Black Entertainment, Money, Style and Beauty Blogs - Black Voices

Is Health Care Reform Going to Cost you More or Less Money?

Boyce Watkins, PhD — 2009-11-06T19:05:00+00:00

All of us are confused about health care reform. Many of us support the idea because we support the president. Some of us support health care reform because we know that the current system is terribly flawed. Well, getting informed on the issues might be a great way to ensure that you know what you are backing.

One of the great problems with health care reform is that most Americans can't trust it in the first place, given that there are so many special interest groups who've hooked their fangs into a corrupt and dysfunctional system. Pharmaceutical companies charge incredibly high prices for drugs and work with lawmakers to keep consumers from having other alternatives. Every day, there is a senior citizen moving one inch closer to death because he/she can't afford their medication. Most of us know that this system has to be altered.

Dr. Elaina George is a prominent Otolaryngologist at the Peach Tree ENT Center in Atlanta Georgia. In the audio below, Dr. George breaks down the health care reform package that is being debated in Congress this week. So, while the news might be muted by the mass shootings that have recently occurred, we should not allow this distraction to keep us from the issues that are going to affect our lives.

Click here to listen to Dr. George.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

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Steve Harvey: His New Wife is the Woman Who Changed His Life

Karu F. Daniels — 2009-11-06T18:06:00+00:00

Filed under: Movies, Television, Radio, Family Affairs, Romance, Magazines and Newspapers

Steve Harvey is a changed man - and that's largely due to the new lady in his life.

But when it comes to his third wife, Marjorie Bridges Harvey, whom he married in June 2007, she's not new at all. The pair met 17 years ago and dated briefly. And although the popular comedian, top-rated radio personality and best-selling author first saw the hazel-eyed beauty during a comedy club appearance in Memphis, where he declared that she would be his wife, both parties went on to build separate families.

But they didn't live happily ever after with their respective former spouses.

Steve and Marjorie open up to best-selling author Denene Milner about their rekindled love and newfound happiness in the December edition of Essence magazine, which officially arrives on newsstands Nov. 12.

"You're looking at two people who were messing up for real and making bad decisions without conferring with God," he shared. "But the fact that you can mess up that many times and still come out okay is a testament to just the grace and mercy of God, man. He took us all the way around the block, halfway around the world, and we got back to each other."

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The missus, who has three children from her previous marriage, told a candid story about how one of 'The Original Kings of Comedy' almost let her slip through his fingers after reconnecting; one night, he accepted a phone call from another woman in front of her.

"I was just at a point where I was like, 'If what you want is the same thing as what I want, then great. But if it's not, it doesn't make you wrong and me right or vice versa. It just means we're not in the same place,'" she recalled. "What I'm not going to do is sit here and be in something where I'm not happy and not getting what I want. I wasn't afraid to walk away."

Harvey snapped into shape in short order. He made a commitment and rose to the occasion.

Two years later, the two are still going strong.

"I mean, there's not two days that go by when one of us doesn't look at the other and say, 'Man, you're the best thing that ever happened to me in my entire life,'" he said.

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Health Care Reform: Join The War Room Fight Now and Beat The Tea-Baggers

Sheryl H. Salomon — 2009-11-06T16:52:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Politics, Health Care Debate

(Left: Robert Williams joined the 'Rally Against Insurance Corporations' on Sept. 22, 2009 in Miami, FL. Photo credit: Joe Raedle, Getty Images. )

Despite pessimism by some leaders in Congress, health care reform still has a chance to pass before the year is out. That's why the tea-baggers have been making so much noise this week at the Capitol, where the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a health care reform bill as early as Saturday, Nov. 7. They want to kill the legislation and end any chance of universal health care.

So how about you? Are you willing to let that happen, despite the fact that black people are less likely to have health insurance and on average spend a higher percentage of their income on health care? "Most African Americans and others know someone who has died unnecessarily due to our broken health care system," says NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Jealous. "We need heath care reform that provides access to affordable comprehensive health insurance coverage for all Americans, and that can't be done without a strong public option."

If you agree you can make your voice heard on health care reform without heading down to D.C. -- in fact, without leaving your home. The NAACP has joined forces with the National Urban League, National Council of Black Mayors, National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, and others under the banner of the Black Leadership Forum, to create a telephone hot line that will connect you directly with your elected official's office. Call 1-866-783-2462 this weekend, and follow the instructions to be connected with your lawmaker's office. Then tell them that you want health care reform with a public option passed before year's end. If you'd rather do it online, visit the NAACP's 880 Campaign web site.

The black organizations have also created a "war room" on K Street in Washington, DC, with phone banks to get the word out about the hotline and the need to speak out now. Among those in the war room this week were Rep. Barbara Lee (D, California).

"Grass roots mobilization helped elect the first African American to the presidency of the United States of America," says Lee. "Grass roots activism will help...ensure that America has, as our policy, that health care is a basic civil right and not a privilege." Hear more of what Lee had to say above, in a video provided to Black Voices by the NAACP.

In the video below, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus, shares why he's in the war room.

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Watch Teaser Trailer to 'Why Did I Get Married Too?'

Wilson Morales — 2009-11-06T16:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Previews, News

Entertainment Tonight recently debuted the teaser trailer to Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married Too?'

Returning for the sequel are Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry, Jill Scott, Malik Yoba, Sharon Leal, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Lamman Rucker and Richard T. Jones.

Gathered together in the Bahamas for their annual one-week reunion, four close couples eagerly reconnect, sharing news about their lives and relationships. But their intimate week in paradise is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Mike (Jones), who has crashed the vacation in hopes of winning back his ex-wife, Sheila (Scott).

The others soon realize they, too, are not immune to the challenges of commitment and fidelity. Angela (Smith) doesn't believe her husband, Marcus (White), can be faithful now that he's a celebrity television newscaster. The relationship between Dianne (Leal) and Terry (Perry) is feeling the strain of raising children. And Patricia (Jackson), a successful self-help psychologist, must finally reveal the deep flaws in her seemingly perfect marriage to Gavin (Yoba). With their relationships hanging in the balance when they return home, each couple must choose between blame and forgiveness and doubt and faith, with life-altering consequences.

Released in the 2007, the first film grossed more than $55 million and is the highest non-Madea film that Perry has written, directed and produced.

The sequel will be released April 2, 2010.

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SPOTTED: Jay-Z with Derek Jeter At Yankees Parade

Karu F. Daniels — 2009-11-06T16:04:00+00:00

Filed under: Music, News

Hip hop icon Jay-Z joined thousands of fans to celebrate the New York Yankees victory in the 2009 World Series. The Roc-A-Fella rapper joined famed Bronx bomber Derek Jeter and other team members on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway commemorating the Major League Baseball team's 27th World Series championship on Nov. 6. Jay-Z later performed his current hit single '' at City Hall.

(Check out Jay-Z's celebration performance below)

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Jay-Z Pictures

New York Yankees baseball players Alex Rodriguez, second from left, Francisco Cervelli, third from right, and entertainer Jay-Z, left, celebrate on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

BlackVoices.com

Jay-Z Pictures

Enterntainer Jay-Z, second from left, and New York Yankees baseball players Alex Rodriguez, front right, and Francisco Cervelli, center, wave during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York. AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

New York Yankees baseball players Francisco Cervelli, center, Alex Rodriguez waves to fans during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York. At left is entertainer Jay-Z. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Yankees baseball players Alex Rodriguez, front right, Francisco Cervelli, third from left, and entertainer Jay-Z, second from left, celebrate on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez, right, and entertainer Jay-Z celebrate on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

Hip-hop artist Jay-Z performs during during a ceremony at City Hall celebrating the New York Yankees 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

U.S. rapper Jay Z receives the Best Urban Award at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

U.S. rapper Jay Z , centre, receives the Best Urban Award from Vladimir Klitschko, right, and Joss Stone at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

U.S. rapper Jay Z , left, receives the Best Urban Award from Vladimir Klitschko at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

U.S. rapper Jay Z performs at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

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Don't Quit on the Quest to Stop Smoking

Lynette Holloway — 2009-11-06T15:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Women's Health, Men's Health, Diet & Nutrition, Fitness, Disease Prevention, Cancer

On average, a smoker attempts to quit smoking seven times before she or he is successful, Virgie Bright-Ellington, M.D. writes in 'What Your Doctor Wants You To Know But Doesn't Have Time to Tell You,' a helpful book with important health care tips. Breaking up with cigarettes is one of the most difficult things a smoker will ever do in life, but given that smoking is the number one cause of premature death in the U.S., it's well worth the struggle, she writes.

"To increase your odds of successfully quitting smoking, you need a plan,'' writes Dr. Bright Ellington, who trained at the Cambridge Hospital of Harvard Medical School. "I use the word 'plan' as a simple word for behavior modification. The top three reasons a person who has successfully quit smoking again are STRESS, STRESS, and STRESS. So think about it and plan what will replace your former friend, the cigarette, when you feel stressed. Notice I'm saying when, not if, you get stressed. No matter how wonderful our lives are, stressful events happen. If you don't have a plan, smoking will be back in your life."

Quitting the habit is more important than ever. Smoking related illnesses are the number one cause of death in the African American community, surpassing all other causes, including AIDS, homicide, diabetes, and accidents, according a Web site for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Dr. Bright-Ellington offers some suggestions on how to to quit: pick a date and invest in bags of lollipops."Put the lollipops where you usually keep your cigarettes (beside, jackets, purses, bags),'' she writes in Chapter 2, among other things. "The candy will give your mouth something to do; the stick will give your hands something to do. If your mouth and hands are occupied, there will be no room for a cigarette, which you're trying to make your former best buddy.''

In an earlier part of Chapter 2, she addressed the importance of controlling diabetes. In Chapter 1 she addressed the importance of finding a primary care physician. Look for weekly excerpts from the informative book here on the AOL Black Voices Wellness blog.

If you're smoking approximately a pack a day, consider talking with your doctor about nicotine replacement systems ("the patch,'' nicotine gum, etc.) to help you through the first several days of nicotine withdrawal, she suggests.

Regardless of how much or how little you smoke, prescription medication varenicline, marketed as Chantix, and certain formulations of Buproprion, or Wellbutrin, taken for a few months have been helpful for many to get through the tremendous psychological cravings, Dr. Bright-Ellington writes.

Smoking is a major cause of impotence. The chemicals from cigarette smoke makes the cholesterol and fats in the blood stream sticky, which clogs the arteries (blood vessels) necessary for a normal erection.

Moral of the story:
If you smoke, don't quit quitting. Ask your doctor for help. Even if you've unsuccessfully tried to quit or have been a smoker for years, you're not doomed to being a smoker all your life...If you or someone you love is a man who smokes, find a doctor who can give you the tools you need-behavior modification, prescription, support to help you quit. It may save your life and your love life.

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Andrea of 'Fly' and Her Hair Inspiration

Patrice Grell Yursik — 2009-11-06T14:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Natural Hair, How-To, Video

Around these parts, we watch a LOT of hair videos. And while most are informative, many of them aren't exactly fun to watch. Unless you consider watching someone talk to a camera while standing in their bathroom, fun.

Which is why when I laid eyes on the wonderful webisodes being made by Andrea of art and design blog Fly, I had to share with the world!

Check this out!

I had to grill Andrea about her inspiration.

"My blog is about art and design mainly, and although I'm natural I know there are many great blogs out there covering hair. Still, one of the #1 questions I get is, how do you get your hair like that or what products do you use?
Black women are so hungry for this kind of information. So I wanted to make some videos about my hair. And I wanted to make it fun and really different."

Her stop motion videos make natural haircare look fun, vibrant, and EASY! I'm inspired by her technique.

Andrea's got some more awesome natural hair videos in the works, and she's also a BRILLIANT artist. I want all of her hair paintings. Homegirl is crazy talented! Check out her blog and her YouTube channel.

I stay looking for hair inspiration, how about you? Where are you finding your hair inspiration these days?

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Northwestern Students in Blackface

Carmen Dixon — 2009-11-06T14:40:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Blackface shows up so frequently these days, you'd think it's become a contemptible fad. Recently, this Jim Crow relic has been spotted in cartoons on high fashion pages, 'Mad Men' and 'Tyra.' Who can keep track?

So is it any wonder that two white Northwestern University student athletes would jump at the chance to hop on this trend by donning blackface as Halloween costumes? Click here to see photos.

One of the students involved in the incident reportedly dressed as Bob Marley, painting his entire body black and wearing a shirt with the word "Jamaica." The second student dressed as a black woman with a tennis racket.

Both are believed to be student-athletes, according to the Daily Northwestern. Student reactions have been mixed, with some suggesting the campus culture allows insensitivity because of the low-minority population. Source: Northwestern Blackface Costumes Inspire Protest - NBC Chicago

What were these crazy kids thinking? Or not thinking? Who knows. But I see a big double standard here. Celebrities seem to get away with offensive behavior, while the regular Joes get the "racial insensitivity" hammer dropped right on their head. I'm not defending ignorance, but I think your proximity to celebrity shouldn't get you a pass on proper behavior.

And while I'm on this subject, is it just here in Los Angeles or did you notice more white folks than usual sporting huge Afro wigs on Halloween night? At first I was a little peeved, then just confused. I don't understand it. I'd be cool if white women (and men) chose to adorn themselves in Afros as a preferred style in everyday life, much like many black women wear straight wigs or weaves. What does it mean, though, to adorn hair mimicking my natural texture as a "hilarious" costume?

After all, I can say without hesitation that I have never, ever, considered leaving the house looking like an escapee from the cast of the Wayans' 'White Chicks.' Can't see it.

But if I did don a blond wig, paint my skin white, call myself Becky and repeat stereotypical Valley girl phrases such as "omigawd" or "that is sooo awwwsumm" how would white people I passed on the street respond?

And if they were offended, should I feel entitled to tell them to just "lighten up" or "get a sense of humor"?

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Looks for Less : The Soul Train 2009 Awards

Claire Sulmers — 2009-11-06T14:32:00+00:00

Filed under: Celebrity Style , Budget Fashion, Red Carpet

Plenty of celebrities came out for the Soul Train 2009 Awards in Atlanta, wearing an onslaught of camera ready frocks. Get a star look for less with the following three recommendations:

Get Kandi's feather hemmed cocktail dress...

With this $79 Strapless Feather-Detailed Dress by Rampage.

Find Keri Hilson's Dolce & Gabbana look a like...

In this $20 Cire Slip Dress from Forever 21.

And channel Keshia Knight-Pulliam's grown up style...

With AK Anne Klein's $99 Longsleeve Boatneck Sweater Dress.

Which look is your favorite?

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Women's Cold-Weather Accessories: 10 under $20

Zandile Blay — 2009-11-06T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Accessories, Trends, Budget Fashion

Can you feel the chill in the air? Doesn't really matter if you are reading this from the frigid East Coast or the balmy West Coast, temperatures are falling. But that doesn't mean your style has to! For the winter season, some of my favorite retailers (Forever 21, anyone?) have launched amazing, festive items that keep you warm and weather appropriate. I won't lie, it was tough finding 10 under $20. But thanks to the hard work, with a $100 or less, you can flaunt priceless style as the temperature dips.

1. Striped Sweater Bag (19.99, aeropostale.com)

2. Cable-Knit Tights (9.50, oldnavy.com)

3. Braided Jewel Bracelet (14.50, gap.com)

4. Knotted Toggle Bracelet ($5.80, forever21.com)

5. Knit Beret (19.50, gap.com)

6. Striped Sweater Bootie (16.99, aeropostale.com)

7. Shades (5.80, forever21.com)

8. Marled Cable-Knit Beanie (24.50, gap.com)

9. Sweater Gloves (16.50, gap.com)

10. Women's Cable-Knit Popcorn Scarves (12.50, oldnavy.com)

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Historian Makes Black Kids Act Out Slavery in Front of White Peers

Abena Agyeman-Fisher — 2009-11-06T13:54:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Opinion

There is a bit of an uproar in Charlotte, N.C., as parents, teachers and the local NAACP are livid over a civil war lesson that supposedly went wrong during a Rea View Elementary school class trip to Latta Plantation on Wednesday.

According to WSOCTV.com, Ian Campbell, a black historian, had three black students, already a racial minority in their class, model cotton-picking slaves, with bags around their necks, in front of their peers.

Kojo Nantambu, president of the NAACP in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, is one of many who believes the demonstration was both insensitive and poorly executed:

There is a lingering pain, a lingering bitterness, a lingering insecurity and a lingering sense of inhumanity since slavery. Because that's still there, you want to be more sensitive than politically correct or historically correct.

Campbell, though, begs to differ. As a historian of 15 years, he argues that he has had kids partake in demonstrations before, and this is the first time there has been a complaint. Campbell also believes he is being historically accurate:

I am very enthusiastic about getting kids to think about how people did things in 1860, 1861 -- even before that period. ... I was trying to be historically correct not politically correct.

Nantambu, however, argues that the method of selecting all-black students to recreate that portion of history is problematic:

Even if the black children had volunteered, I probably would have tried to use all of the children. That would have made all the children feel equal in the experience.

With both parents and teachers writing letters to the plantation to communicate their disdain, Campbell now plans to reform his approach:

I'm going to start asking for volunteers instead of calling people from the audience. I think that would make it a lot easier that way if someone is afraid of public speaking or getting up in front of peers it wouldn't embarrass them.

I actually agree with Campbell's insistence of driving home history with a hands-on experience. Most people learn best when they can take part in an exercise that allows one to "relive" the experience. Often, kids and parents alike bemoan the lack of creativity as well as the didactic manner in which information is taught to students.

Campbell is obviously trying to impress upon kids who visit his plantation how challenging it must have been for slaves to have subsisted during slavery. His attempt to encourage students to embody the realities of their ancestors is noteworthy. Where Campbell got it wrong, though, was context.

Making the few black students act out antebellum roles in front of their white peers had to be both embarrassing and humiliating for those involved. We may be 145 years removed from slavery, but as Nantambu said, that pain, that memory, lives. Perhaps it will take another 145 years for African Americans to say that they are definitively removed from slavery. Unfortunately for Campbell, we aren't there yet, so the idea of being singled out in front of white kids to act out compromising and submissive roles was narrow-minded in the least. Nantambu had it right when he said that Campbell should have had the sensitivity to select white students as well in order to broaden the experience.

What do you think?

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Rachel Christie: Historic 'Miss England' Winner Gives Up Title After Arrest

Karu F. Daniels — 2009-11-06T12:12:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Celeb Updates

Move over Vanessa Williams!

You're not the only history-making pageant winner to relinquish your crown due to a scandal.

Rachel Christie, who was the first black woman to be crowned 'Miss England' in July, has relinquished her crown after being arrested on suspicion of a nightclub assault.

According to published reports, Christie became involved in a dispute with another beauty queen, Miss Manchester Sara Beverley Jones, at a night-spot earlier this week, when she was allegedly punched in the face after arguing about Tornado -- a gladiator who appears in a popular English television show.

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His real name is David McIntosh, and it is believed that Jones, a club promoter and would-be actress, is his ex-girlfriend while Christie is his current lover.

A statement from Miss England organizers said Christie, 21, wanted to concentrate on clearing her name.

But all is not lost for the bronze beauty; she's a medal winning athlete; she can transcend in other areas like Vanessa Williams., who went on to become a major superstar after giving up her Miss America crown in 1983 when nude photos of her were leaked and published.

Read more about Rachel Christie's historic pageant win here.

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AARP Supports the President on Health Care Reform

Jeff Mays — 2009-11-06T11:34:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama, Race and Civil Rights

The debate over health care in this country is all wrong. The question being debated should be how are we going to provide coverage for millions of uninsured Americans, not if we should do so.

It's ironic that the richest country in the history of mankind lets millions of people walk around without decent health coverage and allows millions more to be denied because of preexisting conditions, while insurance companies rake in billions of dollars.

That's why news that President Barack Obama has gained the support of the AARP, an organization that advocates for older Americans, and the American Medical Association, which represents doctors, is welcome.

"I urge Congress to listen to the AARP, listen to the AMA and pass this reform for hundreds of millions of Americans," Obama said in a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room, the New York Times reported. "We are closer to passing this reform than ever before."

Under the bill, 36 million uninsured Americans would be extended health coverage by expanding Medicaid. Those of middle income without coverage would be extended subsidies and have an opportunity to purchase coverage
through a federally run program.

For African Americans, improving the health care system is a life-and-death proposal. The NAACP has launched the 880 Campaign to support passage of the health care bill. The name 880 comes from the fact that half of the 880,000 deaths of black people could have been prevented if we had the same mortality rate as white Americans, according to the American Journal of Public Health. In addition, the NAACP reports that:

Children born to black women are more than twice as likely to die within their first year of life than children born to white women. People of color are more likely to suffer and die from diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Uninsured Americans are more likely to use the emergency room for preventative care and routine checkups, forcing longer wait times and costing states and taxpayers more.

African Americans also need to take steps to improve our own health, such as educating ourselves about the diseases that kill us and establishing habits such as exercising and eating healthier. Proper health care, though, is a big part of the solution.

According to the New York Times:

The House bill would require individuals to buy insurance and all but the smallest employers to offer health coverage to workers. It also would provide subsidies to help purchase insurance and would eliminate the industry's exemption from federal antitrust laws. ... The House and Senate bills both include a government-run public insurance option that Obama and supporters say would create competition in the insurance market.

But even as Obama was announcing his new AARP support, protesters, led by Republican lawmakers, were in front of the Capitol injecting pure nonsense into the debate.

The crowd waved signs reading, "No Socialistic Health Care," "Sweeping Away Socialism One Democrat at a Time," "Politicians Lie, Patients Die," "You lie!" and "All lies," the New York Times reported.

I've got news for those protesters: Once we hit 65, we all jump on the "socialized medicine" of Medicare. Without it, our senior citizens would be sick and impoverished. Republicans, such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole and Barry Goldwater all said that the passage of Medicare in 1965 would lead to socialism despite the fact that one of the biggest needs for the bill was the unwillingness of private insurers to cover the elderly.

It's been 34 years since the passage of Medicare. The last time I checked, this was not a "socialist country." Now, we are in a similar situation, where the private health care industry is not adequately covering Americans. Why not protest the way the insurance industry treats Americans? Why not make the changes necessary to improve the health care system for us all?

The debate shouldn't be about if all Americans deserve decent coverage; it should be about how we are going to provide it.

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Terrence J: 106 & Park Host To Make Movie Debut

Jawn Murray — 2009-11-06T11:22:00+00:00

Filed under: Exclusives, Movies, Television

'106 & Park' host Terrence J will make his feature film debut in the sequel to 'Stomp the Yard.'

The TV host, whose real name is Terrence Jenkins, will play the role of Ty, a key lineman in Chance's fraternity.

"As a graduate of an HBCU and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, I am honored to join the all-star cast of 'Stomp the Yard 2,'" he told BV Buzz exclusively. "I immediately gravitated to the role and can't wait to bring it to life. I was a fan of the first Stomp the Yard and plan to deliver for the sequel."

The film has begun production and is shooting on location in Atlanta.

Also in the cast of the film is Pooch Hall ('The Game'), who plays Dane, one of the fraternity step masters.

"I'm in ATL walking hard to 'Stomp the Yard 2!' We stompin' the yard to create earthquakes," the actor who played Derwin on the canceled CW sitcom told me. "I'm stompin' shockwaves in the world in 'Stomp the Yard 2!' Can you dig it?"

Rounding out the cast of the film is Collins Pennie ('Fame') who will play a character named Chance; and Stephen "tWitch" Boss, a runner-up on the season four of Fox's 'So You Think You Can Dance,' who'll play the antagonist Taz.

Will Packer ('This Christmas'/'Obsessed') will produce the film and Rob Hardy ('The Gospel'/'Stomp the Yard') wrote the script and will direct.

Actor Columbus Short, the breakout star of the first 'Stomp The Yard,' will also be a producer on the film.

*****

For more information on 'Stomp the Yard 2: The Homecoming' read also: 'Collins Pennie And Pooch Hall Added To 'Stomp The Yard' Sequel.'

& 'Making Moves: Actor Columbus Short Readies First CD.'

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Hot Shots May 4, 2009

Usher arrives at LAX carrying his son, Usher Raymond V, and an Elmo 'Sesame Street' doll on April 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Talk about more interesting stories on the Black Voices Entertainment Boards!

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Suri Cruise leaves the dance studio with mom Katie Holmes with a star she colored during dance class on April 30, 2009.

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Fran Drescher and Ciara attend the 12th Annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women at Times Square on May 2nd in New York City.

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Eva Longoria Parker attends The Rally For Kids With Cancer Scavenger Cup's Qualifiers Celebrity Draft Party on May 1, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

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Actor Brad Pitt makes sad faces while filming a Japanese television commercial alongside a sumo wrestler in Midtown Manhattan on April 28, 2009.

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RuPaul exudes sunshine even on a rainy day in New York City's West Village on May 3rd.

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Newlyweds Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt feel the need to protect themselves from the swine flu as they return from their honeymoon in Mexico on April 29, 2009.

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New Orleans legends Buckwheat Zydeco and Dr. John at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course on May 2, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Gwen Stefani of No Doubt performs on the 'Today' show at Rockefeller Center on May 1, 2009 in New York City.

Talk about more interesting stories on the Black Voices Music Boards!

Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

Actor Chi McBride attends a screening of Summit Entertainment's 'Next Day Air' on April 29, 2009 in Hollywood, California.

David Livingston, Getty Images

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'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire' Film Review

Wilson Morales — 2009-11-06T11:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Reviews, Drama

Finally, after months of applause, festivals awards, and early Oscar buzz, director Lee Daniels' most bodacious film, 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire,' is being released in limited theaters before expanding nationwide in the weeks to come.

Featuring amazing performances from an ensemble that includes comedian/ actress Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, and newcomer Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, 'Precious,' is a gritty and disturbing drama, but becomes more and more an uplifting, educational and powerful tale that folks will discuss once the impact sets in.

Set in Harlem around 1987, Claireece 'Precious' Jones is an overweight 16-year old African American who gets by in school until her administrators discover she can't read or write. Not only is her education lacking, but she is currently pregnant with her second child. Only her immediate family, which includes her mother and grandmother knows the truth. Her first child, a daughter with down syndrome's and her second, on the way, are the products of incest with her father, who's been abusing her with mommy dearest fully aware of the unlawful acts.

Speaking of her mother, Mary (Mo'Nique) constantly berates Precious for her stupidity, verbally and physically abuses her and takes her welfare checks while never leaving the house. Mary would rather watch television shows (like '227') and pet her cat while commanding Precious to cook and clean the house while pregnant.

Living in a fantasy world where she's white, has a light skinned boyfriend, and is seen walking down a red carpet while gaining fame in the fashion world (as Queen Latifah's music plays in the background) are what Precious imagines to escape her nightmare of a life. Things takes a new turn for the better when she's enrolled in an alternative school called 'Each One Teach One' at Harlem's legendary Hotel Teresa. The class is filled other students whose education level needs improvement and taught by Ms. Rain (Patton), who has the fortitude to stand up to these unruly kids and actually educate them.

With the help of social worker Ms. Weiss (an unrecognizable Mariah Carey), Precious is able to talk about and work through the demons that have haunted her for so many years.

With films like 'Monster's Ball,' in which Halle Berry won the Oscar for Best Actress, 'The Woodsman,' where Kevin Bacon played a reformed pedophile, and 'Shadowboxer,' featuring Oscar winners Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Helen Mirren, Daniels manages to get his actors to give him the best they have to fill a role that's not appealing on paper. This film is a step in the right direction for him as a director. He showed no bounds when it came to pushing the envelope. Mo'Nique, who was also in 'Shadowboxer' but in a smaller role, rose her status in the acting community. Her performance as an unrelenting dominant child abuser will never be forgotten. After this film, leading actresses everywhere will be on alert; Mo'Nique is a player whose game has stepped up big time.

After appearing in the little seen 'Tennessee,' in which Daniels also produced, and shedding her beauty for a small but key role, one can simply say that Carey reinvented herself as an actress. Patton is wonderful as the teacher/ surrogate mother/ angel who guides Precious towards a life of happiness with strength and pride. Aside from Mo'Nique and Carey, the one that stood toe-to-toe with them in her film debut was the new discovery Sidibe.

The other newcomers who are the Each One Teach One students (Chyna Layne, Xosha Roquemore, Angelic Zambrana, Stephanie Andujar and Amina Robinson),provide the comic relief that lessens the deep degradation that movie goers can feel for Precious.

The film was produced independently so that the 1996 bestselling novel by Sapphire would stay true without interference from Hollywood. Normally, one would hear about a story like 'Precious' on a talk show or television shows like 'Law and Order: SVU', but with the help of executive producers Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, the film is getting the exposure it deserves and hopefully will bring out the pain of many who have faced the same emotional and physically abuse as its lead.

The film is dark and depressing, but also uplifting and instrumental to the social problems that are rarely discussed. Incest is a heavy subject and many need to realize that 'Precious' is a testament that it does exist in society and it needs to be dealt with.

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Precious Movie Premiere

Singer Mary J. Blige arrives at the premiere of the film "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" at AFI Fest 2009 in Los Angeles, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

BlackVoices.com

Black Filmmakers

Spike Lee
Besides Woody Allen, no other filmmaker has had more films on the big screen in the last 20 years than Lee. From 'She's Gotta Have It' to 'Jungle Fever' to the critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated 'Do The Right Thing,' Lee's production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced more than 35 films since 1983. In 2008, the Atlanta native released his latest film, 'Miracle at St. Anna,' a story about blacks fighting in WWII that stars Derek Luke and Michael Ealy.

Oscar Micheaux
As the pioneer of African American filmmakers, this Metropolis, Illinois, native revolutionized the film industry when he formed his own movie production company and, in 1919, became the first African American to make a film. He wrote, directed and produced the silent motion picture 'The Homesteader' and then introduced the film world to Paul Robeson in 'Body and Soul.' In 1986, the Directors Guild of America honored Micheaux with a Golden Jubilee Special Award, and today the Oscar Micheaux Award is presented each year by the Producers Guild.

Robert Townsend
Primarily known as a comedian, this Chicago native established himself when he wrote, directed, produced and starred in the comedy 'Hollywood Shuffle,' his 1987 film about struggling black actors. He also created and produced the CableACE award-winning 'Robert Townsend and His Partners in Crime' for HBO. His best film to date is the 1991 musical 'The Five Heartbeats.' Townsend recently directed the documentary 'Why We Laugh,' a story on black comedians and their impact in America.

Bill Duke
Known for his imposing 6-foot-6-inch figure and action films such as 1987's 'Predator,' the Poughkeepsie, New York, native began directing feature-length films in the 1990s with the crime dramas 'A Rage in Harlem,' 'Deep Cover' and 'Hoodlum.' In 2007, Duke directed 'Cover,' which starred Vivica A. Fox, and most recently 'Not Easily Broken,' which is based on a T.D Jakes novel and stars Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson.

Ossie Davis
As a pioneer in the film business and a legend in the African American community, Davis was an actor, director, poet, playwright, writer and social activist whose career spanned nearly 50 years. Davis directed numerous films during the blaxploitation era, including 1970's 'Cotton Comes to Harlem' and 1973's 'Gordon's War.' Along with wife Ruby Dee, the Georgia native starred in many movies, including several of director Spike Lee's films such as 'Do The Right Thing,' 'Jungle Fever' and 'She Hate Me.'

Melvin Van Peebles
This Chicago actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and composer is most famously known for his contribution to the blaxploitation era with the independently financed and critically acclaimed film 'Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.' The 1971 film was written, produced, scored, directed by and starred Van Peebles and tells the story of a deprived African American man on his escape from the white authority. The father of actor/ director Mario, in 2008, Melvin completed the film 'Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha,' which played at various film festivals.

Julie Dash
In 1991, this Queens, New York, native's film 'Daughters of the Dust,' which tells the story of three generations of Gullah women at the turn of the 20th century, was the first full-length film with general theatrical release in the United States by an African American woman. In 2004, the film was included in the National Film Registry.

F. Gary Gray
Having directed more than 30 music videos for artists such as Ice Cube, Queen Latifah, TLC, Dr. Dre and Mary J. Blige, and winning several awards for his work, the New York native moved into the film world with the cult favorite 'Friday,' starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. He then followed that film with another fan favorite, 'Set It Off,' with Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Jada Pinkett Smith, before moving on to big budgeted films such as 'The Negotiator,' 'The Italian Job' and 'Be Cool.' His next feature is slated to be 'Marvin: The Life Story of Marvin Gaye.'

Forest Whitaker
An Academy Award winner for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film 'The Last King of Scotland', the Longview, Texas, native has directed many films, including the fan favorite 1995's 'Waiting to Exhale,' based on the Terry McMillan novel of the same name. Other directorial films from Whitaker include 'Hope Floats' and 'First Daughter.'

Lee Daniels
Beginning his career in entertainment as a casting director and manager, the Philadelphia native worked on projects such as 'Under the Cherry Moon' and 'Purple Rain,' both of which starred Prince, before hitting the jackpot with his production of 'Monster's Ball' in 2001. That film garnered Halle Berry a best actress Oscar, making her the first African American woman to do so. In 2006, Daniels made his directorial debut with 'Shadowboxer,' which starred Oscar winners Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Helen Mirren. Just recently, in January 2009, his latest directing gig, 'Push,' won three awards at the Sundance Film Festival, including best film.

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News Blast: Oprah Removes Bebe Winans From Lineup, Obama to Extend Unemployment

Abena Agyeman-Fisher — 2009-11-06T10:40:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Oprah Removes Bebe Winans From Show
Oprah has removed Bebe Winans from her upcoming karoake show after she caught a rash of criticism for appearing to have a domestic-violence double standard. Because the daytime talk show diva was so vociferous in her stance against pop star Chris Brown, she was forced to announced that Winans would not appear on the show until charges against him were dropped. [Examiner.com]

Obama to Extend Unemployment and Tax Credit
President Barack Obama will sign a bill today that will extend both jobless benefits for another 20 weeks and the $8,000 home-buying tax credit. [AP]

Estelle, Ludacris Honor Otis Redding
London-born Estelle and rapper-actor Ludacris held a two-hour tribute to soul singer Otis Redding last night in Atlanta. Redding is known for such hits as 'Try a Little Tenderness' and 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.' [Yahoo News]

More News Blast

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Beyonce: Big Winner At MTV Europe Music Awards

Karu F. Daniels — 2009-11-06T08:08:00+00:00

Filed under: Music, Television, News, Celeb Updates

Beyonce
Beyonce was the major winner of the evening at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs),held in Berlin on Nov. 5. The internationally-renowned diva took home a total of three EMA trophies - Best Female, Best Song and Best Video - from the glittering music celebration, held at the O2 World. Sponsored by Sony Ericsson, MTV Games / Harmonix's The Beatles(TM): Rock Band(TM) and Dell, the show featured live performances by an array of diverse music acts, including Jay-Z, Green Day, Tokio Hotel, Foo Fighters and U2.

According to a spokesperson, this year's ceremony was held in Berlin to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall

Among the many show highlights was a sexy performance of 'Happy' by Leona Lewis, an upbeat version of 'Sweet Dreams' by Beyonce and a high octane rock medley of 'Wheels' and 'All My Life' by the Foo Fighters. Colombian siren Shakira sent temperatures rising with a steamy performance of 'Did It Again,' performed with dancers dressed only in skimpy towels.

Guest presenters included David The Hoff Hasselhoff, Lil' Kim, boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, Jonas Brothers, Backstreet Boys, and Juliette Lewis.

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Fort Hood Shootings: What's Religion Got to Do With It?

Carmen Dixon — 2009-11-06T07:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News

Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the alleged shooter in yesterday's Fort Hood massacre, is alive and reported in stable condition. The death toll in the Fort Hood shootings has now risen to 13, and 30 are listed as wounded.

Shortly after the shootings yesterday, cable news anchors began to report that the suspect had a "Muslim-sounding name." I immediately felt a sense of dread not only for those killed and wounded -- or the possibility that this assault was an organized terrorist act -- but also for all of the Muslim Americans who might find themselves having to defend their allegiance to America due to the act of one man.

So is Hasan a "spree killer," "a terrorist" or just a lonely, angry soldier who "snapped," despite being a U.S. Army psychiatrist specializing in helping others deal with traumatic stress? We don't know. It's still too early in the investigation to slap a simple label on this crime.

But as more information emerges about Hasan's mind-set and worldview, the military is going to have hard questions to answer about why someone as disgruntled and conflicted as Hasan was permitted to continue to serve as an officer in the United State's military:

Hasan had come to the attention of federal law enforcement officials at least six months ago because of Internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats, according to a federal law enforcement official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case.

The official said investigators were trying to confirm that Hasan was the author of the postings, one of which was a blog that equates suicide bombers with a soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades. One of the officials said federal search warrants were being drawn up to authorize seizure of Hasan's computer. Source: 'Horrific' rampage stuns Army's Fort Hood - USA Today

Here is the excerpt attributed to Hasan:

If one suicide bomber can kill 100 enemy soldiers because they were caught off guard, that would be considered a strategic victory. Their intention is not to die because of some despair.

The same can be said for the kamikazee in Japan. They died (via crashing their planes in to ships) to kill the enemies for the homeland.

You can call them crazy if you want but their act was not one of suicide that is despised by Islam. So the scholars main point is that "IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOUR INTENTION IS THE MAIN ISSUE" and Allah (SWT) knows best. Source: NidalHasan - Scribd

Questions will be asked regarding why the feds didn't contact the military sooner. Or maybe they did, and we just don't know about it yet. But one thing is clear, even if Hasan was motivated by politics, he showed warning signs of breaking, and he did not get the mental health care intervention that may have altered the course of yesterday's events.

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Peace Is My Way

Barry Johnson — 2009-11-06T06:06:00+00:00

Filed under: Spirituality and Religion

Your Daily Inspiration for Friday November 6, 2009:

Peace is my way. I think, speak, breath peace and breathe peace. I give peace and receive peace. Oh yes, I see peace. I hear peace. I sing peace. I know peace. I love peace. As an offspring of The Most High, God, I am Peace. Yes, peace is my way.

May Peace Be With You,

Barry Johnson

Previously: Divine Wisdom

Barry Johnson is a businessman, motivational speaker and writer. 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.

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Real Housewives of Atlanta: Dwight Eubanks' Penile Implant Revelation Revs Up Part Two of Reunion

Bridget Bland — 2009-11-06T01:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Television

Last year's 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' reunion, which featured a previously soft-spoken Lisa Wu Hartwell threatening to flip Kim Zolciak over the couch garnered some of the network's highest ratings.

Unfortunately, part two of the season two reunion show --which premiered Nov.5 -- turned out to be even less lively than the first Bravo special.

Zolciak,, was the focus of the first reunion special -- with host Andy Cohen's many questions about her rumored fiancé Big Poppa, who allegedly showed up to the taping (but wasn't shown on camera).

There was a lot of back and forth about an alleged off-camera physical altercation between Zolciak and her on-again, off-again gal pal Nene Leakes too but a real turning point in the show involved a man and his endowment. And we're not talking about money either.

The 'Tardy for the Party' singer disclosed that Dwight Eubanks, commonly referred to as "The Fifth Housewife" has a penile implant.

The Purple Door salon owner, who revealed to BV Newswire two weeks ago that he was bisexual, had no qualms with admitting his package enhancement. He even compared it to women having breast implants.
Hartwell also got testy with Eubanks over his critique of her "fashion show," but he offered up no apologies.

Alas, Leakes and Hartwell didn't hide their laughter when Zolciak took the stage singing her 'Tardy for the Party' dance hit.

Zolciak (to her credit) sang live and accompanied by background dancers, but looked out-of-place on the stage. The mother of two also admitted to being a waitress at Atlanta strip club, Cheetah - denying rumors she was ever a stripper.

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