GERALD GARTH

I remember running for class treasurer in elementary school. Classmates knew me to be good with numbers and multitasking and for being trustworthy. "You would be great for treasurer!" my young fellows chimed out. "Why not president?" I responded. "But you'd be perfect as treasurer." And sure enough, that's what I did-- I ran for class treasurer, the whole time wanting to be president. I knew I was qualified to be president, but allowed the thoughts of others to keep me i

As a representative of the Black AIDS Institute and the Black Treatment Advocates Network, I had an opportunity to speak, along with my colleagues Shalaurey Jones and Damone Thomas, at First AME Zion of Los Angeles. The presentation was centered on HIV in the Black Community and how the church can get more involved. The presentation was designed for young adults ages 18-24 covering such topics as HIV basics, what HIV looks like in America and LA, and what Jesus said about be

So it seems I’ve been giving a lot of advice about “cutting folk off,” and I can easily see how people might be like, “Dang, he needs a friend… Or a laxative.” But after years of not saying what I mean or dealing with the other people’s baggage, it is a cleansing feeling to be able to “woosah” and make decisions that make me feel good. But even still, I understand how difficult it can be to actually think something—and then say it. Years ago, I was introduced to an amazing

“With so much shade in the world, why not walk in light… when you can at least? We’re all human, but strive for better. Try for different.” It’s okay to be inspired! Oprah's Top Ten: What you put out comes back. You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power. When people show you they are, believe them the first time. Dr. Maya Angelou Worrying is wasted time

In my hometown there was a man who was at every beauty salon, every barber shop, every in-town football game. He had a great attitude, always very cordial, and was always stocked up with the latest of his wares: teacakes. And because of this, he was simply known as “The Teacake Man.” Teacakes, where I’m from, are a simple old-fashioned cookie made with vanilla and sugar. Because the recipe is as simple as it is, there’s lots of room for error. Yet the Teacake Man got it

As an actor, as anyone knows there are always dissenters in this business. You’re always too “something,” add a little of this, less of that, blah, blah, blah. Still, I was actually a bit surprised to hear that I was “too tall” to be a leading man. Gratefully so, I do know better and have played the leading man several times. My first roles ever were actually as leads. But even knowing that, I did have a moment. I had to ask was this person right or what? So this showc

I have a longstanding mantra about being specific, always purposing myself to be as specific as possible—that goes from prayers to potential mate to orders at the drive through. But one example especially is last New Year’s Eve as I was flying into Las Vegas with my friend, Shana. A longstanding dream of mine-- one I would say aloud quite often was “I will see Celine Dion in Vegas for New Year’s Eve.” As we bustled through the lobby of the McCarran International Airport, I

All it takes is one. One person to get you. To see your talent. To take a risk on you. To believe in you. And we’ve all seen it; it can all change in a heartbeat. The business is all about perception. Nobody knows who you are or what you’re about or how extraordinary your talent might be—and then one day it changes. Or it changes once you show them. And then all of a sudden, everyone’s interested. But to get to that “one” you have to create opportunities to be seen. And it ta

I read an article entitled “3 Things Actors Need to Shed on Their Journeys” by Craig Wallace. It gives the author’s thoughts on some things that should fall away along an actor’s voyage. But upon reading it, I think many of us can integrate these points into our lives no matter what our craft. I think it’s important to understand the importance of a journey. No matter what your plan or idea, a journey is key. What makes the journey worthwhile is what we pick up along the

If you’re going to think thoughts you might as well think big ones. First off it’s free. Second it feels better to think in terms of possibility and creativity, rather than thinking thoughts that are tethered to our conditioned way of seeing things. That is, incorrectly. Third, that’s how science works. Scientists call their experiments fields. Fields of study. Fields of research. Fields of discovery. Fields of possibility. Fields of dreams. It’s open. Wide open spaces. I