Highlights from Last Issue . . .

AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST TO APPEAR ON PLAYHOUSE 22, A NEW BLACK FAMILY CHANNEL SERIES

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

The Original King of Comedy is Hitting the Theaters March 17th in His First Live Performance Since "The Kings of Comedy"...With No Profanity!

A unique mixture of love and laughter...Simply phenomenal! - Bishop T.D Jakes-

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.

ABOUT CODEBLACK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC.

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

Hollywood Power Broker Tracey Edmonds Discusses Her Entertainment Empire On Black Business Radio Series, Doin' It

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

WHO REALLY GOT SKILLS? CAN YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF WITHOUT USING ANY PROFANITY? TONYA E. AKA MISS RIGHT NOW INC. WANTS TO KNOW!

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 TO STAR IN "WHERE EAGLES FLY"

Play Celebrates the Rich History of the Shaw Community in the Nation's Capital

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.

About the producers

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.

Supporters of the play include:

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.

RODNEY JERKINS NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY

FIRST ANNUAL EN SOUND MUSIC AWARDS WILL TAKE PLACE AUGUST 19, 2006

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

THE MOVIE G OPENS IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE ON OCTOBER 28TH

The film stars Blair Underwood & Richard T. Jones

CYNTHIA FOREMAN APPEARS IN "BRUISED, BUT NOT BROKEN" AT THE PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL, AUGUST 1ST-6TH IN WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA

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

2004 Archives

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

* * *

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 Child Molestation Allegations Brought Against King of Pop

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

Singer Nina Simone Dies at 70

Chili and T-Boz's Last Show as TLC

L.A. Shooting Targets Snoop Dogg

Rapper Jay-Z Sets Reebok Record

THE COSBY FIRESTORM JUST WON'T DIE DOWN
By Joseph C. Phillips

Joseph C. Phillips starred in the hit series
The Cosby Show as Martin Kendall - Denise's
husband. Phillips has also starred in General
Hospital, Living Single, and The Parkers.

(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)

Jackson Case Much Bigger Than Jackson's Guilt or Innocence

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is a noted author of nine books about the African American experience in America. His numerous published articles appear in newspapers and magazines across the country as well as some of the most popular web sites on the Internet. He is a radio host and TV commentator. Mr. Hutchinson has received several awards for his writings.

Photo courtesy The Hutchinson Report

(4/26/04) Even before a Santa Barbara County grand jury indicted Michael Jackson, the child molestation case against him was certain to be much bigger than the one time king of pop's guilt or innocence. Last November, one of Jackson's brothers angrily threw down the gauntlet when he called the charges a legal lynching. The implication being that Jackson squirms on the legal hot seat because he is rich, successful, popular, and black. Then Jackson upped the ante when he claimed in a "60 Minutes" interview a month later that Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies manhandled him during his arrest. The sheriff's department quickly denied the charge. Family members, friends, and Jackson groupies rallied around Jackson, and accused Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon of waging a personal vendetta against Jackson.

But Jackson's Casper the ghost looking bleached skin, nose pinch job, eyeshade, and straight hair have always gotten tongues wagging and fueled tabloid gossip. The mad press scramble to get the latest dope on anything that moves in the Jackson case when the trial begins will almost certainly dwarf the press attention in the O.J. Simpson case.

Even if Jackson beats the charges, he has lost badly in the court of public opinion. The public has long memories and even longer tongues when it comes to the emotionally hyper-charged issue of child sexual abuse. The rumors, whispers and doubts that plagued him in the years before, and the decade after a multi-million dollar court settlement he made with a child sex accuser in 1993 will again plague him for years to come. But Jackson can't be absolved of blame for playing fast and loose with the public's justified horror of child sexual abuse. All it took was the still to be proven word of a 12 year old that Mike is a child molester and sex abuser, for former fans and a once fawning public to believe that a bleached black man who for years made his living grabbing his crotch before millions could do terrible things to children.

The reason is simple. Child molestation is the type of crime that even the mere allegation of a misdeed instantly ignites public outrage. Many prosecutors regard even the allegation of child molestation as a crime. Public rage at the legions of Catholic priests and church officials that for years blatantly and shamelessly hid behind their religious collars to commit heinous sex crimes has further fueled the deep revulsion against pedophiles.

Public super sensitivity about the Jackson case is also a reaction to the lingering guilt and shame over the fact that for many years courts and much of the public turned a blind eye to child abuse. But it's also a reaction to rich and famous celebrities such as Simpson, Martha Stewart, Enron and Tyco executives whom many feel use their wealth and fame to thumb their nose at the law and get away with misconduct.

Then there's the race card. Polls show that the Jackson case shapes of as Simpson redux. The majority of blacks think he's innocent, even say that he's been framed, and the majority of whites say he's guilty. Jackson stirred the race pot even more when Nation of Islam officials turned up at his legal team's press conferences, and his advisor's meeting. Muslim bodyguards will probably surround the Pop King at his upcoming court appearances. Though there's no evidence that they are anything other then one more ornament in Jackson's traveling ménage, they spruce up his credentials with some blacks as a black brother being dumped on by an unjust white legal system.

Child sexual abuse, however, is so fraught with public revulsion, that even many blacks that publicly are more than willing to give Jackson the benefit of the doubt, privately blast him for his seemingly unnatural fascination with boys. And mainstream black leaders have steered a wide berth around him. Leading members of the Congressional Black Caucus, for instance, openly snubbed Jackson during his whirlwind schmoozing political fend mending jaunt to the Capitol earlier this year. Earlier this month, a group of African diplomats in Washington D.C. vigorously protested the awarding of a humanitarian award to Jackson for his financial contributions to the AIDS fight in Africa.

Jackson has not been proven guilty of any child sex crimes and must have his day in court. The indictment is only the first round in the DA's quest to put him behind bars. Before anything like that happens there will be endless legal battles ahead. But given the intense emotions that surround him and the hot button issues in the case that stir public passions, the Jackson case will be much more than just another glitter celebrity case.

This article was contributed by The Hutchinson Report. Please visit the Web site at http://www.thehutchinsonreport.com/

"I SING 4 LUV" - THE HIT GOSPEL MUSICAL PLAY OF THE YEAR FEATURING AN ALL STAR CAST PREMIERS AT THE WILSHIRE EBELL THEATER

David Ramsey, Freda Payne, Howard Hewitt, Dawnn
Lewis and James Avery

BLACK LEADERS EXPRESS OUTRAGE OVER ABC-TV SELECTION OF JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AS CO-HOST OF "MOTOWN 45" SPECIAL

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)

Louisiana Rapper Mystikal Gets Six Years in Prison

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.

OPRAH'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FROM THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

LOS ANGELES, CA — On Sunday, January 11, 2004, Oprah Winfrey was named "Favorite Talk Show Host" at the 30th Annual People's Choice Awards. The following is her acceptance speech as seen on the televised broadcast:

"Well, ya know what? I feel like I should be giving this award to the people, to the people, to the people who have supported me for 18 years on the most amazing journey. I really do thank you all for voting for me. Thank you for us, the Harpo family who makes it all possible. I thank you for the opportunity to speak, and talk, and use my voice in a way that I believe is a force for something really good on the air. So I will continue to do that, and I thank you, people!"

Reprinted from www.oprah.com Press Room

ALFRE WOODARD TO STAR ON BROADWAY IN "DROWNING CROW" WITH AUNJANUE ELLIS, PETER FRANCIS JAMES, ANTHONY MACKIE
Anthony Mackie, Alfre Woodard star in DROWNING CROW on Broadway, opening February 19		Production Opens February 19th, 2004 At Manhattan Theatre Club's Biltmore Theatre Manhattan, NY - (BlackNews.com/BLackPR.com) - 1-5-04. Four-time Emmy Award winning actress ALFRE WOODARD will star in the Broadway production of Manhattan Theatre Club's DROWNING CROW by Regina Taylor, with Aunjanue Ellis, Peter Francis James, and Anthony Mackie. The play, directed by Marion McClinton, previews January 29, opening February 19, at the Biltmore Theatre (261 West 47th St., New York). DROWNING CROW takes place on the Gullah Islands off the coast of modern-day South Carolina, as a family of African-American artists comes together for a momentous few days. Alfre Woodard plays family matriarch, classical actress Josephine Nicholas Ark Trip. Anthony Mackie is her son, performance artist Constantine Trip, aka C-Trip. Aunjanue Ellis plays aspiring actress Hannah Jordan, and Peter Francis James plays TV writer Robert Alexander Trigor. The 13-member cast also features Stephanie Berry, Paul Butler, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Ebony Jo-Ann, Peter Macon, Curtis McClarin, Roger Robinson, Tracie Thoms and Baron Vaughn. Sets are by David Gallo, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Ken Billington, sound by Dan Moses Schreier, and projections by Wendall K. Harrington. Original music is composed by Daryl Waters and choreography is by Ken Roberson.
Alfre Woodard stars in DROWNING CROW on Broadway, opening February 19		Tickets ($81-$26) for DROWNING CROW are available by calling TeleCharge.com at 212/239-6200 or at www.telecharge.com or at the Biltmore Theatre box office (261 West 47th Street). DROWNING CROW is proudly sponsored by Verizon. A portion of this sponsorship will support MTC's arts education program serving more than 4,000 students citywide. BIOGRAPHIES REGINA TAYLOR (Playwright) recently wrote and directed "Crowns," based upon the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, which received its world premiere at the Goodman. As an actress, her film credits include "Clockers," "Losing Isaiah," "Lean on Me," "A Family Thing," "Courage Under Fire" with Denzel Washington, and "The Negotiator" with Samuel L. Jackson. For her role as Lilly Harper on the television series "I'll Fly Away," Ms. Taylor won an NAACP Image Award, was nominated for an Emmy Award, and received the Golden Globe Award for Best Leading Dramatic Actress. MARION McCLINTON (Director) has directed August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," "King Hedley II" (Tony nomination), "Two Trains Running," "Fences," "The Piano Lesson," "Seven Guitars," "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" and "Jitney." Other directing: "Thunder Knocking on the Door," "The Coming of the Hurricane," "A Raisin in the Sun," and "Carson McCullers (Historically Inaccurate)." Awards: two Audelcos, Obie, Drama Desk and Evening Standard nominations.
Anthony Mackie stars in DROWNING CROW on Broadway, opening February 19		ALFRE WOODARD made her stage bow in 1974 with Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage. After roles in the films, "Remember My Name" (1978) and "H.E.A.L.T.H." (1979), Woodard was Oscar-nominated for her performance as Geechee in 1983's "Cross Creek." She went on to appear on the TV series, "St. Elsewhere" and won Emmys for her recurring roles on "Hill Street Blues" and "L.A. Law" and an ACE award for the made-for-cable Mandela (1987). Other film credits include "Miss Firecracker" (1989), Lawrence Kasdan's "Grand Canyon" (1991) John Sayles' "Passion Fish" (1992) (Golden Globe nomination), "Rich In Love" (1993), "Crooklyn" (1994), Maya Angelou's "Down in the Delta," "Funny Valentine" and "Mumford." In 1995, she received an Emmy nomination and a Screen Actors Guild Best Actress Award for her performance in "The Piano Lesson" and two years later won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award for her portrayal of the title character of "Miss Evers' Boys," a nurse who consoled many of the subjects of the notorious 1930s Tuskeegee Study of Untreated Blacks with Syphilis. In addition, she has done a fair amount of narration, lending her voice to a variety of television documentaries. AUNJANUE ELLIS Broadway: "The Tempest." Off-Broadway: "A Winter's Tale," "The Tempest," and "Seeking the Genesis." TV: MDs, "100 Centre Street," "Disappearing Acts," "High Incident," "The Practice" (recurring). Film: "Large's Ark," "Map of the World," "In 2 Deep," "Brother to Brother," "Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story," "Garden State." PETER FRANCIS JAMES previously appeared on Broadway in "Judgment at Nuremberg" and Off-Broadway in "The Maids" (Obie Award). His television credits include "As The World Turns," the CBS television movie "The Rosa Parks Story" starring Angela Bassett, a recurring role on "Law & Order: SVU," and guest starring roles on Third Watch and NY Undercover. Other television credits include Thurgood Marshall in "Simple Justice," "The Ruby Bridges Story," "Double Platinum," "Long Day's Journey Into Night," PBS's "Simple Justice" and the mini-series "Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding." ANTHONY MACKIE made his screen debut last year opposite Eminem in "8 Mile" and his Broadway debut in August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Other theatre roles include The Moderator in "Talk" (2002 Obie Award), Boothin "Topdog/Underdog" (understudy for Don Cheadle), Tupac in "Up Against the Wind," "Blues for Mister Charlie," "The Mahabharata" and "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me." Next year Anthony will appear in five films scheduled for release: "Brother to Brother" which will be screened at the Sundance Film Festival, the remake of "The Manchurian Candidate" (directed by Jonathan Demme), "Haven" opposite Orlando Bloom, "She Hate Me," and "Sucker Free City," (both directed by Spike Lee).

Brigit Jackson - New Female Unsigned Sensation!

(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

Black online users are expected to grow at double the rate of whites through 2007

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


Joe Jones as a LAPD Officer		Joe Jones as CEO/Founder of Versatile Productions Inc.

The month of November is as follows:

Networking:
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dinner & Live Show - House Band Dwayne August & Friends:
8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Invited Guests: Impromp 2 Michael Speaks Miki Howard Tommie Chunn Kashif Vesta Williams Speedy

Tribute to the Late Hank Gathers - With the 1990 LMU Basketball Team as the invited guests:
10:30 pm - 11:00 pm

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.

Dancing to LA's Hottest DJ's - Featuring the Battle of the DJ's:
11:00 pm - 2:00 am
DJ Twinn DJ General Lee & Fred Loc DJ Reg DJ Mark Anthony & MC Reggie Tate DJ Izsm & MC Wee Rock Mr. C DJ Alcatraz DJ Gus DJ Sydney Thompson

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:
Ladies - Sexy and Sophisticated
Men - Style and Class

To get on the guest list, e-mail guest@thelasocialclub.com or call (323) 878-2211. Also visit www.thelasocialclub.com

(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)

MISS BLACK NEW YORK USA SEEKS CONTESTANTS

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

(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)

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.

(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)

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

(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)

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

(distributed through BlackPR.com/BlackNews.com)

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.

BLACK HAIR CARE COMPANY SEEKS CREATIVE TALENT AMONGST SINGERS, ACTORS, RAPPERS, AND POETS FOR CONTEST WITH VIBE MAGAZINE

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

Networks Add Black and White Cross-Over Characters

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.

Singer Lionel Richie Celebrates Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

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."

Russell Simmons Honored with 11th Annual Montblanc Arts Patronage Award

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.

William Marshall, Star of "Blacula" and Shakespeare's "Othello" Dies at Age 78

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.

Hip-Hop Newcomer 50 Cent Fuels Unnecessary Feud With Rival Ja Rule

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.

Diana Ross In Arizona Court on Three December DUI Charges

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.

Lil' Kim's Jewelry Stolen at JFK Airport

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.

Jennifer Lopez
Buy This Original Poster At AllPosters.com

Jennifer Lopez Sued by Paramount over Flashdance Copyright Infringement in “I’m Glad” Music Video

5-8-03. Jennifer Lopez is forever getting in trouble over stealing other artists’ beats, lyrics, and now choreography. Why can’t she just take the legal steps necessary to get permission first? Who are her legal advisers? Her interpretation, aka exact replica, of the Jennifer Beals’ “What a Feeling” dance routine in the movie “Flashdance,” in her latest music video “I’m Glad” prompted Paramount Pictures, the producer of Flashdance, to send a legal letter to Lopez’s Sony Music’s Epic label. The scenes were the same, frame by frame, so Sony is settling, despite the fact that they were so impressed they would like for Lopez to remake the film. Jennifer Lopez considered the video a tribute to the 1983 dance drama. Lopez re-enacts Beals’ role as a female steel welder who moonlights as an exotic dancer with dreams of attending a real dance school. In the video, shot by director David LaChapelle, who also worked with Justin Timberlake and Avril Lavig

African-American Entertainment News

Russell Simmons Endorses Barack Obama

Finalists Announced For The 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards

106 & PARK REVAMPS IN TIME FOR HOSTS' FIRST ANNIVERSARY

BET NETWORKS LAUNCHES HOME ENTERTAINMENT DIVISION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT

'BALLERS' Makes Sports Sexy on BET

Hosted by John Salley, Hugh Douglas and Guy Torry; 'BALLERS' Premieres on Friday, April 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

"Best Picture in Musical Category" - DreamGirls Golden Globe® Awards 2007 - © MMVII Hollywood Foreign Press Association® "© HFPA" and "64th Golden Globe® Awards"

"Best Picture in Musical Category" - DreamGirls

Highlights from Last Issue . . .

AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST TO APPEAR ON PLAYHOUSE 22, A NEW BLACK FAMILY CHANNEL SERIES

STEVE HARVEY'S SALVATION IS NO LAUGHING MATTER

The Original King of Comedy is Hitting the Theaters March 17th in His First Live Performance Since "The Kings of Comedy"...With No Profanity!

A unique mixture of love and laughter...Simply phenomenal! - Bishop T.D Jakes-

ABOUT CODEBLACK ENTERTAINMENT, LLC.

Hollywood Power Broker Tracey Edmonds Discusses Her Entertainment Empire On Black Business Radio Series, Doin' It

WHO REALLY GOT SKILLS? CAN YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF WITHOUT USING ANY PROFANITY? TONYA E. AKA MISS RIGHT NOW INC. WANTS TO KNOW!

PHYLLIS YVONNE STICKNEY TO STAR IN "WHERE EAGLES FLY"

Play Celebrates the Rich History of the Shaw Community in the Nation's Capital

About the producers

Supporters of the play include:

RODNEY JERKINS NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY

FIRST ANNUAL EN SOUND MUSIC AWARDS WILL TAKE PLACE AUGUST 19, 2006

THE MOVIE G OPENS IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE ON OCTOBER 28TH

The film stars Blair Underwood & Richard T. Jones

CYNTHIA FOREMAN APPEARS IN "BRUISED, BUT NOT BROKEN" AT THE PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL, AUGUST 1ST-6TH IN WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA

2004 Archives

THE COSBY FIRESTORM JUST WON'T DIE DOWN By Joseph C. Phillips

Joseph C. Phillips starred in the hit series The Cosby Show as Martin Kendall - Denise's husband. Phillips has also starred in General Hospital, Living Single, and The Parkers.

Jackson Case Much Bigger Than Jackson's Guilt or Innocence

BLACK LEADERS EXPRESS OUTRAGE OVER ABC-TV SELECTION OF JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AS CO-HOST OF "MOTOWN 45" SPECIAL

Louisiana Rapper Mystikal Gets Six Years in Prison

OPRAH'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FROM THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

ALFRE WOODARD TO STAR ON BROADWAY IN "DROWNING CROW" WITH AUNJANUE ELLIS, PETER FRANCIS JAMES, ANTHONY MACKIE

Production Opens February 19th, 2004 At Manhattan Theatre Club's Biltmore Theatre

Brigit Jackson - New Female Unsigned Sensation!

Black online users are expected to grow at double the rate of whites through 2007

MISS BLACK NEW YORK USA SEEKS CONTESTANTS

BLACK HAIR CARE COMPANY SEEKS CREATIVE TALENT AMONGST SINGERS, ACTORS, RAPPERS, AND POETS FOR CONTEST WITH VIBE MAGAZINE

Networks Add Black and White Cross-Over Characters

Singer Lionel Richie Celebrates Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Russell Simmons Honored with 11th Annual Montblanc Arts Patronage Award

William Marshall, Star of "Blacula" and Shakespeare's "Othello" Dies at Age 78

Hip-Hop Newcomer 50 Cent Fuels Unnecessary Feud With Rival Ja Rule

Diana Ross In Arizona Court on Three December DUI Charges

Lil' Kim's Jewelry Stolen at JFK Airport

Jennifer Lopez Buy This Original Poster At AllPosters.com

Jennifer Lopez Sued by Paramount over Flashdance Copyright Infringement in “I’m Glad” Music Video

"Best Picture in Musical Category" - DreamGirls

Golden Globe® Awards 2007 - © MMVII Hollywood Foreign Press Association® "© HFPA" and "64th Golden Globe® Awards"

THE COSBY FIRESTORM JUST WON'T DIE DOWN
By Joseph C. Phillips

Joseph C. Phillips starred in the hit series
The Cosby Show as Martin Kendall - Denise's
husband. Phillips has also starred in General
Hospital, Living Single, and The Parkers.

Jennifer Lopez
Buy This Original Poster At AllPosters.com