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Allen Iverson: “I want to play basketball so bad”
By Cindy Boren

Bringing back a legendary player before a big playoff game doesn’t always pay off.

But for the Philadelphia 76ers, trailing 3-2 in their playoff series against the Boston Celtics, the presence of Allen Iverson was “The Answer” as Philadelphia forced Game 7 with an 82-75 victory Wednesday night.

There was nothing magical about his appearance, nothing more than a legend coming home to provide a bit of support.Still, there was something Iversonesque about the Sixers' effort in a must-win situation to push this to limit, to a Game 7.They played hard - Iverson hard. They played like it was their last game, which it could have been for the 2011-12 season.It wasn't pretty. It wasn't neat. It wasn't perfect.But it was all heart, dug deep from that reserve in the Wells Fargo Center that Iverson always seemed to tap into.Not to ruin the feel-good moment in Philly, but Iverson also happened to be wearing the Reebok Question, a shoe that goes on sale Friday, as he brought the ball to midcourt to a standing ovation before tipoff. And there’s some not so feel-good history for him in Philly: the No. 1 draft pick in 1996, he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 2006 and had a brief stint with the team again in 2010.

Iverson, who’ll turn 37 next month, reminded everyone that he’d like to play again, no matter how sadly unrealistic that may seem, in an interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters.

“I'm not using that word [retired]. I want to play basketball so bad,” he said. “The way it is right now, I've accepted the fact that [the NBA] may not happen, but I still want to play basketball.”

Michelle Obama Wants To Trade Places With Beyonce
The Huffington Post | By Sabrina Siddiqui

First lady Michelle Obama wouldn't mind trading places with Beyonce, telling Peoplemagazine if she could be someone else, it'd be a great singer.

She also revealed President Barack Obama doesn't shy away from his duties as husband-in-chief -- he makes sure to tuck her into bed as part of a daily ritual.

"We have a ritual where he tucks me in, because I'm usually in bed before anybody," Obama said. "He'll come and turn the lights out and give me a kiss and we'll talk. He's like, 'Ready to be tucked?' I'm like, 'Yes I am.'"

The couple also take private walks with Bo to check in without the kids, she said.

Obama has been promoting American Grown, her new book about the White House Kitchen Garden. While discussing her husband, she joked about the president's now widely-discussed penchant for singing, saying it's sometimes difficult to get him to stop.

“He loves it in the shower in the morning, sings to the kids," she told People. "But it’s not a song. He’ll sing one line of something romantic or cute.”

She said she's less proud of her singing ability, but admires pop star Beyonce's gift. This isn't the first instance Obama and Beyonce have traded pleasantries in public. The singer penned an open letter praising the first lady in April following the debate over Hilary Rosen's controversial remarks on Ann Romney. Obama tweeted in response: "@Beyonce Thank you for the beautiful letter and for being a role model who kids everywhere can look up to. —mo." (The "mo" signifies that Obama, not her staff, penned the tweet.)

Despite pushing her Let's Move! fitness campaign, the first lady admitted to People that she's no expert when it comes to swimming and has no desire to show off her own physique: “That’s been my one goal: I don’t want to be caught dead in a bathing suit!”

The full interview hits newsstands on Friday.

Usher grilled in court about affair with ex-wife Tameka's bridesmaid

Foster's lawyer interrogated Usher regarding his claims that his ex-wife hired new nannies for their children, 4-year-old Usher Raymond V and 3-year-old Naviyd Ely, without consulting him first.

Tameka's lawyer then asked Usher if one of the nannies, Maya Fox Davis left after being "discovered in bed" with the singer. According to TMZ, Davis was a bridesmaid at the couple's 2007 wedding.

Usher's lawyer immediately objected to the questioning. He also objected when his client was questioned about his alleged ecstasy use, though Usher admitted in court to smoking marijuana in the past.

Usher filed for divorce in June 2009, claiming that the couple had lived separately for nearly a year of their two year marriage. Their ugly child custody battle has been playing out in Fulton County court in Atlanta this week.

The 33-year-old R&B singer broke down in tears while testifying on May 22. Usher testified that Tameka spit at and tried to fight his girlfriend. He also said that she hit him during the nasty fight, but he did not press charges because "I didn't want the boys to know that their father put their mother in jail."

Tameka's attorney claimed the singer provoked his client and suggested that his account of the incident is exaggerated. The trial is currently in recess and is set to resume in July.

Usher has made some forlorned posts on social networking site since beginning the court battle.According to ABC News, the singer shared a photo of himself on Facebook with his head bowed while Tameka smirks behind him with the caption, "how can you get this much joy out of someone's pain?" The post was later deleted.

He also posted a photo of what he called a "Misfortune Cookie," which featured the fortune, "Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to stop."

Meanwhile, Tameka slammed the media for what she claims to be biased towards her famous ex-husband,Tweeting on May 23, "Media is an amazing machine.. so easily bought by politics, money & popularity. Truth is rarely sought.. they show one sided accounts 2 sway."

Usher signed his first recording contract when he was 14 years old, with "X-Factor" judge L.A. Reid. His debut album was released in 1994 and featured co-executive producer Sean "Puffy" Combs. The seven time Grammy-winner has put out seven albums in total, including his upcoming release, "Looking 4 Myself," which will be available on June 12.

Usher is slated to take on the role of Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming film "Hands of Stone," about boxer Roberto 'Hands of Stone' Duran (Gael Garcia Bernal), which is currently filming in Colombia.

Washington man accused of hitting noisy kid at a theater charged
Associated Press

KENT, Wash. – A Washington state man fed up with a group of noisy moviegoers behind him, stepped over the seat and punched a 10-year-old boy in the face.

The man was watching "Titanic" in 3-D with his girlfriend and had asked the people sitting behind to quiet down and stop throwing popcorn, but they laughed at him, he said.

"I got so mad that it just happened," Yong Hyun Kim, 31, told police who arrested him the night of April 11 at the AMC Kent Station 14, in Kent, a south Seattle suburb.

The 10-year-old lost a tooth and had a bloody nose in the confrontation.

King County prosecutors charged Kim on May 16 with second-degree assault. If convicted, he could be sentenced to three to nine months in jail, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office said Tuesday.

The Auburn man has not been jailed and will be arraigned May 31 at the Regional Justice Center in Kent, spokesman Dan Donohoe said.

Kim could not be reached for this story and it's unclear whether he has a lawyer. He told police he thought the person he hit was a grown man.

The boy, identified in the police report as KJJ, was at the theater with three friends. They met police in the lobby. They said they were watching the movie and talking when Kim told them to be quiet. They quieted down, but KJJ says when he whispered something, Kim jumped over the seat, threw an iced drink at them and punched KJJ in the face.

Kim said something to the effect of "You know what, I paid a lot of money to see this movie," the police report said.

Kim told police the boys' behavior was worse than talking. He says they were hitting him and his girlfriend with popcorn, running back and forth in the aisle and bumping him with their arms.

"At one point Yong stepped over the seats and confronted the subjects behind him," the police report says. "Yong said he was talking to the subjects when they started laughing at him. Yong said he became so angry and swung his arm at one of the subjects and him in the face."

A manager at the theater referred a request for comment to a corporate spokesman who did not immediately call back.

Boy gets stuck in running washing machine

A father in New Jersey took a simple game of peek-a-boo a step too far, and it could've cost his child his life.

The father thought it would be funny to put the baby in a washing machine. Laundromat cameras captured it all.

"They must be out of their mind to put the kid in the washer.... it's almost hard to believe."

A father playing peekaboo put his child in a washing machine. Somehow the door locked and the washer started, sending the father into a panic and the mother screaming for help.

It was all caught on tape at Lori Chhour's Laundromat in Camden, New Jersey. The video was posted on Yahoo and YouTube.

With the child trapped in the churning washer, the parents raced for help. That's when Laundromat employee Kong Eng came to the rescue. He raced to the washer and saw the child inside.

He quickly pulled away the tables, opened a panel at the back of the machines and went straight to a circuit board to cut off the power. That allowed him to open the locked washer.

Kong says the father told him he was playing peekaboo with the child -- first in an open dryer, then in the washer.

When he placed the child inside, he didn't know someone had already put money in the machine, so when the door closed, the machine started with the child inside and the door locked automatically. That's when Kong took action.

"I scared the kid die. You know and then when I pull the kid out. I am really happy then," said Kong Eng.

Customers at the Laundromat were stunned to hear that the child had been placed in the washer. They were also calling Kong a hero.

Pink disses Chris Brown Billboard performance

Gugu Myeni

Pop/rock singer Pink has poured cold water on Rnb singer Chris Brown's 2012 Billboard Awards 'lip-sync' performance on social networking site Twitter.

"One day if i lipsync, i hope i do it as well as him...." Pink tweeted to her followers after Chris Brown's 'Turn up the music' performance the Huffington Post reported.

Pink was not the only one commenting on Brown's 'singing' or lack there of.

The pop/rock singer's motorcross racer husband Carey Hart called out Brown for "copying" his wife's 2010 American Music Awards performance theme.

"Im pretty sure i saw my wife did that same performance, but she was 3 months pregnant and actually sang the song."

Hart was referring to Pink's performance of "Raise Your Glass" which incorporated a BMX theme, similar to Brown's 2012 Billboard performance.

Hart's statement got fans confused who thought he was dissing pop singer Katy Perry's performance,Huffington Post Reported.

"I love twitter! To clarify i was talkin trash bout CB performance, 2 years ago my wife had the same set and actually sang "Raise ur Glass" Hart tweeted.

While Brown got roaring screams and applause from the Billboard awards audience the reception was not all that great on Twitter.

Model Chrissy Teigen also took to her Twitter page saying: "Why sing when you can dance?"

Watch Chris Brown's performance below:

ARSENIO HALL
3 Networks 'Very Interested'
in New Talk Show

(TMZ)

Arsenio Hall's long-awaited talk-show comeback is finally picking up steam ... TMZ has learned 3 networks are "very interested" in signing the comic to a TV deal.

Hall -- who was crowned champion on "Celebrity Apprentice" last night -- has been gunning to get back behind a desk ever since "The Arsenio Hall Show" went off the air back in 1994.

Now, with his newfound Trump-powered momentum ... sources tell us NBC and two other broadcast groups are all making a play for Arsenio ... though it's unclear if Hall would fit in daytime or late-night.

Hall is a late-night legend ... who, along with "The Simpsons," helped build FOX into a juggernaut when they premiered in 1989.

Fist pumps and whoops all around.

Young Buck Headed To Prision
(power99fm)

Former G-unit rapper Young Buck will spend two months in prison. It’s unclear why the rapper is going to jail but in a vlog video released last night, he asks fans to "hold him down while he does his time" and prepare themselves for his return. In the video he also let fellow rappers know that he returns they should get out of his way. Within the last three years he has faced a 10 year prison bid due to gun charges, liquidation of all assets including name ownership, and filing for bankruptcy.

Roland Martin: Plan To Use Jeremiah Wright Is 'Putting Mormonism On The Table'

CNN's Roland Martin said on Thursday that a plan by right-wing operatives to bring up Barack Obama's past association with Jeremiah Wright could lead to others "putting Mormonism on the table."

On Thursday, the New York Timesreported on a proposal committed by billionaire Joe Ricketts that would run commercials tying Obama to Wright, whose sermons created perhaps his biggest campaign headache in 2008. (Asked about the plan, Mitt Romney called it the "wrong course.")

Calling it a "ridiculous conversation," and saying that it wouldn't work, Martin also warned that people on the other side of the aisle might be inclined to bring up the issue of Romney's faith if the plan were followed through.

"If Ricketts wants to do that, if the GOP they want to do that, you're now putting Mormonism on the table," Martin said. "You're now putting on the table how African Americans were treated by the Mormon religion. I don't think Mitt Romney really wants to have that conversation, considering he was an elder and his dad was an elder, and they really did not embrace African Americans. It is a ridiculous conversation."

He called it a "ridiculous conversation."

Missy Elliott, Nas, Wiz Khalifa Top Rock The Bells Lineup
by Jason Lipshutz, N.Y.

The annual hip-hop summit Rock The Bells revealed its lineup on Wednesday (May 16), and while Nas, Kid Cudi and Wiz Khalifa top the 2012 bill, the big news is the promised special performance by Missy Elliott.

Elliott, who revealed her battle with Graves' disease last year and whose seventh studio album has been seven years in the making, will be making an "exclusive North American festival performance" at the festival series, which will invade San Bernardino, Calif. on Aug 18-19, Mountain View, Calif. on Aug. 25-26, and Holmdel, N.J. on Sept. 1-2. The rapper's longtime producer and collaborator, Timbaland, will join her for the performances.
Meanwhile, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will deliver a string of 20-year anniversary performances and run through their 1995 classic album "E. 1999 Eternal" in its entirety. RTB stalwarts Method Man and Redman will team up to perform their 1999 joint full-length "Blackout!" as well.

Other notable performers at this year's festival include Chicago superstarLupe Fiasco, 90s icons Salt-N-Pepa, Harlem heroes Dipset, and all four members of the Black Hippy squad -- Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock. The event will be hosted by RZA and Supernatural.

Ticket presages for this year's Rock The Bells events begin (May 18). Nas topped last year's RTB lineup, performing "Illmatic" in its entirety; Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and Black Star were also featured in 2011.

El Debarge Says 50 Cent and Babyface Saved Him from Relapse
By Lea Brown

El Debarge is famous for eighties hits such as “I Like It” and “All This Love.” Unfortunately, what’s equally famous is the singer’s drug addiction and numerous arrests for various drug-related charges. The 50-year-old music veteran made a comeback in 2010 with the album 'Second Chance,' and was nominated for two Grammy’s, but shortly after, news surfaced that Debarge entered rehab yet again just days before kicking off his tour. Little did fans know that rapper 50 Cent and R&B entrepreneur Babyface had been the ones to lend a helping hand to the troubled star. In a recent radio interview with Atlanta’s V103 radio station, Debarge candidly tells of their intervention.

He explains, “I started getting these thoughts, and I called 50 cent up, and I said, ‘You gotta help me…I’m already on my way to doing something wrong.’ So 50 came like five cars deep, picked me up right from where I was, got me outta there, they met up with Babyface, they took me into Interscope, we all had a meeting, and they said, ‘Man why don’t you just go to rehab.’”

He reassures he never physically went back to the narcotics, but that the relapse was in his mind, saying, “You have to get your mind right, and you have to have the tools to that you need to stay in recovery.”

DeBarge also spoke about how he saw Whitney Houston a few days before her untimely passing, and briefly planned on working together. “She said ‘I need you, I wanna finish my album, I want you to sing with me…’ I was just happy that she embraced me like that, and I wanted to do something, but the next thing I know, she was gone,” he adds.

Hopefully that meeting with Whitney Houston shortly before her passing will help him as a reminder to stay on the right track.

Detroit pastor Marvin Winans assaulted, carjacked

DETROIT — Popular Detroit pastor and gospel singer Marvin Winans was assaulted and carjacked Wednesday afternoon at a gas station on the city's west side.

The attack happened about 3:20 p.m., and the suspects fled with an unknown amount of cash and Winans' SUV, police said.

Winans, 54, told WXYZ-TV that four or five young men followed him from inside the gas station and attacked him while he gassed up his vehicle.

Winans said he didn't believe he was seriously hurt, but planned to seek medical attention.

He said his attackers appeared to be among 10 young men he passed by inside the station, and he warily watched them as he pumped gas.

"I'm just saddened that it has come to this," Winans said. "This kind of nonsense just has to stop. It's just the savageness of what's happening in the street."

He also believes his attackers didn't recognize him. Winans is pastor of the 4,500-member Perfecting Church on Detroit's east side. In February, he gave singer Whitney Houston's eulogy.

"And if they did, it didn't make much difference," said Winans, who has been active in civic issues, including taking a stand against the proliferation of strip clubs in Detroit's neighborhoods.

Black community outraged, saddened over Blomberg verdict
by Larry Seward / KHOU 11 News

HOUSTON - Reaction to the verdict in the trial of former Houston cop Andrew Blomberg was strong and swift in the black community Wednesday.

The six-member, all-white jury found Blomberg not guilty of official oppression in connection with the videotaped beating of teen burglar Chad Holley.

There was outrage in the hallway outside the courtroom.

They just said to black people that the police can do whatever they want to do and get away with it," said activist Quanell X. "They just sent a message to all of us that our lives don’t mean a damn thing in Harris County."

"This good ol' boy network, ain't no justice coming out of here," said another activist.

As Blomberg left court with his attorney, a heckler followed shouting, "You’re guilty, man! You know you’re guilty!"

Inside Third Ward’s This Is It Soul Food restaurant, many in the lunch crowd were left with a sour taste in their mouths.

"This is not the first time this has happened. Police officers have been beating black young men and women and getting away with it. I know they get off and laugh about it. But it’s not right," said Jean Phillips. "There’s somebody else who sits high and looks low. They’re going to have to give an account."

"I really just think it’s sad," said Santina Vance. "It makes me feel an African-American woman, an African-American, our life isn’t valued and no one will suffer any repercussions from it."

Most said they too expected a not guilty verdict, even with video evidence showing Blomberg kick Chad Holley during a police beating.

"No justice comes out of (the courthouse)," said Kofi Taharka, chairman of the National United Black Front.　 "The justice gonna come in the streets."

However, inside Third Ward’s Finest Barbershop, people shrugged it off with disappointment.

"We expected that," said Bruce Knighton.　 "We know the history of Houston.　Instead of being held at a higher standard, they’re held to a lower standard and get away with it."

"For me personally, it’s just like if that happened to him, it can happen to any one of us," said Richard Wilson. "I just pray justice is there for me."

Quanell X said a protest rally will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. outside the courthouse.

Will Smith Supports Barack Obama's Stance On Gay Marriage
(Huffpost)

BERLIN -- Will Smith says he supports U.S. President Barack Obama's position on gay marriage.

The Hollywood actor says the question of whether gay people should be allowed to legally marry is "about semantics."

He told reporters in Berlin on Monday that "if anybody can find someone to love them and to help them through this difficult thing that we call life, I support that in any shape or form."

Still, Smith says the president's support for gay marriage was a "brave" move in an election year.

The actor is in Berlin to promote his new film "Men in Black III" that premieres in Germany on Monday.

Jay-Z puts music on hold for time with Blue

(CNN)Forget new music - Jay-Z's focused on being a new dad.

The hip-hop mogul is so enamored by his infant daughter Blue that he’s taking the focus off recording for the time being to spend more time with her.

The MC told CNN that he’s actually kind of surprised by his own decision to be a stay-at-home-rapper for now.

"I thought I would be really motivated with all the things happening and all the change, with a child in my life now, to get back in the studio," he said. "But I find that I'm really just motivated to just be with her."

And he's relishing every moment with four-month-old Blue.

"Fatherhood is fantastic, it's amazing," he said. "It's a real surreal thing, the joy that someone has at four months old. I know that it gets better."

Hov added to MTV that when he does hit the booth again, fans should expect to hear songs as expressive and insightful as “Glory,” the emotional tune he wrote about his daughter as soon as she was born.

"My music has always been like that,” he said of the sentimentality of his lyrics. “If you listen to 'Glory' and you listen to 'Regrets,' which was on my first album, side by side, it's exploring the same sort of emotions. It's just one deals with my mom, one deals with my daughter. My music has always been filled with those sort of emotions."

As we noted Monday, Jay-Z's set to headline a two-day music festival, which he's also curated, over Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia.

Kanye West to Appear on Keeping Up With the Kardashians? "I Want to Show My Life," Says Kim
by MARC MALKIN

As we've already told you, Kim Kardashian's boyfriend Kanye West was at big sister Kourtney Kardashian's baby shower on Saturday.

And yup, the reality show cameras were rolling.

So does this mean Mr. West is going to be appearing on Keeping Up With the Kardashians?
He will...at least a little bit.

Not only is he in the just released television spot promoting the new season of KUWTK, but Kim, 31, tells me he will appear in a few episodes.

"I want to show my life," she told me earlier today.

While Kim says she's not ready to talk about her relationship with West, 34, she did say, "If we are having dinner and he does show up, I'm sure we're not going to go, 'Stop the cameras!'"

In other words, we won't be seeing Keeping Up With Kim and Kanye or Kim and Kanye Take the World anytime soon.

"I'm not going to be taking a bubble bath and drinking champagne or on a sex swing [on camera] like Khloé [Kardashian Odom] and Lamar [Odom] do," Kim said. "It's not going to be like that."
Kim admits her marriage to Kris Humphries leaves her a bit weary of sharing as much as she once did.

"My heart's a little more guarded," she said. "I showed so much of myself in the past. You almost get embarrassed showing this big wedding, which I would have had cameras or not. So I think you want to just guard yourself."

Meanwhile, the family may be heading to London for the Olympics this summer. Khloé's hubby, 32, is hoping to be on the U.S. basketball team. He'll find out the he made the cut in early July.

"I've never been to London," said Khloé, 27. "I'm just going to stand in front of Buckingham Palace and screaming, 'Let me in!'"

Jay-Z To Headline 2-Day Music Festival In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - A big announcement is coming Monday morning from Jay-Z and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

Both will be on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 10:30 a.m. to reveal plans for a two-day music festival over Labor Day weekend.

Several sources confirmed the concert will be called "Made in America" and will feature more than two-dozen music acts.

It will be a paid event held somewhere in the Fairmount Park System, possibly on the parkway.

The news has fans buzzing. Tickets for the concert will go on sale in a couple weeks.

The festival is the same weekend Bruce Springsteen will play at Citizen's Bank Park.

Tickets for the concert will go on sale in a couple weeks.

FOX 29's Steve Keeley was at the Philadelphia Museum or Art with a preview on Monday morning.

Michelle Obama honors moms, military spouses
By Caitlin Leary

Mother's Day tea time
First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, host a party May 10 at the White House for mothers, grandmothers and children — many of whom hail from military families — in celebration of Mother's Day and Military Spouse Appreciation Day. After the tea, Obama and Biden joined military families in packing 2,000 Mother's Day gift boxes with charm bracelets, cosmetics and handwritten notes from service members for distribution by the USO and Full Circle Home, a nonprofit group that provides gifts on behalf of deployed service members.

Mary Mary Reality Show Renewed for Second Season
By Lea Brown

The hit reality show MARY MARY on We TV has been renewed for a second season. Set to begin filming in May 2012, the second season is to consist of 10 one-hour episodes to air in early 2013. The sister act consisting of Erica and Tina Campbell revealed this information today (May 9) on Good Morning America while promoting their new album titled Go Get It, which features remixes and additions to their previous hits along with a few new tracks including the single "Go Get It."

The successful show MARY MARY has been viewed by 11.1 million total viewers since its premiere on March 29, and is delivering three times WE tv’s prime time female viewership. The season one finale airs on Thursday, May 31 at 9 pm, ET/PT.

The second season will follow the sisters through the birth of Tina’s fifth child, their latest album release – "Go Get It" – a family wedding, a cross-country album tour and countless appearances and events, all while balancing their busy, growing families. Says Erica and Tina, ""We're super excited about season 2 -- more music, more mommying, more husbands, more Goo Goo, Mitchell and Ms. Honey, and definitely more fun and chaos!" In an interview with Singersroom, Tina adds, "We try to prioritize family time when it’s family time, and we try to prioritize work when we’re working. We know that we can’t say yes to everything like we used to before children and marriage, then we have to wrap our minds around the fact that we will not be 100% involved with everything our family does because we travel a lot."

WE (Women’s Entertainment) TV’s demographic has always been women, but the network is now providing more programming aimed at African American women. We TV’s senior vice president of original production and development Lauren Gellert says, "The success of ‘Mary Mary’ is both a testament to the engaging personalities of Erica and Tina and to WE tv’s programming strategy of catering to an underserved audience of African American women. Coupled with ‘Braxton Family Values’ and the upcoming series ‘LA Hair’ and ‘Tamar & Vince,’ ‘Mary Mary’ is yet another opportunity for WE tv to serve this valuable audience and provide opportunities to our advertising and distribution partners to engage with them as well."

MARY MARY is executive produced by Erica and Tina Campbell and Mitchell Solarek.

Obama jokes with Clooney at star's gala fundraiser
By JIM KUHNHENN

LOS ANGELES (AP) — George Clooney played the suave host, chefWolfgang Puck whipped up something for dinner, and President Barack Obama and about 150 of his Hollywood set donors enjoyed a few laughs at Clooney's good humored expense.

Obama told the crowd that his famed Hope poster from the 2008 was derived from a photograph of Obama sitting next to Clooney when Obama was a U.S. senator. Clooney had been in Washington advocating on behalf of Darfur.

"This is the first time that George Clooney has ever been photo-shopped out of a picture," Obama said. "Never happened before, never happen again."

In fact, the artist who created the poster, Shepard Fairey, used another photograph of Obama but said he relied on the Obama-Clooney picture to avoid a copyright infringement case with The Associated Press. He pleaded guilty in February to criminal contempt for fabricating and destroying evidence.

In this crowd, Obama didn't even need to mention gay marriage to get a vigorous applause. "Obviously," the president said obliquely, "yesterday we made some news."

The event, held under a stretched transparent tent outside Clooney's sprawling tudor-styled canyon home, raised nearly $15 million, a record for a single fundraiser.

The guests paid $40,000 to attend, accounting for about $6 million of the evening's financial haul for Obama's campaign and the Democratic Party. The remainder came from a raffle for small dollar donors. Two winners — both women — got to take part in the dinner and, even though Clooney was the host, they brought their husbands.

Puck's dinner menu included an artichoke salad followed by roasted duckling "Peking style" with tiny buns, a duo of lamb and beef cheek with potatoes and Brussels sprouts, and sweet corn tortelloni.

"We raised a lot of money because people love George," Obama said. "They like me; they love George."

Then seriously, he added: "He seems to occupy a constant state of grace, and uses his extraordinary talents on behalf of something truly important."

For Obama, the A-list party was not only a financial hit, it gave the president the kind of Hollywood buzz a Republican seldom gets. But the glitzy event, with its glamour and wealth, also has its risks and it set up a stark contrast with Obama's mission on Friday to highlight the plight of struggling homeowners in Nevada.

Among those at the dinner were such actors and performers as Robert Downey Jr., Barbra Streisandand her husband James Brolin, Jack Black, Salma Hayek and Tobey Maguire, who shared a table with Clooney and Clooney's girlfriend Stacey Kiebler.

Heading to Clooney's house, along the exclusive canyon roads, families gathered at dinner time to gawk, wave and cheer the presidential motorcade. Children manned a lemonade stand with a sign: "Presidents drink free."

Around the corner, a boy held up another hand-drawn piece of cardboard: "Will trade Lakers for Bulls if you stop."

And yet one more: "Our gay family says thanks Mr. President."

Taking Trayvon Martin's Name in Vain
People at a Cornell fraternity house racially taunted Black students by calling them the dead teen's name.
By BET-Staff

Is Trayvon Martin's name the new N-word?

According to reports, people at the Sigma Pi fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, racially taunted Black students as they walked past the frat house early Sunday morning, calling a woman "Trayvon" in an insulting manner.

Cornell Chief of Police Kathy Zoner said "people were reportedly making racial references,” writes the Cornell Daily Sun, and throwing objects at pedestrians from the roof of the house.

Writes the Sun:

Beverly Fonkwo ’14 said she was walking home with a friend when, unprovoked, the group on the fraternity roof began throwing objects that landed near a group walking behind them.

When the people walking behind Fonkwo asked them to stop, the people on top of the fraternity continued to throw objects — including a Jack Daniels [bottle] that landed near the group behind and an unopened beer can that landed near Fonkwo and her friend — she said.

When they asked them to stop again, the group responded, “‘Come up here, Trayvon,’ and started making all these other racial comments,” Fonkwo said. A Black teenager from Florida, Trayvon Martin was shot and killed in February — a death that was widely perceived as unprovoked and galvanized African American activists across the country.

“I feel like it was targeted and racially motivated … we felt very threatened,” Fonkwo said of the incident Sunday. Meanwhile, the assailants “were just laughing at the whole situation until we called the police and then they ran inside,” she said.

The president of the fraternity has apologized for the incident and said the person making the comments is not a member of Sigma Pi. His name is expected to be turned over to the police.

Zimmerman's not guilty plea accepted in Martin case arraignment

By NBC's Jamie Novogrod and NBCMiami.com's Brian Hamacher

George Zimmerman’s not-guilty plea on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin was accepted Tuesday afternoon at his Sanford, Fla., court arraignment, which the defendant did not attend.

Judge Kenneth R. Lester set a date for a so-called docket sounding 8:30 a.m., Aug. 8. That’s when a trial date will be set unless Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O'Mara, asks for a continuance.

Also on Tuesday, O'Mara in two filings waived Zimmerman's right to a speedy trial and said he needed more time to prepare his defense for trial. Zimmerman otherwise is guaranteed under Florida law the right to a trial within 175 days of his arrest.

Zimmerman remains free after posting $150,000 bond.

O'Mara, who also did not attend Tuesday's arraignment, earlier filed a written plea of not guilty and waived Zimmerman's appearance at the arraignment. Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda also did not appear in court Tuesday.

Lester addressed Zimmerman's case moments after taking the bench.

It was the first order of business on a busy day in Lester's court as 170 defendants were answering charges Tuesday afternoon.

According to police, Zimmerman, 28, has said he was acting in self-defense in the Feb. 26 shooting of Martin, 17, in a Sanford gated community.

Authorities didn't charge Zimmerman in the shooting of the Miami Gardens teen for more than six weeks, sparking national protests led by Martin's parents and civil rights groups.

Zimmerman is at an undisclosed location but is being monitored by authorities with a GPS device. He has surrendered his passport and must observe a 7 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew under the terms of his release.

Rapper G. Dep gets 15 years to life in 1993 NY shooting; turned himself in 17 years later
By The Associated Press

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Rapper G. Dep will spend at least 15 years in prison after being convicted of a 1993 New York killing. The case was reopened when he went to police to say he'd shot someone years earlier.

The 37-year-old rapper got the minimum sentence Tuesday for his April murder conviction: 15 years to life.

He went to a police station in December 2010 to say he'd fired at someone trying to rob him on a street corner when he was 17 to 19 years old.

Authorities paired his account with the 1993 death of John Henkel.

At trial, his lawyer questioned whether police made the right match.

Born Trevell Coleman, G. Dep got attention with "Special Delivery" and "Let's Get It" in the early 2000s

Shaquille O’Neal Earns Doctorate Degree

ABC News’ Yunji De Nies and Olivia Katrandjian report:

The four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal donned a cap and bright red XXXL-sized gown to receive his doctorate degree from Barry University Saturday in Miami, Florida.

On stage, he showed his enthusiasm in a way only someone over seven feet tall can do, by lifting his professor into the air.

After leaving Louisiana State University early for the NBA, Shaq went back to school and earned his bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree and now, a doctorate in education.

O’Neal told ABC News there are three reasons he hasn’t just kicked his feet up and lounged on an island since his retirement.

“One, I promised my parents I would[follow my passion for education]. Two, I wanted to continue my education and three, I wanted to challenge myself,” he said.

“The hardest part was getting back into high school mode. You ever have that high school teacher that says, you’ve got to read six chapters over the weekend?” he said.

He wrote his thesis on the value of humor in leadership, because he says he’s a natural leader who loves to laugh.

The graduate wants to become a motivational speaker and plans to go to law school.

O’Neal told ABC News there’s “no way” anyone is allowed to call him Shaq anymore.

“Only the children can call me Shaq, the adults have to address me as Dr. O’Neal,” he said.

“I’m proud to call you Dr. O’Neal!” said his mother.

A year into retirement, after 19 seasons on the court, Dr. O’Neal is not looking back. He says he doesn’t miss the game “Because I got a new walk, a doctor’s walk.”

Kanye West unleashes rant about men's fashion

Kanye West was not too pleased with the men of New York City and their sartorial choices this weekend. The rapper unleashed a rant on Twitter, dissing many of the men he spotted while on a drive through the city.

"Just driving through the city and I see a few things I hate," he wrote, perhaps in a take-off on his new single "I Don't Like," which also features Big Sean, Chief Keef, Jadakiss and Pusha T. "I hate button up shirts with hoodies. I hate hoodies with sport coats. I hate sport coats with button up shirts, jeans and dress shoes."

"I hate khaki trench coats with jeans and off brand work out sneakers. I hate khaki cargo shorts. I Hate big ass striped scarves," he continued. "I hate long ass sideburns with the line up RnB beard."

West concluded his diatribe saying, "All this in 5 blocks. Detest. #I'm on my snob."

So what does West like? Apparently, leather pants. The rapper was spotted wearing a baggy pair courtside at game three of the NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinals last week. West's reported girlfriend Kim Kardashian has also taken to wearing a slim-fitting pair as of late.

Bobby Brown still wants to drink after DUI bust

(blogsfgate.com)

R&B star Bobby Brown is refusing to let his recent arrest for driving under the influence turn him off booze, insisting he will “have a cocktail” once his latest legal issue is resolved.

The New Edition singer, a father of five, was taken into custody in California in March after he was caught talking on his cell phone while behind the wheel.

He was booked for the phone violation, the DUI and the additional misdemeanor of driving on a suspended license, but he reached a plea deal with prosecutors last week in which he pleaded no contest to the DUI charge.

Brown was ordered to complete a 90-day alcohol awareness course and was placed on 36 months of probation as a result of the agreement, while he was also banned from boozing for 30 days.

But that doesn’t mean Whitney Houston’s ex-husband, who kicked his drug addictions seven years ago, will be abstaining from alcohol forever.

In an interview with “Today,” which aired on Thursday, he said, “I am very much clean and sober from narcotics, (but) I do drink.

“I’m not allowed to drink for the next 30 days, but I do have a cocktail occasionally. I will, again, I know that. But I’m seven years clean from narcotics so I’m living the life that I wanna live.”

Black Unemployment Gap Is White Privilege 101
By Dr. Boyce Watkins

The last calendar year was an interesting and progressive one for President Obama, at least on the economic front. The president took over a struggling economy and has refused to openly address racial economic inequality. At the same time, it’s easy to see that during the last calendar year, the Obama Administration has a few things to brag about in the area of Black unemployment.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black unemployment has dropped from 15.8% this time last year to 13% today. Black men experienced the strongest decline, from 17.3% to 13.6%, while black women saw a decline from 12.8% to 10.8%. Black teens, however, saw their unemployment rate rise over the last year, from 37.5% to 38.2%.

While the improvements in Black unemployment were commendable, an overwhelming racial gap remains. Little has been done to address the persistent difference between black and white unemployment, and African Americans remain at the back of the economic bus in a multitude of ways. White unemployment holds steady at 7.4% this month, a rate that still has many white Americans highly upset at President Obama. Ironically, the rate that whites complain about so readily is one that African Americans would be expected to celebrate; in fact, we probably won’t even have 7.4% Black unemployment after a full recovery has occurred. That, my friends, is White Privilege 101.

The consistency of the race gap in unemployment is highly reflective of one of the most glaring signs of institutionalized racism in America. The idea that African Americans should be pleased with 13% unemployment, while white Americans are allowed to complain about 7.4%, reminds us that there are democratic rights that white Americans are given that are rarely afforded to the black community. When activists, such as Cornel West, speak up on the need to address double digit black unemployment, they are told to remain silent. All the while, there is little effort to silence those in the white community who express disappointment over their far more comfortable economic situation.

Even though African Americans remain in serious economic pain, the improvements from horrible to bad are going to play out well for the Obama Administration. The state of the economy is typically the factor that determines the outcome of most presidential races, and this is going to drive Obama’s re-election. The administration deserves credit for doing more than it had to do, but it also deserves to be criticized for not doing more. Black people should not be afraid to speak up when they are suffering.

Oprah Shares A Lesson Dr. Maya Angelou Taught Her
By Derrick Bryson Taylor

For years Oprah's been singing the praises of Dr. Maya Angelou. Oprah's made it known that she thinks very highly of the famous poet. Today, on her Facebook wall, the OWN creator shared one important lesson Dr. Angelou taught her: Say "Thank You."

"Ironically one of my most desolate moments, barely being able to speak in between sobs of despair, I called Maya looking for comfort and sympathy," writes Oprah. "Instead she sternly chided me, 'STOP IT' she said. 'Stop your crying right now and say THANK YOU!'"

"'Why would I say thank you for this?' I said. 'Say thank you because you know God, and you know He put a rainbow in every cloud. The rainbow is coming. Say thank you even though you can't see it. It's already there.'"

Dr. Angelou also taught Oprah why courage is so important in that same phone conversation. She revealed that above all, courage is the most important of all the virtues. "Without it, you can practice no other. Oprah says that courage is still feeling fear but still doing the necessary work to overcome. And in the very act of bravery you don't feel brave but just feel what is true and most real."

Oprah's post comes the day after Dr. Angelou was honored in Washington D.C. at The National Theater. The event was a fundraiser for her local charter schools. Common, Lil' Mo and Patti Autstin provided the musical entertainment.

At last night's event, Dr. Angelou admitted she wanted to share her wisdom with the generations to come just like she did with Oprah. "Well this is true, for as soon as you get a blessing give it away. Absolutely, when you learn, teach. When you get, give."

Bobby Brown Says He’s Still Loves Whitney Houston “To This Day”
by Bene Viera

Bobby Brown’s interview with Today’s Matt Lauer, in which the singer attempts to clear his name by dispelling the age-old rumors that he was the cause of Whitney Houston’s addiction. Now we have video of the sitdown, and it’s, of course, even more heartbreaking. In addition to recounting how well she looked the week prior to her death, he tells Lauer that he still asks himself if he could have helped her more.

“Maybe I could have done something different. You know?” he says. “To ensure she had a longer life. But you have to want it.”

Although happily engaged, he had no qualms expressing the love he had for his ex-wife of 14 years. Brown’s perception is that the couple had a great and “beautiful” relationship. “I can honestly say that I loved that woman with everything that I am,” he admitted. “I truly and genuinely love that woman. And I still love her to this day.” He said it’s no secret (not even to his fiancee) how he felt about Whitney. “I was in love with her deeply,” he says of his late ex.

It’s commendable for Brown to take the high road by only having good things to say about Houston. From the outside looking in the couple may have appeared to be a little rough around the edges. But that’s not to say the love they had for each other wasn’t real. Take a look at the couple during the happier times of their marriage.

African American Films at RIFF

By Cristina McCandles

The Riverside International Film Festival kicked-off the start of its 10th annual screenings with a lively celebration. Held at The Culver center of the Arts, the gala was studded with figures from all parts of the community. From designers and comedians to members of the city council, spectators gathered to show support for the true guests of honor: the filmmakers. RIFF features a 100+ films over a course of one week, ranging from one minute animations to comedic short films. With each film bringing something different to the screen we spoke with several filmmakers who’d use their film to document the struggles of our African society.

Sterling Hampton is a 17-year old high school student and aspiring filmmaker. Producing his first short film documenting Cuba’s missile crisis at just age thirteen, Hampton is no stranger to the art of film. This year he is one of the youngest African-American filmmakers being featured for his documentary “Throwaway Child”. Hampton sheds light on the country’s foster care system and chronicles two young African-American foster children who’ve traveled through the system their whole lives. In the film Hampton uses interviews and real life accounts in which the viewers gain a compelling insight of the struggles of African American foster children straight from their own perspective. Alongside Sterling's Submission, California Filmmaker Cristina McCandles brings a celebratory story of the art and humanity of the African people. In “From” “Zimbabwe” to “Santa Fe” McCandles documents the physical and emotional journey of three African basket weavers from Zimbabwe as they travel to the Santa Fe Folk Art Market. These diligent African women are determined to Reach Santa Fe, CA in order to sell their hand crafted creations and experience a life of opportunity which they’ve never been offered. McCandles follows these women in their daily lives and communities as they struggle to overcome enormous limitations in search for a better quality of life. Both films bring a beautiful and compelling story to this year’s Riverside International Film Festival and we are proud to have filmmakers shining light on the African Community.

Osama bin Laden documents released: trove of more than 6,000 pages from Al-Qaida leader’s compound declassified
By Dylan Stableford | The Ticket

More than 6,000 documents seized during the May 1, 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden were released on Thursday by West Point's Combating Terrorism Center, giving the public a rare glimpse into the Al-Qaida leader's terror plans and largely solitary life.

The raw documents--both the Arabic originals and versions translated and summarized in English--were posted on the center's website shortly before 9 a.m. ET.

As was previously reported, the documents show that bin Laden had ordered the assassinations of President Barack Obama and U.S. Gen. David Petraeus, but did not have the resources to carry out the killings.

"Obama is the head of infidelity and killing him automatically will make [Vice President Joe] Biden take over the presidency," Bin Laden wrote in a message to one of his top lieutenants, the Washington Post noted. "Biden is totally unprepared for that post, which will lead the U.S. into a crisis."

"Bin Laden would come up with an idea but it was a very broad aspirational idea," an administration official told NBC ahead of the West Point release. "And then he'd turn it over to somebody and there was always some sort of disconnect."

By the end of 2010, the official added, "there was certainly a sense of loss in terms of the senior leaders that perished, a sense that the midlevel cadre had been decimated."

Tyler Perry's Studios Damaged After Massive Fire
Us Weekly

Tyler Perry's huge studio complex in Atlanta, Georgia is still standing after four-alarm fire drew over 100 firefighters to contain the blaze on Tuesday night, the Associated Press confirms.

The Why Did I Get Married?filmmaker's complex -- a 200,000 square-foot studio, five sound stages and 400-seat theatre -- caught fire before 9 p.m., but no injuries were reported, and the structure of the largest building there remains intact.

The cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage is not yet known.

Flames shot as a high as six stories, local resident Dorothy Ware, whose apartment complex is right next to the studios, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The building started popping," Ware said. "Whatever the fire was hitting, was blowing up."

Perry surveyed the blaze and spoke with fire department officials, but has not yet released a comment about the fire.

Tavis Smiley and Cornel West release book on poverty

By The Root | Steven Gray

If there's any doubt that the economic crisis persists, consider the takeaways from recent headlines: The official unemployment rate remains 8.2 percent. One in six Americans -- nearly 52 million people -- receives food stamps, even as Republican legislators in Washington and state capitals push austere cuts to social programs.

In a Gallup survey released Monday, two-thirds of Americans say they know someone who has been laid off in the last six months -- the highest share in the venerable polling firm's history. But the biggest takeaway is this: The gap between the rich and poor in the United States is not only worsening; it's also greater than those in many other countries. Few people are connecting the dots.

Enter The Rich and the Rest of Us : A Poverty Manifesto -- a richly insightful, slightly academic book released this month by talk-show host Tavis Smiley and professor Cornel West. The two men have been friends for 25 years. The current book project was born last summer during the duo's 18-city Poverty Tour, which extended from a Native American reservation in Minnesota to Appalachia and Washington, D.C. The tour came just as the Congressional Black Caucus launched a series of job fairs.

Read the rest of the story at The Root.

Lil Wayne Settles $20 Million “Lollipop” Lawsuit With Producer

(XLMAG) Lil Wayne has reached a deal with a bitter ex-producer over the Grammy Award-winning hit single “Lollipop,” TMZ is reporting.

According to the celebrity news website, Weezy and producer Darius Harrison, who claims he produced several songs on the Tha Carter III, including “Lollipop,” was never paid for his work and was suing for $20 million of the $70-plus million that the album grossed in total.

Although Wayne initially shot that demand down, TMZ reported Monday (April 30) that he and Harrison finally settled the case by reaching a confidential agreement. The case has been dismissed. Deezle wasn’t the track’s only producer that had legal problems with Cash Money. Jim Jonsin too has taken issue with receiving payments from the imprint owned by Ronald “Slim” Williams and Brian “Baby” Williams in the past.

“Lollipop” set off Tha Carter III LP, as the first lead single off the album. “A Milli,” “Got Money” and “Mrs. Officer” all followed as the next batch of singles that the album cooked up and released to the masses.

“Lollipop” also featured late R&B artist Static Major, who died two weeks before the release of the song, but had taken part in the video shoot alongside Weezy for the track before his passing.

Of course, Lil Wayne would go on to release, Tha Carter IV LP last August. That album had Weezy rolling out singles such as “6 Foot 7 Foot,” “John,” “How to Love,” “She Will,” “It’s Good” and “Mirror.” The album reached first-week sales of 964,000 copies in the United States during its debut week.--Jakinder Singh

New African-American News Portal Looks To Reshape "Black News"

Dameon Runnels

(Blacknews.com)
The Black American News Network has launched its new website at www.tbann.com. Based in Dallas, Texas, this new online news portal is looking to make its mark. "TBANN is looking to reshape black news just as BET reshaped black entertainment," says owner Dameon Runnels.
"The 'T' in TBANN stands for our company's core operating values - timely, trusted and true news coverage," says Runnels. "Timely, because we believe our readers deserve the latest news, trusted because we will only use trusted sources for our information and true because the truth is the most important element in every story."

"TBANN is not just for African-Americans, it's for everyone interested in the current topics and issues that affect African-Americans," says Runnels, "TBANN is a trusted news source for all who want to engage black America."

A major goal of TBANN is to connect its readers to the stories. With nearly a decade at one of the nation's top news organizations (The Dallas Morning News) Runnels strongly believes he knows what it takes to deliver that connection. "You have to be committed to your audience and finely tuned into their world. Otherwise the connection is never made," Runnels says.

TBANN also wants to connect stories and readers through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. "These sites have a large number of African-American users that are heavily engaged with today's top issues. Any business should be where their people are and the same goes for us at TBANN. We're asking people to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter," Runnels says.

In 2010, over 13.4 million African-Americans went online to get their news according to a Pew Research report on American journalism. TBANN plans to attract them by providing a news website that reflects their interests and concerns.

TBANN also has a mobile website that caters to smart phone users. TBANN mobile is a streamlined version of the main site designed to give the latest news to users on the go.

"Whether it's at a desk or on the go, we want to make access to TBANN as easy as possible," says Runnels.

Stoudemire hurt postgame, Heat beat NY, 104-94
By TIM REYNOLDS

MIAMI (AP) — Drops of blood stained the carpet leading up to the back entrance of the New York Knicks' locker room. The glass portion of a nearby fire-extinguisher case was quickly replaced. And Amare Stoudemire needed doctors and paramedics to treat a cut on his left hand.

Game 2 probably wasn't all the Knicks lost in Miami on Monday night.

Stoudemire left the building with his arm in a sling and what appeared to be a bulky wrap over his left hand, long after the Heat took control of the teams' Eastern Conference first-round series with a 104-94 win over the Knicks, going up 2-0.

It resumes Thursday in New York, and although the Knicks were saying nothing for certain, it seems most unlikely that Stoudemire would be able to play.

"I am so mad at myself right now, I want to apologize to the fans and my team, not proud of my actions, headed home for a new start," Stoudemire wrote on Twitter after the Knicks left the arena.

Knicks center Tyson Chandler said he did not expect Stoudemire to play Game 3. An update from the Knicks said, "Extent of injury is unknown at this time."

Zimmerman caught in another lie.

(CNN) -- George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer accused of wrongly killing Trayvon Martin, will not immediately have to turn over donations made to his website, a Florida judge said Friday.

Zimmerman collected about $204,000 in donations through the website, but did not disclose the contributions during his bond hearing last week, according to his attorney, Mark O'Mara. Prosecutors had asked for a bond of $1 million, but Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. made it $150,000 after Zimmerman's family testified they did not have the resources necessary to meet the higher level.

Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda on Friday asked Lester to increase the bond in light of the donations. But the judge said he would delay ruling on the request, in part because he does not know if he has authority to say how the money can be used.

Lester and O'Mara both said they are concerned about releasing the names of donors to Zimmerman, who has faced threats since the case began making national headlines in March.

Zimmerman, 28, was released Monday on $150,000 bail, 10% of which was put up to secure his release while he awaits trial on a second-degree murder charge in Martin's February 26 death.

About $5,000 from the website contribution was used in making bond, O'Mara said. The rest came from a loan secured by a family home.

Although Zimmerman spent some of the contributions on living expenses, about $150,000 remains, O'Mara said Friday. O'Mara said he has put the money into a trust he controls until a final decision is made about its use.

Lester asked for additional information about the accounts but did not indicate when he would rule.

"I'm not going to make a snap decision," the judge said.

Zoe Saldana: I Wanted Kids With Ex-Fiance Keith Britton
BY ZACH JOHNSON

"I'm Latin -- we start young, honey!" the actress, 33, said on Lifetime's The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet Thursday. "At 22 you're like, 'I just wanna hold something!' You want a little critter."

Though Saldana and her fiance Keith Britton, 35, ended their 11-year relationship last November, the Star Trek actress revealed the two had once talked about starting a family together.

"For years he wasn't ready. Then when he got ready, I didn't have time. I never held anything off because I was waiting for something to kick in. I don't think that far about tomorrow," Saldana explained. "I felt the urge to want to have a baby, and I wanted to, but I remember that respecting his decision -- and making the decision to wait with him -- was one of the most mature things."

Saldana added: "I chose to wait and I'm glad I did. I'm glad that I respected him."

Though Saldana is currently single -- she recently split with beau of three months Bradley Cooper, 37 -- the actress said she wants at least "two or three" kids one day. "Or four or five! I don't care. They're just so delicious."

Ruben Studdard Given Ultimatum: Diet or Die Young
By Njai Joszor

American Idol winner Ruben Studdard is alleged to have reached nearly 400 pounds since his divorce from Surata McCants. According to insiders, family members are now concerned Studdard may "die tragically young" if he doesn't take care of his health sooner-rather-than-later.

"Now his loved ones fear he will die tragically young,” says a source. “He agrees he needs to get help, and everyone is praying he’ll succeed.”

As widely reported in 2006, Studdard lost over 60lbs in a weight loss program but, sources say the divorce and battle over a prenup that came with it has caused him to put the weight back on.

“It’s diet or DIE for Ruben," a source tells the National Enquirer.

Studdard did make a series of appearances in support of his latest album "Letters From Birmingham" in March. He also made an appearance on Atlanta's "Good Day Atlanta (Fox)" last week but did not discuss his alleged struggle.

"It's just a great opportunity to have an outlet to express yourself musically," Studdard told Good Day Atlanta. "Just to have the ability to have a ninth or tenth single and five albums is a blessing for me."

Obese lawyer sues supervisor and AIG for ‘Fat Albert’ insults
By JOSH SAUL & BOB FREDERICKS

Hey! Hey! Hey! . . . See you in court!

An obese black lawyer filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against insurance giant AIG and an ex-supervisor, saying his white boss yelled out “Hey! Hey! Hey! It’s Fat Albert!” and other racist taunts.

Earl Brown, 43, an Ivy league-educated lawyer, claimed in the civil-rights suit that the ex-boss, John Hornbostel, 49, peppered him with racist remarks and cruel jokes about his weight for years before he was canned without cause.

“Make sure you grab a bite to eat before this one does! He’s been known to clean out a Danish platter,” Hornbostel yelled about Brown during a meeting in April 2008, the suit claims.

Hornbostel then allegedly walked away humming the tune to the “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” animated TV show.

Neither Hornbostel nor AIG could immediately be reached for comment.

Judge grants Werdesheim brothers bench trialDefense:
Trayvon Martin case makes fair trial difficult

BALTIMORE - The attorneys for Eli and Avi Werdesheim, two brothers accused of beating a black teenager while on a neighborhood watch, have been granted their request for a bench trial instead of a jury trial, said 11 News reporter Lowell Melser.
The attorneys said comparisons to the Trayvon Martin case had prompted their delay of trial and change of venue requests.

The Werdesheim brothers said they acted in self-defense during their run-in with a 15-year-old boy in November 2010. The incident happened as the boy was walking along Fallstaff Road in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood. According to court charging documents, a car followed the boy and people got out of the car, threw the boy to the ground and told him he didn't belong there.

The judge also dealt with several other motions on Tuesday, said Melser, including whether to admit 911 tapes, allow the victim to testify about a photo lineup, or let the state introduce an article published in the Jewish Times in which the reporter interviewed both brothers, linking them to the crime scene.

The judge did allow the article to be admitted into evidence, said Melser.

Outside the Mitchell Courthouse, supporters of the then-15-year-old victim expressed their opinion of the case.

"We represent every young person in this city who has experienced these kinds of atrocities in this city every single day," said one supporter.

Both Werdesheim brothers have been charged with false imprisonment, assault and possession of a deadly weapon.

The documents said the victim was hit in the head with a radio, suffering a laceration to his head and a broken wrist.

Beyonce named People's most beautiful woman
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — People magazine has named Beyonce as the World's Most Beautiful Woman for 2012.

The 30-year-old singer tops the magazine's annual list of the "World's Most Beautiful" in a special double issue. The announcement was made Wednesday.

Commenting on her selection, Beyonce tells People: "I feel more beautiful than I've ever felt because I've given birth. I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this Earth."

Beyonce, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, gave birth to a daughter,Blue Ivy Carter, in January.

"She's just the cutest thing," says the Grammy winner, who sings to her daughter and claims to "love" changing diapers.

Does Blue resemble mom or dad?

"She looks like Blue," the singer says. "She's her own person."

"The best thing about having a daughter is having a true legacy," she adds. "The word 'love' means something completely different now."

Other celebrities on the list include Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Jessica Pare of "Mad Men."

In restaurants, African Americans still face discrimination, study says
By Mark Johnson of the Journal Sentinel

A new study by researchers at North Carolina State University suggests that more than one-third of restaurant servers are discriminating against African Americans.

The study, published online in the Journal of Black Studies, sprang from a survey of 200 servers at 18 chain restaurants in central North Carolina. Of the servers surveyed, 86% were white.

The researchers found that 38.5% of those surveyed reported that the race of customers affected the level of service at least some of the time. Often that meant African Americans received inferior service.

The survey also found that many servers perceived African American customers to be impolite and/or poor tippers. More than half of the servers interviewed reported seeing fellow servers discriminate against African Americans.

Just 10.5% of those surveyed said they had never discriminated against African Americans and had never seen others do so.

"The fact that a third of servers admit to varying their quality of service based on customers' race, often giving African Americans inferior service, shows that race continues to be an issue in our society," saidSarah Rusche, a doctoral candidate in sociology and co-author of the paper.

Man stops policeman, confesses to Oklahoma murder 25 years ago
By Steve Olafson | Reuters

OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - A homeless man walked up to a policeman in Montana last week and confessed to involvement in the murder of an Oklahoma county commissioner 25 years ago, authorities said on Monday.

"He just said he wanted to get something off of his chest," said Stan Florence, director of theOklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. "I think it was just one of those things he carried with him for 25 years and wanted to talk to somebody about it."

The man, Clifford W. Eagle, 53, told police he and another man were involved in the death of Leo Boyd Reasoner, a commissioner in Haskell County, Oklahoma, who was found lying across the seat of his pickup truck with a single bullet wound in his temple on June 25, 1987.

The sudden turn in the long-dormant case caught people in Haskell County by surprise, including the slain commissioner's widow, who has remarried, and his daughter, who both attended the announcement of the break in the case, said Florence.

Eagle told police he and the other man, Vince Allen Johnson, were driving along a rural Oklahoma road when they met the county commissioner, who accused Johnson of stealing from him, court documents show.

When Johnson jumped out of his vehicle and yelled that the county commissioner was reaching for a gun, Eagle said he and Johnson both drew pistols and fired, records of Eagle's confession show.

Johnson was executed in Oklahoma in 2001 for the murder of a woman in 1991 in what police called a murder-for-hire plot.

Eagle was homeless but seemed to be in a "good mental state" when he approached a patrolman on April 18 to offer his confession, said Lieutenant Kevin Effland, a spokesman for the Billings, Montana police, where Eagle approached the officer.

He remained in custody in Billings on Monday.

(Editing by Greg McCune and Sandra Maler)

Dr. Dre: Tupac 'Hologram' Not Going on Tour
by Billboard Staff

The inaccurately-titled Tupac Hologram (a.k.a. the "Holopac") may not be going on a tour anytime soon, at least according to Dr. Dre who spoke last night backstage at Coachella in Indio, Calif. "It was strictly for Coachella, get it right," Dr. Dre said in a video interview posted on YouTube (above). "I want to get rid of all the rumors out there. This was not done for a tour."

The Tupac 2D figure's spectacular debut during Snoop and Dr. Dre's Coachella performance last weekend led to speculation the virtual hip-hop legend might soon be going on tour.

Dre, however, didn't rule out the possibility: "If a tour happens, we'll see," adding "this was done strictly for Coachella 2012, baby, just for you."

Dr. Dre thanked the companies AV Concepts and Digital Domain who made his "dream come to life." The professional showman, ended the 54-second video interview by explaining the rigorous demands of live performance. "Now I gotta get my ass on stage and rock this motherfucker," he said.

George Zimmerman Released After Posting Bail

George Zimmerman was released on $150,000 bail from a county jail in Florida around midnight Sunday as he awaits trial on charges of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

As he left, Mr. Zimmerman was wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans and carrying a paper bag. He followed a man, who was also carrying bags, into a white vehicle and drove away, according to The Associated Press.

The release was a rare low-key moment in a case that has captured feverish national interest in recent weeks. No questions were shouted at Mr. Zimmerman as he left and he gave no statement, The A.P. said.

His destination was being kept secret for his protection; Mr. Zimmerman has received death threats..

Last week, his lawyer, Mark O’Mara, said Mr. Zimmerman would remain in jail for several days until arrangements were made for paying his bond and finding a secure location.

During a hearing last week, a Seminole County Circuit Court judge set the bail and imposed a series of restrictions on Mr. Zimmerman’s release. He was not to contact the Martin family or witnesses to the shooting. The judge, Kenneth R. Lester Jr., also set a curfew requiring Mr. Zimmerman to remain at home from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and banned access to alcohol or firearms. The judge also stipulated that Mr. Zimmerman’s movements be monitored with an electronic bracelet.

The bail figure was considerably less than prosecutors’ request for no bail or $1 million.

Mr. Martin, 17, was shot and killed on Feb. 26 while walking through the gated community where he was staying and where Mr. Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch volunteer. The case prompted demonstrations across the country, as weeks passed before Mr. Zimmerman’s arrest on April 11.

During the bail hearing, members of Mr. Zimmerman’s family, including his wife, Shellie, testified by telephone out of concern for their safety. They told the judge that they would monitor Mr. Zimmerman’s whereabouts and notify authorities if they lost contact with him for any reason before his trial.

Taking the stand briefly at the bail hearing, Mr. Zimmerman apologized to the Martin family. He wore a dark suit, with cuffs around his hands and shackles at his feet and waist.

“I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son,” he said in a soft voice. “I did not know how old he was. I thought he was a little bit younger than I am. And I did not know if he was armed or not.”

A lawyer for the Martin family, Benjamin Crump, called the apology “self-serving” and said he considered it a ploy designed to curry favor with the court and the public and to help secure a release from jail.

Elderly Minority Americans Struggle With Economic Insecurity

Most elderly retired Hispanic, African American and Asians living in the United States have difficulty covering basic daily expenses and have no economic security, new research shows.

Single retired people need between $19,000 to $25,000 a year to cover costs and couples need from $29,000 to $39,000, depending on their health and housing situation, according to the Elder Economic Security Standard Index, which calculates the economic security of older people.

But only about a quarter of older Hispanic, African American and Asian adults have retirement incomes within those ranges research from the non-profit group Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) showed.

“With many people of color working in low wage jobs, they are unable to save for retirement, leading to overwhelming numbers of older African American, Hispanic or Asian Americans who are able to cover their most basic expenses as they age,” said Donna Addkison, the president and CEO of Washington DC-based WOW, which promotes policies to help women and low-income families.

An analysis by WOW of U.S. Census Bureau data shows that 52 percent of elderly households report incomes that do not provide economic security to cover costs for housing, food, transportation, healthcare and miscellaneous expenses.

For Hispanic retirees the number rises to 76 percent, followed by 74 percent for African Americans and 65 percent for Asians.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

Racist memorabilia museum displays lynching tree, N-word

(now.msn.com)
The Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, with artifacts that include a full-size replica of a lynching tree (noose included) and no shortage of N-word references, is set to open next week at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. The museum's founder and curator, David Pilgrim, who is also the school's vice president for diversity and inclusion, said the objects on display are mostly "anti-black caricatures, everyday objects or ... segregationist memorabilia," some of which glorify violence against African-Americans. They are meant to provoke, teach and engage viewers, he said, and "should either be in a garbage can or a museum."

Another case of a black man being beaten by the police, an no one doing anything about it.

Queston Skipper

The Clarksdale Police Department. On April 18, 2012, Queston Skipper was handcuffed by Clarksdale Police Officer and slammed face first into the patrol vehicle until his nose, was broken, eye lid split open, nose split open and upper lip almost torn from his face. As of this post no criminal charges has been filed. The Chief of Police told him that he was too busy to see him because he was aboutto go to a meeting. Assistant Chief of Police told Queston go get the witnesses and bring them to the department to give a statement. Go to the hospital and get your records.

I’m posting a picture of Queston because he will be on WABG Channel 6 news at 6 or 10 p.m., tonight. Please demand action from Chief Greg Hoskins, Assistant Chief Lee Jackson, Mayor Henry Espy and the entire board of commissioners. Mayor Espy phone number is 662-621-8164. Chief Hoskins number is 662-621-8164. Please call the Mayor and Chief an express your outrage. Please keep him in your prayers, he is going through a lot.

Sheree Whitfield leaves 'Real Housewives of Atlanta'
By Lanford Beard, EW.com

(EW.com) -- EW has confirmed that "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Sheree Whitfield will no longer be with the show after this season.

The news first broke yesterday when Whitfield tweeted, "Yes it is official I'm leaving 'Real Housewives of Atlanta.' I enjoyed my time working with everyone affiliated with the show."

Whitfield explained to WetPaint, "The direction the show is going in is no longer a fit for my lifestyle. I'm tired of the fighting and the cattiness." She added, "I want to be part of something that empowers and inspires women to not only be healthy, but to treat themselves with respect. I wish the rest of the women the best of luck."

A rep for Bravo said of Whitfield's departure, "We have enjoyed working with Sheree as part of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. We wish her all the best in the future." That future will include working on her clothing line She by Sheree and launching a fitness brand.

The Traveling Trunk Of African American & Latino Inventors

By CHARLIE UPCHURCH, ANDREA SILENZI AND JABULANI LEFFALL

If you're a young black or latino student plotting your future, do you look up to athletes or entrepreneurs? Entertainers or innovators? On today's Central Standard, we speak withCarroll G. Lamb, executive director and co-founder of The Institute of Black Invention and Technology, which showcases black and latino inventors in a traveling trunk exhibit.

The Institute strives to collect and preserve inventions and innovations pioneered by minorities, then to bring this inspiring information to students. Their goal is getting students to consider education and careers in a STEM field--that is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Lamb, a kind of renaissance man himself, has worked in human resources management and photography. He and his wife attended a black exposition conference over a decade ago, and while he considered himself knowledgeable about black history, he realized he didn't know much about black inventors. He figured he couldn't be alone, and decided to create the Institute as a way of collecting and preserving their history.

From young inventors' ideas on educational tools to the ubiquitous personal computers, cell phones, and even golf tees that are integral to our everyday lives, The Traveling Trunk Exhibit of African-American and Latino Inventions strives to show minority students that inventors are a part of their history, too.

"Bachelor" to be hit with race discrimination lawsuit

(Reuters) - A pair of African American men expect to file a lawsuit against ABC television and the producer of reality dating shows "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" charging racial discrimination, attorneys said on Tuesday.

The class action, to be filed in federal court on Wednesday, is being brought by two residents of Nashville, Tennessee who claim the popular shows intentionally exclude people of color.

Nashville residents Nathaniel Claybrooks, an All-American football player, and Christopher Johnson, an aspiring National Football League player, will claim that in the 10 years the shows have been on the air -- a combined 23 seasons -- neither has ever featured a person of color in a central role, according to a statement from the attorneys.

They plan a news conference on Wednesday to discuss the legal action taken "on behalf of all persons of color who have applied for the role of the Bachelor or the Bachelorette but been denied the equal opportunity for selection on the basis of race."

The lawsuit will be filed against ABC television, Warner Horizon television, Next Entertainment, NZK Productions and Michael Fleiss, the executive producer of the "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" franchises.

ABC could not immediately be reached for comment.

Fleiss was asked by Entertainment Weekly last year if the shows would ever feature someone who wasn't white.

He was quoted as replying: "I think Ashley (the 2011 Bachelorette) is 1/16th Cherokee Indian, but I cannot confirm. But that is my suspicion! We really tried, but sometimes we feel guilty of tokenism. Oh, we have to wedge African-American chicks in there! We always want to cast for ethnic diversity, it's just that for whatever reason, they don't come forward. I wish they would."

"The Bachelor" made its debut on ABC in 2002 and features a single man who chooses a potential wife from a pool of about 20 women who are narrowed after weekly dates. "The Bachelorette" is the female version of the show and began in 2003.

Halle Berry Finally Opens Up About Engagement to Olivier Martinez: "Never Say Never!"
by ALEXIS L. LOINAZ

They met while shooting the thriller Dark Tide, but it's been nothing but smooth sailing for starry-eyed couple Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez.

After months of frenzied speculation (and some very public ring sightings!), Martinez finally confirmed that he and the Oscar-winning actress were engaged, officially putting an end to one of La-La Land's biggest guessing games.

Berry's remained pretty tight-lipped about the good news, but now it's her turn to speak out...

"Who knew?!" the actress told Extra this past weekend, pleasantly shocked that she'll be taking the plunge again.

"I swore it off, right? Never say never, people!"

Indeed, in a 2007 interview with InStyle, the actress vowed, "I will never, never get married again," following her failed marriages to baseball star David Justice and singer Eric Benét.

Good thing she's had a change of heart!

Last month, Martinez addressed the engagement rumors, telling Miami.com, "Yes, of course it's true!"

It's a welcome bright spot for Berry, who recently endured a nasty custody battle with ex Gabriel Aubry while fearing for her family's safety following the release of a man convicted for stalking her

Obama Campaign Raises $53 Million in March

By Peter NicholasPresident Barack Obama’s campaign announced Monday that it raised more than $53 million in March for his re-election, and released a video invoking Republican presumptive nominee Mitt Romney in a bid to pull in more money.

The $53 million reflects the amount raised for Obama’s campaign, the Democratic National Committee and affiliated committees. It is an improvement over February, when the president raised $45 million for his re-election push.

The campaign did not provide a breakdown of how much of the $53 million went directly to the president’s campaign fund. A spokesman said it would provide that number when it files its official fund-raising report by the April 20 deadline.

Republicans said the numbers show the president is not keeping pace with his fund-raising efforts in the 2008 race. In March 2008, Mr. Obama collected more than $41 million for his campaign fund alone, according to Federal Election Commission records.

“Big money contributions will not take away from the fact that President Obama cannot run on his record and is simply offering shiny objects to distract from his failure to bring hope and change to Americans as he promised,’’ Republican National Committee spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski said in a statement.

The Obama campaign video included testimonials from the president’s supporters showing that the bulk of his contributions last month came from small donors. The average donation was less than $51, according to the campaign.

Now that Mr. Romney has all but locked up the nomination, the Obama campaign is using him in its solicitations to drive up donations. In the video, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said that the campaign will “take on Mitt Romney” by raising money in $5 and $10 amounts.

Nicki Minaj Deletes Her Twitter Account
Rapper is furious at fans for 'leaking' her music

By ROLLING STONE

Nicki Minaj has deleted her Twitter account on Saturday following a dispute with some of her followers, MTV News reports. The rapper was furious with the Minaj fan site NickiDaily.com for posting snippets from her new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, claiming that they were "leaking" her music. Minaj blasted the site on Twitter, and then tweeted "Like seriously, its but so much a person can take. Good fucking bye" before deactivating her account.

NickiDaily.com has since shut down, with the owners stripping all content from the site aside from a loop of the rapper's song "Dear Old Nicki," in which she raps to her younger self. As can be expected, Minaj's legion of fans – known as Barbies – were distraught about her leaving the social media platform. The rapper has 30 days to reconsider leaving the site before the account is deactivated permanently.

Obama still thinks Kanye West is 'a jackass'
By B.J. Hammerstein
Detroit Free Press staff

President Barack Obama didn't mince words back in 2009 when he called Kanye West "a jackass." Now he's done it again.

Writer David Samuels got the president to speak on the record about West for an article he wrote about the polarizing hip-hop star for the May issue of Atlantic magazine. At a January fund-raiser, Samuels asked Obama: Jay-Z or Kanye West?

The president answered, "Jay-Z" before adding, "although I like Kanye. He's a Chicago guy. Smart. He's very talented."

That's when Samuels went back to the 2009 interview Obama did with ABC's "Nightline" during which the president said the rapper was rude for interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards.

"He is a jackass," Obama told Samuels. "But he's talented."

West, probably busy keeping up with his Kardashian (that would beKim), hadn't responded to Obama's comments as of Thursday afternoon.

Bobbi Kristina Brown Bong Video: Released, Shocking!
by Free Britney

Whitney Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, is seen hitting the bong HARD in a 2011 video posted by the National Enquirer on its new Enquirer Plus site.

The oft-troubled 19-year-old was partying with friends who attend college in Statesboro, Ga., in March of last year, when the bong video was taken.

The Enquirer video shows Bobbi Kristina smoking marijuana out a three-foot-tall bong, inhaling the smoke so deeply that she nearly collapses coughing.
In the video, Bobbi Kristina says, “Give me the lighter,” and then lights the bong, takes a huge hit, coughs and goes back for more ... like a boss.

“Bobbi Kristina was staying with friends at the school and brought along a big bag of pot for the party,” a source at the party said of that epic night.

“When I left at 6 a.m. the next day, she was still partying hard. Between tokes, Bobbi was drinking shots of Grey Goose and Skyy Blue vodka."

“She’s obviously a seasoned partier. With the amount of pot and alcohol she was using, I would've passed out, but she was going strong.”

Having experimented with drugs and alcohol plenty as it is, Bobbi Kristina is said to be spiraling out of control after her mother’s tragic death this year.

Bobbi Kristina Brown was hospitalized twice in 12 hours after her mother died and was even rumored to be getting high after Whitney's funeral.

Friends and family members are very concerned about her future.

“Everyone is worried sick about Krissy ... her aunt Pat got a number of her friends and family to come to Atlanta and have a serious talk with her,” a source said.

“There were lots of tears, but Bobbi Kristina didn’t listen.”

Hopefully pseudo-stepbrother and maybe-fiance Nick Gordon and grandmother Cissy Houston can set her straight ... because Bobby Brown clearly can't.

Comcast.net poll reveals that 41% feel as though the George Zimmerman charges are too harsh!!!
By Ahmir Young
(BlackpeopleDOread.com Staff)

Comcast did a survey this morning in which almost 300,000 voters participated. An alarming 41% of the voters felt as thought the charges that were brought against George Zimmerman were too harsh. This is a man who killed an unarmed 17 year old, and 41% of the voters feel as though the charge of second degree murder is too harsh. Zimmerman turned himself in yesterday, and is now in police custody, he reportedly will have an initial court date as early as today in which the bond amount will be determined. The results of this poll are a real slap in the face to African Americans. A young black male can be murdered, and have 41% of the people feel like the charges brought against Zimmerman are too harsh. But hey, racism is getting better right America?????

Police say no crime occurred in Houston's death

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beverly Hills police say they have concluded Whitney Houston's death investigation and found no signs that a crime occurred.

Lt. Mark Rosen said Wednesday the determination was made after reviewing the Grammy-winning singer's full autopsy report, which attributed her death to accidental drowning. Coroner's officials ruled heart disease and cocaine use contributed to the 48-year-old singer's death.

Houston died in a bathtub of the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 11 on the eve of the Grammy Awards. She had been planning a comeback, including a starring role in the remake of the film "Sparkle," which is due for release later this year.

Police have repeatedly said they have found no signs of foul play inHouston's death.

Rosen extended condolences to her family and fans.

Idaho's only African-American legislator receives letter from KKK

BOISE -- Idaho's only African-American legislator is drawing national attention for something she received in the mail. Boise Rep. Cherie Buckner-Webb says she received a letter last week from the KKK.

Buckner-Webb posted the letter on her Facebook page. She says it was hand-addressed to her home in Boise. The letter asks her to join the KKK and to declare that she is white and not of racially mixed descent. It also asks her to declare that she does not date non-whites or have non-white dependents.

Buckner-Webb responded on her Facebook page saying, "something a little unsettling."

The Knights Party website says the organization is based in Harrison, Arkansas. It says America's White Future Begins Here. The organization says their number one goal is to stop white genocide. Their application says the organization is legal and law-abiding and that members would never be asked to commit and unlawful act.

However, Buckner-Webb remains on guard, posting on her Facebook page, "just reminds me to be vigilant.... a little disconcerting. Think someone is putting me on notice, huh?"

Teacher Fired Over Trayvon Martin Fundraiser
By Dan Evon

MICHIGAN, PONTIAC – Brooke Harris, a teacher at the Pontiac Academy for Excellence Middle School in Pontiac, Michigan, was fired recently for helping students with a fundraiser for Trayvon Martin.
Harris said that she was was fired after supporting a group of students who were planning a wear-a-hoodie-to-school day in order to raise money for Martin’s family. Harris told ABC that she was confused by her dismissal since she did “everything by the book.”

Harris said:

“I was told I was a bad teacher, that I was being unprofessional, that I’m being paid to teach, not to be an activist. When I tried to defend myself, it was construed as insubordination.”

Superintendent Jacqueline Cassell didn’t comment on the teacher’s dismissal but did say that she does not oppose activism. Cassell did say, however, that the wear-a-hoodie-to-school event would have distracted students from their studies.

Cassell said:

“I’m a child of the civil rights movement (but) this is not the time in the school year (for a protest). In every situation, there are work rules… When rules are violated, there are consequences.”

Boston.com reports that the idea for the hoodie fundraiser came from the students after Harris asked her students to write an editorial about Martin’s death. The students wanted to ask the school’s administrators if they could pay $1 each to wear a hoodie to school. The Pontiac Academy for Excellence has a dress code but often holds fundraisers where students are allowed to “dress down” in order to raise money for a cause.

Jerri Katzerman, the Southern Poverty Law Center’s deputy legal director, said:

“Schools should encourage teachers to challenge their students to think critically about the world around them, rather than condemn them. What sort of message does it send to young children when their teacher is fired for helping them understand the world around them?”

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/218078/teacher-fired-over-trayvon-martin-fundraiser/#PvwpbXvo8oai4TO8.99

Kanye West’s new song reveals his love for Kim Kardashian
Michael Langston Moore

Is it possible that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are actually dating? According to a some reports, the answer is yes. And it might be more than just dating, because in Kanye’s new song (which hit the Internet on Wednesday), Ye says he loves (or at one point loved) Kim Kardashian.
In Kanye’s new track Theraflu (a song that the company Theraflu is publicly not happy about), Kanye confesses that he fell in love with Kim around the same time she was (briefly) married to Kris Humphries.

"I admit I fell in love with Kim, 'Round the same time she fell in love with him," raps Kanye on the track.

Well that's cool baby girl, do your thing, lucky I ain't have Jay drop him from the team.”

Those lyrics refer to the fact that Jay-Z is a partial owner of the New Jersey Nets, the team Humphries plays for.

Now, reports are that Kim and Kanye have been seen together on a date in New York City.

Senator calls Obama ‘stupid’ on Twitter
By Joel Roberts | The Lookout

A veteran Republican senator set off a Twitter firestorm over the weekend by calling President Obama "stupid" for his recent comments on the Supreme Court health care case.

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa wrote: "Constituents askd why i am not outraged at PresO attack on supreme court independence. Bcause Am ppl r not stupid as this x prof of con law."

Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, was referring to the president's controversial statement last week that a ruling against his health care law by the high court would amount to "judicial activism" by "unelected" justices.

Top Obama political adviser David Axelrod quickly fired back, mocking the senator's peculiar Twitter writing style.

"Heads up, Sen. Grassley. I think a 6-year-old hijacked your account and is sending out foolish Tweets just to embarrass you!"

Five Charged in China After Teen Trades Kidney for iPhone and iPad
By KEITH WAGSTAFF

Camping overnight at the Apple store looks pretty tame after this case. Five people in southern China have been charged for taking a 17-year-old boy’s kidney in exchange for an iPad and an iPhone.

According to Reuters, one of the defendants received $35,000 for arranging the transplant for an unknown client. He split that money with a surgeon and three other defendants.
The boy, identified only by his surname Wang, confessed to selling his kidney after his mom asked him where his new Apple products came from. Prosecutors from Chenzhou, in the Hunan province, say that he now suffers from renal deficiency.

The worst part? Wang got a terrible deal. In China, iPhones start at 3,988 yuan ($633) and iPads 2,988 yuan ($474). Now, I’m no professor of economics, but that comes out to a combined $1,107. Even cut five ways, the amount the defendant got for the kidney was enough for a whole bunch of iPads and iPhones, not to mention a MacBook Air or two.

For a teen from one of China’s poorer provinces, however, finding $633 for a new iPhone might as well be impossible. Black market organ trading is apparently such a problem in China that the government was forced to officially ban the practice in 2007, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency.

Rihanna will do what she wants with Chris Brown
By Sarah Anne Hughes

Rihanna told Elle magazine that, while she understands that her musical reconciliation with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown makes people angry, she isn’t going to stop doing what she wants: “The bottom line is that everyone thinks differently. It’s very hard for me to accept, but I get it. People end up wasting their time on the blogs or whatever, ranting away, and that’s all right. Because tomorrow I’m still going to be the same person. I’m still going to do what I want to do.” (Elle)

Howard Morgan sentenced to 40 years
by Kathy Chaney

Rosalind Morgan said God saved her husband Howard Morgan from 28 bullets and she trusts God to be the “ram in the bush” Thursday when the former police officer is sentenced for the attempted murders of four Chicago police officers.

Howard Morgan was acquitted of multiple aggravated battery charges against four Chicago police officers in 2007. He was retried and convicted this year on four counts of attempted murder.

Morgan’s due in court April 5 for sentencing.

“My husband is innocent,” Rosalind Morgan told the Defender.

Morgan, a former eight-year Chicago police officer, was heading home after his shift at the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad Co. ended Feb. 21, 2005 when he was stopped by four officers shortly after midnight.

Police said Morgan’s van lights were off and he was going the wrong way down a one-way street on 19th Street and Lawndale Avenue.

Morgan said he was pulled out of the van and pummeled by the officers, even after he identified himself as a police officer. A brief struggle ensued as Morgan attempted to retrieve his identification. One of the officers searched him and found his gun in his waistband and yelled, “Gun!” according to defense testimony at the first trial.

Morgan’s body was riddled with 28 gunshot wounds –– 21 to the backside and seven to the front side, his wife said.
“My husband was shot like an animal. Half of his colon was cut away due to the bullets. They were trying to murder Mr. Morgan. When he lived they concocted a story,” Mrs. Morgan said through tears.

Morgan’s bond was initially set at $2 million, an amount that shocked retired Judge Leo Holt, one of the attorneys representing Morgan.

“The defense asked Judge [Clayton J.] Crane to reduce bond to $600,000 and he honored the request,” Holt said in 2007.

After the original bond amount was determined, Mrs. Morgan raised the $200,000 needed for her husband to be released. He was released on bond November 2005.

After the second trial earlier this year his bond was revoked and Morgan was taken into custody on January 27.

“We asked if he could stay out on bond, but they denied our request. I couldn’t even hug my husband before they took him away. He’s not a flight risk and never missed a court hearing. He’s dangerous because he’s an African-American man,” his wife said.

Mrs. Morgan refuses to fathom the uncertain reality her husband may spend the rest of his life behind bars.

“I’m not claiming that; I rebuke it in the name of Jesus,” she stressed.

Nicki Minaj To Top Billboard Charts Next Week
Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded expected to sell more than 200,000
By Gil Kaufman

It will be a short trip to #1 for Madonna's MDNA. But at least the "Girl Gone Wild" will drop out of the top spot next week to make room for a pal: Nicki Minaj.

According to Billboard magazine Nicki's heavily hyped, polarizing second album , Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, will follow in the footsteps of her 2010 debut and hit #1 on the album charts.

Get More: Music News

Where there’s a Will there’s a Way: Former Cocaine Dealer Wins Truman Scholarship

(JDJOURNAL.COM)
When Walter Fortson was arrested in 2007 for dealing in crack cocaine, the police officer told him “your life is over.” In 2012, he is studying with honors in Rutgers University and the only New Jersey undergraduate to receive the prestigious $30,000 Truman Scholarship. The Truman Scholarship is a national award given to outstanding students pursuing careers in government or public affairs.

Fortson, now 27 was apprehended at the age of 22. He began university classes through a program while still living in a halfway house. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to five years with a parole possibility after 26 months.

On Friday, he told the media after receiving the news of winning the Truman Scholarship: “I knew that I had to bear the weight of being a felon and I thought that was something I would never be able to shed … The officer told me, ‘You know your life is over, right?’ I took him at his word.”
While at the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility, Fortson was introduced to Donald Roden, a Rutgers History professor who started the program to help felons enroll as students in the University. Roden told the media that Fortson “impressed me immediately by his determination and his brilliance.”

Roden’s program has enrolled 35 students to the university convicted of various felonies.

Fortson helped create the Mountainview Student Organization at Rutgers and is now its president. The organization recruits volunteers from Princeton and Rutgers to tutor at state correctional facilities.

He said that he accepts he broke the law and deserved punishment. However he holds the frequent strip searches, “is something I would not wish on my worst enemy.”

Fortson told the media that he felt lucky to have the chance to rehabilitate once out on parole, and he now wants to help other young people in prison find equal opportunities.

Currently, Fortson is studying exercise physiology with honors at Rutgers. The future may not be as dark for him as the police believed.

Black Sportscaster Hopes to be Next “Bachelor”

(ebony.com)
After being convinced by his assistant to go for the role,Portland sportscaster Lamar Hurd is now looking to be ABC’s next Bachelor. The show has been on air for 16 seasons—featuring women and men as prize singles—but none of them have ever been African American or any other ethnic race for that matter. Scrutinized for its lack of diversity, the show’s creator said that they’re open to other races but "for whatever reason, they don’t come forward. I wish they would.” Yea...side-eye.

Hurd is an anchor for ROOT Sports mainly covering college basketball. The charismatic 6-foot-4 Houston-native played basketball for Oregon State University in the mid-2000s before landing the on-camera gig. Hurd and his team at the station created a 9-minute video on YouTube to "campaign" for a spot on the hit primetime show. Reluctant to put his name out there, Hurd has now embraced the idea of finding his dream woman with all of Americawatching. “It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, it’s who I’m doing it with. So if it’s someone that I’m in love with then we’re going to have a good time,” he said.

Detroit students suspended for walking out of class in protest, demanding 'an education'
By theGrio

Nearly 50 students were suspended Thursday from the Frederick Douglass Academy in Detroit after staging a protest, according to the Huffington Post. "We've been wronged and disrespected and lied to and cheated," said senior Tevin Hill, who was one of the students who walked out of class at the all-boys school. They complained of a lack of teachers, a shortage of textbooks, and the reassignment of the school's principal.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in 2009 branded Detroit "ground zero" for education reform, but changed his tone to a more optimistic one last year. Still, the district is hundreds of millions of dollars in debt and faces dwindling enrollment -- the first day of academic year 2011-2012 saw a 55 percent attendance rate.

Detroit Public Schools spokesperson Steve Wasko noted that Frederick Douglass teachers who abuse sick time "will be reprimanded," and the district aims to keep the school open while adding new courses like debate and engineering.

The 17-year-old Hill told The Detroit News that so many teachers have been simultaneously absent from school that dozens of students had been forced to gather in the gym or other common school areas. Students also went for long periods without homework, and Hill said he struggled on a recent placement exam at Bowling Green State University, where he's been accepted to attend next year.

"I literally couldn't answer a question on there," Hill said. "Right now, I'm not going to be as successful as I should be because I haven't been properly taught."

Reverend Run Defends Diggy Simmons In J. Cole Beef
by Rahman Dukes

A new track from Diggy Simmons surfaced on Sunday morning (April 1) taking a few shots at J.Cole and the song has stirred up quite a bit of talk on Twitter. Seems like Diggy's dad, Run-DMC's Reverend Run, has been keeping an eye on the feedback because he tweeted in defense of his son this morning, writing, "@RevRunWisdom: J Cole.. Puts out 2 records Dissing family & Diggy & nobody cared.. Some1 leaks a old Diggy record & there's a problem?" Yikes.

Read the full story below, then hit the poll to vote. Did Diggy make the right move by dissing J. Cole?

Diggy sent a few shots J. Cole’s way on “What You Say To Me,” a surprising dis track that made it’s way onto the Internet Sunday morning. Apparently the 17-year old Simmons has taken exception to a few of Cole’s lyrics, specifically the second verse on the Roc Nation MC’s “Purple Rain.”

On the 2010 track Jermaine describes a sexual tryst with a preacher’s daughter, widely speculated to be in reference to Digg’s sister Vanessa Simmons.

Cole also name dropped Vanessa on “Grew Up Fast,” a song he released in February after he reached two million Twitter followers. “What up Vanessa? I loved ya that one semester,” he spit after he rhymed, “You n---as is not Russell, you’re more Diggy/ Me I’m more Biggie.” To his credit, J. Cole did clean up the insult later in the song saying that he didn’t mean to dis Diggy, he was simply rapping.

Whatever the case, Digg clearly felt the sing and addressed it directly on his new song. “The other day I was listening to ‘Purple Rain’/ Couldn’t believe all of the things I heard him say,” Diggy spits on “What You Say to Me.” The 17-year old Simmons continues with “Who Dat, who dat? You know who it is/ Heard you lying on my sis, tellin’ people that you hit/ When ya album drops, I’ma hit you with your brick/ So I’ma bomb first on you since you wanna riff.”

Diggy went on to question Cole’s track record with women calling him a “broke back Jake Gyllenhaal” and then dares him to call his Roc Nation boss Jay-Z into the fray. Whoa!

Trayvon Martin’s Death Covered By People Magazine
BY JESSICA LEFEVRE

Seventeen-year-old shooting victim Trayvon Martin is featured on the cover of the latestissue of People magazine. His killer, Florida neighborhood watch patrol guy George Zimmerman. As we’ve heard the tragic details of his untimely death, our hearts go out to Trayvon’s family. What really struck a nerve with us is how George has seemingly gotten off scott-free for his crime.

During his neighborhood watch, George started following Trayvon, who was wearing a hoodie. George got into a fight with Trayvon and ended up pulling out a gun and gunning down the teenager. He has yet to be charged in the death.

George’s friend, Joe Oliver, said, “He’s not the man that I knew before the shooting. He’s a completely different man; he’ll never be the same. He prays for Trayvon and he prays for the Martin family. He is so distraught that he took a life. That’s the price he had to pay for saving his own.”

What we don’t understand is how George claimed to have been injured as a result of his scuffle with Trayvon, but there was no proof of that.

Spike Lee Apologizes for Re-Tweeting Wrong Address for Alleged Killer of Trayvon Martin

On Wednesday evening, Spike Lee issued an apology on Twitter to the elderly couple that reportedly was harassed by the public after the director mistakenly re-tweeted the wrong address for George Zimmerman, the man who allegedly shot and killed unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin. (Zimmerman has not been charged with any crime.) Lee wrote, “I deeply apologize to the McClain Family for retweeting their address. It was a mistake. Please leave the McClain’s in peace. Justice in Court.” The apology comes after the director, known for such critically-acclaimed films as “Do The Right Thing” and “Inside Man,” shared an address that he believed belonged to Zimmerman. Earlier this week, a Washington Times reporter tracked down the address to a home outside of the gated community where Martin was killed.

'Basketball Wives' Tami Roman Suffers Mild Heart Attack

(via huffingtonpost)

"Basketball Wives" star Tami Roman is recovering after suffering a "mild heart attack" yesterday.

Roman, 41, was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for a medical emergency, according to a statement from her publicist, posted on VH1.com.

"She has since been released and would like to let her fans and supporters know she is doing fine and looks forward to resuming her scheduled engagements," the release said.

Roman confirmed the cause of her health scare via Twitter last night and reassured fans that she is on the road to recovery.
According to VH1, Roman appeared "under the weather" at an appearance with the network the night before and tweeted, later that night, that she was "not feeling so well."

Nas Owes $6 Million to IRS in Taxes
Uncle Sam has filed documents to collect unpaid taxes from God’s Son…

(xxlmag.com)
Nas’ next album is titled, Life is Good. But according to the IRS, things could be better.

According to TMZ, the Internal Revenue Service has filed documents in Georgia to have Nas’ wages collected—via the music publishing organizations BMI and ASCAP—until his debt of $6 million is paid off.

This news comes after TMZ originally reported in February that God’s Son was on the hook for an additional $339,000 in federal income tax that he owed for 2010, but kept from the IRS.

Judging by his recent releases, the massive tax lien against Nas doesn’t seem to be affecting his music. Last week, Nas released his latest single, “The Don,” which is produced by frequent collaborator Salaam Remi, Da Internz and Heavy D. It was a follow-up to the Queens MC’s last single, “Nasty,” which he released last summer.

“A lot of the tracks have [come from ideas] where I would take an idea from one of the guys that I’m working with and try to put it together with a different sound that I had in my head, or with someone else,” Nas recently told MTV News. “[I] just try to get people to collaborate who are not really used to working together and to get something different from me.” Though he didn’t give any further details on whom those collaborators would be, anyone familiar with Nas’ catalog is sure to expect some big-name endeavors.

“It’s a summer album,” he added. “We’re gonna shoot the video for ‘The Don’ and get ready for the next song that’s in the chamber. It ain’t gon’ stop. It’s a whole story. ‘[The] Don’ just dropped, so we’re just letting that bubble and setting up the next one.” --Jakinder Singh

African-American State Senators Adams, Parker, Perkins To Wear Hoodies For Trayvon Martin
BY CELESTE KATZ

African-American state Senators Eric Adams, Kevin Parker and Bill Perkins are making a political fashion statement today.

The black legislators plan to wear hoodies to the Senate chamber in honor of Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager shot and killed by a member of a neighborhood patrol.

Pastors and their congregants across the country wore hoodies to church Sunday in memory of Martin, 17 (pictured), who was killed by civilan patrolman George Zimmerman in a gated community in Sanford, Fla., near Orlando.

Sen. Chuck Schumer says the shooting shows the need to review the "Stand Your Ground" laws in Florida and other states which prevent the arrest of non-law-enforcement shooters like Zimmerman.

Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee, who refused to have Zimmerman arrested and charged in the shooting of the unarmed teenager, has resigned amid the outcry.

President Obama spoke out about the killing for the first time Friday -- a move which quickly brought accusations of race-baiting from political rivals of the nation's first black president.

"If I had a son he’d look like Trayvon,” the president said. “And I think they are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves and that we’re going to get to the bottom of exactly what happened.”

Update: Our Glenn Blain tells me that in a separate deal uncoordinated with the Senate side, Assemblymen Karim Camara and Hakeem Jeffries will also be wearing hoodies to session today.

By Alexander Nazaryan
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

What do the inventor of the potato chip, open-heart surgery and the induction telegraph have in common?

They were all African-Americans. And all three (among many others) are featured in the newest book by basketball-great-turned-historian Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, “What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-Americans.”

Written for children of middle-school age, the book highlights little-known achievements by African-American innovators, while continuing Abdul-Jabbar’s interest in a version of U.S. history that is, as he has put it, not all “Thomas Edison and other white guys.”

Speaking of Edison: “What Color Is My World?” gives due treatment to Lewis Howard Latimer, who toiled under Alexander Graham Bell and worked on many of the innovations for incandescent lighting that Edison would later incorporate into one of the great inventions of modernity. But while Edison went on to immortality, Latimer was thanklessly relegated to oblivion.

So was Joseph Lee, who invented the bread machine; and Lloyd Hall, an innovator of food preservation; chemist Percy Julian; and gamma cell inventor Henry Sampson. They, too, have been deleted from the history of American achievement.

Co-written with Raymond Obstfeld, with lush illustrations by Ben Boos & A.G. Ford, the book pushes back against what Abdul-Jabbar calls a poisonous logic: that African-American kids “only see themselves able to succeed in two areas: sports and entertainment.”

It becomes a self-imposed, socially reinforced limitation, he says. “They totally neglect their intellect. They either want to be Jay-Z or LeBron James.”

Since his retirement from basketball, Abdul-Jabbar has done much to subvert that narrative, writing numerous books and working with his Skyhook Foundation to foster a greater respect for education among inner-city youth.

“Engineers and scientists and mathematicis can be heroes too,” Abdul-Jabbar says in earnest. They sure can. And in his newest, most colorful book, they surely are.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nba-great-kareem-abdul-jabbar-book-tells-kids-wide-range-black-achievement-article-1.1050066#ixzz1qE8AfQec

Aretha Franklin celebrates 70th, talks new music

NEKESA MUMBI MOODY AP Music WriterNEW YORK (AP) - March 25, 2012 (WPVI) -- Aretha Franklin has a lot more than her 70th birthday to celebrate: She's reuniting with one of her musical mentors, Clive Davis, for a new album.

In an interview at her swanky birthday party on Saturday, Franklin said she and Davis, who helped engineer her comeback in the 1980s, would be working on new music.

"I have re-signed with Clive Davis, so I'm recording with Clive again," said Franklin of the music mogul, who is associated with Sony Music Entertainment.

Franklin said that after Davis' birthday next month, "we're going to sit together and decide what it is we're going to record."

Davis sat next to Franklin for most of the night at the soiree at the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel, which included a sit-down dinner, a dance performance and a mini-concert that featured rising jazz pianist Kris Bowers.

Other guests included Diane Sawyer, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Willie Wilkerson, Franklin's longtime companion and briefly this year her fiancé.

Wilkerson stood by Franklin's side as she cut her three-tier, lime-green birthday cake while the crowd serenaded her with Stevie Wonder's version of "Happy Birthday."

When asked whether marriage might once again be in her future, the Queen of Soul simply said: "We'll see what happens."

As far as future work-related plans, she was looking forward to performances in California and said she was helping negotiate a record contract for her grandson. Her planned biopic is on hold. "It's in a limbo position," she said. "It's just a lot going on."

Franklin said she planned to spend her actual birthday - Sunday - relaxing with a paper, her feet up and watching TV.

But Saturday night, she hung out with friends long after the party's designated end time.

At one point, she joked that she was turning back the hands of time.

"I was wondering, 'What is it going to be like to be 50?' I can tell you now it feels like 40," she said as the crowd laughed.

She then made reference to the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," about a man who gets younger as he ages.

"So remember Benjamin Buttons?" she said. "Ree Ree Buttons!"

Gene Simmons disses Rihanna, calls her a 'karaoke' singer

(foxnews)

Rihanna doesn’t have a fan in KISS frontman Gene Simmons, who took a dig at the pop singer at a press conference Tuesday.

Announcing his band’s co-headlining tour with Motley Crue, Simmons said the show would feature live rock and roll, with absolutely no lip-synching.

“No karaoke singers allowed,” he told the press. “No fake bulls---. Leave that to Rihanna-Schmianna and everybody else whose name ends withan ‘a’.”

KISS guitarist Paul Stanley added, “when you think about a lot of the shows you go to see, they’re not live! You go to these shows and you go, ‘Wow, it sounds just like my album. It IS the album.”

The tour, which will hit more than 40 citiies across the country is going to be all about the music, and not political or social issues, Stanley said.

“We’re not going to be preaching about saving the whales. We’re not going to be talking about toxic sludge. We’re up there to rock and roll. Everybody deserves a night off, and that’s what this is.”

‘Don’t Re-Nig’ purveyor Paula Smith says bumper sticker isn’t racist
By Eric Pfeiffer

Last Friday, I wrote about the racist, anti-Obama "Don't Re-Nig in 2012" bumper sticker that has been making the rounds across social media circles. While people were questioning the authenticity of the photograph showing the bumper sticker on someone's car, we were able to track down a website selling the sticker along with several other controversial items.

Writing for Forbes, Roger Friedman interviews the site's owner, Paula Smith. Ms. Smith, who hails from Hinesville, Georgia, insists that neither she nor the sticker are racist. Who knows what Smith really believes, but her logic is a stretch, to put it gently.

"I do find it amazing and entertaining that one of our stickers has become a racist thing," Ms. Smith told Forbes.

She even tried arguing that the dictionary does not define the "N-Word" as racist. Wisely, Friedman posted the actual definition from dictionary.com, which says the word, "is now probably the most offensive word in English. Its degree of offensiveness has increased markedly in recent years, although it has been used in a derogatory manner since at least the Revolutionary War. Definitions 1a, 1b, and 2 represent meanings that are deeply disparaging and are used when the speaker deliberately wishes to cause great offense."

Her protestations aside, Ms. Smith appears to have removed the bumper sticker from her site. Under the "Anti-Obama" section of the site (advertised as her No. 3 bestseller), you'll now only find a sticker reading, "I was Anti-Obama Before It Was Cool."

In what may be a reference to the controversy her other bumper sticker has caused, the description below reads, "Show the world how you feel! (but be careful, you may hurt someone's feelings)."

Ms. Smith then goes on to argue that President Obama is "not even black," but rather, "a mixture of race." When Friedman asks Smith if she thinks the N-Word is offensive or derogatory, she says no, but then claims that she herself does not even use the word.

"I have kids here around me that are black kids. I call them my own kids. I've helped black families…to guide them in the right direction," Smith told Forbes. "We like to laugh and have a good time. That's our way of life."

Tyra Banks to be Honored for Contributions to Communications

*Former supermodel Tyra Banks and actress Glenn Close are to be honored in New York City next month for their contributions to the field of communications.

The New York Women in Communications Foundation recognize a handful of powerful females for their achievements at the Matrix Awards, and Close and Banks are among the distinguished few in 2012.

Banks was chosen for her endeavors as the CEO of her entertainment firm Bankable Incorporated. Close was selected for co-founding the website Bring Change 2 Mind, which works to stomp out discrimination against those with mental illnesses.

Close and Banks join a long list of past winners, including actresses Meryl Streep and Bernadette Peters

Queen Latifah to star in Lifetime's all-African-American 'Steel Magnolias'

by Lanford Beard

Queen Latifah is joining the star-studded cast for Lifetime’s all-African-American Steel Magnolias reboot as M’Lynn, the character played by Sally Field in the 1989 feature film of the same name. Condola Rashad will play her diabetes-stricken daughter, Shelby (played by Julia Roberts), and Rashad’s mother Phylicia will reinterpret the role of Clairee (portrayed by Olympia Dukakis). Alfre Woodard will tackle the irascible Ouiser, who was unforgettably played by Shirley MacLaine, Jill Scott looks to fill Dolly Parton’s shoes as understanding hairdresser Truvy, and Pariah breakout Adepero Oduye will play insecure newcomer Annelle, made famous by Daryl Hannah.

“The caliber of talent associated with this film is astounding,” said Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager of Lifetime Networks. “Queen Latifah, Phylicia, Alfre, Jill, Adepero, and Condola are some of the most celebrated women in music, film, television and stage — and we could not be more thrilled and honored for them to bring Robert Harling’s poignant story about the strength of women to a whole new generation.”

Queen Latifah will also executive produce the project alongside Smash‘s Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, with whom she worked during his Oscar-nominated turn in 2003′s Chicago. Kenny Leon, who directed Phylicia Rashad in 2004 Broadway production A Raisin in the Sun, will direct.

While the original film took place in Georgia and production on the update begins next month in Atlanta, the film itself will take place in Louisiana. Very few details have been released about how the “contemporary” update will revise the original material but network heads are projecting a premiere later this year.

'Punk'd' Returns March 19 with Celebrity Hosts

Get ready to watch celebs getPunk’d again!

The MTV prank show will return on Monday, March 19 for an all new season.

This time around, different celeb hosts will run the show each week, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Kellan Lutz, and Dax Shepard.

“What better way to ring in the New Year than to let our audience know that Ashton and MTV are bringing back Punk’d in a big way,” Van Toffler, President of MTVN Music Group, LOGO and Film, said in a statement. “There’s a new generation of unsuspecting suckers just waiting to be Punk’d by their famous friends, and fans will once again have a front row seat to see the shock on the faces of their favorite celebs.”

Ebony/Jet Founder John H. Johnson Honored With U.S. Postal
StampThe publisher appeared on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans.
By Dorkys Ramos

(Photo: Courtesy USPS)

Ebony and Jet founder John H. Johnson is being honored by the U.S. Postal Service during Black History Month with a new stamp. The publisher, who passed away in 2005, was responsible for ushering in a collection of titles catering solely to the African-American community.

He started the Johnson Publishing Company in 1951 after moving to Chicago with his family and securing a $500 loan by using his mother's furniture as collateral. The company grew to become the largest African-American-owned firm of its kind and Johnson appeared on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans.

“He always told me that he had a mother who believed in him and that, even though they came from rural Arkansas, she knew that he was destined for greatness,” said Linda Johnson Rice, his daughter and the current chair of Johnson Publishing.

Johnson's Black heritage stamp joins other notable names such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., singer Ella Fitzgerald, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, poet Langston Hughes and baseball legendJackie Robinson. His stamp, along with those of U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan and writer/artistRomare Bearden, were dedicated on Saturday at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The stamps will be issued as Forever stamps, which hold the value of the current first-class mail rate stamps.

Nike ‘Black and Tans’ Sneaker Accidentally Incites Outrage From Irish Community
By Melissa Knowles

The name of a new Nike sneaker has people upset in Ireland. The footwear giant accidentally insulted the Irish while trying to honor the country leading up to St. Patrick's Day.

The Nike SB Black and Tan Quickstrike is named after a black and tan colored alcoholic beverage made by mixing stout and lager--usually Guinness and Harp or Bass--in a pint glass. Even though Guinness and Harp are Irish, it is not a drink that is commonly requested in bars in Ireland. In the 1920s, a British paramilitary group, known as the "Black & Tans," used brutality to suppress an armed Irish Revolution, and it was known for its ruthless attacks against Irish civilians.

The president of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, Ciaran Staunton, said the name of the shoe "would be the American equivalent of calling a sneaker 'the Al Qaeda.'" Staunton added, "Is there no one at Nike able to Google Black and Tan?"

Nike issued an apology for inadvertently upsetting people in Ireland, saying "no offense was intended." Nike officials also told FoxNews.com that the official name of the sneakers is 'Nike SB Dunk Low' and that the shoes were "unofficially named by some using a phrase that can be viewed as inappropriate and insensitive."

Many people on social media are echoing Staunton, saying that Nike should have simply put the name "black and tan" in an Internet search engine to figure out the sinister connotation behind it. Even Atlanta news anchor Mark Hayes tweeted that "Nike put its foot in its mouth and now they are scrambling to do some damage control!"

Ray J Looks to God After Whitney Houston Death

Ray J has been a man of few words since the death of his good friend (and maybe girlfriend), Whitney Houston. The singer/author is deeply hurt by the loss and although it has been a month since her passing, he is still grieving, which is understandable. His faith seems to be getting him through this tough time and he has shared a quote about God on Twitter.

"'I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future' #GodisReal (sic)," Ray recently tweeted. Of course Whitney Houston was very religious and her family has also said they are putting their faith in a higher power to help them through this difficult time. It is clear that Ray is also looking to God to get him through this and he shared that sentiment on Twitter.

While the relationship between Whitney Houston and Ray J is still unclear, it is confirmed that the two were very close. This is not going to be an easy road for Ray but he has the love and support of his family, friends, and fans and with God on his side, he will get through it.

© Effie Orfanides 2012

Middle school coach Timothy Forbes bites off part of opposing coach’s ear following loss
By Cameron Smith | Prep Rally

In one of the most bizarre and troubling incidents in recent youth sports history, an assistant coach of a Massachusetts middle school basketball team channeled his inner Mike Tyson after a 6th grade basketball championship, attacking the coach of a team which defeated his side and biting his opponent's ear.

According to Springfield, Mass. news network WWLP, 34-year-old Timothy Forbes was charged with mayhem, assault and batter and disorderly conduct on Monday in Springfield District Court after turning himself in to police. The charges follow Forbes' attack on an unnamed fellow middle school basketball coach at Springfield (Mass.) Holy Name School following his Springfield Heat's loss to the Sprinfield Migs in the Springfield Catholic Youth Organization middle school basketball finals.

According to WWLP and NBC Connecticut, among other sources, Forbes was enraged following his team's loss and instigated a fight with the Migs coach. In the midst of that scuffle, he then bit the Migs coach's ear, allegedly removing part of it in the process.

The victim, a fellow 34-year-old Springfield resident, was rushed to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and had his ear reattached. He was released shortly thereafter.

While Forbes was named as a coach in the Heat organization by Springfield police, Heat officials themselves denied that the man was a coach for the team and argued that he was not on the organization's roster.

Regardless of official roles, Springfield Heat president John Maloney told WWLP that the entire incident was shocking for all involved.

"I think everyone who heard it couldn't believe it and it was certainly very devastating to the program to have something like this happen," Maloney told WWLP. "We feel it hasn't happened before and we hope it will never happen again."

One can only hope that will be the case, given the severity of Forbes' bizarre attack.

Michelle Obama to appear on Letterman show

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama is returning to the late-night stage.

The first lady will appear on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on March 19. Mrs. Obama will discuss her Joining Forces initiative, which supports military families, and her plans for the program's one-year anniversary.

CBS, which airs Letterman's show, says this will be Mrs. Obama's first appearance on the program. But she has made other stops on the late-night talk show circuit to promote her initiatives and stump for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. Her recent appearances include "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night" program. Both shows are on NBC.

African Americans and Latinos Unite in Alabama to Fight for Immigrant Rights

By Refugio Mata

"We're not going to allow them to treat people like slaves," Linda Dent of Los Angeles told Univision before leaving for Selma, Alabama. "Those days are over. We fought very hard to have the freedom we have today to vote."

Dent alluded to her days growing up as an African American woman in the South, fighting for civil rights. She was part of about a dozen people organized by Good Jobs LA that set off to Alabama to protest against the state's anti-immigrant law HB 56. Many activists like her are alarmed to see the spirit of the civil rights movement being under attack by the newest face of discrimination: racial profiling of undocumented immigrants.

The Los Angeles delegation joined thousands of other activists from across the nation that marched through 53 miles of rolling hills from Selma to the state capitol in Montgomery, echoing the footsteps of the "Bloody Sunday" marches of March 7, 1965. L.A. residents included African American and Latino mothers, grandmothers, and college students eager to defend the lessons of the civil rights movement as we continue the fight for racial, immigrant, and worker justice. Regressive anti-immigrant policies are increasingly rearing their ugly heads across the U.S. in large part due to the work of far right-wing lobbying group ALEC to advance racial profiling.

Our core values of fairness and equality that legendary leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated for are increasingly being under attack, threatening to drag us back in time. In 1965, the South was divided. The privileged wanted to deny human and civil rights to African Americans. Today, 47 years later, several states have launched a coordinated assault on workers' rights, minority rights, public education, and hardworking immigrant families.

"It's unacceptable and we will not stand for it," Dent asserted to the media. Her biggest concern being shutting the door of educational opportunities on undocumented youth. "Undocumented immigrant families contribute so much to our local communities. Why should they be denied the right to better themselves and improve our community?"

Linda is not alone in posing that question in the African American community. Recently, activist Angela Davis spoke out in support of the DREAM Act using it as an example of how immigrant rights are the newest iteration of the fight for civil rights. Yes, history is repeating itself in terms of discrimination, but thankfully, it's also repeating itself in terms of people coming together to stand up for what's right: equality.

Victoria’s Secret Saves Dark Skinned Models for “Wild Things” Segment

(todaysdrum.com )This year’s show, called “A Night of a Thousand Fantasies,” included six different themes said to represent different types of women; tough love, game on, country girls, heavenly bodies, pink and wild things.

You gotta give it to Victoria’s Secret for giving the $2 million bra to Brazilian model Adriana Lima for the most watched runway show on the planet. But for the rest of the show, they seemed to feature models of color in interesting situations, including ones that had them parading around performers engaged in what’s supposed to be indigenous dance.

Andre 3000 Denies Outkast Breakup'I'm going to be in Outkast forever in some kind of way,' Andre tells Fader.
By Rob Markman

Andre 3000 is economical with his words. It's not often that the ATLien raps or even grants an interview, and when he does, die-hards hang onto every syllable, even if they sometimes misconstrue his sentiment. In a new interview with Fader magazine, 3 Stacks sets the record straight and denies the persistent rumors of an Outkast breakup.

"So I think when I hear things on the Internet that Outkast is over, I think, that's a shame. Because I don't have the power to stop Outkast, you know? I didn't start Outkast by myself. I don't have the power to stop Outkast," Andre said in the interview, which can be found on Fader's website.

Andre and bandmate Big Boi dropped their debut LP,Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, back in 1994, and they have since become an iconic act in hip-hop and music as a whole. In 2000 they dropped their fourth album, Stankonia, which they followed three years later with the double disc Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below. Though packaged as an Outkast album, each disc served as solo expression for the two MCs: Big Boi commandeered the Speakerboxxx portion and 3000 helmed The Love Below disc. In 2006, they released the "Idlewild" soundtrack together, but despite the constant rumors, there has been no group project since. There may never be another 'Kast album, 3 Stacks says.

"We're not on the roster or on a schedule with a label to put out an Outkast album. I can't say if or when we will, but I'm going to be in Outkast forever in some kind of way," he said.

There is an Andre solo LP on the horizon, but of course there is no date. "I'm at a place now where my deadline is my own self. I'm looking at it like, OK, I don't want to be like 40 years old and to haven't done this album," Dre said. "And I don't have a sense of time. When people say, Man, we haven't heard from you in like five years, or seen you, to me, it feels like a year. I don't have a good sense of time, but I do know I'm not a spring chicken anymore."

Amber Rose, Wiz Khalifa engaged
Nypost

Model Amber Rose and rapper Wiz Khalifa are engaged.

Khalifa, whose given name is Cameron Thomaz, took to Twitter yesterday to let his fans know he had popped the question to his stunning girlfriend.

"She Said Yes!!!" Khalifa wrote, alongside an image of Rose's hand with a huge, oval-shaped diamond ring on it.

As fans poured congratulations on the "Black and Yellow" lyricist, he wrote, "Love is Everywhere."

Amber Rose followed up, writing on the micro-blogging site, "He has made me the Happiest Woman in the World!!!! This is the happiest Day of my Life #LoveisBeautiful :-)" She also posted the same image of her ring that Khalifa did.

Khalifa and Rose started dating in early 2011. The two Pittsburgh natives met when the rapper requested a pair of sunglasses from Rose's collection and their first date was a run through Los Angeles' Runyon Canyon Park.

The pair quickly showed their commitment by getting matching tattoos of each other's first names. While heavily inked Khalifa got "Amb" in script letters on his thumb, Rose had "Cam" tattooed on her finger. Afterward she tweeted, "‘I wanted his name tatted on me a million times. He's a dream come true ... He's my angel."

Prior to her relationship with Khalifa, Rose had a high profile relationship with rapper Kanye West. Recently, she blamed Kim Kardashian for their breakup, calling her a "homewrecker" and alleging that West cheated with the reality TV star. Rose later apologized for her choice of words, though she did not take back her allegations.

Nicki Minaj Goes Blue For Vogue Magazine
By Laura

The famous star, Nicki Minaj covers Vogue magazine’s March 2012 issue. Super Bass singer looks radiantly sensual in the issue by coloring her skin blue, captured by Steven Klein.

29-year-old diva is donning gorgeous red gown and matching gloves. She wears bubblegum pink lipstick, long eyelashes and pink curly hairstyle. Also, check out Nicki Minaj’s latest magazine covers for Vibe, Paper and Wonderland.
Check out some excerpts from her interview with mag:

On her style growing up: “I was dressing in Tommy Hilfiger baggy shirts and Boss jeans, but then I met a person who dressed like a tiny lady – pantsuits, heels, lots of makeup. I thought she was larger than life. She once did my makeup – I had never seen myself made up before. I didn’t want to wash it off; I felt like I had one day to live this fantasy of being a glamour girl.”

On what she wanted to do when she grew up: “A huge part of me wanted to be a lawyer! I would do a really good job as a prosecutor.”

On her love of high-end accessories: “Giuseppe, Versace, YSL, and Fendi shoes. And I bought tons of Vuitton bags. When you’re a young girl from Queens, you’re going to stock up on those bags.”

On being adamant that her legacy will not be one of a free-spending, know-nothing celebrity: “[I'm planning] an enormous foundation to nurture girls. The Nicki Minaj girl is a fun, artsy girl who can become a fierce force to be reckoned with on Wall Street! They hang on my every word, so I tell them, go to school, be ambitious. The worst position is to be financially dependent on the man.”

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Charles Barkley says some fans need to be shot
By Reid Cherner, USA TODAY

You don't want to get into Charles Barkley's firing line.

That used to be meant figuratively. Now it seems it is also meant to be literal.

Appearing on Jim Rome's radio show on Wednesday Barkley spoke about NBA fans.

"Fans man. They love their team and their player. They don't want to hear any criticisms. They just want you to be 100 percent for their team period. I think it's only a small faction. I think 80 percent are great. Twenty percent, I wish you could take them out back and just shoot them."

Rome tried to give the TNT (pun intended) analyst an out by saying "well, maybe not shoot them, Chuck." But Barkley just reloaded.

"No, I meant that Jim. Eighty percent of the fans are fantastic. But 20 percent of them are so mean-spirited and say the most nasty things to you, because they know you can't grab them.

Push to increase African-American blood donations

(stltoday.com) The Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers is working with the General Assembly's Black Caucus to increase blood donations in the African-American community. The campaign is called "Make Every Drop Count."

Rare blood traits and certain diseases like sickle cell anemia are more prevalent among African-Americans and require frequent blood transfusions.

Dr. Louis Katz is executive vice president of medical affairs at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, and he says a well-matched blood transfusion is the difference between life, disability and death for some patients.

Katz says 30 percent of sickle-cell patients develop antibodies that destroy transfused blood cells. The antibodies make it almost impossible to find compatible blood outside African-American donations.

Coalition president Ann McKanna says nationally African-Americans donate less than 1 percent of the country's blood supply.

Gladys Knight, Gavin DeGraw and Martina Navratilova among ‘Dancing With the Stars’ contestants

LOS ANGELES — Urkel, the Empress of Soul and one of the Green Bay Packers are waltzing onto “Dancing With the Stars.”

“Family Matters” actor Jaleel White, singer Gladys Knight and National Football League player Donald Driver will be among the 12 celebrity contestants on the next season of the ABC dancing competition. Other famous faces participating in the 14th edition include “The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd, singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, “Little House on the Prairie” actress Melissa Gilbert and Disney Channel star Roshon Fegan.

The new cast, which also includes tennis player Martina Navratilova, “Melrose Place” actor Jack Wagner, telenovela star William Levy, operatic singer Katherine Jenkins and “Extra” co-host Maria Menounos, was announced Tuesday on “Good Morning America.” The contestants will dance their first routines with their professional partners March 19 and March 26, and the first couple will be eliminated March 27.

Last season, actor J.R. Martinez and professional partner Karina Smirnoff took home the mirrorball trophy with reality TV star Rob Kardashian and partner Cheryl Burke coming in second place in front of former talk show host Ricki Lake and partner Derek Hough. Other previous champions include “Dirty Dancing” actress Jennifer Grey, Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and gymnast Shawn Johnson.

Diddy “Bugs Out” Over Oscar Win, Director Makes Black History
Parker

Sean “Diddy” Combs can now add an Oscar statue to his award cabinet, since the film he executive produced, Undefeated, took home an academy award for the best documentary at last night’s Oscars!

Not only is this Diddy‘s first Oscar, it also marks the first Academy win for an African-American director, T.J. Martin, who shared directorial duties with Daniel Lindsey. In his acceptance speech, an excited Martin dropped an “F-bomb,” for which he later apologized.

Through a series of tweets, Diddy offered his own astonishment. “Holy Sh*t!!!!,” he tweeted. “I am buggin,” “God is the greatest!!! Thank you! #undefeated !!!!”

The Diddy-produced Undefeated follows an embattled Memphis, TN high school football team and its dedicated coach, as they turn around the football program, which had never one a play-off game in their 110-year history. Along the way, the players learn life lessons that extend outside the field of play.

T.O. catches three TDs in indoor debut
by USA Today Top Sports News Feed

Owens, who is angling for an NFL return after missing the 2011 season amid recovery from a torn ACL, also has an ownership stake in the Wranglers — he’s scheduled to only appear in their home games — but could leave the team at any time if an NFL team comes calling for the 38-year-0ld wideout’s services. T.O. has admitted to battling financial issues in recent years.

“I thought I did all right,” Owens said. “I think we should have had more points on the board. From an overall team standpoint, we had too many penalties and obviously we have to do better in that department offensively and defensively.”

MUSIQ SOULCHILD GIVES UP SINGING?

LOS ANGELES (MassAppealNews.com) – R&B singer/songwriter Musiq Soulchild has made the decision to step away from the limelight. Musiq isn’t leaving music altogether. But he’s going behind the scenes to write and produce songs for other artists.

The singer has never been the one to chase trends. And the trend these days is everybody wants to be a singer. He believes the music business is a fiercely competitive marketplace. “I’m not going to stop performing or being an artist. I do enjoy singing and all of that, but it takes away from being creative,” Musiq said.

“At least with being a writer-producer you can constantly create and make music and things like that.”Musiq is getting song placements with artists like Chrisette Michele and Bow Wow. It’s the old, “If the work is good, the money will come” concept. Soulchild is also gearing up to release his first book.

The book is still a work in progress. It’s going to be about love, relationships and music. The book should be available for purchase this summer.

Obama to address gas prices, pitch energy policy

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama is confronting Americans' anxiety over rising gasoline prices by drawing attention to his energy policies and taking credit for rising oil and gas production, a greater mix of energy sources and decreased consumption.

Obama is heading to Florida on Thursday to promote an energy strategy that the administration says will reduce dependence on foreign oil in the long term. But Obama's pitch will also have a subtext: that the federal government can do little to halt the current rise in gasoline prices.

Obama will speak at the University of Miami and tour the school's Industrial Assessment Center, which trains students as industrial energy-efficiency experts. The program is one of 24 across the country.

White House advisers believe Obama needs to address the recent spike in gasoline prices, even though they see it as a cyclical occurrence. The current $3.58 per gallon is the highest price at the pump ever for this time of year.

Obama aides worry that the rise in prices could reverse the country's economic gains and the president's improved political standing. A new Associated Press-GfK poll shows that though Obama's approval rating on the economy has climbed, 58 percent disapprove of what he's doing on gas prices.

Republicans have seized on the issue, citing Obama's decision to reject a permit for a cross-country oil pipeline as evidence of a misguided policy. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum has warned of $5-a-gallon gas, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has said he could lower prices to $2.50 a gallon.

White House officials point to increased oil production and decreased consumption as evidence that Obama's policies are working and will lead to greater energy independence in the long run. But they assert there is little Obama -- or any president -- can do to change the trajectory of prices now.

Despite more domestic oil and less consumption, "these prices are going up, and that tells you that there are other things beyond our control, like unrest in the Middle East or other factors like the growth of emerging countries such as China and India," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday.

To be sure, oil and gas production has increased during the Obama administration, though the trend began during the presidency of George W. Bush, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The increase has reversed a decline that began in 1986, and the agency projects that by 2020 oil production will reach a level not seen since 1994.

The agency also has reported a drop in petroleum consumption, caused by the economic downturn after the 2008 recession, new efficiencies and changes in consumer behavior.

While in Florida, Obama also plans to raise money, including a $30,000-a-person event at the Windermere, Fla., home of Dallas Mavericks guard Vince Carter. An avid basketball fan, Obama will attend a dinner Thursday at Carter's house just three days before the NBA All-Star Game in nearby Orlando.

Obama also will attend fundraising events at the Biltmore Hotel and at the Coral Gables home of lawyer Chris Korge, a top fundraiser for Hillary Rodham Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.

Last week, Obama took a three-day West Coast trip and raised about $8 million in eight campaign events.

Tyler Perry: 'Whitney Houston funeral was so difficult'
By Justin Harp

Tyler Perry has opened up about being the first speaker at Whitney Houston's funeral on Saturday (February 18).

Houston's life and legacy were celebrated by the likes of Perry, Stevie Wonder and Kevin Costner at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, just one week after she was found dead in her LA hotel room.

The Good Deeds director urged Houston's family and friends to not simply mourn her death, but also remember the many happy memories of her life.

Perry told those in attendance at the Newark church: "There are two constants that I know about Whitney Houston. There was a grace that carried her from heaven... a grace that brought her up through singing. The other thing I know for sure - Whitney Houston loved the Lord."

The filmmaker spoke about the memorial service on CBS This Morning on Monday (February 12) and admitted that he was intimidated to be chosen by Houston's family as the first speaker.

"The family asked me to do it. Our entire relationship has been private. Nobody even knew that I knew [Houston] and that I've been in her life for the last four years," Perry told Gayle King. "They asked, so I [spoke]. I would have much rather… not even have to have been at a funeral for her."
Perry and King also reflected on the final moments of the funeral, where Houston's mother Cissy and daughter Bobbi Kristina looked on as the singer's casket was carried out of the New Hope Baptist Church.

"It was unbelievable. That whole moment summed it up for me. No matter how much we loved [Whitney], no matter how much we cared about her, the truth of the matter is [Houston] was [Cissy's] daughter and [Bobbi Kristina's] mother. That was the most difficult part."

Houston was laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, New Jersey on Sunday (February 19).

Oscars Finally Invite Chris Rock Back

(the wrap) Chris Rock has been booked as a presenter at the 84th Academy Awards, marking his return to the show where his 2005 hosting gig ended with Rock being scolded by Sean Penn for denigrating the talents of "one of our finest actors," Jude Law.

That year, Rock joked that producers who couldn't get Russell Crowe shouldn't settle for Colin Farrell, and ones who couldn't get Tom Cruise shouldn't settle for Law. "Who is Jude Law?" he asked. "Why was he in every movie I've seen for the last four years?"

The line, which prompted Penn's retort when the actor took the stage to present the Best Actress award late in the show, was part of a wide-ranging, biting and, if truth be told, pretty funny monologue in which the comic insisted that Hollywood only really had a handful of true movie stars. "The rest," he said, "are just popular people."

"Clint Eastwood is a star," he said. "Tobey Maguire's just a boy in tights."

Rock joins an Oscar show list of stars and popular people that in recent days has also come to include Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone and Penelope Cruz.

The full lineup of presenters announced so far: Rock, Cooper, Stone, Cruz, Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, Jennifer Lopez and "Bridesmaids" stars Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig.

When the Oscars ended in 2005, by the way, Rock left the stage and immediately spotted Sean Penn, who was standing just outside the nearby green room. "Sean!" he shouted. "It was just ajoke, man!" Penn laughed, and the two men embraced.

The 84th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 26 at the Kodak Theater.

Nike poised to capitalize on Lin phenomenon
Larry Brown Sports

Nike reportedly has plans to capitalize on Jeremy Lin's popularity by creating a special shoe for him.

According to Counter Kicks, Nike has created a Jeremy Lin “Linsanity” edition Zoom Hyperfuse 2011 shoe.

Lin is sponsored by Nike and has been wearing their shoes this year. He laces up black and white sneakers when his team is on the road, and a white and blue version of the shoe at home.

The Knicks have won seven straight games since Lin began playing significant minutes and six in a row with him as a starter. He had a career-high 13 assists on Wednesday night and a buzzer beating three pointer to sink the Raptors on Tuesday. Linsanity has spread so much that even the stock of MSG -- the company that owns the Knicks -- has hit a record high during Lin's run as the team's point guard.

Poll: Good economic news brightens Obama’s re-election prospects

President Barack Obama's job approval rating has hit the 50-percent mark--an important reelection barometer--and he would beat any of the major Republican contenders for the White House if the vote were held today, according to a new CBS/New York Times public opinion poll that illustrates the political benefits of a steady stream of positive economic news.

In hypothetical match-ups, Obama bests Rick Santorum 49 percent to 41 percent, Mitt Romney 48 percent to 42 percent, Ron Paul 50 percent to 39 percent, and former House speaker Newt Gingrich 54 percent to 36 percent, according to the survey, which was conducted from Feb. 8 to Feb. 13. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Public opinion polls are just a snapshot of the country's mood, and Nov. 6 is a long way off. A recent report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office sees unemployment staying above 8 percent, and potentially creeping up to around 9 percent by Election Day.

"In January, it's not clear that it's good to be winning," Christopher Wlezien, a professor of political science at Temple University who has studied the predictive power of polls, told Yahoo News. "By mid-March, though," a poll "has a lot of information--not everything you need, so don't mail in the results just yet."

But "it's not bad news for Obama, that's for sure. It's good news," Wlezien said.

Wlezien and Robert Erickson, a political scientist at Columbia University, have co-authored a forthcoming book that tracks the way public opinion surveys help to forecast the final results.

"What do these polls mean? They definitely don't mean that Obama is going to win for certain," Wlezien told Yahoo News. "But they mean something. Two-thirds of the story has yet to unfold. The third that we do have suggests that he's got an advantage."

There are other potential problems for Obama's re-election prospects. The tense standoff over Iran's nuclear program and the political crisis over European debt could send shockwaves through the fragile American economy.

The poll highlights how brittle Obama's standing may be: 59 percent of respondents say the country is on the wrong track, while only 35 percent say it is on the right course. Just 44 percent say they approve of the president's economic stewardship, while 50 percent disapprove. His record on jobs record received a similar grade, with 41 percent approving and 52 percent disapproving.

Forty-four percent of the respondents said either jobs or the economy was the top issue on their minds, far ahead of the 11 percent who did not respond or said they did not know, or the combined 9 percent who pointed to health care, Medicare or Medicaid.

Olivier Knox is the White House correspondent for Yahoo News.

Star Trek fan becomes first African-American female to fly U-2

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- By the time Merryl Tengesdal graduated from the Navy's flight aviation program in 1994, the early women aviation pioneers like Bessie Coleman, Janet Bragg, Willa Brown and Mae Jemison had pretty much broken the barriers for race and gender.

But after the Bronx native switched to the Air Force a decade later, she helped rewrite the aviation and Air Force history books by becoming the first African-American to fly the U-2 reconnaissance plane.

Inspired as a young girl by the Star Trek movies of the 1970s and '80s, Tengesdal went on to excel in math and science in high school and took that interest into college where she earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Haven, Conn.

After graduating from college, Tengesdal traveled to San Diego where she applied for and was accepted into the Navy's flight aviation program and would spend the next 10 years as a helicopter pilot flying the SH-60B Sea Hawk on missions in the Middle East, South America and throughout the Caribbean.

In 2004 Tengesdal switched to the Air Force where she made a dramatic change from helicopters to flying at altitudes of as much as 70,000 feet for hours at a time flying the U-2 reconnaissance plane. "I was one of five women in my class and the only female that graduated," said Tengesdal. "I just stayed focused as I went through the training process."

Tengesdal said the U-2 is one of the more difficult aircraft to fly, and is designed for high altitude, with a long wingspan and a landing gear with two wheels rather than three. "When you land, you actually have to stall the aircraft at two feet because of the wings." Tengesdal said that some of her best moments as a U-2 pilot have come during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, along with Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa where she was able to provide troops on the ground with information obtained from her flights.

Tengesdal is a senior pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours, with more than 330 of those in combat. She is currently a lieutenant colonel assigned to Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Mayweather: 'Lin hype is based on race not talent

(CNN) -- Jeremy Lin has taken the basketball world by storm, but boxing star Floyd Mayweather Jr. claims the hype surrounding the NBA's new sensation is based on his ethnic background rather than his talent.

Lin has had a fairytale rise to fame after inspiring the New York Knicks to a five-game winning streak and scoring a record 109 points in his first four starts for the team -- surpassing the mark previously set by Allen Iverson.

But undefeated WBC welterweight champion Mayweather has suggested the "Linsanity" sweeping America is because pointguard Lin is the first U.S.-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.
Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian," Mayweather wrote on micro-blogging website Twitter.

The NBA's breath of fresh air

"Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."

Lin graduated from Harvard University and initially failed to get drafted into the NBA, but he was signed by the Golden State Warriors as a free agent in July 2010.

He moved to New York in December after being dropped by the Houston Rockets and outshone the legendary Kobe Bryant by scoring 38 points as the Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 92-85 on Friday.

Mayweather, who will fight Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas in May before starting a 90-day jail sentence for domestic abuse, said he was speaking up for other players in the NBA.

Why Jeremy Lin's race matters

"Other countries get to support/cheer their athletes and everything is fine," the 34-year-old said. "As soon as I support black American athletes, I get criticized.

"I'm speaking my mind on behalf of other NBA players. They are programmed to be politically correct and will be penalized if they speak up."

Lin and the Knicks will attempt to extend their winning run to six games when they play the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Center on Tuesday.

Mayweather had hoped to finally face Manny Pacquiao in May in a fight that boxing fans have been waiting years for, but they could not agree on a date.

Whitney Houston’s body being flown in Tyler Perry’s jet
Emma Riley Sutton

TMZ is currently reporting that the body of Whitney Houston is being flown back east in Tyler Perry’s private jet. As of this publication, Whitney Houston’s body is on it’s way to the airport. “What a wonderful gift,” Marie Lopez, from Oklahoma City, said. “The family is dealing with so much right now and that must have made their load a bit lighter.” TMZ sources reported that Tyler Perry offered the use of private jet to the family of Whitney Houston as soon as he heard the news of the death of the Grammy-winning singer at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. “Everyone needs friends to step up,” Lopez continued. “We all need friends who see what we need and are willing to help.

Nicki Minaj’s Grammy performance perplexes fans

By Maura Judkis

Those who tuned in for Nicki Minaj’s Grammy performance experienced a wave of emotion: First they were confused, then amused and then just plain angry. There was fire and a man dressed like the pope. Minaj levitated. Then, an exorcism. Viewers stared at their TVs, slack-jawed and unsure of what exactly they were watching.

The religious response to Minaj’s performance will surely be furious — the Catholic League is likely firing up its angriest press release yet — but fans’ reactions were fast and frank. They had no idea what sort of spectacle they had just witnessed, but few of them liked it. Read some of the funniest fan tweets, after the jump.

“Stevie Wonder was the luckiest man in the crowd at the nicki minaj performance.
“I remember when Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' was considered blasphemous. Compared to that awful Nicki Minaj performance it was a Disney video
“I don't like the fact that Nicki Minaj brought religion into her song #notokay

WHITNEY HOUSTON
Found Underwater

(TMZ) Whitney Houston was found in the bathtub of a Beverly Hills hotel yesterday ... with her face underwater ... people close to Whitney tell TMZ.

According to our sources, her stylist, hairdresser and two bodyguards were among the people in the room at the time. We're told they became worried about Whitney because she had been in the bathroom for over an hour and it was time to start getting ready for the Clive Davis party.

Our sources say they began to knock on the door and there was no answer. We're told the hairdresser, who is female, went in to check on Whitney. She immediately screamed and, according to our sources, one of the bodyguards came running in and pulled her out of the tub.

We're told Whitney's face was below the water and her legs were up ... like she had slid down the back of the tub.

According to our sources, her body was very cold and the bodyguard attempted CPR. That's when hotel security was called.

Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter, but Whitney was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM.

Chad Ochocinco changing name back to Chad Johnson
By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff

Chad Ochocinco speaks to the media before the Super Bowl. Ochicinco plans to change his name back to Chad Johnson, according to reports. (Mark Humphrey / AP photo)

By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff

Is it love, or is the joke not funny any more? Either way, this summer expect Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to drop his ubiquitous surname and revert to Chad Johnson, according to a report from TMZ.com.

Ochocinco intends to marry "Basketball Wives" girlfriend Evelyn Lozada. Whether she can stand being Evelyn Ochocinco is a matter up for debate, according to the report, but the receiver has told friends he'll change his name back to Johnson to avoid any issues.

CNN suspends Martin for 'offensive' comments
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — CNN suspended political analyst Roland Martin on Wednesday for "offensive" tweets during the Super Bowlthat some critics said were anti-gay.

Martin commented on Twitter about a commercial during the Super Bowl that showed soccer star David Beckham in underwear: "If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him."

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said the remark advocated violence against gays. Martin said that he was making a joke about soccer and that he doesn't support violence against anyone.

Martin also tweeted: "Who the hell was that New England Patriotthey just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from (hash)teamwhipdatass."

Martin later issued an apology on his website saying he was "truly sorry" to those who felt his tweet was anti-gay, homophobic or advocating violence. "I'm disheartened that my words would embolden prejudice," he said.

CNN said Wednesday that Martin's remarks were "regrettable and offensive" and he will not be on air "for the time being."

"Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated," CNN said.

GLAAD spokesman Rich Ferraro said CNN "took a strong stand" against demeaning language and anti-gay violence. He said GLAAD looked forward to discussing the network's decision with CNN and Martin.

Blue Ivy, the brand? Beyonce, Jay-Z move to trademark her name

(LATIMES BLOGS)

Blue Ivy -- Beyonce and Jay-Z's baby daughter's name was uniquely identifiable almost instantly, and her business-savvy parents are moving quickly to make sure she owns it.

Like, owns it with a trademark.

Blue Ivy Carter's parents filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 26 protecting the little girl's name for possible use on a future line of baby goods, the Washington Post reported Friday.

Why the rush? There was no time to waste, it seems: Two Blue Ivy wanna-be entrepreneurs have already seen their applications swatted down, according to the Post, whose patent expert noted that no matter how many White House visits Bey and Jay had enjoyed, they'd still have to go through the office's first-come, first-served procedure like the rest of us.

However, a surge in applications is usual when a new name or phrase explodes into the lexicon, and because it's the office's job to sort things out, they try to anticipate trends and then fast-track applications inspired by names in the news, a trademark policy administrator told the Post.

Still, one Blue Ivy earned the ol' TM before Beyonce was even preggers: The Blue Ivy clothing store in Wisconsin got unknowingly lucky in early 2011.

Here's hoping they had no plans to one day launch a line of baby togs.

Beyoncé taking heat for new pale-skinned photo promoting latest album
By theGrio

From the Daily News: White-hot superstar Beyoncé Knowles is taking fresh heat for a new pale-skinned photo promoting her last album.

The new mom, who weathered similar accusations of photo snow jobs in 2008 and 2011, is shown lying on a leopard print couch in a slinky black monokini, with straight blond hair, bleached eyebrows and nearly alabaster skin.

The milky complexion could simply be the result of extremely bright lighting and not Photoshop flourishes, critics conceded. But either way, some believe any amount of whitewashing sends a damaging message -- and the star should know better by now.

"It's like, Again? Are we here again? I think in a lot of ways shes culpable because there's history there," said Lincoln Anthony Blades, founder of the popular race-conscious blog ThisIsYourConscience.com.

"She's not saying explicitly you have to lighten your skin, but it does carry that inherent message," he said.

It was summer 2008 when beauty behemoth L'Oreal denied accusations it digitally lightened Beyoncés honey-colored skin in an ad for hair dye. Last year, she faced criticism for the blond, unusually light-skinned photos accompanying her fourth solo album, simply titled "4."

Taye Diggs Credits Supermodel Tyson Beckford with Helping Him Embrace His Dark Skin
By yvette

While discussing his new children’s book Chocolate Me with MyBrownBaby.com, Taye Diggs admitted that he didn’t come to love his own dark skin until women began to fawn over supermodel Tyson Beckford.

Diggs said, “when I got into high school I started to hear, just from the black community, everybody is more attracted to the light skin girls and the light skin dudes with the light eyes. And from within the race the light skin black people and lighter brown people would make fun of the darker people. So then it was a completely different kind of struggle. And then funnily enough it was when dark skinned men, and this was just from my perspective, there seemed to be a shift where all of a sudden we saw Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, Tyson Beckford. I’m still trying to figure out how this came to be. For me, when I saw Tyson Beckford hailed as this beautiful man by all people, that caused a shift in my being. And I remember literally waking up and walking the streets feeling a little bit more proud.”

Diggs also said he was teased by kids at school for having darker skin and both his parents struggled with colorism. According to Diggs, his fair skinned mother married a darker skinned man as a way of affirming her own blackness. And although they did everything they could as parents to affirm his beauty, Diggs says he still suffered from self-esteem issues.

The actor hopes that his book will help young kids love and affirm themselves at a young age.

Will Smith And Jazzy Jeff Perform ‘Summertime’ At ‘Men In Black III’ Afterparty
By Billy Johnson, Jr. | Hip-Hop Media Training

Will Smith is on a mission to prove that he hasn't lost his ability to rap. The "Men In Black III" star seized an opportunity to perform a few of his classic rap songs Wednesday night in New York at the movie premiere afterparty.

[Related: 'Men In Black III' photos]

According to reports, the artist formerly known as the Fresh Prince teamed with old partner DJ Jazzy Jeff to wow the crowd with "Summertime" and themes songs for the original "Men In Black" film and his "The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air" sitcom.

Last week, Smith scored a viral video after he appeared on the BBC's "The Graham Norton Show" and rapped impromptu the theme song from his 1990s hit comedy TV show.

[Related: Will Smith meets UK Olympic hopefuls]

In October, Jazzy Jeff told XXL magazine that he and Smith had recorded new music. Plans for the release of the recent recordings have not been announced.

'Men In Black III" opens in theaters Friday.

More than 240 African American students to be recognized at 'Salute to Black Scholars' tribute event
By Amanda Emery | temery@mlive.com

FLINT, MI – More than 240 Genesee County African American seniors will be honored tonight at the Urban League of Flint's 30th Annual "Salute to Black Scholars" tribute.

This event will give recognition to Flint-area African American scholars who have attained a cumulative 3.0 or higher grade point average throughout their high school career.

In recognition of the 30th annual celebration, all past Urban League Black Scholars are invited to attend and will be recognized during the program.

The event will begin at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, at the New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1035 east Carpenter Road. The speaker for the tribute will be Pastor Oscar King III, senior pastor at Northwest Unity Baptist Church.

June is African American music appreciation month
By Aida Mallard
Special to the Guardian

Little Jake Mitchell and the Soul Searchers will again kick off a month of weekly concerts showcasing local African-American artists during National African American Music Appreciation Month in June during the Let's Go Downtown “Free Fridays” Concert Series.

Enlarge Da General, the lead singer of De Lions of Jah, during a performance at the Bo Diddley Downtown Community Plaza. De Lions of Jah will perform June 29 at the plaza as part of the city's National African American Music Appreciation Month festivities. (Photo courtesy of Suzanna Mars)

FactsMUSIC MONTHWhat: National African American Music Appreciation Month at the Let's Go Downtown “Free Fridays” Concert Series.
When: 8-10 p.m. Fridays in June.
Where: Bo Diddley Downtown Community Plaza.
Cost: Free.
Lineup: June 1, Little Jake Mitchell & the Soul Searchers; June 8, Iration; June 15, Wester Joseph's Stereo Vudu; June 22, Fast Lane; June 29, De Lions of Jah.
Information: Call 352-393-8746.

“We're spotlighting African-American music,” said David Ballard, event coordinator of the city of Gainesville, “which has influenced every style of music in the world's music scene.”

National African American Music Appreciation Month has been celebrated since 1998 in Gainesville. Formerly called National Black Music Month, Ballard said the name of the Gainesville celebration was changed to correspond with President Barack Obama's proclamation.

The Gainesville-based group Little Jake Mitchell and the Soul Searchers will perform from 8-10 p.m. June 1 at the Bo Diddley Downtown Community Plaza.

“We're going to give them (the audience) a history of black music from the 1960s to the present,” said Mitchell. “The music we do is about love and uniting people.”

Mitchell will be on lead vocals with the Soul Searchers, comprised of Brian Stevens on trombone, Lanard Perry on trumpet, Charlie Blade on saxophone, Hal Saylor on drums and vocals, Allen McCollum on bass guitar, Bruce Brashear on keyboard and Charles Henry on guitar

NY black radio-pioneer Hal Jackson dies

CBS NEW YORK — Radio pioneer Harold "Hal" Jackson, a staple of New York radio, has died. He was in his late 90s.

Jackson died Wednesday in a hospital, said Deon Levingston, vice president and general manager at WBLS, a station owned by Inner City Broadcasting, which Jackson co-founded.

Paul Heine, senior editor at Inside Radio, a trade publication, said Jackson "was the godfather of black radio."

"His longevity and his breaking down the doors, breaking the color barrier, he really made it possible for African-Americans who followed him to work in the medium," Heine said.

Jackson had been on the air as recently as a couple of weeks ago, hosting a Sunday show on WBLS.

"His energy was amazing," Levingston said.

Heine said Jackson still continued to show up at radio conventions, as well.

"He didn't need to do these things," he said. "He was so passionate and so dedicated to the medium."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg described Jackson as a "legend."

"Hal was not only the first African-American voice on network radio or the first African-American play-by-play sports announcer, but an iconic legend who — during the Civil Rights movement — gave voice to the many who simply did not have one," he said.

Jackson began his career in Washington, D.C., as the first African-American play-by-play sports announcer. He moved to New York in the 1950s where he hosted three different radio shows, broadcasting a mix of music and conversation, including jazz and celebrities.

Jackson later co-founded the Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, one of the first broadcasting companies wholly owned by African-Americans. The company acquired WBLS, which pioneered the urban contemporary format. Jackson continued to host a program each week on WBLS.

In 1995, Jackson became the first African-American to be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Report: Iverson will be at Sixers-Celtics Game 6

That's right. We talkin' 'bout Game 6.

(Sorry, sorry. Couldn't resist!)

But, as it turns out, "The Answer" himself, Allen Iverson, might just be in the house tonight when the Sixers face the Celtics in a win-or-die Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Sixers currently trail Boston in the series, 3-2.

The reports come to us by way of Crossing Broad. According to the site, Sixers CEO Adam Aron said on CBS this morning that Iverson had been invited to the game. A short time later, a senior editor at SLAM Magazine tweeted that A.I. will indeed be in the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center tonight.

Now, if only the fans get as loud as they did when Iverson suited up for the Sixers back in '09. Then, perhaps, the two teams can head back to Boston for Game 7 with the knowledge that Sixers fans aren't anything like Kevin Garnett suggested.

Samuel L. Jackson to host the BET Awards
By Tim Kenneally
TheWrap

Samuel L. Jackson to host the BET AwardsMay 22, 2012, 5:20 PM ESTBy Tim Kenneally
TheWrap

Somebody better bring the bleep button into the shop for a tune-up: Samuel L. Jackson is hosting this year's BET Awards.

The "Snakes on a Plane" star's hosting gig was revealed Tuesday by the network, along with nominees for this year's event.
Past hosts for the ceremony, which was launched in 2001, include Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Damon Wayans and Jamie Foxx. Last year's event was hosted by actor/comedian Kevin Hart.

On the nominee front, the Video of the Year award will be vied for by Beyonce's "Love on Top" and "Countdown," Kanye West and Jay-Z's "Otis" and "N----- in Paris" and Usher's "Climax."

Also on TheWrap: Samuel L. Jackson Slams NYT Critic Over "Avengers" Review

Denzel Washington, Kevin Hart, Don Cheadle, Common and Idris Elba will battle it out for the best actor award, while Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Regina King and Zoe Saldana are competing for best actress honors.

Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj will be this year's performers for the event, which takes place July 1.

Naomi Campbell Birthday: Supermodel Turns 42, Style Evolution
Huffington Post | By Julee Wilson

In celebration of her 42nd birthday supermodel Naomi Campbell is partying it up on holy ground!

The British bombshell has traveled to Israel to fete her big day (May 22) with a crew the size of a small village, which includes her Russian billionaire boyfriend Vladislav Doronin, 15 close friends and six bodyguards.

So far they have visited the Church of the Nativity (aka the birthplace of Jesus Christ), the Wailing Wall and toured the tunnels of the Western Wall. Definitely not the yacht-riding and champagne-pouring birthday trip we'd expect from the star.

But clearly Naomi has a lot to be thankful for--she has strutted through a fabulous modeling career for over three decades, making her a certified fashion icon. Sure there have been some high-profile bumps along the way, but Naomi has proven that she's got the goods (and lawyers) to keep on ticking.

In fact, she recently inked a major deal to star in a new fashion reality show "The Face." And if that's not enough, her flawless skin, endless legs and enviable genes make her look half her age! We're impressed.

Will Smith says he's the 'natural choice' to play Obama
NEWSCORE

LONDON -- Will Smith is convinced he is the "natural choice" to portray President Obama onscreen.

"It's about the ears, that's the thing," Smith said in a BBC interview Monday, when asked about rumors he could play the Commander-in-Chief someday in a biopic.

"People see the ears and Barack and I both have the ears, so I'm the most natural choice," Smith continued.

"I told [Obama] jokingly, 'It's definitely something I would consider, you just have to write the ending.' So he's working on the ending right now," the Oscar-nominee added.

Smith, 43, is currently in Europe promoting "Men in Black 3."

Gay DC Character to Bring Comics Out of the Closet
By Kim LaCapria

Okay, the soon-to-be introduced Gay DC character is certainly not the first homosexual comic book character, but the introduction is notable nonetheless.

The gay DC character’s details were in part revealed over the weekend, at the Kapow Comic Convention in London. According to DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio, a previously announced (and previously straight) superhero will be coming out of the closet in an unspecified upcoming edition, and detailed some of what fans can expect when meeting the new gay DC character.

According to comic blog BleedingCool.com, DC Comics has gone on record in the past saying that no sexuality changes should be expected for existing characters in DC universes. Comic fans asked why DC characters have changed in other fundamental ways, such as race, and of the recent change, DC VP Bob Wayne indicated that much like the President, DC’s stance on gay characters has “evolved.”

Not even a year ago, DiDio reflected the brand’s previous position in an interview about an upcoming gay DC character in The Advocate. At the time, he explained:

“One of the things we’re very focused on doing for these types of stories is rather than [change an existing] character, we want to make sure that this is the basis of who that character is right from the start.

“So if we’re going to introduce a gay character in Teen Titans, we want to make it a new character and make sure that is an iatrical part of who he is, or who she is, right from the start so we can really lean and grow with her or him.”

The gay DC character is not the only same-sex superhero or comic icon to tackle homosexuality on comic book pages in recent years- Archie Comics introduced a gay character in 2010, and there was a gay wedding in Riverdale in 2011.

Meek Mill finally provides details about his long-awaited collaboration with Nas.
by SLAVA KUPERSTEIN

As the release date for Meek Mill's debut album Dreams & Nightmares draws nearer, the Maybach Music Group member has elected to provide some details about his long-discussed collaboration with Nas, which will be featured on the project.

"I think it’s an all-around record, man. It’s called 'Maybach Curtains,'" revealed Meek in an interview with Elliott Wilson.

The Philadelphia emcee continued, explaining the inspiration he got from his veteran collaborator. "It’s always good to get motivation from the legends, legends telling you they love the music. You can run into Hov, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Baby, Puff Daddy. These like the biggest guys in the game and they telling you they love the music that means you are doing the right thing. It’s nothing but motivates me and makes me take it to the next level."

Dreams & Nightmares is due in stores August 28.

Desmond Hatchett sets record with 30 children -- by 11 women 33-year-old promised a TV station three years ago that he was done having children
By Nina Mandell / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Too much luck with the ladies has one Tennessee man in a lot of debt.

Desmond Hatchett owes money to 11 different women for the 30 children he’s fathered, WREG-TV reported.

The 33-year-old is believed to hold the record in Knox County for the most children fathered, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Hatchett made news for his fertility in 2009, when he had a mere 21 babies by 11 women.

When asked by a reporter at the time if he intended to keep having children he said, “No, I’m done.”

“I didn’t intend to have this many children,” he told WVLT-TV at the time. “It just happened.”

Apparently, he — and the women involved — didn’t stick to that promise, leaving them all in more financial straits.

Under the law, the state can take half of his paycheck and divide it among the women. In 2009, Hatchett was working a minimum wage job which limited his payments to as little as $1.49 among some of the women.

There’s nothing the state can do to limit him from having more children — though some would like there to be a law about it.

“If there’s something out there like that, I’m unaware of it,” Melissa Gibson, an assistant supervisor with the Knox County child support clerk’s office told the Times this week. “It definitely needs to be.”

Pooch Hall Leaves BET's 'The Game'
Following Tia Mowry-Hardict's departure, the actor will not return to BET's 'The Game' "as a result of Pooch’s involvement on a new project."
by Shannon Ma

BET confirms that Pooch Hallwill not be returning for the sixth season of The Game, two days after co-star Tia Mowry-Hardict announced her departure via Twitter.

OUR EDITOR RECOMMENDSTia Mowry and Pooch Hall Off 'The Game''The Game's' Tia Mowry Lands Lead Role on ABC Family Movie Three Join Showtime's 'Ray Donovan' Drama PilotPHOTOS: 43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet Arrivals

"As a result of Pooch’s involvement on a new project, BET is in the process of reworking the casting and storyline of the show," a statement released by BET said.

The Jumping the Broom actor's plans are to join the cast of the new Showtime pilot Ray Donovan.

In spite of losing the show's main actress and actor back to back, the network holds no hard feelings towards the stars.

"We hope both Pooch and Tia will make several guest appearances. While we miss the incredible adventures of Melanie and Derwin on The Game, we appreciate all of their hard work, the laughs and wish them both the best on their future endeavors," the statement continues.

Hall starred as Derwin Davis in the Kelsey Grammer produced show that originated on The CW and was picked up by the BET network in 2011 for it's 4th season after a two year hiatus.

The show, which has featured a long list of special guest appearances including Vivica A. Fox, Magic Johnson, Serena Williams andNeNe Leakes has been renewed for a sixth season and will proceed as scheduled.

Season six will continue to feature the remaining cast members Wendy Raquel Robinson, Coby Bell, Hosea Chanchez, Brandy Norwood and Barry A. Floyd

Donna Summer, Disco Queen, dead at 63

(CBS/AP) Disco queen Donna Summer has died, a family spokesperson told the Associated Press. She was 63.

Her family released a statement Thursday saying Summer had died and that they "are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy."'

TMZ first reported the news, noting Summer had died in Florida on Thursday after a long battle with cancer. Insiders told TMZ she was recently working on music for a new album.

Known as the "Queen of Disco," Summer was born in Boston, Mass. in 1948, as one of seven children.

The five-time Grammy winner rose to fame in the 1970s, scoring hits with "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls." She co-wrote the single "Love to Love You Baby" in 1975, and went on to co-write several other hits, including "She Works Hard For Her Money."

Summer appeared in the 1978 film, "Thank God It's Friday," which took home the best original song Oscar for "Last Dance."

Summer released a number of albums that have reach gold or platinum status, including the multiplatinum "Bad Girls" and "On the Radio, Volume I & II." Her No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits include "Hot Stuff" and "MacArthur Park."

Summer's last album, "Crayons," came out in 2008. She also performed on "American Idol" that year with its top female contestants.

Her sound was a mix of genres and helped her earn Grammy Awards in the dance, rock, R&B and inspirational categories.

Summer married Brooklyn Dreams vocalist Bruce Sudano in 1980. She is survived by her husband, three daughters and four grandchildren.

'IPAD MINI' COULD BE COMING THIS FALL
VIBE

Mac lovers can get ready for a new 7-inch iPad, which could be released this fall.

Analysts for banking firm Barclays released a statement regarding Apple's secret project.

“Following up on comments made last week, recent research still leads us to believe that Apple may be planning to add another form factor to its iPad line in the 7″ range for the fall,” the note read.

According to their report the new mini iPads would be useful in promoting Apple’s education agenda and could also help the company’s gaming efforts. Consumers can expect that the “lower priced iPad [is] a necessary entry point to make the tablet market the size of the PC market by 2015 in terms of units (over 350 million units) – a figure CEO Tim Cook repeatedly mentions.”

Apple's new tablets will be in direct compeition with Amazon's kindle. They are expected to be priced between $249 and $299.

George Zimmerman had two black eyes, broken nose, medical report says
George Zimmerman was examined by his family doctor the day after he fatally shot Trayvon Martin, according to ABC News. The medical report provides the details of George Zimmerman's injuries.

Court records show George Zimmerman had a pair of black eyes, a nose fracture and two cuts to the back of his head after the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

ABC News obtained the medical reports from Zimmerman's family physician. But ABC News reports that the medical records are part of evidence released Tuesday that prosecutors have in the second-degree murder case against Zimmerman. He has entered a plea of not guilty and claims self-defense in the Feb. 26 shooting. A message left Tuesday evening with Zimmerman's attorney was not immediately returned.

Zimmerman was treated Feb. 27. A phone call made Tuesday evening to the clinic rang unanswered.

ABC says: "The morning after the shooting, on Feb. 27, Zimmerman sought treatment at the offices of a general physician at a family practice near Sanford, Fla. The doctor notes Zimmerman sought an appointment to get legal clearance to return to work."

ABC News first reported Zimmerman's injuries from the medical records. Some of the injuries were previously reported by The Associated Press based on video of Zimmerman at a local jail.

As the Christian Science Monitor reported Tuesday, prosecutors in the Trayvon Martin shooting began to sketch an outline of their case against George Zimmerman on Monday, citing new video evidence, a long list of witnesses and experts, and hints of a trail of facts, forensic details, and witness observations that they hope will lead a jury to a second-degree murder conviction.

But after weeks of national introspection into what really happened between Mr. Martin, an unarmed black teen, the guts of the hefty Zimmerman file remain secret. The prosecution, for its part, wants to keep it that way, having asked Judge Kenneth Lester to waive Florida court transparency laws in order to keep some witness names secret.

Rohan Marley Engaged: Lauryn Hill's Ex to Wed Brazilian Model Isabeli Fontana
by Kenneth Partridge

Rohan Marley -- son of reggae legend Bob Marley and former long-term boyfriend ofLauryn Hill -- is engaged to Brazilian supermodel Isabeli Fontana, according to numerous reports. The couple began dating last year, after Marley split with Hill, claiming that another man had fathered the singer's sixth child.

It could be a destination wedding, as the pair is thinking of tying the knot in Ethiopia, the birthplace of Haile Selassie, the centerpiece of the Rastafarian religion.

"Rohan told me that we must return to their origins so that the marriage will last forever," Fontana told Brazil's Vega magazine, Contactmusic.com reports.

Fontana's mother has some trepidation about the couple's plans, perhaps because her 28-year-old daughter has two children from previous marriages. The 39-year-old Rohan, meanwhile, has seven kids -- five with Hill and two with Geraldine Khawly, his first wife.

''I think everything is happening too fast but everything has a different rhythm with Isabeli," said Maribel, the bride-to-be's mother.

Florida Woman Kills 4 Children and Then Herself, Police Say
By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS

A Florida woman killed her four children at the family's home in Port St. John, Fla., on Tuesday before killing herself, the authorities said.

Lt. Tod Goodyear, a spokesman for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, said that at one point during the early morning, three of the woman's children had gone to a neighbor's house to say that their mother had shot them.

The authorities identified her as Tonya Thomas. The children were identified as Pebbles Johnson, 17; Jaxs Johnson, 15; Jazlin Johnson, 13; and Joel Johnson, 12.

Lieutenant Goodyear said at a news conference that the authorities had received a 911 call from a neighbor of Ms. Thomas at 4:50 a.m. The neighbor reported having heard gun shots from Ms. Thomas's home followed by a knock on her door.

The neighbor, whom the authorities have not identified, said that when she opened the door, three of Ms. Thomas' children were on the door step.

"They did appear to be shot," Lieutenant Goodyear said. He did not describe the injuries.

Moments later, the neighbor said, Ms. Thomas, 33, emerged from her house and called her children to come back home.

As the children were walking home, the neighbor called 911. Moments later, the neighbor told the authorities that she heard several more gunshots.

Sheriff's deputies, who arrived within four minutes of the call, heard additional gunshots, Lieutenant Goodyear said. A few minutes later, deputies saw someone who may have been armed with a gun open the front door before going back inside.

About 30 minutes later, there was a final shot, Lieutenant Goodyear said.

Shortly after, a special weapons team entered the house and found three children and Ms. Thomas, who the authorities said had a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The body of a fourth child, who had also been shot, was found in the front yard.

Lieutenant Goodyear said there had been other calls to 911 related to incidents at the house, the most recent on Easter. He did not describe the nature of the calls.

Pacquiao rips Obama's views on gays

(FOXSPORTS)

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has come out swinging against US President Barack Obama's personal endorsement of same-sex marriage.

In an interview with the National Conservative Examiner, the religious Pacquiao said Obama's view was nothing more than a direct attack on the morals of society and the will of God.

"God only expects man and woman to be together and to be legally married, only if they so are in love with each other," he said.

"It should not be of the same sex so as to adulterate the altar of matrimony, like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah of old," he added, citing the Bible.

Recently voted Forbes' fourth most influential athlete, the Filipino described same-sex marriage as an "abomination" and went on to say that America should be the model of morality for other countries to emulate.

Pacquiao, currently the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion and regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet, already has a burgeoning career out of the ring. He is a member of the Philippines legislature, hosts a weekly TV game show and has his own vegetable business. He is also hoping to become a leading Christian evangelist after having a religious "awakening."

Last week Obama became the first US president to say publicly that he backed gay marriage. Although many politicians, showbiz celebrities and commentators have expressed views on the contentious issue, high-profile members of the sporting community have been largely silent.

African American boys at risk for self harm, study shows
By Stephanie Bell-Flynt

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) -One of the most recent studies on self-harm has uncovered not only new information about adolescents, but also surprising data on African American boys.

"Based on what people once thought about this, we might have thought that white youth and in particular white girls, would be more likely to engage in this behavior. We never would have expected that African American boys were at such high risk," said study author Dr. Kim Gratz.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center psychologist analyzed information from six middle and high schools in Mississippi with diverse populations. The sampling is considered significant because it is large.

Previous studies indicate self harm methods, such as cutting, burning and biting are more common among white adolescent girls, but Dr. Gratz say this study found what no one expected.

Across the board, it is most common among African American boys. "They reported higher rates of most of the self harm behaviors than the other groups of students. They had higher rates of severe scratching, self biting, punching but they also did in fact have the highest rates of cutting along with white girls. They had higher rates of most of the behaviors."

While African American boys are most likely to the harm themselves, the study finds a disturbing trend among all adolescents. "39 percent of these students reported engaging in this behavior, so as much as people often keep the behavior hidden or don't talk about it or fear disclosing it, it's happening," Dr. Gratz said.

This study also found a link between self harm and borderline personality features. People with those tendencies have a difficult time managing emotions.

Dr. Gratz says those behaviors should raise a caution flag for parents. "These folks are more impulsive. They might have higher rates of substance use or risky sexual behavior or eating disorders and one of the thing that goes along with that is self harm. Because the behavior in the moment serves to help people manage distress."

"We think a lot of those vulnerabilities having these intense emotions, not knowing how to manage them, likely precedes the self harm."

Dr. Gratz says self harm is a coping strategy to instantly relieve emotional stress and pain. So parents need to be aware of the timing of the behavior.

"Self harm generally starts in early adolescence and we don't think that's a coincidence. It's dealing with a time when emotions are getting more intense and life is getting more stressful."

Copyright 2011 WLBT. All rights reserved.

Texting While Walking Banned in New Jersey Town
By Alyssa Newcomb | ABC News Blogs

Avid texters beware: Fort Lee, N.J. police said they will begin issuing $85 jaywalking tickets to pedestrians who are caught texting while walking.

"It's a big distraction. Pedestrians aren't watching where they are going and they are not aware," said Thomas Ripoli, chief of the Fort Lee Police Department.

Ripoli said the borough, which is home to approximately 35,000 residents, has suffered three fatal pedestrian-involved accidents this year. He hopes his crackdown on people who display dangerous behavior while walking will make his town safer, but not everyone is on board with the idea of issuing $85 tickets.

"When I walk I still look around. I'm not like constantly looking down the whole time," said resident Sue Choe.

Another woman complained about the tickets were "a lot of money."

Officers handed out pamphlets during a short grace period in March before they began aggressively going after "dangerous walkers."

More than 117 tickets have been issued, according to the New Jersey Record.

Two professors at Stony Brook University in New York conducted a study on walking and texting. They found texters are 60 percent more likely to veer off line than non-texters.

"We want to raise awareness that a real disruption occurs because of texting," Eric Lamberg, co-author of the study, told Long Island Business News. "Texting disrupts your ability much more than does talking."

LIL WAYNE PRAISES KOBE BRYANT: "HE'S INSPIRED ME IN LIFE"
Adelle Platon

Looks like Lil Wayne draws inspiration from an unlikely source.

Sitting courtside at the Lakers game, Weezy told the L.A. Times that his life and music was inspired by none other than NBA star Kobe Bryant.

"He's inspired not only songs, but he's inspired me in life in general just the way he attacks things, the way he never backs down, the way he fights through injury," Lil Wayne said.
"I believe he's the greatest player to touch a basketball.”

The #24-wearing Laker has been winning this season despite the torn ligament in his right wrist, scoring 40 points and even raising $67,100 for the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation after auctioning the mask guard he wore when he broke his nose.

When the rapper was told that Bryant has also expressed being a fan of his, a grilled-up Weezy smiled and simply said, “I hope so.”

Jackson Bodyguard: Michael Told Guards To Shoot Brother Randy

By Radar Staff

Michael Jackson's been gone almost three years, but the wacky -- and in this case, worrisome -- stories about the King of Pop continue filtering in.

Matt Fiddes, a former bodyguard, tells The Sun Michael's bad blood with his brothers boiled to the point that a drugged-up Michael "ordered [Randy] to be shot.

“Michael was caught in a war with his brothers for years,” Fiddes said. “They were desperate to sign him up to a $500 million deal for a Jackson 5 reunion tour. Things reached a head when Randy was trying to force his way past the bodyguards to speak to him in one of his rented homes."

Fiddes said Michael's bodyguards at the time were members of the Nation of Islam, and that they didn't give in to his gory demands.

“I don’t think Michael ever intended to kill him, and told the guards to shoot him in the leg,” Fiddes said. “But Randy was so scared he got on the phone and threatened to call the press.”

Fiddes said Randy told the guards, “If you shoot me, the whole world will know about it.”

Fiddes -- who also claimed Jackson carried on a fling with the late Whitney Houston -- said "it’s finally time" to come clean about what he knows.

2 Chainz To Serve As A&R For "Ludaversal"

''It Will Be Different''

Contributor : Chris G.
A Rocky Williform Company

Ludacris' relationship with several former members of his Disturbing Tha Peace camp has soured, but he and 2 Chainz appear to still have a great working camaraderie. 2 Chainz revealed in a recent interview that he will be serving as A&R on Luda's upcoming album Ludaversal.

"My job is to give him beats from my perspective, from where I come from," 2 Chainz explained. "I have a long history of club shows and rocking out and he's a more venue artist. So I'm just trying to give him some looks from my eyes and perspective."

"I'm just submitting beats from my eyes, different from what Luda usually does, that's why he hired me," he said. "Me and Luda are definitely two different artists. So, it will be different. I do a lot of clubs. So I'm just submitting 2 Chainz s***. Different things I think he would need or doesn't f*** with."

Ex-Cowboy Terrell Owens joins Dr. Phil, discusses fathering four kids to four women

(dallasnews.com)

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens appeared Tuesday on a one-hour special on Dr. Phil’s syndicated talk show. The program touched on everything from the former NFL star’s role as a father to his recent financial woes.

Owens has fathered four children with four women. The show included Owens and three of the women.

When asked by Dr. Phil if he is happy with the situation, Owens replied that it "wasn’t a plan."

Margaret Floyd, grandmother to one of Owens' children, wasted no time in going after the former All-Pro receiver.

"Terrell disgusts me as a father," Floyd said. "He’s a liar and I’m just sick of Terrell Owens.”

The show’s most emotional moments came during Dr. Phil’s opening conversation with Owens. Owens claimed that the past two years, which included him being “taken advantage of financially” and losing his grandmother, have been some of the roughest of his life.

Owens broke down in tears when talking about his grandmother’s expectations for him. “She wanted me to be the best person I could be,” Owens said.

While much of the show was dedicated to resolving Owen’s issues with being a father, a portion was devoted to Owens’ financial hardships.

“There is a lot of money that has been lost, I’ve heard a lot of numbers thrown out, from $80 million to $100 million,” Owens said. “I’ve had to sell basically everything.”

Dr. Phil defended Owens, saying that he had “gotten a bad rap, as far as sports are concerned.”

Owens, however, owned up to criticism that he was a divisive figure in the locker rooms of some of the NFL teams he played for.

“People say I’ve been negative in the locker room, that I’ve divided locker rooms," Owens said. "I’ll take the blame and be accountable for some of those things."

Dr. Phil concluded his show by lecturing Owens and company about working together to raise his kids. Owens only nodded his head.

House votes to toughen law against racial profiling
By JC Reindl

Hartford - The House voted Monday to strengthen a state law that forbids police officers from racially profiling motorists when making traffic stops.

The bill passed 142 to 1, and now awaits the governor's signature. Last month it cleared the Senate on a 31-3 vote.

The new legislation modifies the 1999 Alvin W. Penn Racial Profiling Prohibition Act which prohibited racial profiling by law enforcement and required departments to collect data from traffic stops, including the race, age, gender and ethnicity of each individual they pull over.

But only a few dozen departments fully complied with the collection requirements, officials said, and the legislature's African-American Affairs Commission lacked the resources to analyze the data.

Under the modification, police departments would again start collecting traffic stop data in July 2013 using new standardized forms and methods.

The state Office of Policy and Management would develop the new standards and take over from the commission the duty of analyzing the data. The agency could withhold public safety-related state funds from communities that do not comply with the requirements.

The new standardized forms must record race, age, gender and ethnicity of all stopped motorists, as perceived by the officer who makes the stop.

The motorist also must be given notice that he or she can file a complaint if they believe they were stopped solely because of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

State Rep. Patricia Miller, D-Stamford, who is black, told House colleagues that she twice was subjected to improper traffic stops in a certain suburban town because of racial profiling.

Those incidents occurred two decades years ago, said Miller, who did not name the town. But more recently she overheard at her gym one suburban police officer tell another officer that "when those people come through, we stop them to say 'don't you come through this town anymore.'''

Jay-Z’s Girl Problem: He Fears a “Spoiled” DaughterThe hip-hop mogul worries daughter Blue Ivy may become "the worst, spoiled little kid ever"
By Colin Bertram

It’s comforting to know Jay-Z has the same fears as most new fathers, and that when it comes to his daughter Blue Ivy Carter, the hip-hop megastar has few illusions.

During Sunday’s “Oprah’s Master Class: Special Edition,” Jay-Z admitted to worrying that Blue Ivy may become “the worst, spoiled little kid ever.”

Ever since singer Beyonce gave birth to the couple’s daughter in January, the pampered tot is almost as discussed and obsessed-over as her famous parents.

“I imagine I'll take things I learned from my mom and things I've learned from raising my nephews and apply that,” the “Glory” singer told Winfrey about how he plans to help keep Blue Ivy grounded. “Then at the end of the day, I just know I'll probably have the worst-spoiled little kid ever.”

This from the "99 Problems" rapper who once boasted, "If you're having girl problems I feel bad for you son."

Dropping the light-hearted tone for a moment, Jay-Z went on to say that, “You’ve also got to enjoy kids while they’re young, because the good vibes between parent and child don’t necessarily last forever.

“Everyone imagines they'll be a great dad until their [kids are] teenagers,” he continued. “[They say], ‘Get away from me, Dad. You're embarrassing me.’”

Teens will be teens, but considering her dad is President Obama's go-to rapper and mom Beyonce was recently named People magazine's "World's Most Beautiful Woman," fears that Blue Ivy may find her parents totally embarrassing will probably never come to fruition.

Suge Knight: 'I'll Beat the Sh*t Out of Rick Ross'
Tale Tela

Former Death Row CEO Suge Knight has promised to "beat the dog sh*t" out of Rick Ross over the Miami rapper's friendship with P. Diddy.

Knight launched shots in response to MMG's 2011 track 'Tupac Back,' claiming it was disrespectful for Rozay to cut a song about the deceased West Coast legend while remaining close friends with Diddy - who Knight believes had Pac killed.

In an interview with 93.5 KDay, Knight admitted he respected Ross as an emcee - but was ready to put hands on him over the record.

"That boy got bars, he's gonna write... at the same time, I feel like there's a line you cross, and Rick Ross crossed that line," he insisted.

"If you're gonna be with guy [Diddy] who killed Tupac, you can't go turn around and do a record [called] 'Tupac Back' ...Rick Ross is a grown ass n***a."

"I'll beat the dog s**t out of Rick Ross for manipulating these people out here."

Suge also swung at Rozay over his 'stolen' name and past as a correctional officer.

"I can't sit up here and say I'm bitter to Rick Ross, 'cus like anybody else, we don't know Rick Ross," said the fallen mogul.

"That's a guy who uses somebody else's name. This guy comes from being a correctional officer. I don't got nothing negative [against him] personally, I just feel like he do do good music, and you can't take that from him."

In the same interview Suge also questioned if Tupac's death was a faked conspiracy, claiming the man he paid to cremate the rapper's body had later disappeared - possibly without ever actually completing the process.

Cornel West testifies in NYPD protest trial

Associated PressNEW YORK — Princeton University professor and civil rights activist Cornel West is calling the New York City police department's stop and frisk policy an "extension of slavery."

West made the statement Thursday while testifying in his own defense. He and 19 other activists are on trial on disorderly conduct charges stemming from an Oct. 21 anti-stop and frisk protest outside a Harlem stationhouse.

The 58-year-old West called the NYPD's policy "terrorizing, stigmatizing and traumatizing."

Police say the demonstrators blocked the sidewalk and the entrance to the station and ignored orders to leave. Defense attorneys plan to argue the demonstrators' cause justified their conduct, among other defenses.

Police conducted more than 684,000 street stops last year. Police say the stops are crucial for fighting crime. Critics call them unfair.

—Copyright 2012 Associated Press

Black stylist sues Orlo salon for racial discrimination
By theGrio

An ex-employee of Orlo Salon claims her manager would continually disrespect and insult African-American hair. Zandra Bennett said her boss would attack her for bringing in black and Latino clients. Bennett claims her boss' partner uttered, "black hair doesn't pay the bills in here." The meatpacking district salon is an expensive spot whose clients include celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Connelly and Kirsten Dunst. The New York Daily News reports:

An owner of one of the most expensive hair salons in the city routinely belittled an African-American hair stylist with racial comments and blasted her for bringing in black and Hispanic clients instead of white ones, a lawsuit charges.

"Black hair doesn't pay the bills in here," George Casson, a part owner, is accused of telling stylist Zandra Bennett.

Bennett is suing Orlo, a Meatpacking District salon that charges $800 for a haircut and has celebrity clients like Jennifer Connelly, Kirsten Dunst and Naomi Campbell.

Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch Dead at 47 BY BETH ANNE MACALUSO

Beastie Boys' co-founder Adam Yauch has died at the age of 47, a rep for the MC confirms to Us Weekly.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm that musician, rapper, activist and director Adam 'MCA' Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits, and film production and distribution company Oscilloscope Laboratories, passed away in his native New York City this morning after a near-three-year battle with cancer," his rep shared in a statement with Us Friday.

Best known by his stage name, MCA, the rapper was diagnosed with a tumor in his salivary gland in 2009. Eighteen months and a series of treatments later, Yauch seemed in good health once more.

On April 14, the Beastie Boys became the third rap group ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Yauch announced on the group's website that he would not be able to attend the ceremony.

"Hello My Friends While I'm grateful for all the positive energy people are sending my way, reports of my being totally cancer free are exaggerated," he wrote. "I'm continuing treatment, staying optimistic, and hoping to be cancer free in the near future."

Yauch founded the Beastie Boys alongside his friends Mike "Mike D" Diamond and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horowitz in 1979. The legendary rap group's most recent album, Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2, was released last May.

The hip hop icon is survived by his wife, Dechen Wangdu and their daughter, Tenzin.

The slain youth you may not know

Aiyana Jones

By HANNINGTON DIA Special to the AmNews |0 comments

Though the tidal wave of anger over two more young, innocent Black boys being gunned down by law enforcement and vigilantes has washed across the country, George Zimmerman’s arrest has apparently quelled public fury. Fewer people seem to be talking about Martin now that his killer is facing charges.

The public’s tendency to latch onto whatever is hot at the moment, then suddenly discard it, is a grave disservice to Martin. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you also have fallen youth of color who didn’t warrant nightly news coverage.

A few weeks ago, Pasadena. Calif. teenager Kendrec McDade was shot dead by police officers who confronted him on the street. Accused of having stolen a laptop from a car, the officers didn’t wait to question McDade before opening fire. Police said McDade reached into his waistband as if he was taking out a gun, but not only was McDade unarmed, he never stole the man’s laptop nor did he break into his car.

Hanging out in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood last month, 22-year-old Rekia Boyd became an innocent bystander in a standoff with an undercover police officer. According to Boyd’s family, Boyd was with her friends when the officer pulled up to them in an unmarked car and told them to “shut up.” Words between Police Detective Dante Servin and one of Boyd’s friends were exchanged just before Servin opened fire on the group. One of the bullets fatally struck Boyd in her head. While the Chicago Police Department claims one of Boyd’s friends approached Servin with a gun, the Independent Police Review Authority stated that no weapon was found at the scene.

Two years ago, Aiyana Jones, a 7-year-old living in Detroit, was killed when police shot her during a botched raid for a suspect in her house.

Down in Florida, where the Martin case took another twist with Zimmerman’s arrest, there lies even more tragedy. In 2009, Bradenton police pulled over Derrick Humbert on his bike because it didn’t have a light. When Humbert made a run for it, the officers tased him to death.

One month later, in a case that also included a taser, 17-year-old Victor Steen was riding through Brownsville, Miami, when an officer mistook him for a criminal. While chasing Steen on a police cruiser, the officer fired his taser at the teenager, who avoided the blast. When Steen turned into a nearby construction site, he fell off his bike and was run over by the cruiser. Even though Steen’s death appears accidental, it should be noted that the officer was previously involved in a minor traffic accident and didn’t follow procedure in two prior arrests.

These cases in particular have garnered attention from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In the aftermath of the second-degree murder charges against Zimmerman, Florida State SCLC Chair Art Rocker released a press statement challenging State Attorney Angela Corey to investigate the Humbert and Steen cases. He also noted the case of Tia Ritchie, a white woman who was jailed for a crime she never committed and was beaten to death inside her cell by an officer, according to inmates.

“These cases are cases where law enforcement was involved, and all of the perpetrators are still working,” said Rocker via email. “There was never a grand jury, never an investigation, and they all are still on the job.”

Rocker also noted one unifying circumstance in each case. “All of these issues are similar because at the end of the day, law enforcement stated that these individuals either had crack, cocaine or other drugs or firearms in their possession, and it was later learned that none of that was true. Now all of them are gone.”

D'Angelo to perform at Essence Music Festival
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — D'Angelo is making his comeback: The reclusive singer will give his first U.S. performance in 10 years at the 2012 Essence Music Festival.

D'Angelo will perform during the festival's opening night. It runs from July 6 to July 8 in New Orleans and also features Trey Songz, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige and many others.

The soul singer's latest album is 2000's "Voodoo." It went platinum and won two Grammy Awards, including best R&B album. His debut, 1995's "Brown Sugar," was also a platinum effort.

Since that, D'Angelo has stepped away from the music scene, drawing attention for his run-ins with the law.

The 37-year-old wrapped up a prostitution case last month by pleading guilty to disorderly conduct after his March 2010 arrest.

His record label said he is working on a new album.

MC Lyte Says 'Nicki Minaj is a Savvy Businesswoman'
By Derrick Bryson Taylor

It's no secret that hip-hop is always looking to crown its next king and queen. And if anyone should know who's got next, it's icon MC Lyte.

The veteran rapper tells ESSENCE.com that when it comes to mainstream hip-hop, she's definitely rooting for Nicki Minaj.

"She's on the front line right now and rightfully so," said Lyte. "To me, she's very strategically placed herself where I imagine she saw herself many years ago. She's a savvy businesswoman. [She] may not align with all the things we expect of a female emcee, but to me she's spawned from Missy Elliot."

Lyte added that she meets plenty of talented, but unsigned, female emcees through her Hip-Hop Sisters Network, a foundation and social network she started to nurture women in hip-hop.

So what does she think is Nicki Minaj's key to success? "We've got an African-American female emcee that encompasses pop, hip-hop, she's all of them. When I think of today's emcees I think of her."

Beyonce Doesn't like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Dating
by Erin Anthony

Beyonce isn't a fan of Kim Kardashian dating Kanye West. And, how can you blame her? There aren't many main stream celebrities who would be crazy about Kimmy K dating one of their friends. More bad things than good things come from dating her. Despite Kanye's eccentric behavior, Bey has to put up with Kanye because he is one of Jay-Z's main buddies. However, she doesn't have to put up with the women he brings around.

A source with inside knowledge of what's going on said, "Beyonce's not happy about Kanye's relationship with Kim. She had a conservative upbringing which was very different to Kim's. Bey's never been impressed by her record with men and the sex tape that leaked a few years ago."

Beyonce has never socialized with nor wanted to socialize with Kim Kardashian so she may really be stressing over an imminent meeting with the reality starlet. Both Bey and Kardashian are supposed to be going along with their partners when Jay-Z and Kanye West set off for their Watch the Throne UK tour. The tour will last for longer than a month so being nice is a must.

Warren Sapp to play judge in reality courtroom series
By Ryan Wilson | NFL Blogger

Warren Sapp is currently employed by NFL Network although he hasn't been on the air since calling Jeremy Shockey the "snitch" in the Saintsbounty scandal. Shockey, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell andvarious other people said that Sapp was wrong, which likely explains his prolonged absence from NFL Network.

And there's a good chance Sapp's contract won't be renewed when it expires in August. Exacerbating matters: Sapp recently filed for bankruptcy.

All of which leads to this: according to various reports, the former NFL defensive lineman's next job will be as an adjudicator of right and wrong. Sure, there are schools that train people for that line of work, but somebody somewhere thinks Sapp is qualified to make such decisions because ... well, we have no idea.

In any case, Sapp is set to star in a courtroom-based reality show called "Judge Sapp" which will appear on NOC Network's YouTube channel. And apparently, they've begun taping and are looking for audience members. Via Sportsrantz.com:Los Angeles, Calif., casting — This is a PAID AUDIENCE of $50 Cash, paid same day to attend this show. Must be 18 and over to apply and available for 6 hours.There's even a title animation mock-up, too.

Sapp confirmed the report to PFT saying via text message that he'll be “Dishing out a little blind justice!” which is certainly something former Packers lineman Chad Clifton would agree with.

That said, Sapp is probably better suited to dispensing legal rulings in a make-believe courtroom than screaming his NFL-related opinions (or worse). We're not sure if that speaks more to his nuanced grasp of the law or his complete lack of understanding when it comes to talking about football.

Either way, we'll watch because for all Sapp's bluster, he's also charasmatic. Plus, we have a soft spot for slow-motion train wrecks.

Comedian, actor Kevin Hart to perform at 2012 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS — Comedian and actor Kevin Hart has been added to the main stage lineup for the 2012 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

Organizers say Hart, hot on the heels of his starring role in last weekend’s No. 1 film, “Think Like a Man,” will debut his comedic talents during the festival scheduled for July 6-8 at the Superdome. Hart joins a lineup that includes Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Charlie Wilson, Ledisi, Fantasia, and Eve.
The festival drew more than 422,000 attendees last year.

Essence Fest began as a one-time event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. The festival is organized by Essence Communications Inc., a media company with a presence in publishing, live events and online services.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kiss FM, Legendary NYC Urban Radio Station, Goes Off the Air
by Jordan Zakarin

The station merged with WBLS, the city's other African-American-focused broadcaster, amid falling ratings and the loss of its frequency.Sad New Yorkers and longtime listeners called into 98.7 Kiss FM for the last time Sunday night, as the iconic station switched off its transmission at midnight to make way for sports talk radio. The broadcaster, which had provided "Classic Soul and R&B" as well as talk shows and news, for the past 30 years, officially merged Monday with WBLS-FM 107.5, its longtime rival in the New York City urban adult contemporary radio market. The move comes after Emmis Communications, which owned Kiss,agreed to lease out the 98.7 frequency to Disney and its ESPN Radio, which had been broadcasting on the weaker 1050 AM signal and was seeking a larger foothold in the sports talk radio market dominated by WFAN-AM 660. Emmis receives $96 million in the deal. All weekend, WBLS and Kiss (WRKS) broadcasted tributes to the later's long legacy of music and social participation -- callers to Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show Sunday night recalled first hearing about the Rodney King riots on Kiss -- and mourned the loss of the station. Launched in August 1981, it helped give birth to hip-hop, popularizing groups including Run-DMC.

The stations' merger will result in Steve Harvey, whose syndicated show is a WBLS morning mainstay, staying on the air, followed by Shaila from Kiss FM from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WBLS' Jeff Foxfrom 3 to 7 p.m. and Kiss' Lenny Green taking the microphone from 7 p.m. to midnight.

That means that such stars as activist Michael Baisden, whose show is syndicated across the country, and Tom Joyner, whose morning show boasts comedy, news and music, will no longer be heard in the New York metropolitan area.

First African American Woman Elected Board Chair of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr.Maya Rockeymoore, president and CEO of Global Policy Solutions, has been elected to chair the board of directors of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare for a three-year term beginning June 2012.

As the first African American woman elected to chair the National Committee's board of directors, Dr. Rockeymoore will work with the organization's leadership to expand outreach and education initiatives to women and to communities of color, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and among the most economically vulnerable.

"The National Committee has accomplished so much in its 30-year history and I look forward to helping build upon the legacy of U.S. Representative James Roosevelt to ensure that these programs are available for our children and grandchildren," said Dr. Rockeymoore. "People of color rely heavily on Social Security and Medicare. Together, we will help our communities become forceful advocates, ensuring that our leaders understand how communities of color use these programs and how they can be modernized to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse society."

Dr. Rockeymoore has been a member of the National Committee's board since 2005 and brings valued leadership as an income security expert working with African American, Latino and Asian American communities. She was vice president of research and programs at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, senior resident scholar for health and income security at the National Urban League, and served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY). Dr. Rockeymoore is co-editor of Strengthening Community: Social Insurance in a Diverse America.

"Our nation's most successful poverty prevention programs continue to be in the cross-hairs of too many in Washington who believe we should cut middle-class benefits to pay for flawed fiscal policies which protect the wealthiest among us," said Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. "Dr. Rockeymoore has a long and successful career advocating for social change that strengthens rather than divides our nation. We are fortunate to have her leadership as board chair at this critical juncture in the history of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid."

Judge releases Jennifer Hudson's sister's 911 call
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Moments after finding her mother's body, the sister of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson sobs as she pleads for help in a disturbing 911 recording released to the news media Monday.

"Oh my God.... Somebody's killed my mother," Julia Hudson says, while a dispatcher tries to get her to calm down and repeat her address. "She's on the floor and I see blood coming from her head."

A judge in Chicago released the tape after a request by the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times Media and The Associated Press. The tape was played in open court last week during the trial of William Balfour, who is accused of killing the actress' mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

Prosecutors tried to bar the tape's release because of the sensitive nature of the case and because the jury has not begun deliberating.

But Cook County Judge Charles Burns noted in his ruling that the jury has been warned not to watch or read news reports about the case. Burns said there's no evidence Balfour's due process rights would be harmed.

On the tape, Julia Hudson begs a dispatcher for help after finding her mother shot dead inside the family's home on Chicago's South Side.

Hudson's horror and confusion are apparent on the tape as she wonders aloud, "Where my brother at? What happened?"

She also cries in panic that she doesn't know the location of her son, 7-year-old Julian.

"I don't know where Julian is or nothing and I'm here by myself," she says. She tells the dispatcher she "just got home from work" and "there's a bullet hole in our front door."

Balfour has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the October 2008 killings.

Lil' Boosie's Rap Lyrics Can Be Used in Murder Trial
by Lauren Savage, N.Y.

Six days before Lil' Boosie goes to trial for first-degree muder, a Louisana judge ruled on Tuesday (April 24) that a select few of the rapper's lyrics can be used against him.

Boosie, born Torrence Hatch, is accused of hiring Michael Louding, aka Marlo Mike, to kill Terry Boyd in 2009. Though he initially denied having any connection to Lil' Boosie, Louding later admitted his involvement in Boyd's murder to Baton Rouge authorities.

During the pre-trial hearing, detective Alvin Howard testified to confirm Louding's confession. According toNBC 33 TV , Louding, who is accused of six different murders in Baton Rouge, told detectives that Lil Boosie paid him $2,800 to commit the murder. But the facts of the crime were not the central focus of the hearing. Boosie's lyrics were.

His song, "187," in particular, is under a lot of scrutiny. Lil' Boosie recorded the controversial track with BG, another Louisiana rapper who has had his fair share of legal trouble. "Any n___a who ever tried to play me, they dead now," Boosie raps in his first verse. The prosecution specifically noted the use of "187," "murk," and "cake" as slang terms commonly used to describe murder and money.

Although the song can not be played in its entirety, nor can any verse be read line by line, Judge Mike Erwin ruled that those three specific words can be used as evidence against Boosie.

Lil' Boosie is currently incarcerated in Angola, the largest correctional facility in the country. A vast majority of the inmates are serving life sentences. His lawyers are actively working to have their client transferred to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Nas Opens Up About His Teen Daughter’s Infamous Box Of Condoms Tweet In “Daughters”
by Bene Viera

Nas is never afraid to go there with his emotions on real life topics. Lately he’s dropped a couple of monster tracks like “Nasty” and “The Don” from his Life is Good album (set to be released July 17). Over on Stereogum.com, we caught wind of the third single “Daughters” produced byNo I.D. It’s a grown man record showcasing the realities of having a teenage daughter. As a 38-year-old father of two, Nas goes there with what it’s like knowing his daughter is dating someone he doesn’t approve of. He courageously raps about his not-so-proud moment of Destinytweeting a picture of her box of condoms on the nightstand.

Transparent and real. We wouldn’t expect anything else from the guy whose first album debuted 18 years ago. As a divorcee, father of two that’s overcome terrible hardships, it’s refreshing to hear a deviation from the bravado of hip-hop. Very reminiscent of a 60s or 70s oldies hit that hypnotizes you with the instrumentals.

Who Was the First African-American President?
In Liberia, the first 10 presidents of the West African nation were born in the United States.
By Jonathan P. Hicks

Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons

REPORTING FROM LIBERIA — When asked who the first African-American president was, most people in the United States would certainly say Barack Obama. In fact, it was Joseph Jenkins Roberts, who was born in 1809 in Norfolk, Virginia, and became the first president of the Republic of Liberia in 1848.

In fact, the first 10 presidents of this West African nation were born in the United States. Liberia was founded in the 1840s by freed African-American slaves and Black Americans who had managed to gain their freedom. Those Black Americans came here to establish a new life for themselves, away from the specter of slavery. In the process, they colonized a country that was made up of 16 various indigenous tribal groups and established a nation.

Roberts, the first president, remains enshrined in Liberian culture. His birthday remains a national holiday on March 15 and his image is still on the Liberian $10 bill. Born a free Black man, he came here in 1829 and opened a trading store and later became involved in politics. When Liberia became an independent country in 1847, Roberts was elected president, serving until 1856. In 1872, he was elected president a second time, serving until 1876.

Roberts had the task of getting recognition for the new African republic by the leaders of the world, traveling to Europe to meet with Queen Victoria of England and other heads of state (Great Britain was the first country to recognize Liberia, followed by France in 1848). The United States did not recognize Liberia until 1862, when the government feared that members of Congress from the South would not accept a Black ambassador in Washington.

After Roberts, there were several notable American-born Liberian presidents. There was James Spriggs Payne, who was born in Richmond, Virginia, to former slaves of mixed race. Payne, Liberia’s fourth and eighth president, was so light-skinned that many indigenous Liberians thought he was white. He was noted for working to end the slave trade which continued in Liberia into the 1850s. He also improved relations with the native groups in the country, considering them to have been largely ignored.

The last American-born president of Liberia was Alfred Francis Russell, who served in office from 1883 until 1884. Russell was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1817 and immigrated to Liberia in 1833 with his mother and cousin. He was a Methodist missionary and later owned a large coffee and sugar cane business. He served as vice president of Liberia until the resignation of President Anthony William Gardiner due to poor health.

In 1884, Liberia elected Hilary R.W. Johnson as president, making him the country’s first head of state born in Liberia.

Rodney King on Trayvon: It's Easy to Get Away With Killing a Black Man

By WNYC Newsroom
Rodney King weighed in on the shooting death of an unarmed Florida teen whose death at the hands of a neighborhood watch volunteer earlier this year sparked national debate on race.

“It’s easy to kill a black man, a black kid also, these days and get away with it because it's been going on so long," King told WNYC's The Leonard Lopate Show on Wednesday. "He deserves justice. ... His family deserves justice."

King criticized those who have resorted to violence in the wake of the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, but said the tone has been set over decades.

"We’ve got to get away from that whatever it takes," he said.

Martin, an unarmed black teen, was shot and killed in Florida on Feb. 26 by a neighborhood watch volunteer who has since been charged with second-degree murder.

King became the face of racial injustice in the U.S. two decades ago when he was beaten by Los Angeles police officers on March 3, 1991 — a gut-wrenching incident of police brutality caught on tape. Riots broke out in L.A. when the four officers involved were acquitted 13 months later.

He wrote a memoir The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption in which he recounts the experience.

Bobby Brown sentenced to probation in alcohol-related driving incident
By Michael Martinez and Jane Caffrey, CNN

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Singer Bobby Brown pleaded no contest Wednesday to driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher and was sentenced to 36 months of probation, his attorney said.

The charge to which he pleaded no contest is a violation of the California vehicle code, the attorney said.

In Los Angeles County Superior Court, prosecutors dismissed two other counts against him -- a drunk driving charge and a suspended driver's license charge -- said Brown lawyer Tiffany Feder.

Brown was also sentenced to one day in jail -- which he already served -- and must undergo a 90-day alcohol treatment program, Feder said.

Brown didn't appear in court, Feder said.

Brown, 43, showed signs of intoxication and failed a field sobriety test during the traffic stop last month in the Reseda area of Los Angeles County, California, Highway Patrol spokeswoman Tiana Reed said.

Brown is the ex-husband of the late singer Whitney Houston.

Rodney King Reflects On Police Beating, Talks Trayvon Martin
By Latifah Muhammad

In the 20 years since he was brutally beaten by LAPD officers, Rodney King has experienced tons of hardships. From financial issues, to battling addiction, the 47-year-old has done it all, and even after his stint on Celebrity Rehaband being busted for a DUI last year, he admits to still drinking. "I still sip, I don't get drunk," he told The Associated Press.

King's dependency on alcohol is the very thing that started off the night in which he was attacked by LAPD officers back in March of 1991.The Sacramento native was fearful of getting pulled over while driving drunk, which led to his attempt to elude cops before being viciously beaten while a witness taped the assault. Today, after winning a $3.8 million settlement—most of which was squandered away due to bad investments—he has finally found peace. "America's been good to me after I paid the price and stayed alive through it all," he said. Still a well-known public figure, King makes money from celebrity appearances, and is promoting his memoir The Riot Within: My Journey From Rebellion to Redemption "This part of my life is the easy part now."

Just as his story gave birth to the Los Angeles riots, an uprising sparked by opposition to police brutality and racial profiling, King can relate to the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. While his incident was not fatal, in an interview with TMZ, King said that wants to see a positive end result in the story which has captivated the world. "I'm hoping he gets justice for his family ... 'cause he's no longer here, so for his family."

N.Y. Jury to See Video of Man Posing as Dead Mom
By Christina Ng | ABC News Blogs

Jurors in a New York court will see surveillance footage today of a man who allegedly dressed up as his dead mother for six years to cash her Social Security checks, even going as far as visiting the DMV for a new license in the get-up.

Thomas Prusik-Parkin is accused of collecting more than $115,000 on his mother Irene Prusik's government benefits and rent subsidies for six years following her death in 2003.

In what the Brooklyn district attorney's office called an "elaborate fraud," Parkin and an accomplice allegedly appropriated Social Security benefits, social service payments and a townhouse, all while Parkin was dressed as his deceased 77-year-old mother.

An accomplice, Mhilton Rimolo, posed at Prusik's nephew when the duo went out in costume.

"These defendants ran a multi-year campaign of fraud that was unparalleled in its scope and brazenness," Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said in a statement.

Parkin and Rimolo initiated the crime by doctoring Prusik's death certificate with a false Social Security Number and date of birth, which made it appear as though she were still alive, according to the indictment.

"In order to perpetuate the ruse, the defendants went as far as to dress Parkin up as his deceased mother, and visit the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew her driver's license, where, incidentally, they were captured on surveillance video," the DA's office said.

Parkin and Rimolo received Prusik's Social Security benefits every month for six years, totaling $52,000. They also received $65,000 in rental assistance, according to the DA's office.

The duo was eventually caught when they got into a real estate battle with the new owner of Parkin's mother's former home, which she had left to him. He had been unable to maintain ownership and the building was sold at a foreclosure auction.

When the new owner reported that to the DA's office that he believed Parkin and Prusik had filed false affidavits, an investigation was opened. Parkin surprised investigators when he agreed to have his "mom" meet with them.

"When prosecutors and detective investigators arrived, they found Parkin dressed as his 77-year-old mother, wearing a red cardigan, lipstick, manicured nails and breathing through an oxygen tank," the DA's office said.

Parkin and Rimolo were indicted in June 2009 on 47 counts that included grand larceny, conspiracy, forgery and criminal impersonation.

Rimolo pleaded guilty to grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument, for which he served less than a year in prison. Parkin faces up to 25 years in prison, if convicted.

Deion Sanders posted a picture of his sons filling out a police report against their mother
By Chris Chase | Shutdown Corner

Deion Sanders' contentious divorce took another ugly turn on Monday, when the Pro Football Hall of Famer posted a photograph of him and his two sons filling out a police report against their mother, Pilar Sanders.

The photograph above was tweeted by Sanders 14 minutes after he posted the following two messages on his Twitter timeline. (The bottom message was sent first.)

Maryland brothers accused of beating black teenager on neighborhood watch patrol to go on trial amid Trayvon Martin case
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Eliyahu Werdesheim is shown in Baltimore

BALTIMORE — Two brothers accused of beating a black teenager while patrolling an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood are set to go on trial Monday in a case with similarities to the Trayvon Martin shooting.

The brothers, who are white and Jewish, have claimed self-defense, saying the teen was holding a nail-studded board. Local civil rights activists hope the Martin case will draw more attention to what they believe was racial profiling by neighborhood watch vigilantes.

Eliyahu and Avi Werdesheim are accused of beating a 15-year-old boy who was walking through a Baltimore neighborhood in November 2010. The brothers pulled up next to the teen in a vehicle, then got out and "surrounded him," according to charging documents. The passenger threw the teen to the ground and the driver hit him in the head with a hand-held radio and patted him down.

The teen remembered the driver yelling, "You wanna (mess) with us, you don't belong around here, get outta here!" according to court documents, which do not identify which brother was driving.

While the teen struggled, a third man got out of a van and kneed the teen, pinning him to the ground. The teen told police that he stopped struggling and the third man continued to search him, while the teen insisted he didn't have anything on him.

Eliyahu Werdesheim told the Baltimore Jewish Times that he was acting in self-defense because the teen was holding the piece of wood. The teen picked up the board during the encounter, but put it back down, said J. Wyndal Gordon, an attorney for the teen's family. He said the family did not want to speak publically.

After the trio left, the teen called police and was taken to a hospital with a cut on the back of his head and a broken wrist, according to court documents. Using a photo book compiled by investigators, the teen later identified Eliyahu Werdesheim, now 24, as one of the men who assaulted him. He was arrested after about 10 days; his now 21-year-old brother was charged two months later.

The brothers are charged with second-degree assault, false imprisonment and carrying a deadly weapon (the hand-held radio). The pair face up to 13 years in prison if convicted on all three counts. A third man, identified in a lawsuit brought by the teen's family as Ronald Rosenbluth, does not face charges.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said investigators don't believe Rosenbluth was involved in the beating. Rosenbluth said he doesn't believe there was a third person and he was only called to the scene after the incident.

Are Beyonce & Jay-Z Planning Baby Number Two?
By Sweet Sweetback

Word on the street is that Jay-Z and Beyonce want a sibling for their daughter Blue Ivy as soon as possible.

Star magazine claims that they are already excited about adding to their family as they want their children to be close in age:

“They see no reason to wait.”

“Beyonce has said giving birth and dropping the baby weight was far easier than she thought.”

“It took them a while to conceive Blue Ivy, so they don’t want to waste another second.”

“Beyonce and Jay-Z adore being parents, and they’re as hands-on as they possibly can be. Beyonce has found a passion other than music, and it’s being a mom.”

The couple recently went for a romantic getaway to St. Barts with insiders saying they want to start trying as soon as possible.

“It took them a while to conceive Blue Ivy, so they don’t want to waste another second,” the insider revealed.

“Beyoncé and Jay-Z adore being parents, and they’re as hands-on as they possibly can be. Beyoncé has found a passion other than music, and it’s being a mom.”

Trayvon Martin's Parents React To Zimmerman's Apology
by Staff Writer for Global Grind Staff

Trayvon Martin's parents, Tracy and Sybrina Fulton, sat in the courtroom watching as their son's killer, George Zimmerman, was granted bail in the amount of $150,000. The relentlessly strong parents couldn't hold back their emotions as they decided not to talk to the media after the proceedings.
According to the family attorney, Ben Crump, Trayvon's parents were so upset after the outcome that they could not face the media or make a statement.

Crump said:

"Tracy Martin had tears in eyes during the hearing and said George Zimmerman apology was self serving."

Crump continued speaking on the state's evidence presented today saying, "They were not willing to show their hand."

Jasmine Rand, an attorney who works with the firm that reps Trayvon's parents, said Zimmerman has disregard for cops, referring to his past run-ins with authorities.

In court, Zimmerman appeared looking very thin with a fresh shave and clean suit while taking the stand to make a statement. Zimmerman stated:

"I wanted to say I am sorry for the loss of your son. I did not know how old he was, I thought he was a little bit younger than I am and I did not know if he was armed or not."

The members of Zimmerman's family who testified were Zimmerman's wife, Shellie Zimmerman, his father, Robert Zimmerman, and his mother, Gladys Zimmerman.

Zimmerman faces a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 26 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins Freed From Prison

(femalefirst.co.uk)

Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins has walked free from prison after he was sentenced to time served for pleading guilty to a drug charge.

The Lean on Me star admitted one count of marijuana possession for salestemming from his arrest in Arizona last year (11) when cops caught him buying 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms) of cannabis from an undercover officer.

He struck a deal with prosecutors and a charge of illegal control of enterprise was dropped in return for his guilty plea.

Hopkins was freed from prison on Tuesday (17Apr12) after he was sentenced to 30 days behind bars, which he had already served following his arrest, and he was also handed three years probation.

He tells TMZ.com, "I am so glad to put this legal battle behind me so that I can begin moving forward with re-establishing my acting career".

Teen Girl Arrested After Brutal Fight Over Twitter Beef
By Vibe

Tashay D. Edwards, a 19-year-old Ohio native, was arrested Monday (April 16) after brutally assaulting another young girl over a Twitter beef. A video of the incident, filmed by Edwards’ friends, was posted to WorldStar Hip-Hop on Wednesday (April 18), and the girls received internet fame instantly. With over 2 million views by the afternoon, the entire ordeal has been a trending topic on the social network.

In the one-minute clip, Edwards arrives to the victim’s house, brings up the Twitter argument and proceeds to drag, stomp and beat the girl from her door to the sidewalk. The scene is quite graphic and is a sad realization of how seriously things can be taken over “disrespectful” behavior on the internet.

Honestly, the images these young girls absorb from watching reality TV don’t help. These acts are celebrated and praised, which is clearly seen by several of the Twitterverse reactions. Without placing too much blame solely on others, watching grown women bicker, fight and attempt to kill one another over blog posts or what they perceive to be slick comments is seemingly affecting the minds of the youth.

Throw a blow over a blog? Drag a girl from her home over an e-shot? What’s next?!

Thankfully, this Edwards girl will be brought to justice.

By David Jackson
USA TODAY

When President Obama went to the Henry Ford Museum near Detroit yesterday, he got to visit one of the shrines of the civil rights movement that helped lead to the nation's first African-American president.

Rosa Parks' bus.

Obama described a moving scene to supporters later that morning.

"I actually had the chance to sit in Rosa Parks' bus," Obama said. "I just sat there for a moment and pondered the courage and tenacity that is part of our very recent history, but is also a part of that long line of folks -- sometimes nameless, oftentimes didn't make the history books -- but who constantly insisted on their dignity, their stake in the American Dream."

Parks' refusal to move to the back of that bus on Dec. 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Ala., led to her arrest, which led to a bus boycott by African Americans, which led to the creation of the Montgomery Improvement Association, which led to the elevation of a young minister named Martin Luther King Jr.

Eventually came the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and an ongoing sea change in American race relations that includes the 2008 election of Barack Obama.

Said Obama at another stop: "It takes ordinary citizens to bring about change, who are committed to keep fighting and keep pushing, and keep inching this country closer to our highest ideals."

Mystikal Back in Jail for Violating Probation
Rolling Stone

New Orleans rapper Mystikal has been hit with a three-month jail sentence for violating his probation, MTV News reports. Louisiana State District Judge Tony Marabella slapped Mystikal with the extended jail time over an arrest in February that led to a misdemeanor charge for domestic abuse battery.

With the arrest, the recent Cash Money Records signee violated his five-year probation term that originated from sexual battery and extortion charges in 2003. Mystikal was released from prison in January 2010 after serving a six-year sentence.

Mystikal was set to release his upcoming sixth studio album, Original, on Cash Money Records after signing in December, and the label has expressed their support over their artist's most recent legal troubles. Repeated run-ins with the law have slowed the artist's career: Original will be the rapper's first album in over 10 years, following 2001's Tarantula.

Bobby Brown pleads not guilty to drunken-driving charges
(theleader.com)

LOS ANGELES —Singer Bobby Brown pleaded not guilty Monday to three misdemeanor charges related to driving under the influence, a spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney’s office said.

Brown, 43, formerly married to the late pop diva Whitney Houston, was pulled over March 26 in the San Fernando Valley after he was spotted talking on his cellphone. After taking a field sobriety test, he was arrested and charged. He faces charges of driving under the influence, driving with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08 percent and driving with a suspended license, according to prosecutors.

City attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said Brown did not personally appear in the Van Nuys court and his plea was entered by his attorney.

Brown, who was married to Houston for 14 years before the couple divorced in 2007, reportedly has had numerous run-ins with the law, including a 1996 drunken-driving incident in Florida. Much of the couple’s marital turmoil and legal woes played out in public, including in a 2005 reality show called “Being Bobby Brown.”

He faces a maximum of a year in county jail if convicted

Tupac Hologram Performs at Coachella

By Free Britney
Break out the champagne glasses and the motherf--kin' condoms.

This weekend's Coachella festival was the place to be. Everyone was there. Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Vanessa Hudgens, Lindsay Lohan ... even Tupac!!

Say what now? The late rapper appeared as a hologram (seriously).

Check out the video below of a startlingly real-looking 2Pac "performing" two of his hits, including "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" with Snoop Dogg (seriously):

“Basketball Wives” Star Begs Judge To Lift Dwight Howard Gag Order
by Jerry L. Barrow

“Basketball Wives” star Royce Reed is tired of watching from the sidelines and wants back in on the drama. According to TMZ, the reality star recently filed papers that would lift the gag order placed by her baby daddy, NBA star Dwight Howard back in 2009. Royce initially agreed to keep her lips zipped as a condition of her custody battle with Howard. Now that’s she’s had a change of heart, Royce has a few allegations she’d like to get off her chest:

– Dwight is not morally fit to have custody of their son
– Dwight’s mental state is sketchy
– Dwight has funny substances laying around the house the kid shouldn’t see
– And she has other horrible things she wants to say about Dwight

A judge has yet yet to rule on Royce’s case.

Jada Pinkett Smith Speaks Out Against 'Ridiculous' Rumors of Marital Trouble
BY TIM NUDD

Why us? That's what Jada Pinkett Smith has been wondering, after she and husbandWill Smith became the latest star couple to be subject to rumors of marital strife.

Asked why the speculation won't go away, she tells French magazine Gala: "I have no idea! Every year, one celebrity couple is under the microscope. This year, unluckily, it's us! I almost want to say that we should have been expecting it."

She adds: "Will and I know the truth. We're waiting peacefully for the storm to blow over."
Jada, 40, acknowledges that she and Will, 43, spend lots of time apart. But it's always been that way, she adds.

"These rumors are completely untrue," she says. "I travel a lot because of my work, just like Will does. ... But our lifestyle hasn't changed. Before we had the kids, we were already far away from each other quite often because of separate projects."

Asked about the rumor that they no longer live under the same roof, she replies: "That's ridiculous. We've always lived together."
Things aren't about to slow down, either. Will is currently filming the M. Night Shyamalan movie After Earth with Jaden, 13. And this summer, Jada will be hitting the road with Willow, 11, who is going on tour as a singer.

"As a mom, I'm very proud to see them pursuing the things they love," says Jada. "We leave them enough space to express themselves and make their dreams come true. We leave them free to make their own choices. We try not live through them."

Beyonce pens love letter to Michelle Obama
By Tim Kenneally | Reuters

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - There might not be much love lost between President Obama and Kanye West. But it's a whole different story when it comes to his wife Michelle and another musical icon, Beyonce.

The "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" songbird published a hand-written mash note to the First Lady on her Tumblr page (via Politico) recently, calling Obama "the ULTIMATE example of a truly strong African American woman.

"She is a caring mother, she's a loving wife, while at the same time, she is the FIRST LADY!!!!!," Beyonce's gush-fest continued. "No matter the pressure, and the stress of being under the microscope - she's humble, loving and sincere."

The singer wrapped up the missive by calling Obama a role model for her daughter, Blue Ivy.

"Michelle, thank you so much for every single thing that u do for us -- I am proud to have my daughter grow up in a world where she has people like you to look up to."

The singer and the First Couple have something of a history together. Beyonce performed the Etta James staple "At Last" for the Obamas at the Neighborhood Ball on inauguration night in 2009, and performed at the White House State Dinner that hosted Mexico's president Felipe Calderon in 2010.

Michelle Obama Promotes Veterans, Jokes About Campaign On 'The Colbert Report'
By Mary Bruce | ABC OTUS News

With the general election fight now well underway, First Lady Michelle Obama jokingly offered her official endorsement tonight in a stop by Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."

"You are popular," host Stephen Colbert noted to cheers from the audience. "Do you lord over the president the fact that you're more popular than he is? Do you ever say, like, 'hey, watch it or I might not campaign for you.'"

"I might try that when I get home," Mrs. Obama quipped.

Asked if she was prepared to endorse his candidacy, the first lady eagerly offered her husband her full support.

"I am endorsing my husband Barack Obama. I think he will be a phenomenal president - he has been a phenomenal president," she said.

"He's my man," she added with a wry smile.

The first lady's appearance on Colbert, her first since the 2008 campaign, was intended to promote the one-year anniversary of her "Joining Forces" initiative, which honors and supports U.S. troops and their families.

"People have really been stepping up in some amazing ways," she said. "We've seen people hiring our veterans and finding wonderful flexible opportunities for spouses, because employment is a key issue for these families."

While unemployment for returning veterans is above the national average, Mrs. Obama said "we're seeing it decrease at some pretty significant rates."

"But until we get to zero, we still have a lot of work to do," she said. "These people are bringing in skills that actually improve the bottom line of companies because these are some of the most highly trained, highly skilled, disciplined people that we have in our society, the best this country has to offer. So we all need to do our part."

Colbert joked that hiring a veteran is also a good idea because "with the stories he tells of his previous jobs, it will really make the interoffice complaining sound trivial."

The first lady agreed. "It's hard to be a whiner around a veteran," she said.

George Zimmerman expected to be charged in Trayvon Martin’s death
By Dylan Stableford | The Lookout

Angela Corey, the special prosecutor investigating the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, is scheduled to hold a 6 p.m. EDT press conference in Jacksonville, Fla., on Wednesday, where she is expected to charge George Zimmerman in the 17-year-old's killing.

According to the Associated Press, Zimmerman will be charged with 2nd-degree murder. Corey's office confirmed the press conference but did not elaborate on the details. According to the AP, Zimmerman is in custody. According to CNN, he turned himself in.

The announcement comes a day after Zimmerman's attorneys said that they were dropping the case because their client had stopped communicating with them. On Sunday, Zimmerman launched a website seeking donations for his legal and living expenses.

Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman, shot and killed Martin on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla., a gated community outside of Orlando. He told police he was attacked by Martin and was acting in self-defense.

Earlier this week, Corey announced the case would not go to a grand jury.

Eve speaks on Kim vs. Nicki beef

Eve fell short of picking sides in the Nicki Minaj vs. Lil’ Kim beef, but the rapper does feel that newbies need to pay more respect to those that paved the way.

“First of all, there needs to be a level of respect. I feel like a lot of people who are from the past generation trying to get at the new generation, it’s not about publicity. It’s about wanting that respect. I think maybe that’s where Kim is coming from, like, you’re doing your thing right now and no one can take that away from you, Nicki — we all see it — but at the end of the day, if it wasn’t for Kim, she wouldn’t be here and that sh-t is real. And if it wasn’t for [Queen] Latifah, and if it wasn’t for Foxy [Brown] and [MC] Lyte, I wouldn’t be here,” Eve told Women of Hip Hop.

While Eve might question Nicki’s level of respect for female rappers who came before her, she’s not questioning Nicki’s talent or contribution to the genre.

“Nicki is doing her thing and she’s maximizing the market, but that’s because there is no one else out. She’s the only female. She came in at a time when music was so different. She’s doing stuff now that we couldn’t do – well we could do it – I did the collaboration with Gwen, but it’s at a different place,” she said in reference to her hit with Gwen Stefani, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind.”

When it comes to which rapper she likes better, Eve said it’s unfair to pit Nicki Minaj and Lil’ Kim against one another.

“It’s so different and it’s an unfair comparison sometimes for Nicki to say Kim is washed up. Kim is Kim, point blank period,” she said. “Kim is doing her thing and Nicki is doing her thing.”

Eve has had her own experience with hip-hop beef, but she intends to stay out of the one between Nicki and Kim, unless someone brings her into it.

“I know she’s going crazy at the mouth. Until somebody mentions me by name, I don’t care, do you – because all I can do is me,” Eve said about Nicki.

Zimmerman's Lawyers Quit
THE TWO ATTORNEY'S FOR GEORGE ZIMMERMAN SAID THAT THEY CAN NO LONGER REPRESENT THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH VOLUNTEER

(ebony.com)

In front of cameras and eager reporters looking to get the latest update in the Trayvon Martin case, lawyers Craig Sonner and Hal Uhrig expressed their concern about clientGeorge Zimmerman. "You can stop looking [for him] in Florida," Uhrig told reporters. "Look much further away than that." That simple statement began a series of strange twists that have pundits scratching their heads. The two attorneys of avowed shooter George Zimmerman said Tuesday that they can no longer represent theneighborhood watch volunteer in the highly charged Trayvon Martin shooting case because they have lost contact with their onetime client.

The late-afternoon news conference took place in Sanford, Florida, but might as well had been a scene straight out of "The Fugitive."Both Sonner and Uhrig took turns expressing concern about Zimmerman's emotional and physical well-being, saying he has taken actions without consulting them. The most intriguing shocker of them all is that the duo who have been appearing on news networks across the country somehow do not know where George Zimmerman is. Special prosecutor Angela Corey, who is the lead investigator involved in the Martin shooting, announced that same day that she would hold a news conference about the case within 72 hours to decide whether Zimmerman's claims of self-defense are valid or not.

The new developments add a sobering twist to a case that has provoked a maelstrom of uproar within the African American community. With so many holes in this bizarre investigation, we are seriously wondering if charges will be filed.

Havoc Denies Mobb Deep Breakup Or Beef With Prodigy
by Nadeska Alexis

Mobb Deep rapper Havoc caught everyone off guard early on Monday morning when he began firing off a stream of negative tweets directed at his partner in rhyme, Prodigy. In addition to challenging Prodigy to a fight, Havoc also questioned his sexuality, but, in a statement to MTV News, he claims that his phone was simply stolen. “Just getting back into NY after my Easter weekend with family and friends in Jersey. I left my phone at a gas station yesterday evening while on my way to Jersey after a glorious Knick’s game," he wrote.
"To all Mobb Deep fans: it’s business as usual! It’s Mobb Deep all day!!! My twitter account @THEREALHAVOC will be down until further notice. The only other real account is @PRODIGYMOBBDEEP. Ignore the rest. One!”

The statement comes after sources close to Mobb Deep's camp told MTV News that Havoc's Twitter spree was real.

The stream of troubling tweets began on early on Monday morning with Havoc poking fun at Prodigy over his apparent affection for Rihanna "@prodigymobbdeep and @rihanna for getting married soon!! @rihanna please confirm!" before things took a turn for the ugly. "@prodigymobbdeep we got a meeting, lets see if u built to show ur face," he wrote, following up with a stream of harsh words.

"prodigy abitch and I'm gonna show it, follow!! ground breaking new. i got ni---s in the jail system to to back up that prodigy was f-----g homes in jail prodigy prove me wrong! please. i have a big announcement.... and ni---s that was locked wit him know the truth," he continued. "now i will silence.... and let the jails take care of the rest. thats on everything, i had to smack P ask him. prodigy u pu--y! u long island ass bitch. I'm about to expose u! i can't wait till ni----s in jail that was wit u back my shit up!! next time i see u.

Havoc even threw in a physical threat, writing, "u getting layer out, on camera!! i can't wait! how u say u live in jersey, but right there in queens??? I'm on top of u... pause... foot on thy neck!!! in a minute.... niggas that was in the jail wit him gonna blow him up first hand.!!!!"

Warren Sapp files for bankruptcy in Florida
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (AP) - Former NFL star Warren Sapp owes more than $6.7 million to creditors and back child support and alimony, according to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in South Florida.

Sapp’s $6.45 million in assets includes 240 pairs of Jordan athletic shoes worth almost $6,500, a $2,250 watch and a lion skin rug worth $1,200. He also reported losing his 2002 Super Bowl ring with the Bucs and his 1991 national championship ring from the University of Miami.

The court documents were filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Fort Lauderdale on March 30. TMZ.com first reported the filing. A phone message and e-mail left Saturday with his attorney, Chad Pugatch, were not immediately returned.

Sapp’s average monthly income is $115,881, according to the filings, and includes $45,000 for a final contract payment with Showtime, $48,000 for an appearance with CCA Sports and $18,675 as an advance for a book deal. His contract with the NFL Network ends in August, the filings show, and it was unknown if the contract will be renewed.

Sapp, a former defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13-year NFL career, was also once a contestant on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

He was arrested in 2010 following an alleged domestic violence incident at a Miami Beach hotel. He would have faced one count of misdemeanor domestic battery, but prosecutors declined to prosecute saying in court documents that there were inconsistencies in the victim’s statements and evidence.

California city police ask FBI to review black student's shooting

By Ian Simpson

April 6 (Reuters) - Police in Pasadena, California, have
asked the FBI to review the shooting death of an unarmed black
college student by two white officers.

Kendrec McDade, 19, was fatally shot on March 24 after
police received a 911 call about an armed robbery. Officers
responded and saw McDade and a second teenager, and when the two
suspects split up, they chased McDade and shot him when they
thought he was reaching for a gun.

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said in a statement
posted Thursday on the department's website that he had asked
the FBI to consider reviewing the shooting.

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation offers another
independent level of review," he said in the statement.

The shooting is already under investigation by the
department, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office as
well as the county's Office of Independent Review.

The issue of the shooting deaths of black teenagers has
intensified with the February killing of 17-year-old Trayvon
Copyright © 2012, Reuters

Poll shows big racial divide in opinion on Trayvon Martin case
By Liz Goodwin | The Lookout

Americans are sharply divided by race in their opinion of the shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Florida by a Hispanic neighborhood watchman.

A Gallup/USA Today poll finds that most black Americans (73 percent) think Trayvon Martin's shooter, George Zimmerman, would have been arrested if Martin had been white. Only 33 percent of non-Hispanic white people said the same thing.

The racial divide on Zimmerman's guilt was also big: 51 percent of black people said Zimmerman is "definitely guilty" based on the information available, compared to only 10 percent of whites. About 20 percent of both whites and blacks said Zimmerman was "probably guilty."

Zimmerman told police that he was following Martin because he looked "suspicious" when the unarmed 17-year-old then attacked him. Zimmerman said he shot Martin in self-defense. He hasn't been charged. Martin's family says Zimmerman followed and then attacked and shot Martin in an act of vigilante policing.

An earlier Pew Research Center poll found that only 16 percent of black people said there had been too much media coverage of the shooting, compared to 43 percent of white people. The Gallup poll of more than 3,000 adults has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Beyoncé Shares Stunning, Makeup-Less Bikini Pic!
By Tiffany Lee | Stop The Presses!

Who doesn't love Beyoncé in a bikini? The 30-year-old stunner shared a photo of herself on vacation (she didn't reveal when the hot shot was snapped). Still, no Photoshop, no lighting design, no professional photographer, no makeup artist--no problem! Just another beauty testament to the naturally gorgeous singer.

Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z recently celebrated their four-year wedding anniversary yesterday (for a total of ten years together). To celebrate, she launched an immaculately curated Tumblr page of never-before-seen photos of herself and her family, along with joining Twitter for the first time to announce her new website. She's already racked up over 3.6 million Twitter followers in less than a day and just a single tweet!

Having given birth to her first child Blue Ivy in January, Beyoncé will return to performing live in late May.

Lil Wayne Puts Louisiana Home Up For Sale For $1.7 MillionBy Kelly-Mae Mahoney

Lil Wayne has put his glass and chrome-made mansion on sale for a whopping $1.7 million.

The Young Money boss' luxurious Louisiana home, which reportedly requires some basic landscaping work, comes after Wayne was cited for lawn violation a few months ago, when the rapper's neighbours complained that he failed to cut the grass and weeds located at the front of the 10,000 square foot mansion.

The five bedroom and six bathroom home, which is located in a privately owned gated community in New Orleans, opens up to a two-storey foyer, lined with silver pillars, gold trimmed spiral stair case, a state of the art stainless steel kitchen, a wet bar, his and her bathroom, steam room, sauna, raised jacuzzi, theatre, fitness room, pool and pool house.

Wayne's latest home auction comes a month after his protege, Drake, sold his Miami five bedroom, sex bedroom condo for a cool $2.6 million.

Do you have $1 million to spare?

Michelle Obama on 'Biggest Loser' to fight obesity

US First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on Tuesday night's episode of "The Biggest Loser" to promote her campaign against obesity -- and has hosted the US diet reality show's first White House workout.

The six competitors still vying for the title of "Biggest Loser" -- the one who loses the most weight -- got the shock of their lives when they were invited to Washington by the wife of US President Barack Obama.

After having makeovers for the occasion, the six contestants met Obama and were reunited with loved ones -- prompting floods of tears of joy.

"Congratulations, you have shown to millions of Americans that each of us can make positive changes in our lives," Obama said in a video message to contestants.

"It's overwhelming for me," said 43-year-old competitor Mark.

The scenes of Obama working out with contestants at the White House are due to air next Tuesday, according to NBC, which broadcasts the program.

Happy 4th Anniversary, Beyoncé and Jay-Z
By Charli Penn

The king and queen of hip-hop and pop are already having an incredible 2012. In January, Beyoncé and Jay-Z welcomed the birth of their first child, a baby girl named Blue Ivy Carter who made Billboard chart history before she was even a week old, and four years ago today Mr. Carter put a ring on it in a private ceremony on their Manhattan rooftop.

The number four is the couple's lucky number, so we have a feeling this anniversary will be one of their most memorable yet. Join us in congratulating the Carters as we wish them many more years of marital bliss. Isn't Black love beautiful?

Meagan Good is Engaged to DeVon Franklin
By Derrick Bryson Taylor

Meagan Good is getting married! The actress got engaged to her boyfriend and Sony Pictures Entertainment exec DeVon Franklin, last month. Her rep confirmed that the couple has known each other for years and began dating after Good filmed Jumping the Broom. No wedding date has been announced. [TMZ]

OPRAH WINFREY 'OWN Was a MISTAKE'

(TMZ) Oprah Winfrey rues the day she ever launched the Oprah Winfrey Network --claiming the entire operation was one giant mistake ... doomed from the get go.

The Big O appeared today on "CBS This Morning," confessing she might not have created OWN if she could do it all over again -- "The idea of creating a network was something that I wanted to do. Had I known that it was this difficult, I might have done something else."

She added, "If I knew then what I know now, I might have made different choices. If I were writing a book about it, I could call the book '101 Mistakes.'"

As we previously reported, OWN has been struggling BAD -- chopping a large chunk of network employees last month ... right after it was forced to cancel Rosie O'Donnell's show.

Capitol Police promotes 1st black female captains
ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Yogananda Pittman andMonique Moore climbed the ranks of the U.S. Capitol Police, they encountered no top-level supervisors who looked like them. No black women, from the chief down to the captains, were represented in the upper management of the federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting lawmakers and congressional buildings.

So it was more than a personal honor when the two became the first black women promoted to captain in the department, which in the past decade has been roiled by allegations from minority officers that they were passed over for promotions and subjected to racial intimidation and harassment.

"I just definitely think it lets them know that it's attainable," Pittman said, referring to younger black officers. "When you see someone who looks like yourself in the rank of captain and what have you, they know they can do it."

The promotions may seem a pedestrian milestone in the year 2012 but they carry symbolic significance for the agency. Accusations of racism within the department have been addressed at congressional hearings, raised in multiple lawsuits and drawn concern from the Congressional Black Caucus, whose members in 2003 said they were "incensed and embarrassed" by the alleged mistreatment

Barbershops Play Important Role in Controlling Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Among African American Men

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB)

African-American men.

African American men are diagnosed later and die more often from a variety of diseases compared to women and other racial/ethnic groups. These disparities have been acknowledged and well documented within the research literature.1 Emerging studies have even begun to elucidate the reasons for these disparities, including significant barriers to awareness and screening. Low priority of health concerns, limited time, poor information/lack of knowledge, perception of treatment as experimental, negative beliefs and mistrust of the health care system, geographic isolation, and cultural insensitivity among many providers have all been implicated in moderating the health-seeking behavior among African American men..

The study, conducted by the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, shows that by screening, educating and referring men to the doctor, African-American men can better control their high blood pressure and diabetes. Lead author and founder of the black barbershop health outreach program, Dr. Bill J Releford, organized the grassroots effort because of his experience in diabetes related foot complications in African-Americans. "Because African-Americans experience diabetes related amputations disproportionately more than other groups I decided to take my health advocacy beyond the walls of my practice and into the streets", states Dr. Releford who is a practicing podiatric surgeon in Los Angeles.

The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program has screened over 7000 men in 300 barbershops from over 20 cities across 6 states.

Charles Barkley dresses in drag for Weight Watchers
By Kalyn McMackin - The Daily Caller

NBA Hall of Fame legend Charles Barkley has posed as a lady in an upcoming commercial for Weight Watchers.

In a visual that can only be described as disturbing, Weight Watcher’s tweeted on Wednesday a picture of Sir Charles in a black dress, a curly haired wig and open-toed high heel shoes.

“While shooting our new TV ads, Charles Barkley finds the perfect little black dress. Looking good!!!” Weight Watchers wrote.

The theme of the upcoming commercial is “Lose like a man,” with the message being that men can also make the effort to lose weight through the program.

Barkley signed as a Weight Watchers spokesman after gaining 100 pounds due to “laziness.” However, since signing on with the weight loss program, Barkley claims to have already lost 42 pounds.

The commercial will begin airing on April 8.

FAIL: Domestic Violence on a Bun
Georgia steakhouse tastelessly makes "Black & Blue" burger inspired by Chris Brown and Rihanna.
Jennifer King

In Watkinsville, Georgia, about ten miles outside of Athens, a local steakhouse, Chops & Hops, debuted a new steak and bleu cheese sandwich to mix reviews. Not because patrons didn't enjoy the sandwich but because of the way in which the steakhouse decided to advertise their menu addition. On Saturday, Chops & Hops published a picture to their Facebook of their new sandwich, "Black and Blue,” accompanied by this quote:

“@chrisbrown @rihanna and us teamed up for a [sic] award winning celebrity sandwich. Put your hands on this Caribbean black and bleu sandwich. Chris Brown won’t beat you up for eating this unless your name starts with a R and ends with A.”

Using the quote as a reference it is safe to assume that Chops & Hops took marketing inspiration from the 2009 beating of Rihanna by Chris Brown to create their new dish. The restaurant does have a history of naming menu items for popular celebrities but their marketing strategy was tasteless and insensitive toward those affected by domestic violence, no matter their celebrity status.

After spreading through Facebook and Twitter like a wild fire Chops & Hops decided to pull the sandwich and has pledged to donate six times the amount of the profits made off of initial sales of the sandwich to Project Safe Team 6, a non-profit organization that fights against domestic violence. One comment in response to the sandwiches description feels that the name is a perfect for a steak sandwich but “if you plan on bringing it back I might suggest you name it after an MMA fighter or hockey player…anything except a woman who was beaten.”

Kobe Bryant just dropped $329,000 on a brand new Ferrari
By Dan Devine | Ball Don't Lie

According to the intrepid reporters at TMZ, Kobe Bryant is now the proud owner of a Ferrari 458 Italia, a fancy-and-fast-as-hell "supercar" that officially makes him the coolest guy in school. (Or, at least, the coolest guy on the Los Angeles Lakers bench.)

"We're told the Black Mamba paid $329,000 yesterday for the car ... which he paid for in full with a check," TMZ reported. It was probably a designer Batman check, because Kobe is Batman.
Kobe's new ride "represents one of the largest leaps forward in technology, performance and emissions ever seen from" Ferrari, according to Motor Authority. Its 4.5-liter V-8 engine won the Best Performance Engine category in the 2011 International Engine of the Year competition, so, y'know, this is some kind of engine! Also, 570 horsepower? That would be an awful lot of horses, so that's got to be an awful lot of power.

The folks at Cosby Sweaters point out that Kobe has an endorsement deal with Mercedes — he's also got a deal with Smart — but Bryant's long been known for having a vast, wide-ranging fleet, including a Ferrari F430. (Like it's much of a surprise that Kobe loves Italian stuff.)

Kobe might have gotten taken for a bit of a ride, though — the manufacturer's suggested retail priceon the 2012 458 Italia is $230,275. Oh, well. I guess you have to pay a premium for all of those horses.

Bobby Brown arrested on suspicion of DUI
By Sarah Anne Hughes

R&B singer Bobby Brown was arrested Monday on suspicion on DUI, the Associated Press reports.

Brown, the ex-husband of Whitney Houston, was pulled over for talking on a cellphone shortly after noon Monday, according to the AP. An officer then noticed that Brown seemed to be impaired. The singer failed a field sobreity test, was booked on suspicion of DUI and was released later that afternoon.

TMZ was first to report the arrest.

Brown was convicted of drunk driving for a 1996 arrest in Georgia. He is currently on tour with the group New Edition.

Martin Lawrence Inks Talent Deal With CBS
The pact would see the network and studio develop a show for the "Bad Boys"
by Lesley Goldberg

Martin Lawrence is coming back to the small screen.

The actor, who has been busy doing feature film projects including Big Momma’s Houseand its sequels, has inked a talent deal with CBS and its studio, CBS Television Studios.

The deal calls for the network and studio to develop a show for the comedian to star in.

A series TV gig would mark Lawrence’s first regular small screen work since he starred as Martin Payne – and assorted other characters – on Fox’sMartin.

His big-screen credits also include the Bad Boys films,Death at a Funeral and Wild Hogs.

Hypocracy! Geraldo Rivera Wears Hoodies Too!
by Amir Rowe for Global Grind Staff

Geraldo Rivera angered many when he made an extremely insensitive statement on Fox News' Fox&Freinds regarding the case of Trayvon Martin.

Geraldo essentially blamed Trayvon Martin for wearing a hoodie telling his audience:

"I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters particularly to not let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”

Geraldo then went on to make some extremely ignorant comments saying:

"It’s those crime scene surveillance tapes. Every time you see someone sticking up a 7-Eleven, the kid’s wearing a hoodie.

Every time you see a mugging on a surveillance camera or they get the old lady in the alcove, it’s a kid wearing a hoodie.

You have to recognize that this whole stylizing yourself as a gangsta — you’re going to be a gangsta wannabe? Well, people are going to perceive you as a menace."

The fact that we now have photos of Geraldo wearing a hoodie himself, there's every reason to label this man a hypocite at its finest!

For politics and news updates follow GlobalGrind Politics on Twitter here.

Al Sharpton to headline rally for slain Fla. teen
Associated Press

SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — Al Sharpton is mourning the death of his mother, but the civil rights leadersays he is still coming to Florida to lead a rally for an unarmed black teen killed by a neighborhood watch captain.

Sharpton said Thursday on Twitter that he is on a flight to Florida for the rally at the First Shiloh Baptist Church in Sanford. The rally is being held following the shooting death of 17-year-oldTrayvon Martin last month.

Martin was shot by a neighborhood watch captain who has claimed he acted in self-defense. The neighborhood watch captain hasn't been arrested, and the case is being reviewed by the State Attorney's Office.

Sharpton's 87-year-old mother, Ada, died early Thursday. Sharpton says his mother would have wanted him to attend the rally.

North Carolina school: 'African American attire' letter was 'poorly worded'

By msnbc.com staffCHARLOTTE, N.C. – A North Carolina school district acknowledged Wednesday that it sent home a “poorly worded” letter asking children to dress in “African American attire” or animal prints to celebrate Black History Month.

The letter went home with a group of children from Western Union Elementary School in advance of the school’s Feb. 28 celebration, according to the Charlotte Observer.

The letter suggested that if students didn’t have “African American attire,” they could wear animal-print clothing or shirts with zebras, elephants or giraffes on them.

A popular gay rights blog, Unicornbooty.com, posted a photograph of the letter on Tuesday, igniting an uproar online, according to WSOC-TV Channel 9 in Charlotte.

In a statement, Union County Public Schools’ Chief Communications Officer Luan Ingram said the letter “while it was well-intended, it was poorly worded. We are reminding all of our principals to be very sensitive in word choices when communicating with parents concerning different ethnic groups and cultures that make up our world.”

El DeBarge Arrested For Drug Possession … Again

El DeBarge was picked up in a Los Angeles suburb on Monday afternoon and arrested for possession of narcotics for sale, E! Online reports. He is out on $30,000 bail and awaits an April 9 court date. It’s a big setback for the singer, who was sentenced to two years in prison in 2008 for possessing crack and drug paraphernalia and violating probation (from a previous drug bust) and had been arrested two other times since 2001. He scotched a comeback tour last year, checking into rehab instead. The saddest part of this story is how he talked about meeting with his friend Whitney Houston days before her death last month.

“She was telling me, ‘I miss you El’ and we started crying together,” DeBarge told The Boombox at the Grammys, where he was nominated for Best R&B Album. “She wanted to talk to me about her addiction, I could tell she did, and we just didn’t get our chance to.

“Drugs are a very strong, outside aggression,” he told the site. “That’s what it is. It attacks leadership and it just attacks things and it gives you a challenge that you really don’t want to have but you have to be strong and we all have the strength.”

Did the shock of Whitney’s death challenge DeBarge’s strength too much? We hope he regains it soon.

Beyonce to make post-Blue Ivy return in Atlantic City
(lablogs)

The question of when Beyonce would return to the stage after giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy has been answered as the pop diva announced plans to anchor three concerts in Atlantic City in May.

The 16-time Grammy winner will perform the concerts as part of the unveiling of the $2.4-billion Revel Resorts. All three shows will be held over Memorial Day weekend in the resort’s Ovation Hall, which has 5,050 seats, according to Revel.

Beyonce’s last full concerts were in August during her four-night run at New York’s Roseland Ballroom. A few weeks later she announced her pregnancy at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. It's always safe to assume Bey will offer up selections from her hits-filled back catalog as both a solo star and Destiny's Child star, but will she also use the stage to debut music inspired by new motherhood?

Singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder recently revealed she was plotting two projects for this year, one of which could very well serve as some sort of soundtrack to her upcoming Clint Eastwood-directed update of “A Star Is Born,” which was postponed to make room for little Blue Ivy.

"The conversations about her next album literally just started and there [are] two projects happening," the OneRepublic frontman said. "All I can say is you kind of feed her the best that you have and she's this phenomenal filter and she takes it all in."

Beyonce's three night engagement could also warm up the singer for a possible tour. She's yet to go on the road for her last album, "4." The CD wasn't the blockbuster people expected from the singer, but it was heralded by critics for its genre-bending sounds that pushed her outside the boundaries of radio-friendly pop.

Teacher to Student: Read Poem 'Blacker'
By: Jenée Desmond-Harris

Viriginia ninth-grader Jordan Shumate says that during class this month, he was reading aloud a poem by acclaimed African-American writer Langston Hughes when his teacher interrupted and directed him to read in a "blacker" style. When he didn't comply, she demonstrated for him. And when he asked her why she thought all black people spoke that way, Shumate says he was reprimanded for speaking out of turn.

From the Washington Post:

“She told me, ‘Blacker, Jordan -- c’mon, blacker. I thought you were black,’ ” said Shumate, who is African American.

“We take these allegations very seriously, and we’re investigating,” Principal Jay Pearson said Friday. He declined to provide further details.

Shumate said it wasn’t the only time that he felt singled out in English class because of his race.

This week, in preparation for reading literature about the Holocaust, the teacher showed photographs to illustrate common stereotypes about different groups of people, Shumate said.

Shumate said Bart showed an image of grape soda -- a drink of choice among African Americans, according to a racial stereotype -- and asked him to explain its meaning. Denny corroborated his account.

This story is making the news because Jordan's mom spoke up when he told her what happened, but it draws attention to what we believe is a bigger issue: How many black kids across the country have to defend against stereotypes, humiliation and being cast as racial spokespeople as they navigate the school system? And what academic and psychological toll does it take on them? Weigh in and let us know if you or your children have ever had an experience like this one.

Rick Ross Scores Reebok Endorsement
By Vibe

Rick Ross is bringing "Reebok Back!"

Rozay has officially signed an endorsement deal with Reebok and joins Swizz Beatz as a Reebok-endorsed artist.

The two took to Twitter to announce the news where Swizz wrote "We moving today BX stand up @rickyrozay Team Reebok ! http://t.co/9BHemsCh," which Ross implicitly confirmed by re-tweeting a slew of congratulatory tweets.

Swizz and Ross also previously collaborated on the song "Reebok Back," to promote Swizz's Reebok Kamikaze shoe line.

Watch out Adidas! -- Jazmine Gray

Mo'Nique Slims Down, Shares Workout Motivation Via Twitter
(via huffpost)

While on hiatus from her late night talk show, Mo'Nique is apparently keeping busy at the gym. BET's "The Monique Show" was halted indefinitely last July, providing the actress with more time to maintain the slimmed-down physique that she discussed with viewers on her show early last year.

"I want to get to 180," she told audience members during the premier season of her show. "That's an amazing weight for me. I'm still a thick girl but it's a healthy weight."

The actress initially dropped 45 pounds, according to People magazine, going from a weight of 262 to 217.

In an interview with Black Voices last year, Mo'Nique shared more details on how she planned to reach her weight-loss goal.

Well, at least five times a week, Mo'Nique is up at 5:30 a.m. getting it in at the gym. She works for an hour with a trainer who keeps the routines exciting by having the comedienne do everything from weight training, boxing, and football drills to sprinting, pull-ups on the dip bar and, on warm days, jogging outdoors. Her workouts have increased in intensity and frequency over time, with her starting out with three times a week two years ago.In recent months, the actress has taken to Twitter to demonstrate how she does it, and to inspire others to do the same.

Olivier Martinez Finally Confirms Halle Berry Engagement
BY ZACH JOHNSON

As Us Weekly exclusively reported in January, Halle Berry got engaged to Olivier Martinez over the holidays, but neither star has talked about their happy news -- until now.

At the opening of his restaurant Villa Azur in Miami Saturday, Martinez, 46, confirmed his engagement to Miami.com: "Yes, of course we're engaged!"

Berry, 45, first met French actor Martinez while working on the film Dark Tide; they stepped out as a couple in the fall of 2010.

Martinez also addressed rumors surrounding Berry's engagement ring. "There is a jeweler taking credit for doing the ring and it's a lie!" he said. "They have nothing to do with this."

The bauble was actually designed by Robert Mazlo, a jeweler from Martinez's Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood in Paris. According to the actor-turned-restaurateur, Mazlo is "a real artist" whose family has been designing jewelry for "kings and queens for many centuries."

Berry, who has a 3-year-old daughter, Nahla, with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, has been married twice before. She wed former baseball player David Justice in 1993 and divorced four years later. She then married R&B singer Eric Benet in 2001, only to separate in 2003 and finalize their divorce in 2005. Martinez dated Kylie Minogue for several years before splitting in 2007.

A source previously told Us Berry "had given up on being married, but she trusts Olivier. He makes her feel safe. He's a keeper!"

Beyoncé catches night out
via nypost

New parents Jay-Z and Beyoncé enjoyed a rare night out to celebrate R&B singer Robin Thicke’s 35th birthday. The superstar couple joined Thicke for a three-hour feast at Meatpacking restaurant Catch, along with friends including Russell Simmons and music mogul Andre Harrell. With a party of 20, backed by a wall of security guards, crooner Thicke kept the mood intimate and handed over his own iPod playlist to the two-story restaurant, where it was played throughout. Our spy says Jay-Z kept it casual, donning a T-shirt and baseball cap, while a glam Beyoncé was “glowing with motherhood” and showing off a svelte figure post-pregnancy, “Beyoncé was showing off Blue Ivy’s baby pics, and the talk at the table was all about the joys of parenting,” we’re told. One diner at a nearby table got into the spirit and sent Thicke a $30,000 bottle of Ace of Spades Rosé to help him and his guests celebrate. Notables at other tables that night included Chris Burch and twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

For African-Americans, 50 Years of High Unemployment ... and Counting
By Algernon Austin

Since the start of the Great Recession, the national unemployment rate peaked in 2010 with an annual average of 9.6 percent. Everyone would agree that 9.6 percent is a high rate of unemployment. From 2002 to 2005, however, before the Great Recession, the African-American unemployment rate was over 10 percent. Since 2008, the Black unemployment rate has exceeded 10 percent. My current projections are that the Black unemployment rate will continue to exceed 10 percent through 2015.

The sad fact is that for most of the past 50 years, the Black unemployment rate has been above 10 percent. While whites have experienced short periods of high unemployment, high unemployment has been a consistent feature of African-American life.

Americans should strive for an economy where everyone who wants a job can find a job. In the last 50 years, the American economy has done a fairly decent job at producing work for white Americans, but it has not done well by African-Americans. The Black unemployment rate has consistently been about twice the white rate.

All Americans would benefit from more African-Americans working. The more economically productive African-Americans are the stronger economically the country is. The lowest Black poverty rate on record corresponds to the lowest Black unemployment rate on record. More jobs for Blacks means less poverty for Blacks. Poor children do worse in school than middle-class children. By increasing employment for Blacks, we produce a better-educated and more productive American workforce. Economic disadvantage is a factor behind street crime. More employment, better wages, and less poverty in Black communities would lead to safer streets and lower prison costs for all.

We have forgotten that one goal of the Civil Rights Movement was for full employment — an economy where everyone who wants a job can find a job. The 1963 March on Washington where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech was, officially the “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.” The call for “jobs” had a prominent place. When King died he was still planning the Poor People’s Campaignwhich had full employment as its number one goal.

African-Americans will not be able to conquer poverty or the many problems that stem from poverty while experiencing high unemployment. It is for this reason that jobs was--and remains—an important civil rights goal. President Obama’s recent jobs proposals which are projected to create nearly three million jobs for the country as a whole over the next two years is first step in the right direct, but much more will be necessary

Whitney leaves everything to daughter
AFP, The West Australian

Whitney Houston has left all of her assets to her daughter Bobbi Kristina, born from her troubled marriage to singer Bobby Brown who gets nothing, according to her will.

Bobbi Kristina, who is currently 19, will receive the proceeds from all of the late singer's money, furniture, clothing, personal effects, jewellery and cars, according to the will published by news show Inside Edition on Wednesday.

The inheritance will be placed in a trust until she is 21. She will get more money when she turns 25, and the rest when she is 30. Houston's mother, Cissy, is the will's executor, with her brother Michael and sister-in-law Donna trustees.

A copy of part of the will, first drafted in 1993 and amended in 2000 when she was still married to Brown, was published on the show's website.

The last testament states that if her daughter had died before Houston, her assets would have been shared between her ex husband, her mother Cissy and other relatives.

Houston was found dead on February 11 in a Los Angeles hotel room, aged 48. She was laid to rest in a New Jersey cemetery next to her late father, after a funeral ceremony celebrating her life on February 18.

The singer of hits including I Will Always Love You sold over 170 million records during a nearly three-decade career, but fought a long battle against substance abuse while trying to keep her performing talent alive.

Speculation has raged since her death that the singer may have succumbed to a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol, though official results from her autopsy were not expected for several weeks.

Ciara to Star in Adam Sandler Comedy, 'That's My Boy'
By Vibe

Ciara will be hitting the big screen very soon!

The “Goodies” singer is joining Adam Sandler and Leighton Meester in Sandler’s upcoming film,That’s My Boy. Ciara will be playing the character of Brie in the new comedy. The story follows a man who travels to reunite with his long-lost son the day before his wedding. That’s My Boy also features Susan Sarandon, Vanilla Ice and Todd Bridges and is set to hit theaters on June 15.

Ci-Ci, who also recently reunited with L.A. Reid and signed with Epic Records, has been in the process of recording her new album. Hopefully, we’ll be hearing new music from the Atlanta songstress soon!

Bobbi Kristina agrees to Oprah interview
WENN.COM

Whitney Houston's teenage daughter is set to open up to TV queen Oprah Winfrey in her first interview since the death of her superstar mom last month.

Bobbi Kristina, Houston's only child with New Edition star Bobby Brown, has agreed to sit down with Winfrey to tape an "intimate" TV special.

The 18-year-old will share personal memories of her mother and address "rumours and speculation surrounding Houston's death," according to a press release.

She will be joined by the I Will Always Love You singer's sister-in-law and manager Patricia Houston and brother Gary Houston.

The interview is due to air on Oprah's Next Chapter in the U.S. on March 11.

Bobbi Kristina was hospitalized for extreme stress and anxiety after Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her Los Angeles hotel suite on Feb. 11.

Deion Sanders’ Wife Sues Him For $200 Million

Deion Sanders’ wife is suing him for a reported $200 million, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Pilar Sanders is seeking damages for an alleged assault, and damages for “libelous and slanderous comments posted online.” The attorney for Pilar says that the recent lawsuit is unrelated to the pair’s ongoing divorce case.

The recent court filings by Pilar charge her husband and others, including Sanders’ daughter, with emotional and physical abuse, as well as public humiliation and mental distress. According to the Dallas Morning News, one filing by Pilar specifically focuses on tweets from Deion Sanders and his daughter.

Sanders’ daughter reportedly tweeted that Pilar was “the number one gold digger of the year.”

Kanye West’s High End Heels Heading to Colette

You either love them or you hate them. Kanye West’s high end heels have been met with mixed reviews from fashion critics but that doesn’t mean that they won’t be a success.

His latest shoe, which was designed with the help of Giuseppe Zanotti, will find their way into the extremely selective Parisian boutique Colette. Colette announced the new shoe from Kanye West today by tweeting a picture of the heel on Twitter.

“Giuseppe Zanotti for KW @kanyewest available @coletteparis.”

The International Business Times reports that West showed off his collection last fall. The majority of the collection was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, but the heavily beaded high heels got some people talking. The shoes eventually found their way into Harper’s Bazaar Australia and now they’ll be heading to a store.

The price of the shoe isn’t known yet but the IB Times notes that it would be surprising for the shoe to be priced under $1200. Some fashion experts predict that the shoe could be priced closer to $1800 due to Kanye’s involvement.

Lions great Barry Sanders files for divorce after more than decade of marriage
By Ann Zaniewiski
For The Press & Guide

Barry Sanders has filed for a divorce from his wife of more than 10 years, Lauren Campbell Sanders.

Court records show that the former Detroit Lion running back filed the complaint Friday in Oakland County Circuit Court.

The couple were married in November of 2000 and have three children, according to the complaint. They live in West Bloomfield Township, where they have resided for at least five years, according to the court filling.

Sanders said in the document that there has been a breakdown in the marital relationship and no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved.

Sanders is seeking that the parties be awarded joint custody of their children.

The Oakland Press has left a message with Barry Sanders’ attorney, Lisa Neilson.

Lauren Sanders is an anchor on WDIV-Channel 4.

Atlanta one of top 10 cities for black businesses
by David Markiewicz

Ebony magazine in its March issue names Atlanta as one of its top 10 cities for black businesses.

Metro Atlanta, it notes, “ranked in the top three in two categories, including first in terms of the percentage of black-owned businesses relative to the black population.”

On the downside, “… the city ranked last in terms of average revenue of black-owned businesses.”

Overall, black-owned businesses make up 24 percent of the companies here and have average revenue of $52,235.

Among the reasons cited by the magazine for the success of black-owned businesses here is the the Office of Contract Compliance in Atlanta which manages a program whose mission, it said, is to “mitigate the effects of the past and present discrimination against women and minority business.”

In addition, the magazine gives a specific shout out to the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management’s Annual Small Business Development Program. That’s an “intensive 10-week construction management-training program for business owners who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of sewer rehabilitation work and related support services in preparation for pursuit of bidding opportunities under the city’s Clean Water Atlanta Sewer Rehabilitation Program.”

Tyler Perry makes a plea to fans to see his movie 'Good Deeds': 'It's been a rough 12 days'
by Aly Semigran

Tyler Perry presents… a different way to campaign for your movie. The wildly successful actor-writer-director-producer took to his official website to write a blog post regarding his latest film Good Deeds in an entry titled ‘It’s Been a Rough 12 Days…’

He begins the post with, “I’ll keep this short and sweet because it’s been a rough 12 days for me, with what would have been my mother’s 67th birthday one day and the awful news about Whitney the next. I can’t even think about it… ” immediately adding, “we’ll talk about that some other time, but for now I just want to be sure you’re planning on going to the movie theaters to see GOOD DEEDS this weekend.”

Perry, who spoke at Whitney Houston’s funeral on Saturday, stuck to his word and continued to only discuss Good Deeds, telling readers, “I think you’re going to love it. GOOD DEEDS is going to make you smile, laugh and think, and at the end you’re going to leave lifted and feeling good. A friend of mine, who has always been honest with me, told me that this is my best movie yet.”

Good Deeds, which has not been screened for critics, will go up against the Paul Rudd-Jennifer Aniston nudity-friendly comedy Wanderlust, as well as the action-thriller dramasGone and Act of Valor at the box office. (EW’s Grady Smith predicts Good Deeds won’t need any good will and will likely come out on top, with an estimated $18 million.) Perry pointed out to his loyal fans, “It’s the opening weekend box office numbers that count in Hollywood. That is how they judge you,” later noting, “I never ever take for granted that you are automatically going to show up, but I tell you, I thank God that you do. I’m hoping that this time is no different.”

Will Rihanna's Chris Brown Collaboration Affect Her Career?
by LESLIE GORNSTEIN

I know everyone must be asking this, but just in case: Will Rihanna's song release with Chris Brown, "Birthday Cake," affect her career negatively? It seems like everyone is in an uproar over this (as they should be).
—Jonathan B., via Facebook

It's too early to tell whether her song sales have suffered, but we can look at radio airplay and endorsement contracts, and see if any of that has suffered since Ri-Ri decided to musically reunite with He Who Shall Not Be Named. (Not the Harry Potter Voldemort. The Dashboard-Beating Voldemort.) Here's what I learned ...

If anyone out there thinks Ri-Ri may be sending an irresponsible message on domestic violence (like, say, stay away from people who beat you), they aren't showing it. I have confirmed that Vita Coco will not be dropping Rihanna as a spokesperson, for example. And radio stations still like her, and Chris Brown, just fine.

"Yes, we are playing 'Birthday Cake' in rotation," Kelly McDaniel, of mainstream R&B station WUSL in Philadelphia, tells Billboard. "The original version of 'Birthday Cake' was already hot with just Rihanna, and when our Mix Show Director 'Cosmic Kev' walked the remix in the other day the entire music team decided this was a smash and also a highly anticipated record, so we jumped on it immediately.

"The station's Twitter and Facebook pages have been going crazy and buzzing with lots of interaction since."

(Well that's nice. Sure, domestic violence is an epidemic, but the Twitter! It's so happy right now!)
Record executives also agree that the world is ready for this collaboration, that Ri-Ri and Brown are certainly ready, and they predict that it may even sell well.

"It's good music," says Dro Genao of Shady Records. "Critics are going to say what they're going to say ... but the fortunate part of all this is, it's good music. You can't take nothing away from real love. [Rihanna and Brown] love each other."

Diddy Announces Music-Themed Revolt TV
'Revolt TV is bringing that revolution that television needs,' Diddy says in video announcing his cable network.
By Rob Markman

Diddy television is official. After weeks of unconfirmed reports and unofficial announcements Sean "Diddy" Combs took to YouTube on Tuesday (February 21) to introduce Revolt TV, his music-themed cable network.

"The revolution will be televised," the Bad Boy CEO dramatically began his three-and-a-half-minute announcement. Revolt, which will be distributed by Comcast, is part of the company's commitment to put more minority-run cable networks on television. USA Today reports that NBA star Magic Johnson and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez are also developing their own networks with the cable giant.

"When I was growing up, I was watching television all the time — I used to wonder, 'Why don't those people look like me, or talk like me or walk like me?' So thank you to Comcast; my hat goes off to you for being the first to step up," Diddy said before inviting Time Warner, DirecTV and other cable providers to also pick up his channel.

During a January interview with MTV News, the music mogul responded to the premature reports, only going on record to confirm that Revolt will bring a "new energy" to television. He also gave props to music networks like MTV for paving the way.

"Revolt TV is bringing that revolution that television needs," Diddy said in the clip. "I grew up watching BET and MTV and HBO and NBC, and I had a dream. I had a dream that one day I would get a chance, an opportunity to show my perspective coming from a musical standpoint.

Revolt TV is expected to go live at the end of 2012.

Elba Confirms Mandela Role
THE BRITISH LEADING MAN WILL FILL SOME ICONIC SHOES IN HIS NEXT ROLE

(ebony.com) There are a select few women and men who have changed the course of a nation for the better, while also rocking the world and inspiring the masses. Former South African president and freedom fighter Nelson Mandela certainly falls into that category, so a new biopic on the life and times of the international icon is only fitting.

Although reports of such a film starring the talented Idris Elba have bounced around the blogs for months now, Elba himself has finally confirmed that a Nelson Mandela project is indeed in the works and that it will begin production in the coming months. Not much else is known about the project. However, the source of the film's story will beA Long Walk from Freedom, Mandela's best-sellingautobiography which chronicles his life from childhood to his 27 year prison sentence. Hollywood seems to have Mandela on the mind, and rightly so, because a 6 part television miniseries entitled"Madiba" is also in the works.

Mandela is one of many Black icons whose inspirational life has been highly publicized and covered, and, by default, distorted. A film that revealed a complex look at his life both in and out of the history books would be a breath of fresh air, yet some seem skeptical of Elba playing a convincing Mandela. Is Elba the right leading man for this role, or is there another actor better suited for the part? How will this film vary from the other Mandela biopics out there already?

Magic Johnson to launch TV network via Comcast
By GREG BRAXTON and MEG JAMES Los Angeles Times

More than 20 years after he last played pro basketball, Magic Johnson is ready for a whole new game: running his own TV network.

The Hall of Famer, who has become a successful business mogul, is preparing to launch Aspire, a 24-hour channel with a focus on what Johnson called positive, uplifting images of African Americans. The basic cable outlet will join other channels targeting black viewers, such as BET and TV One, and will offer opportunities for blacks who have struggled to find work in mainstream Hollywood.

"This is big for myself, for the African-American community and the African-American creative community," Johnson said in a phone interview. "I wanted a vehicle to show positive images and to have stories written, produced and directed by African Americans for our community."

Aspire's mix will include film, TV, music and comedy, with a combination of acquired projects and original programming.

Johnson's entry into the television arena comes courtesy of communications giant Comcast Corp. as part of its agreement with the FCC and Department of Justice to diversify the cable landscape. Comcast agreed last year to launch 10 new independently owned cable channels, with most backed by African Americans and Latinos, by 2018.

With Aspire, which is scheduled for a June 30 launch, Johnson becomes the second A-list celebrity to launch a network in the last two years. Oprah Winfrey established OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network as a vehicle for her philosophy of inspiration and personal empowerment. But OWN has struggled ever since its January 2011 launch, failing to develop any shows or projects that have attracted large audiences.

Johnson declined to discuss the financial details, although the venture will be paid for through a combination of personal and private equity funds.

Aspire will have headquarters in Atlanta and will partner with GMC, a regional cable channel that offers uplifting programming. The channel Aspire initially will be available in 11 million of Comcast Cable customers' homes. Johnson hopes to expand the network to other cable providers to reach about 50 million homes within a few years.

Johnson will be the chief executive of Aspire, and Eric Holoman, president of Magic Johnson Enterprises, will be chief operating officer.

An executive to run the channel is being sought. Johnson will not have much involvement with programming.

"I'm not going to be picking shows," he said. "That's not what I do."

How is African-American news media evolving?

Last month, one of the oldest magazines to focus on the Black American community fast-forwarded to the future. Ebony magazine unveiled a redesigned website – with beautiful, bold graphics, a roster of A-list bloggers and multi-media content.

In its 66-year history Ebony has been one of a handful of publications that dominate the magazine industry for African Americans, along with Essence, Jet, Black Enterprise and Uptown. As is the case for all magazines, they are now forced to hold their weight against new media – in particular, websites devoted to African Americans, such as The Grio and The Root. Both news sites have heavy backers with deep pockets.

The Grio was launched by NBC in 2009. It's described as "the first video-centric news community site devoted to providing African Americans with stories and perspectives that appeal to them but are underrepresented in existing national news outlets." The Root is owned by the Washington Post Company after being founded in 2008 under the leadership of Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard University. The sites delve into issues you won't see elsewhere.

Last week, after the tragic suicide of Soul Train founder Don Cornelius, one angle from The Root asked "Black people don't kill themselves, right?" At The Grio, they addressed "What Washington can do now to address the black jobless rate." While these media outlets fill a void, there is still a gaping hole in television news. BET and the similar channel TV One offer scant news programming despite the fact that, according to a 2010 Pew study, "an overwhelming 86% of African Americans turn to TV for most of their news, compared to 64% of white respondents and 66% of Hispanics."

Bobby Brown Plays Mohegan Sun Hours After Whitney Houston Funeral
By Dean Schabner

Just hours after the funeral of his ex-wife Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown was on the Mohegan Sun Arena stage, resplendent in white jacket, black vest, black pants and a black hat, performing with New Edition for a cheering crowd.

Brown thanked the crowd for keeping his spirits up.

"Blessings to my ex-wife, Whitney Houston. I love you," he said, and pointed his finger in the air.

Brown left Whitney Houston's funeral at Newark, N.J.'s New Hope Baptist Church shortly after the service began this afternoon.

In a statement put out by his representative, he explained, "My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston. We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions.

"I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move," he said. "Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi-Kristina. In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur. I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how."

Robin Thicke arrested for marijuana possession in New York City
Cops saw singer smoking in car

Singer Robin Thicke was arrested in Manhattan for marijuana possession, the Daily News has learned.

The award-winning R&B crooner was arrested at 12:25 p.m. by patrol officers who saw him smoking a joint while sitting in a Cadillac Escalade near 3rd Ave. and E. 21st St., close to Gramercy Park.

“He wasn’t driving,” a police source said. “He was sitting in the car. He was arrested and a small amount of marijuana was recovered on him.”

Thicke, 34, was in the Escalade with another person, the police source said, but Thicke was the only one arrested and then charged with possession of marijuana.

The singer was amiable throughout the arrest, another source said.

“He was taking pictures with the cops,” the source said. “They were coming over to him and getting autographs.”

It wasn’t clear where Thicke was heading, though he did provide police with a lower East Side address.

Thicke is married to actress Paula Patton.

The singer’s fifth studio album, “Love After War,” was released in December.

Thicke’s father is actor Alan Thicke, who is best known for playing Jason Seaver in the long-running sitcom “Growing Pains.”

The younger Thicke’s spokesman declined to comment.

Bobby Brown performs, is expected at Houston funeral

Bobby Brown has made his way from the West Coast to the East Coast in advance of tomorrow's funeral for his ex, Whitney Houston. He performed last night on stage in Maryland with the New Edition for the group's 30th anniversary tour.

"I'd like to say thank you for your prayers. I'm going to throw two up for Whitney," he told the crowd, holding up two fingers, as shown in video aired by NBC this morning.

Jeff Allen, the group's agent, told E! News that Brown is expected to be onstage tonight at the Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.; Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., and Sunday at the Newark PAC in New Jersey.

Brown is expected at Houston's funeral on Saturday in Newark.

A private viewing will be held today at the funeral home for family. And guests at Saturday's funeral include Kevin Costner and Clive Davis, both confirmed as speakers. Confirmed stars at this point include: Donnie McClurkin, Tyler Perry, Kim Burrell, Stevie Wonder, Rickey Minor, Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick and Cece Winans.

Aretha Franklin is scheduled to sing. She told Al Roker onToday this morning she has not decided what songs. In Peoplemagazine, Franklin, 69, spoke of Houston, saying, "We were all aware of her challenges. And I was always rooting for her."

Close friend and former personal assistant Robyn Crawford also writes a moving personal memory of Houston for Esquire. "She chose the life she lived, and she chose it from the beginning. She knew the life better than anyone."

Meanwhile, the investigation into the star's death continues. NBC reports that police have questioned Houston's doctors and have obtained the singer's medical records. NBC also reports that in the days before her Feb. 11 death - on Feb. 2 and Feb. 7, Houston was seen visiting a doctor's office.

Cissy Houston 'devastated' over daughter Whitney Houston's death
by Olivia Allin

Cissy Houston has opened up about her daughter Whitney Houston's untimely death on Saturday.

"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Whitney," the gospel singer said in a statement obtained by OnTheRedCarpet.com. "This is an unimaginable tragedy and we will miss her terribly. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from her fans and friends."

Cissy Houston, 78, is said to have talked to her daughter half an hour before her death about attending Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party, according to TMZ.

The entertainment outlet also reports that Houston talked to her cousin Dionne Warwick several hours earlier, to confirm that they would be sitting at the same table at that evening's party.

The 48-year-old singer was pronounced dead at a room at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, February 11.

Paramedics tried to revive her and pronounced her dead at about 3:55 p.m. Later that day, investigators for the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office worked inside the room to find the cause of her death as celebrities poured into the building for a pre-Grammy gala that Houston was supposed to attend. Producer Clive Davis, her mentor, dedicated the event to her (see photos).

The pop, soul and R&B singer had struggled with substance abuse for years. She relapsed and returned to rehab in May. Two days before she died, she celebrated and performed at a Los Angeles nightclub in what marked her final performance, although it is unclear whether she consumed alcohol (check out photos and video from the event).

Houston's ex-husband, Bobby Brown, was visibly upset during his concert with New Edition in Mississippi on Saturday, following the news of the singer's death. He cried on stage and reportedly broke down backstage before the show and was too distraught to perform in his band's opening number.

"I am deeply saddened at the passing of my ex-wife, Whitney Houston," Brown said in a statement. "At this time, we ask for privacy, especially for my daughter, Bobbi Kristina. I appreciate all of the condolences that have been directed towards my family and I at this most difficult time."

Houston married Brown in 1992 and filed a domestic abuse charge against him the following year. The pair got divorced in 2007. Houston had sole custody of the couple's only daughter, 18-year-old Bobbi Kristina Brown. She was at the Beverly Hilton hotel at the time of her mother's death and was rushed to the hospital on Sunday to be treated for stress and anxiety. She was released within hours.

"My daughter did visit with doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles," her father Bobby Brown says in a statement to People magazine. "She has been released and is presently with my family including her siblings... Obviously the death of her mother is affecting her. However we will get through this tragedy as a family."

Jerry Sandusky Allowed to See Grandkids, Judge Rules
By Colleen Curry

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will be allowed to see his grandchildren while he awaits his trial for 50 counts of child molestation in Centre County, Pa., a judge ruled today.

Judge John Cleland eased Sandusky's bail terms ahead of the trial, which is scheduled for May 14. At a hearing last week, Sandusky and his attorneys petitioned the court to ease his bail conditions, while the prosecution asked for stricter conditions, including confining Sandusky inside of his home. They expressed concerns that he was using his back porch to leer at local school children, which the defense dismissed.

As part of the ruling today, Cleland said Sandusky is allowed to see most of his grandchildren, with the exception of three grandchildren who are the subject of a custody battle. Sandusky's daughter-in-law, who is married to his son Matt, expressed to the court that she did not want her children near Sandusky, according to Cleland's ruling.

Cleland also ruled that Sandusky will be tried using a jury chosen from Centre County, in which his alleged crimes occurred. The county is home to Penn State University and the Second Mile charity, which prosecutors say Sandusky used to prey on children. The prosecution had asked for a jury from outside the county because of the probability that potential jurors would be somehow connected to either Penn State or the Second Mile.

Cleland also directed the prosecution to hand over the names of the alleged victims to the defense, but denied Sandusky's request for a transcript of the grand jury testimony, saying the defense must ask the judge who oversaw the grand jury for a copy of the transcript.

Whitney Houston's daughter out of hospital

(CBS News) Bobbi Kristina Brown, only child of the late singer Whitney Houston, has been released from an LA-area hospital, KCBS has confirmed, after she was rushed there in an ambulance following her mother's death.

Bobbi Kristina, 18, had been staying at the Beverly Hilton, the same hotel where her mother had registered to stay at for a pre-Grammy party Saturday night.

Beverly Hills police confirmed to KCBS that Bobbi Kristina was transported at 10:30 a.m. PT to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

A Beverly Hills Police Dept. watch commander told CBS that Bobbi Kristina was treated for anxiety at the scene.

CBS2's Joy Benedict was on scene when Brown was taken.

According to Benedict, the teen was with three young men who were clearly distraught. They rushed to their car to follow the ambulance, Benedict said.

Benedict was told by police that Brown is expected to be OK.

Houston was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton. She had been planning to attend a party that night at the Hilton.

"There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent," said Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen.

An autopsy was set to begin Sunday

Suge Knight arrested in Las Vegas
Reuters

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight was jailed briefly inLas Vegas on three outstanding traffic warrants and suspicion of marijuana possession, after being pulled over for a driving infraction, police said on Thursday.

The onetime rap music mogul was stopped near the Vegas Strip shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday when police saw him changing lanes and making a turn without a proper signal, Metro police officer Jay Rivera said.

A records check turned up three outstanding Nevada traffic warrants for Knight, including one for a driving on a suspended out-of-state license, Rivera said.

Police said Knight, 46, also was found in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, a misdemeanor offense. He was later released on about $2,600 bail, according to Rivera.

Knight, who helped launch the careers of such rap stars as Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur in the 1990s, has seen his own career overshadowed in recent years by various run-ins with the law.

In May 2010, he was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. In February 2009, he was treated for facial injuries he suffered in a fight at a hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Meagan Good Gushes About Gabrielle Union: 'I Love Her For Pushing My Career
By Alicia Adejobi

The actresses met each other on the set ofDeliver Us For Eva almost ten years ago and Meagan reveals her surprise at Gabrielle's friendliness to another black girl who could be competition.

"Well, the reason I love Gabby [Union] so much is because we did Deliver Us From Evatogether almost 10 years ago, and she really took me under her wing," she explained toVibe Vixen.

"She went to the head of Sony/Screen Gem and she said to him, ‘Clint, this girl is really talented. I really want you to start working with her. I really want you to help her out.’"

"I really want you to start working with her. I really want you to help her out.’ In this industry, especially in this industry with Black folk regarding Black women, it’s very rare where another Black woman will go to bat for you and want you to get a job knowing that you guys could possibly be going up for the same role."

"And that’s the type of person that Gabrielle is. She’s an honest and genuine person, a real lover and she went to bat for me... It’s not that she taught me something in particular, but she showed me that there are good women out there that are not catty and that actually want to see you succeed."

Aww!

Matt Damon and Lupe Fiasco bring 'The People's History' to Chicago students
PRODUCED BY EIGHT FORTY-EIGHT

For some students, high school history can be a drag. But some schools and teachers mix things up from the standard lesson plans. One alternative is to teach from Howard Zinn's seminal 1980 workA People's History of the United States.

Actor Matt Damon is a fan of the book and actually grew up next to Zinn in Boston. He's executive producer of the film The People Speak, based on Zinn's book.

Damon joined other performers Tuesday night at the Metro in Chicago for The People Speak, Live! featuring Chicagoans reading from Zinn's work. Earlier that day, he and rapper Lupe Fiasco visited Englewood High School to talk with students involved in the project.

Damon started by telling Tony Sarabia about the project's collaboration with the school.

Ebony Launches New Website

(theroot.com) Ebony has been around pretty much forever, but you wouldn't know it from looking at the magazine's brand new website. Launched today with a fresh look aimed at reversing years of ad declines and increasing the publication's resonance with African-American readers, it merges entertainment, lifestyle and wellness, and business stories with archived content (like a nostalgia-inducing "photo of the day"). Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers is at the helm of the ongoing effort to bring the publication's entire image up-to-date.

Shepherding the revamp is Ebony editor in chief Amy DuBois Barnett, who was hired away from Harper’s Bazaar last June. Before Bazaar, she served in editorial leadership roles at Teen People and Honey. She arrived shortly after Ebony got a major redesign, with a new logo and more articles about lifestyle, wellness and business success stories.

For Ebony.com, Johnson Publishing turned to Code and Theory, whose work on the relaunch of Vogue.com was followed by massive traffic gains for that site.

Barnett said her goal was to make the site more competitive as rival news and gossip sites have sprung up.

“The site has been very utilitarian,” she said. “The new site has a very different mission. We’re really aiming to be at the core of the African-American conversation online. African Americans over-index on everything digital, so I think the opportunity for us is tremendous.”

School near Atlanta comes under fire for slavery recess game
By lexzyne

A suburban school district near Atlanta is reeling under accusations of racism, as students at Camp Creek Elementary School in Lilburn, Ga. allege their teacher led them in a slavery-themed recess game. Third graders at the Gwinnett County academy told Atlanta’s Channel 2 Action News that their teacher organized a tag-like game in which some youngsters played slave catchers while other played slave fugitives. School leaders confirm that the game took place last week, but contend it was instigated by the students and that the teacher was not involved.

Students painted a different portrait of the incident to Channel 2. Three of the four students who participated in the game strongly affirmed the teacher’s presence to the television news outlet, insisting that she played the “safe house guard” in this role-playing teaching exercise.

Ericka Lasley, the mother of an eight-year-old girl who joined the game, was outraged when she learned of the episode when her daughter came home from school. Lasley’s daughter insisted that the teacher proposed the game based on a class lesson.

The daughter told Channel 2 that during the incident the teacher, “would sit on the bench, and the slave catchers would come up to the door and ask ‘did she have any slaves?”

Chris Rock flips over Gingrich question
By Taylor Bigler - The Daily Caller

If you ask Chris Rock about Newt Gingrich, he will destroy your expensive equipment.

At an event at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, Rock was posing for photos when a videographer asked him a question about the GOP candidate, the New York Post reports.

The comedian was none too pleased about the line of political questioning.

“Chris pushed the interviewer and grabbed the camera. He smashed it so hard, it broke into pieces. He cursed the guy for filming when he had asked them to stop,” a witness told the paper.

Maybe he prefers to answer questions about Mitt Romney?

The reporter was escorted out of the area, while Rock went on his way.

Black female Wal-Mart exec named Sam's CEO

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retailer, said Friday it has promoted Rosalind Brewer to CEO of Sam's Club -- the first woman and first African-American to hold a chief executive position at one of the company's business units. Brewer, 49, will also be president of Sam's. The moves are effective Feb. 1.