King James Wants To Honor One Of Basketball’s Greatest

NBA sensation LeBron James strives for retirement of Michael Jordan’s famous jersey number “23”

By: Taren Vaughan


LeBron James is by far one of the most talented NBA superstars of today. Although his talent surpasses many other players’ of his generation, he wants to honor one of the greats that came before him.

LeBron James is attempting to have basketball great Michael Jordan’s jersey number “23” retired in honor of one of his idols. James gives a lot of credit to Michael Jordan for the opportunities that he has had in the sport of basketball. Here’s what LeBron had to say about Jordan’s influence:

“There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe Bryant, no Dwyane Wade if there wasn't the NBA's logo), and if he can't, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23.” –LeBron James

Although LeBron’s efforts support a good cause, an NBA spokesman says that his goal may be hard to reach, considering the fact that "retiring a player's number is a decision that has been made by the teams and not the league”.

James is trying to encourage other NBA players to sign a petition to get Jordan’s jersey number retired. If he is successful, LeBron James wants every player in the league to stop wearing jerseys with the number 23 on them in honor of M.J.. Jordan’s former team, the Chicago Bulls have retired his jersey number but the league has yet to do so. Other professional leagues have retired players’ numbers. So should the NBA retire Jordan’s too?


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Michael Vick To Stay With The Philadelphia Eagles

Despite earlier reports, Michael Vick will remain with the Philadelphia Eagles.

By: Amanda Anderson

Despite recent speculation that Michael Vick would be joining the St. Louis Rams or the Carolina Panthers, Vick will remain with the Philadelphia Eagles according to team sources.

Vick's salary for the upcoming football season is expected to be around $5.25 million.

Coach Andy Reid referring to Vick's wildcat role:

"As a coaching staff, we all have confidence that he'll get in there and do
that. He can run the offense, too. That part of his game. That's a neat thing."

While earlier reports stated that the Eagles may trade Vick before the start of the season, team insiders suggest that they have no plans of letting the 29 year old quarterback go.

Starting quarterback Donovan McNabb's future is still unclear, although earlier reports state that he might be joining the Oakland Raiders.

Source

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Gilbert Arenas Gets Support From Teammate While Awaiting Sentence

NBA star receives moral support during court sentence


By: Taren Vaughan

After his gun pulling incident in the locker room, Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas has been under a lot of stress. Luckily, he has supportive teammates to brighten his day. Washington Wizards' Nick Young attempted to lift Arenas’ spirits before he faced his sentence. Young had a phone conversation with Arenas but sensed that he was still down about his situation.

"I was trying to keep his spirits up. It worked a little bit, but you could tell that it's in his head and he's worried about it" –Nick Young

Former teammate Antawn Jamison also showed his support for Arenas.


“He's too good of a guy to get any kind of jail time.” “He just made a dumb decision and wasn't thinking clearly. Any time you think of jail, you think of really bad people and that's not Gilbert. He already had the season taken away from him. Hopefully he'll be able to come out of it and be well.” –Antawn Jamison


Gilbert Arenas has been very fortunate to dodge jail time. He has been sentenced to two years probation and ordered to reside in a halfway house for 30 days. Hopefully this experience will prevent the talented star from making any more bad decisions.

Setting The Record Straight: Monica Speaks On Beyonce

Singer Monica finally addresses rumored Beyonce beef.

By: Amanda Anderson

For years now, people in the industry have been whispering that Monica doesn't have much love for fellow R&B singer Beyonce. These rumors stem back from the days of Destiny's Child, and haven't managed to quiet down in Beyonce's years as a solo artist.

Apparently, after being asked one too many times on how she really feels about Beyonce, Monica decided to take to her Twitter account to silence the beef rumors once and for all.

Peep the tweets:

I had no idea that Monica and Beyonce have known each other since they were kids. Let the blogs tell it, these two hate each other. And according to some of Monica's recent tweets, she just had a chit chat with Beyonce a couple days ago.

It's good to know that all the females in the business don't really hate each other like the blogs would make us believe.

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Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker Refuses To Reject Health Care Bill

Attorney General Thurbert Baker refuses to file suit against Federal Government over health care bill.

By: Amanda Anderson

A little after a week since the passing of the Health Care bill, members of the Republican party are still plotting ways to "stop" the bill that they are very much against. All over the country, Republicans are attempting to sue the federal government over the constitutionality of the bill. The Republicans believe that it is unconstitutional to require Americans to purchase health care.

Governor Sonny Perdue (Georgia) plans to follow his party, however, he can't seem to get Attorney General Thurbert Baker to hop on board. Baker has refused to take any part in the suit against the federal government. Baker won't support Perdue's decision because he (and others) feels it will be a waste of the tax payer's dollars.

Baker stated in a letter written to Perdue:

"I cannot in good conscience file a lawsuit against the United States that I
believe has little or no chance of success and will undoubtedly consume
significant state resources in a time of severe budgetary crisis."

Although most legal experts claim that the Republicans have no chance of making the lawsuits stick, the Republicans intend to move forward with their plan. While most pundits read the suits merely as pathetic political stunts, it is clear that Purdue will continue with the suit without the aid of Baker. The Governor is said to be considering using a "special Attorney General" to file the suit.

While Baker may just be loyal to the Democratic Party, critics suggest that he is also calculating his own political strategies as he is running for Governor of Georgia.

Only time will tell whether Baker has taken the right side of this political battle that has an entire nation divided.

Source

Jaden Smith Plays New Age Karate Kid

The young talent prepares for his role in remake of classic combat film


By: Taren Vaughan

Whether it’s playing a bad boy or saving the world from vicious aliens, Will Smith always does his thing when it comes to action films.

But he is not the only one in the family who can put up a fight.

Will Smith’s youngest son Jaden will be starring in the remake of 1984 classic film “The Karate Kid”. Smith will be playing an American youth who learns the art of karate from Chinese handyman played by Jackie Chan. Although this may be the first major action film for Jaden, he is no stranger to the big screen. He first debuted starring alongside father Will Smith who actually came up with this new film venture for his son.

"My dad had the idea of remaking it. He's the one who was like, "We need to make this movie."" –Jaden Smith

Jaden has already received an award for his role in the movie. And I am sure there will be more to follow. The movie is set to hit theaters on June 11th of this year.

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Books For Belles: One In A Million By Kimberla Lawson Roby

One in a Million By Kimberla Lawson Roby

By: Taren Vaughan

New York Times Bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby always leaves her readers on the edge of their seats. Author of the Reverend Curtis Black series, Roby’s novel “One in a Million” talks about yet another couple struggling with a problem in their relationship. Like most married women, Kennedi thinks her husband is the greatest man in the world. One day she receives the most exciting news of her life and wants to share it with the love of her life. But little does she know that her “perfect” man has been up to no good. Unfortunately for him, Kennedi’s good news involves her winning a huge amount of money. After discovering her new winnings, Blake, Kennedi’s husband, attempts to make her life a living nightmare. But Blake is not the only one who is doing underhanded things to get Kennedi’s money. Readers will be shocked at some of things that Kennedi endures throughout the book but the ending of the story is something that is definitely unpredictable.

Many readers can relate to the situations that main character Kennedi faced. Dealing with a cheating husband, greedy family members and trifling friends are all things that people have to deal with on a day to day basis. In this book, the reader gets a first hand look at how money can change how people treat you and can bring unexpected visitors back into your life. It also shows how holding on to your faith in God can get you through some of the hardest times in your life. One important thing that readers should recognize is how generous Kennedi was throughout the book. Despite some of the things she had to endure, Kennedi always made sure that she kept her word.

One in a Million is a definite must read. The book reminds readers that who makes you happy can be the exact same person that ruins your life. The content of the book was not explicit at all which makes it great for readers who don’t like the excessive use of profanity. One in A Million is very entertaining from the very beginning of the story to its ending. Another positive aspect of the book is that it is short in length for those who don’t like to take days to finish a book.

Women You Should Know: Sharon Pratt

Meet the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major U.S. city


By: Taren Vaughan

One of the highest populated cities in the United States is Washington, D.C. D.C. is commonly known as the “Chocolate City” due to its large number of African American residents. Most importantly, it is the birthplace of its first black female mayor Sharon Pratt.

Pratt was born on January 30, 1944 to D.C. Supreme Court judge Carlisle Edward Pratt and Mildred Pratt. Following her father’s politic footsteps, Sharon Pratt received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University.

At the start of her political career, Pratt focused her attention on politics that directly affected D.C. As a member of the Democratic National Committees from D.C. from 1977 to 1990, she was the first woman to hold that position. Pratt made history once again in 1983 when she became Vice President of Community Relations at Pepco.

Her reign as mayor of Washington, D.C. began on January 2, 1991. As mayor of D.C., Pratt sought to cut city employment payroll and improve the financial situation of the city. Although she made political history, Pratt lacked support from some people because she was a fair skinned African American woman. Marion Barry defeated Pratt in the 1994 Democratic primary, regaining his position as city mayor.

Currently, Pratt is involved in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness planning through her company Pratt Consulting. Some of her awards include Falk Fellow, Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year Award, and the Congressional Black Caucus’ and the Mary McLeod Bethune-W.E.B. Du Bois Award.

Does Coming From A Single Parent Home Affect Sports Participation In Black Children?

The impact that single parent homes have on black youth’s involvement in sports


By: Taren Vaughan

Participating in sports is usually the most popular past time for African American children. It gives them something fun to do with their friends and classmates. Playing sports also serves as a way to stay physically active. So if there are so many positive aspects of sport participation, why is it that some black children to do not play them?


There are a number of things that can determine whether or not a child participates in sports. Three of the major reasons why kids do not play sports are due to the lack of interest in playing, the costs associated with sport participation and the time that goes into playing the sport. If these factors affect two parent homes, imagine what they do to African American children coming from single parent homes.


In 2000, US Census Bureau reported that 65 percent of African American children grow up without a father in the home. For boys in particular, this could affect their drive to play sports. There are families that do not have the mother in the household which can equally affect a girl’s motivation to play sports. Our parents often times serve as influences when it comes to sport participation. So when they are not in our lives, we lose the urge to play. The absence of a mother or father in the household can have an affect on a children’s involvement in athletics.


Affordability is a huge reason why African American children don’t participate in sports related activities. The cost to play for an AAU basketball or Pop Warner football team can cost hundreds of dollars. It can be much more than that if a parent is paying for more than one child. Membership fees are not the only cost associated with joining these organizations. Parents are responsible for buying their children equipment and uniforms. And if your child is adamant about perfecting their skills, they may want to get a performance trainer which can cost lots of money. How could a single parent possibly afford all of this?


Another reason why black children do not participate in sports as much is due to time restraints. Single parents are normally the ones who are responsible for getting their children back and forth from activities. This limits the child as to what they can participate in and how often. Sports require attendance to both practices and games which can be hard for a single parent to do.


These factors can be determining factors when it comes to our children’s participation in sports. There are single parents out there who manage to have their children in sports programs. But the task can be difficult depending on your financial situation and work schedule.

Source: ArticleBase

Dating On A Budget: How To Date In A Recession

Fun yet affordable places to go out on dates

By: Taren Vaughan

The options are truly unlimited when it comes to places to take your dates. Some people like to be treated to meals at fancy restaurants. Others may enjoy romantic walks in the park. Although there are many choices out there, some of them can be a little pricey. Going out on dates should be enjoyable but should not cost you an arm and a leg to do so.


Here are some activities that you can do on a date that won’t put a dent in your wallet.


Carnivals: Similar to amusement parks, local carnivals are always a good place to take your date. Admission prices are very reasonable for carnivals. In addition to the traditional games and rides, some carnivals have exhibits that you can visit. The best part of going to carnivals is the food selection. By the end of the night, you and your date will have loads of prizes and full stomachs. I like to think of attending carnivals as a two for one deal.

Parks: If you are an outdoor person, a trip to the park is right up your alley. You and your date can take a walk on the trail and enjoy a picnic afterwards. Depending on the park, there may be paddle boats available to get on. The best part about the park is that no admission fee is required to enter. The downside to going to a park is that there may be set hours that the park can be occupied. This may have to be an early date depending on which park you chose.

Downtown Events: In most cities, you can usually catch some sort of event going on downtown. You and your date can listen to local artists perform and hear poetry readings as well. Just like the park, attending events held downtown is free of charge. This dating option is definitely contingent upon how safe your city’s downtown area is. Yes, you want to go on an affordable date but you don’t want to have to watch your back every five minutes.

Skating: During our younger days, one of the popular hang out spots was the skating rink. But who’s to say you won’t have the same amount of fun skating as an adult? Going on dates to the skating rink is a fun way to interact with your date. Admission and skate rental can cost around $10.00 total per person. Depending on your personal preference, you can chose to go ice skating or roller skating.

Other Ideas: Bowling, miniature golf and laser tag are great options for those who like group dating. These places offer sizeable discounts, making the date less expensive.


A few simple adjustments can save you money but still result in a fun filled night. Instead of going to a movie theater, rent some movies. Redbox one day rentals have become the popular thing now with a rental cost of a dollar per movie. The machines are located in front of your neighborhood Harris Teeter and select Walgreen Pharmacy stores. If you are in the mood for a meal, cook dinner with your date instead of traveling to an expensive restaurant to eat.


As you can see, there are definitely ways to have a good time without breaking your pockets. Dating should not be postponed due to a lack of funds. Always remember to be creative when it comes to planning your dates and don’t be afraid to try something new.

Fad Diets: The Quick Yet Temporary Solution To Our Weight Loss Problems

Are diets the best solutions when it comes to losing weight?

By: Taren Vaughan

For many of us, losing weight can be a very overwhelming process. People use various methods to assist them with their weight loss efforts. One of the most popular ways to shed a few pounds is by dieting. There are hundreds of diets out there that people go on. But there are three main diets that those trying to lose weight take part in.


Cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins is the creator of one of the most popular diets today, The Atkins Diet. The Atkins Diet focuses on one’s carbohydrate intake. One of the main goals of the diet is to control the body’s insulin levels. While on this diet, a person will drastically decrease the amount of carbohydrates that they consume, replacing them with foods high in protein. The Atkins Diet is broken up into four phases including the Induction, OWL (Ongoing Weight Loss), Pre-Maintenance and Lifetime Maintenance. I myself have seen people lose weight from being on this diet. The problem was that once they stopped the diet, their weight sky-rocked, making them heavier than they were before.


Another well known diet is The South Beach Diet. Similar to The Atkins Diet, this diet requires a decrease in carbohydrate intake. The South Beach Diet is also broken up into phases where individuals are required to give up their beloved sweets. The creators of The South Beach Diet took it a step further and provided people with the opportunity to purchase frozen meals. South Beach Diet dinners are available in local grocery stores and supercenters.


The third highly recognized diet is The Zone Diet. The Zone Diet is unique in comparison to both The Atkins Diet and The South Beach Diet. This diet actually requires a person to indulge in an almost even balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein. In contrast to other diets, The Zone Diet does not encourage a decrease in the number of calories one consumes. It is more focused on changing what you eat instead.


So why do we resort to these types of dieting methods?


It’s because we want the easy way out. None of these particular diets require a person to do excessive amounts of exercising. This is good news for those who despise going to the gym.


Some diets proclaim that a person will lose weight within the first few days of doing them. This has the potential to be a very unhealthy situation. Weight loss should be a gradual, yet steady, process. Rapid weight loss or gain can permanently damage your body.


One thing we must all remember is that dieting is only a temporary fix. In order to lose weight and keep the pounds off, you have to change your eating habits. It is up to the individual to exhibit self control when it comes to consuming different foods.
Maintaining a healthy weight is a life long process but it can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.

Source: MedicalNewsToday

A Family That Prays: Praising God With The Ones You Love

The importance of praying together as a family

By: Taren Vaughan

Some of the most important people in one’s life are their family members. Through thick and thin, your family is always there for you. They are present during milestone events that happen in your life. From going on trips to amusement parks to going out to eat at restaurants, we participate in numerous activities with our family members. But the one thing that we all should definitely do is pray with our loved ones.

Praying with your family members should stem beyond the dinner table. Families should make it a point to attend Sunday morning services together and other church related events. This is the time where families can hear God’s word and have an opportunity to pray together as one. In addition to praying together on Sunday mornings, family members should make praying a weekly thing to do. Try to find time to pray with your family members during a time of day that is convenient for everyone. This may be a hard task to accomplish but there are definitely ways to make it work.

So what if you and your family members do not reside in the same area?

If you are not in the same city with your family members, you can always pray with them over the phone. Even though you are not in their presence physically, you will still have that spiritual connection with them.

A family that has a close relationship with God is a family that will be abundantly blessed. He wants our families to be spiritually connected to one another. A praying family has a bond that is not easily broken which is very pleasing in the sight of God. When you are praying for yourself, make sure you pray for your family members as well. Having family members praying for you can give you the strength to overcome some of the most trying times. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to pray for yourself as well. Family members should make time to pray with each other and say thank you to God for the things He has blessed us with. If it weren’t God’s blessings, we would not have the opportunity to do leisure activities with our families. We would not be able to overcome the obstacles that we face in our family relationships. A family that prays with open hearts and minds will see God’s work first hand.

Community Colleges vs. Four Year Institutions: Which Pathway Is Right For You?

The pros and cons of attending two year institutions and four year institutions

By: Taren Vaughan

Prior to graduating from high school, most of us began looking at what various colleges and universities have to offer. We look to see what majors are offered, the cost of attendance, social activities and many other factors. Overall, each and every institution has its appealing aspects to it. But there are certain types of colleges that people prefer to attend over others.

There has always been a question as to whether or not community colleges measure up to the standards of four year universities. Some individuals arguably prefer one over the other. But what is it that makes them so different?

One of the major differences between community colleges and four year institutions is the cost of attendance for community colleges and four year institutions. Taking courses at a community college can cost a person a couple hundred dollars. Four year institutions can have tuitions ranging from the low $1,000’s to well over $20,000 per year. This is why most of us are in debt as we speak. The downside to attending a community college is that most of the time, students pay for their classes out of pocket. Financial aid is offered to students who are full time. However, the opportunity for scholarships and grants is not as prevalent as it is at four year institutions.

Even though some community college students have to pay for classes out of pocket, the time it takes to complete the degree programs is great. It takes two years for a person to finish an associate degree program. Degree completion at a four year institution can actually exceed four years depending on your major.

In reference to degrees, a student has more of a selection if they attend a four year institution. Four year colleges also offer minors in addition to majors. Having graduate programs, medical, dental and law schools is one aspect of four year institutions that entices people to attend.

The chance for a student to receive one on one attention from their professors is higher in a community college setting. At large four year institutions like UNC-Chapel Hill, classes can have 200 or more students in them. The class sizes for community college are much smaller in numbers. This gives the students the ability to have more access to their professors if they have questions about their assignments.

Both types of institutions have their positive and negative components to them. Ultimately, the decision to attend a community college versus a four year institution is based on the needs and wants of the individual. A person can still achieve success with a degree from a community college of a four year institution.

Five Helpful Business Tips For The New Entrepreneur

Useful tips that new entrepreneurs should know

By: Taren Vaughan

Starting a new business can be a challenging task for an individual. A lot of people have innovative ideas that never leave the paper that they were written on. There are numerous factors that one must consider before opening up their businesses. Here are just a few of them that new business owners should focus on.

It’s All About Location: The location of your business is a very important thing to consider. Your business should be located in an area that is not too difficult to find. You want your potential consumers to have easy access to your venue. You also want to make sure that you do not open your business in an area that already has numerous businesses that are similar to yours.

What Kind Of Product/Service Will You Offer? : The kind of products or services that you offer to your customers is crucial to the overall success of your business. You must make sure that the product or service is something that is useful to people residing in the area where your business is located. If no one has the desire to buy your product or service, then your business will not become profitable.

Can You Maintain Your Business? : The cost to keep your business running should be considered before the opening of your business. Business owners should be aware of how much building rental is and utility costs.

Be Organized: Maintaining your business can be much easier with one simple word: organization. Organization is essential to the success of any business or organization. Be sure to keep records of everything pertaining to your business especially when you first begin. All documents including legal contracts and bank statements should be kept in a secure location.

Promote, Promote, Promote: As aside from all the other tips listed, promotion is the only way that people will know your business even exists. When it comes to promoting your new business, there are many different options that you can choose from. We are living in a society that gets the majority of their information from media outlets. Sources like the Internet, radio and TV are some of the best ways to put your business’ name out there. Creating flyers is also a good method to use when promoting your business. The only downside associated with flyers is that you have to pay for the design and printing which can be expensive.

These are just some of the many factors to consider when stepping into the world of entrepreneurship.

Style Report: Rihanna

By: Amanda Anderson

A style breakdown of one of Hollywood's most fashionable starlets.

Rihanna is one of the most celebrated superstars in the world of fashion. While she may not be on her road to becoming a fashion icon, she is very worthy of the honorable mentions she receives from the fashion community. Rihanna is bold in her fashion choices and known to take risks that usually work for her. Here’s a closer glimpse of Rihanna’s style over the last couple of years.


1. Trend Watcher.

We can’t give Rihanna all the credit for her fabulous fashion choices, since it’s clear that Rihanna and her style team pay close attention to the runways. The thing that works for Rihanna particularly well is her close eye to the latest collections. Rihanna spots the trends from the top fashion shows and implements them into her own wardrobe.

To maintain a sense of originality, she always manages to be one of the first stars to wear the newest trends. While other stars and fashionistas wait for the approval of the fashion editors before wearing an edgy trend from the runways, Rihanna doesn’t feel the need to get an approval. With this technique, Rihanna will continue to be a leader in fashion trends.



2. Signature Hair Styles.

When Rihanna first came into the music scene, she rocked the long hair look that didn’t seem to help her stand out among the other R&B starlets. Rihanna knew that one of the most crucial pieces to creating a killer and stand out style was to dramatically change her hair style.

She cut her hair into an asymmetrical bob to symbolize growth and a new level of maturity around the time of her second album, Good Girl Gone Bad . She also changed her hair from a dark blondish tone to a very gothic black. The cut worked perfectly, as women around the world ran to their stylists requesting the “Rihanna” hair cut.

She even went shorter and the short hair has become an essential part of Rihanna’s look.

3. Always Make A Statement.


Rihanna believes in dressing how she feels. When she was going through the dramatic break-up with Chris Brown after a violent attack, she wore comfortable and very casual clothes. She also travels in comfortable and funky clothes, usually sporting chic jeans with funky tops.

4. Use Accessories to Bring the Drama.

Rihanna loves accessories and she uses them to her advantage. She loves chunky earrings, classic gloves, and gothic spikes.

5. Bold And Beautiful.

Rihanna may follow fashion trends consistently, but she also pays close attention to beauty trends. She’s also not afraid to go bold with her make-up, and known to rock a red or hot pink lip occasionally. Dark colors look great on Rihanna and she wears these colors well.

 

6. A Killer Shoe Game

Rihanna’s that girl that always manages to get the last pair of the shoes that you absolutely love. She’s versatile when it comes to her shoe game. Rihanna rocks everything from sneakers to open toe knee boots.

Rihanna may not be a trend setter, but she definitely knows how to use the trends to make a statement. While most trendy ladies look like duplicates of one another, Rihanna manages to stand out despite her faithfulness to following fashion trends. She isn’t a fashion icon, but she is still one of the most exciting starlets to watch when it comes to style.

Make God The Center of Your Life

By: Amanda Anderson

Life is extremely tough. While it’s painful to bear, we must go through trials and tribulations. There will even be moments when we feel like giving up, and that’s when we have to humble ourselves enough to call on God to get us through. Contrary to belief, God doesn’t necessarily expect us to fight our own battles. He would very much rather we depend on Him.


I haven’t always included God in my life. In those times, life beat me down until I was broken down completely. I honestly had nowhere else to go, and no one really understood what I was going through. It was at this moment that I decided to include God in my life.


One of the smartest things I could have ever done was to make God the head of my life. I depend on him for guidance, protection; and he always provides. He has his own timing, but He really does take care of those who make Him the center of their lives.


It doesn’t matter what you are going through or how alone you feel. Make God the center of your life, and He will provide in more ways than you thought possible. They don’t call him the Almighty for nothing.

Get Keri Hilson's Grammy Look

Tips on how to get Keri Hilson's grammy look.

By: Amanda Anderson


Keri Hilson has to be one of the most gorgeous song birds in the industry right now. The great thing about Keri is she doesn’t mind changing up her look. She’s versatile and absolutely one of my favorites when it comes to the red carpet. With this diva, you never know what look she is going to rock. Out of all her amazing appearances on the red carpet, by far her Grammy’s look has to be one of my absolute favorites. Celebrity

make-up artist Ashunta Sheriff is responsible for the singer’s flawless face that evening.


Here’s how you can get Keri Hilson’s grammy look.


1. Start out with a clean and moisturized face.


"Before applying makeup, always start with clean, toned and moisturized skin. I use Mary Kay's TimeWise Targeted-Action Eye Revitalizer to refresh tired eyes. I love Enessa Neroli Oil Spray to tone skin and make skin glow. To finish, prep skin with La Mer Moisturizer."


2. Create a great foundation and glow a little.


Sheriff knows that a great foundation is crucial in creating the perfect look. After she created a base with Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, she then used COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Compact Foundation to create the perfect finish. To create a glow, she used COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer.


"I love for Keri to look flawless because she has such a beautiful bone structure," says Sheriff, who used Smashbox Photo Finish Primer to give as a base to ensure Hilson's makeup has lasting wear ability.”


3. It’s all in the cheeks.



On the night of the Grammy’s, Hilson wore a Dolce and Gabbana mermaid style dress made up of soft peach tones. To compliment the look, Sheriff thought it would be best to use blush that contained similar peachy tones. Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream was her choice.


"I love the soft peach tones of her dress so I accented Keri's cheeks with Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream which has a subtle cotton candy rose tone with a beautiful shimmer to it, so cheeks just glow."


4. The eyes never lie.


"Keri wanted to have a jewel tone smoke so I chose a beautiful deep purple shade from Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Sweet Plum on her lids and lower lash line. As a base to intensify the purple shadow I applied COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast in Purple Plume. Then I created depth using Tigi Bed Head Big Fat Fun Liner in Purple and COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara in Black to top the look, coating both bottom and top lashes three times. I used Ja’Maal Buster's Lash Line to add that extra drama for red carpet flare."


5. Skip the traditional nude lip.


"I didn't want to do just a nude lip and smoky eye so instead I went retro - think Kevyn Aucoin meets Naomi Campbell in the 90's with a deeper liner using Mary Kay Lip Liner in Berry. I lined lips then used a brush to blend the liner out so it had soft edges then used COVERGIRL Queen Collection Lip Gloss in Pearled Peach in the center of the lips to create the perfect pout."


6. Get the perfect brows.


Eyebrows are essential to one’s complete look.


"Brows frame the face and I love Keri's brows because they are naturally high arched but also full. So I fill them in with Dior Universal Brow Pencil then brush them with Dior Shiny Blonde Brow Gel so they shimmer with a golden glow."


7. Glow all over.


"Keri's dress was amazing and really showed off her curves so I wanted her skin to glow. I used Sally Beauty Body Glow Shimmer spray to give her body that shimmery glow."

Yes The President Is Black, but HBCUs Are Still Needed

Despite the election of President Obama, HBCUs are still a vital part of the African American community.

By: Amanda Anderson

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been a major part of our culture for many years. While these institutions were created at a time when blacks could not attend the same universities as whites, these universities have established their own legacies by providing quality education to African Americans. While we can all agree that HBCUs were needed at a time when segregation was in full force, many argue today that these institutions no longer have a role in today’s society.


After the election of the nation’s first black president, some people have become delusional to the race relations of the country. Yes, it was a wonderful day to see a black family in the white house, but the historical election has not managed to end all racism.


Nor has the election of President Obama managed to improve the overall living conditions and economic hurdles of the African American race. According to statistics, we have the highest rate of unemployment during the recession. The rate of unemployment in the black community nearly doubles the national rate of 9%. Contrary to belief, our issues won’t disappear just because our president is a black man.


HBCUs provide African American students with opportunities that still hold importance today. Only at a HBCU was I able to learn the true history of my people. In public schools around the country, students were only exposed to a watered down version of African American history which only focused on the Civil Rights Movement. HBCUs offer real African American history courses that provides student with the entire story on our race. I learned a lot about myself while taking this course. And for most of these schools, it is required that every student takes a course in African American history.


Another advantage of attending a HBCU is the opportunity to be around your own people. It was beautiful to go to campus each day and see people that looked like me in all of my courses. We hear so many negative statistics daily regarding our lack in strong education, but it feels good to see thousands of black students pursuing higher education. I know some will argue that HBCUs only promote segregation in the new age, but we all know that it is simply not the whole truth. After we graduate from our chosen predominately black universities, we will enter a world where we are once again in the minority. For four years, I was in the majority. And I appreciated my time in college because I knew that I would never be able to experience anything like it ever again.


And lastly, the experiences HBCUs provide students are like no other. I had professors that truly cared about me. Sure, they made me work extremely hard in my courses, but they genuinely cared about me. I wasn’t just another number to them like I would have been in a more traditional institution. They knew my name and they knew my character. When I needed support or advice, they were also there to offer me whatever it was that I needed. And even after graduation, they are still very much a part of my life.


I established the strongest friendships I have ever had while I attended at HBCU. Campus life is truly a one of a kind experience on the campus of a HBCU. Even friends of mine that attended more traditional universities wish they could have experienced the campus life that I lived for four years.


I hope these institutions will be around for many more years to come, so more students can experience the things that I was so fortunate to experience. These moments have changed my life for the better and I will be forever grateful.

Facebook Can Ruin Your Relationship

How to protect your relationship from the dangers of Facebook.

By: Amanda Anderson

Good old Facebook! It's a great place to reconnect with long lost friends and family members, and it's also a great place to end your relationship in front of your entire friends list. While I am not one of those unlucky people to have a public break up for cyberspace to see, I have seen it happen so much, that it makes me wonder if some of us just don't understand the big no no's of Facebook. Sure, you may be one of the lovebirds whom feel as if your relationship is too tough to break, but just how sure about that are you? Honestly, I'm pretty sure those who broke up in my news feed thought the same thing in their happier days. So how can your relationship survive Facebook? I'll tell you how.

　

1. Don't blast your significant other in your status. Status blasting has to be one of the surest ways to destroy your relationship. If your beau has done something that you really don't like, your best bet is to tell him about it and not your friends list. There is nothing worst than telling the world you're mad at your partner before you even sit down and tell him you're angry.

I mean who really wants to log on to facebook and see that that their spouse or partner is pissed off at them and they thought everything was cool? And to top it off, they see a whole bunch of your little ignorant friends commenting on something that they really know nothing about. You see Facebook is like real life to the third degree. Only on Facebook can all your enemies, loved ones, haters, and strangers have the same access to your life. And thanks to the book, your personal life is now on display.

The next time there's trouble in paradise, I encourage you to pick up the phone before you type in that "What's on your mind?" box.

And yes, subliminal statuses do count. You're not fooling anyone either. So just stop it.

2. Beware of the Facebook Wall Stalkers. Now we all know there are some evil people in this world just waiting to put that final nail in the coffin in your relationship. These people lurk around on your profile page, and they already know that you are in a committed relationship. And although they know you're taken, they keep getting an itch to sign your wall and say some things that you know your partner won't like too much.

The best way to handle these people is to tell your partner about them before it even gets out of hand. Keep the communication open, and be sure to delete that crazy person as soon as possible.

Some people just like to cause drama and they won't be happy until you are miserable. And that's not friendly behavior, so why keep them on your friends list?

3. Don't treat notes like your diary entries. I know we all have to get things off our chests sometimes, but do you really have to write that long note and tag everybody to it? I know you're upset, but please just pick up the phone and tell your partner about it.

Notes are just as dangerous as status blasting.

4. Keep your private life PRIVATE. We don't need to know every little detail of your relationship. I have a lot of Facebook friends, but the most annoying ones are the people who have to broadcast every little thing they do on their statuses. They have to tell you everyday that they have a boyfriend or boo, and they have no shame tagging that poor man into every status update either. And it gets worse when they get into a relationship. They just have to make sure you know that they are not single. And if that relationship ends, everyone on Facebook has to know about it. Please don't be one of these people.

Does everyone need to know your relationship status? No, they don't. And honestly, the only time you should update your relationship status is if you get married. That change requires a change to your government name and it's recognized in every state. If you are in a relationship, you're still single. Your last name is the same since birth, and what you have may not last. And according to the law, you will remain single until you're married.

And it's tricky to tag someone in a relationship because when that relationship ends, it pops up in everyone's news feed. You should be secure enough in yourself that it doesn't bother you what other people think. if people think you're not dating anyone, who cares? There are plenty of confident women who are happy in their relationships and they don't care if Facebook doesn't know about it. Marriage is permanent, dating isn't. Only make profile changes for permanent things. That way, you won't be that couple that broke up in my news feed.

I know some people won't agree with this list, but this is how I manage to have fewer problems in my private life. If your relationship or marriage really means a lot to you, treat it that way. When you have problems, take them to your partner to work them out. Facebook is fun, but it shouldn't ruin relationships, friendships, or marriages. And if more people adhered to this list, just maybe it wouldn't

Cervical Cancer Linked to Multiple Sex Partners

Research shows that cervical cancer can be caused by having multiple sex partners.

By: Amanda Anderson


Cervical Cancer is known as the silent killer of women of all backgrounds and racial groups. While it may not be the number one cause of death amongst women, it is surely an illness that has already taken many lives. Cervical Cancer is the third most common cancer in women. One of the biggest concerns of the illness is the lack of knowledge most women have concerning causes and preventive measures. Most medical researchers are still in the process of determining all the causes of the deadly disease, but early research findings have linked one's sexual history to the probability of developing the cancer.

According to research, the number of sexual partners a woman has had in her lifetime plays a huge role in the likelihood of developing the cancer. Studies show that women who have had multiple sexual partners are at more risk of contracting cervical cancer than women who do not have multiple partners.

Multiple sex partners increases a woman's chances of developing the cancer because women who have multiple partners are more likely to contract HPV (Human papillomavirus). HPV is one of the most significant causes in cervical cancer. Although there are about 46 types of HPV, there is a type that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. This type of HPV can cause abnormal cell growth, which eventually becomes cervical cancer. Almost all cases of the cancer are caused by HPV.

In addition, a woman is greatly at risk if she sleeps with a man who has had many sexual partners. Not only is a man with a history of many partners more likely to transmit HPV, but he can also transmit cervical cancer from a partner who has the cancer.

Another important factor of a woman's sexual history that can play a factor in being diagnosed with cervical cancer is the age she began to have sex. Research findings indicate that women who started having sex before the age of 18 are more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Although cervical cancer is deadly, it is 100% preventable.

Pap smears play a huge role in saving lives. Most women discover the cancer from pap smears. If abnormal cells are found from a pap smear, a colposcopy will be crucial to determine if a woman has developed cancer. Women should get pap smears as soon as they become sexually active, or at the age of 20 if they are not sexually active.

Safe sex is also a way to prevent developing cervical cancer. There are female and male condoms on the market now, and condoms can prevent the risk of HPV. It is also important to know that HPV can be transmitted through oral sex and skin contact. So be sure to wear a condom during oral sex and make sure your partner has been tested for HPV before any foreplay.

There are also vaccines available to prevent cervical cancer. In 2006, Gardisil was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine prevents the two forms of HPV that lead to cancer.

Smoking also causes cervical cancer. If you are a smoker, quit immediately.

While these methods are great preventive measures, the best way to protect yourself is to limit the number of sexual partners that you have. Celibacy is the best way, but the less sexual partners you have, the lower your risk may be. Also refrain from having sex with men who engage in risky sexual activities and have a high number or sexual partners.

Protect yourself and remember that your life is worth it.

Source & Source

Are You Careless With Your Money?

Are you just throwing your money away?

By: Amanda Anderson


We live in a world where money is on just about everyone’s mind. The country is in one of the worst recessions in the nation’s history, and we are learning now more than ever that we didn’t treat money the way it should be treated. When we had it, we weren’t necessarily responsible with it. In fact, those that made up the middle class, spent most of their money trying to imitate the wealthy class. We relied on credit cards to pay for items we just honestly couldn’t afford, and we create more debt than we create wealth in our entire lifetime.


While you may not think that you handle your money carelessly, you might be spending way more money than you should. Here a few of the top ways people are careless with their money.


1. Spending way too much money on designer labels.

It’s a recession, so why is anyone still trying to keep up with Jones’? I know that you might see a lot of your favorite celebrities rocking expensive designer clothing, but the truth is they didn’t pay for most of the labels that they wear. Behind the scenes, designers send celebrities garments to persuade the public to purchase their clothes. So while you paid $1500 for that designer bag Beyonce rocked the other week, Beyonce didn’t spend a dime for it. And if she did, she didn’t have to put it on a credit card. When it comes to good fashion, designer labels don’t always equal good style. And you’re not paying for good fashion; you’re paying for a name. That’s not what fashion is really about. Don’t go broke trying to prove how fashionable you are. Wear what you can afford and be proud of it.


2. Treating your credit cards like cash.

Credit cards are responsible for most of the debt that people accumulate in their lifetime. If you can’t afford something, don’t be so quick to pull out your credit card. If the purchase isn’t an emergency or something that you really need, take the proper time to save for it.

3. Creating too many bills.

Do you really need a new car or are you just creating more bills than you need to? Keep your monthly bills to a minimum and only take on new debt if you really have to. If you are only creating new debt to impress others, you need to re-evaluate your understanding of money.


When it comes to money, you will find that most people go into debt to impress other people. And usually, it’s people that we don’t like or don’t even know. It’s not smart to go into debt for people that don’t even mean that much to you. Make better decisions with your money. By doing so, you might even be able to accumulate wealth.

Kanye West And Taraji P. Henson Set To Appear On “The Cleveland Show”

Grammy Award winning producer and Academy Award nominated actress team up for animated TV show


By: Taren Vaughan

Producer/Rapper Kanye West is known for making some outrageous comments. But now Roc-A-Fella superstar gets a chance to bring his vocals to the world of animation.

West, along with Academy Award nominted actress Taraji P. Henson, will be making a guest appearance on the cartoon comedy “The Cleveland Show”.

Taraji P. Henson will be playing Kanye’s love interest in the episode. Cleveland Jr., one of the main characters of the show, falls hard for Taraji’s character, causing a rift between Cleveland Jr. and Kanye’s character. Instead of handling things with a fight, they take their differences to the mic for a rap battle.

Who knows this could be the start of Kanye’s career in television. As for Taraji P. Henson, her sense of humor will be perfect for the show. The episode is scheduled to air some time this spring.

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Laila Ali Delivers Inspirational Speech To Scholarship Winners

Detroit students hear motivational speech from boxing great

By: Taren Vaughan

Laila Ali has a true love for the sport of boxing. But she is even more passionate about educating and motivating our youth.

The former boxing champion spoke at an awards ceremony honoring Kroger Black Month contest winners. In her speech, Ali addressees the “Three P’s”: passion, plan and practice. She stressed the importance of each one and how they are essential to one’s success. Director of Kroger’s Michigan Division Rick Grogan was very pleased with his selection for keynote speaker.

"Laila has a unique ability to connect with young people and encourage them to reach new heights," he said. "She has achieved so much at a young age, and we feel honored to have her as a role model for students being recognized during our annual I Can Make History awards banquet." -Rick Grogan

Beyonce's Not Pregnant Sony Rep Says

Despite the rumors, Hip-Hop's favorite couple isn't expecting.

By: Amanda Anderson

Sorry Bigga fans, Beyonce and Jay-Z are NOT expecting. I know we all hoped it would be true this time, but despite the circulation of the rumor, the Hip-Hop couple is not expecting. Despite the reports on various blogs and media sources, Beyonce is definitely not pregnant.

After two days of silence and refusal to answer, a representative from Sony records has finally made a statement regarding the rumor. The rep simply tells Rolling Stone that the rumor is "untrue."

Media Take Out, one of the largest Urban blog sites, is the originator of the pregnancy rumor this time around. On Thursday morning, the site stated that a "rock solid source" had confirmed the pregnancy and that Beyonce was resting.

This rumor is quite predictable as each year there is some random "source" that "confirms" Beyonce's pregnancy. She has been pregnant for the last 4 years.

Until there are pregnancy pictures or confirmation from reps, don't hold your breath folks.

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Rep. Artur Davis Seeks To Become Alabama's First Black Governor While Distancing From Obama's Health Care Bill

Rep. Artur Davis opposes health care bill as he runs for Governor of Alabama.

By: Amanda Anderson

Representative Artur Davis has his eyes set upon becoming the first African American governor of the state of Alabama. He has already had an impressive career as a four term congressman in Alabama's 7th congressional district. Although he is a member of the Democratic party and an ally of President Obama, he has chosen to distance himself from Obama's controversial health care bill in hopes to clench the Democratic nomination for governorship in Alabama.

Davis joined 33 other Democrats in opposing Obama's health care bill on Tuesday. Originally, Davis voted against the House version of the bill in November. The Democratic party did not feel an urge to persuade Davis into changing his political stance on health care, and one can imagine that they have no desire to jeopardize his chances for governorship in a red state where most citizens are not in support of the bill.

Although the party may understand his choice, his refusal to vote for the bill is not without its criticism. Most argue that the people in his district are in dire need of health care reform. In Alabama, 19% of the population is currently without health insurance. This percentage is much higher than the national rate.

Donny Osmond's Not Too Happy With Lady Gaga and Beyonce

Another celebrity calls out Lady Gaga's over-the-top style.

By: Amanda Anderson

Donny Osmond is the latest celebrity to publicly address his growing discontentment with Lady Gaga's new video "Telephone," which also features Pop heavyweight Beyonce like we've never seen her before. While the music video premiered only a couple of weeks ago, it has now reached over a billion web views. The song may be a hit on the Billboard charts, but it's controversial nature has caused quite a stir. Many question rather Lady Gaga (and Beyonce) may have gone too far.

Osmond took to the press and said the following concerning the music video:

"Unlike 20 years ago, in today's modern, viral world in which content becomes
instantaneously available irrespective of age, I wonder whether the music
industry might need to rethink its marketing policies with regard to making an
explicit music video containing profanity, sexual exploitation, nudity, and
graphic violence available to anyone with Internet access. I wouldn't want my child to watch this video."

Fans are even complaining about a recent painting (created by a Lady Gaga fan) depicting both stars as lesbian lovers.

While we all expect Lady Gaga to push the envelope (even Kanye West has proclaimed her to be this generation's Madonna), I'm not sure if fans are too enthusiastic to see Beyonce join the ride.

Just last week, singer India Arie took to Twitter to question Lady Gaga's raw image.

Regardless of the controversy, Telephone continue sit pretty on the charts and remain one of the most viewed Youtube videos of all time.

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Hong Kong-Born Singer Wants To Do Song With Alicia Keys

Potential collaboration will be a unique one for Grammy Award winning singer


By: Taren Vaughan



We all know just how talented Alicia Keys is. She has collaborated with numerous artists throughout her musical career. But this may be the most interesting collaboration for her yet.


Hong Kong-born singer/actress Leslie Loh has expressed interest in working with Keys. Although their musical styles have their differences, Loh believes that her and Alicia Keys would make a great duo considering their backgrounds in classical music:

"One person I would love to work with is Alicia Keys. I know it's normal to get similiar styles with a collaboration-like her work with Jay-Z-but I think it could work well" -Leslie Loh


Loh, like Alicia Keys, is amazing when it comes to playing the piano. But she has always desired to dabble in the R&B and Pop/Rock genres. Working with Alicia Keys will give her the opportunity to do so.


I am looking forward to this possible collaboration. This duet could lead to more projects for Loh and Keys. Alicia Keys has yet to comment on Loh's desire to work with her but I believe that we will hear a song from them in the near future.

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