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With over 40 years of experience as a community leader, politician, minister and advocate, the Rev. Al Sharpton is one of Americas most-renowned civil rights leaders. Now The Rev., as he is affectionately called by close friends and supporters, is bringing his powerful voice to radio and getting the answers to real questions with his entertaining new daily talk show the Al Sharpton Show.

Whether running for President of the United States in 2004 or leading civil rights protests, Sharptons highly visible career began at the tender age of four when he preached his first sermon. A successful civil rights career soon followed helping Sharpton hold such notable positions as the Youth Director of New Yorks Operation Breadbasket, Director of Ministers for National Rainbow Push coalition, and founder of his own broad-based progressive civil rights organization, the National Action Network.

Sharptons stance, in his own words, has taken him from the streets to the suites and his irrefutable impact on national politics has been applauded by both supporters and non-supporters alike. Sharpton continues to challenge the American political establishment to be inclusive to all people regardless of race, gender, class or beliefs.

In his 2003 book, Al on America Sharpton describes this vision for America and states his book should be used to fight against the pro-big business, anti-labor, pro-death penalty matrix that has crippled America, and to talk about where I think we ought to be going in the 21st century.

Sharpton will draw on his experience as a grass roots organizer, community activist and politician to offer real deal commentary, practical answers and solutions.

Read more about Rev. Al Sharpton at http://www.sharptontalk.net.

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The Rev. Al Sharpton who helped popularize the 1980s cry, "No justice, no peace," is putting himself at the center of a new wave of activism in a new millennium. (Aug. 26) AP Domestic

Claims about civil rights activist and television host the Rev. Al Sharpton's tax woes span several years. But Georgia politician Stacey Abrams' history with the Internal Revenue Service became public discourse during her 2018 run for governor.

Abrams lost that election to Republican Brian Kemp. Sharpton, a Baptist minister and civil rights champion, hosts "PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton" on MSNBC. He ran for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination.

A claim on Facebook questioned both Sharpton's and Abrams' financial standing as two recognizable members of the Democratic Party. User Mark Pohl posted the meme to his account on July 2.It features an undated picture of Abrams and Sharpton standing side by side along with thisstatement:"Neither of these two Democrats have paid their taxes."

Facebook userGeauchita Ward Cathcart reposted the meme on Aug. 27, with the caption, "Why does StaceyAbrams and Al Sharpton not have to pay their taxes? Are they above the law because they're Black?"

In the caption, Pohl suggested Democrats receive less scrutiny for back taxes than President Donald Trump has in his time in office.

"And everyone screams about Trump owing taxes. Abrams owes over $50,000 in back taxes and Sharpton more," Pohl wrote.

USA TODAY reached out to the users for comment.

More: Manhattan DA holds off on enforcing subpoena on Trump's tax returns

A2018 financial disclosure showed Abrams owed about $54,000 to the IRS, according toThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution.A 2018 attack ad funded by the Georgia Republican Party and approved by Kemp lambasted Abrams' money management.

In the ad, Abrams was accusedof making $1 million and using the money to fundher campaign instead of paying back the IRS, according to the AJC.

The ad closes with the comment,Stacey Abrams radical and corrupt. You pay higher taxes, not her.

But financial disclosures from 2018 showedAbrams' net worth wasaround $108,000. She said she deferred tax payments in 2015 and 2016 to help pay for her family's medical expenses and entered a payment plan to settle the debts, according to the AJC.

Stacey Abrams, former candidate for governor of Georgia, speaks to viewers during the Democratic National Convention at the Wisconsin Center, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.(Photo: Democratic National Convention)

A spokesman for Abrams confirmed her tax debts were repaid in 2019.

Leader Abrams has been able to resolve her debt and she will continue to speak openly about the challenges she faced challenges that are all too common for Americans and their families, Abrams' spokesmanSeth Bringman told the AJC.

Sharpton's history with the IRS dates back to the late '80s.

CNN reported that ajury acquitted him of 67 counts of tax evasion, larceny and fraud in 1989. In 1993, Sharpton plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge for failing to file state taxes for 1986,according to CNN.

In 2014, the New York Times wrote an extensive article about Sharpton's tax obligations.

Records acquired by the Times showed more than$4.5 million in state and federal tax liens against Sharpton and his for-profit businesses, including a list of federal tax liens againstRaw Talent as well as a New York State Tax Warrant against Revals Communications Inc. Both are businesses owned by Sharpton.

Sharptonalso failed to payfederal tax on employees working for hiscivil rights organization, National Action Network,according to The Times.

Rev. Al Sharpton speaks on saying 'Black lives matter' during his speech at the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington.(Photo: AP)

During phone interviews in 2014, Sharpton said he was able to pay down some of his outstanding balances due to increased donor revenue to NAN, the Times reported. He also lent money to the organization and often refused a salary.

USA TODAY reached out to NAN for comment.

Sharpton dismissed the Times' article as "misleading and totally out of context" during a 2014 news conference, and said he paid his taxes on a quarterly basis, according to Reuters.

The New York Postreportedin 2019 that Sharpton retired his personal state tax debt, yet still owed nearly $700,000 in back taxes for three of his companies.

The IRS established over $2.8 million in liens against Sharpton from 1995-2010, according to the New York City Office of the City Register. The records indicate Sharpton has paid off over $2.1 million.

USA TODAY confirmed two tax warrants for $492,612.41 and$103,156.06 filed for Alfred Sharpton were satisfied on May 9, 2018, and June 5, 2019, respectively, according to the Tax Warrant Notice System for the State of New York.

We rate this claimPARTLY FALSE based on our research. The initial claim, posted this year, suggested Abrams and Sharpton owed over $50,000 in back taxes. But a representative for Abrams said she paid off her tax debt in 2019, making that part of the meme false. Sharpton also paid off his personal state tax debt, but still owes nearly $700,000 in back taxes for three for-profit businesses. So that part of the meme remains true.

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You cansubscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

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Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for the New York City Police Department to publicly identify and charge the woman who confronted and allegedly assaulted Grammy-winning jazz musician Keyon Harrold and his teenage son at a Manhattan hotel earlier this week.

Speaking to WPIX, Sharpton explained why the 22-year-old unidentified woman, who falsely accused the 14-year old Black teen of stealing her iPhone, deserves to be arrested. "There is clearly no reason to treat her any differently... then any number of Blacks that are accused of a crime, or others in this city, he said.

RELATED: Viral Video Shows White Woman Falsely Accusing Jazz Trumpeter Keyon Harrolds Son of Stealing Cellphone

On Dec. 26, Harrold, a prominent jazz trumpeter, posted a video detailing the confrontation between his son and the women which took place at New Yorks Arlo Soho hotel on Saturday, Dec. 26.

In its caption, Harrold explained what happened. This person quote on quote lost her iPhone, and apparently, my son magically acquired it, which [is] merely ridiculous, he wrote. This incident went on for five more minutes, me protecting my son from this lunatic. She scratched me; she tackled and grabbed him.

Harrold explained that the woman wasnt even currently staying at the hotel and had already checked out three days prior to the incident. Additionally, an Uber driver returned her lost iPhone after the public confrontation that went viral.

RELATED: Central Park Karen Seen Calling Police On Black Man Apologizes After Viral Outrage And Job Suspension

Now think about the trauma that my son now has to carry, only coming downstairs to have box day brunch with his dad, Harrold wrote. We see this crap happening all the time, but it hits different when it hits home!!! I typically try to keep things positive, but nothing about this video is positive.

When speaking to WPIX, Sharpton detailed why this story has hit a nerve with so many people.

"When we see this young man, that could have been any of our kids, and any of the circumstances could have led to something that would have been physically damming and legally damaging," he said.

The NYPD has identified the woman in connection with the confrontation now labeled #SohoKaren but have not released her name. The unidentified woman has also conducted a 20-minute telephone interview with CNN, who has also chosen to keep her anonymous. The news outlet reports that the woman claims she was assaulted instead.

Chief of Detectives for the New York Police Department Rodney Harrison said on Tuesday (Dec.29) that after reviewing the surveillance tape of the confrontation they are indeed considering charging the woman with assault and possibly grand larceny or attempted robbery, but not with a bias crime.

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Rev. Al Sharpton Calls For Police To Identify, Charge # ...

Bryan Adams had a hit song with Summer of 69, a year that saw man land on the moon and went down in music history for the historic Woodstock concert event. But another historic music event happened that same summer, one that was erased and forgotten, a celebration of Black American identity called the Harlem Cultural Festival. The directorial debut of musician, songwriter, DJ and journalist Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Summer of Soul(Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is a concert film mixed with a documentary that produces an enlightening and entertaining experience. It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

Photo Courtesy of Sundance Institute

Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Sly and the Family Stone and many others were there, performing songs across a wide range of genres including soul, motown, blues and gospel. Held just a year after the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Harlem Cultural Festival was a moment of unity and celebration for Black residents in Harlem at a time when the African American community took ownership of the word Black. The historical importance of the year is highlighted through interviews with some of the performers, event attendees, and musical experts.

Like Woodstock, the Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in color from multiple angles. Unlike Woodstock, no television networks were interested in broadcasting the footage and it has lain dormant ever since. The event itself was not repeated and was lost to time, but when Questlove discovered that so many of his musical heroes took part, he was inspired to create the film. What emerges is a joyous celebration with legendary musical performances caught on film at a unique moment in time, along with interviews that provide historical reference and the cultural importance of the era.

Summer of Soulis likely to sell for a big price to a distributor, but there are several reasons why its a perfect fit for Disney+, who I hope is looking at it. First, the title, setting and musical elements make it a perfect pairing with Pixars Soul, which also features Questlove as a voice actor. Second, Disney has sought out concert films from Beyonc and Taylor Swift and the preview of The Beatles: Get Backwas very popular on the streamer, with this film featuring other notable acts from the same era. Third, theres no objectionable content here, save for a brief conversation about drugs in Harlem from a historical context that doesnt glorify it. For that reason, it can be used as a teachable moment for the whole family, a musical history lesson about the Civil Rights Movement. And lastly, Disney+ is reportedly having trouble with churn of their adult subscribers without kids and a must-see event film like Summer of Soulis likely to get a lot of them back.

The film often plays like a whos who of commentators, which includes among its many experts Lin-Manuel Miranda, who discusses the unique Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban music that emerged from the blending of those cultures in Harlem. The festival didnt just include musicians, with Reverend Al Sharpton discussing the prayer at the event led by Reverend Jesse Jackson. Other non-musical participants featured in the film are comedian Moms Mabley and ventriloquist Willie Tyler.

Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) chronicles a celebratory event in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement. It showcases how far weve come and how far we still have to go towards achieving true equality as a nation, but most of all, its a celebration of Black American culture through music. Its a legends-only must-see event that needs to reach as wide an audience as possible.

I give Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) 5 out of 5 stars.

Alex has been blogging about Disney films since 2009 after a lifetime of fandom. He joined the Laughing Place team in 2014 and covers films across all of Disneys brands, including Star Wars, Marvel, and Fox, in addition to books, music, toys, consumer products, and food. You can hear his voice as a member of the Laughing Place Podcast and his face can be seen on Laughing Places YouTube channel where he unboxes stuff.

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Film Review: "Summer of Soul" Directed by Questlove Is a Concert Film/Documentary Ought To Be on Disney+ - LaughingPlace.com - Laughing...

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Source: Kleenex Brand / KLEENEX

Married to Medicines Dr. Contessa Metcalfe has had a year similar to everyone elses. Shes been trying to keep her loved ones safe from the COVID-19 pandemic while balancing the job of wife, mother and physician during uncertain, tumultuous times. Shes also partnered with the Kleenex brand to help people get through an especially challenging cold and flu season. Shes looking to keep her family happy and well, and also help others to stay healthy. So when Bravo released the first trailer for the upcoming eighth season of Married to Medicine, Metcalfe says she was proud of how the producers managed to incorporate current events into it as much as the drama weve come to expect over the years from the series. In one scene highlighted in the trailer, the group travels to Washington D.C. for a meeting with Al Sharpton, and later at a rally, the physicians work as a collective to encourage bypassers to get tested for COVID. There is serious depth in Season 8. But of course, there are the confrontations and heated moments people also tune in for, including one between Dr. Contessa and husband Scott Metcalfe where they struggle to confront their issues.

Ahead of Married to Medicines newest season, we sat down with Dr. Contessa to learn more about balancing family and her dreams. We also learned more about what we can expect from the new season, as well as explored her tips for getting through another season cold, flu and COVID.

MadameNoire: What items should we be sure to keep at home during these brutal winter months?

Dr. Contessa Metcalfe: Of course, with this being cold and flu season, in addition to COVID season, one thing I always keep on hand is my Kleenex Soothing Lotion [tissue]. The reason is because even when your nose isnt running when you have some sort of infection, were always kinda dealing with that in cold weather or when the weathers changing. Its just always much safer to use something disposable like a Kleenex brand tissue and what I love about Soothing Lotion is that its infused with Vitamin E, coconut oil and aloe, helping to moisturize the facial skin, which is so important especially in these dry winter months when all were doing is trying to stay moisturized and prepare for the summer.

A lot of us are just now discovering things like echinacea tea to combat illness. Can you name anything else we ought to be storing in our cabinets right now?

Probably the most common thing that people dont have on hand when they need them is some sort of anti-inflammatory because if they are indeed coming down with something, the best thing to do is ward it off at the pass.

And the best thing I believe you can do to protect yourself, believe it or not, is to eat well. Food is medicine and so the better your nutritional status is, if you were to come down with something, the more apt you are to recover very quickly. And what that means is that the plant-based diet is actually the new science. The data has been around for a couple of decades now and more of these tests and studies are coming out that are just proving that you should do your best to keep your plate colorful. Its not only about eating something green. Like, if youre eating cabbage, try purple cabbage. Eggplant. Squash. Try to get as many nutrients as you can naturally. There are some things you just cant really get enough of. For instance, vitamin D. Black people in particular, of course, have low levels of Vitamin D unfortunately because we just cant get enough of it. Thats one supplement that I would definitely recommend.

But for the most part? Food, food, food. Eating well and trying to stay away from processed foods and things that arent gonna serve any nutritional value.

Moving on to Married to Medicine, is there anything you think viewers should be paying special attention to this season?

One thing Ill say that the network did well this year was to capitalize on what was going on in the world and not just whats going on in our homes. So we really covered the civil rights movement of 2020. They covered the pandemic and the effect it had on everyone and of course, it covered us as physicians and clinicians with families.

So thats another perspective that I dont know that a lot of people will understand. The fear that the world was living in was also the fear that we were living in. We didnt know anything about the virus and were still learning. So I thought that was great. It wasnt just about arguing, it wasnt just about relationships, but it was tackling current events.

Speaking of the pandemic, what is going on down there in Atlanta? How do you feel about how COVID is being handled in your city?

Like, wide open? Like there is no COVID? [laughs]

Right! Particularly as a doctor watching all this happen

Its challenging! The major challenge is just reinforcing the things that we know work. Like social distancing, right? Wearing a mask if you cant maintain that six-foot distance. Washing your hands. Making sure that youre doing the best you can to not spread the infection. So a lot of things like going to lot of parties and going to clubs and having big events, those type of things right now are just over.

And its been challenging for us. We all love eating out and having a good time with a lot of friends, but its just not a healthy idea at this moment. We have to make sure we have fresh air of course. I am not advocating just staying inside and not getting fresh air. Go outside. Exercise. Thats another reason I really love Kleenex tissues. I keep em on me because when I run, its not a cold, its actually just that nasal motor. So if you keep them on you because when youre walking past people you want to cover your face, especially if youre talking, because we learned that youre more easily transmitting the virus as youre talking. So its nice to have something that you can hold in front of you and dispose of, without worrying about germs being on your hands.

Source: Bravo / Getty

What are your thoughts on Lisa Marie Cloud and Kari Wells returning to the show this season?

I came on in Season 4 so I didnt meet them really, outside of it just being in passing or at a couple of events. Ive seen them around being that [Kari] and I are actually neighbors, so back in the olden days 2019, 2020 we went to the same gym.

But its been nice to see how their lives changed dramatically, even from what I watched on the show. Lisa Nicoles kids are in high school now and last time viewers saw them, they were my kids age. Same thing with [Keri], her children are in high school as well, so its nice to see that, what the challenges are with them now and what theyve been doing.

Are you still hoping to become surgeon general one day?

Its so funny because I do, but some of the challenges with the position as Im sure you may have noticed on television, its a very political career choice and you arent always able to carte blanche. Like in medicine. If I want to prescribe Medicine X to you and I want to refer you to someone, I have autonomy and I can do that but when youre in a public position like that, there are a lot of bosses and they put external pressure on you. Now more than ever!

Most people probably never even knew who the surgeon general was before the past couple of years. So it just gave another dynamic. But absolutely. Its definitely still a dream, but I think Im also more realistic about what Im able to do and how much it really is not just all about one person. Its a lot of pressure from other places. To me, it was kind of sad. Dr. [Jerome] Adams [surgeon general from 2017-2021] is a fantastic physician and I dont know that we got actually to see what he was fully capable of doing. He got a raw deal.

Do either you or your husband have any regrets about sharing as much as you have on the show?

The only time thats uncomfortable is when someone walks up to you and just starts talking to you and giving you very intimate advice like they know you. But for the most part, I dont. I really value transparency and its been very cathartic for me.

I grew up in a family where we didnt really talk about a lot of stuff. There was always an elephant in the room. Thats actually emotionally and physically toxic, and a lot of people dont understand how much anxiety and depression can be rooted from holding things in and not being able to release them. So its been freeing, and every time something comes out that I was like, Eh I wasnt comfortable sharing that but here we go I feel better. I feel lighter and I realize that no ones perfect. Actually, last night my daughter was doing some homework and she got so frustrated that she actually started crying, and so I just told her, Let me tell you a secret: Perfection is the biggest lie. Its a lot but since Ive learned that seeking perfection is not realistic, its not on my radar. Im not even trying to do that anymore.

Youre actually inspiring so many women that need to see that representation on TV: a wife and mother going after her dreams, even when certain people cant understand. Even the ones you love.

That feels good because we, especially as women, once we become mothers, all the rest of our goals and our vision boards are supposed to fall to the wayside. But I always say, Kids keep growing, even if you dont. So I dont know where that came from where were not supposed to grow anymore because we get married and have children. If mama aint happy, nobodys happy. So its actually better for them to see, especially with two little girls, that you can do [anything]. Kids dont hold you back, they inspire you.

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Dr. Contessa On Balancing Family And Dreams, Married to Medicine Season 8 - MadameNoire