BET Kicks Off The Wire With A 3 Day Marathon

After an extremely successful run on HBO, critically-acclaimed show THE WIRE comes to BET! Kicking-off the highly anticipated season one series premiere, the 3-day marathon will feature episodes 1, 2 and 3 of the award-winning show. Starring Idris Elba (as Stringer Bell), Michael Williams and Lance Riddick, THE WIRE is centered on Baltimore’s inner-city drug scene. With gritty reality, each 90-minute episode depicts the lives of every part of the drug “food chain” — from junkies to dealers and cops to politicians.

The marathon begins Wednesday thru Friday, January 10 – 12 from 9 – 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

Glory Foods’ Southern Foodways Scholarships Honor Memory of Co-Founder Bill Williams

The Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA) is a fantastic find for those interested in learning about the diverse food cultures of the American South. The late Bill Williams, president and co-founder of Glory Foods, Inc., a company that distributes conveniently prepared seasoned canned veggies, frozen family and single serve meals and fresh bagged vegetables, was a frequent attendee at the symposiums. Williams, a former chef and restaurant owner relished the camaraderie of food experts, chefs and academia who shared his love of Southern food and its rich history. Today, Williams is remembered fondly by SFA through Bill Williams Scholarships, awarded annually to minority students pursuing degrees in food and beverage, and nutritional health. “The partnership that Bill Williams established with the Southern Foodways Alliance has fostered a new generation of African American culinarians, young people who not only know their way around a kitchen, but know the roots of the culture from which the cookery came,” said John T. Edge, director Southern Foodways Alliance at the University of Mississippi, and a celebrated Southern Author (“Apple Pie and Fried Chicken,” and “Southern Belly: The Ultimate Food Lover’s Companion to the South.”).

The idea for the scholarships began with a phone conversation between Williams and Edge. Unfortunately, Williams did not see the program launch. He died unexpectedly in December 2001, and the program was launched in his honor in 2002. Students are selected to attend the 4-day session based on a well-written essay incorporating the symposium theme and food folklore on subjects such as: “Barbecue: Smoke, Sauce and History, “Southern Food in Black and White,” “The Sweet Life — Sugar in the South,” and the more recent “Lifestyles and Foodways of the Gulf South from Florida to Texas.” Winners receive an all-expense paid trip to the symposium, a stipend, a SFA mentor throughout their stay, and an opportunity to experience delicious cuisine prepared by Southern Chefs and local restaurants.

Eleven winners, including current honorees, Desantra Baker and Berthsy A. Ayide (2006-07), have displayed the spirit and excellence Williams sought in young students. Baker, studies Hotel/Restaurant Management at Georgia Southern University, and plans to operate her own spa and restaurant. Berthsy A. Ayide, is pursuing her Masters in Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University, and plans to conduct research that examines America’s food traditions and how it impacts nutrition. “Bill wanted students to understand there was more to agriculture and food science studies, than just working on a farm,” said Theresa Potter, Glory’s Director of Sales Promotion and Marketing. “Because of their experience at SFA, we’ve had students rethink their major and how they study food science,” adds Potter.

Bill Williams believed that the future belongs to a new generation of young men and women who will be responsible for defining, and managing our natural resources. Berthsy A. Ayide is a very good example of that thought. “I’m quite interested in our changing shorelines and water supply and how that effects our foodways,” said Ayide.

Bill Williams would be very proud of what he started!

Visit: http://www.gloryfoods.com and http://www.southernfoodways.com for additional information.

Via PR Newswire

NFL Star Deion Branch Partners With The MFA

The Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA) and National Football League star Deion Branch are asking for your help in raising awareness about the importance of meningitis vaccinations, by launching a series of Public Service Announcements.

Meningitis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection causing inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. It is contagious, as the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are spread by methods such as coughing, sneezing and kissing. Young children are more susceptible to bacterial meningitis than others, but vaccinations can help prevent children from getting some forms of meningitis.

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The Race is On: Newsweek Covers Clinton Obama Predictions

For 220 years, Americans have elected only white male Christians with no hint of ethnicity to the White House, and no one knows yet whether we are ready to break the chain now, reports Newsweek. As part of the cover package, “The Race is On,” Senior Editor and Columnist Jonathan Alter explores whether America is ready for a historic first in the White House in 2008: the first woman president or the first black president – New York Senator Hillary Clinton or Illinois Senator Barack Obama. “He [Obama] reminds me in many ways of Kennedy in 1960. The pundits said he was Catholic and too young and inexperienced and wasn’t a member of the party’s inner circle. They forgot that the nomination wasn’t decided in Washington but out in the field,” Theodore Sorensen, John F. Kennedy’s adviser and speechwriter, tells Newsweek in the December 25, 2006 – January 1, 2007 issue (on newsstands Monday, December 18).

It’s impossible to separate the abstract question of whether America is ready for a woman or a black from the concrete matter of whether we’re ready for Hillary or Barack, Alter reports. Historically, the odds favor a woman over an African-American; psychologically and generationally, they may favor Obama over Hillary. Both are now expected to launch their campaigns early in the new year. In the latest Newsweek Poll, 86 percent of those polled say that if their party nominated a woman for president, they would vote for her if she were qualified for the job. When asked if America is ready to elect a woman president, 55 percent of those polled said yes, it is; 35 percent do not believe America is ready to elect a woman president. When Americans were asked if their party nominated an African-American for president if they would vote for that person, 93 percent said yes, they would. When asked if America is ready to elect an African American president, 56 percent of those polled, said yes; 30 percent of those polled responded no. If the race for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 2008 comes down to a choice between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, 50 of those polled say they would most like to see Hillary Clinton nominated; 32 percent say they would like to see Barack Obama nominated.

Also in the cover package, in an interview, Obama speaks out on his prospects for the presidency, his leading rival for the nomination and post- baby-boom politics. When asked how he matches up against Hillary Clinton, Obama tells Newsweek, “I’m not going to go there. I have tremendous respect for Hillary Clinton. She’s an outstanding leader in the Democratic Party. She’s earned her stripes.” When asked if America was ready for a black or female president, Obama says, “I absolutely think America is ready for either … what I’ve found is that the American people – once they get to know you – are going to judge you on your individual character. Whatever the flaws in the process, people get a fairly accurate read by the end of the campaign.”

Both campaigns would likely have ample funds for a protracted primary campaign, Alter reports. Hillary Clinton has $14.4 million on hand and a financial network in place to raise whatever it takes. And should Obama maintain his momentum, the money will most certainly follow. “If Howard Dean raised $45 million on the Internet, that number is easily obtainable,” Bill Daley tells Newsweek.

Even so, people remain uneasy about women in power. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs- Jones, an African-American who committed to Hillary a year ago (but admits she would now be torn between her and Obama if she hadn’t), worries about her candidate. “Women are harder on women,” she says. “They demand a level of perfection they often do not from male candidates.” Both candidates have created a level of political novelty and intrigue that goes beyond gender and race. “People don’t view her first as a woman – they view her as a Clinton,” says one of Bill Clinton’s longtime advisers, who did not wish to be quoted assessing her candidacy. “And he looks like he may have the secret formula to unlock partisanship – a mixture that’s broader than race.”

Rep. Jim Clyburn, the black South Carolinian whose support is important in that state’s critical primary, told Newsweek last week that he didn’t think President Clinton’s popularity would necessarily rub off on his wife.
“Would my wife do as well as I did [running for office]? I don’t think so,” Clyburn says. “A lot of things can’t transfer. You just can’t pass that on.”

Elsewhere in the cover package, a special guest essay by the 1984 Democratic vice presidential nominee, Rep. Geraldine Ferraro who writes, “It’s been 22 years since I became the first woman to run on a major-party ticket, and we’re still asking whether a woman can be elected president. I don’t think that’s the right question. This isn’t about just any woman. It’s specific to Hillary Clinton, and we should be asking if she could do it.” Also included is an essay by 1984 and 1988 presidential candidate, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson who says, “I believe that if Obama does run, he could inspire Americans finally to look past race and elect an African-American to the Oval Office.”

Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Names Top Sony/BMG Executive Max Siegel President of Global Operations

Teresa Earnhardt, CEO of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., announced today the appointment of Max Siegel as President of Global Operations. In what will be an unprecedented move for the motor sports industry, the Zomba Label Group/Sony/BMG executive will oversee marketing, promotion, sales, sponsorship and distribution for all Dale Earnhardt, Inc. properties including the company’s top-rated motorsports teams, airlines, licensing and auto dealership, as well as the Dale Earnhardt Foundation. Siegel brings over 15 years of deal brokering and project management experience to the company established by Dale and Teresa Earnhardt in 1980.

“Max Siegel has the intuitive sense of what works and is innovative in an ever-changing business and social climate,” said Teresa Earnhardt. “We are excited about him joining our team and what his leadership means for the future of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.”

“I am honored by this opportunity, and though I have enjoyed great success in the music business, I am thrilled to join this dynamic organization,” said Max Siegel. “Dale Earnhardt, Inc. is a company with strong core values and a legacy of excellence in sports and in business, and I look forward to winning more championships with them and working to further cement Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as the leader in the motorsports and entertainment industry.”

With an extraordinary track record as an accomplished sports and entertainment attorney, entertainment executive, author and television and film producer, Max Siegel is one of the most influential executives in the entertainment industry. Siegel most recently held dual positions as Senior Vice President of Sony/BMG’s Zomba Label Group and President of Zomba Gospel, the largest Gospel music company in the world. As part of Sony/BMG’s President’s Council that oversees the company’s global management strategies, Siegel was also on the executive team that produced pop stars like Britney Spears, Usher, Justin Timberlake, and R. Kelly.

An Indianapolis native and cum laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School, Siegel has presided over the legal affairs of several Fortune 500 corporations, as well as professional sports, entertainment individuals and organizations. Siegel’s legal expertise and business acumen has afforded him the reputation as a “win-win attorney” among his peers, and he played a major role in the shaping of such sports figures as Tony Gwynn and Reggie White. His legal knowledge has earned him the opportunity to serve in various leadership positions within high-profile professional organizations such as The American Bar Association, The New York and Indiana State Bar Association, Gospel Heritage Foundation and The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The Dale Earnhardt Foundation is the cornerstone of the Dale Earnhardt Legacy Program and will carry on Dale’s name and good works through charitable causes he supported during his lifetime, including those in the children’s and educational areas, as well as wildlife preservation.

Star Jones Reynolds to Debut as Syndicated Talk Show Host

Star Jones Reynolds, famed television personality, attorney, author and social activist, will make her debut as a nationally syndicated radio talk show host on Syndication One beginning December 18th – 20th.

From 10am to 1pm EST, Star, who will be sitting in for the vacationing Michael Eric Dyson, will take calls from listeners; discuss inspirational thoughts, current events, and will feature guest interviews with leaders in politics, law, and media, as well as with entertainment personalities. The show will explore a variety of topics from legal and criminal justice to health, finance, and entertainment.

The Michael Eric Dyson show is a national program heard in twenty-five cities around the country, including Chicago (WVON-AM), Boston (WILD-AM), Philadelphia (WHAT-AM), Atlanta (WAMJ-AM), Washington, DC (WOL-AM), Detroit (WCHB-AM), Seattle (KZIZ-AM), Cleveland (WERE-AM) and Miami (WTPS-AM). Over the past year, Dyson has tackled the day’s hottest issues from the N-word controversy to the War in Iraq, and has featured such widely known and provocative guests as comedian Paul Mooney, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Singer John Legend, Spike Lee, and NAACP President & CEO Bruce Gordon, among others.

Dyson’s show is one of three shows that hit the airwaves today as part of Syndication One, a joint venture of Radio One, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROIA) and Reach Media, Inc., designed to develop African-American targeted programming and offer African-American perspectives on the day’s hottest issues. While there are more than 1,200 talk shows currently available to radio audiences nationwide, there are few programs that offer listeners a daily dose of ideas, issues, analysis and information targeted to the African-American audience.

Beyonce in the Running for Two Golden Globe Awards

Pop superstar Beyonce has just received nominations for two Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy for her role in “Dreamgirls” and Best Original Song – Motion Picture for “Listen” from “Dreamgirls” (music and lyrics by Henry Krieger, Anne Preven, Scott Cutler and Beyonce Knowles). The DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount Pictures production, “Dreamgirls,” was also nominated for the Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Golden Globe.

“Being a part of ‘Dreamgirls,’ and working with a director as wonderful as Bill Condon, was an opportunity of a lifetime for me, enabling me to grow as an actress,” said Beyonce on her Golden Globe nominations. “To be nominated in two categories by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is an honor that I graciously accept. I am so happy for the accolades being given to the movie as a whole. I was thrilled to work with Oscar winner, Jamie Foxx, and I am happy to share these nominations with fellow nominees Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy.”

News of Beyonce’s Golden Globe nods comes the week following her five Grammy nominations: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (“Ring The Alarm”); Best R&B Song (“Deja Vu” — Beyonce featuring Jay-Z — Shawn Carter, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Beyonce Knowles, Makeba, Keli Nicole Price & Delisha Thomas, songwriters); Best Contemporary R&B Album: “B’Day”; Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Deja Vu” — Beyonce featuring Jay-Z); and Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical (“Deja Vu” [Freemasons Club Mix -- No Rap] — Russell Small and James Wilshire, remixers).

Beyonce’s Golden Globe and Grammy nominations cap a big year for the pop culture icon. Beyonce’s second solo album, “B’Day,” was released in September 2006, entering the Billboard 200 at #1 with first week’s sales of more than 541,000 copies, 2006′s highest first week’s sales of any solo female artist. (The pop superstar’s first solo album, 2003′s Grammy-winning “Dangerously In Love,” also debuted in the #1 slot, with first week’s sales of 316,846.)

babyGap Is Proud to Present . . . The babyGap Casting Call Semi-Finalists!

The search for the next babyGap model continues as babyGap recently announced the twenty semi-finalists of their latest babyGap casting call contest. babyGap launched its first casting call contest in 2002 and this year is teaming up with KODAK EASYSHARE Gallery, the leading online photo service, to search from coast to coast to find the most adorable babies in America. Judges had their work cut out for them as they narrowed the contestant list from more than 360,000 entries to 20 semi-finalists — ten baby boys and ten baby girls.

And, now it’s up to America to vote for their favorite baby to determine who will win. Now through December 31, 2006 America can log on to http://www.babyGap.com and cast their votes to decide who will star in a new babyGap campaign.

Pictured above is babyGap Casting Call Semi-Finalist Tyron from Boston, Massachusetts.

VH1 Screams ‘I Love New York!’

7.5 million viewers tuned in to see “Flavor of Love” runner-up New York get kicked to the curb for the second time. After being twice jilted by Flavor Flav, New York aka Tiffany Pollard was given the chance to find her one true love, as a fresh crop of twenty men are brought together to compete for her heart during VH1′s newest “celebreality” show, “I Love New York” premiering on Monday, January 8 at 9:00 P.M.

Throughout the new series, cameras will follow these men as they try to win New York over with their physique, dating skills and bank accounts. These guys are flashy, bold and determined to get their woman — at any cost. Coming along for the ride is her outspoken mom, Sister Patterson who will not be shy about who she likes and who she never wants to see again.

“New York is a beautiful, spirited and sexy woman who deserves a man who appreciates her — she is also one of the most outrageous reality personalities we have ever seen — this show should be a lot of fun,” said executive producers Mark Cronin & Cris Abrego.

In addition to the VSPOT sneak peek of episode one on January 2, each episode will be available in its entirety on VSPOT for 48 hours every Friday following the on-air broadcast. VSPOT and VH1 On Demand are also airing exclusive “shorts” featuring New York and her mom evaluating candidates for the show. Catch an early glimpse of some of the men that will compete for New York’s hand and some that won’t make the cut. The shorts are currently available on VSPOT at http://vspot.vh1.com and will be available on VH1 On Demand across various cable providers’ VOD platforms on December 18.

Ciara Tops The Charts With Sophomore Album

Multi-platinum R&B/Pop Sensation Ciara strikes it big with her sophomore album, Ciara: The Evolution (La Face/Zomba Label Group), which lands at #1 on the Billboard 200 today, with sales of 338,447, topping Eminem and Gwen Stefani. Ciara: The Evolution is the follow- up to 2004′s Goodies, Ciara’s first album, which debuted at #3 with sales of 124,750 in its first week and went on to sell 3 million on the strength of its three megahit singles.

Ciara: The Evolution sprints towards the gold mark on the strength of the first two singles, the get-it-started club banger “Get Up” (originally released as the single for the Step Up soundtrack) and the sensual ballad, “Promise,” produced by Polow Da Don. “Promise,” which truly showcases Ciara’s evolution and represents her first true ballad to rule the charts, is currently at #3 on the urban charts, and rises from #23 to the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The steamy Diane Martel-directed video is #1 on popular BET countdown show 106th & Park, the #1 overall video for the whole network, the #2 video at MTV, and in heavy rotation at VH1 Soul, MTV Jams, MTV Hits, Music Choice, and was recently an “Ovenfresh” video on FUSE.

Critics and fans alike have been raving for Ciara’s “Evolution.” USA Today says the new album “shows her versatility as a singer and songwriter” and labels the album “intelligently designed diversification.” Ciara “displays significant growth” (People) and the new album “should one, two-step Ciara even closer to superstardom” (Billboard). Ciara “knocks out one potential hit after the other” (New York Newsday) on a “near-perfect dance album” (Details).

Music from Ciara: The Evolution has been featured in performances on Live! With Regis & Kelly, The Ellen Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, MTV’s TRL, BET’s 106 & Park, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a special broadcast of her December 10th concert at the Nokia Theatre through AOL Music Live!

Tye Tribbett & G.A. Pick Up Three Grammy Nominations

Columbia Records gospel artists Tye Tribbett & G.A. have generated three Grammy nominations from the strength of the group’s latest collection, the #1 gospel album Victory Live!

Tye Tribbett and G.A. are in the running for the following Grammys: Best Gospel Performance (for “Victory,” from Victory Live!); Best Gospel Song (for “Victory,” from Victory Live!); and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album (for Victory Live!).

Nominations for the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced in Los Angeles Thursday, December 7 by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on February 11, 2007, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8pm – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The Grammy nominations are the latest in a series of accolades for Tye Tribbett and G.A. and Victory Live!, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Current Gospel Sales chart and hit #64 on the Top 200 bestselling albums chart, in June 2006.

In October 2006, Tribbett and his gospel choir picked up six nominations for the 22nd Annual Stellar Awards including Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year, Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary CD of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year (for “Victory,” from Victory Live!).

Tye Tribbett will co-host, and perform at, the 22nd Annual Stellar Awards ceremony in Nashville, at the fabled Grand Ole Opry House, on January 13, 2007.

Nike Air Force 1 Music Project Celebrates 25 Years of a Cultural Icon

Music history was made last night in New York City when artists Kanye West, Nas, Rakim and KRS-ONE took to the stage together at Nike’s (NYSE: NKE) celebration of the Air Force 1′s 25th year anniversary.

MTV cameras recorded the Air Force 1 event as this never seen-before foursome paid respect to the culture that created and continues to support the Air Force 1. The performance will air on MTV in January 2007 as part of a program exploring the connection between the Air Force 1 and the communities that have made it their own.

Twenty-five years ago Nike released the Air Force 1 to satisfy the demands of the most uncompromising and forceful players in the game of basketball. In 1982, the Air Force 1 became the first basketball shoe to feature Nike Air technology. The comfort and protective qualities of the Air Force 1 changed the game forever and created a platform that launched Nike’s long-running legacy in performance basketball.

Diamond Dallas Page’s Lawsuit Against Rap Mogul Jay-Z Grows

A federal judge granted a motion to add Rocawear owners Roc Apparel Group LLC, Urban Menswear LLC and Rocawear Licensing LLC to a trademark and copyright infringement suit filed by Professional Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page. The suit, originally filed December 2, 2005, claims the hip-hop heavyweight has illegally adopted Page’s trademark hand gesture the “Diamond Cutter” as his own.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Federal Court, accuses Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records of trademark and copyright infringement as well as misappropriation of the hand symbol. Page is seeking an injunction (meaning Jay-Z would be prohibited from using the gesture) and unspecified monetary damages. Earlier this year, Diamond Dallas Page discovered that Jay-Z’s clothing line, Rocawear, manufactured and sold merchandise displaying the diamond cutter symbol.

The well-loved wrestler also says he used the symbol on PPV events, WCW live events, and media appearances, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Page goes on to assert that as his success as a wrestler grew, so did sales of his merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, stationary, posters and action figures, which featured the Diamond Cutter Trademark. The infringement claim also states that, “[m]any athletes and celebrities also flashed the Diamond Cutter sports celebration move. In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA finals against the Chicago Bulls, Karl Malone, the Utah Jazz star basketball player, flashed the Diamond Cutter Trademark during the game and referred to the symbol as Plaintiff’s hand sign. Similarly, former professional football player and Dallas Cowboy star running back, Herschel Walker used the Diamond Cutter Trademark after a 64 yard touchdown run and also acknowledged that it was Plaintiff’s signature trademark.”

Page is currently shooting the movie Gallow Walker in South Africa with Wesley Snipes.

SOURCE George Gallegos, Attorney for Diamond Dallas Page

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance Share a Real-Life Romance in FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY

KIMANI PRESS marks the New Year with the launch of their very first nonfiction romance FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY, a book that spotlights the compelling real-life love story of Hollywood power couple Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. Co-written with Hilary Beard, this inspirational story of love captivates readers with Angela’s and Courtney’s separate recollections — from humble beginnings to past relationships and on to busy careers as their paths on the road to stardom cross and ultimately meet to form their loving family. FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY includes personal photos that chronicle their experiences, along with exclusive family photos of their young twins. This compelling memoir offers a rare peek into their lives, which have previously been private, and offers the reader valuable lessons for relationships and life.

Angela Bassett is a critically acclaimed actress of television, stage and film who won a Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nomination for What’s Love Got To Do With It, and Courtney B. Vance is a dramatic actor nominated for two Tony Awards and a recent costar on NBC’s Law & Order: Criminal Intent with film credits including Space Cowboys and The Preacher’s Wife. Angela and Courtney spent fourteen years brushing up against each other, experiencing the internal and external obstacles that often keep lovers apart. Together they share the candid experiences that led to a lifelong commitment between two friends who’ve known each other since their college days in the late 1980s at the prestigious Yale School of Drama. It was a dream come true for these two high-profile celebrities when they finally found love and happiness nearly twenty years later in each other’s arms. Angela and Courtney’s friendship-turned-touching-love-story is a tale worth sharing with the world.

FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY openly reveals the serendipitous events that occur when lovers are destined to unite. In these pages Angela and Courtney describe how two individuals gravitate toward each other in a society where men and women are assumed to inhabit different mental and emotional planets and, especially, in an industry that is notorious for its detrimental impact on romantic relationships. FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY invites readers to get up close and personal for the first time with this intriguing couple to see how this husband-and-wife team built a strong foundation of love that guided them through the ups and downs of stardom as they triumphed against the odds.

Told in alternating he said, she said chapters, the book takes a realistic but entertaining look at how friends can live parallel love lives and experience the typical male female misunderstandings on their way to discovering and falling in love with each other. Altogether engaging, conversational, humorous and warm, FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY is also sprinkled with serious introspection. The final chapter combines the famous couple’s voices as they share lessons for receiving and maintaining love.

SOURCE Kimani Press

Beyonce to Headline the 2007 Essence Music Festival on Friday, July 6, 2007

It’s time to ring the alarm! R&B mega-star Beyonce Knowles will hit the stage as one of the headlining talent for the 2007 Essence Music Festival, the nation’s largest annual African-American event celebrating Black music and culture. Known for chart-topping hits like “Crazy in Love”, “Ring the Alarm” and “De Ja Vu”, the world-renowned superstar will wow the crowd with an electrifying performance on Friday, July 6, 2007, it was announced today by Essence Communications Inc.

“We are just thrilled to have Beyonce join us for our ‘Coming Home’ party as one of the headliners of the Essence Music Festival with what we know will be a one-of kind performance at the Louisiana Superdome,” said Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc. “As a groundbreaking artist with peerless talent, Beyonce is leading what is certain to be an exciting and unique Festival line-up … what better way to welcome Festivalgoers back to New Orleans!”

Taking the music world by storm with her mega-star girl group, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce made her mark in 2003 with the success of her solo debut, Dangerously in Love. Widely lauded as one of the world’s biggest R&B stars, her appearance marks the first time Beyonce hits the Essence Music Festival stage as a solo artist. Her multi-platinum super group, Destiny’s Child, performed for a sold-out crowd at the last Festival in New Orleans in 2005.

“I have performed at the Essence Festival with Destiny’s Child and remember it as one of our best concerts. I am so honored to perform at the Essence Festival as a solo act upon its return to New Orleans, post Katrina,” commented Beyonce. “Essence has been a true believer in the rich heritage of this amazing city and its wonderful people. My family’s roots are deep in this area so this will be a wonderful reunion for us as well.” Beyonce will “Come Home” with ESSENCE to celebrate the 13th annual Essence Music Festival’s return to its original home of New Orleans, after relocating temporarily to Houston in 2006 following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. More exciting and talented performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2007 Essence Music Festival is produced by Essence Festivals in association with Festival Productions Inc. – New Orleans and AEG Live. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI). ECI is also the publisher of ESSENCE magazine. ESSENCE, after 36 years, continues to be the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women.

SOURCE Essence Music Festival

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