Birthday Spotlight: Nia Long

October 30 actress Nia Long celebrates her birthday. The infamous Boyz in the Hood (1991) love interest was born in New York but raised primarily in California. After Boyz… Nia went on to star in Friday, Love Jones, Hav Plenty, Soul Food, In Too Deep, The Best Man, Boiler Room, Big Momma’s House, Alfie, Are We There Yet?, and Are We Done Yet? among others. She also has had a significant career in television with previous roles on “Guiding Light”, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, and “Third Watch.” She is the mother of a son named Massai.

photo credit: Kathy Hutchins

Beyonce Previews New House of Dereon Line

Beyonce Knowles and her mother Tina introduced the new House of Dereon collection at Bloomingdale’s on 59th Street on October 28, 2008 in New York City. The line, which both mom and daughter were rocking is inspired Cadillac Records. Cadillac Records stars Beyonce, along with Gabrielle Union, Mos Def, Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright. The story centers around the Chicago record label Chess Records and their roster of American greats: Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Little Walter. The film is slated to be in theaters Decemeber 5, 2008.

MPR: Profiles of Urban Entrepreneurs on TV!

BET J kicked off the fall season with a bunch of new shows including the business gem that is “MPR: Profiles of Urban Entrepreneurs”. The 745 Films production aired October 29 at 8:00pm EST and featured Victoria Secret Pink COO Richard Dent, American Ballet Theatre soloist Misty Copeland, and an informative trip to the Sonoma County, along with much more…

Unlike other stuffy business profiles, “MPR…” presents a hip look at some of the nation’s biggest money movers and shakers while packing the program full of takeaway information. Be sure to check out the premiere episode re-air on Wednesday, November 5 at 2:00pm and the new episode at 8:00pm.

Africa in Style at L’Uomo Vogue

After the major model success of the “all black” July issue of Vogue Italia, editor Franca Sozzani has decided on an Africa – themed issue. The November issue of L’Uomo Vogue (the more tastemaker/insider-ish ‘zine), which Sozzani is also the editor of, will be a tribute to Africa with a portion of the proceeds from advertising revenue going to various charities of Africa. Michelle Obama, Forest Whitaker, Quincy Jones, John Legend and Matt Damon are reported to be photographed in their own clothing for the issue.

Jennifer Hudson Tragedy

Julian King, the nephew of Jennifer Hudson was found dead yesterday in the white SUV that was attached to the case surrounding the murders of Jennifer’s mother and her brother. A candlelight vigil was held in the family’s honor last night.

Yesterday Update: CNN is reporting that the body of a child has been found in an SUV attached to the Jennifer Hudson family killing case. Earlier today, the body was reported as that of a young boy by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. Now they believe it to be her previously missing nephew Julian King.

Previous Report: We send our absolutely sincerest condolences to singer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson who lost both her mother Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason Hudson to a currently unsolved homicide on this past Friday. The two were found in the Chicago home that they shared. While no one has been charged with the crime as of yet, William Balfour, the husband of Jennifer’s sister has been taken into custody. An Amber Alert for Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew Julian King, who went missing on Friday is still ongoing. If you live in the Chicago area of have any information on his whereabouts, please alert authorities.

Gabrielle Union & Tracee Ellis Ross

It’s another two for one! Actresses Gabrielle Union and Tracee Ellis Ross celebrate their birthdays on October 29. Gabrielle is best known as the go-to on screen girlfriend/sexy siren in such movies as Bring it On, The Brothers, Two Can Play That Game, Deliver Us from Eva, Bad Boys II, Running With Scissors, Daddy’s Little Girls, and the upcoming Cadillac Records. She was born in Nebraska but lived in California. She is an active advocate for sexual assault after undergoing a traumatic rape in the early 90s. She has been nominated for three BET awards, four NAACP Image Awards, and four Black Reel Awards.

Her colleague Tracee Ellis Ross, daughter of singing and acting legend Diana Ross, was the long time star of the CW sitcom “Girlfriends.” Tracee spent many of her formative years in New York City and studied at Rhode Island’s Brown University. Prior to launching her acting career, Tracee was heavily involved in the fashion scene, holding post as fashion editor at Mirabella and New York magazines. Tracee has been nominated for seven NAACP Image Awards, of which she won one, and two BET Comedy Awards of which she took home one. She also played the hilarious FiFi LeBeouff in Kanye West’s “New Workout Plan” video.

A Night at the American Ballet Theatre

When I was a Brownie (Girl Scout) we were charged with the arts & crafts project of making a paper doll representing what we wanted to be when we grew up. I struggled as I colored my little doll Crayola Sienna. A ballerina or a business woman, I mulled. I know my family is expecting me to be a successful financial analyst or something of the sort but I’m going to go with my heart, my favorite color and what will make the most pretty doll in the world - the ballerina. That interest was short lived when I discovered that well, I couldn’t really dance but the love of watching others dance never subsided.

This past weekend I was treated to a lovely performance by the American Ballet Theatre at the NY City Center in Manhattan. It was a two part production highlighting the Tudor Centennial Celebration which is currently going on from now until November 2, 2008. So after taking our seats we were presented with “The Leaves Are Fading” piece, which had I known the premise of it before seeing it, I may have understood the nature themed costumes. But alas, while the art of dance is certainly one to be admired, I could not help resorting back to the silliness of my childhood when the male dancers flittered about in flesh colored skinny tights. The lower half of their costume was so taut that I could see every crease of their buttocks. After about 45 minutes of that performance there was an intermission.

Following the 15 minute intermission the second part of the performance began. This piece was called “Company B” and featured songs expressing sentiments of American’s during World War II. So immediately there was more emotion and gravity to this piece. And to top it all off, the highly acclaimed only Black soloist in the American Ballet Theatre worked her petite body all over that stage in a gorgeous orange maxi dress. She was stunning, as has been said. She moved with grace and style as did many of the other dancers in that particular piece. Yet, Misty Copeland definitely stood out. Misty is from San Pedro, California. She has been with the ABT since 2000 and she was appointed the historical position of soloist in August of 2007. Happy to have been able to see this young budding star, the American Ballet Theatre turned out to be a success. And you too should make it your business to enjoy dinner, drinks and a ballet performance featuring Misty Copeland before the season is up!

I just have a few things to mention because everyone seems to ask me this:

No, unless it’s opening night or a special gala, there are no evening gowns. Our audience was mixed with anything from jeans (tacky!) to ‘night on the town’ dresses with heels or… ballerina flats (much more appropriate).

Yes, you will keep clapping during the pauses in the performance and as they keep raising the curtains at the end of the performance.

Tickets for the American Ballet Theatre featuring Misty Copeland are available here.

Child’s Body Found in SUV Attached to Jennifer Hudson Case

Update: CNN is reporting that the body of a child has been found in an SUV attached to the Jennifer Hudson family killing case. Earlier today, the body was reported as that of a young boy by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. Now they believe it to be her previously missing nephew Julian King.

Yesterday we reported: We send our absolutely sincerest condolences to singer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson who lost both her mother Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason Hudson to a currently unsolved homicide on this past Friday. The two were found in the Chicago home that they shared. While no one has been charged with the crime as of yet, William Balfour, the husband of Jennifer’s sister has been taken into custody. An Amber Alert for Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew Julian King, who went missing on Friday is still ongoing. If you live in the Chicago area of have any information on his whereabouts, please alert authorities.

Jennifer Hudson Nephew Search Continues

We send our absolutely sincerest condolences to singer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson who lost both her mother Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason Hudson to a currently unsolved homicide on this past Friday. The two were found in the Chicago home that they shared. While no one has been charged with the crime as of yet, William Balfour, the husband of Jennifer’s sister has been taken into custody. An Amber Alert for Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew Julian King, who went missing on Friday is still ongoing. If you live in the Chicago area of have any information on his whereabouts, please alert authorities.

“Mahogany” Movie Inspired Pictorial

Go ‘head Nicole Robinson! The supermodel signed to Elite Models rocked the 1975 Mahogany movie (starring the imitable Diana Ross) inspired photo shoot for the fall fashion edition of Bleu Magazine with sheer style and grace.

If you don’t feel like screaming “success is nothing without someone you love to share it with,” (you know, Billy Dee Williams’ infamous line) or belting “Do you know… where you’re going to…” after one look at this pictorial, you’ve lost your Martini Pink Mahogany loving mind… Anyways… enjoy the beautiful works of art.

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