by Myself, was released in 1987. A string of hits, “So Many Tears” and “Show Me the Way,” paved the way for her iconic duet, “A Whole New World,” with Peabo Bryson from Disney’s animated film, Aladdin.

Sadly, Regina Belle’s chat-topping success didn’t make her invincible to disappointment. She was dropped from her record label, triggering a string of challenges that would nearly take her life. After 25 years in the business, she almost lost everything after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“I went to emergency surgery, and the surgery was supposed to take a couple of hours. It took eight. I bled so badly they had to close me up and finish it six months later; they had to open my head back up,” she recalled on Unsung.

Thankfully, Regina Belle is in good health, celebrating her 59th Birthday. “God was telling me I was blessed. He was putting me in a position to understand that I don’t have control over everything and that he can still work some stuff out.”

Regina has something to say about growing older and being invisible. 

“I want to get the word out that I am still relevant and have something to say.”

If you’re feeling invisible, instead of hoping someone else will do the legwork for you, work on loving yourself. It takes time but learning to accept yourself and feel at ease with who you are, makes you charismatic. Your mannerisms, and the way you smile, laugh, talk, and interact help comprise your style. Set a goal! Goals we were achieving.

Doing something complicated when you’re over a certain age increases your self-esteem and makes you more visible to others too.

Heart Attack Signs for Women Are Like A Quiet Storm

Did you know that women are at a much higher risk to have a silent heart attack and be unaware that it’s happening or confuse it with something else?

The symptoms of a heart attack can come on like a quiet storm.

Studies have shown that women who have had a heart attack often did not experience chest pain — the most telling sign of a heart problem. Instead, women have a set of symptoms that come on slowly and progress gradually, including:

Unusual fatigue
Sleep disturbance
Flu-like discomfort
Paleness or clammy skin
Inability to sleep

Men are much more likely to experience the most common symptoms suddenly and with more severity. They can have cold sweats, dizziness or a feeling that they’re going to pass out.

Most fans we’re shocked to learn that Peabo Bryson suffered a mild heart attack last year. He credits his wife’s quick thinking and fast response for his his speedy recovery. In honor of this Quiet Storm icon we’re encourage you to learn the common warning signs of heart attack.

Memorize the common heart attack warning signs like the words to your favorite love song:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath. This can occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs. Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

If you can spot them early, you can limit the damage from the heart attack. Keep your house a home and learn the signs for heart attack, and remember: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out.

Minutes matter. Fast action can save lives – maybe your own. Call 911 if you experience heart attack warning signs. Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Learn more at heart.org

Join us for Quiet Storm Fans’ Peabo Bryson Listening Party with Leon Petrossian on Saturday, July 18, 8 – 10 PM. We will sharing heart health and heart attack information between Peabo Bryson’s most beloved songs.

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with the diabetes and its related complications. Since its inception, Divabetic has presented outreach programs in 15 major U.S. cities, reaching hundreds of thousands of women, their families and health care professionals.

Experience more of our GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS philosophy at divabetic.org

31 Days of Divabetic Podcasts, Day Twelve

Divabetic (Divabetic.org) presents a month-long showcase celebrating 10 years of diabetes podcasting. Each of the featured podcasts spotlights our favorite guests, topics, poems, games and/or musical inspiration. Enjoy!

On Day 12, we’re spotlighting our Diabetes Fairy Tales podcast from 2013. Fairy tales aren’t just for children. Adults need them too. Fairy tales can teach us about the higher qualities of ourselves and others, make us feel like we can conquer our fears and give us hope for the future. Additionally, we think the ‘Land of Make Believe’ can help you to stay healthy and upbeat about your diabetes self-care.

Joining Mr. Divabetic are Connie Frazier RD, CDE, Lori Bednarz RN, CDE, Makeup Artist and Esthetician Sue Perez, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Lorraine Starsky RN and Neva White CRNP, CDE in celebration of Divabetic’s sixth year of headlining the American Diabetes Association Expo in Pittsburgh, PA.

Mr. Divabetic and his merry band of diabetes educators presented Divabetic’s stage show extravaganza, ‘Diabetes Fairy Tales’ in the Divabetic Pavilion at the American Diabetes Association’s Expo in Pittsburgh, PA. The program is based on nine popular Fairy Tales including Snow White, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Beauty & The Beast, Rapunzel, Hansel & Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood and more! The Diabetes Fairy Tales stage show in Pittsburgh will feature Little Red Riding Hood self-care games, 3 Bears fitness demonstrations, Hansel and Gretel Food Aisle Face-Offs, and diabetes care advice for damsels in distress from the experts.

Poet Lorraine Brooks added a diabetes twist to the popular Beauty & The Beast fairy tale.

‘Beauty & The Beast’ by Lorraine Brooks

A beauty named Belle, says the story,

Was a lovely and humble young lass,

She was regal in all of her glory,

But she had diabetes, alas.

She thought diabetes was just a big beast

READ MORE

 

Divabetic’s monthly podcasts are dedicated to Music Lovers living with, at risk and/or affected by diabetes. We aim to be the epicenter of the circle of care, a link between patients and their health care providers, a translator of clinical speak and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with the diabetes and its related complications. Since its inception, Divabetic has presented outreach programs in 15 major U.S. cities, reaching hundreds of thousands of women, their families and health care professionals.

Experience more of our GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS philosophy at divabetic.org