Hip-Hop D.J., Fired for Threats, Returns to Airwaves

The firing of Tori Torain, known as D.J. Star, was not nearly as big as the dismissal of Mr. Imus for making disparaging comments about members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team, but it caused a stir nonetheless. Mr. Torain, from 2000 until his dismissal in 2006, was one of the leading hip-hop broadcasters in New York City.FULL ARTICLE AT NYTIMES.COM

Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum Live

SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) announced that it will be the exclusive national radio outlet of the Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum and will broadcast the event live on Saturday, December 1st at 8:00 pm ET on SIRIUS Left channel 146. Co-founded in 1984 by current Iowa State Representative Wayne Ford and Latino Community Leader Mary Campos, The Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum is the nation’s oldest continuous minority presidential forum in which all candidates have the opportunity to answer important questions concerning issues affecting African-American and Latino-Americans. All eight Democratic presidential candidates are expected to participate. SIRIUS Left’s Mark Thompson, host of Make It Plain — a daily political and current events talk show from an African-American point of view — will broadcast his program live from Iowa on Friday, November 30th (5:00-8:00 PM ET) and talk with members of the community working to make a difference. In addition, Thompson will host special live call-in programs on SIRIUS Left channel 146 immediately preceding and following The Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum where listeners will share opinions, comments, and debate. “The Iowa Brown & Black Forum was founded to spark a national conversation about issues important to the minority community — from economic development to health care to immigration,” said Iowa State Representative Wayne Ford. “Partnering with SIRIUS ensures that we reach voters from all backgrounds across the country — the people who will choose our next president and must be part of the electoral process.” “Our country’s Latino population is 43 million, and in the 2004 election we represented 6% of the votes,” said Mary Campos, Co-Chair & Founder, The Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum. “The time is now to raise our voices and unite to impact the future of our country’s government and policies — airing our forum live on SIRIUS will help us reach our goals.” “The Iowa Brown & Black Forum is at the center of the dialogue and debate surrounding minority issues,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS’ President, Entertainment and Sports. “SIRIUS’ mission is to deliver diverse, in-depth programming from all perspectives, and we are pleased to support this event and bring the voices of the people and the candidates live from Iowa to our listeners across America.” The Iowa Brown & Black Forum will be moderated by Michele Norris, host of National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, and Ray Suarez, senior correspondent for PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. SIRIUS Left is a national platform where well-respected and thought-provoking hosts including Thompson, Alex Bennett, Lynn Samuels, Bill Press, and many more discuss significant political issues and concerns daily.

State NAACP joins protest of Chinese artist chosen for MLK monument

The California branch of the NAACP has joined a growing protest against the selection of a Chinese artist to sculpt the tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. planned for the National Mall in Washington, D.C. FULL ARTICLE AT SFGATE.COM

“Soulmate” Documentary to be Featured On NBC Nightly News

The documentary film, SOULMATE, will be featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, in their five-part series, ‘African American Women: Where They Stand.’ Rehema Ellis will look at the relationships of African American women. Many agree the gender disparity in education and business among African-Americans is having an effect on relationships that African American women have. Some even say the implications could redefine ‘Black America’s family and social structure.’ In the past fifty years, the percentage of African-American women between 25-54 who have never been married, has doubled from 20% to 40%, compared to just 16% of white women.

“I am encouraged that NBC Nightly News has chosen to provide a national platform for these critical issues facing African American women. In truth, these issues affect all Americans,” states SOULMATE director, Andrea Wiley, a married mother of two sons. SOULMATE recently received the award for Best Documentary at the International Black Film Festival of Nashville, making this its 7th film festival award. The film has also received both the Audience Choice and Best Feature Film Awards at the African-American Women in Cinema Film Festival in New York, the Audience Choice Award at the Sweet Auburn International Film Festival in Atlanta, GA and took home the Best Documentary Awards at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in Beverly Hills, CA, the San Francisco Christian Film Festival and the Urban Vestige Film Festival in New York City. In addition to the film festival circuit, SOULMATE has been sweeping the globe with home screenings and church screenings in Nigeria, London, the Caribbean and renowned singles ministries such as Dr. Fred Prices’ Crenshaw Christian Center, T.D. Jakes’ Potter’s House, Bishop Eddie Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale’s Ray Of Hope Christian Church. “I believe that SOULMATE has become such an impacting change agent in this culture because people can relate to the women and men in the film. Their candor and transparency invite you into their hearts and give you permission to be honest about the experiences, emotions and fears you tend not to share with others,” states Wiley. SOULMATE explores the fact that 42.3% of Black American women have never been married and examines the challenges resulting from prolonged singleness and how this phenomenon arose within Black American culture. The film also offers practical advice on such issues as loneliness, the biological clock, the desire for sexual intimacy and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This deeply personal journey offers glimpses into the trials and triumphs of the lives of accomplished, professional Black women who are finding purpose while single. Additionally, the film profiles Black women who married after age 40 and shares their journeys to the altar.

Vick to pay $1 million for dogs as fortune shrinks

Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick has agreed to pay nearly $1 million for the care of about 54 pit bulls found on his property during a dogfighting raid. FULL ARTICLE AT CNN.COM

BabyUniverse’s My Twinn Doll Named to Oprah’s 2007 Favorite Things List

BabyUniverse, Inc. today announced that its My Twinn doll brand, which creates one-of-a-kind dolls to look just like the special child in your life, has once again been included on Oprah’s Favorite Things list. Just in time for the gift-giving holiday season, Oprah’s 2007 Favorite Things list provides an easy-to-navigate online selection of this season’s hottest gifts for both kids and adults. My Twinn part of BabyUniverse, Inc. handcrafts the “just-like-me” doll and offers a beautiful selection of matching clothing and accessories for girls and their dolls. “We are very pleased to once again have My Twinn named to Oprah’s Favorite Things list,” said Craig Currie, Vice President of My Twinn and Baby Products. “More and more we’ve seen a growing trend of consumers looking for personalized gifts for little ones, and My Twinn dolls make an ideal ‘big gift’ as a playmate for today and a keepsake for years to come.”Specially trained My Twinn artisans handcraft each doll, creating the doll’s face and styling the doll’s hair based on customer-provided photos. They personalize each doll with the customer’s choice of skin tone, eye color, hair color and hair length. The artisans will also hand-paint special features like freckles and birthmarks. The 23″ dolls have vinyl heads, arms and legs and cuddly fully poseable bodies allowing them to sit, stand and even do the splits. The My Twinn Personalized doll first made Oprah’s Favorite Things List in 1999.

Most Democratic candidates are ignoring African Americans

Can Democrats get the votes they need simply because they’re not Republicans? You might think so in this presidential campaign. African-American and urban votes are critical to any Democratic victory. FULL ARTICLE AT SUNTIMES.COM

A Crave to Save

Making smart money moves is a desire of just about everyone. African Americans are constantly seeking ways for people to show them the money.

According to Black Enterprise, the U.S. Commerce Department reports that the personal savings rate continues to slump. As a percentage of disposable personal income, it was a disappointing negative 0.4 % for 2005, the lowest the rate has been since the height of the Great Depression. For the first two months of 2006, the rate is at negative 0.5%.

The good news is that it’s not just the responsibility of others to show you the money, but you can play a key role in that yourself. In fact, many African Americans crave to save and turn their finances around!

Listed below are tips to help you do just that – make S.M.A.R.T. money moves:

Simply pay yourself first: Put money aside to save before you begin paying your expenses. Saving just $5 a day can lead to $50 every two weeks, $100 a month, equaling $1,200 a year.

Move those deposit coins: Save your spare change and take it to the bank for deposit or use it to invest in a CD at least once a month, or at the end of the year.

Attend financial seminars: Most banks offer free bank-sponsored seminars about savings products, investing, retirement or simply how to obtain financial freedom. Attending seminars offers financial literacy, a must for learning how to effectively save and manage your money.

Re-direct IRAs, 401(k)s, Mutual Funds: Try to divert a certain amount from your income into an account that you cannot touch before the age of 59 1/2 without a penalty.

Transfer or direct deposit: Most banks offer to switch money from your checking account or straight from your paycheck to be placed in a savings account that is not linked to your ATM. Try this strategy to discourage spending.

These tips alone will help benefit African Americans who crave to save. After all, making smart money moves can lead one in the right direction.

Foxy Brown Reportedly Moved Out Of Solitary Confinement

Good news for Foxy Brown at last? According to TMZ.com, the imprisoned rapper has been moved out of punitive segregation for “good behavior.” FULL ARTICLE AT MTV.COM 

All Star Cast in KINGS OF THE EVENING

 

Homer Hobbs, home after two years in jail, discovers that life on the outside can be crueler than the back-breaking injustice of the chain gang. He returns to a bleak urban town caught in the depths of the Great Depression – no jobs, no prospects, no hope – where he is thrown together with four strangers, each struggling to survive as they scratch and scheme to dig their way out of poverty. Life is grim. But on Sunday nights, in a dingy hall in a forlorn neighborhood, the men of the ghetto piece together the finest attire their meager lives can beg, borrow or steal to compete in an underground contest like no other. The big winner will go home with the five dollar prize. The real prize – far less tangible, yet priceless – is the chance to feel like a king, if just for an evening. To men like these, the touch of a woman, the adulation of the crowd, the feel of a fine-looking suit are proof enough that a man might yet escape the debasement of the ghetto. And only one can emerge – King of the Evening.

Tatyana Ali makes a stop at HOTEL CALIFORNIA

Barry Bonds Story Made Into Movie

 

The story of Barry Bonds and the BALCO steroids scandal is going to be made into a film by HBO.

The premium cable channel has acquired the rights to "Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, BALCO and the Steroids Scandal That Rocked Professional Sports," the book by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams who covered the story for the San Francisco Chronicle.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE 

Mary J Blige, ”Queen of R&B Soul” to Perform at Monster Retailer Awards

Each year, Monster Cable hosts what has become the biggest social event of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas – the Monster Retailer Awards and Concert. Over five thousand CE professionals from around the globe pack the house in anticipation of learning who will be honored with the annual Monster Retailer Awards. Winners are chosen in a variety of categories including the top award, the Gold, for “Most Monsterous Retailer of the Year.” A world-class concert follows the ceremony. This year the Monster Retailer Awards is going to be “Just Fine,” featuring a concert performance by superstar Mary J Blige. “As a company, Monster is passionate about music and the artists that make it possible, we are honored to have Ms. Blige deliver an evening of music we will never forget,” said Noel Lee, The Head Monster. The event will take place on Tuesday, January 8th, at the Paris Hotel. MJB is a six-time Grammy-Award winner, soul, and R&B soul singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actress. She has sold over 40 million records worldwide, has earned 23 Grammy Award nominations and won an incredible number of awards during her illustrious career. She will be performing a selection of her hit songs such as “I Found My Everything,” “All That I Can Say” and “Ooh,” and will also thrill the audience with songs from her upcoming highly anticipated album, “Growing Pains.” Past Monster concerts have featured music greats like Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Crosby, Stills and Nash and James Brown.

USA Funds Awards $400,000 to National Scholarship Groups

USA Funds(R), the nation’s leading education-loan guarantor, has announced the award of $400,000 in contributions to five national scholarship organizations that promote access to higher education for minority students. For the sixth consecutive year, USA Funds has awarded funds to the American Indian College Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the United Negro College Fund. USA Funds also announced awards to the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund. The contributions address the findings of a federal advisory committee, which reported that members of ethnic-minority groups will account for a large part of the future growth in the college-going population and that these students will have significant financial need. “Through the support of organizations like USA Funds, the United Negro College Fund is able to provide scholarships for African-American students,” said Andrea Neely, UNCF area development director. “We are extremely grateful for USA Funds’ continued generosity in making sure that more African-American students will realize the dream of a college education.” During the past six years, USA Funds has awarded more than $1.9 million to national scholarship organizations that promote higher-education access for minority students. The contributions complement USA Funds’ own national scholarship program, which this year provided more than $8.3 million in aid to assist students in financial need. Up to half of USA Funds’ scholarship awards go to students who are members of ethnic-minority groups or are physically disabled. In announcing the awards, Henry L. Fernandez, USA Funds executive director, access and outreach, said, “In keeping with our mission to promote access to higher education, we are pleased to support the scholarship programs of these outstanding organizations. These organizations are working to ensure that ethnic-minority students have the chance to realize their dreams of postsecondary education and the opportunity for greater success following graduation.”

Meagan Goode is a lesbian on SUNDAYS IN FORTE GREEN

 

So you’re moving on from men to women, onscreen. Tell me about the film you’re working on, Sundays in Fort Greene.
It’s about a dysfunctional family—two sisters who are trying everything to not become their mother. My character is in the closet and trying to figure out how to come to terms with what makes her happy and not live under the control of what her mom wants.

How do you feel about playing a lesbian?
I was nervous but when I read the script I realized, it’s not just for the sake of being a lesbian, she just happens to be a lesbian. I’m excited.

Are there any love scenes?
There’s a little kiss. It freaks me out a little bit. I haven’t shot it yet. But as an actor I feel like, if you’re going to tell the truth about someone, you have to tell the truth.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW 

Next Page »