Lifetime Television to Air Rihanna Speaks Out: A Lifetime and 20/20 Special
November 24, 2009
Lifetime Television and ABC News are giving viewers a second chance to see music superstar Rihanna’s exclusive emotional interview with Diane Sawyer where she publicly revealed for the first time what happened last February with singer and ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. The interview — which originally aired on Friday, November 6, on ABC’s 20/20 — is now re-airing in a half-hour format as Rihanna Speaks Out: A Lifetime and 20/20 Special premiering on Wednesday, November 25, at 10 pm ET/PT on Lifetime Television.
Monique Coleman Illuminates UNICEF Snowflake at Lighting Ceremony in Beverly Hills
November 24, 2009
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced that actress and UNICEF supporter Monique Coleman will light the UNICEF Snowflake on Saturday, November 21 at the 2009 Beverly Hills UNICEF Snowflake lighting ceremony. The UNICEF Snowflake will grace the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard during the holiday season. The ceremony highlights the City of Beverly Hills’ annual holiday event and the season of giving.
“The UNICEF Snowflake is a special symbol for the world’s most vulnerable children,” said Caryl Stern, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Every day 24,000 children die of preventable causes. These iconic snowflakes — at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills — hang as a reminder of UNICEF’s commitment to reach a day when zero children die from preventable causes.”
Chris Brown’s New Album ‘Graffiti’ In Stores December 8
November 24, 2009
Jive Records multi-platinum recording artist Chris Brown is set to release his third album Graffiti December 8, on the heels of the successful launch of his 18-city “Fan Appreciation Tour.”
The album’s first single, “I Can Transform Ya” featuring Lil Wayne and producer Swizz Beatz (who also produced the track), has climbed to the Top Ten on Billboard‘s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and Rhythmic radio airplay charts. The hit single has sold over 355K combined digital and mobile units and is holding steady in the Top 10 on the iTunes music video chart. The 20-year-old, multi-entertainer’s video clip for the track is in heavy rotation on MTV, MTV Jams, MTV Hits, Music Choice and was recently added to BET and FUSE.
Shaw Receives Largest Research Grant in University’s History
November 24, 2009
The Institute for Health, Social, and Community Research (IHSCR) at Shaw University has been awarded a five-year research grant for $4,116,437 from the National Institutes of Health, National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD). The grant will be used to implement The Shaw NCMHD Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI) Project.
The RIMI Program is designed to establish a research capacity-building infrastructure program, with benchmarks for training students, and developing a cadre of clinical, biomedical and behavioral research scientists who possess the skills, knowledge and abilities to engage in leading, cutting-edge and innovative research and training that will ultimately contribute to reducing and eliminating health disparities in the United States. The RIMI Program encourages the facilitation and integration of teaching and research at predominantly minority-serving academic institutions, with the aim of developing sustainable research programs, and enhancing the overall quality of the educational experience for students in the life sciences and related areas.
Jesse Jackson Slams Black Votes Against Health Care
November 24, 2009
Democratic Rep. Artur Davis is the the only African American in Congress representing Alabama, and he was the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to vote against the House Democratic health care bill earlier this month. And yesterday, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson apparently called him out for it.
“You can’t vote against health care and call yourself a black man,” Jackson said Wednesday night, the Hill newspaper reports. Jackson made the remarks at an event hosted by the CBC Foundation to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s presidential bid.
Pictured: Rev. Jesse Jackson attends the National Urban League-Workshops at McCormick Place on July 30, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for National Urban League)
Alleged scam aimed at African American churches in Southern California to be investigated
November 24, 2009
Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown is scheduled to announce this morning that his office is launching an investigation into an alleged scam aimed at dozens of African American churches in Southern California.
According to preliminary information released by Brown’s office, the probe will focus on whether four individuals, two businesses and three national leasing companies defrauded more than 30 Southern California-based African American churches out of tens of thousands of dollars. Churches hit by the alleged scam include houses of worship in Compton, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Pasadena, Perris, Pomona, Rialto, Riverside and San Bernardino, according to Brown’s office.
Oprah Winfrey to End Her Program in 2011
November 24, 2009
Oprah Winfrey plans to end her syndicated television show in September 2011 as she turns her attention to a new cable-television channel she plans to launch with Discovery Communications Inc.
Ms. Winfrey told her staff of her decision on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the matter. She plans to make an official announcement Friday morning on her talk show, according to a spokeswoman for Ms. Winfrey’s Chicago-based Harpo Inc.
The move is a big blow to the syndicated television market in which Ms. Winfrey has long been a juggernaut. “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” launched in syndication in 1986, averaged 6.6 million viewers in the week ended Nov. 8, according to Nielsen Co.
Pictured: Oprah Winfrey arrives at the screening of ‘Precious: Based On The Novel ‘PUSH’ By Sapphire’ during AFI FEST 2009 held at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on November 1, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)
Candids: Al Green Helps Diddy Celebrate His 40th Birthday
November 24, 2009
Music Legend Al Green welcomes hip hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to the stage during the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Birthday Celebration Presented by Ciroc Vodka at The Grand Ballroom at The Plaza Hotel on November 20, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Bad Boy Entertainment)
Shaquille O’Neal to Curate Contemporary Art Exhibition in New York
November 24, 2009
The FLAG Art Foundation is pleased to present “Size DOES Matter”, curated by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. This exciting exhibition, on view from February 19, 2010 – May 27, 2010, includes works from international artists exploring the myriad ways that scale affects the perception of contemporary art.
Weighing 320 pounds and standing 7’1″ atop his size 22 shoes, Shaq is one of the most dominant players ever to play in the NBA. Throughout his career, O’Neal has capitalized on his size and strength to overpower opponents for points and rebounds earning him nicknames such as Diesel and Superman. Now Shaq takes the opportunity to reflect on his size with an exhibition boasting works from microscopic to giant pieces that have the ability to dwarf and exaggerate everyone — even Shaq himself.
Wale’s Attention: Deficit Debut Album Scores an Attention-Getting First Week
November 24, 2009
Wale’s debut album, Attention: Deficit (Allido/Interscope), has gained both attention and acclaim in its first week of release, marking just the beginning of what should be a long and successful career for one of the most intriguing new artists in hip-hop. With the album released November 10th, first week sales have outperformed industry expectations for the first Washington, D.C. rapper to earn national attention in more than a decade. Wale, who built his underground cred with mixtapes, performed on TV’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and “It’s On with Alexa Chung” to launch the album. The current single is “Pretty Girls,” featuring Gucci Mane and Weensey of Backyard Band, a legendary go-go group from the D.C. area. Capping off the year in true style, Wale is one of GQ magazine’s “Men Of The Year” for 2009.
R. Kelly’s New Album ‘Untitled’ In Stores December 1
November 24, 2009
Grammy-winning recording artist R. Kelly is set to release his tenth studio album, Untitled on Jive Records on December 1.
The Chicago native is currently headlining the sold-out “Ladies Make Some Noise!” tour and is already making a lasting impression on the Billboard charts with all-new material from the album. The infectious lead single, “Number One” featuring Keri Hilson, is Kelly’s 35th Top 10 hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop list, “One” becomes Kelly’s record-breaking 27th Top 10 hit.
The second set of singles from the album is getting traction: “Religious“ has reached to the Top 20 on the Urban Adult Contemporary radio chart within two weeks of its impact and the dually-released single, “Echo” was recently serviced to urban mainstream radio and is receiving positive feedback.
Usher to Ring in the Holidays with TNT’s Annual Music Concert
November 24, 2009
TNT is going to ring in the holidays in musical style with its annual presentation of CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON, premiering Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher are scheduled to join host George Lopez in TNT’s spectacular holiday celebration.
“We take pride in presenting CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON each year as we bring together musical artists from a variety of genres for a fantastic holiday concert,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president/head of programming for TNT, TBS and TCM. “This year, we’re especially thrilled to welcome a lineup of top-name performers and an equally amazing host, George Lopez. Together, they will make this a holiday celebration to remember.”
Queen Latifah launches new fragrance, Alicia Keys does jewelry
November 24, 2009
Being a multi-talented celeb means big business. A clothing line, a new fragrance, a jewelry and so on. And the list of celebs launching new lines keeps growing and growing.
Queen Latifah was in Houston last week at the new Macy’s at Almeda Mall to make her first national appearance to promote her new fragrance, Queen. (Like it would be called anything else.) About 100 plus fans waited patiently in line to meet the Queen.
The fragrance actually is light, slightly sweet and wearable. Queen Latifah said she smelled about 50 different fragrances, many of them “a little too mature or a little too sweet” before picking the winner.
Pictured: Singer Queen Latifah arrives for the BET Honors on January 17, 2009 in Washington, DC. The BET Honors cultural achievements by African Americans. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images).
African-American Engineer Shocks the Doctors: Survives Diabetic Coma
November 24, 2009
DeWayne McCulley, a now-retired engineer, shocked his doctors and survived a near-death diabetic coma, despite a blood glucose of 1337 (more than 1200 points above normal). McCulley was able to overcome hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, two major blood clots, and insulin.
McCulley, a retired Xerox engineer and Penn State graduate, further shocked his doctors by using his engineering background to wean himself off the insulin and other drugs. He lowered his average blood glucose level and his hemoglobin A1C to the normal ranges (92 mg/dl, 4.7%) while losing 55 pounds and reversing his diabetes within 4 months.
Aetna Makes $30,000 Grant to Atlanta Urban League to Support ‘Get Body Beautiful’ Program
November 24, 2009
More than 15,000 women in the metro Atlanta area will have a chance to participate in the Atlanta Urban League’s “Get Body Beautiful” program, thanks to a $30,000 grant from Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation.
The “Get Body Beautiful” program, which kicked off Nov. 1, is an interactive, multi-media program that includes: on-site community fitness classes at local malls and churches; radio programs; Internet-based tracking; and a dedicated Web site to help women track their progress.
