Viola Davis bares her natural beauty for the cover of Los Angeles Times Magazine. The acclaimed actress, who is projected to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in last year’s sleeper hit film, The Help, showed off her natural hair in this multi-page fashion spread for the publication’s February 2012 issue.

A good mentor is the equivalent of a Willie Wonka golden ticket. It can change the life of a young person by helping them achieve their dreams, with the help of sound guidance that keeps them from making too many mistakes along the way. More importantly, becoming a mentor allows those that have found success in their occupation, to pay it forward. Think of it as the ultimate investment. Simply put, the importance of mentoring is beyond measure. But here are three reasons to become a mentor:

1. Duplicate Yourself
Create a mistake free version of you! Mentoring allows you to guide a less seasoned, but passionate version of yourself into a powerhouse of possibilities.

2. Pave a Colorful Path
Take all that you know and create a splinter free road map for young professionals that look up to you.

3. Enjoy the Credit
The most humbling part of being a mentor, is watching your mentee leap over challenges, discover who they are and grow. You could be mentoring a future mogul, who wouldn’t wan to take credit for that?

—Damali Elliott

About Damali Elliott:
Damali Elliott is the Founder & Executive Director of Petals-N-Belles, an innovative New York City based organization, redefining mentoring with a multifaceted approach to the social, academic and professional growth of young women. Petals-N-Belles cultivates, inspires and empowers today’s young women.

Inspired by the 1970’s independent cult classic Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassssss Song, Bryant Terry’s beet salad of the same name will have you shouting: “I’m Black and I’m Proud!”

The chef/activist/author blends the right ingredients—including an out of this world vinaigrette— for this culinary ode to the film’s director, Melvin Van Peebles.

Sweet Sweetback’s Salad
Serves 6, as adapted from The Root

Ingredients:
2 cups raw walnut halves
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons and 1/2 teaspoon agave syrup
1/4 cup organic raw cane sugar
4 medium beets, scrubbed and tops trimmed but root tails intact
Coarse sea salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Freshly ground white pepper
3 large bunches arugula, trimmed and roughly chopped (6 to 7 cups)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Spread the walnuts on a large baking sheet and toast for 6 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking. Remove from oven and cool.
3. Transfer walnuts to a sieve and, holding the sieve over the sink, rub the walnuts against the wire until the skins loosen and fall off.
4. Remove the walnuts to a large mixing bowl, combine with two tablespoons of olive oil, and stir until thoroughly coated. Add two tablespoons of the agave syrup and stir until thoroughly coated, then add the sugar and stir until thoroughly coated.
5. Warm a large heavy cast-iron skillet to medium-high. Add the walnuts, scraping the bowl to remove everything, and stir constantly until the walnuts are fragrant and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 1 1/2 minutes.
6. Transfer walnuts to parchment paper and quickly spread out, separating them with a fork and a spoon. Set aside to cool.
7. Combine the beets, 3 quarts cold water, and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium pot over high heat. Boil uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the beets are easily pierced with a knife. Drain. Peel the beets by holding them under cold running water and rubbing their skins off with your fingers or a clean towel.
8. Increase the oven’s temperature to 400°F.
9. Trim the tails off the bottom of the beets. Reserve two of them for the vinaigrette and compost the others. Cut the beets into 1/4-inch dice. In a medium bowl, toss the diced beets with 4 teaspoons of the olive oil. Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. Remove the beets from the oven, scrape them back into the bowl, and toss with 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar. Return to the baking sheet and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Set them aside to cool.
10. In a blender, combine the reserved roasted beet tails with the remaining red wine vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon agave syrup, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and white pepper to taste. Blend while slowly pouring in 4 tablespoons olive oil. If needed, add more salt to taste.
11. Place the arugula pieces in a large serving bowl, add the roasted beets on top, and add the glazed walnuts on top of that. Immediately before serving, toss well with just enough of the vinaigrette to coat.

Phylicia Rashad might have broke new ground with her eight year run as Claire Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” but it was her portrayal of Lena Younger in the 2004 Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun that made history.

Certainly no stranger to the theatre world, Rashad became the first African-American actress to win the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Play.

Nearly 45 years after it’s original Broadway premiere, the revival found Rashad cast alongside Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald, and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“Often I wondered what does it take for this to happen. And now I know. It takes effort and grace—tremendous self-effort and amazing grace,” said the actress during her acceptance speech.

In 2008, Rashad reunited with the cast for a made-for-television movie version of the classic piece, which yielded her an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie.

1. Halle Berry’s Ex Wins Court Victory in Custody Battle
Halle Berry’s ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry may have been victorious in court yesterday, but sounds like no one is winning in the former couple’s ongoing, and increasingly ugly, custody battle over their daughter Nahla. [MORE]

2. Stop Neglecting Your Health and Start Living Positively
BET.com sits down with Hilary Beard, co-author of Health First!: The Black Women’s Wellness Guide. [MORE]

3. This Day in Black History: Feb. 6, 1990
Barack Obama named president of the Harvard Law Review. [MORE]

4. Photographer to Launch “Beauty in Black” Photo Essay Campaign
When Psychology Today published a controversial article on its website in 2010 claiming that Black women were the least attractive, Harlem photographer Paul Phillips wanted to prove otherwise. He’s started a photo essay titled Beauty in Black and hopes to create a coffee table book with 30 to 40 images that showcase how beauty and spirit permeates through Black women both inside and out. [MORE]

5. Black Women Entrepreneurs Setting a Fast Pace, Despite Obstacles
Woman-owned businesses are growing more rapidly than the national average, with companies owned by African-American women growing at an even larger pace, according to a senior official of the United States Department of Commerce. [MORE]

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

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.”

2/2- 2/4: Toronto, Canada  @ Sony Centre for Performing Arts

2/7- 2/13: Washington, D.C. @ Kennedy Center Opera House

2/13- 2/14: Chapel Hill, NC @ Memorial Hall UNC

2/16- 1/19: Atlanta, GA  @  The Fox Theatre

2/21-2/22: Sarasota, FL @ Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

2/23- 1/26: Miami, FL  @  Adrienne Arsht Center

2/28: Jacksonville, FL  @ Times Union Moran

3/2-3/4: Houston, TX @  Jones Hall for the Performing Arts

3/6-3/11: Costa Mesa, CA @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts

3/13-3/18: Berkeley, CA @ Zellerbach Hall

3/20-3/21: Las Vegas, NV @  Smith Centre for Performing Arts – Reynolds Hall

3/23: Tucson, AZ  @  Centennial Hall

3/24-3/35: Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Arts Center

3/27-3/28: Madison, WI @  Overture Center

3/29- 4/1: Detroit, MI @ Detroit Opera House

4/11- 4/15: Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre

4/17: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada   National Arts Centre

4/19- 4/21: Montreal, Quebec, Canada @  Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

4/22: Burlington, VT @  Flynn Center

4/24: Portland, ME @ Merrill Auditorium

4/26- 4/29: Boston, MA @  Citi Wang Theatre

5/1- 5/2: Minneapolis, MN @  State Theatre – Orpheum Theatre

5/4- 5/6: Cleveland, OH @ Playhouse Square State Theater

5/11- 5/13: Newark, NJ @  NJPAC

5/15- 5/20: Charlotte, NC @  Blumenthal PAC

5/22- 5/23: Baltimore, MD @ Lyric Opera House

5/25- 5/27: Charleston, SC @ Spoleto Festival USA – Gaillard Auditorium

Photo: Andrew Eccles

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