There was a time, not too long ago, when Americans thought that everything bigger was better. Got a nice big home? Sweet. But a 5,000-square-foot McMansion showed that you were really living large. Rolling around in a sporty SUV? Cool. But having a huge (and expensive) Hummer really showed that you'd arrived.
Now it seems, mercifully, that the era of all things "big" is slowly but surely coming to an end. As far as houses go, people are finally figuring out that they don't need palatial estates to be happy after all. (Unless of course, you're Tiger Woods, Tyler Perry or Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen -- all of whom have recently bought ridiculously large, multi-million dollar properties). But thanks to the Great Recession, the average American buying a home is now scaling back.
The National Association of Home Builders reports that the size of a new, single-family home sold in 2009 decreased by nearly 100 square feet to 2,438 square feet - a decline that reversed a 30-year trend toward bigger houses. The real estate website Trulia recently put it bluntly: "The McMansion Era is Over." Everywhere you look on the housing front, this trend is occurring. Even owners of vacation properties and mega mansions are downsizing -- and sharing a few lessons learned in the process.
Life Beyond Hip-Hop: Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond the Music
In honor of Black Music Month, Black Voices has put together a list of artists who have not only achieved success in the rap world but also in other endeavors. From Queen Latifah, who once rapped about 'Ladies First' and has since gone on to become a well-regarded film actress and the face of CoverGirl cosmetics, to the multihyphenated Will Smith, these individuals have shown that the sky is the limit. Take a look at hip-hop's elite.
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Life Beyond Hip Hop
Life Beyond Hip-Hop: Rappers Doing Big Things Beyond the Music
In honor of Black Music Month, Black Voices has put together a list of artists who have not only achieved success in the rap world but also in other endeavors. From Queen Latifah, who once rapped about 'Ladies First' and has since gone on to become a well-regarded film actress and the face of CoverGirl cosmetics, to the multihyphenated Will Smith, these individuals have shown that the sky is the limit. Take a look at hip-hop's elite.
Ice Cube
Los Angeles, California native Ice Cube (real name: O'Shea Jackson) has amassed an impressive list of credits that include rapper, actor, screenwriter, film director and producer. As one of the members of the notable rap group NWA, Ice Cube penned many of the songs from the group's 1988 album 'Straight Outta Compton.' When he left the group, he went on to have a successful solo rap career and eventually a successful film and TV career with roles in such films as 'Friday,' 'Are We There Yet?' and 'Boyz N' the Hood.' Additionally, Ice Cube has taken his talents behind the camera as a director and also producer. He is also executive producer of the new TBS sitcom 'Are We There Yet?'
Jay-Z
A long way from the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up, Jay-Z (real name: Shawn Corey Carter) is a multi-million dollar-grossing rapper turned entrepreneur. Shooting to fame in the mid-1990s, with his classic debut album 'Reasonable Doubt' (1996) and other subsequent projects, Jay-Z has traveled a path many of his peers have not. His resume includes one-time president of the notable hip-hop label Def Jam Records, one of the founding members of Roc-A-Fella Records, co-owner of The 40/40 Club, co-creator of the clothing line Rocawear, part-owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets, and most recently, founder of Roc Nation, a full entertainment company.
Andre Harrell
Though he was a part of the 1980s hip-hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, New York native Andre Harrell is most known as a successful record executive. As founder of the notable label Uptown Records, and one-time president and CEO of Motown Records, Harrell has molded such acts as Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Heavy D & The Boyz, as well as mentored hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. He also is the man that discovered and first signed Robin Thicke to a record label deal.
Romany Malco
Long before this Brooklyn, New York native starred in box office hit movies such as 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' and 'Blades of Glory,' he was a part of the west coast rap group, The College Boyz. During the early 1990s, the handsome foursome released two albums 'Radio Fusion Radio' in 1992 and 'Nuttin Less Nuttin Mo' in 1994. Acting has proven to be much better for Malco, who portrayed MC Hammer in the VH1 biopic based on his life. He also starred in the hit Showtime series 'Weeds.'
Doug E. Fresh
Born in Barbados and raised in New York, Doug E. Fresh (real name: Douglas E. Davis) was an integral part of the early hip-hop scene in New York. The rap icon (known as the Human Beat Box (for his ability to imitate drum machines and effects using his mouth), has made such memorable hip-hop songs as 'La Di Da Di' and 'The Show' while with the Get Fresh Crew. With his sights on the food industry, the vegetarian announced plans to open the Harlem restaurant Doug E's Fresh Chicken and Waffle.
MC Lyte
Queens, New York native MC Lyte (real name: Lana Michele Moorer) is known as one of the top female emcees in the history of hip-hop. Able to hold her own in the male-dominated artform, Lyte deserves much more credit than just a notable female emcee. Her no holds barred attitude has taken her from the rap world to the TV world, where she has acted on such television shows as 'The District,' 'Half & Half' and 'In the House.' She has also built a successful career as in voiceovers. Recently, she signed on to become a voice for the branding of the STARZ cable network. Also, she opened the Los Angeles boutique Shaitel, which specializes in such accessories as belts and sunglasses.
Ice-T
Born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in Los Angeles, Ice-T (real name: Tracy Marrow) has had a successful career as a rapper, with such notable songs as 'High Rollers' and 'Colors,' and solidified his place in West Coast rap. He has parlayed his success in hip-hop into a successful acting career with roles in such films as 'New Jack City' and 'Trespass.' He also plays Detective Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola on the popular TV drama series 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.'
Ludacris
Born in Champaign, Illinois and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Ludacris (real name: Chris Bridges) proves that he is more than a rapper. Shooting to fame in the 2000s as a rapper with distinctive wordplay, the talented artist turned his sights to acting, where he has excelled in such films as the Academy Award winner 'Crash' and the John Singleton-produced 'Hustle & Flow.' Other ventures include a fragrance deal with TAG Body Spray and collaboration with Norwegian cognac house Birkedal Hartmann to create Conjure cognac.
Master P
From growing up in the projects in New Orleans, Louisiana, No Limit Records founder, rapper, athlete, film and TV actor Master P (real name: Percy Miller) has built a multi-million dollar empire that includes being the founder of P. Miller Enterprises, an entertainment and financial conglomerate and Better Black TV . He has presided over a business empire that has included No Limit Records, Bout It Inc., No Limit Clothing, No Limit Films, No Limit Sports Management, PM. Properties and Advantage Travel. Master P is also a published author, releasing the 2007 book, 'Guaranteed Success.' Not only that, he is actively involved in bettering schools and communities, and was given the key to the city of Memphis, Tennessee in 2008.
With cars too, gigantic vehicles are completely out of favor. After Hummer sales fell 67% in 2009, and GM sold just 265 of the gas-guzzling units in January of this
year, the automaker decided to put the Hummer out to pasture. Overall on the automotive scene, although bigger isn't totally out, it is changing dramatically. As this Fortune story, titled "The Big SUV's Death Rattle", points out: Americans are shifting away from big SUVs to more practical and useful crossover vehicles.
As a Money Coach, I'm happy to see Americans start to downsize a bit. And no, it's not because I have a modest home
and drive a "baby SUV," a 2002 Toyota Highlander. Nor am I hating on people or envying what they have. On the contrary, as Americans of all economic and social backgrounds scale back, I'm wishing them well. I'm praying they'll reap the benefits of these changes. Chief among them: having less debt and reduced economic stress. After all, smaller homes and more modest cars are generally less expensive than larger, upscale ones, when you take into account mortgages or car notes, insurance, taxes, maintenance, upkeep and so on.
A New Consumer Mindset: Opening Your Eyes to the Matrix
Oh, and did I mention one other huge benefit from ditching the "bigger is better" mentality? It's enormously liberating to not be beholden (dare I say enslaved?) to excessive material possessions. It's like you've opted out of that whole "keeping up with the Jones'" rat race that traps so many others. Perhaps that's why the 100 Thing Challenge -- which urges you to get rid of excess stuff and clutter in your life -- has touched a nerve with so many people.
Sometimes, when I look at people with financial problems that are of their own doing (i.e. from reckless overspending or blatant fiscal mismanagement), I feel like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. I'm thinking: doesn't anyone see the real deal going on here, and view the world as it really is? And here's the real deal: Whether or not people want to admit it, a lot of the emphasis on buying bigger stuff often boiled down to showboating. Acquiring "things" -- larger things, expensive things, and just plain old more things -- was really all about trying to live the Bling Bling lifestyle.
Madison Avenue skillfully convinced most middle-class people to try to emulate a bit of what they'd seen on TV. Back in the day, it was 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.' More recently, it's been reality TV shows that glamorize celebrity lifestyles, making you want -- or think you want -- what those celebs have.
Related: +Can BET Help NASCAR's Image with African Americans? +Each One Teach One About Money
Unfortunately, most of that stuff -- fancy cars, designer clothes and shoes, expensive jewelry, and yes, bigger homes and cars -- mainly just get people into debt. It also makes them constantly crave stuff they can't truly afford, don't need and in many cases don't even want -- other than to impress others. Now that the Great Recession has been going for three years strong, Americans are re-thinking the wisdom and practically of clinging to the "mine is bigger than yours" mindset.
But let's not lament the or fret over previous excesses. Instead, as 2010 nears a close, let's all raise a glass and celebrate: The death of the Bling Bling lifestyle means you don't have to be bling-blinging -- and broke.
Do you agree or disagree with me that we should be glad that "blinging" is coming to a slow demise?
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Following an abrupt hiatus from her role in the London musical 'Sister Act,' Whoopi Goldberg is set resume her role for five additional performances next month.
The Academy Award-winning actress initially departed from the London production in August to return home where her mother, Emma Johnson, suffered from a stroke.
In light of her mother's death two days later on Aug. 29, the 54-year-old took time to reflect on the life and times of Ms. Johnson's untimely death during the season premiere of 'The View.'
"My brother and I were very, very lucky to have her in our lives," Goldberg said during Tuesday's episode. "So I'm not sad, because she had a great time."
"My mother was a great adventure person, so she loved to go on adventures and my brother and I made sure that her life was full and rich," adding that Johnson received her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education at NYU. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
"I think I'm just sad sometimes that I think, 'Who will love me the way that she did?' But I realize that my brother and I have each other and so we're ok."
In spite of 'The View' co-host's recent loss, her 'Sister Act' cast members are "devastated" by the tragic news and remain supportive.
"Everyone at Sister Act was devastated for Whoopi when she needed to leave us to return home to be with her family," Stage Entertainment UK CEO, Bill Taylor said in a statement. "Our thoughts are continually with them over this difficult period. I think everyone knows what a special person she is, but that she is committed to returning and completing her run at the Palladium leaves me speechless in admiration."
"I'd also like to thank the wonderful and graciousSally Dexterfor her understanding and utter professionalism. It's an honor to have both of these women as part of our company," he concluded.
Beginning Oct. 22 Whoopi will alternate her role at London's Palladium with Sally Dexter, who currently plays Mother Superior, until the production closes on Oct. 30.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Sex and Fame: Do the Two Go Hand in Hand? We are constantly inundated with images of women taking the "easy" route and capitalizing on their sexuality to gain fame, all-be-it short-lived -- but what about those of us who want to make it to the top with our integrity intact? (Clutch Magazine)
Distant Lover How do you get and keep the fire burning in your relationship when you're miles apart? (Madame Noire)
Iman Interviews Bethann Hardison for VMagazine The legendary Bethann Hardison is featured in the latest issue of VMagazine. The interview was conducted by another fashion legend -- Iman -- for their "Heroes" column (Coco and Creme)
Black Comic Book Creators and Social Media Pt. 1 Black artists and writers discuss how social media is helping them to disseminate their work.(Black Web 2.0)
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.From the Grio: Recently, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said some things that surprised me. And they should surprise you as well. In an interview with Human Events, a conservative website, Barbour discussed growing up in an integrated, tolerant and inclusive South. In his opinion, it was the "old Democrats who had fought for segregation so hard." Speaking of the change in party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in the South, Barbour continued.
"The people that led the change of parties in the South, just as I mentioned earlier, was my generation. My generation, who went to integrated schools. I went to an integrated college. Never thought twice about it. It was the old Democrats who had fought for segregation so hard. By my time, people realized that was the past. It was indefensible, wasn't going to be that way anymore."
Barbour-- who is being touted as the most prominent Republican and the face of the GOP-- is head of the Republican Governors Association. In reality, Barbour was born under Jim Crow segregation and attended segregated public schools. He attended college with only a handful of black students. And he sent his children to Manchester Academy, one of the "segregation academies" established so that white parents could avoid sending their daughters to integrated schools, where they would undoubtedly date black boys. Manchester Academy did not integrate until 1996, when it admitted its first African-American student.
And while Barbour would have you believe that the Republican Party is such a dominant force in the South today because of its support of integration. But the reality is that the GOP inherited the segregationist mantle from the Dixiecrats. After President Johnson signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts into law, the Democrats would lose the South for generations. Moreover, beginning with Nixon, the GOP employed a "Southern Strategy" to attract segregationist sympathizers and other disaffected whites from the Democratic Party. All of the talk about taxes, small government, welfare and the like were code for hating black folks.
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Dwight Howard of the NBA's Orlando Magic and his child's mother have not sat down and decided to work together to raise their son. As evidence, I present the foolishness that occurred when Howard picked up his son from daycare recently.
According to TMZ, Royce Reedcalled the cops because it was not Howard's day to pick the boy up.
Reed showed up when she found out that Howard was trying to pick up the boy. She called police because the custody agreement did not give Howard the right to pick the child up that day, she said. Police intervened at Reed's request and called Howard who had already left with the child.
Howard thought that he and his ex had made a new custody agreement but it turns out the agreement was discussed but not signed. Howard sent his nanny back to the daycare center with the boy and Reed took the child home.
Reed later issued a statement saying that her son "was seriously traumatized by the unlawful actions of Dwight and his staff, and Royce will rely upon the Courts to prevent future incidents from occurring."
Sounds a little over the top to me-- just like the fighting going on between these two adults.This is sad on so many levels. It's sad that Reed and Howard can't stop bickering for the good of their child.
This isn't the first beef that the two of them have had. Howard sued to stop Reed from participating in a show called Basketball Wives, which is ironic because she is not, and likely never will be, married to the guy. Fathering a child does not make you a husband or a real father.
Howard also sued Reed for allegedly bashing him on the Internet.
It's also sad to see a young black man take an interest in raising his child only to end up in court over the issue. How many times do we say that black fathers need to be more responsible? It's pitiful that they are in court fighting over custody and couldn't come to a joint parenting agreement.
Maybe Dwight should take the lead in this case. Being that he is a millionaire many times over, maybe he and Reed should come to some sort of financial settlement that also settles the custody matter with some sort of joint custody.
It's clear that Reed deserves financial support from Howard if she wins custody of the child. Howard may feel that Reed is using their child as a way to extract money from him but that's not important now. What matters is the health and mental well-being of that child.
If Howard and Reed think that Braylon won't remember much because he's only 2 years old, both are wrong. Drawn-out custody battles like this could take several years and result in decades of resentment that will still exist when Braylon is on his way to high school or college.
The Emmy-winning host of Style Network's 'Clean House' officially got engaged to her boyfriend of a year Jay Tucker at a private party at her home this weekend.
The 40-year-old talent, who also works as a correspondent for the news magazine series 'The Insider,' tweeted photos of the proposal via her twitter page @NiecyNash.
"I was asked a VERY important question," Nash detailed on her page. "I couldn't contain how happy I was! I said 'Yes!' So amazing. I thank God for Jay Tucker! He is so much fun! We are so in love!"
Nash's 'Dancing with the Stars' partner Louis Van Amstel was among the onlookers there for the soiree.
The couple plans to wed in May 2011.
"Falling in love was the easy part, planning a wedding - yikes," Nash posted.
The former star of 'Reno 911' is a mother of three. Nash was previously married for 13 years to a California preacher, Pastor Don Nash.
The actress served as first lady of his church, New Life Bible Church in Culver City, Calif. while they were married.
As previously reported, some of the biggest names in comedy headed to Atlantic City over the Labor Day holiday for what organizers are hoping will be an annual event: the Atlantic City Comedy Festival.
Though the large-arena venue, Historic Boardwalk Hall, was not filled to capacity, many of the show's headliners believe the economy has proven to be a gift to the world of comedy.
Mike Epps is busy prepping to return as host of the 'BET Hip-Hop Awards' and for the release of his next movie, 'Faster,' with Billie Bob Thornton and The Rock, but he's happy that he can provide entertainment despite many of his fans going through tough economic conditions
"Black people, we always live from pillar to post, the majority of us, so when it comes to the economy, we're survivors, [and] I think comedy really helps because in trying times like this, people want to laugh and keep their minds off their bills and stuff like that," the 'Lottery Ticket' star told BV Newswire.
"It was really good, because I think that Atlantic City, the city itself, could really use that type of entertainment. I think it's a big thing for the city, and to have that type of talent on a couple of shows is good."Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
He's still holding out hope that he will get a chance to portray Richard Pryor in the long-delayed biopic on the comedy legend.
The Indianapolis native added, "I'm just trying to make sure that I just stay relevant in the business. Right now, I'm just trying to put myself in an A-list actor position, and once I get that, maybe I will do a little directing and producing."
George Wilborn, who recently appeared on the short-lived 'Michael Baisden Show,' told BV Newswire, "The worst times get, the more you need comedy to break the monotony of what you know are serious topics in your household."
He added that he'd love to return next year.
"The venue was great, the people were incredible and I got to be a chance to be with friends of mine. ...I hope it's successful. I wouldn't have a problem being a part of it year after year," he shared.
Don "DC" Curry says arena tours like the Atlantic City Comedy Festival remain more popular than stand-up comedy shows in large part because of a certain group of funnymen.
"I think the 'Kings of Comedy' changed the game, and they made the general public expect to see megashows. Before the 'Kings Of Comedy,' people would ask me, 'Where you gonna be tonight?' and after the 'Kings of Comedy,' people said, 'Where you gonna be?' and I'd tell them, and then they'd say, 'Who ya with?'"
The festival's sole original 'King of Comedy' star, D.L. Hughley, who hosted Saturday night, says that he's seen "more people come to forget about what is going on."
He shared, "As a performer, people don't go as far. People have stay-cations, and as a comic, you want to make sure you are worth the money."
Like Mike Epps, he's staying busy even off the stand-up circuit.
Hughley said he's hoping to return to radio in the near future, after salary disputes ended his time at 98.7 Kiss FM in New York City. He has a recurring role on the upcoming CBS series 'Hawaii Five-O', which he just shot. But, the Los Angeles-based comedian is most excited for his own show to get under way. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
"We have a TV sitcom that we're gonna get back into," he said. "We have three offers that we are entertaining, so we will see where we go."
He laughed, "I would never write anything for nobody else I'm too selfish."
Sommore, who headlined Saturday night's show and is gearing up to shoot another stand-up special in January, feels conflicted to be the only woman on the lineup.
"I feel proud because it shows an accomplishment of mine," she confided. "It's the first time a woman has headlined a major comedy tour over other males, but another aspect is we should have more women here, but it's a male-dominated business."
Here's hoping she gets her wish and that the festival returns next year.
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Directed by Paul WS Anderson, 'Resident Evil: Afterlife' stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Kodjoe, Spencer Locke, Wentworth Miller and Sienna Guillory.
'Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D' is based on the very popular video game series of the same name, but this time it will be in 3-D. It revolves around Alice (played by Jovovich), who lives in a world ravaged by a virus that turns its victims into the undead. Alice is on a dangerous journey to find survivors and lead them to safety.
However, Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. They get a new lead that promises they'll be safe. This lead takes them to Los Angeles. Unfortunately, when they arrive, they find that the city is overrun by thousands of undead, which causes Alice and her comrades to step into a deadly trap.
Out on home video is 'Solitary Man,' which stars Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Danny Devito, Mary-Louis Parker, Jenna Fischer, Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, and Ben Shenkman. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
The film tells the story of Ben Kalmen (played by Douglas), a fifty-something New Yorker and former successful car dealer, who through his own bad choices lost his entire business.
When the film opens, Ben's on the verge of a comeback, but some of the same motivations that led to his demise are threatening to take him down again. He's divorced from Nancy (played by Sarandon), his college sweetheart and the one person who knows him better than anyone. Although he still finds the time to hang out with his daughter Susan (played by Fischer) and his adoring grandson, she breaks off contact when she discovers he's seeing one of her friends. His girlfriend Jordan is the daughter of a very influential businessman who's on the board of a major auto manufacturer.
If Ben can just keep his hubris in check for a little while longer, he will be back as big as ever. But circumstances place him in very close proximity with the one girl he shouldn't touch, throwing everything into jeopardy.
'Biggie and Tupac' is a no holds barred investigation into the still unsolved murders of two of the biggest superstars rap has ever produced; Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, and Tupac Shakur. Answering the crusading calls for justice from Biggie's mother Voletta, Broomfield hits the streets from East Coast to West Coast, putting his own life at risk as he uncovers sensational new evidence that points directly to the involvement of the LAPD and imprisoned Death Row records co-founder Marion 'Suge' Knight in the violent slayings that shocked the hip hop world.
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Magnolia Pictures has released a clip featuring music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs from the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated actor Casey Affleck, 'I'm Still Here.'
The documentary is a striking portrayal of a tumultuous year in the life of internationally acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix. With remarkable access, 'I'm Still Here' follows the Oscar-nominee as he announces his retirement from a successful film career in the fall of 2008 and sets off to reinvent himself as a hip hop musician. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, and always riveting, the film is a portrait of an artist at a crossroads. Defying expectations, it deftly explores notions of courage and creative reinvention, as well as the ramifications of a life spent in the public eye.
In this clip, Phoenix is looking to bring Combs on board to produce his album.
'I'm Still Here' opens in select theaters on September 10.
Wide receiver Randy Moss is in the media again, after remaining quiet for quite a few years. Most recently, he's stated that he feels unappreciated by the New England Patriots. He wasn't in practice today, which is a surprise, given that he's had perfect attendance up until this point. Some wonder if he's had it with the organization and if he's about to lay some vintage Randy Moss attitude on top of the team's management.
Some might say that Randy Moss has quite a few things to gripe about. He's one of the top three wide receivers in the league, if not the best. He's a major part of the reason that Tom Brady has emerged as the stellar quarterback that he is. He's been a consistent, quiet and dedicated worker on the field and off. So, some could say that he deserves a bit more respect.
Another reason that Moss might have for griping is the seeming double standard between he and Tom Brady. While Moss is venting on the sidelines, hoping for a new deal, Tom Brady just signed a three-year, $58 million contract extension. It appears that being the golden boy pays much better than just being another wide receiver, running back or anything else. Isn't this the same old story for the black athlete?
But putting all this aside, Moss' recent admission that he's growing disgruntled with the Patriots says a great deal about where he is mentally. At this point, he appears ready to erupt. Missing practice may likely be a first step in a series of public tantrums Moss might throw over the next several weeks. While the show is certainly going to be interesting, I am hopeful that he doesn't ruin all of the good reputation capital he's earned over the past couple of years.
One thing that Randy Moss has to face is the fact that he's no longer the amazing young athlete he was before. He is 33-years old this year, and retirement is just around the corner. All throughout human history, in the battle between man and Father Time, Father Time has always emerged as the winner. So, I am hopeful that Randy has been saving his money and planning out his future, for it won't be long before the Patriots say goodbye.
Over mile-high Bellinis and crisp bacon, model-turned-mogul Tyra Banks and Mr. Fashion himself, Andre Leon Talley, told a roomful of journalists why 'America's Next Top Model' was still intriguing after 15 go-rounds.
This season, the CW staple is all about high fashion with top couture photographers a la Patrick DeMarchelier and designers like Diane Von Furnstenberg, Zac Posen and Roberto Cavalli taking part in judging 14 aspiring models competing for a spread in Italian Vogue and a six-figure endorsement deal.
"Tyra really raised the bar this year," said Talley drenched in black - leather trench coat, polo, shorts and driving shoes (Prada, Polo, Juicy Couture, Tods). Banks, whose Bankable Productions pulled in more than 30 million dollars in 2009, is a producer of the show, which has definite aspirations this season.
"It's very important the core be high fashion," explains Banks also donning black in a fitted dress, black pumps and slick chignon. "So I see her Paris, I see her in Milan, I see her in Italian magazines and French magazines and British magazines."
The duo explained that the relationship with Italian Vogue started about two years ago when the all-black Italian Vogue hit stands in summer 2008. "It was all about black models and Tyra had been photographed by Steven Meisel. And she and Franca [Sozzani] got together and started this working relationship and friendship," relayed Talley.
Of Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani, Banks says, "She really wanted to take Vogue Italia to the American audience and she felt like she had a strong connection." That connection may be green - the all Black Vogue sold like fire in the U.S.
Banks, who ended her talk show last year, told us that she is signed to IMG models, the same agency that is giving the Cycle 15 winner a one-year modeling contract.
"I recently signed with IMG - not as a model - but to do things with my company Bankable to connect with certain sponsors," Banks explains. She also said she was working on a work of fiction called 'Modeland,' about a school where one has to be "perfect to get in"but four friends somehow buck the trend and still manage to be successful.
"It pushes my message of expanding the definition of beauty," says Banks.
America's Next Top Model appears on the CW Wednesdays 8pm ET.
Your DAILY AFFIRMATION for Thursday, September 10, 2010: Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view. "Within me is all I need to feel good; live in in joy; and create good on earth. I AM Spirit -filled. I feel the divine spark of God with me. I feel Good. I feel God. "
____________________________________________________________________
Feel Good; Feed God:
Barry J.
Barry Johnson is an businessman, motivational speaker and management consultant. He holds a B.S. degree from Yale and an MBA degree from Harvard. You can follow him at twitter.com/thebarryjohnson and email him at bjohnson@risemovement.org
In one of his famous songs, "Steady Mobbin," the rapper Ice Cube said that he'd "rather get judged by 12 than carried by six." Ice Cube's words regarding the relative cost of incarceration over death in the face of self-defense were prophetic in the life of George Grier. Grier, who lives in Long Island, was arrested for using an AK-47 assault rifle to protect his family from gang members who were threatening to hurt them.
The gang members were believed to be from the infamous group, "MS-13." The gang is known for being incredibly violent. Apparently, they were on Grier's front porch when he pulled out the gun for protection.
"I went around and went into the house, ran upstairs and told my wife to call the police. I get the gun and I go outside and I come into the doorway and now, by this time, they are in the driveway, back here near the house. I tell them, you know, 'Can you please leave?' Grier said.
Grier said that gang members were threatening to harm him and hurt his family. That's when he took four shots of the AK-47 into the grass, making the gang members scatter. Grier was arrested and charged with a Class D felony for reckless endangerment. John Lewis, Grier's attorney, had this to say:
"What he's initially charged with - A D felony reckless endangerment - requires a depraved indifference to human life, creating a risk that someone's going to die. Shooting into a lawn doesn't create a risk of anybody dying."
Grier says he knows that the Nassau County Police use technology to alert them whenever shots are fired in the area. He says that he also knows that there are MS-13 gang members in the area. Andrew Mulraine, a police officer in charge of the local gang unit, says that there are about 2,000 MS-13 gang members in the area.
The problem Grier has with the law at this point is that it states that a person can only use physical force to deter physical force. So, the threats from gang members don't legally justify his shooting the gun into the lawn. The bigger problem for Grier is that one doesn't want to simply wait until a bunch of gang members show up with AK-47s of their own before he decides to defend his family. Sometimes, preemptive action might necessary.
I had a friend whose mother was murdered by her father. For weeks, my friend's mother attempted to alert police about her husband's dangerous threats. She literally told the police, "If you don't do something, he's going to kill me."
In the case of my friend's mother, the police never did much to stop her husband's behavior. A few weeks later, she was dead. This story is a grim reminder of the challenging dilemma that some people face. Had my friend's mother murdered her husband in his sleep, she would have been incarcerated for life. The idea that this woman couldn't even turn to police for help is truly sickening.
A similar scenario may be playing out for George Grier. A man using a gun to defend his family from gang members who are known to be violent is clearly a cry for help. If the police can't defend his family, then what in the heck is he supposed to do?
It's hard to be a fan of the right to bear arms, given the devastation that guns have caused the black community. But the only justification I can see for wanting to carry a gun is that there might be others carrying guns who want to hurt you. At the end of the day, stronger gun control is called for, so that we can all feel protected without having to shoot our way to safety.
I strongly suspect that Mr. Grier's problems are far from over. The threat to the gang members has probably not deterred their desire to harm him. If police don't get involved soon, I am fearful that something will happen to him or his relatives. At the very least, he can't go to sleep without keeping one eye open. No man should have to live this way, and I am hopeful that they can do something to help him. I'd hate to be writing a tragic end to this story a few weeks from today.
It's official: the die has been cast for the end of another Daley era in Chicago.
Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley will end his 21-year term in the spring and eclipse the legacy of his infamous father and former mayor, Richard J. Daley. Both Daleys faced different challenges while in office and their tenures will be compared in the Windy City's political history.
Daley is stepping out as the nation's third-largest city deals with the recession, a sharp increase in violent crime -- particularly on the South Side -- and the fiscal issues of the Chicago Public Schools system that is trying to figure out how to deal with the violence that has nearly crippled it.
The circumstances of Daley's departure are creating the same type of power vacuum that existed when Mayor Harold Washington died in office in 1987:
The mayor has gotten calls from celebs like Oprah Winfrey and political influentials, such as President Barack Obama, former vice president Al Gore and White House advisers David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel (who is a former U.S. Representative for Chicago's north side and has talked of running for mayor and is now being hotly discussed as a potential for the job).
The Chicago Tribune throws out several possibilities for Daley's departure that may or may not be true:
Was it the fragile health of his wife, Maggie Daley, who has been battling cancer for years? Was it the looming $600 million city budget deficit that could make running the city in the short term very difficult? Or was it the increasing unrest of a once-docile City Council emboldened by public outrage over administration missteps?
Perhaps it was the realization that his city may be suffering from Daley fatigue. He was elected to his sixth term in 2007 with 70 percent of the vote, yet a Tribune/WGN-TV poll in July found that just 31 percent of city voters said they wanted him elected to a seventh term while 53 percent said they did not.
Whatever the reason, how did Chicago's black community fare during the two decades of Daley's tenure?
His father, Richard J. Daley, made his disdain for African Americans clear with his "shoot-to-kill" order in the wake of Martin Luther King's death in 1968.
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Iconic rapper T.I., 29, and his new bride, Tameka Cottle, 35, a TV reality star, were arrested Wednesday night in West Hollywood and booked on felony possession of a controlled substance charge.
31-Aug-10 - The eldest of John McCain's four children, Meghan has now publicly revealed her feelings about Sarah Palin in her new book, 'Dirty Sexy Politics.'
27-Aug-10 - Alveda King's decision to join forces with Fox News host Glenn Beck during his bogus March on Washington is likely one of the most shocking and extraordinary political events in recent months.
25-Aug-10 - According to TMZ, superstar producer Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Zachery Mosley, was the subject of a manhunt on Tuesday, after his family believed he was in danger of pulling a Fantasia and committing suicide.
24-Aug-10 - Aid workers in the Congo reported that 200 women and baby boys were gang raped over a four-day period not far from a United Nation's peacekeepers base near a mining district.
23-Aug-10 - Brenda Chaney, a nursing assistant, was not allowed to help the woman up, primarily because she'd left instructions stating that only white aid workers should be able to work with her.
23-Aug-10 - The Associated Press is reporting that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is considering hiring translators to help agents understand the language of drug dealers.
Daley did not embrace his father's philosophies, but his political relationship with black Chicago was tenuous at best. As WVON's Charles Butler remarks in the Huffington Post, black-owned businesses held 22 percent of city contracts before Daley took office. Now it's down to3 percent.
In July, Daley pled for an end to the violence plaguing the black community just after 13-year-oldRobert Freeman wasgunned down near his home. He only decided to hire 100 more cops, though, after it was reported that Chicago's violent crime rate was three times higher than New York, a city that is almost three times as large.
Remember Daley's quote, "Don't let that black gangbanger or dope dealer threaten your child"? You mean people should only let white or "Cablanasian" gangbangers or dope dealers threaten their children?
And going back to 2000, Daley waited nearly a dozen years before he made any real political outreach toward Chicago's black community by naming a street for Bishop Arthur Brazier of the Apostolic Church of God in the Woodlawn neighborhood. He already had obvious political ties to the area, including a bloc of Chicago's black voters who are overwhelmingly Democratic.
Now was Daley racist like his father? No. Not even close. But with the current state of Chicago's African-American community, which continues to reel from new national headline-making acts of violence, plus unemployment, a depleted school system and a disproportionately high foreclosure rate, blacks did not fare particularly better under Daley than they did under Washington.
Rap icon T.I., whose recent drug arrest along with wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottlemade headlines around the world, could be getting the axe from a deal he made with a sponsor that could cost him millions.
AXE, the men's body fragrance line, and T.I. inked a $10-million deal earlier this year. The 29-year-old entertainer/actor would be performing "One Night Only" concerts or exclusive shows that would celebrate the mega launch of AXE Music, the latest of the product line featuring bodyspray, shower gel and shampoo.
TMZ reports that AXE sponsors are "troubled by T.I.'s arrest" and have been forced in to reviewing "our promotional activities" with the rapper.
When the deal was made, T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, vowed to his deal makers that he would remain on the straight and narrow and stay out of trouble. Oftentimes, contracts made with artists contain moral clauses, meaning that if an artist breaks certain behavior stipulations all bets are off immediately.
Looks like it might be curtains for T.I. as far as AXE is concerned.
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Iconic rapper T.I., 29, and his new bride, Tameka Cottle, 35, a TV reality star, were arrested Wednesday night in West Hollywood and booked on felony possession of a controlled substance charge.
31-Aug-10 - The eldest of John McCain's four children, Meghan has now publicly revealed her feelings about Sarah Palin in her new book, 'Dirty Sexy Politics.'
27-Aug-10 - Alveda King's decision to join forces with Fox News host Glenn Beck during his bogus March on Washington is likely one of the most shocking and extraordinary political events in recent months.
25-Aug-10 - According to TMZ, superstar producer Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Zachery Mosley, was the subject of a manhunt on Tuesday, after his family believed he was in danger of pulling a Fantasia and committing suicide.
24-Aug-10 - Aid workers in the Congo reported that 200 women and baby boys were gang raped over a four-day period not far from a United Nation's peacekeepers base near a mining district.
23-Aug-10 - Brenda Chaney, a nursing assistant, was not allowed to help the woman up, primarily because she'd left instructions stating that only white aid workers should be able to work with her.
23-Aug-10 - The Associated Press is reporting that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is considering hiring translators to help agents understand the language of drug dealers.
A little more than one year ago, Mike Tyson was dealt a horrible tragedy when his daughter Exodus suddenly died. Since that time, Mike has released a hit movie, leading some to wonder if he has turned a corner in his life. I don't think Mike will ever be a normal guy, but he has certainly proven to be quite fertile.
It is being reported that Tyson is about to father his eighth child in the next few months. The lucky lady having Mike's baby is his third wife, Lakiha Spicer, who is 33-years old. Spicer is reportedly five months pregnant.
Tyson married Spicer less than two weeks after his daughter died. Exodus Tyson, Mike's daughter, was killed when her neck was accidentally caught in a cord connected to an exercise machine. The tragedy dealt yet another serious blow to Tyson, who has seen his life go from rags to riches, back to rags again.
He added, "I don't deserve to have the wife that I have; I don't deserve the kids that I have, but I do, and I'm very grateful," Tyson said on "The View."
Tyson's two prior marriages were to Robin Givens and Monica Turner, a pediatrician. Givens and Tyson divorced in 1989, and his marriage to Turner ended in 2003.
Watching Mike Tyson's life has been like watching the life of the character "Jenny" from Forrest Gump. In the film, Jenny is a confused, unhappy human being who is constantly trying to find herself. But she never quite gets it right and has a sad ending to her story. Tyson has spent the last two decades living out a black athlete version of "The Truman Show," where he has ended up in one complex situation after another in search of the real Iron Mike.
I am not sure how Tyson's life is going to end, but I am rooting for him. I cheered for him when he was heavyweight champion of the world, and I cheer for him today. All the while, I feel sadness for a man who seems to understand that he is flawed, but is unable to do anything about it. I can't imagine how many psychiatrists and spiritual counselors Tyson has gone through in his life, but he never seems to be able to figure out the combination to his complex mind. Perhaps after being blessed with so many children, he will find his way to redemption, peace and normalcy. I certainly wish him the best.
Imagine a Compton kid that got into skateboarding as an alternative to gang life in South Central, L.A., when it wasn't cool for black kids to skate. But he is pretty good with his board, takes that skill, builds on it, and goes from novice to pro in three short years. This man is no myth. His story is a reality. Meet Terry Kennedy, a.k.a. TK, a skateboarding pro and entrepreneur whose real story seems more like fiction than fact.
The half German and half Ghanian soccer player Kevin Prince Boateng surprised many when he insisted on playing for the Ghana national team instead of Germany's for this year's World Cup. Way to represent Africa Kev!
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AP
BlackVoices.com
BV's Top 10 Hottest Soccer Players
Tim Howard has managed to make some serious saves during the 2010 FIFA Cup as a goal keeper for the U.S. We can't help but admire the New Jersey native's stellar looks on and off the field.
Thierry Henry is one talented and sexy soccer player. In 2007 the soccer stud became France's top goal-scorer of all time. He also actively speaks out against racism in soccer. Oh yeah -- he's single too!
Christiano Ronaldo is amazingly handsome and expensive. At the age of 25, he became the most expensive soccer player in history after signing a transfer deal worth $132 million. He currently ranks as the highest paid soccer player in the world.
Women everywhere can't seem to get enough of David Beckham. The British hunk thrilled Americans in 2007 when he signed a 5-year deal with the LA Galaxy worth $32.5 million. The contract was the highest in Major League Soccer history.
The half German and half Ghanian soccer player Kevin Prince Boateng surprised many when he insisted on playing for the Ghana national team instead of Germany's for this year's World Cup. Way to represent Africa Kev!
Italian soccer star Marco Borriello debuted at the FIFA World Cup in 2008. Although he was unable to snag a spot at this year's game, he won a spot in our hearts for his dashing good looks.
Despite Oguchi Oneywu's sex appeal, the American soccer player has endured a great deal of racism while playing in Europe. His negative experiences have lead him to become passionate about ending on-field racism.
Ivorian cutie Salomon Kalou isn't the only soccer superstar in his family. His older brother Bonaventure "Barry" Kalou plays for the Dutch club Heerenveen while Saloman plays for England's club Chelsea.
Theo Walcott impresses us on the field with his raw talent and off the field with his ability to clean up oh-so well. The 21 year-old English player managed to land a Nike endorsement at the tender age of 14. Wow, talk about impressive.
The Australian hottie Tim Cahill comes from a long line of professional athletes. His brother plays professional soccer as well, while his three cousins are professional rugby players.
TK recently gave an interview to BlackEnterprise.com in which he talked about how following his love for skateboarding positively shaped his financial destiny. For a 25-year-old man, Terry Kennedy certainly has sharp business acumen. When it comes to finances, TK makes sure that he pays Uncle Sam first. Kennedy also invests in real estate and protects his investments by retaining a good accountant. (A lot of people have lost sleep -- or even their fortunes -- due to an unscrupulous accountant.) Having a good financial foundation helps Kennedy maintain an independent source of financial security as he continues to build his brand by strengthening relationships with his present endorsers. Terry Kennedy is also working on developing his own business opportunities, using the knowledge and wisdom of others to help him grow.
For example, mentors in the apparel industry showed Terry how important apparel
is to skateboarding culture. Kennedy was a willing pupil, and always ready to learn the business so that he could have greater creative freedom. Once Terry had a working knowledge of the skateboarding apparel industry, he was able to contribute to the design and craftsmanship of products for his own enterprises.
I must say, Mr. Kennedy, I am impressed and grateful. You didn't let your
humble beginnings hold you back; rather, you let those experiences propel you toward greatness. By sharing your story of triumph with the masses, you have proven that nothing is impossible when you are doing something that you love -- even if it does not seem like a "black" thing. Also, it is refreshing for a celebrity to reflect on the work that goes into building a brand. Oftentimes the life of a celebrity, especially one of an athlete, is glamorized to the point where the lifestyle overshadows the practice, sweat and pain that went into creating the success.
I would be remiss not to mention your success in an industry that is not dominated by African Americans, skateboarding. Just like the Williams sisters in tennis, athletes like you show our versatility by walking an unbeaten path. I find pride in seeing us excel in different sports and industries and then leveraging that prowess to build a marketable brand. Even in your success, you stay true to who you are as an African American man.
I believe Kennedy's advice is transferable to any industry:
Become a fan of it. Learn it, study it. And allow yourself to grow from it. Network in the industry by going to skateboarding shows and competing. Get comfortable with your skating. Put together two minutes of video of your best stuff and present it to a company where you think it would fit. Do everything you can do on your own to gain exposure. (Black Enterprise)
Related:
+Is the Bling-Bling Culture in America Finally Dying? +Regina King: Racism, Hollywood & Other People's Money
TK admits that his network opened doors for him to develop his skills and gain further exposure. Speaking of exposure and brand extension, we will be able to see more of Terry on his upcoming BET reality TV show this fall. Now how is that for flexing your business and marketing muscles?
L.A. Lakers forward Matt Barnes was arrested Wednesday for suspicion of domestic violence. Sacramento County authorities responded to an incomplete 911 call from a woman placed at around 4:16 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Barnes and an unidentified woman both with visible bruises.
Police wound up arresting Barnes and not the woman because he had apparently been the aggressor of the two. The woman, who is still unidentified, is apparently someone whom Barnes had been living with in the home. When the woman placed the emergency call to police, she had been prevented from speaking further with the 911 dispatcher. The operator testified to police that they had heard an apparent struggle in the background over the line before the call was abruptly disconnected.
Barnes was booked on felony domestic violence and malicious obstruction of the use of a phone line charges. The 30-year-old baller posted a $50,000 bond and was released shortly before 9:40 p.m. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Barnes became more widely known when he and his former fiancee Gloria Govan appeared in the VH-1 reality show "Basketball Wives."Watch "Basketball Wives" costars talk about Gloria here:
Govan and Barnes were the only couple on the show to have a united front and their relationship seemed indestructible. They had an August 21st, Santa Barbara, California wedding with 200 people who would be in attendance, but 48 hours after Govan mailed out the invitations, the nuptials were off. The Mother of Barnes' twin toddler boys actually sent out a text alerting the invitees that there would be no wedding.
Govan, whom many viewers of the show thought to be holier-than-thou and above any relationship stresses, has said that her engagement did not end because of "infidelity or window-smashing, nothing of the sort."
Meanwhile, Barnes sent out a tweet a few hours after his release on his Twitter account regarding the domestic violence incident:
"DON'T LET YOUR EARS WITNESS, WHAT YOUR EYES DIDN'T SEE!!!"
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Hip-hop zillionaire 50 Cent, who is no stranger to drug arrest, offered fellow rapper T.I. and his wife, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, some advice on how to best deal with the recent felony charge that they're facing for possession of a controlled substance.
02-Sep-10 - Iconic rapper T.I., 29, and his new bride, Tameka Cottle, 35, a TV reality star, were arrested Wednesday night in West Hollywood and booked on felony possession of a controlled substance charge.
31-Aug-10 - The eldest of John McCain's four children, Meghan has now publicly revealed her feelings about Sarah Palin in her new book, 'Dirty Sexy Politics.'
27-Aug-10 - Alveda King's decision to join forces with Fox News host Glenn Beck during his bogus March on Washington is likely one of the most shocking and extraordinary political events in recent months.
25-Aug-10 - According to TMZ, superstar producer Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Zachery Mosley, was the subject of a manhunt on Tuesday, after his family believed he was in danger of pulling a Fantasia and committing suicide.
24-Aug-10 - Aid workers in the Congo reported that 200 women and baby boys were gang raped over a four-day period not far from a United Nation's peacekeepers base near a mining district.
23-Aug-10 - Brenda Chaney, a nursing assistant, was not allowed to help the woman up, primarily because she'd left instructions stating that only white aid workers should be able to work with her.
23-Aug-10 - The Associated Press is reporting that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is considering hiring translators to help agents understand the language of drug dealers.
At some point in their career, some of our favorite and most daring starlets have dabbled in bright hair colors. Celebrites like Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Keri Hilson, and Keyshia Cole are no stranger to changing their hair color several times a year with bright bold shades. We've highlighted some of the most notorious bright haired stars in the biz. Check them out!
Rihanna appears to be channeling little orphan Annie with her latest 'do. Although nothing this songstress does with her hair really seems to shock us these days, but it took us awhile to get used to her bold choice of color.
Nicki Minaj changes her hair color as often as some women change their underwear. The Young Money Princess has admitted she likes to switch up her 'do so often to keep from getting bored with it. Orange and green may not be for everyone, but Ms. Minaj you get a pass.
Fantasia isn't afraid of bold colors. The former American Idol contestant experimented with bright reds awhile back to add some flare to her usual short 'do.
Jordin Sparks brought some edge to her girl-next-door look by adding a few fuschia tracks to her dark locks. The rocker look is fun and flirty, which is perfect for the young songstress.
Kelis has always been a show-stopper with her no holds bar attitude, eccentric style and wacky colored hair. The red is a huge improvement from the silver hair she was previously sporting.
Kelly Rowland loved to experiment with color during her Destiny's Child days. Who could forget her blue hair phase? These days the solo songstress is sporting more natural colors.
Keri Hilson is known for switching up her do every now and then. This time around the songstress experimented with some dark red tones. These days though, you can find her sporting an array of blond shades.
Keyshia Cole is definitely a woman who isn't afraid of bright colors! Since entering the game, she's worn just about every shade of orange and red under the sun. Somehow she's made it work. These days Ms. Cole seems to have her heart set on blond.