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Tag: America

  • Janet Jackson: Open American Music Awards, Keeping Busy with New Projects

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    janet jackson

    janet jackson open american music awardsOn the heels of the announcement that Whitney Houston would take the stage at the 37th Annual American Music Awards – the ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer’s first performance at the show in a decade – comes more big news.

    Janet Jackson has just signed on to open the Nov. 22 live broadcast with a special opening medley.

    This marks the second time the ‘Control’ singer has opened a major award show this year. A few months ago, she performed ‘Scream’ in tribute to her late brother Michael Jackson at the ‘MTV Video Music Awards.’

    American Music Awards producer Larry Klein couldn’t be happier to have Jackson on the show’s roster. He said, “We’re thrilled about having Janet Jackson open this year’s show. She is an incredibly dynamic performer and I think the audience will be excited to see what she has in store.”

    Jackson joins previously announced performers include Rihanna, Green Day, Shakira, Lil’ Wayne, Mary J. Blige, Keith Urban, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie UnderwoodbDaughtry and Adam Lambert.

    Jackson has a busy schedule lined up in the next few months. On Nov. 18, she will sit down with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts for her first interview since the death of her brother. Her second compilation album, a two-disc set called ‘Number Ones’ will be released on Nov. 17. The album includes a new single ‘Make Me,’ produced by Rodney Jerkins and Jackson. She also is hitting the big scree, again. Jackson just wrapped shooting of ‘Why Did I Get Married Too,’ the sequel to the successful 2007 Tyler Perry-helmed flick. A trailer for the film hit the Web last week.

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    Janet Jackson Pictures
    PARIS – OCTOBER 03: Janet Jackson attends the Jean-Paul Gaultier Pret a Porter show during Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on October 3, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
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    BlackVoices.com

    Janet Jackson Photos

      Singer Janet Jackson (R) and musician Will I. Am (L) attend the UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun Celebrities In Attendance at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California..UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun Celebrities In Attendance.Staples Center.Los Angeles, CA United States.October 24, 2009.Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (17011175), contact FilmMagic.com

      WireImage.com

      Singer Janet Jackson attends the UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California..UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun Celebrities In Attendance.Staples Center.Los Angeles, CA United States.October 24, 2009.Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (17011173), contact FilmMagic.com

      WireImage.com

      Musician Will I. Am (L) and singer Janet Jackson (R) attend the UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California..UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun Celebrities In Attendance.Staples Center.Los Angeles, CA United States.October 24, 2009.Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (17011174), contact FilmMagic.com

      WireImage.com

      Singer Janet Jackson (R) and Musician Will I. Am (R) attend the UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun Celebrities In Attendance at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California..UFC 104 Los Angeles – Celebrities In The Crowd.Staples Center.Los Angeles, CA United States.October 24, 2009.Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (17011172), contact FilmMagic.com

      WireImage.com

      Janet Jackson attends the ‘Mario de Janeiro Testino’ book launch at Cafe Carmen on October 5, 2009 in Paris, France..”Mario de Janeiro Testino” Book Launch – PFW Spring/Summer 2010.Cafe Carmen.Paris, France.October 5, 2009.Photo by Julien Hekimian/WireImage.com..To license this image (58567448), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      PARIS – OCTOBER 03: Janet Jackson and photographer Patrick Demarchelier attend the Jean-Paul Gaultier Pret a Porter show during Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on October 3, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

      Getty Images

      PARIS – OCTOBER 03: Janet Jackson attends the Jean-Paul Gaultier Pret a Porter show during Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on October 3, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

      Getty Images

      PARIS – OCTOBER 03: Janet Jackson attends the Jean-Paul Gaultier Pret a Porter show during Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on October 3, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

      Getty Images

      PARIS – OCTOBER 02: Janet Jackson arrives at the Lanvin Pret a Porter show as part of the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on October 2, 2009 in Paris, France (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

      Getty Images

      PARIS – OCTOBER 02: Janet Jackson arrives at the Lanvin Pret a Porter show as part of the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on October 2, 2009 in Paris, France (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

      Getty Images

     

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  • Reebok Easytone Shoes: Sexy Ad Sells, But Is It Sexist? Answer is YES

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    Reebok Easytone Shoes are the hot topic of the hour on sites as diverse as gossip and business blogs. The flavor of the Reebok Easytone debate is not over the shoes themselves — which Wallet Pop has confirmed are actually comfortable. It is over the sexy ads and Web site that promote Easytone shoes by heavily depending on close-ups of a model’s butt, breasts and body. See one of the ‘shocking’ Reebok Easytone ads below, and judge for yourself:

    The model in the picture above (from another ad for Reebok Easytone shoes) is attractive, but I would not want a pair of sneakers that made my bottom so flat. Is that kosher to add to the fury being unleashed by those who find this marketing campaign beyond poor in taste? I hope as an actual woman who loves to exercise, my opinion counts. I have heard much more random perspectives on Web sites that suggest that anyone who complains about a woman’s body being ogled in an ad is probably fat and ugly anyway — as if the nature of the Reebok Easytone Shoe commercials are justified by other people’s flab. From a business perspective, this mantra of justification is being repeated everywhere: Sex sells, sex sells, sex sells. But does any excuse justify the promotion of female objectification that continues to run rampant in our society?

    Sure, on the one hand, Reebok has shoes to sell and the Easytone looks pretty boring without the sexy marketing. PopEater blog is correct in the assertion that this over-the-top approach to using sex is in getting the world clicking. And, no, Reebok is in no way solely responsible for the impact the images of women it creates has on the world. Yet, the fact is that statistic after statistic show women are not taken seriously enough in America to attain equal levels of power and wealth as men.

    Does one Reebok Easytone ad make all the difference in the ongoing reality of gender inequality? No. But it does seem to say that the most important thing a woman can do is tone her butt, rather than building a powerful mind. If we keep encouraging the idea (even incrementally through advertising) that being hot is the end-all, be-all for women, men will never stop seeing women as mere playthings, and girls might be discouraged from trying to be more.

    I am all for hotness, fitness and being sexy. But what about being in control, independent and cool? There is a way to display these traits while portraying a woman with her own power. Think Madonna. Look at Marylin Monroe, who was one of the first producer-stars in Hollywood history. Or Tina Turner, a woman who grows more sexy and stronger with age, and need I say richer. These Reebok Easytone ads take away all the nuance and complexity of a truly sexy, strong and emancipated woman. For this reason alone, I encourage the women they are trying to reach not to buy. Your time would be better spent building up your total identity, not just your bottom half. Women, let’s show these culture creators what real economic empowerment looks like by voting “NO” on Reebok Easytone with our dollars.

     

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  • Bill Clinton Meets with Senate Dems on Health Care

    Former President Bill Clinton knows just how high the political stakes are in the fight to overhaul America’s health care system. His failed attempt to revamp the delivery of medical care contributed to the Republican takeover of the House and Senate in 1994.

  • Boost Mobile President Matt Carter: His Sprint to the Top

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    Boost Mobile President Matt Carter tells why $50 cell phone service is a deal most people won’t refuse.

    As a kid in Boston, MA, Matt Carter looked up to the local post office clerk. Today an entire company looks for his stamp of approval before any decisions are finalized. The first African American president of a major telecommunications company, Carter leads Boost Mobile, a division of Sprint Nextel. As president, he is responsible for the business’ marketing, product development and finance teams. Despite hailing from the City of Champions, leading Boost to a whopping $600 million in new revenue – in less than two years – was no easy feat. The telecommunications brand was in an oversaturated niche market and lagging in the race against its competitive set when Carter took the helm. Carter recently talked to Black Voices about how he was able to revitalize the failing brand, and shared his insights on how African Americans can compete in corporate America. Matt wants us to know why it’s still important for black business people to create a league of our own to compete in — as we win in new fields.

    What led you to Sprint?
    I started my career off in marketing. I had worked for Bristol Meyers and Coca-Cola in New York in a variety of marketing positions on a global basis. I got recruited by Sprint three years ago to run their customer management group and when the new CEO came aboard he tapped me to go run Boost Mobile, a division of Sprint. I’ve been at Boost for 18 months, really focusing on revolutionizing the wireless industry.

    What made you accept the position as President of Boost Mobile?
    It brought together all of my experience in leadership, marketing, sales and technology. In addition, at that point in my career I was ready to lead a major division of a company.

    What are some of the challenges of your position?
    Typically when you’re coming in, you’re a change agent, but it didn’t take me long to help them understand that they needed to evolve. I had to put my foot down – a skill I learned from being the oldest child in a large, loving family. I let them know that the path we were on would lead to extinction. We had to figure out how to grow this business, and decided to create a brand that would be the advocate for the consumer. We realized that at the end of the day people are looking for simplicity. Think about it. The one bill you open up with trepidation every month is your wireless bill. You think you’re paying $49, but that turns into $65. So that was the opportunity: Let’s simplify it. So, we created a flat fee system of $50.

    What experiences helped equip you for such a powerful role?
    I was the oldest of five, so it was instilled in me early on that I had to set the example for everyone. That made me realize the importance of discipline and sacrifice. When you’re the oldest you’re constantly looking out for folks and I carry that with me today; I look out for my team. I also earned a degree in communications from Northwestern and an MBA from Harvard. Plus, I have more than 20 years of experience working with companies like Bristol Meyers and Coca-Cola.

    What pivotal moment led you to enter the business world?
    My first student loan bill. I was like, “how am I going to pay for this?” I went to Northwestern because I wanted to be a director. When I graduated I did what most kids do: I went to LA and became a waiter. My father couldn’t fathom how I could go to school then wait tables. I felt bad and eventually came home and got a job working as a supervisor at a factory where my mother was employed. I got a good taste of business there. I enjoyed motivating people and I liked competing. I gravitated towards marketing because it coupled my practical and creative sides.

    Finance Blogger S. Tia Brown Interviews Boost Mobile President Matt Carter

    When did your dreams change from wanting to be a mail man, or a job similar to your role models growing up?
    When I got to Harvard I realized that I was holding my own. Along the way you start to see that the privileged students are not any brighter or any better, so your confidence level begins to grow and you start thinking bigger. Going to Harvard raised my expectations about the possibilities of what I could do. I thought, ‘I could be the president of the United States.’ That was liberating.

    Fierce Wireless magazine named you No. 25 on their list of Most Powerful People in Wireless. You are also the only African American. How does that feel?
    I’m very humbled and appreciative of the recognition, but it’s reflective of what the team has done. In addition, I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs in my career. You’re going to find people who still view your race as a stigma. People will do things to you because you’re not part of the “club.” You have to have the internal fortitude to maintain your composure when you’re faced with things meant to break you.

    What’s next for Boost Mobile?
    We’re the fastest growing wireless brand; we’ve acquired 1.7 million new customers in the last quarter. People are responding because there’s finally a product out there making things simple — this is not about economics or credit worthiness. We believe that we need to continue to broaden the appeal of our device portfolio. But I can’t reveal the new products that are on the radar.

    Your team has taken a product initially created for a niche market and made it mainstream. Did you have to create a different marketing strategy to appeal to the masses?
    Boost has a deep legacy in the African American community; we don’t want to abandon that. We want to build on it. Everyone, regardless of your culture, race or sex, is looking for value. So if you can get a $50 plan with unlimited, voice, web and text nationwide [you’ll want it]. It has nothing to do with skin color — only the color green.

    A lot of marketing campaigns geared towards African Americans perpetuate stereotypes. How do you feel about the use of the typical images of blacks in advertising campaigns?
    I’m always bothered by commercials that have people dressed up in the church robes, singing and dancing, like we’re still out of some minstrel show. You certainly have to be sure that there are messages out there that resonate with your target audience, but you’ve got to figure out how to reflect them smartly. You don’t want to turn people away. Our goal was to try to figure out how we could be relevant to a sort of rainbow coalition of clients.

    Speaking of marketing, it seems like you’ve been able to be stand out strongly amongst your peers, a great example of self-marketing. Why do you think Sprint recruited you?
    You’ve got to be known for doing something. I always look at people’s resumes and they are all over the place. What is your brand? What do you stand for? Mine is deeply rooted in marketing, so I am perceived to be a highly accomplished marketer who also demonstrates the ability to work across a variety of industries. I’ve worked in pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and financial services. My advice is to really be good at something and demonstrate that across a variety of industries so you leave yourself open for other opportunities.

    Unemployment is soaring and people are looking for career opportunities in new markets. What is your suggestion for anyone interested in the telecommunications industry?
    I don’t see a lot of African American engineers. I think we need more people with technical skills; that’s where the high-paying jobs are, in technical development. The engineers are the new artists and we’re not there.

    You have a great job and a successful career, but you’re still working on entrepreneurial ventures, like helping to create Ameritales (a historical cartoon series). Why divide your time?
    You can’t expect that you’re going to go work at a company and be there until you retire. We have to be smarter as a group around creating opportunities. African Americans are very creative but we haven’t parlayed it into true economic growth. I don’t know if it’s fear or a lack of mentoring.

    What tips do you have for those looking to start their own businesses?
    First of all, you must be willing to take a chance. Then, there are three key elements to being a successful entrepreneur:

    1. Preparation: People may want to start a company, but don’t know a thing about running one, like how to read a balance sheet or income statement. You should use your time while working for others to gather as many skills as possible.
    2. Network: Build a network of people that you will eventually need.
    3. Talent: Use all your talents to go out and create something. And don’t limit yourself to things like soul food restaurants and cleaning businesses. We now have a generation of African Americans with more exposure and training. We can create the next Google.

    What’s next for you?
    I plan to continue to grow, learn and see what the future holds. I’m under no illusion about life in the corporate world. I enjoy what I do today but I’m well prepared for many things.

    A trained life coach, S. Tia Brown has spent the last 10 years following her passion for journalism as an editor, writer and TV correspondent. Brown has worked for CNN, E!, MSNBC, the NY Daily News, Essence and Black Enterprise. Most recently she served as Senior Editor for In Touch Weekly magazine. Check out her advice column ‘Do Better, Be Better’ at www.tiabrown.com.

     

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  • Obama’s Fed Chairman Makes Racially Ignorant Remarks: Dr Boyce Analyzes

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    I’ve always had mixed feelings about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. I feel that he is better than the previous chairman, Alan Greenspan, but the Fed Chairmanship (like the presidency) is almost never given to the right man. Just the fact that it is almost always given to a man is problematic enough, and the truth is that only white men need apply for the job.

    Well, when you are limited in your option pool for the top job, bad leadership and flat out ignorance can sometimes be the result. While Fed Chairman Bernanke might know some nuts and bolts about economics, he appears to be shockingly misinformed about economic disparities between blacks and whites. His embarrassing and highly inappropriate statements at Morehouse College serve as a significant case in point.

    In a recent interview at Morehouse, the Fed Chairman was asked what he felt to be the reason for the wealth gap between blacks and whites. In response, Bernanke said that the gap was due to a lack of “financial literacy” and “financial education” on the part of African Americans. That’s all he mentioned.

    What? Sorry Ben, but did you ever hear of this little thing called “slavery”? What about this other thing called “Jim Crow laws,” which made it nearly impossible for African Americans to pass wealth onto their children? Do you truly believe that whites have the bulk of American wealth because they were simply harder working and more intelligent in their wealth building strategies? Do you know how silly you sound?

    According to the 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances, the median household wealth of white Americans is 10 times greater than that for African-Americans. And in spite of what the Fed Chairman might believe, it is not due to the fact that black people are financially ignorant. Rather, it is due to leaders such as Bernanke who refuse to acknowledge how 400 years of racially-biased wealth distribution can impact structural and financial inequality.

    The other point that Mr. Bernanke fails to mention is that white American saving and investing habits are incredibly problematic as well. The recent financial crisis was due to the fact that the American savings rate had become negative for the first time since the Great Depression. Additionally, Americans (not just black people Ben) were borrowing money for homes they could not afford and not preparing for retirement. So, the idea that Chairman Bernanke would sum up the black/white wealth gap as “White people smart….black people illiterate” is a shocking disappointment and a glaring reminder of the fact that our economic captains in the Obama Administration have almost no understanding or respect for the unique economic challenges of the African American community.

    I won’t even get into Obama’s appointment of Lawrence Summers as Treasury Secretary, given that Summers disrespected Dr. Cornel West, one of the most significant black scholars in American history. During a spat when Summers was president of Harvard, he criticized Dr. West’s work as not representing “appropriate” scholarship. Translation: you are doing something that white scholars don’t understand, which thus implies that you must be inferior – I get it all the time here at Syracuse, a school that hasn’t tenured a black man in Finance in their entire 140-year history – perhaps we lazy black folks are just not good enough. Professor Summers is also the one who implied that women might have a natural deficiency in their ability to understand mathematics. The idea that Obama supports individuals who continue to embrace mindsets reflective of white male supremacy should be problematic to us all. The financial team within his administration needs a makeover, and their “expertise” and qualifications should be questioned by the American people.

    A note to Chairman Bernanke: The present around us has been created by a set of tasks that were performed in the past. If you are only able to see wealth disparities through a lens created in the year 2009, one that is blurred by your own biases as a white male in an elitist profession, you are missing 99% of the picture. To cite African American ignorance as the sole driver of wealth gaps in America is a reminder that our leadership still thinks of black people as second class citizens. Rather than presuming cultural superiority on the part of whites, why not engage in creative and intelligent policy analysis that might actually fix the problem that America has created. It was not the flaws of black America which created structural inequality; it was poor decision-making on the part of the very institution with which men like Bernanke, Summers and Obama are employed. It’s time for some personal responsibility.

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

     

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  • The Wait Is Over, Rihanna Speaks On The Incident

    Posted by: BlogXilla

    Next week Rihanna will be breaking her silence with an appearance on Good Morning America this Thursday morning at 7a.m. followed by a 20/20 interview on Friday at 9 p.m.

    After months of silence Rihanna will finally share her side of Chris Brown incident. This will be one of the biggest TV moments I am sure. Will you be tuning in?

  • GG’s Guide For The Weekend

    Posted by: KanYeezy

    FRIDAY NIGHT aka “movie night”

    This Is It offers fans a behind the scenes look as Michael creates and rehearses for his final tour named “This Is It”. This documentary offers viewers the chance to see what they were in store for, had he not passed away. For more info on this movie, click here. 

    Astro Boy is a movie about a boy robot with incredible powers and super strength, who discovers the joy of being human while on a journey to discover his potential. For more information about this movie, click here.

    SATURDAY aka “chill day”

    12pm- College Football starts the day off on ESPN for those that watch it. If you dont watch football, you can catch “Flip This House” on A&E, “You Are What You Eat” on BBC, “The Nutty Professor” on Bravo and “America’s Next Top Model” on Oxygen.

    3pm-“Paranormal State” comes on A&E, “Untamed and Uncut” on Animal Planet, “Silence of The Lambs” on BIO, and “Chopped” on Food Network

    6pm-“Night of The Living Dead” on AMC, “iCarly” on NICK, “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” TLC, “DR. G: Medical Examiner” on Disc Health

    8pm– Yankees at Philly on FOX, “County jail: Miami” on DSC, “Ace Of Cakes” on Food Network, “Super Psycho Sweet 16” on MTV

    SUNDAY aka “football sunday”:

  • Roxanne Shante: Coming Clean, Saying Sorry, Being Thankful and Fighting Cancer

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    Roxanne Shante: Coming Clean, Saying Sorry, Being Thankful and Fighting Cancer

    In April, a New York Daily News article about how ’80s rap music pioneer Roxanne Shante forced her record company to finance her college education (resulting in a degree from Marymount Manhattan College and a Ph.D. in psychology from Cornell University) tugged at the heart-strings of Hip Hop America. Soon after, a firestorm of controversy ensued when an article on Slate.com debunked the inspiring story.

    Roxanne Shante (nee Lolita Shante Gooden) is widely recognized as the first female hip hop artist to break through the male dominated industry. At the age of 16, she became a household name with songs including ‘Roxanne’s Revenge’ – an “answer” record responding to U.T.F.O.’s popular ‘Roxanne, Roxanne.’

    She offers Blackvoices.com some insight on the controversy and her very real life battle with breast cancer … in her own words.

    In March, I noticed a lump in my left breast, rather small at the time and didn’t really know what I was feeling. So instead of going straight to the doctor’s office, I started asking friends their opinion and trying to go by their experiences. It was such a stupid move. Well, I figured I was just getting older. A hysterectomy in my early thirties led me to believe that I would be fine. Another stupid move.

    I let months go by – five months to be exact. The weight loss of over 40 pounds made me feel like, “Damn, this diet is finally working.” But then I remembered I wasn’t on a diet. So on a bright, sunny day in August 2009, I walked into Doshi center for a mammogram. I put on the gown and stepped up to the machine. As soon as the technician took my breast in her hand, she asked me how long had I had the lump. It’s huge, she said. I made a joke, she giggled, but I was scared and angry that I had waited so long.

    I was in denial. I event went so far as to ignore the letters sent by the lab that read: “Urgent!!! Please contact us.”
    I had gotten a call from the doctor, “I just received your images at my office and they have been trying to reach you for weeks. As soon as you get back to New York, you come to my office. This is your life.”

    I hung up, turned the phone off, walked out on the set and tried to pretend that the call never happen. But they did. And it showed on my face.

    The doctors was a different story, however.

    This is how the week went. Headlines: ‘No Ph.D. Roxanne’s Revenge,’ ‘Where are you Roxanne?’

    It was the ’80s all over again, but this time not to spark a career but to end over 10 years of charities, pushing education and giving and helping people and not too mention 25 years of hip-hop. But that’s nothing new. What about my children ? My 13-yea-old ? What if I die? So Tuesday another mamo, Wednesday ultrasound Thursday the bad news and then the surgery.

    So I felt all eyes were on me to tell women how important it is for them to get checked. It is only by the grace of God that I have been able to survive. I have been blessed to not only have survived the pitfalls of an industry that has destroyed so many, but to also survive just the everyday struggles of surviving all the negative that has come my way .

    Do I apologize? Yes, I do. But I am not asking for your forgiveness. I am sorry about a lot of things that I should’ve done differently. There were quite a few things that have been exposed with that article; the fact that I never received any royalties, the fact that I did go on to attend college (even if no Ph.D. was acquired), and the fact that at 14 years old and coming straight from the group home, I wRoxanne Shanteent on to create a career that even after 20 years of not making a hit record, was still pulling headlines.

    My platform was only telling our young people to educate themselves before getting in this industry, and that your lawyer, accountant, manager and record company shouldn’t all be under one roof or work together. No one ever told me that, so I felt the need to pass that along to our young people.

    And now I have another testimony.

    To be called Dr. Roxanne Shante was and is a privilege. But with that privilege comes pressure. I also had to live and talk like someone with a doctorate–not an easy task at all. I had to make sure that people felt healed and inspired after speaking with me.

    And you know what? I accomplished that every time. But only with God’s help.

    So, yes, I apologize to all those who applied themselves and put in all the hard work that is required to acquire a Ph.D. I admire you all. But don’t discredit all the hard work and sacrifices so many others have also done to also reach their goals.

    I apologize again but I don’t request your forgiveness, because I have already been forgiven by who matters: God. Sorry I can’t hold my head down because my crown may fall off.

    Life begins at 40.

     

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  • Dr. Boyce Money: Do Entrepreneurs Need an MBA? Probably Not

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    I am going to say some things that will take money out of the pockets of people like myself. But darn it, it has to come out. I have taught MBA and undergraduate business students for the last 16 years, at many major universities. I believe strongly in the value of black entrepreneurship and I believe in the power of compassionate capitalism. The problem, however, is that there are times when I wonder about the power of an MBA. Fenorris Pearson, a successful black entrepreneur, has shared the same concerns, and I can’t say I disagree with him completely.

    Here’s the deal. An MBA can be a powerful tool to learn how to manipulate your way through the complexities of corporate America. Most programs teach you how to analyze charts, create spreadsheets and do all the little things that your boss is going to ask you to do. The problem, however, is that the vast majority of professors teaching MBA courses at major institutions have never actually done the work they are teaching you to do.

    An MBA student at an Ivy League institution recently told me that when he asked his professors how to actually implement the strategies that they were teaching on the chalk board, the responses from professors were always disappointing. The student aspires to be an entrepreneur, where being able to do something matters far more than your educational background. In fact, entrepreneurship is the ultimate test of your business skill: If you can’t do the job, your academic credentials aren’t going to help you win customers. Someone buying your product doesn’t care if you have a Harvard MBA; they only care if you are giving them good service for a fair price.

    The reason that university professors in many business schools across America have become ineffective at transmitting necessary tools to their students is that campuses have turned toward a commitment to research over practical skill building. Publishing complex research papers in journals that almost no one reads becomes the Ivory Tower’s elitist way of proving that they are better than you and that they don’t actually have to care if you aren’t getting what you need to be successful. The MBA becomes a bought and sold commodity, where any student who can cough up the cash is almost certain to walk out of the institution with a piece of paper in his/her hand. While this doesn’t define all MBA programs, it’s hard to find anyone who would not argue that there is not some degree of grade inflation.

    The professor you ask to help you find a job sometimes can’t do a thing because he has few contacts in industries in which he has no experience. The faculty member who is asked if he has seen his models used in practice can only show you his publication in the Journal of Finance. University faculty have become as weak and complacent as special interests in the health care system when it comes to remaining committed to an ineffective educational process that takes care of the few individuals in power. It won’t be until more practical models of education become preferred by society that university faculty will finally get the point. What is saddest is that many black scholars in business have also bought into the elitist “look, but don’t touch the public” model of scholarship, leading many of our greatest minds to rot away their potential. I am not being critical of their achievements; rather, I am encouraging them to not be afraid to leave the intellectual plantation.

    When it comes to the MBA, the bottom line is this: MBAs can be good for alumni networking and they are good for certification that allows you to obtain a position with a company. They may not, however, be very good at actually showing you how to start and run a successful company. You might get a better education on Google.com.

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

     

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  • Obama Announces Small Business Bail Out

    Filed under: ,

    President Obama has finally outlined a bail out plan for America’s small businesses. Perhaps due to mounting criticism that the administration is only helping huge corporations weather the economic storm, the Obama Administration outlined a series of policies targeted to direct more capital to small banks and community institutions that lend to small businesses, especially in economically deprived areas. The New York Times reports:

    The measures, announced by Mr. Obama at a small records storage company in Maryland, would allow smaller community banks to borrow at low rates from the Treasury Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program. It would also raise the loan caps on several popular Small Business Administration programs.

    Under the administration plan, banks with less than $1 billion in assets could borrow from the program at a lower interest rate than financial institutions are required to pay.

    In exchange, banks must demonstrate how they would increase lending to small businesses and follow up with quarterly reports. According to the White House, most business loans by the community banks that are eligible for the new rules are made to small businesses.

    In addition, community groups that lend to small businesses in low-income areas under a Treasury Department program will be able to borrow relief money at just 2 percent annually for eight years. In the past, banks have been leery of the such loans because the program allows the government to buy warrants for the banks’ common stock and because it requires the institutions to limit executive compensation. But the small banks probably will not have to issue warrants in that program rules contain an exception for infusions of less than $100 million. The proposal as described Wednesday caps the infusions at $20 million.

    To learn more about Obama’s small business bailout program, be sure to check out these sites:

    +Obama Announces Small-Business Lending Push
    +Community banks to get bailout money as Obama seeks to boost small business
    +Obama refocuses bailout on small businesses

     

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  • @Feminista09 Bows At The Alter Of @Unclerush

    Posted by: Illmatic

    I wrote this short story in April 2008 while I was living in Miami, finishing FEMINISTA, and then posted it on FB as an album. (Then I deleted all my photos during my FB is Big Brother paranoia.) But I just came across it in my computer and as it’s totally FEM-related and pretty funny, I thought I’d repost!

    Ever since I had to stop pumping out chapters (this is the ‘before’ shot from 2 weeks ago) to format manuscript pages for my editor, I’ve fallen out of my rhythm. Now, for the last 5 days (and in my self-flagellating mind this feel like 5 months), I’ve been wallowing in an abyss of inertia. My editor hadn’t called to discuss the pages so I’m having paranoid fantasies that she thinks they’re crap. All 402 pages.

    Which doesn’t mean the pages actually are crap. Oh no no no no. To my soft bipolar mind (soft means not in danger of being carried out of my house strapped to a gurney Britney-style..or at least let’s HOPE not), this means she doesn’t GET IT. And now I’m going to have to take up the task of making her GET IT. Because this, I learned when re-reading a book last week called “The Hypomanic Edge: The link between little craziness and a lot of success in America”, is what zealots do in the face of skepticism…

    TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE

  • Triple Threat – Mother, Wife, Career Woman: What Does it Take?

    Filed under: , ,



    An entrepreneur doesn’t think like everyone else. She is willing to take chances, disciplined enough to focus on a dream and passionate enough to pursue that dream. Towanna Freeman is in that category. AOL Black Voices had the chance to catch up with Towanna, to get some advice on striking out on your own, as well as managing a marriage, children and career, all at the same time.

    1) What is your name and what do you do?

    Have you noticed how so many people seem to be living an unbalanced life or living beneath their full potential? Well, I assist people, particularly women, who are ready to take life changing action to get that sense of balance back along with that greater feeling of fulfillment and happiness. I am also the principal consultant of Towanna Freeman & Associates, a management consulting firm with the primary emphasis on leadership coaching and employee performance improvement; the founder of the Young Women’s Empowerment Network a nonprofit organization that produces empowerment workshops, conferences, and other special events for teen girls; and the author of “Purposeful Action, 7 Steps to Fulfillment.”

    2) You are a successful entrepreneur. What does it take mentally to run your own business, as opposed to the safe route of working for someone else?

    Every entrepreneur has his or her own reasons for wanting to own a business. Some are drawn to the idea of financial and creative freedom, being their own boss, and being in charge of their own financial future. Others make the decision because they are dissatisfied with demanding bosses, office politics, or lack of recognition. Regardless of the reason, successful entrepreneurs share several common characteristics like confidence, determination, organization, self-discipline, and flexibility.

    3) You are a “triple threat” – wife, mother and business woman. What are the challenges that come along with juggling everything in your life?

    With all my successes, there has been a great sacrifice. My most challenging task is not allowing my determination and drive to cause me to spend every waking moment working and juggling the needs of my household. Having a balanced personal and professional life requires separating business demands, activities, and accomplishments from the rest of your life. To ensure that I stay committed to a balanced life, I build in an hour a day to relax and engage in pleasant activities. For example, I will stretch out on my sofa with my favorite magazine. I will put on my headphones and listen to my favorite music. I will eat lunch in the park. Finding a good balance between work and fun will help you meet the challenges of running your business and household.

    4) Why do you work to inspire young girls? Did you have a personal experience that led you to have this passion?

    Mentors have always played an important role in my life – even now as an adult. It was in 1997 when I was alarmed by a series of national and local statistics that showed startling trends surrounding the teen girls of America. The lack of organized youth activities in poor neighborhoods, the increased number of single-parent households, and families with two working parents all reducing the number of adult role models. So, as a response to the community demands for assistance, I founded the Young Women’s Empowerment Network (www.ywen.org) a nonprofit organization established to provide role models, resources, social and emotional help to teen girls. Through our programs and events, we are able to help them realize their full potential to succeed in life.

    5) Do you feel that Black women are respected the way they should be by the rest of America?

    If not, then why? Black women have been a crucial part of America’s history. Thankfully, the lack of respect from America did not hinder the Black woman’s steady progress and determination to achieve success. The Black woman’s history is a story of hope in the face of great obstacles. In my opinion, receiving respect from America is less important than receiving opportunities from America. It is through opportunities to achieve greatness that we create pride, self-worth and true life fulfillment. Today, there is a new generation of Black women that has flourished with remarkable achievements in academia, business, politics, and sports. Women such as Ruth Simmons, Ann Fudge, Condoleezza Rice, and Venus and Serena Williams. As I continue to achieve greatness, the next generation of Black women leaders that I influence is destined to reach higher heights.

    6) What are your plans for the future?

    Helping women and teen girls identify and effectively pursue personal goals to fulfill their lives is what I do – it is my purpose. I see my coaching practice and management consulting firm overwhelmed with success story after success story. And my upcoming book, “Purposeful Action, 7 Steps to Fulfillment,” was written specifically for women to aid them on their journey to living an abundant and purposeful life. Purposeful Action is not about merely making a New Year’s resolution or a vow – it is about setting goals for life and then acting upon them.


    Towanna Freeman is a Life Coach, Management Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, Author, Principal consultant of Towanna Freeman & Associates and founder of the Young Women’s Empowerment Network. For more information, please visit www.TowannaFreeman.com.

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

     

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  • FedEx May Be Sued for Labor Violations by Three States

    Filed under:

    I think of FedEx as an employee-friendly company. For example, the entire company closes on Christmas to ensure that all employees can enjoy the holiday. Thus, it was surprising to learn that FedEx may be sued by the three states of New York, Montanta and New Jersey for intentionally denying 1,000 contractors the benefits they should receive as full employees. I guess they only commit (alleged) labor violations against non-employees.

    Reuters reports: “Three U.S. states said on Tuesday they plan to sue FedEx Corp, accusing the second-largest U.S. package delivery company of violating labor laws by illegally classifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees to save money.”

    Now to be fair, FedEx claims their contractors operate more like the owners of a franchise, who use the FedEx brand, but in essence operate their own small businesses, so there are no labor violations. In fact, FedEx released a statement promising to “vigorously defend the right of FedEx Ground independent contractors to own and operate their businesses.” So why may FedEx being getting sued? By not one but THREE states?

    FedEx does not give contractors benefits like worker’s compensation protection, but still charges them high fees to use its equipment. This would be fine, except that the company strictly manages drivers with detailed rules regarding hours and uniforms, among other areas. Honestly, something in the milk ain’t clean. It’s clear that FedEx is in fact controlling these drivers like full-time employees, while making them take on the risk and expenses of an owner. I hope FedEx goes down on this one.

    The three states of New York, Montanta and New Jersey have given FedEx until October 27 to prove that these allegations are false. Then the law suit against FedEx will proceed, hopefully empowering these workers to receive fair compensation for their labor.

    http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=753104&pid=753103&uts=1256143994
    http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
    Gotcha Moments of Retail Shame
    Store: Midas
    Accusation:California filed a $222 million lawsuit against the owner of 22 Midas Muffler shops after uncover agents discovered in which consumers were charged for unneeded repairs, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced. Click through to see more stores that got caught cheating.
    jupiterimages
    Touchstone Pictures

    Gotcha Moments of Retail Shame

      Store: Midas
      Accusation:California filed a $222 million lawsuit against the owner of 22 Midas Muffler shops after uncover agents discovered in which consumers were charged for unneeded repairs, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced. Click through to see more stores that got caught cheating.

      Store: CVS
      Accusation:California caught the chain with expired merchandise on the shelf. The result? CVS must give $2 coupons to anyone finding more expired items. This isn’t the first store caught doing something shady (or even the first time CVS was caught doing the same thing). See more Gotcha Moments by clicking through.

      Store: Kmart
      Accusation:Marketed paper products as biodegradable that aren’t actually biodegradable. The result? Kmart settled the case with the Federal Trade commission. This isn’t the first time KMart was caught.

      AFP/Getty Images

      KMart’s Previous Gotcha:Kmart, Ashley, and World Market< were accused of deceptive furniture labeling — wood that wasn”t wood and leather that wasn”t leather — in an on-camera investigation by Good Morning America The result? Kmart said full product descriptions were available online, Ashley defended its wording as a description of color only, and World Market acknowledged that a quarter of its supposedly leather chairs were actually synthetic, and it pulled them from sale.

      Sears Holdings Management Corp., the parent company of Sears and Kmart, settled a case to stop enticing customers to sign up for a software that spies on them. It must also instruct customers how to uninstall the software that monitored their spending across the web, even on sites that are supposed to be secure, and destroy the data that was collected. The Federal Trade Commission brought the case against the Sears Holdings.

      Quizno’s Sub Shop has an online video ad showing two girls simulating a porn video by sharing a sub sandwich. The online ad, “2 Girls, 1 Sub,” takes its name from a notoriously heinous movie trailer, for a fetish film, which shows women eating their own feces. Critics have pointed out that the Quiznos video, starring Playboy Playmate Hiromi Oshima, is basically comparing the sandwiches to “poop.”
      This is Quizno’s second porn-themed ad to come out in recent months.

      If you are dining out — and many of us still are these days, despite the economy — make sure to check your bill carefully for extra charges that might creep on there.
      Call it the airline a la carte approach, as many restaurants are apparently sneaking in charges for bread, tap water, takeout boxes and mandatory tips. The New York Post found all of these items added to bills on an investigative mission that the paper undertook recently.

      For more on advertisers caught misleading consumers, click through our gallery of Gotcha Moments of Retail Shame.

      Blockbuster was found guilty of charging customers higher than the advertised prices on scanned items by district attorneys of Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Blockbuster owes $237,750 in penalties, and $62,250 in costs, and is further prohibited from charging amounts greater than the advertised price.

      A regulatory organization for the advertising industry demanded that Wrigley change its misleading packaging and advertising for Eclipse gum. The ads for Eclipse say that the gum’s natural ingredient – magnolia bark extract – kills germs that cause bad breath. This has not been proven and the National Advertising Division Council of Better Business Bureaus asks that Wrigley clarify this in its ads.

      Store:Chase Bank

      Accusation: In late March, the bank rescinded a $10 monthly fee it had imposed for several months on hundreds of thousands of credit card accounts, after New York’s attorney general decried the practice as a bait-and-switch for customers seeking low interest rates.

      Results:The settlement could save customers $22 million over the next year.

      Amy Sancetta, AP

     

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  • The Joker Can’t Hold The Tears Back

    Posted by: www.huffingtonpost.com

    Glenn Beck was in the middle of pining for a ‘simpler time’ in America when he decided the best way to illustrate this idea was to show two advertisements from said ‘simpler time.’ One was a classic Coca-Cola ad, the other a Kodak ad.

     

  • Al Scales Reynolds: Opening Up About ‘Life After’ Messy Marriage

    Filed under:

    Al Scales Reynolds: Opening Up About 'Life After' Messy Marriage

    The one and only Al Scales Reynolds is a featured celebrity notable on TV One’s much buzzed about docu-series ‘Life After,’ which explores the past, present and future hopes of some of black America’s most intriguing bold-faced names.

    The eight-episode, half-hour series — which feature candid profiles on Omarosa Manigault Stallworth, Taimak, Eva Marcille and Daryl “Chill” Mithcell, respectively — is part biography, part confessional and an overall celebration of the human spirit.

    Though the former husband of Star Jones isn’t a SAG card-carrying thespian (like the aforementioned actors and reality TV stars), his short-lived marriage to and messy divorce from a former TV personality has presented many public and professional challenges for the former Wall Street power broker. He has had more than his fair share of tabloid fodder and wants to set the record straight about any misconceptions and misrepresentations.

    Reynolds exclusively offered Blackvoices.com some insight on why he chose to do ‘Life After’ – in his very own words.

    When I decided I did not want to be married any more, the truth is I had no idea how it was all going to play out. The one thing I knew was that I did not want to do it any longer–not one extra day with how bad it had gotten.

    I knew it was going to be a long road to recovery, but I was ready because I’d had enough, enough of the lies and deceit that existed in my life. It was becoming harder and harder to wake up and be satisfied with the face that stared back at me in the mirror.
    I would like to set the record straight: I am not one who advocates divorce. That would be the furthest from the truth, but I am one who advocates happiness and moral responsibility. You see, before I got married, I was a private banker at the world headquarters of one of the most prestigious white-glove financial firms in the world. I had a client list that read like a who’s who of fashion, sports, design and education. I lived downtown in The Ritz Carlton Residence, and I was well on my way to realizing all the dreams I had envisioned for myself. I studied at some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in the country.

    This all was the experience of a “country boy” from Virginia who started out in a mobile home in Horsepasture, Virginia, and ended up living in a penthouse in Manhattan.

    I managed to defy every single statistic that existed in my era and pushed forward to become what many define today as a success. And guess what, it was not overnight. It was after 25 years of schooling, 12 years of work experience and 33 years of living. It was after three career changes and dozens of setbacks, failures and disappointments.

    To accomplish all of that and wake up to find myself in a high-profile marriage that led to what felt like the raping of my character, integrity and namesake was a problem.

    How did all of this occur in what felt like a matter of seconds and why was it happening to me? That’s what I found myself thinking about. I would frequently wonder when I heard or read anything about myself who the tabloids were they talking about?

    Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, what I’ve experienced and how I’ve been misrepresented in the media is a real-life tragedy. And before now, I didn’t feel comfortable enough to say it and say it out loud. Now, I want to be very clear, I am not looking for sympathy. I only want to take responsibility for any part I had to play in this.

    But at the same time, I want the respect that I worked so hard to obtain. How come, within the blink of an eye, people started questioning my sexuality? How come after all that I worked hard to achieve, I was being called a freeloader, a kept man or a fraud?

    It was with caution that I originally took the call from TV One Network. Most of the calls I had received from most networks — and you name it, they’ve called — were not interested in showing who or what I was really about. They were interested in me living out the caricature that was so vividly portrayed.

    TV One approached me about showing the world what I was doing now, using my voice as the platform. Finally, I thought, someone who was interested in exploring who the real Al Reynolds was and not who the media had made me out to be.

    The producers said they were only interested in doing socially responsible programming that would allow me to just be me. They were interested in following me mentoring young adults, teaching my personal finance and leadership courses at the university, helping everyday Americans with their financial problems, writing financial articles, doing financial television commentary and exploring the road I have traveled from early childhood to the present.

    I felt that ‘Life After’ was finally a project in which I could showcase who I really am, with no scripts, no red carpets, no paparazzi, no endorsements — just the real deal.

    The show represents pushing through whatever challenges or obstacles you are experiencing in your life and persevering. It is the” life” you forge “after” your adversity.

    This project represents to me the closing of a chapter in my life, as well the beginning of a new and exciting one, one that is filled with giving back to my community, which is thirsting for help in mentoring and motivating in order to achieve and overcome adversity.

    It’s the beginning of embracing the entertainment side of my life. I look forward to having a much greater touch by writing, commentating and developing socially responsible projects for everyone to be inspired and uplifted.

    Reclaiming my name, my identity and my voice back is the most rewarding and best part. From the bottom of my heart to the tip top of my head, I still say to any and everyone listening: What doesn’t kill you definitely makes you stronger!

    ‘Life After: Al Reynolds’ premieres Oct. 18 at 10 p.m. on TV One.

     

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  • You Think Gucci Mane Is The Next Wayne?

    Posted by: ImGlobalNow

     

     

    It’s no secret how Young Money’s leading general Lil Wayne got his spot as one of the most popular entertainers out today. He continuously expanded his music catalogue by releasing mixtape after mixtape, and collaboration after collaboration with various artists. After doing this for over a year, Weezy released his album hitting platinum success, and continues to be one of the most popular entertainers today.

    It appears that rappers are taking notice of Weezy’s strategy, as Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane is on his way to the top. While in jail, a series of mix-tapes featuring Gucci’s music were released, increasing the So Icy MC’s street popularity. Once released from prison, Gucci Mane set off on a campaign to keep the streets hot and conquer the mainstream scene. Collaborating with Mariah Carey on the “Obsessed” remix and appearing on Mario’s hit “Break Up,” Gucci was becoming a crossover artist and being introduced to America. Not forgetting where he came from, he continued to cater to the streets, as his post-prison released mix-tapes, Writing On The Wall, The Movie Part 2, and The Burrprint 3D, have had both the ‘net and streets in a frenzy. Gucci Mane shows no sign of slowing down, as he continues to release new tracks, and was just recently named the #6 Hottest MC of 2009 by MTV. Below are a few of his recent collaborations.

     

    Cam’ron & Vado feat. Gucci Mane: Cuffin’

    Sean Garrett feat. Gucci Mane: Up In My Heart

    Teairra Mari, Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane: Sponsor

    Jagged Edge feat. Trina & Gucci Mane: Tip Of My Tongue

    Triple C’s feat. Gucci Mane: Trick’n Off

    Big Boi feat. Gucci Mane: Shine Blockers

    Mariah Carey feat. OJ Da Juiceman, Gucci Mane: H.A.T.E. U (Remix)

     

    Do you think Gucci Mane is the next Lil Wayne (in terms of popularity), or will his buzz start to go away?

     

    Until Next Time, 

    @ImGlobalNow

  • HOT COPY: Usher’s 911 Call Posted Online

    Filed under: , ,

    Usher 911 Call

    Last week reports were circulating stating that R&B superstar Usher had called authorities back in September to report that his car had been keyed, and that he implicated his estranged wife, Tameka Foster. Well apparently TMZ got their hands on the 911 tape which reveals the ‘Confessions’ singer explaining in detail what he believes took place.

    “I want to report a situation where my car has been keyed,” Usher said. “…It happened last night apparently. I called [last night] and filed a complaint because of a potential domestic violence [situation] between me and my ex-wife. She had come to my house. They sent the police here last night; we filed a complaint.”

    In response to the tape’s release a rep for Foster told MTV News the story is “totally preposterous” and “did not happen.”

    Hear the 911 call here.

    Usher Pictures

      Recording Artist Usher attends the 6th annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (57603393), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      Recording Artist Usher attends the 6th annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (57603387), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      Singer Usher attends the 6th Annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57604596), contact FilmMagic.com

      WireImage.com

      Singer Usher attends the 6th Annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57604602), contact FilmMagic.com

      WireImage.com

      (L-R) Maryam Saghatelian, AVP of Cartier Beverly Hills, musician Usher, Larissa Sabadash and President and CEO of Cartier North America Frederic De Narp attend the Cartier 100th Anniversary In America Celebration at the Cartier Boutique on June 3, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California..Cartier 100th Anniversary Exhibition and Cocktail.Cartier Boutique.Beverly Hills, CA United States.June 3, 2009.Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage.com..To license this image (57597518), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      Musician Usher attends the Cartier 100th Anniversary In America Celebration at the Cartier Boutique on June 3, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California..Cartier 100th Anniversary Exhibition and Cocktail.Cartier Boutique.Beverly Hills, CA United States.June 3, 2009.Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage.com..To license this image (57597472), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      Musician Usher attends the Cartier 100th Anniversary In America Celebration at the Cartier Boutique on June 3, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California..Cartier 100th Anniversary Exhibition and Cocktail.Cartier Boutique.Beverly Hills, CA United States.June 3, 2009.Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage.com..To license this image (57597468), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      Usher and Kanye West at MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be the Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball” at the Washington Hilton on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C..MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball”.Washington Hilton.Washington, DC United States.January 20, 2009.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (16491330), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      Usher and Rosario Dawson at MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be the Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball” at the Washington Hilton on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C..MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball”.Washington Hilton.Washington, DC United States.January 20, 2009.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (16491244), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

      Rosario Dawson and Usher at MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be the Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball” at the Washington Hilton on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C..MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball”.Washington Hilton.Washington, DC United States.January 20, 2009.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (16491143), contact WireImage.com

      WireImage.com

     

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  • Do You Think Gucci Mane Is The Next Lil Wayne?

    Posted by: ImGlobalNow

     

     

    It’s no secret how Young Money’s leading general Lil Wayne got his spot as one of the most popular entertainers out today. He continuously expanded his music catalogue by releasing mixtape after mixtape, and collaboration after collaboration with various artists. After doing this for over a year, Weezy released his album hitting platinum success, and continues to be one of the most popular entertainers today.

    It appears that rappers are taking notice of Weezy’s strategy, as Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane is on his way to the top. While in jail, a series of mix-tapes featuring Gucci’s music were released, increasing the So Icy MC’s street popularity. Once released from prison, Gucci Mane set off on a campaign to keep the streets hot and conquer the mainstream scene. Collaborating with Mariah Carey on the “Obsessed” remix and appearing on Mario’s hit “Break Up,” Gucci was becoming a crossover artist and being introduced to America. Not forgetting where he came from, he continued to cater to the streets, as his post-prison released mix-tapes, Writing On The Wall, The Movie Part 2, and The Burrprint 3D, have had both the ‘net and streets in a frenzy. Gucci Mane shows no sign of slowing down, as he continues to release new tracks, and was just recently named the #6 Hottest MC of 2009 by MTV. Below are a few of his recent collaborations.

     

    Cam’ron & Vado feat. Gucci Mane: Cuffin’

    Sean Garrett feat. Gucci Mane: Up In My Heart

    Teairra Mari, Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane: Sponsor

    Jagged Edge feat. Trina & Gucci Mane: Tip Of My Tongue

    Triple C’s feat. Gucci Mane: Trick’n Off

    Big Boi feat. Gucci Mane: Shine Blockers

    Mariah Carey feat. OJ Da Juiceman, Gucci Mane: H.A.T.E. U (Remix)

     

    Do you think Gucci Mane is the next Lil Wayne (in terms of popularity), or will his buzz start to go away?

     

    Until Next Time, 

    @ImGlobalNow

  • KKK Threatens Woman after Walmart Incident: Was Walmart to Blame?

    Filed under:

    I mentioned the story before about Heather Ellis, the young woman who was threatened by the KKK after protesting about her arrest that took place in a Walmart store. The story was quite interesting in that Ellis now faces 15 years in prison for effectively cutting line at a Walmart. The unfortunate events occurred when Ellis was shopping with a cousin in Kennett, Missouri.

    Heather and her cousin went to separate lines and when her cousin found the shorter line, Heather joined him. Ellis was then accused of cutting line by the person checking out customers, which led to an altercation. When Ellis was asked to leave the store, she argued with the managers, which led to the police being called. Ellis was eventually charged with disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and two counts of assaulting a police officer.

    Ellis, a college student on her way to medical school, argues that the charges were not appropriate, particularly since she doesn’t have a history of this kind of behavior. She now faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Ellis has publicly protested the DA’s decision to push the case forward, which has led to her receiving threats from the Ku Klux Klan. The African American community is working to help Heather now, as a website has been set up for an online protest and petition fighting to support Heather’s case.

    The question here, from a business standpoint is whether or not Walmart could have done something to avoid this situation. Some people think so.

    Dr. Towanna Freeman, a management consultant, argues that Walmart could have avoided the entire problem by paying greater attention to customer service.

    “Regardless of a person’s ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference, this case started when the cashier failed to convey at least one of the core beliefs and values of Sam Walton: ‘Customers are the reason we’re in business, so we should treat them that way.’,” says Dr. Freeman. “With that said, the cashier could have easily interjected and calmed the angry crowd by saying something like, ‘Excuse me, although we don’t promote cutting lines, please allow me to assist this customer now. This will only take a few minutes. Thank you, for your patience.’”

    The case for Heather Ellis is heating up. I’ve made some calls around the country and it appears that the case might finally get the attention it deserves. Also, the Your Black World Coalition is going to get involved, along with the National Action Network, to ensure that this young lady’s case is carefully analyzed. The bottom line, however, is that this incident should never have happened and Walmart has engaged in bad business by allowing its stores to be the center of such a racially-charged controversy.

    There is the added reality that Kennett, Missouri is Rush Limbaugh country. Respect for African Americans in the legal system of this town is not what it should be, and the more emails I receive about past indiscretions in this region, the more I am starting to wonder if Heather was going to be treated fairly in the first place. The presence of the KKK doesn’t help their case and only serves to remind us that we do not live in a “post racial America.”

    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and the 2007 Black Speaker of the Year. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Twitter, click here. If you wish to find out more about the case of Heather Ellis, please visit www.SaveHeatherEllis.com.

     

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  • National Survey Finds Your Smile is Your Most Attractive Feature

    Smile, because America’s watching.

    The American Dental Association recently conducted a survey and found that most Americans view the smile as the most attractive attribute. Facebook fans everywhere are taking surveys such as “What attracts you most?” …

  • Dr Boyce and Rev. Al Sharpton Discuss Couples, Money and Michael Vick

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    This week on “Keeping it Real with Rev. Al Sharpton,” the good reverend and I discussed some issues that many people might find interesting. First, there was the conversation about love and money. Most of us know that money matters in life. We tend to think about money every day and a good way to end up in the dumps is to have someone take your money away from you. Money is also a weapon of mass destruction in many relationships, especially in the African American community. And just for the record, Rev. Al stands firm that there is nothing to his rumored relationship with Lisa Raye. If only I were privileged enough to have people think that I had a thing for Lisa Raye….now THAT would make my day!
    Our second topic of discussion was Michael Vick. I personally believe that in spite of media reports to the contrary, Nike is still waiting in the wings to sign Vick to a real deal, because Vick has always been the real deal among NFL athletes. The great challenge for Vick is that he has to start from scratch to rebuild his respectability as a top notch quarterback. He also has to let that ‘dog fighting’ issue get behind him.

    I recently did an online webchat about Michael Vick, which explores the similarities between Michael Vick and Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. You’ll notice that the way America has vilified black male athletes is nothing new to our country – there is a long history behind it.

    The conversation with Rev. Al is below. Enjoy!


    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and a leading African American Speaker. He is also the author of the forthcoming book, “Black American Money.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here. To follow Dr Boyce on Twitter, please click here.

     

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  • Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke – and Getting There

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    I had a lot of fun watching the new Vh-1 show, “Going for Broke,” starring comedian Eddie Griffin. Griffin is one of the funniest comics in America, the comedian that Chris Tucker could have been (if he would simply stop disappearing between Jackie Chan movies).

    On the show, Griffin gives insight into his personal life, which is both intriguing and disturbing. The show is called “Going for Broke” for a reason, because Eddie just might actually get there.
    Here are some reasons that Eddie Griffin might actually become the broke celebrity that he is trying to become:

    1) He spends like a damn fool. One of the easiest traps for an entertainer to fall into is the “infinite money trap.” That’s when the person thinks that they’ve got an endless supply of cash, giving them ability to spend whatever they want on whatever they want. Apparently Eddie may have fallen into this trap, since his Bentley was being repossessed in an early episode of the show. Eddie’s conversation with his accountant was also revealing, as the words “all the accounts are empty” seemed to strike him hard. With all the success that Eddie Griffin has had, it is difficult to imagine that he would be completely broke. But the truth is that this kind of thing happens all the time.

    2) Can you say “8 kids and 4 baby’s mamas”? Eddie’s mother was right when she mentioned that any new potential “baby mamas” were looking to “get on the “Eddie Griffin financial plan.” What Eddie also seems to forget is that even if you are well to do, child support is a horrible financial burden. There are ways to be involved in the lives of children without giving up all your money in order to do so.

    3) He seems to put himself into bad situations. The first episode I saw showed scenes of Eddie going to a plastic surgeon after having a champagne glass smashed against his face by a “fan.” I’ve honestly got a few fans, but I don’t think any of them would want to slam a glass against my face. Maybe he should change the word “fan” to “hater,” “enemy,” or “potential threat.” Either way, Eddie seemed to feel that his life was somehow cursed with bad energy. Instead, he might take a second to realize that his personal choices might be the reasons he is being put into such peculiar situations.

    When it comes to Eddie Griffin and his new show, the bottom line is this: If you think that Eddie is now doing fine because he has a new Vh-1 show, think again. The networks don’t pay the entertainers much to do these shows, and the shows don’t usually last for a very long time. Also, unless you’re Bill Gates, you can’t presume that you’ve got a seemingly endless supply of disposable income. The fact that Eddie didn’t know he was out of money implies that he probably doesn’t keep a budget, which is one of the first paths toward financial ruin. Given that one of Eddie’s predecessors, Red Foxx, died deeply in debt to the IRS, one would hope that Eddie doesn’t endure that same fate. Eddie’s my man, funny as hell, but he’s really got to get it together.

    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University, a leading black speaker and author of the forthcoming book, “Black American Money.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

     

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  • Hip Hop Honors 2009: Celebrating Def Jam Records’ Movers & Shakers

    What started out as enterprising inspiration in a New York University dorm room 25 years ago is now home of the greatest names in the history of hip-hop, rap and R&B; Def Jam Recordings.

    A treasure trove of artists from LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys to Rihanna and Kanye West, and dozens more, have all help make the record company the most durable brand in hip hop.

    And the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors celebrates it all during a glitzy affair set to air on Oct. 13 at 9 p.m.

    But as should be known, there’s a lot of people on the back end who played a major part.

    And not just Russell Simmons, either.

    Blackvoices.com pays homage to the 25 movers and shakers who helped shape Def Jam Recordings over the past 25 years.

    http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=740718&pid=740717&uts=1254952808
    http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
    Def Jam’s Movers & Shakers
    25 People Who Helped Shape Def Jam Records
    Celebrating the 25th anniversary of hip hop’s most durable brand should not be taken lightly. Blackvoices.com pays homage to the 25 people out-front and behind-the-scenes who made a difference.
    Getty Images

    Mariah Through The Years

      Mariah Through The Years:
      For Mariah Carey, having more number one songs than any solo artist in America has been a credit to the company that this five-time Grammy winner has kept since making her music debut in 1990. From people behind the scenes like L.A. Reid and Jermaine Dupri to some of her past loves like Tommy Mottola, Derek Jeter and now husband Nick Cannon, each man has played a significant role in inspiring the music that has made this 39 year-old singer/songwriter famous. Blackvoices.com takes a look at the men who have inspired Mariah Carey over the years.

      Tommy Mottola – Husband
      No one is more responsible for Mariah Carey’s success than former Columbia Records head Tommy Mottola. After receiving Carey’s demo from artist Brenda K. Starr, for whom Carey sang backup, he signed her on the spot. While recording her 1990 debut, the two became romantically involved and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in 1993. Just three short years later, they split, and a divorce was finalized in 1998.

      Luther Vandross – Musical Collaborator
      The five-octave singer was fortunate enough to be one of the few entertainers to record a duet with the late Luther Vandross. Their cover of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross‘s ‘Endless Love’ became Vandross’ biggest pop hit. It was the second single released from his ‘Songs’ album and was also included on two Carey albums: ‘Greatest Hits’ in 2001 and ‘The Ballads’ in 2008.

      Trey Lorenz – Backup Singer
      In 1992, Carey performed an MTV ‘Unplugged’ special to show nonbelievers that she was not a studio singer. Her cover of the Jackson 5‘s ‘I’ll Be There’ with her longtime backup singer Trey Lorenz was later released as a single and became a number-one hit in the United States. Lorenz was able to score a record deal from the duet, and Carey co-produced his debut. On July 7 of this year, the two performed the song at the Michael Jackson memorial, which was held at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

      Jermaine Dupri – Producer
      It’s not a well-known fact that Jermaine Dupri has been working with Carey for nearly 15 years. In 1995, Carey worked with the So So Def Records founder on ‘Always Be My Baby,’ from her ‘Daydream’ album. It became the most successful record on U.S. radio that year. And though these two worked on several remixes together over the years, their magic came a decade later when J.D. produced four songs on ‘The Emancipation of Mimi,’ Carey’s 10th studio album and most successful to date.

      ODB – Musical Collaborator
      Since rapping ‘Me and Mariah go back like babies and pacifiers,’ Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the late Wu Tang Clan MC, helped solidify Carey in the world of hip-hop and R&B. The 1995 remix to ‘Fantasy’ became a number-one hit. The friendship between Carey and ODB lasted throughout the years. The songstress even met the rapper upon his release from jail in 2003.

      Mase – Musical Collaborator
      ‘Honey’ was Carey’s 12th number-one song. Before turning his life over to God and becoming a minster, Bad Boy rapper Mase appeared on the popular remix of the record, alongside the Lox and Diddy. The song, which also had its own video, was featured on Carey’s 2003 remix compilations, aptly titled ‘The Remixes.’

      Derek Jeter – Alleged Beau
      Shortly after divorcing husband Tommy Mottola in 1998, the five-time Grammy award winner met New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter at a Fresh Air Fund gala in New York. The couple connected over their interracial parents – black fathers and Irish mothers. The public romance ended short of the one-year mark. In an interview with Parade magazine, Carey said “It was the wrong time. …Our two worlds were just too much for that moment.”

      Eminem – Alleged Beau
      From ‘Clown’ to ‘Obsessed,’ Carey has documented her disdain for Detroit MC Eminem in her music. The ‘Glitter’ actress denies they ever slept together, but Slim Shady has consistently rapped that the two were intimate. The rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, sent threats to Carey via the 2009 diss track ‘The Warning,’ which was directed at both Carey and her husband, Nick Cannon.

      Nick Cannon – Husband
      Nick Cannon, 28, dated singer-actress Christina Milian and was even engaged to Victoria’s Secret model Selita Eubanks for five months before becoming Carey’s second husband. In 2005, he convinced the Teen Choice Awards to let him present Carey’s award for ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’ Two years passed, and the couple was reunited in 2007. Their whirlwind romance resulted in a quickie wedding in 2008 at Carey’s Bahamian estate, Windermere.

     

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  • Financial Lovemaking: Managing "Baby Mama Drama"

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    Most of us know about “baby mama drama,” since some of that drama may occur within your own home. What is also forgotten is that there is a huge emotional and financial toll taken by the mating and dating choices that we make early in life. Having multiple children is expensive enough, but having multiple children in multiple households leads to a peculiar mix of unpredictable and complex psychological variables which may impact your ability to find peace and happiness.In this episode of “Financial Lovemaking,” S. Tia Brown and I discuss the art of managing multiple households and all the responsibilities that come with it. Here are some quick pointers on financial responsibility when dealing with and avoiding “baby mama drama.”

    1) Don’t create the drama in the first place. I tell my daughters that if you don’t think someone would be a good parent for your children, you shouldn’t sleep with them. In fact, you shouldn’t even go on the first date. This may sound far-fetched, but how many young parents go on a date with someone they just planned to “kick it with”, only to find their children being raised by the ignorant fool that they knew they should never have messed with from the beginning? Those who are not intelligent about their dating and mating choices early in life can end up with a lifetime of incredibly expensive child support. These huge financial obligations will virtually obliterate your ability to have another family or reach your personal financial objectives.

    2) Realize that there is no substitute for time. Some parents are tempted into believing that sending a big check is a replacement for spending time with their children. This is ultimately incorrect. Your kids are going to remember the time you did or did not spend, not how much money you sent.

    3) Create a budget. If you have a long list of parental obligations, make sure you keep a carefully designed budget and stick to it. You may also want to consider the fact that having a bunch of kids in multiple households is going to require you to have massive earning potential. I paid 18 years of child support myself, and I honestly think I spent enough money to fund NASA and the United Negro College Fund. Although I adopted kids later in life (I believe it takes a village to raise a child and black men should be willing to step up to do this), I was at least smart enough to avoid another pregnancy. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I usually only make them one time.

    4) Don’t play favorites. Emphasize to your children the importance of making sure you treat them all the same. How you deal with your kids will have a lasting impact on them into adulthood. You can’t guarantee that they are going to believe that you were fair (there’s always one who thinks the others were treated better), but you can at least do your best to avoid this problem.

    5) Realize that it takes two to Tango. You didn’t create the baby by yourself, so you should ensure that the non-custodial parent has an opportunity to spend time with his/her children – in fact, you should demand it, even if the kids aren’t interested. As much as black men get a bad rap for not wanting to see their children (sometimes rightfully so), there are thousands of fathers across America who’ve been victimized by mothers who want money, but don’t see the significance of influencing the children to spend time with their father. They are his children too, remember that, and if you are speaking negatively about the father when the kids are around, you should realize the long-term damage you are doing to your own offspring. Children should be targets of our love and affection, not possessions to be used as a source of power – think about that when you use the words “MY kids” when speaking with the other person who created them.

    The episode is below, check it out!

    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of “Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

     

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  • Company Makes Money from Deadly Urban Trend: "Sipping Syrup"

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    Sippin Syrup Drank soft drink

    You’ve probably heard the phrase “sippin syrup,” used in reference to the act of mixing cough syrup, codeine, and soda together to create a relaxed feeling within the person who consumes the beverage. The “drank” has become quite popular, particularly in the south, as rappers have done their jobs of giving free promotion to an illegal product that has managed to make teenagers even less productive than many of them already are.

    It was only a matter of time before corporate America stepped in to make money off the trend. Meet the new drink on store shelves: Sippin Syrup. The drink doesn’t use any illegal products, but produces the same “lean” effect that many young people seek from the cough syrup product on the street. Harmless enough, right? Not so fast.

    Officers in the Houston area are concerned that the product sold on store shelves is nothing more than a gateway to an incredibly dangerous and addictive drug. The snazzy ad campaign fully leverages the power of the brand of “purple stuff” being sold on the streets already. Teenagers who can’t get the real stuff would likely be enticed by the substitute until the door is open for the actual product.

    I spoke with Dr. Elaina George, a prominent physician out of Atlanta, about the dangers of seemingly harmless purple “drank” used by many teenagers across the country after watching Lil Wayne videos (and those of other artists who promote the cough syrup mixture being sold illegally). Here is what she had to say about the symptoms:

    “Short-term symptoms include Impaired judgment, nausea, loss of coordination, headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, numbness of fingers and toes, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, aches, seizures, panic attacks, psychosis, euphoria, cold flashes, dizziness, and diarrhea.”

    Oh, I forgot to mention, the symptoms mentioned above are assuming your child doesn’t become addicted. Here are the long-term symptoms in the advent of addiction:

    “Restlessness, insomnia, high-blood pressure, coma, or even death.”

    I understand capitalist models and can almost appreciate the logic that leads companies to find even more ways to exploit ridiculous behavior in the black community. We are an intelligent and enlightened people, even if everyone can’t see the light. But there is also the question regarding whether or not there should be regulations in place to stop companies from so blatantly utilizing an unhealthy trend to make a profit. What if my company went to Montana, where Crystal Meth is a serious problem and started to sell a product called “Meth Lite”? How fast would the Montana state legislature put me out of business?

    When it comes to “Sippin Syrup,” “drinking drank” and getting the “purple stuff,” the bottom line is this: Companies should not be allowed to accelerate teen drug abuse and rappers should be conscientious enough to stop giving this drug free promotion. Teenagers are sheep who follow the examples which already exist in their culture. If we are making the bed for them, then who do we blame when they choose to sleep in it? The new drink in stores called “Sippin Syrup” needs to be taken off the market NOW.

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

     

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  • Money Blast: What You Should Know about Credit Scores

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    Financial News You need to know:

    What you need to know about credit scores: Get educated on what it takes to have the score you need. Your credit score can affect whether you get the job you want, as well as the cost of your insurance. Additionally, the formulas used by companies to calculate credit worthiness are changing as we speak.
    What social security underfunding means for your retirement: Social security is financially sick. African Americans are going to be hit the hardest, since we have the least wealth to prepare for economic challenges. Find out what all this means for your retirement, as the retirement landscape in America is going to change dramatically in the future.

    The federal government may continue to help first time home buyers: Many people don’t know about the $8,000 tax credit the Obama Administration is giving to first-time home buyers. Well, the government is considering extending the credit, which can add to your personal bottom line.Students are borrowing more money than ever to attend college: Along with the cost of healthcare, Americans are finding it more and more difficult to pay for their children to go to college. In fact, most young people under the age of 40 are going to die in debt. This does not have to be the case, since there are less expensive ways to pay for school if you seek out alternatives.

    Factors that may increase your chances of personal bankruptcy: Bankruptcies are skyrocketing due to the recession. There are things you can do to avoid bankruptcy, like negotiating with creditors or keeping a budget. Also, things like carefully noting the quality of your health insurance can make a difference as well.

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

     

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  • Girl, You Got Some “Good Hair”, Is It Yours?

    Posted by: Melyssa S. Ford

    In late 2007, I was asked by my good friend Nelson George to be a part of a documentary he and Chris Rock were co-producing about black women and their hair. The idea originated from Chris’ curiosity about the concept of “good hair” after one of his adorable daughters came home and asked, “Daddy, why don’t I have good hair?” This began a year and a half long journey that led Chris all over America, through barbershops and hair salons, interviewing the every man and every woman, celebrities and hair care experts; a visit to the great Bronner Brother’s Annual Hair Show in Atlanta and eventually to India, where a significant portion of weaving hair originates from. Although I thought the idea was ‘cute’, I didn’t put that much stock into the film or its concept and quickly forgot about my appearance in it as other projects came up and demanded my attention.  Fast forward to the present, late 2009 where the documentary has been completed and is blowing people’s minds at every single screening it is shown at.  Film festival audiences and guests at special screenings are leaving the film finding themselves thoroughly entertained and also more informed than ever on the relationship between a women, more specifically black women, and their hair.

    After seeing the film myself, I couldn’t help but reflect back on the first time I got a relaxer.  I was 11 years old, about to enter the seventh grade and my hair was completely virgin hair; a big huge Afro that was the result of re-growth from previous years of my disasterous Jheri curl phase.  From the moment my hairdresser spun me around to look at my reflection after the process was complete, I became a certified addict to the “Creamy Crack”.  That is what most of us refer to as relaxer, and its effects usually lead to a lifetime dependence.  To have edges that lay flat, to have our roots straightened out, to have our hair actually move by the whisper of a slight breeze keeps us in the salon chair every 6 to 10 weeks, getting our regular touch ups.  Never mind that most of us, at some point, have suffered excruciating pain at having been burnt by the chemical process being left on too long; forget the fact that the main ingredient in relaxer is sodium glygoglate, which can completely erode and dissolve aluminum and other metal materials; and let us not even consider that once we’ve put this chemical on our hair, we not only alter and damage the composition of our hair, we seemingly buy into the idea that the natural structure and texture of our own hair is substandard to our female counterparts of other races and nationalities.

    “Good Hair” is more than just a film about our concept of what “good hair” actually is; it’s a journey into the $9 billion dollar black hair care industry of which we only own and operate a small, insignificant percentage of.  For an industry that is so specific to the black race’s needs and for us to not completely dominate it from a manufacturing and retail standpoint shows a lot about our perception of freedom and the reality of modern day oppression.  The notion that we, as black women indulge in our choices to wear our hair in so many different ways and styles depending on the type of hair we purchase or the chemical process we undergo, the film will have you second guessing as to whether it’s a choice at all, or a form of voluntary slavery that is both economic and psychological.

    I encourage all of you, both men and women of all races and nationalities, to see the film when it hits theaters on October 9th and keep the debate going here on Global Grind.

     

    Thank you for reading.

     

     

     

  • Dr. Boyce Money: Don’t Throw Tavis Smiley Under the Wells Fargo Bus

    Filed under: ,

    When I read about the predatory lending allegations against Tavis Smiley and Wells Fargo, I wasn’t surprised. Not because I feel that Tavis is some kind of crook, but because economic downturns are usually when everyone’s dirty laundry gets aired out. The high flying 2000s were a decade of extravagance, overspending, easy money and troubled relationships. The party was bound to end. Smiley’s party has ended with Wells Fargo, as the company has been accused of using Tavis Smiley and financial expert Kelvin Boston to convince African Americans to sign on to loans that turned out to be predatory. Neither Boston nor Smiley is willing to disclose the amount they were paid for the service, but I’m sure it wasn’t chump change.

    I’ve been open and honest in my critiques of Tavis Smiley in the past, but I give credit where it’s due. I’ve always felt that Tavis Smiley is a man who works out of a sincere respect and appreciation for the black community. He is not out to hoodwink, swindle or hurt us, at least not deliberately. At worst, Smiley is guilty of being caught in a situation that he may not have fully understood.

    Although I agree with the black community’s decision to hold Tavis Smiley accountable for his actions, I want us to be cautious of going overboard in our judgments. Here are 5 things I want to say about Tavis Smiley:

    1) Don’t throw Tavis under the bus. African Americans can be tough on our public figures. After Smiley’s repeated calls for accountability against President Obama, many failed to appreciate the value of scrutinizing our elected officials. While Tavis’ close relationship with Hillary Clinton undermined the credibility of his challenges to Obama, the truth is that accountability is very important when dealing with any politician. One must respect Tavis for having the willingness to say things that are unpopular, which even Obama himself doesn’t always have the courage to do.

    2) Beware of corporate sponsors bearing gifts. One of the greatest barriers to social progress for African Americans has been our inability to properly assess those who sponsor our activities. Any corporation that comes along with a signed check can usually find a place at our table. Would you want your teenage daughter taking money from any boy who offered it to her? Probably not, because you know that the the boy might be expecting “repayment” at the end of the night. The same is true for corporate sponsors, who are paying you to present the kind of image they want the public to see.

    3) The revolution will NOT be brought to you by Walmart. Rarely, if ever, can true black activism be achieved via funding provided by companies run by the descendants of our historical oppressors. This is due to the inherent conflict of interest between capitalist entities and the plight of the poor. African Americans are disproportionately poor and working class. Therefore, unfettered capitalism is designed to destroy us (although compassionate capitalism can fuel economic growth). So, while one can certainly understand why Smiley would be happy to take corporate money for his State of the Black Union event every year, the truth of the matter is that the honest activism of such a function can only go so far.

    4) A critical line must be drawn between financing and influence. There’s a reason that the New York times doesn’t let it’s advertisers decide which stories are going to appear on the front page. This is because the natural power that comes with financial support must be tempered by a commitment to conscientious objectives. If Wells Fargo needs to be called out for its predatory lending practices, that is not going to happen with the Wells Fargo logo placed behind the speaker’s head. There should be independent oversight of all funding sources for The State of the Black Union, The State of Black America, as well as events held by the NAACP and Urban League every year. Influence is bought behind the scenes all the time, and good black leadership should be as transparent as possible.

    5) We should keep supporting Tavis. Tavis Smiley’s annual event, The State of the Black Union, is one of the most celebrated in the black community. With a renewed commitment to conscientious corporate sponsorship, The State of the Black Union can regain its status as a respected and appreciated forum for black education. But in order for this to happen, we must make sure we know where the money is coming from, where it is going and what strings are attached. Without properly vetting the sources of your financial support, you are setting yourself up for corruption.

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

     

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  • The Week That Was: Mo’Nique Moves on, Roxanne Shante Rings Alarm

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    She may have been a no-show at the Toronto International Festival earlier this week, but Mo’Nique partied it up with the likes of Vogue Editor-at-Large Andre Leon Talley at the Sugar Bar last night. The incredibly shrinking funnywoman dined on buttery shrimp, sidestepped to the live music (with a bodyguard standing shielding her = insane to observe), cut up on the microphone and welcomed the black media with open arms at an exclusive soiree celebrating her upcoming BET late-night talk show, which premieres Oct. 5.

    Aside from the new show, which we hear may draw comparisons to Arsenio Hall’s groundbreaking 1990s chat fest, the former star of ‘The Parkers’ is looking forward to a busy season. Her performance in the Oprah Winfrey/Tyler Perry-produced drama ‘Precious: Based on the Novel Push’ has garnered early Oscar buzz. It has also brought a tinge of scandal, too. This week, a source told Roger Friedman of the Hollywood Reporter that the 41-year-old actress asked for $100,000 at one point to show up to the festival with the rest of the cast. Of course, a rep for Lionsgate (the studio will release the film on Nov. 6) downplayed that tidbit with talk of “scheduling conflicts.” Hmmm. Winfrey, Perry and the diva Mariah Carey all showed up. And no one could possibly be busier than those three. They were all in New York City last night, too, but were nowhere near the Sugar Bar. When probed about the movie’s shining star, the film’s director told a room full of Toronto Festival journalists, “She’s at home eating some potato chips with her kids.” Ummmmm. Okay.

    Last night, however, Mo’Nique seemed to be in her own mode at the Ashford & Simpson-owned hot spot. She wasn’t talking about Toronto drama. Actually, come to think of it, she didn’t say much at all in the watering hole’s tight quarters. The ‘Original Queen of Comedy’ did commend ‘Precious’ filmmakers for believing in her, along with BET honchos Debra Lee, Stephen Hill and Loretha Jones.

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    Party Hearty: Mo’Nique at The Sugar Bar
    Mo’Nique getting her groove on.
    Wilson Morales
    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 Black filmmakers, this Metropolis, Illinois, native revolutionized the film industry when he formed his own movie production company and, in 1919, became the first Black 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 Black 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 Black 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 Black 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 Black 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.

    Mo’Nique

    *****

    Everyone and their mother (and even the P.O.T.U.S.) seemed to have some sideways comment about Kanye West’s messy spectacle at the MTV Video Music Awards — as if he was videotaped urinating on underage girls; as if he was accused of sexual assault by a Colorado hotel employee; as if he lumped up his beautiful Cover Girl model girlfriend on the streets of Los Angeles … but I digress.

    Joining in the fray is Angelo Ellerbee, an esteemed public relations veteran.

    In an eyebrow-raising interview with Out magazine, the New Jersey native – who has worked with virtually everyone in black entertainment from, Dionne Warwick to DMX, spoke his piece about the highly publicized debacle: “This is a problem! You can talk about how it’s liquor, but liquor just makes you do what you want to do. It’s an excuse. His mother dying, the liquor — they’re all excuses. You need to go and get some help. You need to come to me for a week. That’s what you need to do!”

    Another nugget from Ellerbee, who has garnered praise for media coaching and teaching celebrities proper etiquette: “It angers me to think that we’ve come so far and then our black president is shouted at and called a liar and nobody wants to do anything because no one wants to ruffle any feathers. You know what? I’ve got nothing but feathers to ruffle. I’m tired of this. When I worked with Mary J. Blige, people said it was the hardest thing to do and it would never happen. But life is not a cup of instant coffee. It’s brewed coffee. It’s brewed over time. Look where she’s at today!”

    *****

    Before Wanda Sykes starts hosting her late-night show on FOX this fall, audiences will get to see her on HBO. The Emmy Award-winning comedienne returns to the network for her second solo special, ‘Wanda Sykes: I’m a Be Me,’ debuting Oct. 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Taped last month before a live audience at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., the special will feature the brazen funnywoman performing material featured in her national stand-up tour. She addresses such topics as having a new “cool” black president, coming out as a lesbian, the real Michelle Obama, being a new mom, getting her first bikini wax, health care town halls, pirates and working as an entertainer on a gay cruise. Named one of Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America,” the ‘New Adventures of Old Christine’ star recently hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

    *****

    Grammy-Award winning neo-soul powerhouse Jill Scott, Obie Award-winning actress Yvette Freeman and Emmy Award-winning producer Shonda Rimes have some irons in the fire. Scott has been cast as the lead in Lifetime Television’s telefilm ‘Sins of the Mother,’ about a grad student who returns home to face her abusive, alcoholic mother. Scott, who recently helmed the critically acclaimed HBO series ‘Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency’ (now on DVD), will play the mother. According to ‘Variety,’ production began this week, and a 2010 premiere is slated.

    She played nurse Haleh for 15 years on the TV drama ‘ER,’ but Freeman is a master at theater. This week, the Obie Award-winning Delaware native stars in McCarter Theatre Center‘s production of Emily Mann’s ‘Having Our Say,’ based on the memoir about civil rights pioneers Sadie and Bessie Delany. The multiple-award-winning play officially opened Sept. 17 and will continue at the Princeton University venue through Oct. 18.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ creator Rimes will produce a Miramax Films project adapted from journalist Helena Andrews‘ upcoming memoir ‘Bitch is the New Black,’ a satirical look at the new generation of young, successful black women in Washington, D.C. Andrews, a culture columnist for TheRoot.com, has been tapped to pen the screenplay.

    *****

    Roxanne Shante, who was recently embroiled in a sordid scandal about whether Warner Bros. Records financed her alleged college education, sounded an alarm about a serious women’s health issue earlier this week. Via her Facebook page, the Queens, N.Y., native wrote: “Sisters, it is very important that you get mammograms. I am not going to put my personal business out here. But just know I am speaking from a place and situation that I don’t want to see any of you in. If anyone here is a breast cancer survivor I would love to hear from you. Life Begins at 40.”

    When reached for comment, the former Cold Chillin’ Records rap diva (nee Lolita Gooden), who many consider the “First Lady of Rap,” did not respond. But today, she wrote: “Okay, let me explain. I wanted to share my situation because someone reading this needs to know they are not alone. Or they need to go and get a mammogram. We always put ourselves on the back burner for family, work, friends, etc. Put your health 1st today. As for me, I will be fine. God is good and has given me a guarantee. Plus, to worry is a sin, and I have committed enough of those so I don’t worry. Lol.” Her 40th birthday is Nov. 9.

     

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  • Yale Student Murder Symptomatic of Growing Workplace Violence

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    The murder of Yale University Lab Technician Annie Le was sad, particularly since her body was found on what was supposed to be her wedding day. The accused killer in this incident is Raymond Clark III, a 24-year old co-worker. This tragic incident is not only problematic due to the fact that a young woman lost her life. It is also a sad reminder of the dramatic rise in workplace violence throughout the United States.There has been an 18% increase in workplace violence in 2009, relative to last year. Also, according to Corporate Counseling Associates, an HR consulting firm, there has been a 28% increase in workplace suicides. A poor economy certainly plays a role in the frequency of workplace violence, as tough times lead to tough decisions by firm managers who have to slice jobs in order to keep the company afloat.

    African Americans are impacted even more by the threat of workplace violence, since our unemployment rate tends to be much higher than that of white Americans. Also, other forms of related violence, such as that which occurs in the home, are affected when the economy goes south. In other words, a tough economy leads to problems that go far beyond money.

    The case of Annie Le brings some questions to light when one thinks about violence in the workplace. These questions should be asked by employees and employers, since violence is not only a threat to employee safety, it is also a potential door to major lawsuits filed by those affected:

    1) Are there background checks being done on employees? If an employee has committed a violent crime in the past, this may unfortunately be a reason not to bring him/her into the workplace. At the very least, precautions should be taken to ensure that the other employees are protected.

    2) Are there proper channels for reporting violence when it occurs? In the student shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University, some students died allegedly because the university did not have a proper warning system.

    3) Is there a way to provide counseling to workers so they can handle layoffs or workplace stress in a more productive manner? What about dispute resolution between employees? If the workplace has become uncomfortable, employees should be able to report the discomfort to management so that problems are solved before they get out of hand.

    4) Are there ways to spot situations in which an employee is at risk of being violent in the workplace?     Clark, the tech who is accused of killing Ms. Le, was known to be a “control freak” and allegedly felt that the animal cages in the lab were his personal territory. There are many cases in which workplace violence is committed by individuals who’ve shown a propensity for aggressive behavior.

    5) Are employees informed on the company’s existing policies on workplace violence? Employees should know what lines are not acceptable to cross in the workplace. Also, according to a 2005 Survey by the US Department of Labor, 70% of all companies do not have a policy in place to prevent workplace violence.

    Annie Le’s tragic death may be an opportunity to save lives. By grabbing the lessons presented from her case, we can make workplaces across America safe for everyone. Let’s hope that Annie did not die in vain.


    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email box, please click here.

     

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