Raheem DeVaughn feat. Robyn Janelle: “Customer” (Remix)

To learn more about Robyn Janelle please visit www.myspace.com/robynjanelle

Thanks Soul Bounce!

Discrimination on the catwalks?
Though America stands poised for its first black president in history, the fashion world descending on Paris for this week’s couture-show summit will be treated yet again to a “white-out” on the catwalks. After the emergence 30 years back of black faces on catwalks — thanks largely to recently demised French couture giant Yves Saint Laurent — fashion in the first decade of the 21st century has turned relentlessly white. “I asked the modelling agency for black girls for our next show but there simply aren’t any,” said Mario Lefranc, half of the Lefranc-Ferrant designer duo, one of 40-odd labels presenting couture collections in Paris over the coming week. “I’m sick of blonde Russian girls,” he told AFP. “Clearly the trend now is all for blue-eyed blondes.” And at Jean-Paul Gaultier’s, a designer renowned for using models of all ages, sizes, and origins, one assistant said: “It’s really very difficult at the moment. There are no black models on the market, the agencies have none.” In the last few years, she added, “there’s been an invasion of girls from Eastern Europe, of their type of beauty.” (Continue Reading…)

Indian gets life term for killing son’s black wife
An Indian-origin businessman in the US has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for hiring hitmen to murder his son’s black wife as he was enraged at the inter-racial marriage. Prosecution had sought death peanlty for Chiman Rai, 69, for paying two men USD 10,000 to kill Sparkle Michelle Rai, an African American, in April 2000 weeks after her marriage to his son Rajeev Rai alias Ricky, with whom she had a daughter. The 22-year-old was found strangled and stabbed more than a dozen times at the couple’s apartment. Jurors deliberated for less than two hours before delivering the verdict in an Atlanta area courtroom in Georgia this week. The case had gone cold but grabbed headlines as an “honour killing” after police arrested Chiman Rai and four others following a tip off two years ago. (Continue Reading…)

Zimbabwe Looms Over Africa Summit
UN Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro said this was the “moment of truth” for the African Union leaders. President Robert Mugabe is attending the meeting. He was sworn in on Sunday after a victory that observers said had been undermined by pre-poll violence. South Africa has now urged Mr Mugabe to hold talks with the opposition towards forming a transitional government. Mr Mugabe claimed a landslide victory as the sole candidate after the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew. The South African presidency said it would consider reports from election observers together with other members of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) before adopting a unified position regarding the result. (Continue Reading…)

There is nothing more annoying then trying to find a ringing cell phone in the bottom of a crowded purse. Or trying to find a lip gloss only to pull out a broken face powder. And I don’t want to even tell you how much time I have spent searching and shaking my purse for my house keys.

Well recently I came across a product that might solve this problem for ever! The Purse Pleaser is the ultimate purse organizer. It is a lightweight organizer designed to secure items in your purse. ($24.95, pursepleaser.com). No more digging gum from the coins on the bottom. The Purse Pleaser fits small, medium and large handbags and comes in 3 sizes sold together to meet your individual needs, so it will fit almost any size purse.

The Purse Pleaser is made out of lightweight plastic, so it won’t break or add to the weight of your purse. The compartments are designed to fit common items like cell phones, makeup, credit cards and even has a built in receipt holder. And the compartments are deep so items won’t fall out. So, save your sanity and the bottom of your purse and check out this ingenious organizer.

Angela Simmons, one-half of the tres chic Simmons Sisters duo, was recently spotted in a bohemian influenced must-have trend in the making. Bandos are a versatile accessory that you can rock with a cute n’ casual summer ensemble or use to help tame unruly hair during the hot as hell days to come. Whether you dig this trend or not right now, we have a feeling you’ll be ready to pick up one of your own by the end of the summer.

Ruben Studdard Marries in Alabama
Former “American Idol” Ruben Studdard has married Surata Zuri McCants at a church in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. But there was no singing during the 30-minute ceremony — just an exchange of vows, prayers and music provided by a string ensemble. A reporter from The Birmingham News attended the ceremony. The groom, nicknamed the “Velvet Teddy Bear” on “Idol” for his big frame and sonorous voice, wore a black tuxedo with white bow tie for Saturday’s ceremony. His bride wore a white and ivory wedding gown. Alabama will be their home as the 29-year-old-singer gets set to release a new album later this year. (Continue Reading…)

Brooklyn Realtor Won’t Serve Blacks: Lawsuit
A Brooklyn real estate agency systematically denied service to black people — going so far as to ask on the phone whether one prospective renter was Jewish — according to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday. he pattern of blatant racial discrimination the suit alleges first came to light in April 2007, when Vanessa Lee, 43, called Bais Seller Real Estate in Midwood looking for a $1,250 Ocean Parkway two-bedroom rental. Lee, who is black, was told by a representative that a “nice” listing was available, the suit alleges — and then was asked if she was Jewish. After responding “no,” Lee waited for a promised call-back that never came. (Continue Reading…)

Pastor Who Officiated at Jenna Bush Wedding Launches Pro-Obama Website
The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, leader of the largest Methodist congregation in the country, launched a website yesterday titled “James Dobson Does Not Speak For Me.” The site is a jab at Dobson, a stalwart of the religious right who this week called Sen. Barack Obama’s interpretation of the Bible in a 2006 speech distorted “to fit [Obama's] own world view, his own confused theology.” Caldwell’s site launched a day after Dobson’s Focus on the Family radio program aired a harsh assessment of Obama’s speech on faith and public policy and encourages readers to sign a statement declaring that Dobson does not represent them. “I think it’s a crime and a shame that Senator Obama has had to explain the fact that he’s a Christian,” Caldwell said in a recent interview. “Criticize his politics. Criticize his stance on whatever, but don’t question his faith. Never in the history of American politics has someone said that he is a Christian and someone came back to say, ‘No you’re not.’” (Continue Reading…)

A European Vogue cover model fell to her death from her Manhattan apartment building Saturday in an apparent suicide, published reports said. uslana Korshunova, 20, died around 2:30 p.m. in a fall from a building on Water Street, in Manhattan’s Financial District, The New York Post, the Daily News and Newsday reported. The newspapers cited unnamed officials and police.

Police said the fall was under investigation. Korushnova’s New York agency and a spokeswoman for medical examiners did not immediately return telephone messages.

Originally from the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, the almond-eyed, flowing-haired Korshunova appeared in advertisements and on runways for such designers as Marc Jacobs, Nina Ricci and DKNY. British Vogue hailed her as “a face to be excited about” in 2005. (Continue Reading…)

Obama, McCain spar over immigration
Values keeping Africa leaders silent on Mugabe: rapper Jal
Idol Champ Says “I Do”
Zimbabwe election results delay
Obama and Clinton declare Democratic unity
Child prostitutes sell themselves on Craigslist
Malaysian opposition leader accused of sodomy

“”I am excited to be coming home for yet another transition in my career,” Guy states. “This play means so much too so many people and it is a piece that truly speaks to me – on various levels.”

~ Jasmine Guy

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf is a 1975 an award-winning unique stage play by Ntozake Shange (En-toe- ZAK-kay SHONG-gay) touching on tales of the African-American woman’s journey in America. The play was made into a TV movie in 1982 and starred Lynn Whitfield and Alfre Woodard. Besides winning the Obie and Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award nominations, the work introduced a new theatrical form called the choreopoem. Structurally, For Colored Girls is a series of twenty sharp and bone-chilling performances of poems performed through a cast of nameless women, each known only by a color- Lady in Brown, Lady in Yellow, Lady in Purple, Lady in Red, Lady in Green, Lady in Blue and Lady in Orange. Born Paulette Williams, Ntozake Shange attended Barnard College (B.A., 1970) and the University of Southern California (M.A., 1973). She taught humanities, women’s studies, and Afro-American studies at California colleges from 1972 to 1975. During this period she also made public appearances as a dancer and reciter of poetry. Her 1975 theatre piece For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf quickly brought her fame.

For additional information please visit www.ikamproductions.com.

For more Midori Drink Recipes please visit www.midoriawakening.com

Ciara Inks Deal With Modeling Agency
R&B singer Ciara has signed with modeling agency Wilhelmina and is in talks to launch her own clothing line. Wilhelmina will now focus on casting Ciara, who’s currently ending a print modeling run for Jay-Z’s Rocawear line, in both clothing and fragrance campaigns, according to the singer. “Modeling has always been one of my aspirations,” says Ciara. “But I was insecure about my height. I thought I was 5′7″ but I just found out that I’m 5′8″ so I’m really excited about that.” Ciara’s also in talks with the budget-friendly department store, Steve & Barry’s, to create a reasonably priced clothing line that bridges her personal style with affordable price points. Steve & Barry’s also carries Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line as well as the New York Knicks’ Stephon Marbury’s Starbury collection. (Continue Reading…)

Study shows blacks don’t share similar views of world
As a black man, John Bess says it has been important for him to know much about the white world, yet he says whites have not been so curious about his. “We’ve always known what’s happening in the white sector,” says Bess, a 56-year-old consultant in New York City, “but they (whites) have no idea who we are, what we’re about. … My mother may take one position and I take another and my brother takes another. You have to talk to the segments of our community.” A study out Friday provides a nuanced portrait of black Americans’ social views, consumer tastes and notions of identity, undermining the idea that most black Americans share a similar world view and life experience. Conducted by Yankelovich, a consumer market research firm, and sponsored by Radio One Inc., the survey finds that blacks have made progress economically and educationally and that most have a positive outlook for the future. Nearly one-third make more than $50,000 a year and 47% own homes. (Continue Reading…)

G8 Warns Sudan of More UN Action on Darfur
Group of Eight powers warned Friday they could take further action against Sudan at the UN Security Council unless it complies with demands to bring Darfur war crimes suspects to justice. Foreign ministers of the industrial powers called for an immediate ceasefire in the parched province, where the United Nations estimates that up to 300,000 people have died since the conflict broke out in 2003. Sudan has refused to comply with UN Security Council demands to hand over two suspects to the International Criminal Court who are accused of 51 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, torture and rape. (Continue Reading…)

Illusions Cosmetics presented their annual Pre-BET Awards beauty/spa event, “Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine,” on Sunday afternoon, June 22, at a private estate in the exclusive Hancock Park section of Los Angeles. Hosted by actress Lauren London (”This Christmas,” “ATL”), the invitation-only affair was co-sponsored by Soft Sheen-Carson, Vaseline and Baileys.

Celebrities and VIPs on hand included actress Tasha Smith (”Why Did I Get Married?”) and her twin sister, film producer Sidra Smith, actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (NBC’s “Heroes”), TV personalities and budding fashion designers Vanessa Simmons and Angela Simmons (MTV’s “Run’s House”), actor Darrin Henson (”Stomp the Yard”), former model Nicole Murphy, singer/model Steph Jones, twin actresses Malika and Khadijah Haqq (”ATL”), casting director/producer Robi Reed, fashion designer Traver Rains of Heatherette, music retailer George Daniels, actor Thom Barry (CBS’s “Cold Case”), actress Jazsmin Lewis (”Barbershop”), actor Gary Anthony Sturgis (”Daddy’s Little Girls”), actress Katerina Graham, and 102.3 FM morning radio personality Nautica de la Cruz, among many others.

Attendees indulged in makeup application at the Illusions Cosmetics beauty bar, hair consultation by Soft Sheen-Carson’s celebrity hairstylist Johnny Wright featuring their new Weave Care product, massages by Vince Allen and Robert Lewis, manicures by Melissa Bozant, and eyelash extensions by Jimmy Q. Dinh and Ja’Maal Buster. Guests were treated to delicious appetizers catered by Mmm Mmm Catering, two cocktail bars sponsored by Baileys featuring their signature “Chocolatini,” and popular music spun on the turntables by DJ Shy.

India.Arie stars, Whoopi Goldberg produces Broadway’s ‘For Colored Girls’
Grammy-winning singer India.Arie will make her Broadway debut in a revival of Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.” She will open in the play Sept. 8 at Circle in the Square. Preview performances begin Aug. 19 in what will be a revised and updated version of the play, which was an off-Broadway hit for the Public Theater in 1976 before transferring to Broadway for a run of more than 700 performances. The new production will be produced by Whoopi Goldberg, directed by Shirley Jo Finney and choreographed by Hinton Battle, a three-time Tony winner. “For Colored Girls…,” a prose-poem portrait of black women in America, originally featured Shange and Trazana Beverley, who won a Tony for her performance. (Continue Reading…)

Racist Groups Increase Membership in Wake of Obama Win
The serious hatin’ on Barack Obama is in full force among racists in cyberspace and has spread to countless computers in homes across America. Since Obama defeated Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary last month, clinched the Democratic presidential nomination and could become America’s first black president in November, racist groups, white supremacy organizations, neo-nazis and skinheads have all increased their activity on the Internet and stepped up their hateful online denunciations of Obama. It’s a hate experts say is now reaching a fever pitch. “I haven’t seen this much anger in a long, long time,” Billy Roper, a 36-year-old who runs a group called White Revolution in Russellville, Arkansas, told The Washington Post. “Nothing has awakened normally complacent white Americans more than the prospect of America having an overtly non-white president.” (Continue Reading…)

Sharpton Calls Nader’s Comments ‘Most Troubling’
Rev. Al Sharpton sent an open letter to consumer activist and independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader today following comments he made about Sen. Barack Obama, in which Nader claimed Obama “talks white” and ignores issues of poverty. In the letter, Sharpton said he found Nader’s comments divisive and “most troubling.” Nader’s comments were published today in an interview with the Rocky Mountain News and quickly spread on the Internet, in which he said, “(Obama) wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician…He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful.” “I don’t know how one “talks black or white,” wrote Sharpton in an email which was emailed to members of the press. “There are clearly different styles and speech cadences in every community.” In closing his letter, Sharpton wrote accused Nader’s comments of being “beneath the respect many have had for you and more importantly below the level of political discourse we need at this point in history.” (Continue Reading…)

“If you fail to prepare, you preparing to fail”

— Skillz

Barack Obama Buzz Sweeps Through BET Awards
Barack Obama didn’t attend the BET Awards, but that didn’t stop attendees from talking about him. “If we all register and vote, we will have the first black president in the history of America,” Sean “Diddy” Combs told the crowd Tuesday at the Shrine Auditorium before chanting “Obama or Die” — a declarative remix of his neutral “Vote or Die” motto from the 2004 presidential election, when he attempted to boost the youth vote. Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was just a few blocks away at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a fundraiser with a Hollywood guest list that included supermodels Heidi Klum and Cindy Crawford, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and movie stars Samuel L. Jackson and John Malkovich. While Obama didn’t make an appearance at the BET Awards — either live or on tape — his presence was felt. As she picked up her award for best female R&B artist, Alicia Keys told the crowd that it’s time for black people to erase the word “can’t” from their vocabulary. “Together we can do anything,” she said, playing on the Democrat’s “Yes We Can” mantra before shouting: “Obama y’all!” (Continue Reading…)

Kenyan Children Tell of Being Abducted, Tortured
Dozens of scared children filed silently into the bare room, their eyes on the cracks in the floor. One by one, in low voices, they told of being tortured by the Kenyan army because they were suspected of aiding rebels. They told of being beaten and made to shake hands with corpses. They told of being forced to crawl through barbed wire tunnels and of genitals squeezed by pliers. Then the children took off their shirts. White scars crisscrossed the dark skin on their backs like grains of rice. Some were still bleeding. (Continue Reading…)

Pacman Says He’s Praying for Imus After ‘Racist’ Comment
At least Don Imus can take comfort in knowing that he has Adam (Don’t Call Me Pacman — Or Else) Jones’ spiritual support. Imus, the syndicated radio host who was fired for making racially and sexually insensitive remarks about the Rutgers women’s basketball team last year, set off another firestorm Monday by asking “What color is he?” after hearing Jones’ lengthy rap sheet. Told that the Cowboys cornerback is African American, Imus said: “Well, there you go. Now we know.” Jones responded to the Dallas Morning News on Monday night: “I’m truly upset about the comments. Obviously, Mr. Imus has problems with African Americans. I’m upset, and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly. I will pray for him.” (Continue Reading…)