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This is Clark's PBS.

Welcome to everybody with Angela Williamson and innovation, Arts, education and public affairs program.

Everybody, with Angela Williamson is made possible by viewers like you.

Thank you.

And now your host, doctor Angela Williamson.

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

Made of a very, 005000 square feet.

Oh, I'm into an understanding, sympathy and trust.

The body to be changed.

For the living dreams of the mystic crystal revelation.

And the minds could never.

Negation.

Aquarius.

000.

I'm so delighted to welcome Grammy Award winning singer and author Florence Le Roux to our conversation tonight.

Miss Florence, thank you so much for being here.

Oh thank you doctor.

It's my pleasure to be here.

We feel like we know you.

You know, you have been part of some of the songs that have not only changed our generations, but I listen to every one of your songs.

Aquarius.

I listen to that song because I was born in January and it changes my mood.

It's almost as if I'm having a day that's not quite perfect.

All I have to do is listen to the fifth dimension and and my mood completely changes.

I mean, I know you are one of the founding members of that group and explained.

Are you explaining it to our audience?

But do you feel that way too, because you're singing these incredible lyrics?

I am so proud to be a part of the group that sings and performs positive music.

Music is very, very important.

And by the way, I like all kinds of music.

Believe it or not, at one time I wanted to be a country singer.

I also played the violin.

So I like classical music.

And I think music has a place in our lives.

Every, emotion that we feel.

I'm not quite into the rap, but.

Listen, it's a way for young people to express their feelings.

Well, and when you talk about that, you talked about the rap, and I understand because every genre is different, but we appreciate the genre.

But to me, rap is more poetry, and and it's not wrong.

What what, offends me?

Some of the negative lyrics.

But, you know, a lot of the lyrics are written and sung or spoken by people who experienced those things, and they had no way to express it.

So better to experience your feelings through, through poetry than violence.

Exactly.

Exactly.

And when we think of musical genres, they all fit into some point, some part of society.

Yes.

Yes.

And I mean, before you were part of the dimension, you were just a regular college student.

Correct.

I don't know about regular because I worked eight hours a day.

Oh my goodness.

And so 15.5 units.

Oh, wow.

To be honest, I don't know how I got my diploma because every minute was taken.

I worked 15 hours a day.

I mean, I worked 12 hours a day, took 15.5 units.

And, I enjoyed it, though.

You know, when you when you're involved in something.

I don't think you think about it too much.

But when I look back and say, oh, my goodness.

How did you do that?

But you did it.

But I did it, but I did.

I had some excellent experiences because I also was on a bowling team that I enjoyed.

And so one, I had been in college and class, been to work and went to the bowling team.

I fell asleep on getting off the freeway and almost ran into a policeman's car.

He stopped me.

Check me out, make sure I hadn't been drinking and I don't know where I was coming from.

He said, you get in that car and you go home.

Had I not done that, I would never drive again.

It was so frightening.

So I learned that you have to, you have to be careful in the things that you do.

It's all right to be involved.

But you also have to be disciplined and schedule things so that you do get your proper rest.

And, you know, because not only was I putting myself in danger, but I was putting someone else in danger.

So it was it was a lesson learned.

I to this day, I will not drive if I'm sleepy.

Well, and I mean, I know we were going to wait to talk about your book racing your second act, but you mentioned the importance of being disciplined and making sure even you mention creating list to keep you organized.

I go back and I think about the tour schedule that you had for the fifth dimension, because not only, you know, were you probably doing concerts, but at some points you were doing things for the white House as well.

I mean, how were you able to actually manage your time, especially after that scare?

Well, I had a lot of help there because we had we had a manager.

So, as a matter, maybe I had too much help because I became very involved in being creative.

Yes.

And I did not do one thing that I should have done.

And I tell everybody to do.

I was not involved enough in the business end of it, because I tell especially young people, I don't care what you do, whether you're going to be a nurse, a doctor or whatever.

You must know about business.

And I'm 83 and still learning about business.

And what do you think learning about business is really important?

Is it because of the longevity?

You don't know how long you will be in that career or when you don't understand the business?

Sometimes things happen around you that are unsavory.

It's it's it's all of that.

Also, it helps you to prepare for your senior years because when I was working and making very, very good salaries, I knew I was helping people.

But my mother house and lots of people.

But you must prepare for the future because you don't like, as you said, you don't know how long you're going to live.

You know what kind of health you're going to be in later.

Are you going to be a burden to your family?

You know, so it just makes sense to prepare for your future.

Because you're telling me you're 83.

And I'm not saying that I can't see it because there's so much that you do.

I mean, we even our audience doesn't know.

But we talked and you said, I just walked two miles this morning before I came to the studio.

I mean, so you longevity is the key because even in your book you talked about research and we are living longer.

So understanding the business when we're younger will help us.

Definitely.

Definitely.

So it's not what you make.

It's what you do with it.

You know, I have I know people who have made a lot less money than I did, who are retired, traveling all over the world and really enjoying life as they should.

You know, but then you see there are a lot of people, especially in the entertainment business and athletes who make a lot of money and people who win the lottery.

Next thing you know, they're broke because they haven't learned how to handle their finances.

Well we were going to talk about this in the second segment that we'll just let let our audience in on it now.

That's probably something really important to talk about in that second book that I'm hoping you write for us.

Right.

Because in this book, you're talking about how to accept that we're aging, how to do it gracefully.

And you talk about spiritually and emotionally and and physically.

But it sounds when I was reading your book, it sounds like you're using a lot of the experience that you had as a very successful entertainer to give us this knowledge.

Now, am I wrong or right or wrong?

Yeah.

A lot of the things I talk about in the book, because of mistakes I've made, and I want to help other people that make the same mistakes.

And one of the reasons I wrote the book is, is, the result of, my visits to senior homes around Christmas time.

I went with a group, and we would go to senior homes and and sing and entertain them.

We'd take children and pets and things.

And, you know, doctor, I noticed that a lot of people were there were lonely.

They hadn't taken care of themselves physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They didn't have visitors.

And it was really sad.

And so I want to encourage people, especially seniors, to live and not just exist.

And this is for men, too.

You know, the book is mainly for seniors, but a lot of, the men, you know, they're macho, so they think they don't need this, you know, but I've had them read the book and they said, oh, I needed this.

I, I enjoy that also.

But if you take care of yourself when you're younger, you're more likely to have an enjoyable second act.

I was blessed that I didn't and didn't necessarily take care of myself, but I was very active in sports.

I mean, as soon as I played varsity basketball, varsity field hockey, I ran track.

So my body was really strong and prepared for that.

My second act.

But you have to think ahead, you know, and and plan ahead.

We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.

We we don't know how long we're going to live, but as long as we're here, you know, God wants us to have a joyful life and a successful life, everybody.

And no matter what you do, you are important.

You know, people think, oh, well, I'm not a, an entertainer.

Sports.

Everyone's important.

How the people in New York feel when the garbageman went on strike.

You mean they're not important?

What if construction workers don't build those buildings and bridges properly?

So everybody, everybody has a talent.

And you're saying everybody has a purpose?

Everybody has a purpose, and everybody can contribute to making this a better world.

You have definitely done that in your professional career.

And you're leaving this legacy for us.

You know, with your book, you know, grace gracing your second act how to age gracefully.

And and now I keep pushing that you'll be starting a second book.

And our audience is probably like, whoa, we want to wait for that.

But also to what I learn from you is the importance of paying it forward with what we've learned to help that next generation.

I mean, you firmly believe that in everything you've done, but also to in this book.

Why is that important to Miss Florence?

It is much more important to me now that my career is not ending, but but changing.

After I can share a story with you.

I went to a, a Christian camp.

And it was really very interesting that as an adult.

And in the morning it was an idol.

While in the mountains.

Yes.

And in the mornings we would go up and pray and, and then, come back.

Well, you know, the Lord has a great sense of humor, and he tends to speak to me not in ordinary times, like, you know, laugh in the afternoon uses 2 or 3 in the morning.

Well, you woke me up one morning.

It was about, I don't know, maybe 3 or 4 in the morning.

And I was compelled to go up the mountain to that place where we prayed.

Now, I didn't want to.

I was compelled because I didn't want to what it was called.

It was dark.

It was through, like forest.

And I didn't know what critters might be there, but I obeyed.

I put on my clothes and I went up to the top and I sat on the bench.

Normally, at the top of this mountain, you can see the whole city and the sky, and it's the stars.

It's just beautiful.

So I sat there, not a star and I. And so I'm thinking, okay, Lord, I'm here now.

And what what am I to do?

Speak to me.

I sat there and the Lord spoke to me.

Not audibly.

I saw one star, and he said.

Because I was thinking of getting out of, secular music and maybe going into singing Christian music because I didn't feel that I was really doing what I was supposed to be doing.

He said to me, I don't want you to be a Christian singer.

He said, I want you to be a singer who's a Christian.

And I knew exactly what he meant.

I came down there, I was just on fire.

And, I was just.

I think I probably turned some people away from the church.

You should be going to church.

But I learned how to palpably, lead people to the Lord.

And one night as as a lead singer of the group, I choose this song.

So we were singing.

Oh, happy day.

And, it was it.

Great crowd and people coming up to the stage Singing oh happy day.

This middle aged man walked up to the stage and gave me a ring and disappeared.

I've been wearing this ring for over 15 years.

It's Jesus on the cross.

Show our audience.

It's Jesus on the cross.

Because to me it was saying, you know where God wants you to be.

And the people say, well, why are you wearing it on your middle finger?

I wear it because Jesus is the center of my life, and I never, never take it off because it reminds me that there's a reason I'm here and it's not necessarily to get gold records, the Grammys.

I'm here to encourage people to share the not whatever knowledge I may have.

And when I get to heaven, go to those pearly gates.

I want them to say, job well done.

You have used your talent to do what I want you to do.

You have enjoyed our first segment.

I'm not saying anything.

We need to go to a break.

And when we come back, I want you to give us more wisdom and tools based on your life experience that's in this book.

Thank you.

Back to hear more from Miss Florence.

All leaves on a go.

I'm just a bit of a shade.

Oh, come on.

Baby, do it's loud.

You're gonna have to read about how late last night I got to today.

Just.

Let's go down by the break.

By break.

My daddy's.

What?

Good morning.

Come on down by the great white bread.

My daddy's white.

Good morning.

And Molly.

I'm Belinda and this is Willard, and we were adopted in 2021.

When we first met Tom.

He was singing a song and I was like, wow, look at this kid with the biggest smile.

And he has a big heart to match.

The energy you give Todd.

You get it back from Todd.

Todd's a joy.

Yes.

Hearts really is a great joy.

I love you and you.

Learn about adopting a teen from foster care.

You can't imagine the reward.

Visit adopt us kids talk.

Whoa, whoa.

Eyes forward.

Don't drive.

Distracted.

speaking of on the set, Arsenio, I was on the set with you filming.

Has anybody told you that you look good with a lot of.

Oh, wasn't a million ago that, You look.

As I was saying, I saw you on the set of Coming to America, and you just walked right by me.

Well, you didn't have on that dress.

Nor that bra.

But I promise you, I will never ignore you again.

Welcome back.

We are here to discuss more about Grace in your second act with Miss Florence.

She left us empowered in that first episode for a segment.

Oh my goodness.

I mean, we ended up.

Our audiences know we ended up taking a little bit of a longer break because we were both tearing up.

You, your story and and how we can get back to who we are and what we're supposed to be.

And I learned that when God spoke to you and said you were thinking about getting out of music, but you said something, you said he said you, he he wants you to do what?

Don't be a Christian singer.

Be a singer who is a Christian.

And you know, doctor, I think a lot of our problems today are because of the breakdown of the family, because many parents are trying to be friends to their children and not parents.

I remember I thought my mother was so mean.

Oh, I couldn't do this.

I went, what time?

I was, waiting for the Sunday school bus.

And listen, the on she came out.

Young lady, you just wipe your lips.

I was so embarrassed, but.

And I was drunk.

Do you belong to church every Sunday?

But you know, there's not a day that goes by my senior life that I don't think my mother was the things she taught me because children don't know.

You know a child's going to put their hand on the stove.

They don't know.

You have to teach them that the stove is hot.

And it seems like we're afraid to to, discipline our children and to tell them.

I don't know why.

But children want discipline.

They want love.

They want to know that you care enough.

I know sometimes I talk with my son and he'll.

He'll call me mom.

I know you've been praying and such and such and such to happen.

But we are.

We have to be an example for the young people.

Because, as I said, they don't know.

And Satan is busy.

He tries to divide and conquer.

Well, and you talk about aging gracefully, but this book is perfect for this young generation who may need that extra guidance because you give us so much guidance in this book, don't you think?

Well, you know, yes, young people may need guidance, but our seniors need guidance, too, because I don't think that what they do, especially women, once women hit 40, they think they're getting old.

I'm 83.

I'm looking forward to maybe getting married again.

You know, life is.

Life goes on.

I'm looking forward to attending that wedding.

But when we when we get older, the general population seems to think life is over.

And so many things are happening in our world.

All we hear about is negative things.

There are many positive people doing wonderful things, helping each other, loving each other.

But we don't hear about it.

We want to hear about the violence and all of the negative things.

I'm not saying hide your head in the sand.

You know, we need to know what's going on so that we can protect ourselves.

But at the same time, know that life is beautiful.

You know, go out and I walk every day.

I enjoy the flowers and and the sky.

Simple things that make me feel good.

And that's how I start my day in a positive manner.

Lord, who can I help today?

And you say, well, I can't afford to help anybody.

You can give somebody a smile.

You'd be surprised.

When I first started walking, doctor, I would be walking down the street and I'd say, good morning, people.

Finally, after a couple of weeks.

Now, if I walk down the street and I don't smell the morning because there used to be greeted, there isn't there is this, sharing friendship.

Friendship and friends are so important.

And it's important the type of friends we have now, we have to be careful with our friends.

Sometimes we have to maybe ease away from friends who may be envious of us, you know?

And, but we have to use wisdom.

And I love that you did that transition without me asking the question because you talked about there's an entire chapter on friends and you talked about there are just certain you gave us tips to look out for, and that friendship might just need to be closed and moved on.

Yeah.

Other friends.

I mean, that is I mean, there's a there's a season for everything.

Yes.

But that's also can, as we age can be a huge loss leaving those friendships.

So how how do we move forward from now.

Well, we have to be a friend.

You know, if we.

What?

If you want a friend, you have to be a friend.

Now, what I did when we had Covid, I started a prayer line and that there were all women, all races, all ages.

And that to be seeing it, most of them were seeing it through the seniors room.

And we would have we'd get on the prayer line.

But there were tools.

You can't discuss politics or anything that this was strictly to, you know, share your recipe.

Listen to me.

We always have music, you know, it's a music.

You know your children.

It was a way to bring people together from Canada, from the East coast, and it was really fun.

Now, I don't do it.

Now I'm getting calls.

Well, what are we going to talk?

But as I said, if you want friends, you have to be a friend.

And I learned this because I was raised on the East Coast and my best friends.

I'm sorry I still there.

I've been in California over 50 years.

But, you know, I grew up with these people and we're we're still very good.

I talked to one today, as a matter of fact.

But then I realized, wait a minute, where have you gone out and tried to make a friend in.

Of course, I go to church and I friends in the church.

But then a lot of people, you know, they're married.

I'm single.

I'm not going to be, you know, the third wheel.

But I'm learning now.

I have to get out of my house and go and be with my friends more.

That's important, especially as you get older, because a lot of my friends have died and I have a I have a lot of friends, a young as a matter of fact, I have a lot of nieces and nephews call me Auntie Florence, and I like that because it it opens up and extends my friendship.

It does before we end our time together.

It went by so quick.

I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your words of wisdom and sharing your stories with us, and using your career in such a positive light, and we need you as part of the fifth dimension.

And I'm so glad you followed that.

But before we end our time together, I want you to let our audience gracing your second act.

I got my book on Amazon.

Is it available anywhere else?

Right now it isn't because I'm just starting and I'm actually starting new with new management and everything.

So you can get it on on Amazon.

I do have, a Facebook page.

And, here's another thing.

Older people, seniors, you got to get with the new thing.

So I had to get on Instagram and I'm going to do a TikTok.

You should do tech TikTok with your advice in this book.

All generations need it.

But I'm still learning the very fact I'm getting.

I get angry when my computer is at work, as if this is supposed to make it easier for me.

Now the computer shut down.

It can't work.

No, no.

Yeah, I said it's great for helping us move forward, but sometimes it.

Stops us from forward at the same time.

We have your book on Amazon.

We're on Facebook.

Great advice to seniors because Facebook and Instagram and also TikTok, they can also keep in touch with their grandchildren because all the young people are.

But but don't let that take the place of the personal that I still believe in writing notes and talking on the phone.

You can FaceTime your grandchildren.

There's nothing like the personal touch.

That is great advice.

To end our conversation and you will be back when you finish that second book.

I hope we'll be less than three years long.

It took me.

A. You've already got the first one down.

You'll be back here within the next two years.

I know it, but I so appreciate you just spending.

Oh you're welcome.

Coming on this show.

But most importantly, the legacy that you've left with the gift of your voice and the gift of your words.

You have really been a change maker.

So thank you so much, Florence.

Well, thank you.

Thank you.

And thank you for joining us on everybody with Angela Williamson.

Viewers like you make this show possible.

Join us on social media to continue this conversation.

Good night and stay well.

To.

Face.

From.

Hear that?

Good.

That's the sound of your life.

Perfectly imperfect.

But every time you drive after drinking, the music gets drowned out.

Your life sounds pretty great.

And don't let a buzz ruin it.

Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

Don't drive.

Buzzed.

I don't remember how it started.

Don't do that.

We have our back and forth.

It always came back.

Oh.

Thanks, dad.

You probably don't remember what you told me.

That was perfect.

But I heard every word.

My early Alzheimer's diagnosis gave us time to adapt as a family.