1. Kerry Washington Tells Essence Magazine It’s a Special Time to Be a Black Actress
Essence magazine has hailed actress Kerry Washington one of the five women who will be honored at its 2012 “Black Woman in Hollywood” luncheon (February 23) and the actress covers the magazine’s March 2012 issue as a part of the honor.

Washington poses in a white gown with a confident stance and smug smile and told the magazine that the tide is turning for Black woman in Tinsletown.

“I think it’s a really special time to be a woman of color in this business. The landscape of who has the power is changing," she said. "We are in more influential positions and are able to have a say in the stories that are told. I feel very lucky to be in the business now.…” [MORE]

2. Commentary: French Elle Slammed For Racism
The fashion title gets called out for claiming Black people dress like thugs. [MORE]

3. Suicide and Black Men
While many in our community believe that suicide is a "white person's issue,” more and more research is finding that suicide rates among African-Americans are on the rise, especially among young Black men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third cause of death among African-American males between ages 15 and 24, behind homicide and accidents. Also, suicide death rates among Black men are five times that of Black women. [MORE]

4. Donald Trump Takes a Gamble on Mitt Romney
Two days before the Nevada caucuses — and weeks away from the start of the fifth season of Celebrity Apprentice — business mogul Donald Trump craved some of the spotlight being heaped on GOP presidential rivals Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. So, under the guise of announcing an endorsement, he hit up Vegas Thursday afternoon to grab some of that shine. [MORE]

5. Unemployment Rate for African-Americans Fell in January
The overall jobless rate fell for the fifth straight month to 8.3 percent after a surge of hiring. [MORE]

The legendary Alvin Ailey Dance Theater kicks off it’s 27 city North American tour on February 2, in Toronto. Led by the company’s new artistic director Robert Battle, the tour will include performances of several new productions and the classic Revelations, choreographed by the company’s late founder in 1960.

“This is the beginning of a new adventure—for the company, for me and for our audiences,” stated Battle. “It gives me great pride to build upon the inspiring legacy of Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison.  I’m excited for people across the country to witness the world’s most amazing dancers as we take the next step in Ailey’s inspiring journey.”

Read the rest of this entry »

In 1975, Beverly Johnson became the first Black model to grace the cover of French Elle

It seems racism and low-key discrimination continues to trend in the world of fashion. This time, the French edition of Elle Magazine is in the hot seat. In a recent article posted on the publication’s website, writer Nathalie Dolivo gives what is undoubtedly a misguided interpretation of “Black fashion”—whatever that is—and a failed attempt to “positively” praise it.

“For the first time, the chic has become a plausible option for a community so far pegged [only] to its street wear codes,” states the post that was originally written in French.

In an attempt to discuss President Barack Obama and the first family’s influence on the refinement of style among people of color, Dolivo basically undermined and insulted the achievements of Black people in the industry who have influenced and helped revolutionize the business.

Damage control much?

Elle editor Valerie Toranian released an online apology, and announced that an anti-racism group was invited to be a part of an upcoming debate surrounding the article. And while the post has since been removed from the site, it doesn’t mean all is remedied.

With the recent controversies over Black Vogue’s “slave earrings,” and Dutch magazine, Jackie’s description of Rihanna as “the ultimate n*gga b*tch,” still fresh in the minds of many, it’s clear we have some serious work to do.

Maybe the names Iman, Beverly Johnson, Naomi Campbell, Eunice Johnson, Stephen Burrows, Tracy Reese, Duro Olowu, and Ozwald Boateng don’t ring a bell. And that isn’t even a fraction of the names on the list of major Black fashion contributors.

I am personally exhausted by fashion media outlets that can’t recognize the fabulousness of Black people. Do they not realize that we set trends? From wearing logos (hello Karl Lagerfeld!) to coining the term “Bling-Bling” (albeit used excessively)—we did that and so much more.

I don’t need affirmations of our contributions, because I know that my Black is beautiful and is ALWAYS in vogue.

1. Raven-Symoné Heads to B’way, Romeo Gets Lead in New Madea Movie
She snags lead role in Sister Act, and he will star in Madea’s Witness Protection. [MORE]

2. Deadly Distinction: Chicago Has the Highest Murder Rate in the U.S.
It’s well-known that gun violence is an issue for many inner cities across the U.S. But Chicago, in particular, has the most alarming rates, almost double that of New York City. [MORE]

3. National Urban League and Census Bureau Host Forum on Black Population
A year before the housing bubble burst and the economy nearly flat-lined, the National Urban League declared a housing state of emergency in America. In response, NUL president Marc Morial recalled during an event his organization hosted with the Census Bureau Monday, the media and others compared the organization to the fairy tale character, Chicken Little, whose claims that the sky was falling down also were met with disbelief. As it turns out, however, the group was right. It was able to predict the future based on information compiled in a Census Bureau report. [MORE]

4. FYI: Apollo Theater Salutes Black History Month With Free Events
It’s the beginning of Black History Month, and to help you salute the accomplishments of African-Americans across the nation, Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater is hosting a collection of events this Friday and Saturday. [MORE]

5. Congolese Inventor Designs Africa’s First Tablet Computer
Look out, Apple. Congolese inventor Verone Mankou recently rolled out Africa’s first tablet computer, the Way-C, and the affordable machine will eventually be sold in ten African countries, Belgium, France and India. [MORE]

1. BREAKING NEWS: Don Cornelius Dead From Apparent Suicide
The famed Soul Train host was found dead in his Los Angeles home. He was 75-years-old. [MORE]

2. Photography Exhibition Analyzes Black Male Identity and Fashion
For decades, Black men have known the importance of appearing sophisticated, smooth, and full of what we’ve called “swagger.” Be it in the way a man dresses, speaks, or explores cultural interests, having swagger is a pretty sexy thing. Now the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is hosting a photography exhibition titled Dandy Lion: Articulating a Re(de)fined Black Masculine Identity that explores these perspectives on Black male identity and urban fashion. [MORE]

3. What Exactly Is Black History Month?
BET.com breaks down the roots of the celebration dedicated to the accomplishments of African-Americans. [MORE]

4. Dr. Robert M. Franklin to Step Down as President of Morehouse College
After a five-year term, the leader plans to spend his time off as a scholar in residence at Stanford University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Institute. [MORE]

5. Study Finds U.S. Cities Less Segregated
A new study from the Manhattan Institute has found that American neighborhoods have become significantly less segregated in the past century. All-white neighborhoods “are effectively extinct,” it found, and the proportion of African-Americans living in so-called “ghettos,” where 80 percent or more of the population is Black, has shrunk to 20 percent. Fifty years ago, half of the Black population lived in ghetto neighborhoods. [MORE]

For more news and information, visit BET.com/news

1. Ava Duvernay Wins Sundance Best Director Award For Middle of Nowhere
On Sunday, January 29, Ava Duvernay became the first Black woman to win Best Director at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Duvernay’s film Middle of Nowhere beat out festival favorite Beasts of the Southern Wild (directed by Benh Zeitlin), a story inspired by survivors of Hurricane Katrina who refused to leave New Orleans. [MORE]

2. Obama’s Call for School Until 18: Easier Said Than Done
The president’s call for states to raise the mandatory age for school attendance is widely applauded but may be difficult to implement. [MORE]

3. U.N. Chief Tells African Leaders To Respect Gay Rights
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that although facing sexual orientation-based discrimination will be a challenge, Africa should not “give up.” [MORE]

4. School Bullying Victim Receives $100,000 in Damages
Sticks and stones can break your bones, and, as the old schoolyard ditty goes, words may never hurt you. But at least they may lead you to be granted large damages in a lawsuit

A Seattle man has been awarded $100,000 in his suit against Aberdeen School District, charging they did little to stop the racial and anti-gay bullying he endured from 2003 to 2009. [MORE]

5. Black Enterprise Gears Up for Its Women of Power Summit
Inspiring Black women from all over will convene at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit next month. A selection of executive leadership sessions and personal assessment workshops will offer tools that will serve well in the corporate world. Attendees will also have a chance to network amongst each other, learn about finances and entrepreneurship, experience executive coaching, and even participate in several health and fitness activities. [MORE]

The Friends of Education of the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), hosted a lively conversation with art world heavyweights Mickalene Thomas, Derrick Adams, Clifford Owens and Xaviera Simmons—a group of artists that have cultivated successful careers globally.

The New York event’s discussion explored the idea of collaboration and its importance in their practice. In a digital age where artists are collaborating virtually, the topic proved to be a necessary conversation, as the process can create a variety of challenges that at times seem insurmountable to tackle—or so was determined by some attendees. However, there were strong views on how collaborations have the ability to foster community and a heighten sense of awareness of the creative process.

Do you feel the digital age has harmed the art world?

The latest issue of Arise Magazine has finally hit the newsstands!

The new issue (issue #14, to be exact) includes a bunch of goodies for your enjoyment including a sneak peek into Arise Fashion Week 2012, a conversation with Beyonce about motherhood, and an interview with UK singer—and Centric favorite— Estelle talking about her new album All of Me, out next month.

However, the highlight of this issue has to be the interview with Blair Underwood, who’s dishing on his upcoming role in the Broadway revival of A Street Car Named Desire.

1. Essence Names Its 2012 Black Women in Hollywood Honorees
Essence has announced its Black Women in Hollywood honorees. Every year, the magazine shines the spotlight on actresses who have made their mark with a luncheon held just before the Academy Awards. Kerry Washington will be recognized with the Vanguard Award for her career and upcoming works. Not only will she star in the drama Scandal, which premieres in April on ABC, but she’ll also be in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained alongside Jamie Foxx.   [MORE]

2. Report: Black and Latinos More Likely to Eat Sugary Cereals
A healthy breakfast is one of the most important meals we can eat during the day. It keeps us energized and focused in the morning hours, gives us more strength and endurance and can even help lower our cholesterol levels. But how many of us are doing it right? In terms of breakfast cereals, not enough.

A recent study found that African-Americans and Latinos are more likely to buy and consume these sugary low-nutritional cereals than our white counterparts. [MORE]

3. GOP Candidate Depicts Obama As Captain of a Slave Ship
In the category of “politicians do and say the craziest things,” Mark Oxner, a candidate running for Congress in Florida, released a campaign video this week that is meant to attack his opponent former Rep. Alan Grayson, but takes direct aim at President Obama, depicting him as the captain of a ship that enslaves children. [MORE]

4. Money Monday: How to Begin Repaying Your Student Loans
For the first time, in 2011, student loan debt outpaced credit card debt in the United States.

Outstanding student loan debt exceeds $1 trillion and experts predict the numbers to keep growing. With numerous college students and graduate students entering the real world in massive debt, a likely question to ask is, “where do I start to pay off my student loans?”

In an effort to answer that question, BET.com breaks down tips of how to begin repaying your debt. [MORE]

5. Tristan Wilds, Christina Milian and More Celebrate McDonald’s
McDonald’s brought flavor to Hollywood’s Siren Studios Thursday night for the launch party for their new food selection, Chicken McBites. Stars in attendance included Meagan Good, Laz Alonso, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth and Lance Gross. And for other celebrities the mere mention of the beloved fast food chain brought out memories of their favorite comfort food from their past and present. [MORE]

For more news and information, visit BET.com/news

1. NYPD Cop Pleads Guilty to False Arrest of Black Man
Veteran NYPD officer Michael Daragjati pled guilty Tuesday to falsely arresting a Black man in violation of federal civil rights laws. In addition to the falsified report, Daragjati allegedly told his supervisor that it took four officers to subdue the man during the ordeal. Later, during a call to a female friend, Daragjati allegedly recounted the incident by saying, “Another n—– fried, no big deal.” [MORE]

2. Key & Peele: Black and White Are Red Hot
Biracial comics mine their ethnicity for laughs in Comedy Central series. [MORE]

3. Black Physicians to Recruit Blacks for Medical School
On February 18, Physicians Medical Forum (PMF) will host a day-long, tuition-free seminar to encourage the increase of African-Americans in health professions. [MORE]

4. Michelle Obama Announces New School Lunch Nutrition Guidelines
School lunches are about to get much healthier. First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that soon the meals will have less sodium, and will include more whole grains and more fruits and vegetables as sides. The new rules, which will go into effect in the 2012-2013 school year, will also allow schools to serve tofu and other soyfoods and soymilk to children who regularly consume them at home. Pizza will still be on the menu, but made with healthier ingredients. [MORE]

For more news and information, visit BET.com/news