05.22.10
Mo’Nique (The Voice Of Inspiration)
Monique Imes was born in Woodlawn Maryland. At a tender age of 7 until the age of 15 she was sexually abused by her own brother. She spoke of this in a interview with essence magazine. Through this all she pushed forward , graduated Milford Mill High School and attended Morgan State University. Before Monique found her calling she worked as a phone sex operator. Then on a dare from her brother she performed her first open mic. From there the battle continued, but it was a up hill battle instead of going down. She was introduced to us as Nikki Parker on the television show “The Parkers.” She continued doing comedy and became the host of “Showtime at the Apollo.” Few people know that she also is the hostess and executive producer of Mo’Niques Fat Chance. It airs on the Oxygen cable network and hosts a beauty pagent for plus sized women. From there it was “Flavor of Love Girls Charm School” In 2007 she gave back to the community by going to the Ohio reformatory for women and doing a comedy special. She documented it in 2007 and named it “I could’ve been your cellmate.” She is no stranger to the acting arena. She has appeared in “Two can play that game” “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” “Beerfest 3 strikes” “Half Past Dead” “Garfield, The Movie” “Domino” and eventually landed her standout lead role in “Phat Girlz.” Then came the movie “Precious” a Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry project. She played one of the lead characters which grossed over $141 million dollars! This resulted in awards such as “Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress” (the fourth African American to win one) Screen Actors Guild Award” Golden Globe Award. She also became the 12th African American to ever win a Oscar for acting. To date many African Americans label her as the best host for any award show. She has proven this to be true by hosting her own show called “The Monique Show” out of Atlanta Ga. It aired on October 5 2009. She uses the show to inspire many African Americans to dream big then push forward to make it a reality. When Hollywood has pushed many great African American actors to the side, she brings them on her show to refresh our memories of why we love them so much. From being sexually abused to having her own talk show, hiring and inspiring the masses. This is what real leadership is about. Aspire to be great.
