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Rachel Roy Talks Dressing Michelle Obama

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Michelle Obama Rachel Roy


From The Huffington Post: Rachel Roy has quickly become one of Michelle Obama's go-to designers, so when we spotted her on the Met Gala red carpet, we wanted to know exactly what it's like to clothe the first lady in her creations. Roy told HuffPost Style, "I've dressed her 20 times now and so that is such an honor for me, because it means that someone who is so heavily scrutinized feels comfortable and beautiful and strong in my clothing. But I also think that she's making a definite choice when she's picking young, American designers. And I really, thoroughly appreciate that support from her."


Read more about FLOTUS' style and see a full look book of their collaborations at Huffington Post

 

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Oprah Finale Shrouded In Mystery

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OMG, we can't stand it!! Actually, we can, but The Huff Post/AP makes it sound so cloak and dagger that we want to believe it's going to blow us away:

CHICAGO - Oprah Winfrey has given the world 25 years of poets and politicians, A-list actors and musicians and talk show topics that defined and reflected American culture.

As "The Oprah Winfrey Show" ends, with 16 episodes left as of May 4, her millions of fans around the globe are waiting to see how she will close out a show that engineered a media empire.

Winfrey's producers plan a star-studded, double taping on May 17 at Chicago's United Center. The shows will air May 23 and 24, as Winfrey's second and third-to-last episodes.

The show is dubbed "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular." Winfrey hates surprises, producers say, but she has agreed to this event.

But for fans, questions remain.

Who will be at the United Center that Tuesday night? Who will be beamed in by satellite or deliver a taped farewell message?

Winfrey has a stable of celebrity friends who have appeared repeatedly on her talk show. John Travolta. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Jennifer Aniston. Chris Rock.

Could the Black Eyed Peas perform, as they did when Winfrey shut down Chicago's Michigan Avenue in 2009?

Then there are the presidents and world leaders: Bill Clinton; George W. Bush; Nelson Mandela. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have already appeared on a special show that aired Monday.

Read more at The Huffington Post.

 

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Obama Goes to Ground Zero

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Obama Goes to Ground Zero

From the Associated Press:

Marking Osama bin Laden's death where the terrorist inflicted his greatest damage, President Barack Obama soberly laid a wreath Thursday at New York's ground zero and declared, "When we say we will never forget, we mean what we say."

The president closed his eyes and clasped his hands at the outdoor memorial where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once dominated the Manhattan skyline. He shook hands with 9/11 family members and others dressed in black at the site where the skyscrapers were brought down by planes commandeered by bin Laden's followers. Nearly 3,000 people were killed.

Earlier, the president visited the firefighters and police officers whose response to the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, turned them into heroes and symbols of national resolve, but also cost them heavy casualties on that horrific day.

Read more of the story here.

 

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Dr. Henry Louis Gates Explores Black Life in the Dominican Republic

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On The Root, Dr. Henry Louis Gates profiles the black experience throughout Latin America. Underscoring black life in places, such as Peru and Brazil, Dr. Gates focuses his lens on Dominicans on the island of Hispaniola.

On the video, Dr. Gates talks with anthropologist and Director of Cultural Diversity Juan Rodriguez to find out why in the Dominican Republic, those of African descent , who are at least 90 percent of the population, call themselves everything but "black."
Watch what Rodriguez says here:


Watch the full episode. See more Black in Latin America.



The experience of black folks in Latin America burst on to the American scene when baseball star Sammy Sosa appeared at the Latin Grammy Awards several shades lighter than his natural color.

Initially, Sosa tried to deny that he had altered his complexion at all, but after much probing by the media, Sosa finally admitted that he was lightening his skin with a bleaching cream that he used each night before he went to bed. Sosa even went as far as saying that he intended to become a spokesperson for the cream, but then seemed to back pedal after many in the public -- and some of his own countrymen -- criticized Sosa for his actions.

But there is a history here that has subjected generations of African people of the diaspora to inequities and disenfranchisement in order to keep the global white power structure in place. If you continue watching Dr. Gates' "Black in America" series above, you will see how blacks throughout Latin America have been marginalized and abused.

Is it really any wonder that black Dominicans would go to great pains to detach themselves from Haiti and call themselves "indio" or any other term that doesn't denote them as black?

What I' m interested in is finding out what can be done to fix the inequities that blacks throughout Latin America face. I'd also like to know who is going to lead the effort to start a solid "black is beautiful" campaign in order to reprogram blacks to appreciate and love themselves.

Peru made an unprecedented step to righting the wrongs of slavery in their country by officially releasing a formal apology to the black people of Peru. They apologized for the bad treatment and marginalization that Afro-Peruvians have faced. I salute Peru for that action, because even in the storied United States of America, an acknowledgment, apology and reparation has not been made to those who suffered as descendants of slaves.

Since many of us are aware of the problems attached to living a historically limited and socialized existence, it is time for scholars, activists and lay people everywhere to take an active role in reshaping our sense of value and purpose in this world.

It's imperative.

 

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Getting Inspiration from Mom's Closet

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women's accessories

This Mother's Day give your mom some credit for her fashion sense, since it's pretty that likely most of the styles she wore when she was your age are now current trends. Scour your mom's closet for a cool accent to your next outfit.



Silk Scarves
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Maybe you thought your mom was being too "matchy matchy" when she color coordinated her blouse and scarf, but why not update the overly color coordinated look by choosing a bright silk scarf to a neutral top. You'll be able to find one as high end as these Missoni and Pucci scarves, or as inexpensive as a 99 cent scarf at your local beauty supply store.

pucci scarve


scarve


Stockings:
Many women of a certain age still refrain from wearing bare legs to work. Stockings are their best friends and they can be yours too if you pick the right pair. There are so many different options available to choose from. Check out any department store to browse their selection and visit Urban Outfitters to purchase these two pairs.



tights





striped tights

Blouses:
The ribbon blouse is so ladylike and isn't only for women over the age of 40. Women of all ages can wear this blouse and look stylish. You can pick up the silk Raoul blouse from Shopbop.com, and the blue blouse from Forever21.com.

beige blouse


blue blouse

Big Hats
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Whether she wears one to block the sun at the beach or to look stylish in church, a big hat is a staple. Get in touch with your inner-Sunday girl and sport a dramatic hat to add flair to your outfit. The straw crotchet hat is from Forever21, and the striped hat is Juicy Couture.
straw hats


big hat

 

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Top 10 Most Stylish Moms

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black celebrities

Being a mom is tough, and with all the other things to stay on top of it can be easy to fall into a style slump. But these famous moms somehow manage to spend time with their children without sacrificing their glam. Check out our favorite fabulous and style savvy moms who always manage to look great for the paparazzi.

 

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'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno': B.Y.O.Funny

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Comedienne Wanda Sykes stops by the Tonight Show and is in a very festive mood. Wanda supplied her own beverages as she explained that Cinco de Mayo is her favorite holiday.

While on the subject of drinking, Wanda explained how it had been a tough week on her liver, since she's been celebrating the world's sudden lack of diabetic bearded terrorists.

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Weekdays, 11:35PM on NBC

 

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'America's Best Dance Crew': Reppin' da Streets

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After almost landing in the bottom two, Krumping originators, Street Kingdom bounced back with an electric performance that left the crowd speechless and at least one judge in tears.

While critiquing the group, judge Lil Mama shed more than a few tears explaining that Street Kingdom hold the dreams of many street performers on their shoulders.

America's Best Dance Crew 8:30PM, MTV

 

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'The Oprah Winfrey Show': Lady Gaga

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The Queen of individuality Lady Gaga made what is sure to be her final performance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Playing atop a towering piano in the shape of a gold stiletto, Gaga, performed as a grateful Oprah looked on.

Gaga dropped in for her final appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show Thursday, where she performed the single before thanking the Queen of Daytime for inspiring her and so many others with her strength.

The Oprah Winfrey Show Weekdays, Syndicated

 

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'American Idol': Jacob Lusk

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Jacob Lusk's luck finally ran out this week. After a subpar performance, the talented crooner was sent home after over 60 million Idol fans cast the vote. Lusk will be missed.

Following the dreaded news, Lusk, ever the professional, wished his competitors the best and as his swansong, performed Luther Vandros' " A House is not a Home", one of his best performances of the season.

American Idol Thur., 8PM on FOX

 

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'The Talk': Waiting to Exhale 2

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Though still in the early stages of development, it appears as though there will be a sequel to Bassett's 1995 hit film, "Waiting to Exhale". Bassett was short on details, but hopes to have an update for fans soon.

The Talk Weekdays, SYNDICATED

 

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Mississippi Floods Force Evacuations Near Memphis

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(Reuters) - The rising Mississippi river lapped over downtown Memphis streets on Thursday as a massive wall of water threatened to unleash near record flooding all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Water lapped over Riverside Drive and onto Beale Street in Memphis, and threatened some homes on Mud Island, a community of about 5,000 residents with a river theme park. The island connects to downtown Memphis by a bridge and causeway.

Emergency officials in Millington near Memphis were "going door-to-door, asking people to leave," according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

Large amounts of rain and melt from the winter snow has caused a chain reaction of flooding from Canada and the Dakotas through Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee. It is expected to soon hit Mississippi and Louisiana at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The flood threat harkens back to memories from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in which Mississippi beachfront towns were engulfed and most of New Orleans went under water after its levee system failed.

"The flood is rolling down, it is breaking records as it moves down and it is one of those wait-and-see type of things as to how massive it is going to be when it's all said and done," said Charles Camillo, historian for the Mississippi River Commission and the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project.

Read more here.

 

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Sex Crimes In New Orleans, Separate And Unequal

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NEW ORLEANS -- In their neighborhoods, they are sometimes taunted with dirty looks and jeers. Their pictures hang on the walls of local community centers where their children and grandchildren play. And their names and addresses are listed in newspapers and mailed out on postcards to everyone in the neighborhood.

Landing a job or even finding a landlord willing to give them a place to stay is a challenge.

These women wear a scarlet letter -- rather, 11 letters -- spelled out on their driver's licenses in bright orange text: SEX OFFENDER.

They aren't child molesters or pedophiles. Most are poor, hard-luck black women in New Orleans who agreed to exchange oral or anal sex for money. In doing so they violated the latest version of Louisiana's 206-year-old Crime Against Nature law, which carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and registration as a sex offender.

Opponents of the law say it is discriminatory and targets poor women and the gay and transgendered community who engage in what they call "survival sex." In March, the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine anonymous plaintiffs against the state, Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and a host of state agencies, calling the law unconstitutional.

"There are a number of absurd things in the Louisiana laws, and this is one of the more absurd," said R. Judson Mitchell, a law professor at the law clinic at Loyola University in New Orleans. "There are crimes against nature happening at strip clubs on Bourbon Street every single night. The difference is we are dealing with women that didn't have a fancy strip club to go to."

Indeed, New Orleans has long been a historic bastion of sex and vice, synonymous with food, jazz and the lore of Storyville, the fabled red-light district that clinched the city's reputation for high-class prostitution more than a century ago. Any night along the city's seamy side streets and in hotels that dot the French Quarter, tourists and locals pay for a variety of sexual pleasures.

Read more at The Huffington Post.

 

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'Scottsboro Boys' Set to Resume This Month

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Following its 2010 Broadway run last December, the critically-acclaimed musical 'The Scottsboro Boys' has been scheduled for additional bookings beginning later this month.

Yesterday it was announced that the award-winning show will resume its production from April 22-June 3 during this year's annual The Old Globe series in San Diego, followed by a stint at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, June 19-July 15.

The California dates also follow this week's news of the John Kander and Fred Ebb musical landing12 Tony Award-nominations.

Critical acclaim leads to a longer run for the LORT (League of Resident Theaters) production, which producers hope reach across other venues.

Producer Barry Weissler told Playbill: "We're finding a way to connect the LORT theaters. Hopefully, we'll be able to work our way across the country," adding that discussions with resident not-for-profit theaters in Seattle, Chicago and Boston are ongoing.

The play is based on the 1930s legal case where nine black men in Alabama were wrongly accused of raping two white women. It won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award when it originated off-Broadway in February 2010.

As previously reported, talks are also brewing about bringing the controversial play to the silver screen, with Academy Award-nominated director Lee Daniels possibly attached.

 

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Al Qaeda Confirms bin Laden's death

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From CNN:

Al Qaeda released a statement on jihadist forums Friday confirming the death of its leader, Osama bin Laden, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors Islamist websites.

The development comes days after U.S. troops killed bin Laden in a raid on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad.

The statement, translated by SITE, lauded the late militant, threatened to take action against the United States, and urged Pakistanis to "rise up and revolt."

Bin Laden's death will serve as a "curse that chases the Americans and their agents, and goes after them inside and outside their countries," the message said.

Read more here.

 

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Bounce TV Reaches Distro Deal

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Bounce TV -- the self-proclaimed first ever over-the-air channel created exclusively for African-Americans -- has reached a distribution deal with Raycom Media. The deal is the first of its kind for Bounce TV, which launched earlier this year and will begin broadcasting in 26 different markets this fall.

Bounce TV was founded by Ambassador Andrew Young and Martin Luther King III (pictured). When the network was announced, they had already acquired rights to over nearly 200 titles with NBCUniversal Domestic Television, 100 titles with Sony Pictures Television, and a multi-year agreement with Urban Sports Entertainment Group, thus allowing them to air football and basketball games in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the largest African-American athletic conference.

"Bounce TV is the right network at the right time for our stations," Raycom president and CEO Paul McTear said in a statement to the press. Bounce TV distribution chief Jeffrey Wolf said, "Landing our first station group is significant, but to explode out of the gate with Raycom, a leader in providing local television across the country, is tremendous and instantly validates the mission of Bounce TV."

Below, a list of the markets in which Bounce TV will be made available through Raycom Media.

Cleveland/Akron, OH (WOIO/WUAB) Charlotte, NC (WBTV) Cincinnati, OH (WXIX) West Palm Beach, FL (WFLX) Birmingham, AL (WBRC) Memphis (WMC) Louisville, KY (WAVE) Richmond, VA (WUPV) Columbia, SC (WIS) Huntsville, AL (WAFF) Shreveport, LA (KSLA) Jackson, MS (WLBT) Baton Rouge, LA (WAFB) Savannah, GA (WTOC) Charleston, SC (WCSC) Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC (WMBF) Tyler/Lufkin, TX (KLTV) Augusta GA (WFXG) Montgomery, AL (WSFA) Columbus, GA (WTVM) Wilmington, NC (WECT) Biloxi, MS (WLOX) Hattiesburg, MS (WDAM) Dothan, AL (WDFX) Lake Charles, LA (KPLC)

 

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The Power of Partnerships in Africa

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By Kofi Annan from The Huffington Post: We are witnessing a historic change to the development paradigm. Drastic spending cuts in the United States, uncertainty around Europe's common currency and the consequences of the earthquake in Japan are reordering international priorities and put further pressure on aid budgets.

At the same time, development needs in Africa are multiplying as climate change and rapid population growth add new financing demands, and populations empowered by advancements in information and communication technology are asking more of their leaders. While aid remains vitally important to build capacity, leverage other flows and achieve specific results, it is clear that African leaders and international donors need to look beyond traditional development strategies to fill funding gaps and accelerate progress.

We at the Africa Progress Panel are convinced that partnerships harnessing a broader range of actors and their energy, creativity and resources can provide at least part of the solution. In this year's Africa Progress Report, which we launched yesterday at the World Economic Forum on Africa, we call on leaders in all sectors, including government, business, and civil society, to do more to strengthen, replicate and scale-up existing partnerships, but also to identify and consider new forms and areas of collaboration.

Partnerships have already demonstrated their transformative impact. In recent years, we have seen collaboration between the private sector and international philanthropists leading to significant reductions in malaria deaths. Partnerships between mobile-phone providers and governments have greatly increased access to finance for Africa's poor. And collaboration between civil society and intergovernmental organizations has vastly improved access to credit for smallholder farmers and helped raise agricultural productivity.

Read more at The Huffington Post.

 

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Why Sports Teams Need Women Owners

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In sports, as in life, the journey is as powerful as the destination. It's not just about winning; it's about how we as a team come together and support one another. It's not about the trophy; it's about realizing your full potential and never accepting anything but the best for yourself.When I was growing up, people used to talk about the magic circle of expectations for women. Let's face it: whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. But as a wise woman once said: "Luckily, this is not difficult."

I can tell you that in basketball, like in politics, "If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman." I have found that having strong women in positions of leadership makes all the difference for any organization.

That is why I decided to become a proud owner of the Washington Mystics. Sports are excellent training grounds to develop the next generation of young women leaders. I feel blessed to own a WNBA team like the Mystics, which has an incredible drive for competition, unmatched focus, and an appreciation of their fans.

I have made it my priority to promote young women, both on and off the court. If we can inspire just one woman or one young girl to get involved in either the sport or the game day experience, it has made it all worth it.


Let me tell you, from what I have seen of the young players on that floor, basketball is just the beginning of what they're going to accomplish in life. They set an unprecedented example to young girls. This example helps guide them to make decisions that may very well have an impact on the rest of their lives.

On game day, I will join the coaches and players as they huddle to strategize for the game. I want to observe the process of how they strategize with the players and synthesize their plan of attack. As an owner, I understand more than ever the dedication that goes into building a cohesive team. I confess to you now that I am humbled by what I witness and so very proud of every woman/athlete who make up this team.

I watch how my team works together on and off the court. I've always known that we have a very special team: The Washington Mystics have no real celebrity players, yet the team is a real team in the purest sense of the word. We don't do egos; we don't do celebrity players; we don't think of "I" before "We."

As I see it, I am thankful everyday that I've been given the opportunity to be an owner of a WNBA team. Women need to depend on each other, stand beside one another and use their skills and voices to let everyone know that we make a difference.

With the beginning of the WNBA season approaching, I am eager to get back to the locker room, back to the court, and most importantly back to the fans.

Everyone, please support the WNBA. GO MYSTICS!!!

 

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Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Is Front-Runner in GOP Debate

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Presidential Candidate Herman Cain Is Front-Runner in GOP Debate


On Thursday night, GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain is said to have "bested" ex-Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, ex-Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Texas Congressman Ron Paul and ex-New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson in the Republican's first debate for the 2012 campaign.

Cain, a successful businessman and CEO and co-owner of Godfather's Pizza, first burst on to the scene with his negative comments, regarding President Barack Obama: "Now people are over this first black president thing," he said. "But there are some people who will say, 'I'm not going to vote for another black guy because this one didn't work out. And my response is, 'Well, what about those 43 white guys you put in there? How did they work out? Don't condemn me because the first black one was bad."

And at last night's event, viewers gave their reaction to the debate, which was moderated by pollster Frank Lutz and cosponsored by Fox News. The majority said that Cain was "articulate," "refreshing," and "had solutions" where his peers had none.

Watch their reactions here:



There are some who find Cain's entry in to the GOP presidential foray as a positive development, showing that blacks -- just like other groups -- aren't some monolithic group who are all Democrats and liberals. Indeed, I suppose it is healthy for there to be diversity on both sides of the aisle.

Many have argued that our dependable presence on the left has made Democrats lazy about taking care of our needs because they take us for granted. If African Americans are healthfully represented throughout all political groups, then everyone has to work harder to address our needs and, in turn, get our votes.

On the other hand, though, I cringe at having another Micheal Steele-esque (remember him?) candidate shoot to the top of the GOP presidential crowd because he is going to insult and needlessly discredit President Obama. To have a "negro" do the work of the delusional Birthers or Tea Baggers seems like the worst kind of race betrayal to me.

Republicans were so eager to embrace Steele as their answer to Obama -- and Steele was even more eager to take the role -- except that once his appointment proved to be a disaster and embarrassment to the Republican party, they were quick to throw him under the bus.

For Cain's part, I hope he can have an honest go at becoming the GOP presidential nominee, but his earlier comments don't leave me particularly optimistic.

 

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Gallery: The Week's Best Celebrity Style

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black actresses

This week celebrities brought out their high-end attire for the premiere of "Jumping the Broom" and Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum in New York. See what your favorites wore.

 

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