'Precious' wins big at 41st NAACP Image Awards
By theGrio
11:31 AM on 02/27/2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The heart-wrenching tale of an illiterate and abused teen who finds hope in a Harlem classroom was named outstanding motion picture...
Gary Coleman suffers seizure on 'The Insider' set
By theGrio
5:51 PM on 02/26/2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gary Coleman suffered a seizure on the set of "The Insider" TV show on Friday and received immediate treatment from Dr. Drew Pinsky...
Why audiences should opt-out of 'Cop Out'
2:14 PM on 02/26/2010
REVIEW - The forced and awkward feel of 'Cop Out' makes you long for the days when the action-comedy blend went down more smoothly. ..
Diversity in the arts celebrated at Image Awards
By theGrio
1:21 PM on 02/26/2010
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mary J. Blige, Morgan Freeman, and Jamie Foxx are among the stars set to celebrate diversity in the arts at the 41st annual NAACP Image Awards on Friday...
Slideshow: 15 films that hurt black America
By theGrio
9:06 AM on 02/26/2010
These films remind us that we still have a long way to go when it comes to portraying our culture and lifestyle accurately and respectfully on the big screen...
Tyler Perry's off-screen performances are worthy of NAACP honor
By Talia Whyte
7:59 AM on 02/26/2010
OPINION - While I question his method behind his movie characters, at least Perry puts his money where his mouth is to support causes and issues he cares about...
White sorority victory at step competition causes a stir
8:07 AM on 02/25/2010
OPINION - There's more to be gained by sharing black history and culture. The problem arises when the culture is not being fully presented...
Mo'Nique prepares for comedy tour
By theGrio
9:23 AM on 02/24/2010
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mo'Nique won the Golden Globe. She also picked up a SAG Award. And don't forgot about her most recent honor this week at the BAFTA's...
CBS fights '04 Jackson 'wardrobe malfunction' fine
By theGrio
8:39 AM on 02/24/2010
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - CBS argued anew Tuesday that it should not be held responsible for the half-second of nudity...
Fire at famed Philly music company is ruled arson
By theGrio
8:39 AM on 02/24/2010
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A two-alarm fire that damaged the building where the "Sound of Philadelphia" was born has been ruled an arson...
Parents angry at 'American Idol' contestant
By theGrio
8:17 AM on 02/22/2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Parents are complaining they never got refunds for performance fees in a failed musical production Todrick Hall wrote and directed...
How to find 15 minutes of fame in reality TV
8:03 AM on 02/22/2010
OPINON - The method is simple: Find either an overly aggressive black woman and a lazy black man, give them a script and audiences will eat it up...
'High School Musical' star Corbin Bleu talks to theGrio about new Broadway role
By Alex Presha
6:59 PM on 02/19/2010
VIDEO - Bleu talks about the his new role, race on Broadway and the evolution of Hollywood...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Black Entertainment News – 2/28/10
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Anita Baker Almost Went to Jail?
Singing great Anita Baker barely missed going to jail Friday in a dispute with her ex-husband over music royalties. The 52-year old Baker found herself in a heated battle with Walter Bridgforth, her ex-husband, over the details of their divorce settlement.
"I'm so happy. ... I have never been in such a position before," Baker said in the hallway outside court. "And we don't intend to ever be in such a position ever again. I just wanna go home,and I'm happy to go home. ... As horrific as it could have been, it was lovely to feel supported, though, on the other end."
Baker was faced with a deadline Wednesday to sign documents that empower court-appointed music contract expert Howard Hertz to obtain information from record labels regarding how much Baker owed her ex-husband. The deadline passed and Baker still had not signed. This led to the Wayne County Chief Family Court Judge Lita Masini Popke ordering Baker to either show up in court on Friday or go to jail.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Dalai Lama Gives Advice to Tiger Woods
The Dalai Lama said Saturday that he had - somehow - never heard of Tiger Woods.
When Woods' sex scandal was explained to him, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader emphasized the importance of self-discipline.
All religions have the same idea "when it comes to adultery," he said.
"Whether you call it Buddhism or another religion, self-discipline, that's important. . . . Self-discipline with awareness of consequences."
Woods, in his carefully scripted apology on Friday, struck a similar line.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Black Entertainment News – 2/20/10
Depardieu says he's not too white to play Dumas
By theGrio
3:54 PM on 02/19/2010
BERLIN (AP) -- Gerard Depardieu has rejected the discussion over his right to play mixed-race author Alexandre Dumas because he is a blue-eyed blonde...
Rap star says Romney got physical with him on plane
By theGrio
1:14 PM on 02/19/2010
BOSTON (AP) - A rap star says former Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney first touched him -- and not the other way around...
Fan gets jail time for text-stalking Ashanti's mother
By theGrio
11:16 AM on 02/19/2010
NEW YORK (AP) - A delusional fan who unleashed his crude fantasies about Ashanti in a battery of text messages to her mother was sentenced to two years in jail...
'High School Musical' star Corbin Bleu talks to theGrio about new Broadway role
By Alex Presha
9:26 AM on 02/19/2010
VIDEO - Bleu talks about the his new role, race on Broadway and the evolution of Hollywood...
New film 'Blood Done Sign My Name' recreates 1970 battle against segregation
By Todd Johnson
8:34 AM on 02/19/2010
VIDEO - A new film looks at how the tragic murder of a Vietnam veteran prompted a small North Carolina town's black community to stand up and fight back...
Hollywood's most overlooked resource: black female directors
8:22 AM on 02/19/2010
OPINION - It took 74 years for the Academy Awards to acknowledge a black female as best actress. How long will it be before black woman is nominated for best director?...
New Sade album goes gold in first week
By theGrio
5:29 PM on 02/17/2010
NEW YORK (AP) - An army of fans -- more than 500,000 of them -- went out to support Sade's latest CD, "Soldier of Love," giving the group their first No. 1 disc in 20 years...
Marley Family Livid Over New Book Release
Ky-Mani Marley, a Grammy Award-nominated reggae and hip-hop artist, penned "Dear Dad: Where's the family in our family, today?'' which was released this month by Farrah Gray Publishing in celebration of Marley's 65th birthday.
The issue between author and publisher lies mainly in the extra coverline: "The Story The Marley Family Apparently Doesn't Want You To Know.''
In an online statement, Ky-Mani says the caption is unauthorized: "I did NOT authorize him to make any changes to the cover of my book, nor do I condone any of the captions he has written!''
Further, Ky-Mani told The Gleaner, a Jamaican newspaper, that he was considering legal action against the Gray, saying he simply wanted to tell his story without causing any conflict. He told the newspaper the title was changed from "Dear Dad: The Marley Son Who Persevered From The Streets To Prominence."
But Dr. Farrah Gray, the publisher, stands by the book, saying he worked with Marley every step of the way. He said that Marley wrote the book using a ghostwriter and the interviews were recorded.
"I didn't write his book,'' Gray told BV on Books. "I published it. He did the final edit. Now he's issuing a statement that he didn't approve it...for those of us who believe in one love, Ky-Mani Marley's story deserves light. He's throwing me under the bus and going on a smear campaign, but I have the tapes. The tapes are worse and he doesn't want those publicized.''
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tiger Woods’ Does a Press Conference - Finally
Today, Tiger Woods finally did what everyone expected him to do: He spoke out on his own behalf. The world waited for months to hear a peep from the man who has decided to do one of the greatest disappearing acts the sports world has ever seen. When there was no Tiger, there was no professional golf.
The press conference was starting on the wrong foot, as there was buzz of a boycott from golf writers, who felt that Tiger was not giving proper respect to media by refusing to allow them to ask questions. There was also the ire communicated from his fellow golfers, such as Ernie Els, who called Tiger "selfish" for giving his press conference on a Friday, during a tournament sponsored by Accenture.
What Ernie Els failed to remember is that Accenture is the company that dropped Tiger when he was being embarrassed by the media. There is no reason that Tiger should be the least bit hesitant about stealing the headlines away from their golf tournament. Perhaps had Accenture not decided to abandon Tiger, he might not have abandoned them.
His mother was there, the PGA Commissioner was there, and one of Tiger's roommates from college was in attendance. What was missing from the press conference? Well, the press. I'm not sure if you can actually call this a press conference when you've chosen to exclude the media. The other glaring absence from the room was Tiger's wife, Elin.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
African American News – 2/18/10
NATION
Obama Spokesman Robert Gibbs Tweets For Posterity
By News One February 18, 2010 11:13 am
Read more about Obama Spokesman Robert Gibbs Tweets For Posterity
TAGS: Barack Obama, Obama Administration, Robert Gibbs, social media,technology, Twitter
OBAMA
Obama Looking To Hire Social Media Manager
By News One February 18, 2010 11:08 am
Read more about Obama Looking To Hire Social Media Manager
TAGS: Barack Obama, Obama Administration, social media, technology,Twitter
NATION
Duke Rape Accuser Charged With Trying To Kill Boyfriend And Arson
By Associated Press February 18, 2010 10:15 am
Read more about Duke Rape Accuser Charged With Trying To Kill Boyfriend And Arson
TAGS: Arson, domestic violence, Duke, North Carolina
SPORTS
Shani Davis Wins Gold In Men’s 1,000 Speedskating
By Associated Press February 18, 2010 9:10 am
Read more about Shani Davis Wins Gold In Men’s 1,000 Speedskating
TAGS: Olympics
NATION
8 Missionaries Freed By Haitian Judge Return To U.S.
By Associated Press February 18, 2010 8:58 am
Read more about 8 Missionaries Freed By Haitian Judge Return To U.S.
TAGS: Haiti
JUST CURIOUS
JUST CURIOUS: Is Motherhood A Valid Excuse To Ditch The Army?
By News One February 18, 2010 1:50 am
Read more about JUST CURIOUS: Is Motherhood A Valid Excuse To Ditch The Army?
TAGS: Army, black families, black soldiers, Single Mothers
SPORTS
Tiger To End Months Of Silence With Press Conference Friday
By Associated Press February 17, 2010 4:18 pm
Read more about Tiger To End Months Of Silence With Press Conference Friday
TAGS: sex scandals, Tiger Woods
NATION
Haiti Judge To Free 8 Of 10 U.S. Missionaries Accused Of Kidnapping
By News One February 17, 2010 4:10 pm
Read more about Haiti Judge To Free 8 Of 10 U.S. Missionaries Accused Of Kidnapping
TAGS: Haiti
What? Man Throws Baby from a Bridge
A New Jersey man snatched his infant daughter from the arms of the child's grandmother and threw the baby off a bridge into the New Jersey river. The child's mother was in court at the time seeking a restraining order.
Acting New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow referred to the incident as "an example of a horrific case of domestic violence."
Police say that the girl's father, 21-year-old Shamsiddi Abdur-Raheem of Galloway Township, allegedly forced himself into the grandmother's apartment at 4 pm on Thursday. According to reports, he then struck her in the face, choked her and took the baby from her. The grandmother chased after Abdur-Raheem and was hit when she threw herself in the path of his van.
Abdur-Raheem was arrested four hours later when he allegedly confessed to police that he threw the child from the bridge. He then went to consult with his Imam, who drove him to a relative's house to call police. Abdur-Raheem has been charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, aggravated assault and child endangerment.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Dr. Boyce Speaks on Russell Simmons
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World
Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons seems to feel that banks are not treating the poor in a proper fashion. This week, in a rant on his site, “The Global Grind,” Simmons had this to say:
“They trick customers into doing things that are not good for them through lack of transparency, and surprise them with new fees when they can least afford it. I’m learning an important lesson about ethics or lack of ethics in this industry. In fact, I’m fighting with a bank right now that doesn’t know what kind of ass whipping they are going to get when I expose them for the abusive practices and exuberant fees they are charging the poor. What they are doing is trying to double their already outrageously high fees in exchange for providing absolutely nothing to my customers.”
Simmons went on to try to create a “movement” by adding a call to action:
“Let’s start the biggest public discussion ever about how banks treat us and expose these banks for their unequal treatment and unconscionable conduct. The time is now.”
Black News: Officers Won’t Be Charged in Sean Bell Shooting
Federal authorities will not pursue charges against the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Sean Bell, the unarmed bridegroom who died in a hail of police bullets outside a Queens strip club just hours before his wedding.
Prosecutors said there was "insufficient evidence" that Bell's civil rights were violated when undercover officers unloaded on a car carrying Bell and two friends on a Jamaica street in November, 2006.
Three officers were acquitted in 2008, including Michael Oliver, who police said reloaded while firing 31 of the 50 shots that filled the vehicle and surrounding streets.
Kevin Eubanks Leaving the Tonight Show
When Jay Leno goes back to theTonight Show, he may need to find a new musical sidekick: Bandleader Kevin Eubanks is said to be leaving Leno's side after 18 years.
NBC so far has not officially confirmed the latest shock wave to hit Leno's show, first reported by L.A. radio K-EARTH 101 and also being reported by the New York Times.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Students Killed at University of Alabama Huntsville
U. Alabama Huntsville is confirming that three people were killed in a campus shooting. The suspect was a female. Another student was injured, and the woman is in custody. Another student was injured as well. The shooting took place in the science building.
Girl Beaten and Robbed as Guards Watched
A 15-year-old girl who was badly beaten and robbed in a Seattle bus tunnel as three unarmed security guards looked on told investigators that she thought the men would protect her.
The statements were revealed in court papers filed Wednesday against the teen girl accused of attacking her and the three young men accused of stealing her purse, phone and iPod. The four were all charged with first-degree robbery.
The victim told a King County sheriff's detective that the group followed her from a nearby department store into the bus tunnel at Westlake Station on Jan. 28, and she deliberately stood next to the three guards.
The guards didn't intervene, though. They have standing orders to "observe and report," so they called police but did nothing else as another 15-year-old girl punched and repeatedly kicked the victim in the head.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Michael Jackson’s Doctor Still Has Loyal Patients
One involuntary manslaughter charge later ... and Dr. Conrad Murray's patients in Las Vegas still can't wait to put their lives in his hands.
One of his patients -- Marietta Lewis -- claims Dr. Murray is responsible for saving her life, and she told us, "I made sure to call and have my name added to his patient wait list, so that when he comes back, I will still be under his care."
Well he's back ... Dr. Murray was photographed going into his Las Vegas office yesterday, just two days after he was freed on $75,000 bail.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
President Obama’s Ride: A Bullet Proof Caddy
General Motors has once again built the First Limo, which isn’t so much a car as an armored personnel carrier wrapped in Cadillac bodywork. It is code-named "Stagecoach" but given its weight, wheelbase and bunker-like level of protection, Caddy One has been nicknamed "the Beast."
The limo that carries President Obama down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House today is the latest in a long line of Cadillacs to join the First Fleet over the years. Although GM and the Secret Service jealously guard the vehicle’s specs and secrets, you can bet Obama’s ride is the toughest, most sophisticated car anywhere. Think of it as the road-going equivalent to Air Force One.
"Although many of the vehicle’s security enhancements cannot be discussed, it is safe to say that this car’s security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world," Nicholas Trotta, assistant director for the Secret Service Office of Protective Operations, said in a statement (.pdf).
GM had even less to say, noting "one of the specifications is we don’t talk about the specifications." But spokesman David Caldwell says the redesigned car "is a fresh, more modern, more expensive" version of the Cadillac DTS that has carried President Bush since his second inauguration in 2005. Obama’s car, he says, is "a little bit more vibrant, if you will."
Click to read.Spurs Guard Apologizes for Nude Pics
Spurs guard George Hill has issued an apology for a set of nude and sexually explicit photographs of him that have surfaced on the Internet.
The photos, taken sometime last year, recently appeared on the Web site thedirty.com.
“A year ago, I made a mistake and take full responsibility for my actions,” Hill, 23, said in a statement through the Spurs on Tuesday. “I have matured and learned from this episode. I would like to apologize to my girlfriend, my family, all of our great fans and the Spurs organization.”
Meanwhile, the Spurs have dispatched lawyers in attempts to have Hill's photos removed from the site.
Citing trademark infringement and claiming the photos were “disseminated illegally and without permission,” the firm Bracewell & Giuliani — which represents the Spurs — has sent a cease-and-desist letter to thedirty.com.
The legal missive, first obtained by the celebrity gossip site TMZ.com, demands that thedirty.com “immediately and permanently remove the photographs and all references to the Spurs.”
Black Celebrity News: Reality Star Convicted of Murder
A San Francisco jury has found a former reality TV show contestant guilty of killing a man in 2007.
Twenty-nine-year-old Jamal Rashead Trulove of Oakland was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors say Trulove fatally shot 28-year-old Seu Kuka at a San Francisco public housing project in July 2007. Truelove was arrested in Monterey County on a $5 million murder warrant in October 2008.
Monday, February 8, 2010
MJ’s Doctor Pleads Not Guilty
Hours after Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Michael Jackson's 2009 death, the embattled physician pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon (February 8) during an arraignment hearing at a Los Angeles courthouse, according to The Associated Press.
Murray's bail was set at $75,000, three times greater than the bail usually set for such crimes. Without being handcuffed, Murray was then taken into custody for booking. He must surrender his passport, allowing him to travel within the United States but not out of the country. Prosecutors had been seeking bail of $300,000, but Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz rejected that amount. The involuntary-manslaughter charge carries a maximum jail sentence of four years.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Latifah Produces Documentary for Vh-1
From AllHipHop.com:
Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit has inked a deal with VH1 to produce a made for TV comedic drama about two best friends and their views on relationships.
The untitled flick is set in Atlanta and revolves around two African-American women, Keisha, a former video dancer and Val, an aspiring fashion mogul.
The movie was written by Stacy Littlejohn, who will also serve as executive producer, along with Queen Latifah
Former NFL Star Warren Sapp Arrested
Former NFL star Warren Sapp has been charged with domestic battery in South Florida, and the analyst will not be part of the NFL Network's Super Bowl coverage on Sunday.
Sapp was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery and is expected to appear before a Miami-Dade County judge Sunday, Miami Beach police spokesman Juan Sanchez said.
The NFL Network spokesman Dennis Johnson released this statement: "We have been made aware of the arrest of Warren Sapp by the Miami Beach Police Department. In light of these circumstances, Warren Sapp will not appear on NFL Network while we review the matter."
The domestic violence allegation was reported around noon Saturday and detectives interviewed Sapp later that day, Sanchez said. The alleged physical altercation against a female acquaintance took place at 6 a.m. ET Saturday at the Shore Club Hotel, where Sapp was staying, ESPN's Kelly Naqi reported, according to a source.
The victim had a swollen knee and bruises on her neck, according to an arrest affidavit. She told detectives that she was partying with Sapp and her friends at the hotel and asked for his room key when she grew tired. Sapp reportedly woke up the victim a few hours later and they started to argue. She told investigators that Sapp started to choke her and pushed her down on a couch.
Click to read.Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Vanity Fair Apparently Thinks Black Women Have No Talent
Vanity Fair
One thing magazines love to do is call dibs on who will be the new "It" celebrities in the year to come. Sometimes they pick stars whose careers are destined to take off, occasionally they make incredible calls with near-nobodies who later become A-listers, and usually the majority of their picks fade into oblivion. While we'd like to think celeb bible Vanity Fair puts a great deal of thought and planning into its annual "New Hollywood" issue, this year the editors really limited their scope when it came to choosing the next big stars. (Or perhaps they overemphasized the "Fair"? ) Every woman on its new cover is extremely thin and very, very white. Unless Vanity Fair considers one redhead to be diversity, we feel the need to cry foul.
Click to read.Monday, February 1, 2010
News: Serena Wins Another One
Jan. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Serena Williams, surrounded by Grand Slam tennis title record holder Margaret Court and mentor Billie Jean King, made a bit of her own history yesterday with her fifth Australian Open title.
The defending champion beat Justine Henin in three sets at Melbourne Park to gain her 12th major in all, tying fellow American King in sixth place on the career list headed by Court’s 24 championships.
“I feel really special that I was able to tie Billie Jean King,” Williams told reporters. “Because in my heart of hearts, I’ve been going for it and I haven’t been able to quite achieve it. Billie Jean is a really big mentor of mine.”
King and Evonne Goologong Cawley were among the former champions at Rod Laver Arena to mark the 40th anniversary of Court’s Australian Open victory, which was the first step of a Grand Slam sweep in 1970. Williams, who was presented the trophy by the 67-year-old Australian, is now one title ahead of Court, Goologong Cawley, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles for the most Australian Open titles since professionals were first allowed to enter in 1969.
After catching King, who came into the locker room to wish her luck before her 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over the unranked Henin, Williams’s next two targets on the Grand Slam title-leading list are Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova with 18 majors.
“I still think that when she plays her best, she’s the best ever,” King, 66, told reporters about Williams at Melbourne Park.
Black News: Tea Party Group Sends Out Poster of Obama as a Pimp
From Hip Hop Wired.
A tea party group in Houston has been passing around a picture of President Obama as a pimp. TeaParty.org, founded by Dale Robertson sent out an email with the subject line: “Obama Pimpin Obama-Care, One Last Time!.” Robertson was also shown holding up a sign calling taxpayers “Niggars.”
