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Creator: Drug drama “Power” has universal story

By WTOP Staff

NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — “Power,” a gritty new drama debuting next month on Starz, is executive produced by 50 Cent and chronicles both the underpinnings of a brutal drug trade life and the glamour of the clubs.

But its creator, Courtney Kemp Agboh, balks when it’s described as urban entertainment. The Emmy-nominated producer, whose credits include “The Good Wife,” sees the story as one that’s relatable to everyone, even suburban moms.

“In a real sense it’s a show about a universal question,” she says. “Does your past dictate your future? Can you change who you are? … The show is really about a larger thing.”

“Power,” which premieres June 7, stars Omari Hardwick as Ghost, a drug dealer who doubles as a successful nightclub owner to conceal his illegal trade. While it’s part gangster drama, it’s also a love story: The married Ghost is also pining for a long lost love who has made her return. He also seeks to shed his life of crime In hopes of finally becoming a legit businessman.

While the show is based in part by 50 Cent’s own transformation from drug dealer to rap superstar, Agboh, who created the show with him, also used her late father as inspiration.

“My dad was an advertising guy, and he was very invested in the idea that perception is reality and that if you looked good, and you smelled good and you sounded good, that people would believe whatever you had to say and you were able to manipulate people’s opinions of you through image,” she said. “As a black man he felt he got access to people and experiences as a result of dressing a certain way, and sounding a certain way and having a certain educational background. . When my dad died, I felt like I really needed to write about him and write about his experiences.”

The death of Agboh’s father in 2011 was a turning point for her. It was after he died that “Power” began to become a reality.

“This is the first show I ever pitched, the first show I ever sold, the first show I ever wrote for money,” she said. “Things happened at once.”

It’s another high point for Agboh, who started off as a magazine writer before leaping into television writing, then producing.

“I wanted to be the first black female editor in chief of Vogue magazine, and that totally didn’t work out,” she laughed.

As one of the few black women behind a TV series, there are obvious comparisons to Shonda Rimes, whom with the success of shows like “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy” has become one of the most powerful figures on television. But Agboh sees few similarities besides their race and sex, the significance of which she downplays.

“I don’t think it’s about the race or gender of the show runner, I think it’s about what’s compelling and what will bring people back,” she said. “I’m grateful to Shonda if in fact her existence allows people to see me in a different way, but I don’t think that we do the same thing or should we be expected to.”

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http://www.starz.com

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Follow Nekesa Mumbi Moody at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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