Bill Cosby and Morehouse Host Event Honoring Ray Charles

Bill Cosby and a host of other celebrities showed up for a tribute gala honoring legendary singer Ray Charles. The event was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 29th 2004.

Singer Stevie Wonder and a host of other famous musicians entertained the attendees by performing many songs made popular by Charles. All proceeds earned by the benefit are going to fund the Ray Charles Performing Art Center and student scholarships at Morehouse College. Ray Charles supported Morehouse in the past with a $2 million dollar donation that went to fund the center in his name.

Other attendees to the event included comedian Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, Brian McKnight, and actor Jamie Foxx who is starring in an upcoming movie depicting the life of Ray Charles.

Ray Charles died of acute liver failure in June 2004 at age 73. He recently worked on a CD release which features Norah Jones, Sir Elton and Johnny Mathis.

Click Here For Pics From The Event

Other Links
Official Movie Website For ‘Ray’

First Ever BET Comedy Awards

Steve Harvey, Tracee Ellis Ross, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, and many others gathered last night for final rehearsals before the first Annual BET Comedy Awards. The show is the latest launch from BET (Black Entertainment Television) which already airs a very well produced music awards program.

Some of the categories/nominees include:
Outstanding Comedy Series
- The Bernie Mac Show
- My Wife and Kids
- Girlfriends
- Wanda Sykes Show
- The Parkers
- That’s So Raven
- The George Lopez Show

Outstanding Comedy Variety Series
- Chappelle’s Show
- MadTV
- Club ComicView
- Coming to the Stage
- The Jamie Kennedy Experiment

Outstanding Box-Office Movie
- Barbershop 2
- Bringing Down the House
- Deliver Us From Eva
- White Chicks
- Head of State

The first annual BET Comedy Awards are set to air tonight, Sept. 28 2004, and will be hosted by comedian Steve Harvey.

“Shark Tale” Makes New York Premiere

Actors Will Smith, Robert De Niro, and a host of other A-List celebrities were on hand for the “Shark Tale” premiere at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater on September 27, 2004 in New York City.

The event was dubbed “Sharkspeare in the Park” because it was held at the theater that is the traditional site of the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park plays. The “Shark Tale” premiere also marks the first time ever that a movie has screened at the landmark stage venue.

The movie revolves around a character named Oscar (played by Will Smith), a bottom-feeding fish who sees an opportunity to be well known when the son of the shark Mafia leader is killed. Oscar takes the credit by convincing everyone that he’s responsible for removing this bad guy from the underwater society, but soon finds that being known as someone who killed a member of the Mob can have serious consequences.

“Shark Tale” features voice-overs from cast of popular celebrities including Will Smith, Robert De Niro, Renée Zellweger, Angelina Jolie, Jack Black, Martin Scorsese, Peter Falk, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Pastore, Doug E. Doug, and Ziggy Marley.

Also equally impressive is the film’s soundtrack, which features such artists as Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, Ziggy Marley, Sean Paul, JoJo, D12, Ludacris, India.Arie, and others.

The soundtrack was released on September 21 on DreamWorks/Geffen Records.

“Shark Tale” opens nationwide on October 1, 2004.

Review: T-Mobile Sidekick II

Haven’t heard of the T-Mobile Sidekick? If not, chances are that you’ve seen it on television or had its branding subliminally transferred to your brain via one of many chart topping Hip Hop songs. The staff at UrbanMecca.com reviews one of the most anticipated cell phone releases in recent times. The T-Mobile Sidekick II made its official public debut on September 22nd, 2004. Excited customers stood in line for hours early Tuesday morning to be one of the first to buy the T-Mobile® Sidekick II™ at a special pre-sale event in Santa Monica California.

The T-Mobile Sidekick II is the latest release from a new wave of hand-held smartphones aimed at consolidating many day-to-day features offered in both cell phones and more traditional palm pilots and PDAs. Owning a Sidekick is almost like having a laptop computer in your pocket. This little gadget has it all.

The Sidekick was made hugely popular with African American consumers because of its big adoption by the entertainment and celebrity communities. Many actors, recording artists, and sports figures swear by their Sidekick units. “Without the T-Mobile Sidekick, I wouldn’t know how to function on a day-to-day basis,” says popular actor and recording artist Nick Cannon. “It keeps the business tight”. The unit is also being molded into the fabric of the Hip Hop community via many name drops in chart topping songs. Platinum selling recording artist Twista states in his popular song ‘So Sexy’ that when he sees an attractive female…he has “gotta put her numbers on my sidekick fast”. The device has also received candids on numerous music videos, reality shows, and can be seen in the hands of the hip in Hollywood.

The T-Mobile Sidekick II, is 25 percent slimmer than the popular original model. At the same time, it added muscle with a fully integrated camera, and flash, to capture those you-had-to-be there moments; enhanced phone sound quality and functionality such as a speakerphone; and enhanced battery life to give customers approximately 4.5 hours of talk time. The biggest upgrade that we noticed was the hugely improved uptime over the previous model in regards to staying connected during phone calls and to AOL Instant Messenger. We literally left our unit signed on for 24 hours straight and it never lost connection (or reconnected immediately without us knowing it).

To sum, the T-Mobile Sidekick II, features very stunning improvements over the previous models and is a good purchase for anyone looking for an all-in-one very fun and useful phone.

Roy Jones Jr. Loses Second Fight In A Row

Roy Jones jr., once dubbed as the ‘pound for pound’ best fighter in the sport of boxing, was knocked out for a second consecutive time during a title match on September 25th in Memphis, Tennessee. The match was stopped in the 9th round when Glen Johnson, the current light heavy weight champion, landed a stunning blow that sent Jones jr. crashing to the canvas.

Glen Johnson surprisingly exploded on Jones jr. from the start of the match in round one. Roy Jones jr. found himself constantly on the ropes defending an on-going barrage of attacks from Johnson. Many thought that Johnson was going to tire out and couldn’t maintain the awesome pace that he started which obviously threw Jones jr. off of his normal routine. The champ not only kept up a strong momentum but also ended the fight with a devastating blow which laid the challenger, Jones jr., out flat on the canvas in the 9th round. Johnson was also in the lead on all judge scorecards when the fight was stopped.

This loss possibly knocks out any chances of seeing a Jones-Tarver III which many boxing fans were hoping to see even before this comeback fight. Antonio Tarver, who was the first boxer to ever knock out Jones jr., was amongst the attendees for this match.

Roy Jones jr. is 35 years old and has been fighting for roughly 25 years according to his trainer. His trainer also stated that any plans for retirement would be discussed privately between him and Jones jr. Glen Johnson stated that he is ready for his next fight and would take on any challengers.

Indy Film Explores African American Views On Homosexuality

Sundance award winning movie “Brother to Brother” made it’s New York premiere at the Studio Museum on September 23, 2004.

About The Film:
“Brother to Brother” explores a chance encounter between a young, black, gay artist and a forgotten figure from the Harlem Renaissance. The film journeys back to the old, magical, and artistic Harlem of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston who are also portrayed as characters in the movie. The main character of the story finds inspiration and solidarity in another generation’s similar struggles with racism, homophobia, and stereotypes within his own ethnic group. “Brother to Brother” has opened to much acclaim in various film circles and has received very high marks from the black gay community. The film stars Anthony Mackie (popularly known from his role in 8 Mile and most recently in the Spike Lee Joint…She Hate Me), Roger Robinson, Larry Gilliard Jr., and Aunjanue Ellis (Sistah Girl from Undercover Brother).

The film’s writer, Rodney Evans, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Brown University in Modern Culture and Media/Film Production and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from The California Institute of the Arts in Film Production. He received the coveted Independent Feature Project’s ‘Gordon Parks Award for Screenwriting’ for his excellent work on writing the story. The film opens in select theaters later in October.

Chip and Kim Win The Amazing Race

They ran, they hiked, they crossed miles and crossed 72,000 miles of terrain for the grand prize. The results are in and Chip and Kim McAllister beat out three other couples to win CBS’s Amazing Race for a $1 million dollar grand prize.

The couple resides in Coto de Caza, California and has been married for over 25 years. Kim is the owner of a technology recruitment firm and Chip owns a web technology company. Aside from winning the Amazing race, Kim stated that her proudest accomplishment is marrying Chip and having their three children, Elon, Phillip III and Kristen while Chip’s second biggest accomplishment, next to marrying his wife, was finishing college at age 38. After winning the race, Chip stated that this accomplishment “makes us even stronger to know that nothing is impossible.”

The Amazing Race, co-produced by Hollywood big wig Jerry Bruckheimer, appears on CBS and holds the crown as the most popular reality show on television. The program took home an Emmy for the second year in a row for Best Reality Show.

Visit the official Amazing Race 5th Season’s Website

Lawyer: Rosa Parks has dementia, can’t testify

African American Ad Mogul Tom Burrell, Receives McDonald’s 365Black Award

Tom Burrell, founder and chairman emeritus of one of the nation’s leading African-American-owned full-service communications agencies, has received the prestigious McDonald’s(R) 365 Black(TM) Award. Developed in 2003, McDonald’s 365Black Awards are part of the company’s 365Black initiative, which recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of African-Americans year-round.

Burrell received the honor Sept. 17, at McDonald’s Second Annual 365Black Awards Gala: An Evening of Legends & Legacies. McDonald’s 365Black Awards also went to McDonald’s owner/operator Reggie Webb and Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

“Burrell is the agency it is today because of McDonald’s and other companies that had the foresight to see the value of target marketing long before it became trendy,” Tom Burrell said. “McDonald’s took the lead, and other progressive companies followed.”

Burrell’s advertising career began with a copywriter position with Wade Advertising. He moved to Leo Burnett, Foote Cone & Belding in London, and Needham Harper & Steers before starting his own agency in 1971. Mr. Burrell has received numerous awards, including the Albert Lasker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Advertising, University of Missouri School of Journalism Medal for Distinguished Service and Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil.

“It’s always an honor to recognize and show appreciation to those who have been so instrumental in shaping American history around the world and within the McDonald’s family,” said Mike Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s USA. “McDonald’s is committed to communicating the pride, achievement and heritage of the African-American communities we have been so privileged to serve for many years.”

Today, Burrell is a full-service marketing communications company with offices in Chicago and Atlanta. In business for more than 30 years, Burrell is a leader in understanding and motivating consumer behavior in the African- American and Yurban(R) markets. The agency’s client roster includes McDonald’s, P&G, Toyota, General Mills, Verizon, Sears, Marriott, and others. For more information, visit www.burrell.com.

Contact:
Burrell
Kelly Williams, 312-297-9716
kdwilliams@burrell.com

Hotel Workers Prepare For Strike

WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 15: Kweisi Mfume, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, speaks at a press conference held by Unite Here!, a union representing thousands of hotel and restaurant workers September 15, 2004 in Washington, D.C. Hotel workers in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington voted to authorize a strike with the hopes that it would pressure their employers into signing contracts. (Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images)

Prominent African American Economists Endorse Kerry Economic Plan

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 — In an open letter to the African American community, 16 prominent African American economists today praised the economic policies of John Kerry, saying they will create a period of shared prosperity after four years of failed policies by George W. Bush that have led to a “shocking turn around in the economic well-being of Americans, and especially of African Americans.”

The text of the letter is below.

Sept.15, 2004

During the last half of the 1990s, under President Clinton, the unemployment rate and poverty levels for African Americans reached record lows, and the employment rate and income of African Americans reached record highs. There was shared economic prosperity. However, the last three years have seen a shocking turn around in the economic well-being of Americans, and especially of African Americans. From May 1998 to July 2001, the unemployment rate for African Americans remained below 9.0 percent. But, the African American unemployment rate has reached double digit levels 25 months of the 44 months President Bush has been in office. We are writing because we feel the depth of this change is linked to economic policy choices, and is not simply the effect of a change in the international political climate.

On President Bush’s watch, unemployment rates rose dramatically, inflation-adjusted income fell, poverty rates have risen, as well as the number of people without employment-based health insurance coverage. The President has the worst record of any President in the post World War II era in pursuing policies to create jobs:

– During all previous economic downturns, the drop in the number of workers on the nation’s payrolls has recovered at least after 31 months. We are now over 40 months past the onset of the March 2001 recession, and are still down over 1.5 million jobs on the private sector payrolls.

– The economic policy prescription has been aggressive income tax cuts. The last tax cut took effect in July 2003. The president’s economic advisors predicted that even without a tax cut, the economy would generate almost 3.2 million jobs over the year by July 2004, and the tax cut would provide an additional 1.1 million jobs. The current policies have not produced the jobs promised, has failed to return us to past levels of employment, and most disturbingly, not created the jobs the President’s economists advised could have been done without the tax cuts.

– The Congressional Budget Office has reported that the effect of the income tax cuts has been to shift the federal tax burden toward the middle class, and away from those at the highest income levels. This includes shifting the burden of taxes to fall heavily on African Americans. So, the failure of those tax policies to generate jobs, shifts a double burden on African Americans–to suffer the unprecedented calamity in the labor market, and of the tax burden.

Our analysis of President Bush’s economic policies show those policies to ignore the effects of growing federal deficits, growing trade deficits and growing personal debt levels, making it unlikely that a second term of trickle down policies can produce sustainable growth. Even if it did, it would lead to greater economic and social inequality. Simply put, we find the economic policies of President Bush to have failed, with no promise of the policies restoring the economic well-being of the nation, and especially of African Americans.

We find very promising several of the economic policies proposed by Senator John Kerry. Collectively, they provide a greater chance for shared prosperity and not a continued growth in inequality.

– Letting some of President Bush’s tax cuts end, as is currently set in legislation, and freeing those resources to address the current health insurance crisis faced by American workers would benefit the uninsured and the underinsured, especially those in the African American community.

– Investing heavily in the development of new fuel efficiency technology for the US auto industry should help to keep American manufacturing healthy, as well as our environment and would address that portion of our trade deficit brought on by oil imports.

– Raising the minimum wage will help correct the wage deflation that has occurred under President Bush.

– Aiding the budgets of state and local governments helps low income and African Americans in a big way. A disproportionate share of state budgets go to pay for states’ share of Medicaid costs, and a very disproportionate share of low income and African American children rely on Medicaid as their access to health insurance. Support for states will help the general bottom line for states, and so this will keep states from being forced to contain their Medicaid costs, which is normally done by limiting eligibility and thus access to health insurance.

– Removing tax incentives for American corporations to ship US jobs overseas will help keep jobs in the US, and this will definitely help keep entry-level jobs for middle class America and African Americans.

– Being more supportive of the enforcement of civil rights laws means that the effects of discrimination will not exacerbate the problems of a weak labor market.

Senator Kerry’s economic priorities and policies are more likely to help the economic well-being of all Americans, but particularly African Americans. It is our considered opinion that the economic policies proposed by Senator John Kerry will provide a greater chance of creating a period of shared prosperity.

(The undersigned set of individual African American economists, speaking on their own behalf, represent some of the most accomplished African American economists. They have held senior positions in all areas of national economic policy, with the Federal Reserve, the Executive Branch in various federal departments, and key Congressional offices. Many of them have served as president of the National Economic Association–the professional organization of African American economists (though they are not acting on behalf of the NEA) and numerous other professional economic associations. These comments do not necessarily reflect the position of their current or former institutions.)

– Dr. Marcus Alexis, Northwestern University

– Dr. Dick America, Georgetown University

– Dr. Bernard Anderson, University of Pennsylvania

– Dr. Charles Betsey, Howard University

– Dr. Thomas Boston, Georgia Tech

– Dr. Cecelia Conrad, Pomona College

– Dr. William Darity, Duke University and Univ. of North Carolina–Chapel Hill

– Dr. Karl Gregory

– Dr. Edward Irons, Clark Atlanta University

– Dr. Julianne Malveaux

– Dr. Patrick Mason, Florida State University

– Dr. Edward Montgomery, University of Maryland

– Dr. William Rodgers, III, Rutgers University

– Dr. Margaret Simms

– Dr. William Spriggs, formerly National Urban League

– Dr. James Stewart at Penn State University at State College

UrbanMecca Interviews Lamon Brewster

Who is Lamon Brewster?

It’s not a weird question to be honest. The world of heavyweight boxing is going through a slow generational change. The older heavyweights are slowly disappearing from the mainstream and new names are emerging. Rising to the top of the new entrants is Lamon Brewster, the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) Heavyweight Champion. Brewster won the heavyweight championship on April 10th, 2004 after defeating Ukranian Wladimir Klitschko and he successfully defended his title last week on September 4th against Kali “Checkmate” Meehan.

We were able to sit down with Lamon for a short Q&A session about his most recent match and more:

UM: “Mr. Brewster….first off – I’d like to congratulate you on your recent victory last week”

LB: “Thank You”

UM: “Let’s jump right in….You won your last fight by arguably a slim victory…Did you take this fight seriously? and was it hard fighting someone that you viewed as a friend?”

LB: “Well the answer to the first question is yes — I did take the fight seriously. But I wasn’t emotionally attached to the fight so I wasn’t able to pull out that killer instinct on Meehan”

UM: “We’ve read that you were injured in your last fight, could you talk a little bit about those injuries and how you are doing now?”

LB: “Yes…I was slightly injured…my eardrum was slightly perforated and I have a hairline fracture to my cheek.”

UM: “Does this knock back your next fight?”

LB: “Yes, most likely to January. It will most likely be against (Evander) Holyfield”

UM: “Let’s talk about that fight. What are your opinions of Holyfield?…Do you see him as a challenge in his older years?”

LB: “Its a rite of passage to fight Evander Holyfield. Everyone that has become a world champion has fought an old great fighter. I look at it as a passing of the torch.
Nevertheless old age and treachery can come into play. Evander is still a phenomenal fighter despite his age”

UM: “Chris Byrd mentioned that he really wanted to see the belts united….Do you want to see the same thing in your division?”

LB: “Absolutely, I think thats what the people deserve and it’s what everyone wants to see. This is also one of my goals”

UM: “What would be your dream-fight to have from any era?”

LB: “Hmmm…I think that I would have to say either Muhammad Ali or Larry Holmes…I don’t think that it could get much better than those two (chuckles)”

UM: “Your wife looked a little concerned from the sidelines in your last fight. How does she feel about your boxing career”?

LB: “This is my lifelong dream — she is ok with it …she definitely supports what i do; naturally she doesnt want me to get hurt. There is always a level uncertainty and danger in any fight but you just have to do what you have to do and hope it works out for the best”

UM: “You have 2 kids right?”

LB: “Actually three…two from my wife and one from a previous relationship. I have two girls and a boy.”

UM: “If your kids wanted a career in boxing…would you let them?”

LB: “No…I wouldnt allow them going into boxing. I’m doing what i do so they don’t have to box. I want them all to pursue a good education and to have a career where they use their minds and not their fists”

UM: What kind of music do you listen to and who is your favorite recording artist?

LB: “I listen to all types of music … i grew up in the rap era. I’m definitely into rap…Petey Pablo first comes to mind as a favorite right now.”

UM: “Whats your personal hobbies besides boxing?”

LB: “I love playing chess — I’m a chess junkie.. any game that makes me think — I love to do”

UM: “Lamon…is it pronounced Laymon or LahMon”

LB: “Lamon like Lay-mon”

UM: “Lamon…thanks for spending some time with UrbanMecca.com….

LB: “There is one more thing that I want to say….never let anyone stop you from your dreams..I never let anyone stop me from my dream….and now im heavyweight champion of
the world

I just wanted to say that to the members of UrbanMecca.com and anyone who may read my article…thats it”

UM: “Lamon…I want to truly thank you for taking the time to talk with UrbanMecca.com. We hope that you’ll grant us another interview after you’ve defended your title a few more times and won’t forget about us”

LB: “Definitely…Just give me a call”

UM: “Thanks Again for your time and good luck with the Holyfield fight”

LB: “Thanks”

Break! 2004 Celebrity Pool Tournament Raises Money For Inner-City Youth

With the gracious help of presenting sponsor Boost Mobile and supporting sponsors Crown Royal, HPNOTIQ…..The Original Blueprint, Mohegan Sun, S. Carter Collection and Reebok International Inc., TV star Free, co-host of Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) top-rated 106 & Park, will host the 2nd Annual Break! Celebrity Pool Tournament on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at Slate Restaurant Bar & Billiards in New York City to benefit the Free4Life Foundation and its programs. A who’s who list of celebrities and sports stars including Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri, Alonzo Mourning, Lil Kim, Antoine Walker (Atlanta Hawks), Steve Francis (Orlando Magic), Amerie, Duane Martin (“All of Us”), comedian Rickey Smiley, BET Chairman Bob Johnson and rap impresario Russell Simmons will showcase their billiard skills, compete for “bragging” rights with the tournament winner receiving an all expense paid trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, courtesy of Kerzner International, LLC. Billiard’s Champion “The Black Widow” Jeanette Lee will also be on hand to share shooting tips and show the form that has made her one of the world’s top-ranking pool champions.

Break! 2003 was attended by such luminaries as Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys and super producer/entrepreneur, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and raised more than $100,000 for the Free4Life Foundation. Established by Free in 2002, the Free4Life Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities that support, encourage and strengthen the development of young people in Boston’s inner city neighborhoods. The critical focus areas of the foundation are Financial Literacy and providing access to Creative Arts programming. Free hopes Break! 2004 will continue its reign as one of New York’s premiere charity events. Says Free, “Last year’s event was so successful and fun, we just knew we had to do it again! I’ve been though a lot in my life and I always knew if I had the opportunity, I would make sure I created a foundation that would benefit and encourage young people. The Free4Life Foundation is making inroads in that area and I’m so thankful for my friends and the many corporate sponsors who have put their money where their mouths are and supported these programs. Although the programs are currently just in Boston, our plan is to one day launch these programs nationwide.”

An added highlight of the Break! Celebrity Pool Tournament will be a silent auction and raffle featuring such items as an ocean-front weekend at the Shore Club in Miami, $2000 diamond earrings from Diamonds USA, getaway weekends at Mohegan Sun, dinners for two at Justins and the China Grill, a Hallewood gift pack from Oscar winner Halle Berry, personalized phone message from Emmy award winner Ellen DeGeneres and film star/comedian Cedric The Entertainer and autographed items from NBA superstars Alonzo Mourning, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce Attendees will also get VIP goodie bags with donated items from Boost Mobile, S. Carter, Mohegan Sun, ESPN, HPNOTIQ, Crown Royal and more.

Click To See Pics From Break 2004

Naomi Campbell Receives “MAC Star Of Fashion Week”

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: President of MAC John Dempsey presents model Naomi Campbell with “MAC Star of Fashion Week” award during the Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005 at Bryant Park September 13, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Trish Lease/Getty Images)

Legendary Musician Bobby Short Celebrates Birthday

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Musician Lenny Kravitz, his father Sy Kravitz (right) and legendary musician Bobby Short at the surprise 80th birthday party Short, September 12, 2004 at the Rainbow Room in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Bobby Short has been called a National Treasure and a living legend, although at this point in time he describes himself as a saloon pianist and singer. His wide spectrum of interests include being a Trustee at the Studio Museum in Harlem and a Board member at the Third Street Music School Settlement House. He is the founder and President of the Duke Ellington Memorial Fund whose sole purpose is to create a monument to the late composer at the northeast corner of Central Park in New York City. He was also appointed to the Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission of the City of New York during the term of Mayor David Dinkins.

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