[ latin music plays ] >> "here and now," the program featuring the news and interests of the african-american community. here's your host -- sandra bookman. >> coming up, the continuing search for a missing flight attendant. sierra shields disappeared after leaving laguardia airport. family members share their mounting concerns. as we commemorate black history month, we'll introduce you to an order of black nuns in harlem marking 100 years of service with a call for 100 days of kindness. plus, daymond john, the founder of fubu and one of the stars of the hit abc show "shark tank" on why the power of broke can be the key to success.

r&b singer meli'sa morgan still crooning after all these years. she updates on her career and new release, "so good." that's all ahead on "here and now." >> nearly a month without a trace. 30-year-old sierra shields, a delta flight attendant, disappeared after leaving work at laguardia airport. her family and friends have been desperately trying to find her.

sierra's mother and father, donna and christopher shields, and her sister, joy. thank you all for being here. >> thank you. >> ms. shields, when is the last time you spoke with your daughter? >> i spoke with her briefly the morning of the 14th. >> mm-hmm. >> thursday the 14th. >> now... and what was her state of mind? what did she sound like to you? >> [ sighs ] it seemed like something was on her mind. >> mm-hmm. >> we spoke daily. sierra spoke to her father, myself, or a sibling daily, so... but she just -- something seemed different. >> mm-hmm. >> yeah. >> and you talked to her that morning. >> mm-hmm. >> when did you next try to get in touch with her, and realized you weren't able to contact her? >> that afternoon. >> mm-hmm. >> yeah.

and we weren't able to get in touch with her prior to that. >> okay. i know this is stressing you out. it must be difficult to have a child, and not knowing where they are for a month. >> it is very, very difficult. >> mm-hmm. so, christopher, you guys live in the chicago area. and so for how many days did you -- before you realized "wait a minute, something's wrong here. we can't get in contact with her. we got to go and figure out what's going on with our child"? >> i think it was probably that friday that we realized something wasn't right, and that she did not work the day before, that thursday. >> mm-hmm. >> so, once i knew that, soon as i got home, i just simply said, "uh, i'm going to new york," and drove here starting on friday evening.

>> and what did you find when you got here? you went to her apartment, i take it? >> well, i know my oldest daughter was here. >> mm-hmm. >> and at that time, when i got here, there were several things that had taken place as far as friends of sierra and my daughter, and them having called the police to try and see if they could file a missing-persons report and things like that. but when i first got here, the first thing that we did was went to the port authority at laguardia to see what route or what could happen as far as her having gone missing there. >> where she might have -- whether she may have gone somewhere -- flown somewhere else or something of that sort? >> yeah. you know, more so just to see who would be willing to take that case at that time. and thankfully, with the port authority, they were very

because they did listen, and we explained to them all of the things that took place, and that this is strange and unusual, and they said, "well, we think you have a case for missing persons." and then that's when they called the precinct for astoria. >> mm-hmm. >> and we went by there. >> okay. and, joy -- so, you were here. >> yes. >> and you got some friends together, you guys started looking for your sister. what did you do, and what did you find? >> well, that thursday, i flew out, and she wasn't at her apartment, so i just kind of left a note and said, "hey," you know, "i'm coming to visit." and i figured, you know, she was flying and doing an overnight, and i would see her the next day. and one of her roommates facebook messaged me and said, you know, "she's not here right now." and then that next morning is -- it was like, "okay, she's not back. okay, what's going on?"

job, and then realizing that she hadn't flown before -- or, you know, flown that previous day, and we realized that there was something wrong. >> yeah. >> what do you think -- you said to me, ms. shields, that you -- she didn't sound like herself. something was not right. >> yes. >> any idea what had been bothering her? had she been troubled in the days prior to that? what made you think something was troubling her? and what do you think may have happened? >> it was -- she was not her normal self. she is normally just happy. >> mm-hmm. >> and the tone of her voice, i just knew something was wrong. i didn't know what. >> mm-hmm. it wasn't the child that you normally speak to. >> yes. >> was there any indication --

know, any more information about how she'd been in the days leading up to the -- had she talked about any plans to...? >> not really. you know, her roommates had been traveling a lot because of the holidays, so people were kind of missing each other. so, there wasn't really anything except that intuition that something's not right. >> mm-hmm. >> and i think if you know a family member well, you know, like you truly know them, you know when something's not right. and you're like, "okay, let me go, and let me figure out what this -- what's wrong." you know, what's wrong? so, for me, when i called my mom, i said, "i just want to look at her." you know, "i just want to look her in the eye. i just want to make sure she's okay." and what we found out is that that friday that she went to laguardia, she spoke to her supervisor briefly, she asked for a union rep, and then she disappeared. that's what we know.

some misinformation. there were some reports that she had quit her job. >> right. >> christopher, that's not quite the truth. >> it's one of those -- i think people are making that assumption, because someone turned in her equipment, that "quit her job." but by the mere fact of, as her supervisor has stated, she referenced the union rep, which she said sierra would fully understand the process of being able to terminate. and so she said, "you can't really say she quit." >> mm-hmm. >> you know? >> when you say she turned in her equipment... >> yes. that would be, like, her badge, her flight manual, things that the flight attendants need in order to even be on the plane. >> mm-hmm. >> so... >> she turned all that in? >> yes, she turned that in. >> okay. >> and it's one of those, we're

that really is all about. we don't really know. at this point, we really don't know if that was her intent, to quit, as amy said, you know? >> credit cards, her wallet, keys to the house, those kinds of things, identification, is that missing also, or were those things left at her home? >> those items were left at her home. she had been studying. she's in grad school earning her master's degree. and her roommates said it looked hurry. sierra's very organized. her books where opened, and they thought she had just run out real quick and was coming back. and...we just don't know. >> and the investigation, are police telling you that it's moving along? are you satisfied with how that's being handled, or...? you can be honest.

i see you seem reluctant to... >> well, you know, because it is our child, you know, you always say there could be more done. >> yes. >> and i understand, you know, in the whole light of all of this, is that so many people go missing. it's really shocking to hear that like 2,300, 2,500 people go missing every day. that's a huge number. >> yeah. >> and, you know, but for us, even in that number, there is one who's really, really important to us, and that's sierra being missing. >> you have a facebook page that you are -- i guess you're putting out information about sierra. facebook.com/findsierrashields. >> yeah. >> and anybody with information can go to that page and see if there's anything that -- they may recognize her, it may have piqued their memory or thought. >> yes. >> and we are gonna be sending out thoughts and prayers for

>> thank you. >> thank you. >> best of luck to you in your search, and please keep us posted. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> up next, "shark tank"

>> if you think you might have the next big idea for a booming business but don't have the bank account to fund it, abc's "shark tank" star daymond john says not to worry. in fact, in his new book, "the power of broke," he says empty pockets and a tight budget may be the perfect formula for success. joining us today, the founder of fubu, presidential ambassador of global entrepreneurship, and shark daymond john. thank you so much for being with us this afternoon. >> thank you for having me. >> it is a pleasure to meet you, to meet one of the sharks. "the power of broke." i mean, to me, that speaks to a whole lot of people. >> that speaks to a whole lot of people whether you have money or you don't. you know, many people don't realize that people who operate under the power of broke are

people in the world. and, of course, i don't try to glamorize the fact of some people may not have the resources they would like. because, of course, we would all like to just have the necessities to life easily, you know, at our disposal. but, you know, if you're gonna be in a situation where you don't have those financial resources, then you might as well tap in and use the best of what you can to get to that place where you want to be. and "the power of broke" really shows you how the theory of you need money to make money or you need to know people to become successful is absolute crap, and that's exactly what it is. >> and, really, i think that your story is a testament to that, that many things are possible as long as you sort of have the right ingredients to work on that dream. >> and the right ingredients, generally, is desire and drive, ingredients. you're gonna fail way more than you succeed. but, you know, if you really look at me, a young man who started off in, you know, hollis, queens, an african-american.

becoming, you know, dead or in jail. i got left back. i'm dyslexic. didn't go to college. can't go. i'm not an athlete, i'm not a singer or dancer, and didn't have any money. if you really look at somebody like myself, who got to the point where most people would call me a successful person, they can do it, as well. and i didn't want to just put in the book my story. you know, so my story's a very small part of it. what's in the book, there's 15 others, c.e.o.s and amazingly successful people. people like kevin plank, who is the c.e.o. of under armour, doing $4 billion a year, but he didn't have enough money to pay a toll, you know, when he was coming home, so the person in the toll had to write him a ticket. and 15 other people that have operated under this same theory of the power of broke. >> you know, it's funny. as i was reading through the book, i remember, as a little girl -- grew up in texas, in a little, little town... >> mm-hmm. >> ...outside houston. i remember one of my favorite things to do was to read biographies. >> okay. >> you know, they were biographies, i think, probably written for children, but of,

>> because that sort of told me what the possibilities might be for my life even though most of these people were not like me. >> right. >> so, i think that picking up your book and being able to read these stories, is that what you're hoping, that people -- maybe they see themselves or a little bit of themselves in each of these people, and that drive, and what they had to overcome? >> yeah, of course. i want people to see that, because we always see the three-minute story on somebody's success, but we don't see the 15 years that it took to get there, and how many times they failed. and i want to give people that insight, because we're in a day and age where, with social media and technology, you can empower yourself now at home. you don't necessarily have to have a car, you don't need to know anybody. you just need to have an angle, a passion, a drive, you know, and a concept of what you want to sell to people, and you can empower yourself today at home. >> yeah, here you say that car -- you talk about that van. i love that dollar-van story. >> i had a dollar van. i drove up and down. and, you know what, i didn't make any money, but i learned a

me to be a better c.e.o. for fubu and all the other companies that i have or i invest in. >> so, if a young person, maybe they have an idea, what do you suggest? where do they start with that idea? >> well, first of all, how do you come up with a proof of concept? how do you know that your idea is viable? again, the book is not gonna guarantee you that the idea's going to be viable, but it's gonna guarantee you that you're either going to fail fast without sacrificing everything or you're gonna take the steps to learn. so, how do you come up with this idea and then say, "i have this idea. i'm gonna make one product. i'm gonna sell it," or, "i'm going to put on social media a youtube of me, 30 seconds, talking about my idea, drawing my idea, conversing with people." and then how many people are gonna say "i like it" or buy into it or slowly start purchasing? and this, in the book, i give you step-by-step ways to find out if your concept is viable or not. maybe you need to go back to the drawing board, reduce the price,

quality, find another segment of the audience that likes it. various different ways to find out about your idea. >> and what if you do fail? what's your suggestion if you do fail at that? or when do you have to decide, or when should you decide that "this ain't working. i need to move to the next thing," or...? >> perfect. first of all, i closed fubu three times from '89 to '92 because -- i don't call it a failure -- i ran out of capital. but people kept coming back and saying, "i love those shirts," making them, and i want you to wear them." and because i ran out of $500, $1,000, $2,000, i was able to get back into the business. the point where you have to say, "let me cut my losses," is after you've experienced as many failures as you can and you don't want to move forward and it's too costly or you spent too much getting into it, and you know that moving into it is gonna cost more than starting over with something new, going back to the drawing board, relaxing for a little while, and then starting something new. we always have to keep our day

>> don't just, you know do whatever -- you know, when i started, i was in red lobster. i went to red lobster from 12:00 to 8:00, and i sewed shirts from 10:00 to 2:00 in the morning, and i mailed them out early in the morning, and i went back to work. >> what do you say to someone that is listening to this, they're reading what you say, they're hearing you, they're seeing you, and they're going, "yeah, but..."? >> yeah. >> is that a person whose mind is just not ready to basically harness the power of broke? >> that is a person whose mind is not ready, because the way that i've written this book, to tell them they can, they've listened to the thousand people that told them they can't, right? and this book is to show them that. but don't pick up the book at this moment if you're that person. do your studies on the market. realize that the forbes or the inc. top 1,000 wealthiest people in the world, 65% of them are self-made men and women. that means they were all broke. and if you needed money to make money, then you wouldn't ever be able to get on that list if you were broke, right?

understand, that i showed you all the challenges that somebody may have said that i had coming up as myself, right. look at the stats of the forbes or the inc. 1,000. look at the 15 people in there that have amazingly large companies. and i reinforce it because i understand the doubt that other people have put in their mind in the past. >> mm-hmm. when someone presents their idea before you on the show... >> yeah. >> ...do you often see yourself in some of these people, and does that make you sort of sit up and listen a little bit more, or it gives you, i guess, a feeling for what they're going through? >> absolutely. almost all the sharks, they invest in people who have had more failures than success, so we know, and we always joke, that they're not gonna go use our money as tuition because they know what doesn't work. and when i see people out there who are busting their butt, they've done everything, and i want to be part of the ride and their dream because nothing's gonna stop them, it's infectious.

people because you know they're gonna make it regardless, because they're operating with this theory of the power of broke. the power of broke is hustle, desire, grind. whatever you want to call it. determination. this is not a new theory. >> no. >> it's only basically telling you that you -- don't lie to yourself and think that you need a whole bunch of other things. that's only going to make you fail bigger. >> yeah. there are no shortcuts. >> there are no shortcuts. it's simple as that. and anything in anybody's life that they've had that's been built off of money, whether a relationship -- if you have a relationship in your personal life with somebody and it's built off of money, you don't have a strong foundation, right? money is only a byproduct of hard work and the things that you do collectively. >> and that's that drive. sometimes it's bred into you, i think. and reading your story in this particular book, a lot of it seemed to be built into you from your mother. >> yes. >> first of all, she walked it the way she talked it. >> yes, exactly. >> and that was... >> 100%. >> yeah.

saw her do, i think it seemed to have compelled you to do. >> and like all of our parents, i didn't think my mother was smart. i didn't think -- just like my kids. my kids think that i'm the dumbest person on the planet. and then it settled in in the later years, as i realized, "wait a minute, i think she was onto something. maybe i should have listened to her sooner." but, you know, they all say life is a cruel teacher. you know, they give you the -- it gives you the test first and the lesson later, you know what i mean? >> or "youth is wasted on the young." >> exactly. so, yes. but that is the exact point. i had a great -- and i still have a great, loving mother that believed in me, and made sure that the naysayers didn't fill my head because she was filling me with so many positive things that made me feel like "i can do it." >> is there something that the person that succeeds, maybe not even to the level that you have succeeded in your, you know, experience, is it something that

see in the other person that may still have a great idea, but they didn't have that thing? >> yeah. and there's a couple things. so, first of all, the people that succeed take action. they think it out a little bit or a lot, and they take action. they're not afraid of the risk, right? they don't go, "let's wait for the perfect time. i only need this, i only need that." because they know that the first step they take is a learning process. and they take affordable steps. you know, they like to act, they learn, and then they repeat. they also seek mentors. they seek people that are around them that have done it before or have failed before. not that they have a vested interest in the person's company, but they go after knowledge. they go and seek knowledge. and they also surround themselves with like-minded people. you know, the people that tell you you can't do is are usually the people that couldn't do it. >> yeah. >> but if you surround yourself with like-minded people and those times get hard, you know, you work with them, and they figure out other ways to succeed. so, those are all the things. and, of course, you know, you have to have a great idea, in all reality. we all have ideas, but you have

nobody is -- i can't guarantee you're gonna have the next winning thing but, you know -- >> you got to go for it. >> you got to go for it. >> i love the story "sitting in the bathroom," the group of people sitting in the people and talking to each other. i was like, "yeah, they were out of their minds." >> they were out of their minds. >> but i also loved how excited you got about the opportunity to do that, and have a chance to bounce your ideas off of, really, some of the smartest people on the planet. >> i still, till today, you know, i look at myself as being the luckiest person on "shark tank," because, number one, i'm learning from the sharks. as much as i joke about i don't like them, or we fight with them, you know, i learn from them. more importantly, there's so many people walking up on that panel that are doing business in an entirely new way in this day and age. they're millennials and, you know, they're even other people who are just -- they're approaching business so new, and i'm getting to invest in their dream, and i'm getting to see how they operate those businesses, and i'm going back and applying some of those same techniques to my existing

or even dead. so, i love learning, and that's exactly what people do who are wealthy and successful. they're always learning. >> daymond john. the book is "the power of broke." and i tell you, i love that title. >> well, thank you. >> i love it. "how empty pockets, a tight budget, and a hunger for success can become your greatest competitive advantage." it really is a good read. >> i can tell, because you're bringing up points in the book, that you really read it. >> it's a good read. it's a good read. thank you so much. >> thank you. thanks for having me.

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>> it may be one of new york city's best-kept secrets -- an order of black nuns in harlem celebrating 100 years of service. the franciscan handmaids of the most pure heart of mary are marking this centennial by calling on all new yorkers to join their 100 days of kindness campaign. here today from the sisters of fhm, sister gertrude lilly ihenacho, sister loretta theresa richards, and sister chala marie hill. thank you all for being with us this afternoon. >> you're welcome. >> it is so wonderful to meet you. and i think that a lot of people did not know about the order in harlem. as i said, you've been there 100 years. 100 -- yeah, 100 years.

taking care of young people, and helping the community. tell me about some of the services that the order... >> well, in the first place, our order is one of the three black orders in the united states. >> only three in the country. >> yes. and we are founded in savannah, georgia. >> uh-huh. and then you moved to harlem. >> we moved to new york. yes, harlem, in 1922. so, when the order was started, we started with corporal work of mercy, educating black children, and in black community, because there was a bill that was to be passed in 1915 that would have prohibited white religious pastors and other people from teaching black people. >> yeah, it was the segregationist legislation down

>> yes, yes, and from giving pastoral care in black community. so, that was the foundation of our order. it was an unjust bill, and our founder, ignatius lissner, enlisted a mother. the two of them are co-founders of our congregation. mother theodore is a black woman from baton rouge. and the order was founded in honor, to continue educating the black people and in black community. so, this started with educating the children and doing a lot of corporal work of mercy -- visiting homes, attending to the poor, and feeding the hungry. >> and, really, you are continuing that work today. >> oh, yes, we do. we run a nursery school, st. benedict's day nursery, that was founded in 1923 when we

>> mm-hmm. >> we also have a food pantry in staten island that feeds up to 20,000 families in a year. >> yeah, you all have been really doing a great service in the community. now, sister loretta, you've been part of the order since 1948, i believe? >> 1948, yes. >> so, these are your sisters in so many ways. and what has it meant to you to be part of not only this order, but also an important part of the community in harlem? >> from when i was a child, it was my desire to serve god and my people. and so being a franciscan handmaid of mary, it has enabled me to fulfill that. >> that dream. >> mother theodore always said,

you want me to do?'" and i think the congregation, through the years, have tried to respond to the needs of the community, and to keep up what was happening. we started as a completely black congregation, and as time went on and everything opened up, we opened our hearts and -- well, we always served whoever came, 'cause when we first lived on 131st street, and those that came to our doors were black and white, because harlem was not -- >> yeah, it was a little bit of everybody. >> that's right. and as things changed, we -- whites, asians have applied to our congregation, and we never said no. >> turned anyone away. >> right. and we never turn anyone away from our services.

at home, and since we originated as a black congregation, we try to keep alive the spirit of our race, and also to encourage and to teach our race, and others to respect our race. >> mm-hmm. >> so, working for social justice, working for eradication of racism, all that was part of us. >> part of what your order's mission is. >> exactly. yes. >> and, sister chala, i understand that you joined the order in 2002, 2003? >> that's right. 2002. >> and how long have you been with the order, sister gertrude? >> with the order since 2000. >> okay. and have you seen the need in harlem grow just even in the period of time that you've been there? and do you feel like you're

>> yes, definitely the need in harlem has grown. poverty has increased in our city. >> yeah. >> yeah. so, harlem is not exempt from it, although we have gentrification. we also seem to have more poor people, more people living in the streets, more people begging, more people rumpling through trash cans. >> mm-hmm. >> and more mothers who aren't able to pay fees for their child to even come to daycare, to the day nursery. so, yeah, the needs have increased. >> what does it mean to you to be able to serve your community and god? was this also a lifelong dream of yours? >> i would say so. i grew up and went to a catholic school, so serving god and being -- i was actually taught by a missionary congregation, so serving god and serving others has always been part of what i did. and prior to coming to the convent, i'd worked as a social

so, that was helping others in need. >> so, you've, in a sense, been a social worker most of your life, and you're continuing to do that same work. >> yes. in many ways, yes. >> let me ask you about the 100 days of kindness. why was this a challenge that you feel like the new yorkers should take on? and i say challenge. it's probably not the right word, but you felt it's an important enough undertaking. >> yes. great need. they assist us in our mission. there a lot of poverty on the street, there are a lot of homeless people, there are a lot of sad people on the street. so, we think new yorkers should perform an act of kindness, and especially, this is our jubilee year of mercy, declared by our

instead of judging people, urging us to forgive people. so, it's a year that the church look upon the mercy and blessing of our god globally. so, and we expect that people at least perform an act of charity or kindness to people, and hope it will end up around april 14th, the day before the taxes. >> [ laughs ] >> the day that people do not feel like doing any type of kindness to others. >> uh-huh. [ chuckles ] >> so, but, that would not stop us. we have to count any day where you begin. you have to continue. and we are celebrating the last service, the last mass in october. so, we have a lot of time. so, a long time to continue performing mercy. >> let me ask you, did you all have an opportunity to meet the pope when he was here?

>> yes. >> yes. >> how much did that mean to you, to have a chance to do that? >> it was a joy, at st. patrick's cathedral, when the doors opened, to see our holy father. and, also, we are franciscan, so when he took the name francis, i said, "i know what his agenda is going to be." >> yes. >> it was right up your alley, huh? >> yes. [ laughter ] >> and you've had a chance, i'm assuming -- because obviously we've had other pontiffs visit here, but this had to be really special, having pope francis here. now, you have a big gala coming up, i think march 29th? >> sure, march 29th. >> is that to celebrate that? >> at new york academy... >> of medicine. >> ...of medicine. >> all right. >> at 6:00 p.m. march 29, 2016. >> all right. and we want to send people to your website -- passionforsocialjustice.com >> yes.

the wonderful work that you all do, and a little bit more about that big party in your honor. >> and you are invited. >> thank you very much. and thank you both -- or all of you for coming on the show today. what a pleasure to meet you. >> it's a pleasure to be here. >> yeah, maybe you could make me a kinder, gentler person, too. [ laughter ] >> oh, yes. we're already praying for everyone, including you and us. >> thank you so much.

>> "selling it in the atl" is a reality show that follows the careers and lives of several female real-estate agents in atlanta. one of them, gwen boyd moss, is hoping to use her visibility on the show to reveal her struggles as single mother juggling a career and raising a son who's been diagnosed with autism and

here's a clip from the show. >> justin was diagnosed with autism at age 3. and when justin was younger, he was very severe. [ sighs ] and being a single mom and having a child with a disability, i had to go through so much with him. >> okay, so, well, it's good to see you. i just want to follow up and see how things are going. justin, have you been feeling okay recently? >> yeah. >> justin, do you understand what it is that you have? >> you forgot. okay. you have what's called autism, right? >> yeah. >> justin operates on a second-grade level. so, to some degree, i mean, we have to remind justin of his disability. >> joining us this afternoon is real-estate agent, mom, and author gwendolyn boyd moss. thank you so much for being with us. >> thank you for having me. >> you have got your hands full.

my plate is full. [ laughs ] >> now, i read before that you weren't, at first -- not necessarily interested in doing reality tv. >> not so much in the beginning. i mean, you know, reality tv has, you know, kind of gotten a little bit of a label, a negative label. but, you know, when we tv presented this opportunity of showing women in their professions, i thought, "okay, this may work. i'm in my daytime job as a real-estate agent. it'll boom my business, and i can also platform some of the other things that i'm really, really passionate about. so... >> and, obviously, your kids. >> yes. >> and, really, you say your daytime job. that's just -- real estate is really one of your daytime jobs. >> it's one of my daytime jobs. >> 'cause i think you're working as a mother all the time. >> [ sighs ] yes. >> you have your oldest son, jojo. >> yes. >> he was diagnosed -- he's autistic and schizophrenic. >> yes. >> so, what does that mean?

initially with autism at age 3. >> mm-hmm. >> he didn't talk until he was almost about 9 years old. and then he had a brain cyst. and at about age 14, shortly after the brain cyst, i started noticing some other characteristics. and a lot of times, i think, when you have a child that's dual-diagnosed, you kind of put a couple of things under the same umbrella as the autism, because it resembles it. so, i thought he was mimicking, but he was actually hearing voices. and it really -- i would have to say the schizophrenia was way more worse of an encounter than i've ever had with the autism. >> mm-hmm. >> so, because of that, you know, and just my experiences and my highs and my lows -- and, you know, i still go through them. i don't say that i've persevered, necessarily, through every thing, because every day is a different day. so you don't know when you're gonna have, you know, that moment where they digress. so...

using your show to share some of that with other people. why do you think it's important that they see how you navigate through your life, how you raise your children? you have two other sons, neither of them diagnosed with mental illnesses. >> right. >> why do you think it's important for people to see that? >> well, i'll tell you. i think it's important that anything that you go through that you can make it through, that it's not just about you. that it is about somebody else. and, you know, granted, this is a huge platform for me, and for somebody else, it may be something even simpler at home. but i think that if you make it through something, you never know what conversation you may have with someone that day that they may be going through the very same thing. and that gives them that extra whatever they need to make it through. and so i think, for me, you know, mental health is obviously a big, big deal, and we talk about it, but we don't talk about it enough. we talk about it when we have an incident that occurs -- when we have a shooting in a movie

school -- and then it goes away. >> yeah. >> and so i think it's important. there's really not a lot of people out there. it's not, i think, as embraced in the mainstream tv shows to show. >> and this is reality. >> yes, it is reality. >> and, you know, how much does it affect raising the other two boys? >> well, you know, i will say this about the other two -- they're great. and i tell other parents this all the time. i go out and i speak to other parents, and i talk about when you have siblings, which is where this first book kind of came about, because it was actually through the eyes of my younger son, brandon, and how he saw justin and his disability. and i think it's important when you have siblings, because obviously the child with the mental illness can take up a lot of your time, they can stop you from going to events. you can be at a game, and all of a sudden they have a meltdown, and of course you have to leave. and it can form some resentment for the other children.

incorporated them in everything. i helped them to celebrate justin's milestones. i gave them opportunities to teach justin things. so, even though justin has autism -- now, justin will tell you what he has to wear, what teenagers wear, what songs they listen to, and that comes from them. and they enjoy seeing him be who they think they've created him to be. >> and they love their brother. >> they love their brother. >> now, this book, it's called "my big brother jojo and his friend schizophrenia." >> yes. >> it is just the first in, i think, i series of books... >> it is. >> ...that you are planning, to introduce children... >> yes. >> ...to various forms of mental illness. >> yes. >> talk to me a little bit about your plans for this series. >> so, this one, yes, of course, is the first one. and we chose to do this one because brandon was the one that actually came up with the idea. and the other ones -- it's a four-book series, "my special friends," and it's

play?" "the bipolar bandit has captured ben," and one of my favorites, "angelina and the adhd fairy." >> okay. >> so, the series itself, the reason why i decided to do it is that, you know, through years of watching justin interact with his peers, and the lack of interaction that they chose with him, i thought, you know, it's very important to create something. you know, something that's descriptive but delicate that could be used as a teachable tool... >> okay. >> ...to help younger children understand their peers that have mental illness. that way, if ben throws a chair in the room, then we know ben has bipolar. but it also can help with bullying. i mean, bullying is a big deal just with if you're different. and i think it will definitely help out. >> and one last question before i let you go. >> mm-hmm. >> have you had viewers ask you about, you know... >> yes. >> ...the issue of dealing with your children?

that feedback that what you're doing is the right thing. >> definitely. i would have to say this is therapeutic for me, also. because, you know, i am a person -- i think justin has made me so busy -- i have to keep busy. but i do, i get messages through instagram, facebook, people tweeting and just saying, you know, "i'm so glad that they're showing this on a reality tv show. i'm so glad that they're showing positive things, and a mother that's really doing something with her kids, and doing something in the mental-health community. and they're excited about the things that i'm planning on doing that will assist other families. >> right. gwendolyn boyd moss. pleasure to meet you. best of luck to you. >> pleasure to meet you, too. thank you. >> when we come back, r&b

>> at any given time on the radio, hit songs from the '80s like "do me, baby," and "do you still love me?" by singer meli'sa morgan are still being played and enjoyed by generations of r&b lovers. during her decades-long career, she has harmonized with the best -- whitney houston, patti labelle, chaka khan, and that's just to name a few. 30 years later, she hasn't stopped. >> it feels so good >> good good >> hey >> r&b powerhouse meli'sa morgan is joining us today. >> [ laughs ] >> why are you laughing? >> wow, it has been 30 years, hasn't it? >> i know. oh, i think that all the time in the morning.

you sound even better. >> thank you. >> and i know, folks are thinking, "well, what's she been up to?" >> oh, my goodness. i've been working, doing television shows. i have my own "unsung" out that depicts my whole career. i've been working with people like patti labelle over in europe, touring, and doing my thing. i have a new song out. and all that good stuff. new video. >> now, at the height of your career, did you imagine how big you'd be? >> no, i still don't think i'm big. [ laughs ] when i see patti labelle, and i see chaka khan and people like that, i still don't think i'm big. i'm a work in progress. >> but you love the music industry, and obviously you are really -- your voice is amazing. >> yes, i'm really blessed that people have embraced my voice. so i feel good about that. and they've followed me over the years. isn't that amazing? >> well, you know, you hear what you like, you know what you like... >> yes. >> ...and you want more of it.

>> did you -- was there a point where you were not performing? >> there was never a point when i wasn't performing, but there was a point when the industry changed. >> mm-hmm. >> when hip-hop became more relevant than being a real r&b singer. and what happened is we had to integrate with that. and there was about 10 years, i want to say, that i didn't record. >> mm-hmm. >> because hip-hop was so strong in the industry, and taking over radio and what people were looking for. but it's coming back around now. >> you feel like that -- look, hip-hop is not going anywhere. >> no. >> but do you feel like more people are starting to look for and want to hear some just good old-fashioned singing? >> yes, i do. and i am fortunate enough because jay z, mary j. blige, and people like that have integrated my music in with their music. i'm on jay z's "can't knock the

"breakthrough" album. and it's really, really, good when we come together. it's not good when there's separation, but when we come together, it's really good. >> and you're getting -- you know, new generations... >> yes. >> ...maybe are getting introduced to you in a different way. >> yes, like my new song "so good," which is produced by lenny fontana, and on rfc/fresh records. that's dance. >> mm-hmm. yeah. >> so that's a whole nother thing. and people don't know, i had a number-one dance record with "body to body" back in the day. so, i'm coming back around to things that i enjoy. >> now, i understand that you just got diamond platinum? >> yes. that's whitney houston, her first cd. i sang on that. >> okay. >> kashif was a producer. i've done songs with kashif -- you know, "love changes." >> mm-hmm. >> and he was a producer. so, i was his go-to background singer, so when he got a chance to record whitney houston, he called me in to do background, and that's how i met her. and i went in and did like two songs on her first cd.

here with us, and it's like $15 million or $20 million. >> yeah. >> so they gave me a diamond platinum award. it's this big award with pictures of us. it's really wonderful. >> now, i think what -- look, if you are from here, you definitely know this, but i think there are a lot of people that don't know that you're a local girl. >> yeah, queens, new york. >> uh-huh. >> yes! born and raised, girl. >> all right. shout-out to queens. and you have some other interests besides music. you've got some other businesses. >> yes. i do crocheting. i do these big, oversized crochet blankets and scarves, and i'm gonna do a boutique line of that. and i do edible, like, arrangements, but i call it meli'sa's fruitsticks. [ laughs ] >> [ chuckles ] okay. all right. but music is still your main... >> still my love. i've got shows coming up valentine's day -- of course, 'cause i'm the "do me, baby" girl -- with ginuwine. i'm very excited about that. we're getting ready to do miami, connecticut. whole bunch of wonderful places. so i'm feeling good.

often have guests say to me, "'cause i'm the 'do me, baby' girl." >> i'm the "do me, baby" girl. i am. it's me. >> so can i quote you on that? >> yes, you can. [ both laugh ] >> you love this industry. even though it has its ebbs and flows, you don't get tired of it. >> no. and i have friends -- mickey howard, charelle, patti, all these people that tell me, "keep going, keep going." so, my legacy is building. i don't feel i'm where i need to be yet, but i'm working towards it. >> yeah. and happy to be doing that. you've taken care of the voice over the years. >> yes, i have. i don't drink, i don't smoke, no drugs. i'm very good. very blessed with that. >> and, so, when's the next time we might be able to see you perform? >> february 14th, we're gonna be upstate, albany, with ginuwine, and then we go to miami and places like that. connecticut i think is april 2nd. so, some good shows coming up. >> and if we follow you on facebook and twitter, we can definitely keep up with it. >> you got to follow me on my social media.

[ laughs ] >> okay. these days, just about everybody is. >> you have to be, you know? [ laughs ] >> meli'sa morgan. what a pleasure to meet you. >> thank you so much. >> and, honestly, you look stunning. >> oh, thank you. i feel good. >> all right, miss "do me, baby" girl. >> and i'm engaged. >> oh, well, congratulations. >> yes. hi, sebastian. that's my baby. [ both laugh ] >> thank you so much. and let us know what you're doing, okay? >> i will. i hope to come back soon. >> we'll be right back. all across america families are coming back to time warner cable for a whole new experience.

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>> thanks for joining us on "here and now." if you missed any portion of today's show, you can watch at abc7ny. and if you'd like to comment or share your story, e-mail us at abc7ny or follow us on facebook and twitter. i'm sandra bookman.

welcome to "our world with black enterprise." on this special edition we take a look at the 20th annual black enterprise entrepreneur summit. first a fire side chat with steve harvey. >> i was actually allergic to poverty. if you came to me with a way to get rich i bought the kit.