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April 30, 2008
Kelly Rowland - Daylight live on Paul O'Grady Show
Throw Back Cover of The Day
Africentric school plan takes more heat: Toronto
Some say it’s too watered down, another says it’s overblown, so Canada’s first Africentric “school within a school” continues to draw fire, even as the blueprint begins to take shape.
Toronto District School Board staff have proposed the pilot program start in September 2009 with junior kindergarten through Grade 5 in an unused wing of Sheppard Public School near Sheppard Ave. W. and Keele St.
While staff call it an “exciting opportunity” for a large school struggling with falling enrolment, champions of the Africentric school say a school-within-a-school elementary program falls short of their vision of a self-standing school up to Grade 12.
“I prefer a free-standing school with its own holistic learning system,” said Ryerson professor Grace-Edward Galabuzi, one of a network of advocates of an Africentric alternative school as a way to help fight a high dropout rate among black teens. Continue reading
This time, Obama completely denounces Rev. Wright
Confronted with a crisis that threatens to ruin his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, a grim Barack Obama has condemned the fulminations of his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, in the strongest language possible short of swearing.
“I am outraged by the comments that were made and saddened over the spectacle that we saw yesterday,” Mr. Obama told reporters at a sombre press conference here in North Carolina, where he is campaigning in advance of next Tuesday's primary.
“The person I saw yesterday was not the person I met 20 years ago,” he said. Rev. Wright's comments Monday to the National Press Club in Washington were “giving comfort to those who prey on hate … they offend me, they rightly offend all Americans, and they should be denounced.”
It was an irreconcilable breach with the man who had married him and his wife, Michelle, who had baptized their daughters and whom Mr. Obama only weeks ago described as “like family.”
April 29, 2008
Louis Vuitton Sues Artist: Nadia Plesner
Louis Vuitton news, the house is suing an artist for creating this image:
"Artist Nadia Plesner created this image to satirize the lack of media attention a genocide like Darfur gathers compared with the relative overexposure of skinny women with little dogs and designer bags." source thefashionbomb
The Butterfly Collection by Jill Scott Coming to Stores May 15/08
Jill has recently joined forces with Ashley Stewart to launch a bra line called "The Butterfly Collection by Jill Scott". The product is scheduled for a May 15th launch and will be available in over 200 stores as well as online. The Butterfly bra will be sold in three styles: underwire, molded cup and strapless. Sizes will range from 38D to 44DDD. Matching panties and boyshorts will also be included as part of the line. More details over @ Brown+Skin=Healthy
Rev. Wright Gives Media Something To Think About
"I served six years in the military. Does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?"
"Have you heard the whole sermon? No? The whole sermon?" Wright said, firing back at the moderator. "That nullifies that question. Continue reading
Russell Simmons & Spike Lee Talk Sean Bell Verdict
With Justice Arthur J. Copperman declaring three NYPD officers not guilty of manslaughter, assault or reckless endangerment in the shooting death of Sean Bell, who was murdered in front of a Queens strip club the night before his wedding, the hip hop community has wasted no time in providing their opinions on the shocking verdict.
Russell Simmons, who has played an intricate role in providing a positive foundation for today’s youth with his Hip Hop Action Summit Network, feels as though communication between law enforcement personnel and the communities they serve will decrease such travesties as these. “I don't know what implications a guilty or non guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case has on our society. I only know for certain we need more sensitivity training as part of the police curriculum. I also believe a more intimate dialogue must be promoted between police and the communities,” Simmons said in a statement. continue reading
Venezuela Gives Glover More Film Funds
Venezuela has given an extra $9 million to the film "Toussaint," a co-production between Danny Glover's Louverture Films and Venezuela's film studio Villa del Cine, reports EUR. However, not all filmmakers believe the money should've been accepted.
The government has already donated nearly $18 million toward the $30 million budget of Glover's pet project about Toussaint Louverture, who led an 18th-century uprising in Haiti.
But Venezuelan writer-director Jonathan Jakubowicz – whose kidnap drama "Secuestro Express" angered Chavez's government for its hard-hitting portrayal of sociopolitical malaise in Venezuela – says the earmarked money is at the expense of the country's poor. "In a country with rampant poverty, a catastrophic health crisis and 14,000 violent deaths a year, President Hugo Chavez gives away our money for his friends to play with," said the L.A.-based filmmaker. "I don't know if Mr. Glover's conscience lets him sleep, but he's certainly present in all my nightmares." source
April 28, 2008
On This Day in Black History: April 28/08
On The Set of Lil Mama's New Video
Usher: Standing Tall
By Charreah Jackson
Let’s face it: Usher probably will never know what it means to have a dream deferred. Since he was a pubescent teen, the ATL crooner has only been steeped in reality — singing and dancing toward his goals seemingly effortlessly. Now, after an award-winning career and four-year hiatus, the megastar and family man gears up for his fifth musical offering, Here I Stand, the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2004’s kiss-and-tell breakout Confessions.“I’m back on the scene and ready to do it all over again. This is going to be an incredible journey,” the chart-topper prophesizes. “It is a classic and should be remembered 20 years from now. I’m ready to shock the world.” Continue reading
Halle Berry Post Baby
Halle Berry looks amazing only 6 weeks after giving birth to a baby girl Nahla. Halle Berry was in attendance at the Silver Rose Gala last night in Beverly Hills. more pics here
April 27, 2008
Equally magnificant.......WOMB-MAN!!!!
The Maatocracy (righteous government) of the ancient Khamites eclipsed the democracy of modern time, whose hallmark has been the suppresion and oppression of women, coupled with a pervasive undercurrent of racism.
In order to understand the spirituality of "Our Ancient Kahmite Ancestors" it is important to open your consciousness and familiarize yourself with the cosmological legacy that created the Maatocracy.
Soak it up: source
L.A. Sparks Draftee Candace Parker Signs Deals With Gatorade, Adidas
Earlier this month, she was the first overall pick in the WNBA draft, going to the L.A. Sparks. Now the endorsements are starting come through. Gatorade recently signed Parker to an endorsement deal, making her the only Black woman to endorse the product. Continue reading
Quote of The Day
April 26, 2008
Solange's Promo Pics For Her Album SoL-AngeL
Her album SoL-AngeL & The Hadley Street Dreams has an official release date of August 26th. She enlisted Cee-Lo, Pharrell, Marsha Ambrosius, Rapheal Saadiq, and folks to co-write and lend vocals to her tracks. source ybf.com
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker to be Celebrated at Spelman College on May 6th
Atlanta, GA - The Spelman College Women's Research and Resource Center and The Women's Action for New Direction will sponsor a Mother's Day for Peace awards ceremony honoring Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, on Tuesday, May 6.
Walker who attended Spelman College on full scholarship in 1961 before transferring, received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1983 for her critically acclaimed novel The Color Purple.
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president of Spelman College will host this special event and will also serve as honorary co-chair with Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, president of Agnes Scott College. Local activists Alice Lovelace and Jackie Adams will also be honored. source
Italian Vogue Says 'Black is Beautiful' !
This just in from a source:
Steven Meisel has just shot an entire issue of Vogue Italia with all black models, hoping that other issues of Vogue start to diversify their own portfolios.
Apparently, all of the photo shoots have already happened, as model bookers at various agencies have been contacted and sourced for new, beautiful, not-white girls -- and now they're twittering about how cool the issue will be.
No word on when the issue will hit stands or who's on the cover (Jourdan Dunn? Chanel Iman?), but whatever:
We don't really report the news over here. We just break it wide open.
source: fashionbomb.com & fashionista.com
Bell's fiancee: 'They killed Sean all over again'
"On April 25, 2008, they killed Sean all over again," Nicole Paultre Bell told supporters at a rally organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
"That's what it felt like to us. That's what it felt like to us," she said Saturday. "Yesterday, they -- the justice system -- let me down. I gave them the benefit of the doubt," she said. "I'm still praying for justice because it's not over. It's far from over."
Bell spoke after Sharpton criticized the judge who acquitted the three officers, saying the case should have been heard by a jury. Continue reading
April 25, 2008
Serena Univeils Nike's Fall Wmn's Line
New York Police Not Guilty of Manslaughter in Sean Bell Case
Nicole Paultre Bell, the fiancée of Sean Bell, ran out of the courtroom in tears minutes ago after hearing the not guilty verdict for all three of the New York police detectives indicted in Bell’s shooting death.Bell and two friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, were shot in the early morning of November 25, 2006, after Bell’s bachelor party at a Queens strip club. He and Nicole Paultre Bell were to have been married later that day. As the young men were leaving in Bell’s car, undercover detective Gescard Isnora approached them with a gun. Guzman and Benefield maintain that Isnora never identified himself as a police officer. After the men tried to flee, Isnora and the other officers opened fire, releasing a total of 50 rounds and killing Bell. All three Black men were unarmed. source essence.com
Beautifully Organic
Buying planet friendly beauty products is not only the right thing to do it’s now become the cool thing to do. Invest in products that are safe and natural. Source
1. Organic Body Balm- (Dr. Bronners, $5), 2. Egyptian Face Scrub- (Pangea Organics, $33)
3. Mother and Baby Care- (The Organic Pharmacy, $20-$45), 4. Extra Energizing Body Bar- (Burt’s Bees, $4), 5. Tinted Lip Balm- (Juice Beauty, $15), 6. Organic Moisturizing Liquid Foundation- (NVEY Eco Organic Makeup, $45), 7. Shampoo & Conditioner- (Avalon Organics, $9), 8. Presento- (Nature’s Gate, $40).
Kelly Rowland Appointed Speacial Ambassador to MTV Staying Alive Foundation
R&B singer-songwriter Kelly Rowland has been appointed as the official 2008 Ambassador for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. The multi-platinum selling artist and Destiny’s Child alumnus is to be the public face of Staying Alive in June 2008, dedicating herself to raising the profile of the global charitable foundation, whose mission is to empower young people who are protecting themselves and their communities against HIV and AIDS.
Rowland will take her first steps in her new role as Staying Alive Ambassador during her solo tour of Africa (June 2008), when she takes her upbeat brand of stylish R&B to music fans in Africa (locations TBD). Her trip will incorporate visiting Staying Alive Foundation grant recipients and grassroots projects supported and funded by the Foundation.
Stay tuned for more info... Source
Help Prevent Breast Cancer in Future Generations
If one of those women is your sister, there is something you can do to help. You can join the Sister Study today!
Seeing your sister fight breast cancer can give you a sense of helplessness. But joining the Sister Study is a powerful way to make a difference. The Sister Study wants to find the causes of breast cancer so that future generations, including our daughters, granddaughters and nieces don't have to experience the disease.
Sign up for the Sister Study if you are:
a woman between the ages of 35 and 74 years old
and you have never had breast cancer yourself
and your sister (living or deceased), related to you by blood, had breast cancer
and you live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.
JOINING THE SISTER STUDY IS EASY, SAFE AND PRIVATE.
NO MEDICINE. NO DOCTOR VISITS. NO LIFESTYLE CHANGES. NO INSURANCE REPORTING.
More than 4,000 black women are participating in the Sister Study, but hundreds more are needed. Read some of the compelling stories from women who have joined.
A number of organizations are working hard to increase awareness and ensure the Sister Study results apply to the black community including the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the Tom Joyner Morning Show and many more [READ].
Even if you are not eligible to participate, you can help by forwarding this email and encouraging other women to join.
To learn more about the Sister Study, visit www.sisterstudy.org or call toll-free 1-877-4SISTER (1-877-474-7837).
April 24, 2008
Egypt poised to set up an African museum, says culture minister
Cairo, Egypt - The Egyptian minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, on Tuesday revealed that preparations are underway to open an African museum in Egypt to display old and modern African arts objects in the areas of sculpture, photography, architecture, masks, printing on canvas (batik), dance and music.
The minister said in a press statement on Tuesday in Cairo that the museum will include a special wing for the masks associated with religious and popular ethnic and tribal values.
The Egyptian minister - who wants to compete for the position of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said he talked to a number of African foreign ministers and African ambassadors to explore what their countries could contribute to the museum which he asserted would be a unique one. Continue readingNew Pics And Trailer Of Will Smith's Hancock Online
Directed by Peter Berg, the film also stars Charlize Theron, and Jason Bateman.
The film opens on July 2, 2008.
There are heroes... there are superheroes... and then there's Hancock (Will Smith). With great power comes great responsibility – everyone knows that – everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock's well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough – as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy. Hancock isn't the kind of man who cares what other people think – until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock's greatest challenge yet – and a task that may prove impossible as Ray's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), insists that he's a lost cause. Continue reading