Black Man Black Woman

Tag: nbsp

  • Pam Grier: Blaxploitation Icon to Join Cast of TV’s ‘Smallville’

    Filed under: , , , ,

    Pam Grier will return to television early next year…and will be playing a bad guy.

    Well, a bad girl.

    Again!

    The CW announced that the 60 year-old 1970s Blaxploitation film icon is joining the cast of the hit drama series ‘Smallville,’ which is based on the DC Comics Superman series.

    The savvy casting choice is the first for the ‘Jackie Brown’ actress since Showtime’s ‘The L Word’ ended last year.

    Grier will play a villainess named Agent Amanda Waller, who brought on the destruction of Smallville in one of part of the Superman mythology.

    In the storyline, the character escaped the infamous Chicago Cabrini-Green housing projects with her surviving family after her family was murdered. She became a congressional aid and then a member of the elite semi-secret government agency, the Suicide Squad, where she earned the nickname ‘The Wall.’ Later, Agent Waller served as Secretary of Meta-human Affairs under President Lex Luthor.

    According to TV Guide, Grier will make her debut in January and she will appear in multiple episodes throughout the season.

    2008 Deaths

      Odetta Holmes
      “The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement” was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
      December 31 1930 – December 2 2008.

      Ray Tamarra , Getty

      Bernie Mac
      Comedian, Actor
      Oct. 5, 1957 – Aug. 9, 2008.

      AP

      Isaac Hayes
      Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
      August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008

      Reuters

      Miriam Makeba, “Mama Africa”
      South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
      March 4, 1932 – November 10, 2008.

      Reuters

      Jennifer Hudson’s 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.

      AP

      Shakir Stewart
      The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z’s departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.

      Getty

      George Carlin
      Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
      May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008

      Getty Images

      Madelyn Dunham
      Barack Obama’s grandmother
      October 26, 1922 – Nov 3, 2008.

      Getty Images

      Levi Stubbs
      Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Baby I Need Your Loving” died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.

      Corbis

      Dee Dee Warwick
      Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.

      Corbis

     

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  • Queen Latifah: Returning as Host of ‘People’s Choice Awards’

    Queen Latifah will return as host of the ‘2010 People’s Choice Awards’ ij January, and a few people of color and their respective projects will battle it out for the title of ‘People’s Choice.’

    Emmy Award-winning supermodel-turned-talk show host Tyra Banks’ daily talk show is nominated for favorite TV talk show, but she will have to beat ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show,’ as well as ‘Chelsea Lately,’ ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ and ‘Live with Regis & Kelly.’

    LL Cool J‘s show, ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ — the newest in the popular CBS franchise — is nominated in the new TV drama category, but would have to oust ‘The Good Wife,’ ‘The Forgotten,’ ‘Mercy,’ ‘Melrose Place,’ FlashForward,’ ‘Eastwick,’ ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ ‘V,’ and ‘Three Rivers,’ for the win.

    Finally, competing for ‘New TV Comedy’ are two Fox shows the feature African-American ensembles;’The Cleveland Show,’ the animated series featuring the voices of Sanaa Lathan and Regan Preston-Gomez, and ‘Brothers’ starring former New York Giants star Michael Strahan and Darryl ‘Chill’ Mitchell. Also nominated in that category are ‘Accidentally on Purpose,’ ‘Community,’ ‘Cougar Town,’ ‘Glee,’ ‘Hank,’ ‘The Middle’ and ‘Modern Family.’

    The People’s Choice Awards will air live on Jan.6 on CBS from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.

    Below is a complete list of nominees and categories:

    TV DRAMA:
    ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’
    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
    ‘House’
    ‘Lost’
    ‘NCIS’

    TV COMEDY:
    ‘Desperate Housewives’
    ‘How I Met Your Mother’
    ‘The Big Bang Theory’
    ‘The Office’
    ‘Two and a Half Men’

    TV DRAMA ACTOR:
    Hugh Laurie
    Kiefer Sutherland
    Mark Harmon
    Matthew Fox
    Patrick Dempsey

    TV DRAMA ACTRESS:
    Anna Paquin
    Blake Lively
    Jennifer Love Hewitt
    Katherine Heigl
    Mariska Hargitay

    TV COMEDY ACTOR:
    Alex Baldwin
    Charlie Sheen
    Jim Parsons
    Neil Patrick Harris
    Steve Carell

    TV COMEDY ACTRESS:
    Alyson Hannigan
    America Ferrera
    Amy Poehler
    Eva Longoria Parker
    Tina Fey

    TV OBSESSION:
    ‘Dexter’
    ‘Gossip Girl’
    ‘The Hills’
    ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’
    ‘True Blood’

    TV TALK SHOW:
    ‘Chelsea Lately’
    ‘Live with Regis & Kelly’
    ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’
    ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’
    ‘The Tyra Banks Show’

    TV SCI-FI FANTASY:
    ‘Heroes’
    ‘Lost’
    ‘Supernatural’
    ‘The Vampire Diaries’
    ‘True Blood’

    TV COMPETITION SHOW:
    ‘American Idol’
    ‘Dancing With the Stars’
    ‘Project Runway’
    ‘So You Think You Can Dance’
    ‘Survivor: Samoa’

    ANIMAL SHOW:
    ‘Animal Cops’
    ‘DogTown’
    ‘Dog Whisperer’
    ‘It’s Me or the Dog’
    ‘Rescue Ink’

    NEW TV DRAMA:
    ‘Eastwick’
    ‘FlashForward’
    ‘Melrose Place’
    ‘Mercy’
    ‘The Forgotten’
    ‘The Good Wife’
    ‘The Vampire Diaries’
    ‘Three Rivers’
    ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’
    ‘V’

    NEW TV COMEDY:
    ‘Accidentally on Purpose’
    ‘Brothers’
    ‘Community’
    ‘Cougar Town’
    ‘Glee’
    ‘Hank’
    ‘The Cleveland Show’
    ‘The Middle’
    ‘Modern Family’

     

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  • Nicolas Cage Money Problems: Balling Without a Budget

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    I grow weary of the fact that whenever the media presents an entertainer going broke, we almost always see a black man. Well, the tables do turn, even on the best of them. Actor Nicolas Cage is allegedly having major financial problems, having his property foreclosed and admitting in court that his former business manager may have milked him of millions of dollars.

    In a major court battle, the actor lost two of his homes worth a combined total of $6.8 million dollars. Cage owes over $5 million in mortgage payments and more than $150,000 to the city of New Orleans in real estate taxes. Cage is also suing Samuel Levin, his former business manager, claiming that Levin was responsible for his financial demise.

    Here are some quick and dirty thoughts on the plight of Nicolas Cage:
    1) Is there a change in the language? I noticed that a CNN article about Cage mentions the recession as one of the reasons that Cage is struggling financially. However, most commentary about the financial problems of NBA star Antoine Walker attributed his woes to financial irresponsibility. Not to accuse anyone of racism, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it were difficult for the world to imagine the great Nicolas Cage as being financially irresponsible.

    2) Hollywood money is not what it seems to be: By having five major projects slated for 2010, it’s tempting to believe that Nicolas Cage is going to be financially free by the end of next year. Not so fast. After actors finish paying the agents, lawyers, managers, and the IRS, they may only get 30 – 40% of their total pay package. That means that if Cage gets $10 million for his film, he is only going to see three or four million dollars of that money.

    Whatever the case may be, it does appear that Nicolas Cage was certainly living it up. Few A-list actors are as blockbuster-worthy as Cage, so there is no excuse for him to ever go broke. But given that Cage has purchased personal islands, castles, and other extravagant items, he put himself in a situation where he needed a lot of money in order to simply stay afloat. Michael Jackson had the same problem during his life, as he was easily spending five to ten million dollars per month. No matter how much money you have, you can always go broke. We should all live beneath our means.

    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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  • *Photo* Drake x Birdman x Lil Wayne: ‘4 My Town’

    Posted by: ImGlobalNow

    Drake, Weezy, and Birdman are getting ready to drop their video for the track “4 My Town” and stills from the video have hit the internet. Check out the pictures from the video!

     

    CLICK HERE FOR THE PICS!

  • Facebook: An Essential New Tool For Small Business Marketing

    The New York Times has just published an excellent article called: “How to Market Your Business With Facebook.” Some small business owners have eagerly jumped on the social media trend, while others like to keep it old school with traditional email marketing. But in this economy, entrepreneurs need to be as creative as possible about reaching new audiences while stretching marketing dollars, if you are lucky to have any. Getting to know Facebook is a great way to hop on social media’s runaway train, which shows no signs of slowing.

    Of Facebook’s growing cache as a marketing vehicle, The Times states:

    A growing number of businesses are making Facebook an indispensable part of hanging out their shingles. Small businesses are using it to find new customers, build online communities of fans and dig into gold mines of demographic information.

    “You need to be where your customers are and your prospective customers are,” said Clara Shih, author of ‘The Facebook Era’ (Pearson Education, 2009). “And with 300 million people on Facebook, and still growing, that’s increasingly where your audience is for a lot of products and services.”

    This two-page primer on Facebook marketing is a must for small business owners, even if you are already a regular visitor to Facebook.com. As social media sites make it possible for the average person to reach thousands of customers through a little online elbow grease, the time to utilize Facebook.com to the full is now.

    Do you use Facebook to market your small business? Share your success stories or cautionary tales below.

  • Gucci Mane: Sentenced To A Year In Prison

    Gucci Mane Sentenced To A Year In Prison

    If life could intimate art, the cover to Gucci Mane‘s forthcoming Dec. 8 album ‘The State vs. Radrick Davis’ would prove to be an irony of sorts. According to ‘MTV News,’ the ‘So Icy’ rapper was arrested and sentenced to a year in prison today stemming from a probation violation.

    The startling news comes as shock to many given Gucci’s unyielding presence in today’s hip hop scene. The Atlanta native, who was named one of MTV’s hottest MCs, has been featured on chart-topping singles from likes of Mario, Omarion, Mariah Carey, and is also expected to appear on Timbaland‘s forthcoming album ‘Shock Value 2’ — not to mention the rapper’s most recent collaboration with R&B superstar, Usher for his lead single ‘Spotlight.’

    Despite Gucci (legally known as Radrick Davis) serving six months in prison last year for failing to meet a previous court-ordered 600 hours of community service, he may also serve the same length of time for his current violation.

    Upon his release last March, he spoke with ‘MTV News’ about his 2008 incarceration. “It was a challenge for me,” he said. “I’m just happy my team kept my music going strong for me. And I’m happy I recorded so many records so people could hear me.”

  • Tom Joyner Morning Show, Roland Martin, Money and Power

    This morning I had the great pleasure of having a conversation with my respected colleagues, Tom Joyner and Roland S. Martin. I have always loved the Tom Joyner Morning Show. My respect for Tom came when I found out that he once commuted daily between Chicago and Dallas in order to host shows in both cities. I appreciate anyone willing to sacrifice to reach their goals. Roland Martin has an equally compelling story about how he was forced into bankruptcy in order to become successful.

    The truth is that there are a whole bunch of people who want success, but they usually want it for free. These brothers understand that you usually have to pay a high price to get what you want.

    We were discussing the case of Heather Ellis. Heather Ellis is a 24-year old college student now facing 15-years in prison after being accused of cutting line at a Walmart. We are planning a rally for Heather in Kennett, MO on November 16, with thousands coming from around the nation in order to save her life. Tom Joyner, Roland Martin, and Michael Baisden are just a few of the names of brothers and sisters around the nation willing to step up to tell Heather’s story to the public.

    After the show was done, I called my assistant and confidant Shauntay, in order to talk about the events planned for the day. Shauntay is a stern reminder to me that you are only as good as the people who work for you, and she is the greatest assistant on Earth. During our conversation, Shauntay asked me, “Did you notice how they seemed to get nervous and rush you off at the end?”

    I said, “Yeah, I noticed that. But I don’t blame them, I might have done the same thing.”

    Why was I rushed off at the end of the segment? It all has to do with Walmart being one of the key corporate sponsors for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. During the interview, I first mentioned that it was reported as far away as Memphis that Walmart employees were being asked not to discuss the Heather Ellis incident. Tom started to deflect the conversation away from the merchant.

    “Well, that could have happened in any store, right?” said Tom.

    I then went on to explain that, while it could have happened in any store, there was no getting away from the fact that it happened in Walmart: A Walmart employee was the one who chose not to serve Heather after accusing her of cutting line, the family reports that nearly every Walmart employee involved in the incident has been transferred to another store, and there are Walmart employees on the affidavits filed after the incident took place. There is no way to disconnect Walmart from this incident.

    Unlike our supporters in Detroit, who are ready to boycott Walmart and stage a complete “black out” of the store, I have not asked for such a thing. Instead, I’ve only requested that Walmart use its influence to help Heather during her trial. I honestly believe that one sincere phone call from the right executive can make this situation go away. A daughter of a pastor, in college, with no criminal record is hardly the kind of thug that should be rotting away in the penitentiary. Anyone can understand that.

    This discussion of The Tom Joyner Morning Show is not a negative reflection on the righteousness of Tom Joyner or his choice of having Walmart as a corporate sponsor (if it were Wells Fargo, then we might have an issue). The incident is reflective of how the power of media is driven by corporate sponsorship. Given that corporate sponsors controlled by the descendants of the historical oppressors of black people are financing most African-American media, the ability to pursue true and meaningful activism is sometimes muted. In other words, nobody disrespects their daddy, especially if their daddy is the one putting food on the table. The life of one black woman is not, to some, worth the loss of millions of dollars in corporate money (I do not agree with this assessment). One of the limitations of capitalism is that it forces us to put a dollar value on human life. I personally think human life has infinite value, and that is why I am fighting for Heather.

  • WTF: Jon Gosselin Has Sex Tape & Used Cocaine

    Posted by: BlogXilla

    Jon’s bodyguard Thomas Meinelt has been subpoenaed to testify in TLC’s lawsuit against Jon, and The ENQUIRER has learned Meinelt claims he saw Jon snort cocaine many times, and that he’s watched Jon’s secret sex tape!

    “Tom told me that Jon was secretly videotaped having sex with a woman in Los Angeles in October, and he’s seen the tape!” said Stephanie Santoro, Jon’s former flame and family nanny.

    “Tom said people close to Jon put a camera in his hotel room, and paid a girl to flirt with Jon and have sex with him.

    “He also told me that he saw Jon snort cocaine on more than one occasion, and that the more Jon got into partying, the more cocaine he used!”

    TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE

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

    Filed under:

    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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  • Whitney Houston: Returning to the American Music Awards in a Big Way

    Whitney Houston I Look To You


    Whitney Houston is ready to show just how strong she is on primetime television.

    On Nov. 22, the 46 year-old entertainer will sing her Diane Warren-penned ballad ‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’ on the ’37th Annual American Music Awards’ telecast. The song is a featured single from her seventh studio album ‘I Look To You,’ which debuted atop the charts and remains marked the biggest first week sales of her career.

    The ‘I Will Always Love You’ singer’s AMA performance will be her first time on the show in a decade. She previously performed ‘Until You Come Back’ and ‘My Love Is Your Love’ with Babyface and Wyclef Jean on the 1999 telecast. I

    t will also mark her first primetime U.S. network performance in five years since appearing on the ‘World Music Awards’ in 2004.

    According to a rep for Dick Clark Productions, Houston will also be presented with the American Music Awards International Artist Award, in recognition of “special artists who have gone beyond the borders of their own country to be acknowledged for their superstar status around the globe.” She becomes the eighth honoree to join a elite group of award-winning recipients, including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Led Zeppelin, the Bee Gees, Aerosmith, Madonna and Beyoncé.

    Previously announced American Music Award acts include Rihanna, Green Day, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Keith Urban, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry and Adam Lambert. The American Music Awards will broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Nov. 22 at 8 PM EST on ABC.

    http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=701671&pid=701670&uts=1251242579
    http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
    Whitney Houston Through The Years
    Just Whitney
    Since releasing her 1985 self-titled debut, Whitney Houston has become one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Though her signature voice and amazing vocal range made her a household name, this New Jersey native made headlines for her marriage to New Edition singer Bobby Brown, her alleged drug use and her recent relationship with Ray J. On the cusp of Houston’s latest comeback album, ‘I Look to You,’ Blackvoices.com takes a look at the singer throughout the years.
    Retna / Getty Images / AP / WireImage

    BHM MEDIA NEW

      While on a family vacation with Tom and Suri, Katie Holmes hit the beach near Rio de Janeiro in this blue one piece.

      bauergriffinonline.com

      Rihanna hits the stage at the NFL Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Concert in a pair of knee-high black boots. What do you think about the pop singer’s look?

      Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images for NFL

      Mischa Barton wore this Elie Saab couture mint green gown to the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d’Armenonville. Is Mischa’s look a hit or miss?

      Eric Ryan, Getty Images

      Heroes star Hayden Panettiere arrives at the NBC Universal Pre-Super Bowl event at Portofino in a black tuxedo jacket and dress with a plunging neckline. Is the Hollywood starlet hot or not?

      Gerardo Mora, Getty Images

      Diane Kruger wore Nina Ricci for the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d’Armenonville. Is her dress a mess or amazing?

      Eric Ryan, Getty Images

      Kim Kardashian opted for this floral strapless Tracey Reese dress for the 2009 Moves Magazine Super Bowl Party at The Venue Club. Let us know what you think about Kim’s look.

      Tim Boyles, Getty Images

      Burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese wore an ice blue Elie Saab (left) satin dress at the Fashion Dinner for Aids at the Pavillon d’Armenonville.

      Dominique Charriau, WireImage

      Spanish actress Penelope Cruz appeared at the the 2009 Goya Cinema Awards in Madrid in this black lace Chanel gown. Is it a win or a loss?

      Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images

      Amy Adams wore a Jasmine di Milo gold and silver sequin backless dress and Christian Louboutin heels to the 61st Annual Directors Guild of America Awards.

      Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

      Being thousands of miles away didn’t stop Meryl Streep from celebrating the inauguration. The actress wore this Catherine Malandrino flag dress to the Paris premiere of Doubt.

      Julien Hekimian, WireImage

     

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  • Rihanna and Chris Brown: The Financial Value of Rihanna’s Pain

    Filed under: , ,

    I hated what Chris Brown did to Rihanna. I was angered, disappointed and irritated by the fact that many are quick to forgive egregious behavior on the part of celebrities, and a hit song can forgive all sins. At the same time, celebs are just like the rest of us, full of complexities that the world may never come to understand. Rihanna has walked away from Chris and she is now telling the entire world how bad of a man he is, and we’re all taking her side.

    The problem for Rihanna, however, is that her actions aren’t making much sense.

    Rihanna’s recent whirlwind media tour has included the likes of ABC News, MTV and other major media outlets. Throughout this tour, she has allowed the world to enter into her dark reflection on the relationship she had with Chris Brown, with that reflection seeming to have almost no productive purpose. I am not sure why the he-say/she-say between two 19-year old kids should be the concern of the nation. But then again, I am sitting here writing about it, so I am as guilty as everyone else.

    The truth is, clearly, that Rihanna could have used this incident as a teachable moment and then moved on with her life. But that wouldn’t be nearly as profitable as doing a media tour attacking Chris.

    The point here is clear and quick:

    A personal tragedy is usually leveraged in order to sell a book or album: Did you notice how tennis star Andre Agassi revealed his drug addiction when his book was released? What about when Mackenzie Phillips announced that her father, well-known performer John Phillips, molested her as a child? Stories like this are a great way to get people to read your book or buy your records. Notice that it took Rihanna several months to start talking about Chris Brown in public. That was probably because she had to finish up her tracks. By the way – her album is scheduled for release in a few days. The Chris Brown story will be the primary driver of her album sales.

    Now, I am a Finance Professor and a capitalist. Well, I am mostly capitalist, to a point. I can understand why Rihanna’s handlers are milking the cow till the udders fall off. The story is interesting and like hungry kids in a candy store, we are salivating to find out more about what happened. But the truth is that we only know most of what occurred, not everything: All we really know is that they got into a fight and Chris won. But we also know that Chris lost the war because he is the one who got arrested. Is there anything else we need to know? Is there anything new that Rihanna is telling us other than vague and “clearly objective”(LOL) things like “his eyes had no soul.” What the heck does that mean anyway?

    While we can respect Rihanna’s decision to use this situation as a chance to build her brand (similar to when Juanita Bynum was allegedly beaten by her husband and then declared herself to be “the face of domestic violence”), the truth is that we probably shouldn’t fall for the hype. We should realize that this was an unfortunate situation,with many lessons to be learned about domestic violence in the black community. Rihanna will sell her records, and Chris will have to rebuild his own brand. But at the end of the day, this media whirlwind created by Rihanna is, for the most part, an opportunity to not only punch back at Chris, but a chance to make a little dough in the process.

    As the rapper TI might say, “It is what it is.”

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

     

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  • Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth: Reuniting with Donald Trump For All-New Dating Show

    Filed under: , ,

    With the winter season steadily approaching, many hopeless romantics are prepping their fire wood in anticipation of quality time with loved ones. All of which leads to one particular reality star who is currently on the hunt for new love.

    Former ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ finalist Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth is set to reunite and partner with real estate/reality TV tycoon Donald J. Trump for an all-new TV One reality dating series aptly titled ‘Omarosa’s Ultimate Merger.’

    The Youngstown, Ohio native will attempt to find a new flame by putting 12 successful eligible bachelors through an array of challenges to test each man’s business acumen, seductive strengths, and their true intentions to dating her.

    “Omarosa was a great personality on the ‘Apprentice’ that was watched by over 40 million people as it became the #1 show on TV,” Trump said. “Omarosa is smart, witty, and difficult, but all of these qualities will make for some very interesting entertainment.”

    “I am very excited to partner with the great Comcast Corporation and TV One,” he continued. “They really stepped up to the plate to do this deal. TV One is making a huge impression on the cable landscape with this tremendous new show.”

    Not one to shy away from the cameras, viewers can expect the famous billionaire turned entertainment mogul to make special appearances on the show to offer advice on who should get the boot.

    Show producers were very fixed on creating a distinctive dating show for prime time television, in addition to scaling to the network’s “cable budget.”

    “The challenge was coming up with not just your typical dating show,” said Executive Producer Robert Horowitz. “This is the biggest show TV One has done in the relationship space. The challenge womarosaas creating a prime time-style relationship series on a cable budget.”

    “Omarosa is known for her drive to succeed and her take-no-prisoners attitude, and watching her use these qualities in her love life will make for great TV,” he added.

    ‘Omarosa’s Ultimate Merger’ is currently being shot at Las Vegas’ Trump International Hotel and Tower. The show is tentatively scheduled to next spring.

     

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  • Alicia Keys Goes Uptown

    Posted by: urbanmusicdirect

    Check out the beautiful, sexy and talented Alicia Keys on the cover of Uptown Magazine. What Do You  Think?

     

     

     

  • NBA Star Antoine Walker is Broke: Five Lessons We can Learn

    Filed under: ,

    When I went to The University of Kentucky with Antoine Walker during the 1990s, we all knew he was going to be a star. He was headed for great things and would represent his family well. No one would have guessed that he would one day become the poster child for what NOT to do when you earn $110 million dollars.

    Antoine is busted, or as my friends would say, “broker than the 10 commandments.” He was recently arrested for not paying $800,000 in gambling debts he owed to a Vegas casino, and that’s when the financial roaches started coming out of the closet.

    In the midst of Antoine’s situation, we can all learn lessons. I thought I’d lay out a few for us to consider:

    1) Watch who you allow to handle your dough. It might sound good to say that you have an accountant, but the truth is that you are always vulnerable when someone is doing things with your money that you do not understand. Additionally, allowing friends and relatives to have access to your financial accounts is a very bad idea. While I have major issues with Bill Cosby, I was always impressed by the fact that he takes care of his own money. Also, one of the sad realities of NBA athletes is that most of them were not properly educated during college, given wimpy little majors that didn’t interfere with their athletics schedules, so some of them are unprepared to protect the wealth they work so hard to earn. Get an education- you’re going to need it.

    2) Don’t judge Antoine Walker harshly, this can happen to anyone. Going broke or going to jail is not just something that happens to bad or irresponsible people. The same is true for a gambling addiction. While we are tempted to attack Antoine Walker for his situation, the truth of the matter is that gambling problems impact hundreds of thousands of people every year: Campuses are being overrun by TV poker challenges and other seemingly harmless, yet financially devastating temptations. If you don’t yet have a gambling problem, be careful not to start one. That’s an easy way to go broke.

    3) Stay away from the vices: Drugs, gambling or other costly addictions have led to the financial downfall of many people. In addition to gambling, other vices such as drugs or alcohol can accelerate your path to the poor house. What’s worse is that the temptation to engage in these activities is greater when you have more money to burn. NBA and NFL stars are still quite young, and the idea of giving a 22-year old $10 million dollars a year is a scary thing. Even I would have made terrible mistakes if I’d received that much money so early in life. If you are in a relationship with someone who regularly engages in any of these bad habits, you might want to reconsider that relationship. It can cause you a great deal of trouble later on down the road.

    4) Show your love, but put a cap on it: Antoine Walker has shown himself to be a generous man, giving to children and taking care of relatives. The problem is that it’s difficult for anyone to be a one-man welfare machine. I only call it welfare when someone is asking for something for nothing. I find that it is more productive to ask for something before you give something away; put the relative to work on productive activities that will help save you money. It will make both of you feel better in the end. Also, budget your charity to ensure that you don’t go overboard in your giving. Typically, those who are asking you for money today won’t be anywhere around when you are having financial problems.

    5) Watch how hard you bling: While “blinging” and “balling” might be incredibly tempting, you should limit the number of status symbols you acquire in order to show your wealth. Antoine Walker has always loved to “do it big,” renting limos for every occasion and not wearing the same suit twice during the playoffs. While he gets a lot of points in style, the truth is that such financial extravagance is not only financially draining, it also makes you a big target. Years ago, when Antoine was robbed of several thousand dollars during a trip to Chicago (and again later at his home in Miami), we can probably assume that the robbers knew they were coming after a wealthy victim.

    I am not here to attack Antoine Walker. Instead, my goal is to make his challenges into a true teachable moment. The old model of the black athlete getting rich, staying uneducated, balling out of control and going broke has absolutely got to change. We must aim for something better.

    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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  • Grindettets: My Kick Game Nice…

    Posted by: PiperMckei

    Happy Monday,

    Ladies it seems like Dr. Martens has taken his comeback seriously and has teamed up with big names to support him. Look at his collabo shoe with Jean Paul Gaultier. And also see what celebs have been wearing Dr. Martens as of late! Are we jumping on the trend for Fall?

     

     

    Enjoy Your Day Grindettes

    “Forever in Fashion”

             Piper

  • Antoine Walker is Broke: Five Lessons We can Learn

    Filed under: ,

    When I went to The University of Kentucky with Antoine Walker during the 1990s, we all knew he was going to be a star. He was headed for great things and would represent his family well. No one would have guessed that he would one day become the poster child for what NOT to do when you earn $110 million dollars.

    Antoine is busted, or as my friends would say, “broker than the 10 commandments.” He was recently arrested for not paying $800,000 in gambling debts he owed to a Vegas casino, and that’s when the financial roaches started coming out of the closet.

    In the midst of Antoine’s situation, we can all learn lessons. I thought I’d lay out a few for us to consider:

    1) Watch who you allow to handle your dough. It might sound good to say that you have an accountant, but the truth is that you are always vulnerable when someone is doing things with your money that you do not understand. Additionally, allowing friends and relatives to have access to your financial accounts is a very bad idea. While I have major issues with Bill Cosby, I was always impressed by the fact that he takes care of his own money. Also, one of the sad realities of NBA athletes is that most of them were not properly educated during college, given wimpy little majors that didn’t interfere with their athletics schedules, so some of them are unprepared to protect the wealth they work so hard to earn. Get an education- you’re going to need it.

    2) Don’t judge Antoine Walker harshly, this can happen to anyone. Going broke or going to jail is not just something that happens to bad or irresponsible people. The same is true for a gambling addiction. While we are tempted to attack Antoine Walker for his situation, the truth of the matter is that gambling problems impact hundreds of thousands of people every year: Campuses are being overrun by TV poker challenges and other seemingly harmless, yet financially devastating temptations. If you don’t yet have a gambling problem, be careful not to start one. That’s an easy way to go broke.

    3) Stay away from the vices: Drugs, gambling or other costly addictions have led to the financial downfall of many people. In addition to gambling, other vices such as drugs or alcohol can accelerate your path to the poor house. What’s worse is that the temptation to engage in these activities is greater when you have more money to burn. NBA and NFL stars are still quite young, and the idea of giving a 22-year old $10 million dollars a year is a scary thing. Even I would have made terrible mistakes if I’d received that much money so early in life. If you are in a relationship with someone who regularly engages in any of these bad habits, you might want to reconsider that relationship. It can cause you a great deal of trouble later on down the road.

    4) Show your love, but put a cap on it: Antoine Walker has shown himself to be a generous man, giving to children and taking care of relatives. The problem is that it’s difficult for anyone to be a one-man welfare machine. I only call it welfare when someone is asking for something for nothing. I find that it is more productive to ask for something before you give something away; put the relative to work on productive activities that will help save you money. It will make both of you feel better in the end. Also, budget your charity to ensure that you don’t go overboard in your giving. Typically, those who are asking you for money today won’t be anywhere around when you are having financial problems.

    5) Watch how hard you bling: While “blinging” and “balling” might be incredibly tempting, you should limit the number of status symbols you acquire in order to show your wealth. Antoine Walker has always loved to “do it big,” renting limos for every occasion and not wearing the same suit twice during the playoffs. While he gets a lot of points in style, the truth is that such financial extravagance is not only financially draining, it also makes you a big target. Years ago, when Antoine was robbed of several thousand dollars during a trip to Chicago (and again later at his home in Miami), we can probably assume that the robbers knew they were coming after a wealthy victim.

    I am not here to attack Antoine Walker. Instead, my goal is to make his challenges into a true teachable moment. The old model of the black athlete getting rich, staying uneducated, balling out of control and going broke has absolutely got to change. We must aim for something better.

    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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  • Megan Fox Hates Being Single

    Posted by: BlogXilla

    Rolling Stone again releases some outtakes from a photo shoot they did with Megan Fox. They (all 55 of them) are also good.

    The 23-year-old recently reunited with her on/off fiance Brian Austin Green, 36, and she said she isn’t a fan of singledom.Asked if she likes being in a relationship, she said: “Oh, I love it, yes. I really hate being single, don’t you? It’s just very uncomfortable. Who likes dating? I just don’t like it.” Megan also said that she may appear confident but she is not always secure within herself.She said: “No, I have a fear of public speaking. Every time I have to be onstage or at an awards show, I get so petrified.”

    FOR MORE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE

     

     

     

  • Is Health Care Reform Going to Cost you More or Less Money?

    Filed under: ,

    All of us are confused about health care reform. Many of us support the idea because we support the president. Some of us support health care reform because we know that the current system is terribly flawed. Well, getting informed on the issues might be a great way to ensure that you know what you are backing.

    One of the great problems with health care reform is that most Americans can’t trust it in the first place, given that there are so many special interest groups who’ve hooked their fangs into a corrupt and dysfunctional system. Pharmaceutical companies charge incredibly high prices for drugs and work with lawmakers to keep consumers from having other alternatives. Every day, there is a senior citizen moving one inch closer to death because he/she can’t afford their medication. Most of us know that this system has to be altered.

    Dr. Elaina George is a prominent Otolaryngologist at the Peach Tree ENT Center in Atlanta Georgia. In the audio below, Dr. George breaks down the health care reform package that is being debated in Congress this week. So, while the news might be muted by the mass shootings that have recently occurred, we should not allow this distraction to keep us from the issues that are going to affect our lives.

    Click here to listen to Dr. George.

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

     

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  • Steve Harvey: His New Wife is the Woman Who Changed His Life

    Filed under: , , , , ,


    Steve Harvey: His New Wife Is the Woman That Changed His Life
    Steve Harvey     is a changed man – and that’s largely due to the new lady in his life.

    But when it comes to his third wife, Marjorie Bridges Harvey, whom he married in June 2007, she’s not new at all. The pair met 17 years ago and dated briefly. And although the popular comedian, top-rated radio personality and best-selling author first saw the hazel-eyed beauty during a comedy club appearance in Memphis, where he declared that she would be his wife, both parties went on to build separate families.

    But they didn’t live happily ever after with their respective former spouses.

    Steve and Marjorie open up to best-selling author Denene Milner about their rekindled love and newfound happiness in the December edition of Essence magazine, which officially arrives on newsstands Nov. 12.
    Steve Harvey Act Like
    “You’re looking at two people who were messing up for real and making bad decisions without conferring with God,” he shared. “But the fact that you can mess up that many times and still come out okay is a testament to just the grace and mercy of God, man. He took us all the way around the block, halfway around the world, and we got back to each other.”

    The missus, who has three children from her previous marriage, told a candid story about how one of ‘The Original Kings of Comedy’ almost let her slip through his fingers after reconnecting; one night, he accepted a phone call from another woman in front of her.

    “I was just at a point where I was like, ‘If what you want is the same thing as what I want, then great. But if it’s not, it doesn’t make you wrong and me right or vice versa. It just means we’re not in the same place,’” she recalled. “What I’m not going to do is sit here and be in something where I’m not happy and not getting what I want. I wasn’t afraid to walk away.”

    Harvey snapped into shape in short order. He made a commitment and rose to the occasion.

    Two years later, the two are still going strong.

    “I mean, there’s not two days that go by when one of us doesn’t look at the other and say, ‘Man, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me in my entire life,’” he said.

     

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  • GG’s Global Guide For The Weekend

    Posted by: KanYeezy

    FRIDAY aka “movie night“- 

    Disney’s A Christmas Carol– is a a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3D motion picture event. For More info on this movie, click here.

    The Box– Cameron Diaz and former X-Man James Marsden star in the supernatural horror picture directed by Donnie Darko cult fave Richard Kelly. For more information about this movie click here.

    SATURDAY aka “chill day”- 

    12pm– College Football on ESPN, “Jon and kate: From Hate To Love” on TV Guide, “Monica Still Standing” on BET, “Jumper” HBO, “Reality Undercover” on MTV

    3pm– “Christie’s Revenge” on Lifetime, “Parking Wars” on A&E, “Dirty Dancing” on ABC Fam, “Dwarf Family: Meet The Fooses” on DHealth

    6pm– “Dateline: Taylor Swift” on CMT, “Dirty Jobs”, on DSC, “Practical Presents” on Syfy, “Four Brothers” on TNT

    8pm- “Cops” on FOX, “Mercy” on NBC, “Criminal Minds” on A&E, “New Jack City” on BET

    SUNDAY aka “football sunday”-

     

     

  • *Breaking News* Usher x Tameka’s Divorce Papers!

    Posted by: bossip.com

    Usher is finally back on the prowl and the divorce from Tameka Foster is final.

    Pop the top to peep the actual Papers

     

     

     

  • Real Housewives of Atlanta: Dwight Eubanks’ Penile Implant Revelation Revs Up Part Two of Reunion

    Filed under:

    Real Housewives of Atlanta: Dwight Eubanks' Penile Implant Revelation Revs Up Part Two of ReunionLast year’s ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ reunion, which featured a previously soft-spoken Lisa Wu Hartwell threatening to flip Kim Zolciak over the couch garnered some of the network’s highest ratings.

    Unfortunately, part two of the season two reunion show –which premiered Nov.5 — turned out to be even less lively than the first Bravo special.

    Zolciak,, was the focus of the first reunion special — with host Andy Cohen‘s many questions about her rumored fiancé Big Poppa, who allegedly showed up to the taping (but wasn’t shown on camera).

    There was a lot of back and forth about an alleged off-camera physical altercation between Zolciak and her on-again, off-again gal pal Nene Leakes too but a real turning point in the show involved a man and his endowment. And we’re not talking about money either.

    The ‘Tardy for the Party’ singer disclosed that Dwight Eubanks, commonly referred to as “The Fifth Housewife” has a penile implant.

    The Purple Door salon owner, who revealed to BV Newswire two weeks ago that he was bisexual, had no qualms with admitting his package enhancement. He even compared it to women having breast implants.
    Hartwell also got testy with Eubanks over his critique of her “fashion show,” but he offered up no apologies.

    Alas, Leakes and Hartwell didn’t hide their laughter when Zolciak took the stage singing her ‘Tardy for the Party’ dance hit.

    Zolciak (to her credit) sang live and accompanied by background dancers, but looked out-of-place on the stage. The mother of two also admitted to being a waitress at Atlanta strip club, Cheetah – denying rumors she was ever a stripper.

     

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  • Fighter Pat Barry Wins Big Purse Right Before Being Homeless

    Filed under: , ,

    UFC fighter Pat Barry was thanking his lucky stars for his big win against Antoni Hardonk. The fighter won a $120,000 purse for his accomplishment, which was right on time given that he was literally six days away from being evicted from his apartment. Barry’s win was emotional for obvious reasons and nearly everyone in his camp was in shock to hear about his financial situation. What is saddest is that his challenges are not uncommon among fighters in general.

    Although Pat Barry hasn’t had the chance to earn millions, many major fighters end up going broke even after their gravy trains have stopped flowing. The outcomes don’t make any sense, given that a bit of financial discipline could have made all the difference in the world. When you earn as much as $10 – $20 million dollars in a payday, you can live a pretty wild financial life and still have money to save. Instead, some athletes seem to want to push the limits and it’s actually uncommon to hear of any boxer who DOESN’T end up in the poor house.

    Here are a list of financial demons that plague fighters when they finally hit the big time:

    1) The bling: For some reason, athletes and entertainers are expected to live an incredibly extravagant lifestyle. Mike Tyson employed over 200 people and spent millions on items too ridiculous to mention. What’s worse is that Mike Tyson actually owed as much as $38 million dollars at one point. Evander Holyfield’s $10 million dollar, 54,000 square foot mansion was put on the auction block last year after foreclosure. Many athletes go into debt because they are banking on their next payday to get them out of the new financial holes they keep digging for themselves.

    2) Bad relationships: Divorce is a great way to go broke. Before Muhammad Ali married his third wife, Lonnie, his previous wife divorced him and took his last $2 million dollars right before Muhammad’s career ended with Parkinson’s disease. It was at that point when he found himself broke and unable to earn additional income. Fortunately, a good woman came into his life and used her MBA from UCLA to liquidate the massive financial value from his brand name. So, as much as black male athletes can be ruined by women, they can also be saved by them. However, a long string of baby’s mamas, bad marriages, draining relatives and expensive arm candy can cost an athlete dearly.

    3) The IRS: The IRS is sneaky and has led to the financial demise of many celebs. Even honest, hard working Americans can fall prey to the demon of back taxes. Joe Louis was one great example of a man who made a great deal of money, but found out years later that he owed tax money to the IRS. For the rest of his career, he would wander from one fight to another, with IRS agents waiting in the back room to take the entire purse after the fight. While his career was a great one, he was not a happy man in old age.

    4) A lack of education: A lack of money management ability and inadequate financial literacy plagues many wealthy entertainers and athletes. Growing up in poverty doesn’t exactly endow you with an extensive understanding of trust funds, estate planning, stocks and bonds. One of the great tragedies for NFL and NBA athletes is that many of them attend universities that simply hand the athlete a degree without forcing the athlete to get an education. But there is an old saying that “a fool and his money will soon part ways.” Even if you are incredibly wealthy, you have simply made yourself into a sucker for those who are smart enough to take that money from you.

    5) The leaches: The easiest way to get a pack of new friends is to have a lot of money. In addition to the friends who suddenly find you to be a fascinating human being, you’ve got managers, lawyers, agents, homeboys and baby’s mamas who want their cut. It is not uncommon for a celebrity to have to give away as much as $700,000 out of every million dollars he/she earns. Everybody wants a piece of your pie until you are down and out; at that point, you become yesterday’s news.

    I don’t think that any athlete should live like a miser, that’s no fun. Instead, why not simply save 20% of your income and party with the rest? That would give you a nest egg for retirement and allow you to pay the bills after you’ve fought your last fight. What’s saddest is that every boxer says they are going to retire young and none of them ever do. It’s time to stop living the same story over and over again.

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

     

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  • Yankees Win 27th World Series!

    Posted by: The Connector

    Baseball’s penthouse is again decorated with hand-painted silk pinstripe wallpaper. Nine years after their previous World Series title, the Yankees copped No. 27 last night when they spanked the defending champion Phillies, 7-3, in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium as a record gathering of 50,315 that didn’t include George Steinbrenner watched.

     

     

    And they looked very comfortable. Alex Rodriguez, who doesn’t have to answer any more questions about choking in the postseason, let loose with a river of victory tears and promised the parade will be a huge party.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE

  • Jennifer Hudson: Ready For Baby Number Two

    Filed under: , , ,

    jennifer hudson


    Jennifer Hudson wants a dreamgirl of her own.

    The Academy Award-winning actress/singer just gave birth to her son David, but is already excited to have baby number two.

    The former ‘American Idol’ finalist told Access Hollywood, “Maybe one more, I’d like to have at least one more, a little girl.”

    “I want a girl and then maybe another one,” she continued. “You know, one baby at a time.”

    According to TV Guide.com, Hudson is set to perform some of her favorite Christmas songs on an ABC special holiday special.” In it, she returns home to Chicago to visit with family members, friends and some of her childhood influences.

    And, though she has bounced back from last year’s tragic loss of her mother, brothJennifer Hudsoner and nephew, the 27 year-old and her fiancé, ‘I Love New York 2’ contestant, David Otunga have yet to decide what city to call home.

    “That is where all the family is,” Hudson said of the Windy City. “I feel like he should be surrounded by family. That’s where the biggest support system is and if we live somewhere else, then we will have to bring the family wherever we are.”

    ‘Jennifer Hudson: I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is slated to air on ABC in Dec.

    Head over to People.com for more details.

     

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  • Costco Accepts Food Stamps: Trend at Wholesale Clubs, Grocery Stores

    Filed under: , , , ,

    Leading wholesale retailer Costco has announced that it will now accept food stamps in its stores nationwide. This news comes as a shock to many, who see Costco as catering to elite shoppers. Yet, this should not be surprising as more Americans than ever are using government assistance to feed their families — 10 million people have gone on food stamps in the last two years alone. This is leaving shopping clubs like Costco and Sam’s scrambling to attract an entirely new realm of consumer, who may not be technically “poor.”

    The New York Times explains:

    Up until recently, some wholesale clubs were skeptical poor people would be willing to pay the $50-a-year membership fee or would be interested in buying food in the bulk quantities for which the stores are famous.

    But now, in this economy, stores are battling for every dollar and see a big potential market in the growing ranks of food-stamp recipients. From warehouse clubs to supermarkets and mom-and-pop groceries, stores are retraining their cashiers and hanging new signs to welcome such customers.

    ”Certainly this economy was a wake-up call,” Costco chief financial officer Richard Galanti recently told investors. ”It is not just very low-end economic strata that are using these.”

    … The U.S. Department of Agriculture said nearly 200,000 retailers nationwide now accept food stamps, 20 percent more than in 2005.

    Executives at Costco are finding that poorer families are actually eager to pay the $50 dollar membership fee to take advantage of the fact that the company now accepts food stamps. And the retailer believes that poorer families will actually save more money in the end by buying in bulk, even if the initial investment seems high.

    If you need to join the ranks of the 39 million Americans on food stamps (also known as Electronic Benefits Transfers), there is no reason to be ashamed. In fact, now is a better time than ever to seek out government assistance in buying food if you need it. The social stigma attached to food stamps is essentially gone as so many people are in need, and now more companies than ever are rising to meet the needs of this customer. You might be surprised to learn that you qualify.

    Learn how to apply for food stamps, or about the WIC program, and click below to learn about some of the thousands of retailers that accept EBT. Check your local retailers for more shopping options.

    Major Retailers That Accept Food Stamps

    Target

    The Kroger Company

    Walmart

    Safeway

    Sam’s Club

    BJ’s

    Most 7-Eleven Stores

    Most CVS Stores

    Dollar General

     

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  • Atlanta Housewives On Jaywalking

    Posted by: Illmatic

     

     

    Atlanta Housewives…

  • Southland: NBC Cancels Series, TNT Picks It Up

    Filed under: ,

    Regina King Southland: NBC Cancels Series, TNT Picks It UpThey say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

    That adage may prove to be true when it comes to the drama behind the drama series ‘Southland.’

    Starting Jan.12, TNT will begin airing episodes of the critically-acclaimed show from Emmy Award-winning producer John Wells.

    The news comes following NBC’s abrupt cancellation on Oct. 8 of the drama, which starred actress Regina King as a detective with unresolved family issues.

    TNT has obtained exclusive rights to air the six episodes from the second season of the show, which were never aired after several push-backs and time-slot changes. The network will also have the rights to show the seven episodes from Southland’s first season.

    Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks, said, “This is a great win for fans of Southland and a perfect opportunity to introduce the series to new viewers.” “It is also another outstanding example of how TNT has established itself as the go-to place for the best dramas on television.”

    ‘Southland,’ which premiered in April 2009, follows a group of Los Angeles cops. King as Detective Lydia Adams, who balances her hectic job with serving as her mother’s primary caregiver. ‘Southland’ also stars Michael Cudlitz, Ben McKenzie, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott, Kevin Alejandro, Arija Bareikis and Shawn Hatosy.

    ‘Southland’ will air Tuesdays at 10 PM EST.

     

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  • Secretary Causes Pepsico to lose $1.2 Billion Dollar Lawsuit

    Filed under: ,

    It’s not easy to work for me: I can be demanding, overly focused and intense about everything I do. I believe that reaching extraordinary goals requires you to always put forth extraordinary effort. Many interns have come and gone, after realizing that they can’t keep up with our crazy pace. The ones who make it through the storm become invaluable parts of my family; like body parts or internal organs. I truly can’t live without them.

    That is why I cringed when I saw the recent story about how Pepsico lost a $1.26 Billion dollar judgment because the secretary forgot to pass the paperwork onto the appropriate people. As a result, the company lost the lawsuit on a default judgment for failing to appear in court.

    Apparently, it was a simple oversight that could have happened to anyone. But I am sure that the secretary is in hot water and probably even fired. Cases like this are reminders of some important principles you should remember when you are in business for yourself or working for another person.

    1) Trust is everything. For me, trust starts on the first day of the job interview. If someone arrives late, that means that I can’t even trust them to get to meetings on time. If I can’t trust you to get to meetings on time, then there is no way on earth that I am going to trust you with a valuable contract. Consistency builds trust. You must always find a way to be consistent when working with or working for other people.

    2) You are only as good as the people who represent you. This statement implies two things: That you should get good people around you and that you should respect those who work for you. Hiring lazy relatives or friends who aren’t disciplined enough to do the job is a recipe for disaster. I have plenty of friends with whom I have good relationships, but I would never do business with them because I know that some of them are unreliable. Those who I choose to be part of my team are not reminded that I am the “big boss.” Instead, I let them know that I am in charge, while showing appreciation for their efforts every chance I get. Being respectful of others is how you truly earn respect without having to step on people in order to maintain power. If you rule with an iron fist, your subordinates will eventually plot to destroy you.

    3) Excuses need not apply. There are two types of people in this world: those who deliver excuses and those who deliver results. All of us run into obstacles, but the most effective people are the ones who find a way around those obstacles to get the job done. Those who regularly deliver a basket of excuses to somehow exclude them from their assignment are going to be replaced by someone who simply gets the job done. The truth is that in the world of business, even if you have a good excuse, the client is going to still take their business away from you. That’s just the truth.

    4) Learn to forgive. My most trusted partners and subordinates have made horrible mistakes and cost me money in the process. While my first temptation was to raise the fire of hell, I realized early on that this was not the best long-term solution. Instead, I simply ate the loss and assertively pursued a joint remedy for the problem at hand. Having power doesn’t mean that brute force tactics are always the best strategy. You might lose someone valuable if you don’t know when to show compassion. A good employee already feels bad enough about their mistake; you don’t have to rub it in further.

    I am not sure how Pepsico is handling the situation with the secretary, since some excuses are simply unforgivable. But while we can all understand being outraged by losing a billion dollars, we should also know not to sweat the small stuff.

    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and a leading African American keynote speaker. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

     

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  • Layaway Plans – 2009

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    It’s that time again when the stores will be crowded with thousands of consumers all vying for the same toy, special sweater, hottest electronic device. How do you plan to purchase it?

    The current crumbling economy has sparked interest in a form of retail purchasing that became popular in the early 1900s, that of Lay Away. How does it work? It’s simple. You, the consumer would like to buy something but don’t have the money. All you do is make installment payments on the merchandise. The merchant stocks your item away until your last payment. You receive it once your tab is paid in full. Of course this is different than a credit card purchase which allows you to take home your intended product and make payments while using it.Although stores like Walmart did away with this form of procurement years ago, Kmart stayed in the game. Stores currently offering layaway plans are:

    • Burlington Coat Factory
    • Kmart
    • Marshalls (at select locations)
    • TJ Maxx (at select locations)
    • Benny’s (New England)
    • Sears ( through December 23)
    • Cato – (offering 30-day plans)
    • Men’s Wearhouse
    • Boscov’s
    • Value City Furniture Stores
    • Footlocker (at select locations)
    • Best Buy
    • Toys-R-Us

    Plan on taking advantage of this service? Be sure to READ THE FINE PRINT.

    1. Get a copy of the store’s layaway policies
    2. Understand ALL of the policies – schedule of payments, rules regarding late fees, refund and exchange policies, markdowns on sale items, etc.
    3. Keep a good record and all receipts of payments (in case there are any disputes later).

    Until you make all the payments, the store has your merchandise AND your money. For this reason, I prefer to use cash, debit or credit cards OVER layaway, any day. Assuming I can pay off the balance in a short period of time. It’s true, credit card companies charge interest, therefore depending on the length of time it takes you to pay off the debt and the interest charged, your purchase which was originally on sale could potentially cost you much more in the end. However, I just can’t bear the thought of someone using MY money while I have nothing to show for it. Also, sad to say in these critical times retailers are closing doors for good, left and right. If you have something on layaway, on which you’ve been faithfully making payments and the store closes, you’re out your goods as well as your cash. Of course the choice is yours.

    If you know of other stores, please let us know in your comments.

     

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