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NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Today I am announcing my personal endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. During the last nine months, I have closely observed the presidential campaigns, analyzed the issues and platforms of the major candidates, and have had substantive discussions with Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. From the sidelines of the primaries and debates, I have been particularly inspired by the fact that Senator Obama has built an unprecedented, national movement comprised of people from all ethnic, racial, political, social and economic backgrounds.
An Evening of Fashion, Stars and Cars
Detroit, MI (BlackNews.com 12/20/07) - An independent panel of automotive journalists have cast their votes for the finalists of the 2008 Urban Wheel Awards, which will be held on January 15, 2008 at the Fox Theater in Detroit, in conjunction with Press Preview Week of the North American International Auto Show.
Co-hosts Actress Rosie Perez, and Kevin Frazier, of Entertainment Tonight will lead a cast of celebrity presenters, who will present awards to the automotive manufacturers, executives, suppliers, dealers, advertising agencies and motorsports organizations who have contributed to diversity in the industry.
Terrence and Rocsi Celebrate One Year at the Helm of the Number One Music Countdown Show on Television and Welcome in A Brand New Set
Terrence and Rocsi Celebrate One Year at the Helm of BET's Number One Music Countdown Show
New York, NY (BlackNews.com 7/16/07) - BET's energetic VJ's, Terrence and Rocsi, surpassed rookie status on July 10, 2007 to mark their one year anniversary as hosts of the wildly popular show, 106 & PARK. In between memorable moments like Rocsi's back bending lesson from Beyoncé and Janet Jackson hand feeding Terrence strawberries, the two successfully bring viewers the livest countdown show on the planet five days a week. Chosen from a pool of over 15,000 applicants, Terrence and Rocsi joined the BET family as two of five winners during the networks nationwide "New Faces" Search in 2006. With 252 episodes in the can, the addition of new and exciting show elements, and trips to Los Angeles, New Orleans and even Japan; the duo has taken the leading music countdown series to the next level and will continue to do so in the coming season. Tune in on Monday, July 16th @ 6:00 p.m. ET/PT as the network celebrates this milestone and unveils a newly designed high-tech studio.
NEERO AND ANA TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE 38TH ANNUAL NAACP IMAGE AWARDS IN LOS ANGELES
The Satin Slumber Collection(TM) Pillow Cases Included in Celebrity Swag Bags
Kerry Washington with Owner and CEO of Neero and Ana, Doreen Motton
Los Angeles, CA (3/21/07 BlackNews.com) - The 38th Annual NAACP Image Awards which aired live on Fox 5 TV at the fabulous Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 2nd, included some of the hottest stars in the business. Not only did the worthy presenters and awardees receive red carpet treatment, but they also received the fabulous Satin Slumber Collection(TM) satin pillow cases by Neero and Ana in the swanky VIP Lounge.
Neero and Ana, strategically positioned in the VIP Lounge, had the celebrities' eye almost immediately upon entering the room and were greeted graciously by the owner, Doreen Motton. A luscious rainbow of colors were included in the gift bag give away and the reception from the celebrities was phenomenal.
The Satin Slumber Collection(TM) line from Neero and Ana includes the most luxurious and rich satin on the market today. Made from 100% acetate bridal satin, a fabric with a natural fiber derivative, the pillow cases have been known to last almost forever. Contrary to popular belief, the pillow cases are completely machine washable and dryable. The quality of the workmanship includes French seam stitching, which prohibits the inside seams from ravelling or fraying-which means the cases stays in tact and maintain their original construction. The bold and demure color palette offered make this collection refreshing and fun when choosing a hue that matches your mood or room.
Women today perpetually seek solutions and improvements to age old hair care treatments. "As a woman on the go, I don't have the time nor the desire to roll, wrap or apply any special treatments to my hair before going to bed every night. I need a product that maintains my hair's natural moisture, prevents my hair from breaking and helps to maintain my style. The true satin pillow cases do the ultimate trick," says Doreen Motton, Neero and Ana's CEO.
Neero and Ana, a New York based company has been featured in "Ebony Magazine," "Upscale Magazine," Ambermag.com and is quickly becoming the talk of the town amongst the Hollywood community.
The Satin Slumber Collection can be found in salons and spas around the country and is available on line by logging onto www.neero-ana.com
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Atlanta, GA (3/3/06 BlackNews.com) - Before appearing on American Idol, singer Kinnik Sky showed off a different talent. The American Idol 2006 finalist Kinnik Sky will be appearing on Playhouse 22, a new series premiering on Black Family Channel this April. While American Idol displays her singing talents, Playhouse 22 will showcase her versatility as an actress.
"Kinnik auditioned for Black Family Channel for our new reality series, Playhouse 22 where she displayed her theatrical talent as an actress. It's great to see that she has made it this far during the intense American Idol competition," said Yvette Broughton, Vice President of Production.
Playhouse 22 is an original series developed by Black Family Channel CEO and President Robert Townsend. The reality series is based on 24 groups of aspiring writers, directors, actors and producers who are challenged to develop an original dramatic scene. Each creative team strives to deliver compelling scripts and intriguing scenes. Twenty-four groups begin the journey but only seven will make the final cut - but not before braving the waters of creative conflict.
For more information about Playhouse 22, check your local cable guide for channel listings, repeat airdates and show times or visit www.blackfamilychannel.com
About Black Family Channel (BFC)
Black Family Channel is America's only minority owned and operated cable network committed to providing responsible programming for the entire family. Our mission is to entertain, inform and empower communities with family programming that is original, real, authentic and relevant. BFC is currently viewed in 16 million households; including all of the top 25 African-American TV markets. For more information about Black Family Channel visit www.blackfamilychannel.com
HIP-HOP RIVALS JAY-Z AND NAS OPEN UP ON BET NEWS SPECIAL TO BRING FINAL CLOSURE TO CONTROVERSIAL FEUD - BEYOND BEEF: JAY-Z & NAS Premieres Tomorrow at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT
Steve Harvey's Salvation is no laughing matter!
Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com 3/13/06) - Actor and comedian Steve Harvey; an Original King of Comedy and the star of The Steve Harvey Show returns to the concert stage with a hilarious new stand-up film, DON'T TRIP...HE AIN'T THROUGH WITH ME YET!
Filmed in front of a live audience at Bishop TD Jakes' Christian life-style event, MegaFest, the six-time NAACP Image Award winner achieves a monumental feat by performing for thousands without the use of profanity. That's right, no four letter words! Known for his no-holds barred approach the funny man pokes fun at everything from church service rituals to the interesting church folks that are in all of our congregations.
"This has been more of an evolution for me," said Harvey. "I've evolved into this person that I am; If you ain't got God, you ain't got nothing."
For over three years, the faith-based community has enjoyed Harvey's spin on "church life" since he began participating in BET's Celebration of Gospel and MegaFest. In "DON'T TRIP...HE AIN'T THROUGH WITH ME YET" Harvey continues to share and relate his unique views on church, children, African-American culture and families.
DON'T TRIP...HE AIN'T THROUGH WITH ME YET! opens nationally in movie theaters on March 17, 2006 and is being released through Code Black Entertainment.
Currently, Harvey is on tour bringing his funniest and most memorable routine to New York, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Camden, New Jersey, Shreveport, Charlotte, Kansas City, Columbia and Charleston, S.C.
BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A MAN THIS OUTRAGEOUS HAS TO CLEAN UP HIS ACT FOR CHRUCH FOLK.
CODEBLACK ENTERTAINMENT was established in June 2005 as a Limited Liability Company in Los Angeles, California. The initial concept for CODEBLACK Entertainment was developed in 2005 as a successor to the two most successful urban home entertainment companies in the urban market. CODEBLACK will offer a wide variety of urban content that looks at the world and their lives through their lens and in their language.
CODEBLACK has entered into a multi-year distribution deal with Visual Entertainment (VE) a division of Universal Music & Video Distribution (UMVD). UMVD is the award-winning sales and marketing arm of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world's leading music company. VE's mandate is to provide producers of video/DVD product with the highest quality of marketing, sales and distribution services. The primary focus of the arrangement is to acquire third-party content and to distribute it through DVD and broadcast channels.
ABOUT HUGE Ventures & Solutions, Inc. (HVS, Inc.)
Founded in 1997, HVS, Inc. is a forward thinking, faith-based marketing and content company with almost 20 years of integral business experience. Known for developing branding initiatives and content solutions for some of the world's leading corporations and churches, HVS consistently develop new ways to increase market share and shareholder value.
STANDING ROOM ONLY AUDIENCE FOR AWARD WINNING URBAN FAMILY MOVIE'S FILM FESTIVAL DEBUT
Tracey Edmonds, CEO Edmonds Entertainment
Richmond, VA (BlackNews.com 3/30/06) - She's one of the most powerful women in Hollywood - Black or white. But contrary to popular belief, life hasn't always been easy for Tracey Edmonds, entertainment executive, super mom, and estranged wife of music legend, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds.
In an exclusive interview with the new black radio and web business series, Doin' It, Tracey talks about the tough teenage years, her Stanford education, building a fledgling real estate business with her mother, and her rapid ascent in the entertainment business. The program airs on the website www.doinitonline.com, and on Saturdays at 1:00 P.M. on XM Channel 169 - The Power.
"When we launched our program we promised to bring access to the best black business minds in consulting, corporate, academia, entrepreneurship, and entertainment to America," says Moses Foster, President of the Doin' It Network, and host of the Doin' It program. "Our latest in-depth interview with Tracey Edmonds proves that we're delivering on that promise. She's about as good as it gets in Hollywood."
Since launching on satellite radio and the web, The Doin' It Network has managed to secure an astounding collection of guests that reads like a Who's Who in black business. The program has featured VP of Choice Hotels (and one of Black Enterprise's Most Powerful Players under 40), Brian Parker, the Chairman of America's largest black-owned business, David Steward, and publisher of Target Market News, Ken Smikle.
"It's a new world, and people are consuming information in new ways. That's why we're communicating in rapidly emerging channels. XM Satellite Radio allows us to broadcast crucial black business news to the entire country, and our website, www.doinitonline.com allows us to offer the brightest black business minds to the world!"
And The Doin' It Network isn't slowing down. In the next few weeks they'll talk with the managing director of the Johnny Cochran law firm, Harley Davidson Motor Company, and Steven Rogers, Distinguished Professor of Finance at Kellogg, America's #1 Business School.
"We're making progress, but we won't stop until we are the undisputed #1 name in black business," says Foster.
THE AUTHOR OF "DUPED BY LOVE" EMBARKS ON MULTI-CITY TOUR
Tonya E. aka Miss Right Now
Westchester, NY (BlackNews.com 3/16/06) - Tonya E. A.K.A. Miss Right Now Inc. has launched a new movement to change the minds of every youth who listens to Hip Hop Music. This company is currently in production and promoting their project titled, "The No Curse Tour 2006!" The first stop of this tour will be in New York City, followed by other states in the early Fall 2006 season. This tour will include something for everyone of all ages.
The company is currently scouting for talent to participate such as rappers of all genres, actors, actresses, spoken word artists, b-boys, b-girls, dj's, graffiti artists, comedians, non-profit organizations representatives, community activists, pastors, teachers, corporate sponsors and politicians. A NYC audition will be held in March 2006.
Tonya E. A.k.a. Miss Right Now Inc. President/Owner Tonya Ellington describes the project as, "A movement of hope for our youth and the younger generation to follow. It's a well needed trend for every age group that abuses their language when profanity is incorporated." The company is working to build up the self-esteem, self-respect, wisdom and knowledge of the essence of the true culture of youth in the inner city communities.
Ms. Ellington continues, "So many of our babies, children and youth from the age of birth to 21 years of age have been exposed to the ill lyrics and images of music for too long. So many have talked about doing something for the communities, but failed because their hearts were in the wrong place." She also noted, "In order for things to prosper, you have to do what you love from your heart and not for the greed of getting the BENJAMINS!"
Tonya E. A.K.A. Miss Right Now Inc. (www.missrightnowinc.com) located in Westchester, New York is an entertainment company, striving to bring back the essence of artist development in all areas of the entertainment field.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities regarding "The No Curse Tour 2006," please call 718-907-0655 or visit the website at www.missrightnowinc.com
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com 3/17/06) - Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, accomplished stage actress, will star in Where Eagles Fly, a play celebrating a community's rich history and tradition at the Lincoln Theater from March 30th through April 19th. The play, written by local playwright Carole Mumin, illustrates the importance of preserving and passing along the legacies of the communities in which we live. Ms. Stickney will portray, Ma Brown, a mainstay in the Shaw Community. The play uses music, dance, and verse to tell the story of the rich legacy of Shaw.
Where Eagles Fly unfolds through the eyes of Ma Brown while her granddaughter stays with her while attending Howard University. Ma Brown's granddaughter insists that Ma Brown move to a safer part of town. Ma Brown imparts the history of the neighborhood that has always been a vibrant and supportive community for African Americans to her granddaughter.
Ms. Stickney made her television debut in the ABC mini-series "The Women of Brewster Place" which also starred Oprah Winfrey and Cicely Tyson. She also appeared in the ABC sitcom "New Attitude" as the Afro-centric character Yvonne, with co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph. Phyllis also performed in George C. Wolfe's "The Colored Museum" on PBS' "Great Performances" and HBO's "The History of Black's in Comedy." Ms. Stickney also portrayed the character "Yvette" in the Showtime sitcom "Lincs."
A impressive list of Ms. Stickney's motion picture credits include "New Jack City," "Jungle Fever," "The Autobiography of Malcom X", "What's Love Got To Do With It," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," and "Die Hard With a Vengeance."
"The play is 'nothing short of a labor of love'," according to Mumin. When the play premiered at the Lincoln Theater 10 years ago, it was the result of an oral history project through a grant from the D.C. Humanities Council to the Shaw Project Area Committee. "So many people felt so good about themselves when the play was over," she said.
Historically, Shaw has been home to many African-American scholars, educators, writers and performing artists such as Mary McLeod Bethune, Carter G. Woodson, Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington.
Carole Mumin and her husband, Ibrahim Mumin, have a history of pride and participation in their community of Shaw. Both have received distinguished awards for their leadership and dedication, including Parents of the Year in 1998 from the National Parents' Day Foundation and Family of the Year in 1984 from the Honorable Reverend Walter E. Fauntroy.
A native of Washington, DC, Carole is a founder and the President of OFT/ON, Inc. and playwright of Where Eagles Fly and other plays, including Ghosts, Bogeymen and the Present and The Prime of My Life. She was asked to write a chapter in Jim Castelli's book on different religions and their prayers, How I Pray. She serves on several non-profit boards, including Youth Organizations United to Rise, and was a founding member of the U Street Theatre Foundation. Her achievements have been recognized by Jet Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and Who's Who in Black America. In addition, she has received scholarships from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Multi-media Training Institute. She also worked as an aide in the White House during the Johnson, Nixon, and Carter Administrations.
Ibrahim is founder and principal of Mumin & Associates, a community economic development, management, and public relations consulting company. He works with Carole on OFT/ON's ongoing programs as a Senior Consultant and as Executive Producer with Mumin Productions. He is the Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Region for Justice and Inclusion, formerly the National Conference for Community and Justice, an organization that works against bigotry, racism and prejudice. In 1984, Ibrahim received a recognition resolution by a unanimous vote of the D.C. Council for his community building work.
He is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Marriott Hospitality Public Charter High School; a Member of Leadership Washington. He was part of the community support that helped to secure the approval of the New Washington Convention Center in Shaw. He also completed Leadership for the 21st Century conducted by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Mayor Anthony Williams; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; Doyle Mitchell, President, Industrial Bank; The Honorable Jack Evans, DC City Council; The Honorable Jim Graham, DC City Council; The Honorable Kwame Brown, DC City Council; Dorothy McSweeny, Chair of the DC Arts & Humanities Council; John Tydings, President Emeritus, Greater Washington Board of Trade; Barbara Lang, President, D.C. Chamber of Commerce; Emily Durso, President, Washington DC Hotel Association; Thomas Mobley, CEO, Washington Convention Center Authority; William Hanbury, Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation; Herbert & Patrice Miller, Western Development Corporation; Adrian Branch, Color Commentator; NBA Bobcats; American Express; Fannie Mae Foundation; Phillip L. Graham Fund; Washington Gas and The Meltzer Group.
For additional information about the play, its running dates and to purchase tickets, visit www.whereeaglesflyllc.com or call 202-939-0560.
En Sound Radio Rocks the Globe With Listeners From Over 65 Countries
Internet Radio Network Spins Indie Artists Mainstream Radio Ignores
Bronx, NY (BlackNews.com) - (1/12/06). Over the last five years, En Sound online radio has been providing a worldwide forum for unsigned and independent gospel recording artists. Within the last year alone, the www.ensoundentertainment.com site has experienced massive growth and received over 2.5 million hits.
The station has regular online listeners in over 65 countries and spins virtually every type of gospel music including: urban, reggae, soca, Holy Hip Hop, CCM, traditional and Jazz. One of the first platforms of its kind for unsigned artists; the artists are profiled, interviewed and celebrated on this channel and can even listen to the music on their cell phones.
In a further step to recognize indie artists, En Sound Entertainment has announced its first annual En Sound Music Awards (ESMA). The indie star-studded event will take place on Saturday August 19, 2006, at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark, NJ. Awards will be handed out in several categories including: Best Female Vocalist, Best Male Vocalist, Favorite Choir, Favorite Group, Best Holy Hip Hop Artist, Best Traditional Gospel Artist, and Best Caribbean Gospel Artist, among others.
"The purpose of the ESMA is to honor and bring more exposure to independent gospel recording artists," says En Sound Entertainment's founder, Delroy Souden, who got the idea for the awards program four years ago while he was watching the Grammy Awards on television. "I believe having such an awards program would boost the moral of these artists who sometimes spend their last dime to produce their recordings and get discouraged shortly thereafter because they can't get them played on the radio and because retail stores won't stock them."
Unsigned artists are encouraged to send their media kits and cds to be reviewed for airplay on the station to:
En Sound Entertainment
P.O. Box 319
Bronx, NY 10453
For more details, visit the web site at:
www.ensoundentertainment.com
Cynthia Foreman, Playwright/Actress
7-1-05. Oakland, CA (BlackNews.com) - Cynthia Foreman is expanding her borders both as an actress and playwright by starring in "Bruised, But Not Broken" at the presitigous National Black Theatre Festival August 1 - 6th, 2005 in Winston-Salem, NC. "Bruised, but Not Broken" is a riveting one-woman performance that chronicles Ms. Foreman's life from her winning the title of Miss Black Teenage America at fifteen years old...through her marrying Heavyweight Champion of the World, George Foreman...to her overcoming the nightmare which her life eventually became.
Ms. Foreman will be guided in her performance by Ron Stacker Thompson. As a writer and a director for stage, Mr. Thompson has mounted productions at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, The Henry Street Playhouse and AMAS Theatres in New York, as well as four prior productions at The National Black Theatre Festival. His numerous awards include the NAACP Image Awards, Cable Ace Awards, Audelco Awards, and a Bay Area Critics Circle Award.
Ms. Foreman debuted in "Bruised, But Not Broken" at the Encore Theatre in Houston, Texas. Since then she has been tugging at the heart strings of sellout audiences, making them laugh, cry, and feel all of the emotions that she has experienced in her amazing life. Bruised, But Not Broken is her uplifting story of redemption and truimph in spite of circumstances, conditions and trials.
For the performance schedule, visit the National Black Theatre Festival website at www.NBTF.org
Distributed through BlackPR.com and BlackNews.com
PERFORMANCES BY JANET JACKSON, OUTKAST & USHER CRANK UP BET AWARDS '04 AS MO'NIQUE HOSTS - Beyonce, Outkast, Usher and Lil Jon Lead Nominations as BET Invades the Kodak Theatre for Star-Studded Live Telecast Featuring Today's Brightest Stars. Humanitarian Honoree Danny Glover and Lifetime Achievement Recipients The Isley Brothers Headline Parade of Honorees
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OMARION GRANDBERRY TO STAR IN FAT ALBERT; GRANDBERRY TO PLAY REGGIE IN THE FOX FEATURE FILM - GRANDBERRY'S SOLO ALBUM SET FOR RELEASE THIS FALL ON T.U.G./ EPIC RECORDS; ALBUM TO BE THE FIRST SOLO ALBUM FOR THE FORMER B2K SUPERSTAR
Actor Paul Winfield Dies of Heart Attack
NEW GAMING WEBSITE FOCUSES ON AFRICAN AMERICAN CONSUMERS - Black online users are expected to grow at double the rate of whites through 2007
FIRST ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL FESTIVAL COMES TO THE EAST END
Police Probe Into DJ Jam Master Jay's Shooting Death Leads No Where
Luther Vandross Suffers Stroke
Chili and T-Boz's Last Show as TLC
L.A. Shooting Targets Snoop Dogg
Rapper Jay-Z Sets Reebok Record
(6/3/04) The firestorm continues over remarks Bill Cosby made three weeks ago at a celebration of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The comedian criticized segments of the black community about issues ranging from out-of-wedlock births to literacy.
Detractors have charged that Cosby's comments were elitist. Many responded that the remarks were insensitive and judgmental. Others expressed concern that this airing of the black community's dirty laundry will only arm conservatives with more ammunition in their effort to roll back civil rights. Those who missed the point - that black people need to begin taking responsibility for their personal lives and stop blaming the white man -- have insisted that 'The Cos' should have admitted that discrimination still exists.
Black conservatives, of course, have levied similar criticisms as Cosby for years and, for their troubles, the left has lambasted them. Precisely why I found the reaction of Dr. Cornel West, professor of Black Studies at Princeton University, so interesting. During a radio interview, West explained that the painful truth of Cosby's remarks must be put into the context of who Cosby is (or more accurately, who he is not). He noted that Cosby has been a friend of the peoples' struggle for years. His words, therefore, were spoken out of great compassion. "We know he is not from the right wing. He is not Clarence Thomas," West intoned.
The issue then is not correct or incorrect or as some would have it, left versus right. It is not a question of class, but about how to speak truth with compassion. According to West, the arguments of black conservatives would have been met with less derision had they only reasoned using more tenderness.
Fifteen years ago Shelby Steele published the award winning book "The Content of our Character." He quickly became the whipping boy of black "progressives" who took umbrage with his challenge to black people to abandon the pride of victimization. But Steele's book is filled with faith in our human capacity to seize opportunity as individuals in order to uplift the black race. He writes: "Uplift can only come when many millions of blacks seize the possibilities inside the sphere of their personal lives and use them to take themselves forward." If I didn't know any better I would swear I was listening to Cosby at the NAACP gala.
In the same vein, the left has mercilessly hammered Ward Connerly because of his opposition to affirmative action preferences. Connerly, however, does not oppose preferences simply because he wants to deny opportunity to minorities. Connerly "believes that hard working, high achieving women and minorities should not have to live under the cloud of affirmative action and it's insulting premise that we are incapable of winning in an open competition." The same is true of favorite villain Clarence Thomas who says, "These kids are bright, they are capable. For the life of me, why don't we tell them the same thing we tell all the other kids in our society." It's not Shakespeare, but it sounds like love to me. The fact is that the painful truth Cosby spoke was no truer and no more empathetic than that spoken by conservatives like Steele, Connerly, and yes, Clarence Thomas.
Cosby's critics may be gentler in their rebuke of him because he's their political bedfellow. Their quarrel with him though is very much ideological. They may be loathe to admit it, but like black conservatives, Cosby has apparently grown tired of the worn-out notion that until the last vestige of racism is eradicated black success is impossible and any success black people do attain is either the result of luck or the benevolence of others.
Joseph C. Phillips is an actor/writer with a conservative bent based in Los Angeles. His column appears regularly in several newspapers and he is a regular commentator on the Tavis smiley radio show on NPR and has a book due out from Running Press next October. Contact him at: Joseph@josephcphillips.com
(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)
David Ramsey, Freda Payne, Howard Hewitt, Dawnn
Lewis and James Avery
Los Angeles, CA - (BlackNews.com/BlackPR.com) - (2/19/04). A coalition of prominent African American organizations and leaders are demanding that the American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) remove entertainer Justin Timberlake as co-host of "Motown 45," the upcoming ABC-TV special. Outraged over the selection of Timberlake to co-host this musical celebration, the coalition is launching a national e-mail, fax and phone campaign against ABC to protest Timberlake's inclusion in the Motown tribute.
Motown has a proud and historic legacy of being one of America's greatest musical institutions. It has launched the careers of some of the most prominent African American artists in recording history including Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Four Tops, The Commodores, Lionel Ritchie, The Tempations and the Jackson Five. "The selection of Timberlake as co-host of this Motown special is a cultural insult to the black community," says Najee Ali, Executive Director, Project Islamic HOPE. "This special, celebrating the success of the legendary music label, should not be compromised in the pursuit of a crossover audience."
In addition, Timberlake's recent handling of the Super Bowl incident has been met with harsh criticism in the black community. He immediately distanced himself following his performance with Janet Jackson and failed to accept his responsibility in the "wardrobe malfunction." "I mean I was completely shocked and appalled, and all I could say was, 'Oh, my God, Oh, my God,'" Timberlake told reporters at a recent Grammy rehearsal.
"We cannot support Justin Timberlake co-hosting Motown 45," says Ali. "We are asking concerned citizens to call, fax and email ABC-TV in protest."
Call (818) 460-7777, e-mail and send your letters to:
Alex Wallau
President
ABC Television Network
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
alex.wallau@abc.com
Lloyd Braun
Chairman
ABC Entertainment Television Group
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
lloyd.braun@abc.com
Andrea Wong
Senior Vice President
Alternative Series and Specials
ABC Entertainment
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
andrea.wong@abc.com
(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)
1-16-03. Grammy-nominated rapper Mystikal, 33, of Louisiana was sentenced to six years in prison for forcing sexual acts to be performed by his hair stylist. He pled guilty to charges that he, along with two bodyguards, forced the performance of oral sex on the victim. They accused her of stealing $80,000 worth of checks. According to the judge, Tony Marabella, a videotape of the acts show that she terrorized and “the court is convinced that the defendant believes he is above the law and can take the law into his own hands.” The bodyguards, Leland “Pokie” Ellis and Vercy “V” Carter, received three and four years, respectively.
Mystikal’s real name is Michael Tyler. He has paid the woman $350,000 as an effort to make up for the distress caused.
Reprinted from www.oprah.com Press Room
(8-25-03). Brigit Jackson's last performance was at this year's New York International Film/Music Festival at NYC Madison Square Garden. The songs "Change" and "Dance with Me" are already getting one to two spins a day in Baltimore, Maryland on www.92qjams.com and wy2k what1690 am in Springfield, Illinois.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, this singer/songwriter has a captivating voice and sings R&B, rap, pop/rock, and country. Jackson resides in the Atlanta area and has recently completed her first demo CD featuring songs she wrote and co-produced.
Her Web site, where you can listen to song clips is www.brigitjackson.com.
NEW GAMING WEBSITE FOCUSES ON AFRICAN AMERICAN CONSUMERS
Columbia, MD - (10-28-03). AAGamer.com is a fresh new face on the burgeoning gaming landscape that is long overdue. Researchers have hailed video, PC (personal computer) and online games as a new entertainment culture that integrates animation, movies, books and toys.
A recent national study commissioned by America Online (Digital Marketing Services, Inc.) revealed that playing games online is one of the top three activities for African-Americans. Yet the perspectives of African American consumers are either missing or misrepresented in many of the video and PC games being developed today.
"Game developers, publishers and marketers need to know that when it comes to game plots and characters, heroes and heroines, villains and virgins that black consumers often have a unique outlook," says Roderick Weldon Woodruff, VP Marketing and co-founder of AAGamer. "Cultural sensitivities should be acknowledged from development to marketing of the game product."
African-Americans represent a huge segment of the video and PC game market. Target Market News reports in its 2002 report that black households earn $631 billion annually and that they spend $1.9 billion of that yearly on toys, games and pets.
Stop in any barbershop in the black community on a Saturday afternoon and you're likely to find a brother animatedly boasting about how he just dogged an opponent in Madden NFL 2004, a popular new video and PC game that can be played online. The Super Bowl may come in January, but it's always hot when brothers are at play on the X-Box, GameCube or PlayStation 2. African Americans have a unique and identifiable game style and language.
Says Woodruff: "A void has long existed in the development and marketing of video and PC games, even though we represent a viable segment of that market. And this will persist unless we make our voices heard. AAGamer begins to fill this void by providing game reviews, editorials, polls and forums tailored to African American consumers."
Woodruff and his spouse, New York Times best-selling author Connie Briscoe, are the founders of AAGamer. Some of the game writers who contribute to AAGamer include George Jones, former editor-in-chief of Computer Gaming World, Damon Brown, who has written for The Source, IGN.com, Gamasutra, MSN.com and other media, and Kayode James, content manager for the Gamer's Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
AAGamer is a registered trademark of BLAXCOM, Blax Communications Holdings Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)
FORMER LAPD OFFICER SURVIVES RIOTS, SCANDAL AND VIOLENT ATTACKS TO BECOME ONE OF LA's HOTTEST BLACK PROMOTERS
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The month of November is as follows: Networking: Dinner & Live Show - House Band Dwayne August & Friends: Tribute to the Late Hank Gathers - With the 1990 LMU Basketball Team as the invited guests: |
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Los Angeles, CA - (10-28-03) Former LAPD Officer, now CEO/Founder of Versatile Productions Inc., Joe Jones, who hosts the hottest event in Los Angeles for the 25 and over professional, 'The LA Social Club' (aka 2nd Fridays), can only gasp a sigh of relief when asked about he experience as an LAPD Officer. "Let's say my experience was some days like hell. My house was viciously attacked by unknown assailants; I had several close friends murdered in separate incidents. The Riots, the OJ case, not to mention the Rafael Perez and David Mack situation, known as the 'Rampart Scandal'. They were all circumstances that hit home." "As a kid growing up you believe that the system, i.e. the police department, the courts, etc., was designed to protect the innocent. Let's just say from my experience that I found there is good and bad in everything. Being honest my true passion was baseball. In 1985 I was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball team but opted to finish my education at Cal State Dominguez Hills where I played in the College World Series." When Jones' dream was sidetracked due to injury he had to have something to fall back on. So he was led to police work by his good friend Ralph Durham. "It's funny, throughout the entire time at some point I knew I would be involved in promotions or own a night club because my Dad owned a banquet room called 'The Joneses' Patio' back in the early 70's. I thought then, Music, fun and good people. That's the way to make a living." The road to promotions was a bumpy one. "Actually when I was dealing with financial problems and litigation created by the LAPD, promotions kept me alive and sane through the tough times. I went on hiatus for a couple of years, but I'm glad to be back; still serving the people, although in a different way." You can attend The LA Social Club (2nd Fridays) 6th year anniversary and birthday celebration for Joe Jones on Friday November 14, 2003 - from 7 pm to 2 am - at the Friar's Club in Beverly Hills at 9900 Little Santa Monica Blvd. Each month over 700 of LA's sexiest Professionals attend the event which features, networking, live jazz and R&B, dining and dancing to LA's hottest DJs. |
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Dancing to LA's Hottest DJ's - Featuring the Battle of the DJ's: Date: Friday November 14, 2003 Where: The Friar's Club in Beverly Hills, 9900 Little Santa Monica Blvd (2 blocks north of Wilshire next to the Peninsula Hotel) Time: 7 pm - 2 am Music: Live Jazz and R&B, Live DJ Cover: $20 general admission; $15 on guest list before 10:30 pm Dress: To get on the guest list, e-mail guest@thelasocialclub.com or call (323) 878-2211. Also visit www.thelasocialclub.com |
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New York, NY - (9/5/03). The Miss Black New York USA will be accepting applications and fees from contestants through to deadline date, November 1, 2003. Contestants must be United States citizens, single (unmarried) females between the ages of 18 and 27 at time of competition. In addition, contestants must be residents of the state of New York.
The state competition is traditionally held each year between October and March. The 2004 Miss Black New York USA Pageant will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2004. The national competition will be in August 2004. The nationally televised event showcases the best of African-American womanhood from all fifty states and the US Virgin Islands.
Contestants of the state pageant will have the opportunity to win not only the official Miss Black New York USA Crown and embroidered sash, but a coveted College Scholarship, together with an all expenses paid vacation, a one year membership to a fitness club, a complimentary photography session, and many more great prizes to be announced.
The Miss Black New York USA Pageant aims to give young, talented African-American women a platform to impact their community while gaining statewide and national exposure. It is an opportunity for these young women to obtain a sense of well-being and self-confidence by competing for a prestigious title that will continue to enhance their lives.
Established in 1986, the Miss Black USA Scholarship and Development Foundation has been the preeminent pageant for women of color. Since that time, ten titleholders, hundreds of state titleholders and thousands of local contenders have made The Miss Black USA Pageant a national tradition.
The Miss Black USA Organization is a non-profit entity designed to develop, celebrate, and assist with the educational goals of African-American women. The Miss Black USA Organization believes minority women should be economically empowered, politically astute, spiritually centered, and civic minded. Their mission and daily activities support that development process.
The official website for the Miss Black USA Organization is: www.missblackusa.org
For Further Information Contact:
Publicity: ACM PR
A.C. McLean
TEL: (312) 373-1778
Electronic Mail: acm@acmpr.com
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A MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY GROWS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY
Minority-owned company continues to enhance cell phone experience
Brooklyn, NY - (9/8/03) Mobile content is extremely popular and a huge success in Europe, and the Pacific Rim. Mobile entertainment, in its 5th year, is receiving a growing acceptance in North America. Ringtones, logos, SMS (simple messaging service) or text messaging are common characteristics of a cell phones, but new handsets with color screens offer a multimedia experience.
There is one minority owned and controlled startup company in Fort Lee, New Jersey that is taking bold steps to make its presence felt in this new marketplace by launching a new content site Gigavue.net that is pronounced phonetically Gee-Ga-View, that extends better quality of Monophonic and Polyphonic Ringtones, plus games, graphics, logos, real tones, message tones and applications that are affordable.
"There are real and great opportunities in this space and we intend to position ourselves to get a piece of the maturing mobile entertainment market," said co-founder Jason Wint. The practical applications of mobile entertainment is that it is a value added service to copyright owners, record labels, film companies, Performance Right Societies, wireless operators like Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Cingular, Nextel and T-Mobile and cell phone manufacturers.
WNP (wireless number portability) was written into wireless operators policies since 1997, it simply means that, if a consumer is not happy with the service then that person could switch companies and take their phone number and handset, new or old, to another wireless operator for free. When WNP was enforced in Europe a few years ago some wireless operators closed down, because of a very high churn rate, people switched companies due to their dissatisfaction with the service that they were given. WNP will be enforced in the United States on November 23rd 2003.
"We are in our early stages, but based on the research from our previous test site, in which it generated close to half a million unique visitors, 35,000 average visitors a week and 5,000 per day within the duration of 2 and half months. We have built a better mousetrap, because within six (6) hours of the new web site being up we received 55,000 hits and over the weekend we accumulated 150,000 without any promotion and advertisement and orders were placed. We are poised for strategic partnerships and expansion funding," said Jason Wint.
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BHERC IS LOOKING FOR BLACK ACTORS FROM THE 1930'S AND 1940'S FOR HISTORIC GATHERING THIS FALL
"A Great Day in Black Hollywood" to Kick-Off 10th Annual African-American Film Marketplace and S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase
Los Angeles, CA - (9/3/03). The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization, is looking for black actors from the 1930's and 1940's for a historic gathering. Inspired by the famous "A Great Day in Harlem" photo of legendary jazz players, "A Great Day in Black Hollywood" will assemble & recognize these living legends.
"The BHERC has established itself as one of the only organizations in the country whose mission includes preserving the history of Blacks in film and television. 'A Great Day in Black Hollywood' is an appropriate tribute to the legends of the 1930's and 40's who paved the way for today's African-American stars and haven't received the recognition they deserve," said Sandra Evers-Manly, President
"A Great Day in Black Hollywood" will take place as part of the 10th Annual African-American Film Marketplace and S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase. The Film Festival will showcase over 25 short films by today's finest emerging African-American filmmakers and will be held at Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles from November 13-16.
"A Great Day in Black Hollywood" prospective participants are encouraged to call (323) 967-4747 by October 24 for details.
Founded in 1996, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of Blacks in film and television. The Center's commitment to the development of future filmmakers - performers, directors, and behind-the-scenes technicians and workers - is realized not only through film festivals but through innovative educational and outreach programs, such as Artistry in Motion, a seminar to introduce middle and high school students to the magical world of animation and The First Weekend Club. www.bherc.org
For interviews, artwork and general press inquiries, contact:
Tiffany Morrison
Lane Marketing
4859 W. Slauson Ave, #177
LA, CA 90056
323.293.5617, 323.293.5020 fax
tiffany@lanemktg.com
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FIRST ANNUAL AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL FESTIVAL COMES TO THE EAST END
Festival starts in New York and plans to expand nationwide
Long Island, NY - (9/4/03). The 1st Annual African American Educational & Cultural Festival will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2003 from 10am to 5pm at the Peconic Riverfront in Riverhead, Long Island, New York. This "Historical" Event will have Musical & Theatrical Acts, Gospel Hour, Black Films, Story telling & History Quiz, Baby & Teen Pageant, Keynote Speakers from Science & Technology to the Department of Education, College Recruiters, Culinary Demonstrations, Food & Craft Vendors and Much, Much, More. One Day Only. Free Admission & Music. Power 105.1FM & Walk 97.5FM, Clear Channel Radio will be present at the Event. The Opening Ceremony starts at 10am. Performances by Epic Records Recording Artist, Rapper Nazkar (Performed with B2K), The Original Blues Man Sam Taylor. A Gospel Hour ends the Festival. Performances by the Venettes Cultural Dance Workshop as well as Black Films and Documentaries will be enjoyed by all at the Vail Leavitt Music Theatre. There will be a $15.00 Donation for Adults & $10.00 Donation for Children under 12 for these performances.
Immediately following the Festival at 6pm will be a Teen Talent Search at the East End Square Club (aka Club 91). Celebrity Host from Power 105.1FM and Judges representing Sony Records, Def Jam Records, MCA Records, Interscope, Records, WBPE Radio Show, and Strong Island G Biz Magazine.
For Additional Information:
Applications for the Pageants are available by calling: 631-208-1739/ 917-682-3791 or logging on to: www.theaaecf.com
Applications for the Teen Talent Search are available by calling: 631-208-1739/917-682-3791 or logging on to: www.BeyondPlatinum.net
Please come out and support this "History in the making" Event! To Benefit: The House of Praise College Scholarship Fund & The Vail Leavitt Music Theatre Renovation Fund
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VERNON NEILLY JOINS JAZZ LEGENDS ON CD COMPILATION TO BENEFIT BREAST CANCER
Los Angeles, CA - (8-21-03). Vernon Neilly, Boosweet Records CEO/President and also a recording artist under the label, recently joined the ranks of jazz legends and luminaries by adding a track from his current CD release G-Fire to the compilation CD titled In Celebration Of Life. This double CD set to aid the Italian American Breast Cancer Organization features such jazz icons as, Tony Bennett, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Sarah Vaughn, Terry Lyn Carrington, Kevin Eubanks band leader of "The Tonight Show", Miles Davis, Bille Holiday, Mel Torme, and Steve Lawrence just to mention a few. In a recent interview Vernon discussed how great he felt about being included on this project by saying, "It is a pleasure to be a part of a musical project such as this that benefits a worthy cause that can help many, many people. It's also an honor to be a part of this group of stellar entertainers who I grew up listening to, and admiring."
The cost of the 34-track double CD box set of jazz music with a 52 page booklet and a poster of NYC is $29.95 with 41% going directly to the cancer foundation, with other proceeds garnished out to other noteworthy initiatives, such as supporting the Performing Arts.
The "In Celebration of Life" album will be available from all jazz record stores located throughout NYC upon its release on August 26, 2003. Should you require any further information please contact: Gerry van den Berg at Showgigs.com
Vernon Neilly is a hot commodity these days as he is currently being featured in the national music publication Music Connection Magazine where he speaks about his label Boosweet Records, and his latest Smooth Jazz/Jazz Fusion release G-Fire. G-Fire which features Neilly, Morris O' Connor guitarist for Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, Kevin Chokan musical director for Diana Ross also guitarist with Jeffrey Osborne, and Brazilian guitar wizard Miguel Mega, has taken off and is getting much attention after only 3 weeks out. National radio play for G-Fire commences September at Smooth Jazz stations all over the US, and is already being played at hundreds of college and NPR stations across the nation. Neilly and G-Fire are also currently featured in the Baltimore Times, and recently the Miami Herald's "Bahamas Edition" in a very detailed interview with reporter Cara Brennan.
Sales of G-Fire have been zooming this month and the CD can be found at Tower Records retail, and online at Tower.com, Amazon.com, Cdnow.com, Boosweet.com, Guitar9.com, Cdbaby.com an other online retailers. For more information about Vernon Neilly or G-Fire, contact Boosweet Records at info@boosweet.com, by phone at (310)613-3535.
African-American Female Entrepreneur Wants To Promote The Beauty of Preserving Black Hair
Atlanta, GA - After attending a Historically Black College, entrepreneur Fatima Sokera became inspired to launch FBB. Incorporated and create the revolutionary hair product TAKE DOWN®. The product helps detangle hair and aids in the fast and easy removal of braids, weaves and dreadlocks. TAKE DOWN® Hair products are helping to prevent African-American women from damaging and/or losing their hair when removing braids, bonding glue, sew-in-weaves, quick weaves, infusion, hair extensions and dreadlocks. Solving the removal problems when taking down these hairstyles is not an easy task.
Fatima Sokera, and her staff, travel both domestically and internationally educating and motivating women on why they must and how they can save their hair. In promotional efforts, TAKE DOWN® Hair products is running a contest in the present anniversary issue of Vibe Magazine. The contest calls for creative talent to promote the beauty of maintaining and preserving Black hair- by submitting a 15-30 second video commercial. The winner of the contest will receive $750.00 and their commercial will be used in both national and international marketing.
Sokera comments, "the contest allows women and men of color to creatively educate (via entertainment), consumers and us as manufacturers on their opinions and feelings about the importance of preserving the beauty of our hair."
Unfortunately, across the globe, Black females are thinning and balding from snatching the glue out of their hair and ripping braids out of their hair, without combing through the knots and tangles at the root of the hair. Sokera adds, "If we truly cared about the beauty of our hair we would not continue to self-inflict damage to our God given crowns. The goal of this contest is to generate more concern and love for preserving black hair. I truly hope all the contestants make us feel and understand this whether it be through song, spoken word, rap, or acting."
All contest details can be found in the anniversary issue of Vibe Magazine. The deadline is October 15, 2003.
For more information contact FBB Incorporated at (770) 424-8189. Email takedown1@hotmail.com or visit www.takedownproducts.net
4-26-03. Television networks will be adding black and white cross-over characters to their show's line-ups in an effort to diversify their shows and audiences. According to Nielsen ratings, the most watched network varies by race. UPN is watched more in African-American homes while NBC is mostly watched in White ones. No UPN shows appeared in the Top 10 for White households, and only one NBC show appeared in African-American's Top 10-"Law and Order." One theory for this discrepancy is money. Scott Sassa, former NBC West Coast President, said that "NBC is the place to buy if you're selling to people who actually shop, not shoplift." His statement is questionable, because despite NBC's overall number one status and high-paying advertisers, African-Americans are some of the nation's biggest spenders, especially on women's fashions, CDs, DVDs, and cars.
NBC's hottest show, "Friends," has had an all-White cast for the last nine years. This has fueled controversy since New York City is one of the most multicultural. Starting April 24, Aisha Tyler, comedian/actress will join the cast as its first African-American actress with a leading role. She will star as a fossil expert who sparks a love triangle between Ross (David Schwimmer) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc), somewhat like the character Gabrielle Union played in a couple of episodes after the NAACP's 2001 push for more ethnicity on television. Taye Diggs will be joining NBC's "West Wing" for a few episodes.
FOX and the WB jumpstarted their networks with urban-themed shows like "In Living Color," "Martin," and "The Jamie Foxx Show." After gaining a vaster audience, they have dropped those type of line-ups. Today, UPN is the only network with a block of series featuring all-black casts, will be adding White characters to its urban-flavored programming. "One on One" starring Flex Alexander, a comedy about a single dad raising a sixteen-year-old daughter, has added White characters-a White boyfriend and a White boss. "Girlfriends" starring Tracy Ross, one of Diana Ross' daughters, has added a White Jewish doctor for Toni, one of the four single African-American women that the sitcom revolves around, to date and become engaged to. This is supposed to be indicative of the plight of professional African-Amercan women-dating outside their race. "Abby" is about a bi-racial woman who regularly dates White guys.
In an effort to expand its programming and viewer base, UPN premiered "Platinum" on April 14. This drama centers around the raw world of hip-hop and two African-American brothers running a music label. According to Dawn Ostroff, UPN Entertainment President, "This is a very important show that we think will speak directly to our audience. We've been looking for a franchise drama that will click in, and we've tried many different things." The network has suffered from lack of focus with shows for five different audiences on five different nights. CBS President and Chief Executive, Leslie Moonves, says "there was the black-sitcom audience. Then there's the Buffy audience. There's the wrestling audience, the Star Trek audience and the action-movie audience. What we're trying to do slowly with a show like Platinum is to sort of bridge Monday and Tuesday night."
UPN's most popular night of programming is its Monday night line-up, that has grown in popularity among African-Americans attracted to the predominantly black casts and hip-hop references. This success has not transferred across the board. These shows are among the lowest rated among Whites. Platinum's hip-hop theme should attract vast viewers since 70 percent of the core purchasers of rap music CDs are White.
6-22-03. On his 54th birthday, Lionel Richie also celebrated receiving a Walk of Fame star on Hollywood Boulevard. The solo star, is an original member and lead singer of the Commodores. His solo hits include "Truly," "Hello," "Dancing on the Ceiling" and "All Night Long."
6-22-03. Hip hop mogul, Russel Simmons, was honored with an international arts award, the 11th Annual Montblanc Arts Patronage Award, for his contribution to urban youths through the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, founded by Simmons and his brothers in 1995. The foundation exposes urban youth to the arts and offers exhibition opportunities to underrepresented artists and artists of color.
6-22-03. William Marshall, 78, born in Gary, Indiana, died recently in a Los Angeles rest home. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease in recent years. Marshalls appeared in dozens of movies and TV series like "Star Trek" and "The Jeffersons." In the 1960s, he served as director at the Mufandi Institute in Watts where he taught acting workshops. He also taught at colleges. On stage, he portrayed singer Paul Robeson and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who he also played on television. His portrayal of the Moor in "Othello" was so good, the London Sunday Times called him "the best Othellof of our time." He modeled his character in the title role of the 70's film, "Blacula," and its sequel "Scream, Blacula, Scream!" after the original Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's novel.
6-3-03. 50 Cent, an underground rap artist who has blown up on the popular music scene, is in the middle of several rap feuds. 50 Cent, who tries so hard to be like the late legend Tupac Shakur, boasts wearing a bullet-proof vest, and has a miniature version for his son. 50 Cent claims that Ja Rule's career is over now that he is on the scene and the current "it" man. He accuses Ja Rule of always having a female sing his hooks and having boring tracks.
6-24-03. Music diva Diana Ross, 58, along with her attorney, Stephen Paul Barnard, appeared in municipal court and told the judge she was forced into taking a breathalizer test during a traffic stop. Ross has pleaded innocent to three DUI charges from December 30, 2002 and says "I felt a threatening tone from him. You know, like a command, a demand." According to police, she was unable to walk a straight line, fell whle trying to stand on one leg and count to ten, and had a blood alcohol level of .20 percent. The legal limit in Arizona is .08.
6-24-03. Lil' Kim, 27, female hip-hop artist / producer, had $250,000 worth of jewelry stolen, including her signature "Queen Bee" necklace, while en route at John F. Kennedy International Airport to Los Angelese for the BET awards show. A check-in counter error caused a carry-on bag filled with $500,000 worth of jewelry to be mixed in with eight other luggage pieces. The flight was delayed and the bag was recovered; however, all of the contents were not present.
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BET Founder Bob Johnson Wants Michael Jordan to Join Charlotte North Carolina’s New NBA Team5-8-03. Bob Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, has asked basketball legend, Michael Jordan to join his Charlotte expansion franchise. The two friends met at a Chicago Bulls game twelve years ago. According to Johnson, who purchased the yet-to-be-named team for $300 million, “absolutely I want him to be involved. He can play any role he wants to play, frankly.” Jordan is being shopped around by his representatives to other franchises, including the Chicago Bulls, whom he played for 13 years and the Atlanta Hawks, who are for sale.
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5-8-03. Bob Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, has asked basketball legend, Michael Jordan to join his Charlotte expansion franchise. The two friends met at a Chicago Bulls game twelve years ago. According to Johnson, who purchased the yet-to-be-named team for $300 million, “absolutely I want him to be involved. He can play any role he wants to play, frankly.”
Jordan is being shopped around by his representatives to other franchises, including the Chicago Bulls, whom he played for 13 years and the Atlanta Hawks, who are for sale. Whitney Houston's Dianne Sawyer Interview on ABC - Whitney Admits Drug Abuse
On December 4, 2002, pop diva Whitney Houston, 39, will admit on ABC's Dianne Sawyer that she has dabbled dangerously in drugs and come close to overdosing deaths. Houston also states that she is addicted to "making love" and will stick out her rocky marriage with former New Edition member and solo R&B artist, Bobby Brown because "love is where you find it. And I found it in him. And he found it in me."
Houston insists that "I'm not a person who wants to die. I'm a person who has life and wants to live . . . I don't like to think of myself addicted. I like to think . . . I had a bad habit . . . which can be broken." Her new album, Just Whitney, is scheduled for release on December 10.
In the Dianne Sawyer interview, Whitney Houston admits to days-long binges where "I partied my tail off. You get to the point where . . .the party's over." She alludes to having abused alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and pills at times.
Houston, who was brought up in the church and was a devout Christian says prayer will get her through this because she is on the right path and Jesus loves her.
In the past, rumors flared about Whitney's alleged drug addiction after missing and bungling shows like the Michael Jackson Madison Square Garden event where she appeared "skeletal" and high on drug. Despite weight loss rumors because of anorexia or bulimia, Houston insists "I am not sick. Let' s get that straight. I've always been a thin girl. I am not going to be fat, ever."
Bobby Brown, 33, who also appears in the Dianne Sawyer interview, admits to marijuana use for his bipolar disorder.
10-31-02. Jam Master Jay, DJ of Run-DMC, 37, was fatally shot in the head in Queens on October 30 at a Merrick Boulevard studio, near the neighborhood he grew up in. Urieco Rincon, 25, was also shot in the leg. Five other people in the studio at the time remain unharmed. Police are investigating the murder which occurred around 7:30 p.m. Two men were buzzed into the second-floor studio, located above a restaurant and check-cashing business, shortly before shots were fired inside its lounge. No arrests have been made.
Jay's death is shocking because, however reminiscent it is of the shooting deaths of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., he, nor the group were associated with violence or the thug life. Run-DMC promote education and unity. In 1986, outraged by fatal L.A. gang violence, they called for a day of peace between warring gang members. They often let local musicians record for free at the studio and had remained in their old neighborhood as a way of giving back to the community.
Chuck D, founder of hip-hop group Public Enemy, is outraged at the continued senseless violence. He blames the record companies and advertising for perpetuating a violent climate. He says, "when it comes to us, we're disposable commodities."
Doctor Dre, a New York radio station D.J. and long-time friend of Jay said, "This is not a person who went out looking for trouble . . . He's known as a person that builds, that creates and is trying to make the right things happen.''
Funkmaster Flex said he was "such a good person. Sometimes when we talk about people passing away, sometimes you forget to say you miss a good person. ... For us who knew Jay and other artists who knew Jay, [he] may be one of the few people who embraced things that are new, from artists to DJs. He's one of the people from the early '80s who has a relationship with a lot of artists."
For almost two decades, Run DMC, consisting of Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), Run (Joseph Simmons) and DMC (Darryl McDaniels), have been touching the lives of people who love hip-hop. In 1983, they released their first single, "It's Like That" and "Sucker MC's." They introduced hip-hop to MTV with "Rock Box," King of Rock," "My Adidas," "It's Tricky," and "Walk This Way," while rockin' the gold chains, Adidas, and black jogging or leather suits; and are credited with starting the trend of combining rap with rock 'n' roll music. In early 2002, the rap trio was immortalized on Hollywood's Rock Walk. They also starred in the 1985 cult classic movie, "Krush Groove" and the 1988 "Tougher Than Leather." They recently completed a tour with Kid Rock and Aerosmith. They were scheduled to perform on Halloween at a Washington Wizards half-time show. They were also working on a 20th anniversary LP of their greatest hits, which would have been their eighth album. Run-DMC was like the Beatles of rap. According to Ice Cube, "they're the Rolling Stones of the rap game. They're pioneers. Run-DMC made rap emerge out of hip-hop to be the signature art."
Several of Run-DMC's songs boast about his DJ skills, like "Jam Master Jammin." Run stated in a 1988 interview that "We'll never have a band. That's our band." On his own, Jam Master Jay, signed Onyx to his JMJ Records imprint and helped produce their 1993 multi-platinum debut, Bacdaf-up.
Jam Master Jay, born on January 21, 1965, grew up in Hollis Queens, New York. He is survived by a wife and three kids. As they say, "The good always die young.'' Rest in Peace, your legacy will definitely live on through hip-hop's continued mass appeal and growth.
UPDATE: It has been reported that Left Eye was the driver of the Mitsubishi SUV that veered out of control around a curve and rolled over three or four times, finally resting upside down. The police say she was wearing a seatbelt. The fatal incident occurred in the small village of Roma. Luis Aguilar, a police spokesman says, "the car rolled for reasons that we still don't know, and that are being investigated."
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Sadly, on April 26, 2002, another one of our beloved urban music stars' life was tragically ended. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of the R&B/Hip-Hop Group, TLC, was killed instantly in a car accident in the Central American country of Honduras where she was vacationing. Seven other people were in the car, however, Left Eye was the only one injured and instantly killed. The location of the car wreck was not immediately known and it wa unclear whether or not Left Eye was wearing a seatbelt.
In a statement released by Diggit Entertainment, her band members, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas stated that "we had all grown up together and were as close as a family. Today we have truly lost our sister."
Antonio "L.A." Reid, president and CEO of Arista Records said, "No words can possibly express the sorrow and sadness I feel for this most devastating loss. Lisa was not only a gifted and talented musical inspiration, but more importantly, she was like a daughter to me. My thoughts and prayers are with Lisa's family and friends. Her legacy will be remembered forever."
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes would have turned 31 next month. Funeral arrangements are being made in Atlanta, Georgia.
Left Eye's official Web site is eyenetics.com
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Earlier this year, Left Eye launched her solo career with "Supernova," which was released internationally and due to hit the U.S. later. TLC was in the process of recording a new album. The original release date was August 14, however the single, "The Block Party," that was sent to radio in July did not do very well. Reportedly, she signed a deal with Suge Knight and Death Row Records to do a solo project under the pseudonym, "N.I.N.A." (New Identity Not Applicable).
Left Eye also founded the R&B trio "Blaque" with hits like "Bring It Home to Me," and was the host of the MTV daily show, "The Cut."
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TLC was the Grammy-winning group with hits like "Waterfall," "No Scrubs," and "Unpretty." Despite selling millions of records with their debut in 1992, they hit hard tims and filed for bankruptcy because of poorly structured recording contracts. Their third album, "FanMail" put them back on top. The Atlanta-based trio was one of the best-selling female groups in history. The group's debut occurred in 1992 with the hit "Oooooh. . . on the TLC Tip!" Their sophomore effort, "CrazySexyCool" went quadruple platinum, included the hit "Creep," and garnered them two of their four Grammy Awards. Known for its flashy videos, TLC also took home MTV Video awards. TLC's image was one of street savvy as well as sexiness as they matured. Their musical flavor was a mix of T-Boz's sultry vocals, Chilli's R&B sound, and Left Eye's bold rapping. They became a group after T-Boz and Left Eye collaborated with Pebbles and Dallas Austin, then later Chilli.
(September 1) -- Yesterday, the bereaved family of Aaliyah Dana Haughton, laid her to rest in New York amidst family, friends, and hundreds of fans.
A week later, it is still shocking to anyone who appreciated Aaliyah's musical and dance talent. Why would God take someone so young, who still had so many years to accomplish even greater things?
Yes, we mourned Tupac and Biggie; however, in a way, we could see that maybe the thug life they lead attributed to their demise. From all accounts, Aaliyah didn't appear to harbor violent tendencies and the message in her music was far from it.
There are those "haters" who cannot understand how so many people can mourn the loss of a singer who was not even mainstream yet; even going to the point of comparing her death to those of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr.
Her death seems more tragic than theirs. Perhaps because she was only 22 and a half years old. Perhaps, because, unlike them, she left a boyfriend and both parents to grieve her loss.
I have wondered all week long, why the death of a singer bothers me so much -- making me sick at the stomach, when I did not know her. Yes, I was a fan, but, still, why?
My final conclusion is that the tragic death of Aaliyah made me question my own mortality and time left on this earth. How would those I left behind feel about me? Who would take care of my child? Would I go to Heaven or Hell?
Tragic incidents like these, make us stop for a second from our hectic, day-to-day schedules of trying to make it in this world, and think about what is important. When was the last time you told your loved ones you loved them and how much they mean to you? This may all seem trite and cliche', but it is so true. The game of "What If" is something we should all try to avoid.
Live each day as if it is your last. Remember that God comes first in your life, then your family and friends. All of our days are numbered and no one knows what day will be their last.
The message in Aaliyah's passing is surely one that everyone should contemplate and reflect on.
Sincerely,
Ceci
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