What an incredible year! And you, our Lett’s Rise Family, have been awesome. Thank you so much for your steadfast prayers and support all year long.

Thanks again to Dallas Theological Seminary for highlighting us in your video series this year:

CLICK VIDEO BELOW:

OR CLICK PICTURE:

We are grateful. And thank you to all of you for your words of encouragement and hope.

We’re also excited for the opportunities that continue to come. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I filmed the female lead on “The Troubadour”, a feature I can’t wait to tell you all about. Stay tuned for FILM/TV info.

I’m teaching at an arts conference in Puerto Rico the first week of January, and  Good News: I’m finishing up my first book and we’re looking at a 2010 release. Kevin is busy rewriting the music for “Shattered Silhouettes” and handling all of our live scheduling for 2010. Send all inquiries to him.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a New Year full of joy and peace.

Thanks again for everything. All our love to you and your families,
Naima

http://NaimaLett.com
Internet Movie Database
http://facebook.com (Naima’s Fan Page)
http://twitter.com/naimalett
http://naimalett.com/blog

Lett’s Rise! Co-Founder Kevin P. Lett Receives Wall of Honor Award

Congratulations to my husband Kevin, who just flew over to be inducted as an honoree on the Willowridge High School Wall of Honor in Houston, TX for his “outstanding accomplishments, meritorious roles in public and private life and community service.”

Kevin spoke on behalf of the 2009 Honorees at the sold-out banquet which raised thousands of dollars for scholarships for Willowridge graduates.

Before his Howard University School of Business, Verizon Telecom or Lett’s Rise! days, Kevin led Willowridge’s Mighty Eagle’s Marching Band down many a football fields as a drum major. His artistic background on sax and piano serves him well today as he produces music for our Lett’s Rise! productions as well as scoring film projects for others.

Kevin designed numerous social networking platforms including one connecting Willowridge alum all over the nation. They recently used their network to raise money  for Back to School backpacks and supplies.

I’m so very proud of you, Love!

Go forth!
Naima

http://NaimaLett.com
http://facebook.com (Naima’s Fan Page)
http://twitter.com/naimalett
Internet Movie Database
http://naimalett.com/blog

I make it a point  most of the time to keep my family’s names, business and info off the streets… not that we have anything to hide - we just happen to value our privacy. It’s one thing for me to work in the industry… it’s another thing to bring my family along for the ride… though I have to say I have the most awesome family in the world - from my dad, my grandmother, my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins… I’ve been very blessed.

Today, I’d like to take exception to my privacy rule and publicly say THANK YOU to the BEST father in the world: MY DAD.

Daddy, thank you for your unconditional love and support… especially when your only girl child told you she wanted to be an actress. You could’ve flipped out and worried that I’d starve, as I’m sure your brilliant mind wanted stability for me. But you, with your actions and your words said, ‘I believe in you and support your dreams’.

Thank you for your integrity, honesty and stability. You always provided a secure home for us growing up and you loved us and our mother fiercely and loyally, especially as you cared for her during the cancer. You were always faithful to her and to us, and your strength carried us through those really dark times. Thank you.

 Your faith has always been solid. Having you as our dad made it so easy to take those steps in trusting our Heavenly Father  and understanding that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

You are a man of few words, but when you speak, you drop wisdom. I love your protectiveness, your laugh and your singing, especially because most of the time, you don’t even know I’m listening. You are the best dad a daughter could’ve ever hoped to have. I love you.

Happy Father’s Day,

Naima

http://NaimaLett.com

Thank you so much for your comments re: the Southern Savvy cover story: “Acting on a Dream” by Sherry Leigh. Mad appreciation!
Many of you asked if a digital copy was available to read. The answer is YES. Go to:

Southern Savvy Digital Magazine
Cover Story and Fashion Spread (Pages 50 - 63)

Acting on a Dream:
“Naima Imani Lett had a dream. The self-proclaimed risk taker wanted to be an actress and she was ready to work relentlessly to make that dream come true. Dedicated to her goal, she broke through barriers and overcame obstacles to become a successful actress with an impressive resumé that includes gigs in theatre, television and film…” Read full article

Go forth,
Naima

Naima Imani Lett
http://NaimaLett.com
http://facebook.com (Naima’s Page)
Internet Movie Database

A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Living on the Lean Side - An Actor’s $200 a week

Just a note of encouragement to those who may be experiencing difficult times during this economic downturn: Hang in there! Know that you are not alone. We’re all in this together and know that we are praying for you and we are grateful for your prayers as well.

A special note to our fellow artists: Know that you are the most creative people in the world, and you know how to survive. As a matter of fact, you can probably lend advice to your neighbors and friends because you’ve perfected ‘living on the lean side’ of things. Share your wealth of knowledge and expertise with someone today. I’ll start:

In the Savvy article, I was asked about my first professional gig. It was at the Tony-Award winning Crossroads Theatre in NJ. I learned so much while performing onstage and working in the production office. And guess what?! The Lord blessed me to survive on $200 a week. When I look back on it, don’t ask me how - but He made a way. My good friend Yetunde and I had an humble 2nd floor apt over a law office downtown, we walked to work most days to save on gas, and we shopped smart.

LEAN SIDE TIP: We shopped vegetarian. Because meat was the most expensive grocery item, we opted for less expensive protein options like red beans and rice which was filling and stretched a long way. We bought fruit at the farmers market because it was cheaper than junk food. And we got really creative with all kinds of pasta dishes! Don’t sleep on the meatless spaghetti. I’m just saying!

That’s one of the ways we saved. What about you? You have any tips to share?

Whenever things get tight, I remind myself that  the Lord provided us $200 a week and it covered all of our needs and we never missed a bill or a meal. He can certainly do the same now, not just for me, but for all of us. :) (Phil 4:19)

Go forth,
Naima

Naima Imani Lett
http://NaimaLett.com
http://facebook.com (Naima’s Page)
Internet Movie Database

I have always loved the month of February… not just because of it’s wintry appeal (My mom said it best: “I’d rather be hot than cold any day!”)… not just because of all the holidays (Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Black History Month)… but because of my BIRTHDAY!

And one of the awesome gifts I received this year was to sit down with this wonderful magazine called Southern Savvy for their cover story, “Acting on a Dream”. Click here for article details, Savvy’s site and pics). Many thanks to publisher Lesli Lehman and editor Sherry Leigh for such a fun interview and photo shoot. They took me back to my Augusta GA roots and asked me all about my family and getting started in the biz.

They wanted to know all about this journey and all the steps along the way: Howard, Crossroads, Oxford, DTS, FPA, ministry, theatre, TV, film, etc. As I reflected, I was reminded (as I often am) that “I have been incredibly blessed.”

And that’s what I love about birthdays! It’s a wonderful time to reflect on this blessing of LIFE. I so believe that we each have a purpose in life, and I am humbled that I get to live mine out each day… through all the ups and downs, twists and turns… It’s truly a roller coaster ride stretched out cross faith.

Most times, we don’t know what’s around the next bend, but we’re holding on and we’re completely safe, even when it doesn’t feel so safe. And when we find out we’ve made it through (sometimes shaken up, but still here), we’re strengthened. We celebrate and we can’t wait to ride it again or to get on the next one.

Well, birthdays are when I celebrate all the roller coaster dramas from the previous year and I gear up for the next ride ahead.  And many of you celebrated with me this year, especially my Facebook fam. I posed the question to you all: ‘Why not celebrate all month long? Not just a birthday, but a birthweek or birthmonth?!’ Thank you so much for all of your responses and well wishes. You all are funny!

A wonderful shout out to all of my Facebook and Myspace fam celebrating this month as well as to all of my close friends born in this Love month. And a very special shout out to my family: to my brother Kwesi who shares my birthmonth and my aunt Deborah who shares my actual birthday and to her son- also Feb born- my cousin Frederick whom we dearly love and look forward to celebrating with again once we too pass on to Glory.

We’re reminded that the coaster on this side of life isn’t forever, but thank God that there is a forever promise coming of no more tears, no more crying, no more pain, no more death. Now that’s a reason to celebrate!

On this birthday, I celebrate life and I celebrate the One who is Life, Jn11:25.  I celebrate love (that I am deeply loved by my husband, my family, my friends and that I have the privilege to love); and I celebrate the One who is Love, 1Jn4:8. I celebrate that nothing - death, life, things present, things to come, height, depth, nothing - can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Rm8:39. I’m celebrating, Fam! All February long! Won’t you join me?!!!

Go forth,
Naima

Naima Imani Lett
http://NaimaLett.com
Internet Movie Database

P.S. THANK YOU’S to Southern Savvy. Special Thanks to:
Lesli Lehman, Publisher.  Sherry Leigh, Editor.
Wade Livingston, Photographer.  Carolina Herrera, Designer/Cover.
Abi Ferrin, Designer/Fashion spread.  Amethyst Maya, Asst Designer.
Noble Boutique, Jewelry.  Cheryll Smith, Stylist.

Happy New Year, Fam! It’s off to a great start!

After a wonderful holiday of resting (yes, resting!!!) and reflecting and celebrating with family and friends in sunny, cold L.A. :), it’s back to the races. I had the wonderful honor of being invited to be the cover story for an upcoming issue of a fresh and new (premiered Oct) magazine called Southern Savvy.

It was awesome. They really took care of a sister. The publisher, Lesli Lehman, who could be a fashion icon in her own right, encourages thousands of women through her publications and brings positive stories to the forefront. You’ll have to check out the February/March issue. I can’t wait to share all about the experience and the wonderful designers in a couple of weeks when the magazine comes out.

Stay tuned,
Naima

Naima Imani Lett
http://NaimaLett.com
Internet Movie Database

Catch Naima in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” scene
Opens Nationwide on CHRISTMAS DAY
Starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett; Directed by David Fincher
Paramount Pictures

 “Walking in the Strappy Sandals of Others”

Hi Fam,I’m so excited to be in this film. I hear it’s wonderful. I was unable to attend the premiere because of my one-woman play performance, but I’m told that my “one scene” made it in. LOL! That’s right! My couple of lines didn’t hit the cutting room floor (a major feat considering how much was sliced to reduce the time :) And believe me, the four auditions & several characters I went through to book my role was well worth the experience! Working with Fincher: Priceless!

On set, I was simply called Madame because I owned the 1930s New Orleans brothel that Benjamin Button came to. For three very cold days/nights in New Orleans, I did my best to take care of my ‘girls’. I was blessed w/ a speaking role which came along with a warm robe, trailer and heat between takes (Thanks Paramount!) My girls (mostly extras) were not as fortunate, but I got as many huddled into my robe as I could!

Maternal instinct kicked in and though I don’t personally know what it’s like to own a whorehouse; for three nights, I walked in the shoes (a pair of broken strappy suede sandals) of one who represents many nameless women who have run and/or or worked in brothels over the years and I imagined what all they had to do to survive and take care of one another. A deep compassion replaced any judgment that might’ve existed in my heart as my eyes became their eyes and their needs became my needs. That’s one of the magical blessings of being an actor: walking in the shoes of others and how that changes your life.

So, when you go see this $150 million romantic blockbuster that’s already receiving Academy Award buzz, you’ll see thirty seconds of my time with my ‘girls’; but know that it represents three days of walking in the broken strappy sandals of others that changed my life.

Info on the movie at Internet Movie Database  

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Go forth,
Naima

Naima Imani Lett
http://NaimaLett.com
Internet Movie Database

Christmas is usually a busy time for me. I had the privilege of being invited to present “SHATTERED SILHOUETTES“, my one-woman play about women of the Bible, in several houses of worship for Christmas and Advent Celebrations. Of the five Biblical women that I portray in “Shattered”, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the one who brings audiences to Christmas.

“I don’t know if we ever really think about what Mary went through! Wow! Here she is, an unwed teenage virgin, and she finds out from an  angel (no doubt) that she is having a baby by God, a Son who will be the Messiah (umm hmmm), and her fiance (who knows he hasn’t “been” with her) isn’t exactly jumping on the help bandwagon at first. Do you think this could’ve been a stressful time for Mary?

And we read her story in Luke 1 and see how she “hurries” to her cousin Elizabeth’s house and runs into open arms of love and support. So much so that Mary takes pause and worships! A wonderful Magnificat!

That’s my Christmas wish for everyone. That in the midst of all we’re going through - good or bad- that we can, like Mary, run into open arms of love and support, this Christmas, take pause and worship… that we can also sing “the Mighty One has done great things” for us!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Go forth,
Naima

Naima Imani Lett
http://NaimaLett.com
Internet Movie Database

Video Clips: http://naimalett.com/living_proof.html  

Hi Fam,

I had the privilege of attending the NY red carpet premiere of Lifetime’s “Living Proof” with my good friend Yetunde (girls night, woo-hoo!), and we thoroughly enjoyed this movie (and not just because I was in it :) I think you’re going to like it too because it’s an inspirational true story about Dr. Dennis Slamon (played by Emmy Award-winner Harry Connick Jr), a doctor who devotes his life to finding a treatment for breast cancer, and many of the women whose lives are saved.

My “Nurse Carol” comes in the second half of the film. She’s somewhat of a practical joker, but has a chance to really help one of the patients toward the end… Hope you have a chance to enjoy this wonderful story of hope!

Info on the Internet Movie Database

AIR DATES:
SAT OCT 18TH, 9 pm ET, 8 pm CT,
SUN OCT 19th, 8 pm ET, 7 pm CT
MON OCT 20th 9 pm ET, 8 pm CT

Go forth!
Naima
http://NaimaLett.com