EBONY gets up close and personal for its October issue with Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Sen. Cory Book (D-NJ). A tribute to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, which I penned, is also featured.

This was taken during a meet and greet, following Aretha Franklin's performance at Ravinia in 2015. She told me how much she liked my hat.

Issa Rae's award-winning HBO series, "Insecure," returns for a third season on Sunday, August 12. Taking front and center on EBONY's September fashion issue, she's hoping to change the way African-American women are viewed in television and in film by presenting multi-dimensional perspectives. In this issue I caught up with Grammy Award-winning performer Bobby Brown and wrote a story about his highly-anticipated two-night BET mini-series, "The Bobby Brown Story," airing September 4 and 5. He also discussed his new life and the importance of having someone in his corner during his  darkest moments.

 Bobby and I during media interview at Wintrust Arena in green room. Later that day the Grammy Award-winning singer appeared with RBRM before a sold-out concert at Chicago's Arie Crown Theater. He revealed that he lost 60 lbs. by watching his diet and cooking with his own natural products. Learn more about Bobby Brown Foods. BET's The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story were the network's highest ranking in its history.

When it comes to high-profile relationships, things aren't what they used to be. It isn't that couples today endure more stress behind closed doors than those who came before. It's just that folks in the spotlight now must deal with more drama thanks to social media having their business in the streets and in the tweets. If you haven't already, check out this cover story I penned where many of these lovebirds have proven that anything worth having is certainly worth fighting for...even if it's each other.