Alicia Key’s “Diary” Tour Ends

Grammy award winning R&B artist Alicia Keys has officially wrapped her 34 city tour. The theme of the tour was a classy throwback to the early 1900′s ‘Cotton Club era’ in Harlem. The show itself whisked patrons back in time to spend a virtual night in a Harlem style nightclub. The stage was adorned with classic white curtains, a throwback club poster featuring herself alongside the legendary Cab Calloway and of course her signature Baby Grand mounted under a crystal chandelier. Key’s wore many different elegant costumes throughout the show reminiscent of the 30’s and sang her modern day hits as well as renditions of jazz classics such as “Good Morning Heartache” and “Minnie the Moocher”. If you missed this concert you definitely missed a treat. Keys can still be seen in other venues around the nation such as Atlanta’s jazz festival on 4/30/2005.

The multitalented singer/song-writer John Legend and German newcomer Zascha Moktan opened for Keys.

Pictured Above: Musicians John Legend and Alicia Keys attend the wrap party for Keys’ “Diary Tour” at Blvd April 21, 2005 in New York City.

(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

African-Americans, Hispanics Pay More For Media

Jill Scott Releases Book Of Poetry

Neosoul recording artist Jill Scott poses for a photo during an in-store appearance to sign copies of her new book “The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: The Poetry of Jill Scott” at Barnes & Noble April 26, 2005 in New York City.

Jill Scott began her performance career in Philadelphia on the open-mic circuit. Scott’s love of verse and music has resulted in two multi-platinum CDs of “poetry-songs” (“spoken word poetry set to music”), a Grammy, and now a collection of poetry that she offers in her new book.

(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

CSTV to Televise Black College Sports and More

In conjunction with New Vision Sports Properties (http://www.newvisionsports.net), CSTV Networks, Inc. (http://www.CSTV.com) has secured an exclusive multi-year multi-media and marketing rights partnership starting this fall featuring the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), premier athletic conferences representing historically
Black colleges and universities. As a result, the three conferences, their respective member institutions and their student-athletes, not to mention their rich history, will receive unprecedented national exposure on-air, online and on-campus.

The agreement, created through the exclusive marketing and television agency of the MEAC, SWAC and SIAC, New Vision Sports Properties, gives CSTV exclusive rights to televise regular season and championship football, men’s and women’s basketball and all other men’s and women’s sports from these conferences, and also includes all broadband, high-definition, Internet, video-on-demand, and terrestrial and satellite radio rights.

The cornerstone of the relationship will be an expansion of CSTV’s pre-existing football agreement with the SWAC and will result in the creation of an annual Football Classic Series premiering on CSTV this fall featuring some of the most storied and most intense rivalries in all of college football. CSTV’s Football Classic Series will be a national showcase not only for the actual games on Saturday, but also for the entire weekend experience unique to historically Black universities and colleges.

CSTV’s Football Classic Series Schedule (more games will be added this spring)

* Sat., Sept. 24: Atlanta Football Classic, Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State – 4:00 PM ET
* Sat., Oct. 1: Gulf Coast Classic, Alabama St. vs. Southern – 4:00 PM ET
* Sat., Oct. 15: Big Easy Classic, Southern vs. Jackson State – 8:30 PM ET
* Sat., Nov. 19: Capital City Classic, Jackson State vs. Alcorn State – TBD

In addition to televising athletic events featuring SWAC, MEAC and SIAC member institutions, CSTV will develop original programming that celebrates the rich cultural heritage and the pageantry, tradition and rivalries that
permeate throughout each of these conferences. CSTV original programming will focus on the legendary bands and drum lines, the great student-athletes spanning all sports who have represented the schools, elaborate tailgates which are transformed into massive family reunions, weekend cultural events surrounding the Classics including concerts and art exhibits, and other elements which make the historically Black college and university experience so unique.

Consistent with CSTV’s mission utilizing the latest technologies to connect more college sports fans with more college sports, CSTV Online will bring its industry leading technology and marketing platform and create HBCU Broadband featuring live streaming video and audio, as well as live in-game statistics, scores and play-by-play, of hundreds of men’s and women’s athletic events from all 32 schools represented in this partnership. As a result, an unprecedented amount of fans and alumni will have access to Black college athletics in a broadband environment, creating unsurpassed awareness of the SWAC, MEAC and SIAC conferences, schools, athletic programs and student-athletes.

via PRNewswire

Gabrielle Union Attends The Tribeca Film Festival

Pictured Above: Actor Gabrielle Union attend the “Neo Ned” screening at the Tribeca Film Festival April 22, 2005 in New York City.

The Tribeca Film Festival was founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro and others as a response to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its fourth year, the Festival’s mission is to create platforms for filmmakers to reach the best possible audience for their work.

(Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)

MTV Networks’ 100th Channel Launch in Johannesburg

Multi-talented artists Will Smith and Ludacris headlined (MTV base 100th LIVE!) concert. The concert was held in Johannesburg, South Africa to celebrate the launch of MTV’s first pan-African music channel and MTV Networks’ 100th channel worldwide. African artists, Lebo Mathosa, Mandoza and Seun Kuti also performed. The concert took place on April 20, 2005 and will air on MTV channels in May 2005.

Pictured Above: Singer and actor Will Smith (L-R) talks with former South African President Nelson Mandela and Vice Chairman of MTV Networks & President of MTV International Bill Roedy chat about “MTV Base 100th Live!” celebrations, on April 19, 2005 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

(Photo by Naashon Zalk/Getty Images)

Saks Fifth Avenue Hosts Freedom Center

Famed department store Saks Fifth Avenue sponsored a reception on April 19, 2005 to introduce the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and its vitally important mission to New York City customers.

The event, was co-hosted by CBS News Anchor Harry Smith and recording artist and hip-hop entrepreneur Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, and was held at Saks 5th Avenue.

The Freedom Center is the national center for Underground Railroad history and for educating the public on the continuing struggle for freedom — past and present — around the world.

“Saks Fifth Avenue has been a friend and supporter of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center from the very beginning,” said Dr. Spencer Crew, Freedom Center President and CEO. “This is a wonderful opportunity to update friends and prospective friends in the New York area about the growth and expanding mission of the Freedom Center.”

Fred Wilson, Chairman and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, said, “Saks Fifth Avenue is extremely proud to be hosting the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in our New York flagship store. It is our privilege to be able to bring awareness of the Freedom Center’s invaluable work and contributions to our New York community.”

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio River, the waters that once separated slave and free territory, the Freedom Center celebrates the legacy of courage and multicultural cooperation embodied in the story of the Underground Railroad. Of equal importance, the Freedom Center uses a wide array of exhibits to educate the public about the historic and continuing struggle to establish universal for freedom in both the U.S. and around the world. For additional information, contact 513.333.7500 or visit www.freedomcenter.org

Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises, a member of the Saks Incorporated group of stores, comprises 54 stores throughout the United States, 53 Off 5th outlet stores, and saks.com, the company’s e-commerce site.

Island Def Jam Announces Venture With Russell Simmons

Entertainment mogul Russell Simmons is returning to the company he co-found over 20 years ago, Def Jam Records. A press conference was held to announce his return which will take place as a 50/50 joint venture with Island Def Jam Records. Simmons will now head the Russell Simmons Music Group (RSMG). Simmons sold Def Jam Records in 1999 for $100 million.

Pictured Above: President of Island Music, Steve Bartels, Chairman of Island/Def Jam Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Russell Simmons, Jay Z, and President of RSMG, Tony Austin poses for photos during a press conference to announce the launch of the Russell Simmons Music Group (RSMG) at S.I.R. Studios April 13, 2005 in New York City.

(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Snoop Dogg and The Game Announce US Tour

Picured Above: Hip-hop artists Snoop Dogg and The Game hold a press conference to announce their “How The West Was One” US Tour on April 6, 2005 in Los Angeles, California.

The Game was recently in a highly reported feud with rapper 50 cent but has since made amends.

(Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

Foxy Brown Appears In Criminal Court

Pictured Above: Foxy Brown arrives at Criminal Court April 11, 2005 in New York City. Brown, aka Inga Marchand, appeared on a misdemeanor assault charge due to an incident with a manicurist in a Manhattan nail salon in August of last year.

In 1999 Foxy Brown made history when her album “China Doll” debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, she became the first female rap artist to accomplish that feat.

(Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images)

Ike Turner Inducted Into Hollywood’s Rock Walk

Legendary blues and R&B superstars Ike Turner, Solomon Burke, Robert Cray, Etta James and the late Muddy Waters were inducted into the Hollywood’s Rock Walk, music’s version of the world renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Past inductees include Jimi Hendrix, B. B. King, James Brown and John Lee Hooker to name a few.

Pictured above: Musician Billy Gibbons (R) stands with (L-R) musicians Solomon Burke, Ike Turner and Robert Cray after they were Inducted into the Hollywood Rockwalk along with Etta James and Muddy Waters on April 4, 2005 in Hollywood, California.

(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Educating African American Women on HPV and Cervical Cancer

Digene (Nasdaq: DIGE) welcomed the launch of an educational campaign by The Balm In Gilead, a leading faith-based organization, to help eliminate cervical cancer through human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and other screening technologies. The Balm In Gilead is the latest of several prominent organizations to initiate educational campaigns on cervical cancer and the emerging use of HPV testing as a standard of care for screening women age 30 and older – the group most at risk of the disease.

Digene developed the only FDA-approved test for high-risk types of HPV, the cause of virtually all cases of cervical cancer. The Digene HPV Test, also marketed as the DNAwithPap(TM) Test, is approved for use in conjunction with a Pap test for women age 30 and older. In studies involving more than 40,000 women and published in peer reviewed publications, the combination of the Pap and the Digene HPV Test was found to be significantly more sensitive in identifying women with high-grade cervical disease or cancer than Pap testing alone.

During the past 16 years, The Balm In Gilead – an international, not-for-profit organization – has provided service and education through a network of more than 10,000 African American churches and other faith communities. “Today marks a new paradigm in our organization,” said Pernessa Seele, Founder and CEO, The Balm In Gilead, during a press conference held to announce its new ISIS (Intimate Sessions for Informed Sexuality Project.

“Using all of our lessons learned over these years of addressing HIV/AIDS within black communities, The Balm In Gilead is expanding its services to address yet another deadly disease among black women, which is virtually 100 percent preventable: cervical cancer.”

Evan Jones, Digene’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, added, “The Balm In Gilead is providing a vital service by reaching out to this large, at-risk population. HPV testing along with the Pap is emerging as the standard of care for cervical cancer screening in women age 30 and older. It is essential that all women have access to the most effective methods for preventing the world’s second most-common cancer affecting females.”

About Digene
Digene Corporation (Nasdaq: DIGE), based in Gaithersburg, MD, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary DNA and RNA testing systems for the screening, monitoring and diagnosis of human diseases — with a focus on women’s cancers and infectious diseases. The company’s hc2 High Risk HPV DNA Test(TM) is the only test for the human papillomavirus approved by the FDA, and is approved for both follow-up evaluation in women with inconclusive Pap results and primary screening in women age 30 and older. For routine screening, it is marketed as both The Digene HPV Test and the DNAwithPap(TM) Test. These brand names do not refer to the Digene product that tests for several types of the virus commonly referred to as “low-risk HPV,” which are not associated with cervical cancer. For more information, visit http://www.thehpvtest.com. Digene’s product portfolio also includes DNA tests for the detection of other sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, as well as tests for blood viruses. For more information, visit the company’s Web site, http://www.digene.com. Investors also may contact Charles Fleischman at 301-944-7000; journalists may contact Pam Rasmussen, 301-944-7196.

The ISIS Project is made possible in part through an unrestricted educational grant from Digene.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of the future, as there are a
number of meaningful factors that could cause the company’s actual results to vary materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Meaningful factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, the degree of acceptance of HPV testing by physicians and the extent of reimbursement for the HPV test by third-party payers, as well as other factors discussed in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. For other factors, reference is made to the discussion in the company’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Southwest Airlines Honors the Tuskegee Airmen

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) honored 14 Tuskegee Airmen with a hero’s celebration at the airline’s Dallas maintenance facility. Two local Airmen, Captain Claude Platte of Fort Worth and Colonel Lloyd McKeethen of Cedar Hill, along with 11 Airmen from across the United States, were honored for their aviation and military contributions. The event included a flyby of an F-16, T-6 Texan, and P-51 Mustang aircraft. The T-6 and P-51 aircraft were used by the Airmen in their training missions and combat assignments.

Due to the efforts of two Southwest Airlines Dallas-based mechanics, Dale Dixon and Gordon Guillory, the Southwest Maintenance department, and sponsoring organizations, Southwest Employees had the opportunity to meet the first Airmen of color. Today’s event is one of several in the Dallas and Fort Worth communities to honor these Airmen who are a part of American history. “As an African American male, I did not know about the Tuskegee Airmen until I was 25 years old. I want children, including my own, to know the significance of these men,” said Guillory, a seven-year Employee at Southwest.

“I was inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen story — a story of determination and persistence despite the odds being against them. To me, the Airmen are an inspiration and mentors not only to the African-American community, but to the entire American community because they overcame adversity and achieved their goals,” said Dixon, a nine year Employee at Southwest and 15-year member of the U.S. Naval Reserves.

The event kicked off with a presentation of colors from the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB). A Southwest Airlines Employee, Valerie LaGrone, sang the national anthem with the flyby of the historic vintage aircraft following the performance. The T-6 aircraft involved in today’s flyby is the only remaining warbird that can be traced back to Tuskegee Army Air Field where it served most of the war. It is considered the last authentic Tuskegee Airmen aircraft in existence.

At today’s event, the Tuskegee Airmen shared their memories and anecdotes about their aviation experiences in World War II with Lou Freeman, Southwest Airlines Chicago Chief Pilot, and Ed Stewart, Southwest Airlines Senior Director Public Relations. On behalf of Southwest Airlines, Jim Wimberly, Executive Vice President Aircraft Operations, thanked the Tuskegee Airmen for their contributions to America and aviation history. “Southwest Airlines, a Company known as a symbol of Freedom, thanks the Tuskegee Airmen for defending the Freedom of America. The Airmen’s love for their country and their story transcends regional and racial boundaries,” Wimberly said.

Along with today’s event, Dixon and Guillory will host the Airmen as they are honored at a banquet at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas and recognized at the NAS JRB Air Show in Fort Worth. At the banquet, the first- place winners of a Dallas Independent School District (DISD) essay contest focusing on the Tuskegee Airmen also will be recognized. The keynote speaker for the banquet is Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines Executive Chairman and an avid history buff.

The Tuskegee Airmen visit is made possible by the generous support of Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, DISD, Hertz, High Power Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Texas Aero Engine Services Limited and various corporate and individual sponsors.

The Tuskegee Airmen consisted of approximately 1,000 African-American pilots trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, between 1941 and 1946. During World War II, the 332nd Fighter Group, comprised exclusively of African-American pilots trained at Tuskegee and they never lost a bomber to enemy fighters, the only fighter group to boast that record. The Red-Tailed Angels, as the Tuskegee Airmen came to be known, flew aircraft such as the P-51 with crimson tails.

Southwest Airlines was recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) in 2003 for its commitment and support of the airline’s Employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. At the height of the recent conflict, Southwest Airlines had 173 Employees called to serve and 73 remain on military leave.

Southwest Airlines, the nation’s largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned (according to DOT data for the third quarter of 2004), currently serves 60 airports in 59 cities in 31 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest operates 2,900 flights a day and has 32,000 employees systemwide. The carrier will begin service to Pittsburgh on May 4, 2005.