Jacque Reid Encourages Students

Renowned news reporter and motivational speaker, Jacque Reid, was the guest speaker for the SCLC Youth Leadership Development Workshop at the Kauffman Foundation, Thursday morning.

Jacque, is currently a news correspondent on the nationally syndicated radio program, the Tom Joyner Morning Show. In addition, she is a guest host on the ABC daytime syndicated talk show, The View. Before her recent accolades, Jacque served as co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, CNN Headline News and BET Nightly News.

Jacque spoke to approximately 300 local high school seniors on how focusing on a profound career, staying focus, making better choices in life and importance of role models. During the workshop, students broke out into six small groups discussing topic such as: Gang Violence, Has Integration Helped or Hurt Us, Money/Credit Management, Peer Pressure, Choosing a College Major, and Educational Alternatives & Career Paths. All discussion groups were led by past SCLC Black Achievers.

Jacque has a wonderful personality and smile. Some might not think she’s a celebrity but in book she is. On TV she looks pretty tall or at least 5’ 10” but in reality she’s no taller than me (5’ 7”).

From left: Arlana Coleman, Jacque Reid, and Luvenia Husky

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Jacque Reid Encourages Students

I Can't Wait | Upcoming Saturday Wedding

This weekend I am preparing for Rachel and Josh’s wedding on Saturday. We took their engagement pictures in early November. Click on their name above to view their engagement session.

I actually can’t wait because this will be the first wedding of 2009 and I’m anxious to get back into the groove. Our wedding season ended last December - the day after Christmas - and I'm itching to photograph a wedding. Although we've been busy in the last month with a special community project, it's nothing like experiencing the thrill of wedding photography. Last year was a blast! The couples I’m working with this year are going to be even better. Most of all, we will be gracing new locations and new opportunities.

This year, our goal is to push the envelope in all of our 2009 weddings. Keep watch out for all the new changes with Royal Photography! We would not be where we are without the grace of God and the beautiful people he allowed us to come in contact with.

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU SATURDAY RACHEL AND JOSH!

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I Can't Wait | Upcoming Saturday Wedding

SCLC | Interfaith Service

Sunday, January 11 the Greater Kansas City Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration committee held their annual “Interfaith Service” at the Beth Shalom church. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and The Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Community sponsored this event.

This is a beautiful church and one in which I have always driven by and wondered would I ever get an opportunity to photograph inside or photograph a Jewish wedding. When I walked in the doors, I was greeted by ushers who wanted all the males to wear a Yamaka. Now this was a first for me.

What makes this interfaith service so special is because it’s a time where all religions come together to partake in a word from the gospel. During the service they also give recognition to a prominent community leader and present them with the Evelyn Wasserstrom Award. This year’s honoree was Rev. Eric D. Williams, pastor of Calvary Temple Baptist Church.

Over 300 guests received a double dose of meditative thought from father and son, Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver II and Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III around the topic of “A New Day in the World – A New Day in America”.

Congratulations Dr. Williams on your well deserved honor!


Rev. Eric D. Williams



Students from the Kiddie Kollege - Trinity A.M.E. Church, Kansas City, Kansas

Distinguished clergy: Rev. Eric D. Williams, Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson, Alvin Brooks, and Rev. Bobby Love.

Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver II

Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver, III

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SCLC | Interfaith Service

SCLC Jazzspiration

As we approach the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (Jan. 19), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) held a Sprint Artist – “Jazzspiration a Celebration of Unity” concert on Friday evening at the KC Repertory - Spencer Theater on the UMKC campus. Approximately 200 guests (young and old) came out to hear Kansas City Boys & Kansas City Girls Choirs; James Ward Band; Poets Collective – Teianna Re-al Cooper, Ms. Mai, Purpose; Soul Serenade featuring Mia; and national gospel recording artist, James Fortune & Fiya.

There will be other photo highlights coming throughout the week and posted on our BLOG. Keep watching!

Thank you Arlana!!! Thanks Ed Atkins of KPRS Radio for the shout out on your BLOG.

For a complete list of SCLC – Dr. King holiday activities, visit their website.

National gospel recording artist, James Fortune & Fiya. The Kansas City Boys & Kansas City Girls Choirs. Soul Serenade featuring Mia.

Gospel recording artist, James Fortune.

Teianna Re-al Cooper recites a poem - spoken word - to the crowd.

"Purpose" delivers an emotional poem.

Ms. Mai delivers a heart-dropping poem.

James Fortune on stage.

The James Ward Band perform. ◦

SCLC Jazzspiration

My kids in the holiday spirit

For Christmas I purchased a lot of DVD's and received several as gifts. At the rate I'm going, the only time I can watch them is after midnight. With that being said, I was up late watching The Mummy - Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and downloading some family Christmas photos from my flash card. It's been a while since I've posted some of Andrew and Sydney. Andrew is 3 and half and lil miss Sydney will turn 8-months this month. The picture of Andrew was taken while mommie (Tailese) was putting up the Christmas tree. The picture of Sydney was taken during a traditional family gathering on Christmas Eve.

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My kids in the holiday spirit

‘09 SCLC of Greater Kansas City Black Achievers

Over the Christmas holidays I was hard at work on a small project for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) of Greater Kansas City . We are honored to be awarded the contract for a second year to photograph the 2009 Black Achievers of Greater Kansas City on January 15, 5:30 pm at the Marriott Muehlebach hotel.

This year, SCLC will be honoring 11 professional individuals. The honorees are: Brad Boldridge, Cheryl Wright, Damon Lewis, Dwight Comeaux, Johnette Hinson, Karen McCoy, Maurice Coleman, Milton Young, Nicole Clark, Sheila Lister and Steven Strong. The photos below (except for Cheryl Wright) were all taken by us at the honorees workplace.

Along with the photographing the Black Achievers, we will also be photographing all of the SCLC January events here in Kansas City leading up to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration on Jan. 19.

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‘09 SCLC of Greater Kansas City Black Achievers

Sharil + Henry Wedding Reception

Some of you may remember that Sharil and Henry committed their lives to each other on Dec. 13. They had a abbreviated reception at the church but the real fun wasn't going to take place until Friday, Dec. 26.

Their wedding reception was informal as they come. Let’s just say E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E got lose and partied!

Their reception was held at the Old Shawnee Town Hall the day after Christmas. There wasn’t anything formal about the entire evening. After dinner and watching a video from their wedding, the guests hit the dance floor. My good friend Myron D, of KC Pro Jocks, provided the entertainment. The crowd danced to all sorts of music. Ricky, one of the chefs from Garozzo’s even provided a little “salsa” steps with the ladies. Sharil and her Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters rendered a dance skit to "Proud Mary" from Tina Turner.

What a good way to end 2008! Congratulations Sharil and Henry, thank you for allowing me to be apart of your special day.


Henry, his nephnew and his son, Jackson share a few moves in the Soul Train line.

Ricky, from Garrozo's, teach the bride and groom a few Latin dance moves.

Henry lip sings to Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" song.

Guests have no shame in getting lose during the party.

Ricky, whirls Sharil around with a few Salsa dance moves.

Henry couldn't help but laugh at all the effort from the guests dance moves.

Sharil just knows she is the center of attention.

A glimpse of some of the center pieces.

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Sharil + Henry Wedding Reception

Sharil + Henry wedding

Below are images from Sharil and Henry's wedding on Saturday, Dec. 13. Their wedding ceremony took place at Metropolitan Baptist Temple in Kansas City, KS. Photos from their extended reception will follow after Dec. 26.

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Sharil + Henry wedding

Last wedding of the year

I just got back from photographing my last wedding of year - Sharil and Henry. The bride and groom are having a extended reception the day after Christmas because there are so many people who couldn't come to the wedding but will be in town for the Christmas holidays. So, I will be back at it Dec. 26. Stay tuned for the images. ◦

Last wedding of the year

Gratitude from the heart

I want to share with my faithful readers more comments that were rendered by Melissa and Scott today. I photographed their wedding on November 15 in Chanute, KS. The only reason why I'm sharing this is because I sense genuine appreciation. Comments like these empower me to push the envelope with every wedding I photograph. I allow God to use me in being an instrument in documenting love stories in the couples I come in contact with. I can truly say that I believe they will be our dearest friends.

Sam,

The pictures are beautiful! They made me cry :) Imagine that!!! Can't wait to see you again, Scott and I have honeymoon pics to show off! Let us know when the proofs are ready for us to pick up and we have something for you as well. Hope you are having a great week!

- Melissa and Scott

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Gratitude from the heart