There are approximately 13.6 million single parents in the United States today, and those parents are responsible for raising 21.2 million children (approximately 26% of children under 21 in the U.S. today).

Janelle Kearney is a star basketball player at Diamond Ranch High School in Pasadena, California. Kearney averaged 11.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during her junior year and was named Player of the Year. I spoke with her about her success and how her father continues to impact her life.

Las Vegas has always had the nickname “Sin City,” and most people think that Las Vegas is really not a good choice when choosing places to take their children. I disagree. Las Vegas has changed a lot since my father took my brother and me years ago. Gone are the days of the 99 cents, all-you-can-eat-buffets. They have been replaced with high priced buffets that can make your wallet so light that you feel as though you have been a victim of a professional pickpocket, with the only difference being that you actually handed the pickpocket the wallet and told them that they had permission to rob you. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this.

Fauna Hodel is the author of the autobiographical novel, One Day She’ll Darken (with J. R. Briamonte), Executive Producer of the film, Pretty Hattie’s Baby, directed by Ivan Passer, starring Alfred Woodard, Charles Dutton, Alison Elliot, Bobby Hosea, Jill Clayburg and Tess Harper. Fauna Hodel wrote and produced the theatrical presentation: Working the Dream: The Fauna Hodel Story. She was also an instrumental piece to a twenty-year puzzle that helped to solve (unofficially) the Black Dahlia case, (the murder of Elizabeth Short by Fauna’s biological father/grandfather, Dr. George Hodel), and is the subject of a documentary film to be directed by David Hughes.

Don’t be fooled by Tyler Perry’s cross dressing or comedic appearance when you pick up Medea’s Family Reunion for a night of popcorn and laughter on the couch. This outwardly comedic movie has stronger themes just beneath the surface. From the first scene the comedy is entwined with serious issues such as domestic abuse, single parenthood and family troubles.

have heard this enduring quote time and time again. It suggests that when life presents obstacles that would otherwise stifle your creativity, spirit or mere existence, combat that challenge head on. Little did writer, producer, Diana Rivera know that the words once uttered by Joan Collins would be a mantra for her day to day survival as a single parent.