Ludacris Raps for Obama (and Even Obama Isn’t Happy)
July 31, 2008
Atlanta rapper Ludacris has thrown his support firmly behind presidential candidate Barack Obama via his latest recording, “Politics (Obama is Here)”
The problem?
The Obama camp isn’t exactly embracing the profanity laced song that also takes pokes at George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton and John McCain.
PICTURED: Actor/recording artist Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges arrives at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual summer luncheon held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on July 30, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
TRAILER: Days of Wrath
July 31, 2008
RELEASE DATE: TBA
SYNOPSIS: Wasabi Tuna scripter Celia Fox writes and directs this incisive urban drama exploring precisely how the laws of the jungle still apply in one of the most socially and technologically advanced cities on the planet.
Byron Gordon is the wealthy and handsome owner of KIND — a Los Angeles television station that is struggling to maintain afloat despite failing ratings. When KIND begins reporting on the increasing proliferation of gang warfare on the Los Angeles streets, the ratings finally start to pick up.
ON DVD: Never Back Down
July 31, 2008
At his new high school, a rebellious teen Jake Tyler is lured into an ultimate underground fighting club in a Backyard Fight, where he finds a mentor in a mixed martial arts veteran.
After receiving threats to the safety of his friends and family, Jake seeks the mentoring of a veteran fighter, to train his mind and body for one final no-holds-barred elimination fight with his unrelenting personal nemesis and local martial arts champion Ryan McCarthy.
TEASER TRAILER: The Princess and The Frog
July 31, 2008
RELEASE DATE: Christmas 2009
The Princess and the Frog is an upcoming animated musical feature film currently being produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and based upon the classic fairy tale The Frog Princess.
The film, which began production under the working title The Frog Princess, will be an American fairy tale musical set in New Orleans during the 1920s Jazz Age, and Tiana will be the first Black Disney Princess.
President Bush Signs Reauthorization Of HIV/AIDS Initiative
July 31, 2008
Mohamed Kalyesubula waves to acknowledge applause before U.S. President George W. Bush signs the United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 in the East Room of the White House July 30, 2008 in Washington, DC.
A native of Uganda, Kalyesubula was near death from complications with AIDS when he recieved help from the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Now he travels promoting anti-HIV/AIDS programs. Named for former House members Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Henry Hyde (R-IL), HR 5501 will reauthorize the PEPFAR at $48 billion through 2013.
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Private Concert To Debut Remakes Of Iconic Wrigley’s Gum Jingles
July 31, 2008
Ne-Yo attends a private concert to debut remakes of iconic Wrigley’s Gum jingles at the Nokia Theatre Times Square on July 29, 2008 in New York City.
(Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Keke Palmer Visits Planet Hollywood Times Square
July 31, 2008
Actress Keke Palmer visits Planet Hollywood in Times Square on July 30, 2008 in New York City.
(Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)
US Lawmakers Apologize for Slavery
July 31, 2008
US lawmakers Tuesday offered the federal government’s first formal apology for the “fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity” of slavery and the legal segregation of African-Americans.
The resolution, passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote, “apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery” formal segregation laws known as “Jim Crow.”
Obama: McCain’s Paris Hilton Ad So Not Hot
July 31, 2008
Not John McCain’s best shot, says the Democrat’s camp after the Republican likened him to the two celebrities in a new commercial.
“On a day when major news organizations across the country are taking Sen. McCain to task for a steady stream of false, negative attacks, his campaign has launched yet another,” says Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor. “Or, as some might say, ‘Oops! He did it again.’”
PICTURED: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois speaks at a news conference as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) listens on Capitol Hill July 29, 2008 in Washington DC. Obama was on Capitol Hill to speak beofore the House Democratic Caucus.
(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Patients of Color With Skin Issues Advised to Seek Proper Diagnosis
July 31, 2008
By its very nature, skin of color is considered sensitive skin by dermatologists who regularly treat darker-skinned patients for a wide range of skin problems. Acne and rosacea can be especially problematic skin conditions for people with skin of color, as any skin irritation in these patients can cause pigmentation problems that can result in the lightening or darkening of the skin.
At the American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy Meeting 2008 in Chicago, dermatologist Valerie D. Callender, MD, FAAD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., discussed the importance of early intervention in treating acne and rosacea in patients with skin of color.
Top Executives to Convene for Diversity Town Hall Meeting
July 31, 2008
The National Association for Multi-ethnicity In Communications (NAMIC) today announced the roster of senior executives scheduled to participate in a Diversity Town Hall Meeting as part of the 22nd Annual NAMIC Conference. Kicking off Cable Diversity Week, the 22nd Annual NAMIC Conference will be held September 14-16, 2008 at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Produced to stimulate dialogue on multi-ethnic diversity and inclusion, the Diversity Town Hall Meeting will focus on hot topics such as the results of the NAMIC 2008 Employment Research survey. Facilitated in partnership with DiversityInc magazine, the comprehensive biennial survey provides a baseline of statistics about the state of multi-ethnic employment in the telecommunications industry.
Marriott Named One of ’40 Best Companies for Diversity’ by Black Enterprise Magazine
July 31, 2008
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has been recognized by Black Enterprise magazine as one of “40 Best Companies for Diversity” for the fourth consecutive year. Marriott was one of two lodging companies to make the list. The magazine said that the companies identified in the special report demonstrated strength and outperformed their peers in one or more of four key categories: supplier diversity, senior management, board involvement, and employee base.
“We are pleased to be recognized again this year by Black Enterprise as one of the best companies for diversity,” said Jimmie W. Paschall, global diversity officer and senior vice president, external affairs for Marriott International, Inc. “We know that the rich diversity present within our organization is our competitive advantage. This recognition affirms that our strategies and initiatives in this area are key to sustaining our leadership position.”
Re/Max East-West Accused of Real Estate Sales Discrimination by Department of Justice
July 31, 2008
On July 18, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against the real estate brokerage doing business as Re/Max East-West alleging discrimination on the basis of race and national origin in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Re/Max East-West is a major brokerage company serving Illinois’ DuPage and Cook Counties, including the neighborhoods of Elmhurst, Lombard, Villa Park and Bensenville.
An undercover investigation of Re/Max East-West conducted by NFHA found that Re/Max East-West agents repeatedly steered potential white and Latino homebuyers to areas where their race predominated. A Re/Max agent showed a Latino tester three homes in predominantly African-American and Latino areas, homes that were markedly less expensive than those she could afford, and told her that he did not have a lot of time for her. Conversely, the same agent showed a white tester nine homes, the majority of which were in predominantly white areas such as Bartlett, Geneva and St. Charles. The agent offered to show the white tester many more homes in predominantly white neighborhoods as far as a 50 mile drive away.
50 Cent Sues Taco Bell Over Ad Campaign
July 31, 2008
50 Cent has sued Taco Bell, claiming the fast-food restaurant chain is using his name without permission in advertising that asks him to call himself 99 Cent.
The rapper says in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that the Mexican-themed chain features him in a print ad asking him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent. His real name is Curtis Jackson.
PICTURED: Hip-hop music artist 50 Cent of G Unit visits MTV’s ‘Mi TRL’ on June 30, 2008 in New York City.
(Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
PREMIERING IN LIMITED THEATERS: B-Girl
July 31, 2008
She struggles, but then the beat takes over and she’s on. She’s home.
B-Girl is a story of hip-hop, of what it means to be a breaker. Angel (Jules Urich) is a b-girl struggling in the six-step, a fundamental move. Her coach, Carlos (Ogie Banks III) and her all-male crew doubt her skill and with a huge competition coming up, Angel has to prove her place among them. She stays to practice late at night, working at home and building her strength.
She doesn’t just succeed; she blows the room away.
