In today’s corporate ladder zooming, glass ceiling busting, post graduate degree(s) wielding Superwoman crazed society, are there women out there who still want to be a homemaker?

I don’t mean the multi-tasking, double duty brand of working mom who miraculously balances a challenging career AND carpooling to soccer practice. I’m more interested in the women who can do without amassing promotions and titles…the kind who desire no more than to meet Prince Charming, walk down the aisle and raise 2.5 kids within the confines of a white picket fence. Does this woman really exist in 2012? Will she suffer a life sentence of derision at the hands of both men and women who find her aspirations banal?

Manning a household and raising tomorrow’s thought leaders is no walk in the park and rarely receives its just accolades. It’s a dirty job, we all know someone’s gotta do it, but professional women, is it you? Could you trade in that Louis Vuitton (or Coach) briefcase and BlackBerry (or iPhone) for a broom and dustpan?

Let us know…

(New York, NY) The ImageNation Cinema Foundation will be honoring legendary actress Ruby Dee, Precious executive producer, Lisa Cortés and BET Chairman & CEO, Debra Lee amongst other luminaries at its 2010 Revolution Awards.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center will play host to the gala reception highlighting the achievements of respected social change agents who tirelessly promote and proliferate the advancement of Black and Latino arts, film and culture.

The evening’s festivities will also include a special advance screening of Stanley Nelson’s Freedom Riders – a compelling account of the black and white civil rights workers who worked together in 1961 to help alter the moral fabric of America.

For more information and tickets visit ImageNation

Set to a soothing, soulful soundtrack composed by singer John Forte, Fashion designer Nanette Lepore unveiled her Spring/Summer 2011 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Centric’s Manushka Magloire talk to her and Forte about fashion, music as a creative inspiration and diversity on the runways.

CultureList//Fashion Night Out with Byron Lars from Centric TV on Vimeo.

After over two decades in the business, Designer Byron Lars is still producing wares—via his line Beauty Mark—that have been seen on the backs of several Hollywood starlets and First Lady Michelle Obama. A fusion of classic silhouettes and tribal elements, Lars’s new spring collection dubbed “Refined Tribalism” was a mixture of dresses and wearable separates. In a stellar partnership with SONY, the designer showed his collection at the company’s flagship store in New York. Of which was streamed in over 37 SONY stores across the US. Centric’s Manushka caught up with designer to dish on 20 years in the business, the collection and his collaboration with Mattel’s Barbie brand.

If you’re anything like me, you will never cease to marvel at the strides being made in technology today. Laptops the size of a makeup palette, GPS tracking on your portable devices, shooting HD movies on smartphones, depositing your checks into your bank account from that same device…WAIT, come again? Deposit an actual check from a cell phone? Yep.

Chase is looking to make us worship solely at their alter when it comes to our banking needs. With its QuickDeposit mobile application for Apple’s iPhone, simply snap two quick shots of the front and back of the check and presto “Money in the Bank!” What will they think of next?

Now if I could get one of these banks to create a thingamajig that would allow my phone to shell out cold hard cash into my hands (preferably someone else’s), now that, THAT is technology at work indeed.

Kanye West is on Twitter. Why this is news you ask? Primarily because this is the Real McCoy…not some poor, tortured soul whose sole purpose in life is to man Kanyeezy’s social media outlets. In case there were any doubts on the account’s authenticity, here are few choice gems Mr. West has had to share:

In less than 2 days, Yeezy has amassed nearly 250,000 followers; of whom are utterly fascinated with his off-color commentary, outbursts and general shenanigans in very public arenas. My guess is the world is waiting with bated breath for loads more of that special brand of crazy to flow through his fingertips as well. Don’t worry you won’t have to wait for long…I guarantee it!

Keep up with the antics here: Kanyewest

(New York, New York) Someone deserves a promotion at Hugo Boss. The masterminds behind their special concert “Beat The Heat” held on the roof of the fashion label’s Chelsea showroom last week, set the breathtaking NYC skyline ablaze. Well-heeled fashionistas were treated to explosive performances by Janelle Monae and Robin Thicke. With DJ Cassidy spinning late into the midnight hour, Hugo Boss didn’t beat the heat…they brought it!

In today’s A.D.D. world we want, access and consume information at warp speeds. Apparently we like our visual art the same way, EASY-BAKE or bust!

Bravo TV’s that rare cable channel that continues to demonstrate a certain flair for the discerning “reality television” palate – Top Chef and The Real Housewives franchise are just a few of their gems. They have however dropped the proverbial ball…or rather, brush with their latest offering, “Work of Art – The Next Great Artist.”

Fourteen contemporary artists are tossed in a ring to duke it out for the spoils of art world domination, via a large purse and solo exhibition at Brooklyn Museum. A panel of industry experts snobs get to appraise, judge and dictate what is of artistic merit. A finite timeline on inspiration and creation is set, and before the buzzer goes off our little worker bees need to stimulate and astound with their original pieces – this brings new meaning to Pop art!

I’m not sure about you, but I find that art and romance are shared experiences – layered, languid and most importantly subjective…left entirely to personal interpretation.

The Rooftop of New York’s Shelbourne Hotel was bubbling with cocktails, and conversation, as Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka and Essence.com’s Managing Editor Emil Wilbekin hosted “The Belle Affair” in celebration of acclaimed relationship blogger and expert Demetria Lucas (pictured below). the rooftop was jammed packed with over 300 movers and shakers, of whom included: Bevy Smith, Amanda Diva, singer Kat Deluna and Radio/TV Personality Egypt.

Centric’s Mary Pryor and Manushka were on hand for the evenings festivities, check out the pictures below.

Photography by Cool Cruel World

It’s been a whirlwind of inspired discussions, electric performances, savory vittles and bustling activity, but the 3 ring circus (otherwise known as the Essence Music Festival) that rolls into New Orleans every summer has packed up and is heading out of town.

There were thrills – Janet Jackson displaying a decidedly S&M/dominatrix influenced lack of “Discipline” during her steamy set; Mary J. Blige and her rousing passion as she demonstrated to a packed Superdome what “No More Drama” looks, sounds and feels like. Keri Hilson stepping up her main stage performance with a special cameo by El Debarge (pictured above); TI and Trey Songz as supporting men to Mary J’s leading lady performance…the list goes on and on.

And there were spills – a preggers Alicia Keys sliding into home base, lying flat on her back, albeit momentarily to the dismay of a shocked audience.

All in all EMF 2010 was an affair that will not soon be forgotten by celebrities and revelers alike. I bid the delightful city of N’awlins (as it’s affectionately called by locals) a fond adieu. Until we meet again…when the saints go marching in…at next year’s Essence festivities.