According to a new government study that shows the U.S. teen birthrate falling dramatically in 2009 after a five percent increase from 2005 to 2007, experts say the network may have redeemed itself with its gritty "16 and Pregnant" documentary series, which many teens credit with opening their eyes to the consequences of unprotected sex and early parenthood.
A report released Tuesday by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that parental influence is the most-cited factor by teens when it comes to avoiding teen pregnancy.
But the report also specifically cites the popular "16 and Pregnant" series, indicating that 82 percent of teens say the show helps them better understand the challenges of teen pregnancy and parenthood — and why they should avoid it.
"Entertainment media is one of the nation's favorite punching bags, but we have to acknowledge that when we're talking about teen pregnancies media can be and often is a force for good, and that is particularly true when it comes to shows like '16 and Pregnant,' '" says Bill Albert, a spokesman for the National Campaign. "Some critics say these shows glamorize teen pregnancy, but our survey data shows that's not the case — that not only do they not glamorize it, but teens who have seen it suggest it makes the realities of teen parenthood more real to them."
Willow Smith recently sat for a photoshoot for London Sunday Times and we have behind the scenes photos! Her photoshoot for was shot by Sheryl Nields at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles, and styled by Brea Stinson. Inside the magazine, mom Jada Pinkett Smith admits that Willow and brother Jaden live rule free saying, “We don’t have rules. We come up with agreements. Kids are little people, and we’re in life to guide them. Trying to rule someone is always an illusion and it’s no different with children.”
A little Muppet girl has started a sensation. The unnamed puppet with an afro sings a love song to her hair.
Joey Mazzarino, the head writer of Sesame Street, is also a Muppeteer who wrote the song for his daughter. Mazzarino is Italian. He and his wife adopted their 5-year-old daughter, Segi, from Ethiopia when she was a year old.
Mazzarino says he wrote the song after noticing his daughter playing with dolls.
"She wanted to have long blond hair and straight hair, and she wanted to be able to bounce it around," he tells NPR's Melissa Block.
Mazzarino says he began to get worried, but he thought it was only a problem that white parents of African-American children have. Then he realized the problem was much larger.
In writing the song, he wanted to say in song what he says to his daughter: "Your hair is great. You can put it in ponytails. You can put it in cornrows. I wish I had hair like you."
That simple message has caused an outpouring of responses from women. Mazzarino got a call from an African woman who told him the song brought her to tears. "I was amazed, 'cause I sort of wrote this little thing for my daughter, and here this adult woman, it touched her," he says.
Mazzarino says he's happy to report that Segi loves the song — and her hair.
MISS AMERICA 2010, Caressa Cameron, is more than just pretty, polite and poised. The 23-year-old Virginia native is wise beyond her years. Despite many life challenges, she says she always "looks for the jewels in the journey." For her, giving up is never an option.
Cameron is the eighth African-American woman to win the prestigious title. Amazingly, she competed a dazzling four times before bringing home the Miss Virginia crown. Most less-determined young women would have given up way before then. But Cameron said she took each loss in stride, viewing it as a learning experience. And she had the smarts to apply any cash winnings she received to pay off her college tuition.
The 5-foot-4-inch frugal fashionista told me the pageant experience is valuable, win or lose. She also said that "you don't have to go into debt to participate. My swimsuit, for example, came from Target."
The aspiring broadcast journalist and talented singer was at the King of Prussia Mall to spread the news about phytonutrients and their importance in a healthy diet. She's here on behalf of the Amway nutrition supplement line Nutrilite.
Looking at the lovely Cameron, it is difficult to fathom that she was the proverbial ugly ducking in high school, with self-described "sideburns and a dreaded unibrow." She said her teen years were particularly awkward and difficult, and she had to deal with bullies, too.
But a pivotal moment was the day Miss Virginia 2003 and Miss America competitor Nancy Redd came to Cameron's school and gave an impassioned, encouraging speech that sparked something in her. Redd, also a woman of color, is a Harvard graduate and author of the New York Times best-selling book about women and their bodies, "Body Drama."
"She encouraged us to take the negativity and turn it into something positive," Cameron recalled. And that is just what she did. Ignoring all the naysayers, Cameron took Redd's advice to heart and never looked back.
The loving support of her parents and the inspiration she found in books like "The Giving Tree," "All the Places I Will Go" and "The Five Love Languages of Teenagers" also helped shape her into not just another beauty queen, but a responsible young women worthy of her crown.
Cameron is also on a mission to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS, whose harsh impact touched her life at age 8, when her uncle died of the disease.
"I saw and experienced the devastation and the stigma associated with the disease and I want to help spread awareness," she told me.
Cameron was told, many times, that she didn't have what it takes. But she kept going anyway, and she wants all young women to know that they, too, can triumph over adversity and make their dreams come true.
Last spring we experienced the birth of jeggings (jeans + leggings). With the look of denim and the feel of Spandex, this garment revolutionized the skinny jean. Just when we thought our pants couldn't get any tighter, we were proven wrong. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Beyonce and Sienna Miller embraced this look immediately, and we began lusting after their absurdly high-end versions (like Current/Elliot's shocking $389.40 pair). Now, thanks to a recession-friendly market, there are tons of options (like Walmart's $12 pair).
Since, like the skinny jean, jeggings draw serious attention to your curves, it's important to create a balance when styling an outfit around them. Artful layers and flattering proportions are key here. Whether your look is edgy, classic, or girly, we've got you covered in our click-to-buy section below.
Apparently, black folks use Twitter in a way no one else does -- to such an extent that black users establish trending topics on Twitter. Not only do blacks use more descriptive hashtags, but they form tighter clusters on the network, follow one another more readily and retweet each other more often. Plus, more of their posts are @-replies -- posts directed at other users. It's this behavior, intentional or not, that gives black people -- and, in particular, black teenagers -- the means to dominate the conversation on Twitter. We're not surprised. Young black people drive all types of trends, so why should Twitter be any different?
MTV has named 23-year-old Gabi Gregg its first "Twitter Jockey."
Gregg won the position Sunday night after a nationwide vote.
The TJ position is the updated version of the network's VJ job, and Gregg will report on pop culture news using Twitter, Facebook, blogs and MTV's website.
Gregg graduated from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts in 2008, where she studied international relations and African-American studies. Gregg is the founder of the fashion blog Young, Fat and Fabulous.
The new 3D Stiletto Police high heels, which were designed by Tim Cooper, look absolutely amazing! The Police Woman Heels have been designed with high detail including the bright and colorful police car lights that can make any person’s heart drop. Moreover, there are also the side mirrors and front bumper that make it even more like the normal, police cars we try to avoid. Furthermore, there are the numbering on the side of the shoe, the “Police” sign that flashes strong, the dual mufflers, and even the back grills that add so much to the detail and coolness of this shoe design.
Letoya Luckett is the new face of Luster's Pink Hair Lotion. And Luster's and VIBE magazine hosted a launch party last night for the event. She also addressed her ex Slim Thug's recent controversial comments to www.theYBF.com:
On her former boo Slim Thug's comments about black women...
"Black is beautiful baby. It is what it is. I’m so proud to be a black woman; I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I mean nothing. I’m blessed to be black. I’m thankful that l I have an amazing family, black women that raised me. Wonderful friends, I’m like an international girl all day long. But I love the black women in my life. My grandmother, my mom… Even on Slim like he has a great mother, he has a great grandmother...women that raised him. His sister... who if it wasn’t for her you wouldn’t even know who Slim Thug was. Because of how they took care of him... I mean you know, whatever was said, was said. But on my end, Black is Beautiful! "
While most pre-teen girls are giddy over their first training bra, the reality for many girls in rural Cameroon girls is grim. On the rise in the Central West African nation is a practice called "breast ironing," which involves placing hot stones on a young girls breasts to prevent them from the growing.
Responding to the country's staggering teen pregnancy rates, mothers in the country have resorted to the age-old practice in hopes that their daughters won't be seen as sexually attractive and become the next statistic. Girls as young as nine years old have been subjected to the practice.
Women in the country say the procedure can lead to physical issues such as burns and deformities.
Jada Pinkett Smith was on George Lopez recently and responded to critics who have slammed her for allowing Willow to shave the sides of her head. She explained that the cut came about because her daughter wanted “hair like her grandmother’s”.
“She decided, ‘I want hair like my grandmother’s.’ I said ‘Willow, grandma has no hair – you have to have some hair.’ And she said, “Mom I’m really tired of the hair. I just really feel I’d like it to get in the pool. I want it to swim. I just don’t want to be bothered with the hair.’” After discussing it with husband Will, Willow was given permission to shave the sides of her head.
According to her hair stylist Marcia Hamilton, the cut represents Willow’s personality:
“Look, it’s 2010. Can’t our little girls move into the future without ruffling feathers? The look is fun, empowering, anti-relaxer and anti-weave. More women need to steer their little girls in this direction. If your child is a forward-thinker, you should guide her instead of smothering her.”
Read more: Jada Pinkett Smith Explains Willow’s Hairstyle | Necole Bitchie.com
The Harajuku Barbie who’s been photographed wearing pink, green, blue and purple hair is dishing details on her signature mane.
As previously reported Lil Kim wasn’t too keen on Minaj emulating her extensive wig collection and threw off the faux hair at a concert stating that she was “above this.”
Nicki however has since continued with the colorful hair trend and in an interview with HypeHair she speaks on the multi-colored locks that are making her famous.
She offers advice to readers of HH and suggests that ladies buy human hair wigs. She also adds that her colorful mane, the green bob especially, maker her happy.
“Go for a human hair wig in jet black with a blunt cut China bag…I like the green bob. Everyone seems to like that. People are saying it’s the winner right now…I decided to choose a new look. Color makes me happy. It really excites me. I am a very visual person and when I look in the mirror, and I see green or I see pink, it does something to my attitude. It makes me feel positive.”
As the nation celebrates Independence Day, one member of the First Family will be celebrating her birthday. Malia Obama turns 12 today! While the country's birthday may overshadow Malia's, the Obama family will surely find time to commemorate her special day. Happy Birthday, Malia!
The music game has changed. You no longer have to pass along your demo tape to everybody who is "somebody" -- fingers crossed -- to get discovered by a label and blow up. Those days are long gone. Just ask the newest R&B ingenue Dondria Fields, 24, who is signed to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. The Oklahoma-born, Texas-bred singer, whose hit single "You're the One for Me" is riding airwaves everywhere, will tell you that all you need is a computer, a mic, and webcam.
That's exactly how Dondria, who previously went by the moniker Phatfffat, broke onto the scene. The singing sensation grabbed the world's attention after having her YouTube video posts earn an extremely large following. Like they say, the rest is history, or more appropriately her-story.
Hey all you soccer fans! The world cup is getting heated! Arise Magazine has some great style spreads inspired by this great sporting event. Check it out in their 10th issue on newstands now.
At 17, Liberian teenager Lovetta Conto is making jewelry worn by Hollywood heavyweights like Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie.
Akawelle (translates to “also known as love”) makes a heck of a statement. Her pieces aren’t made of typical semi-precious stones, Lovetta makes her jewelry from the casings of bullets fired during Liberia’s civil war.
Born in Liberia, Lovetta was only 18 months when she was separated from her mother after she and her father fled Liberia to escape its civil war. At five-years-old, she moved to a Ghanaian refugee camp.
She tells CNN, “I felt alone because I was in another country where I wasn’t really welcome. I always wanted to back to my country. But you have no choice because your country is in a civil war and it’s the only place you have to be.”
At 12, Lovetta was recognized for her talent by Cori Stern, the American founder of the Strongheart Fellowship, an organization dedicated to helping gifted youth who have been displaced or orphaned by conflict.
According to CNN, at 14 Lovetta left her family in Ghana and moved to America as part of the Strongheart program.
When Lovetta was challenged by a Strongheart project to make something that reflected her environment and the people around her, she came up with the idea to design jewelry from a bullet fired during the Liberian civil war.
Below is a confidence poem from the book "The Secret". It encourages me everyday to love, live and laugh.
It reads: I PROMISE MYSELF To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet. To make all my friends feel that there is something worth while in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet. To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds. To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.
College junior Jazmine Miller showed off a soccer-playing robot to prospective members of the Spelman Robotics, or SpelBots, team.
"His name is Charles, he's very difficult. That's why it's a he," she laughed. "We kind of see him as human; we talk to him, we yell at him."
Creations such as Charles must be programmed to find and kick the ball and prevent an opposing team of robots from scoring in the annual RoboCup World Championship soccer competition. Since 1997 the matches have been held in Asia, Europe and the United States.
Once a competition begins, the robots are on their own. The team's programming skills have to account for every soccer player scenario, from kicking and blocking to getting up after falling down.
Spelman, the historically black women's college here, has been sending robots to the competition since 2005, often beating graduate students from prestigious tech universities from Germany to Japan. They had their best finish last year in Osaka, Japan, when the team tied for first place with Fukuoka Institute of Technology in Japan in the humanoid robot category.
"Around campus people do recognize our faces; they say, 'Oh, you're on the SpelBots, you're doing the robotics thing. I saw you in Jet magazine.' I really see it when I go abroad," said Miller, a computer science and engineering major.
Early Romance with Robotics Miller's romance with robotics started early. A self-described "world-traveling military kid," she was on the robotics team at her high school in the Netherlands.
Jonecia Keels, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is Miller's co-captain. She was a little less sure of a computer career.
"For a long time I didn't think I was smart enough to get into computer science. I only saw males in the industry and I just didn't think I had what it took to be a computer programmer," said Keels.
Two things helped change her mind. First, the confidence she gained at this women's college.
"I know a big reason why there's not a lot of women in computer science is because of intimidation. At an all-women's school, they already know your capabilities. So it is easier to take leadership roles and go that step further without added stress," said Keels.
Lack of Role Models "Looking back at my life, there were a lack of role models for me, being African American and Korean," Williams said.
So he sought out a teaching position at a historically-black college or university. Creating the team was a way to bring a new and creative challenge to his students.
"There's a big emphasis on creativity, collaboration, the social aspects of engineering and computer science. It would do great wonders for our country on a global scale if we maximize that pool of women, and underrepresented students like African Americans, in computer science," Williams said.
"The teams we were competing with were all male, all white," said Miller. "And the first thought that came to me was, we are going to blow their minds!" she laughed.
In a recent interview with PARADE, Brandy reveals why her daughter hasn’t made an appearance on her new reality show. That’s strictly because her father and I felt it was best for her to have as much of a normal life as possible. Of course, you’ve seen her on one episode on ‘For the Love of Ray J,’ but it wasn’t every day. You didn’t see her going to school, me combing her hair, or any aspect of our private, intimate moments, which sort of sucks because our relationship is so beautiful. I love being a mom and I’m raising her in a different way than how I was raised. Some things that my mom did with me, I do with my daughter — it’s just a different dynamic. I would love for people to see how I’m doing it because I think I could be a good example of a young, single mom.”
She also reveals that she has a unique mother/daughter relationship with her daughter Sy’Rai
“A lot of mothers feel like they’re the mom first, with that authority. But for me, I’m a friend first. I believe that just being there for my daughter as a friend more than ‘I’m in charge…’ causes her to be more open with me as a person. That’s just what our relationship is. Of course, there are times when I have to discipline her — I’m mom. But there’s still that nurturing and love there that we have. I know I’ll probably get flack for being a friend first, but it really works. She’s really honest with me. I’m just teaching her how to trust herself. I tell her all the time that my life is not your life — you have your own life.
“At the end of the day we’re going to be friends. When she grows up, it’ll be about that friendship that we’ll have. She’ll come to me for any problems that she has. If I have an authoritative wall up, she’s going to rebel and not come to me and I don’t want that.”
My mother and I had the same type of relationship and I could tell her anything. For that reason, I never was a rebel.
Read more: Brandy Attempts To Keep Her Daughter Out of The Limelight | Necole Bitchie.com
Last week, actress Jada Pinkett Smith confirmed that her 9 year-old daughter Willow Smith is working on an album. No word on the type of music but check out what she said to AMBASSADOR MAGAZINE:
“I had always been too afraid to venture into music, but I decided when I was about 30 to just go for it. I started a metal band called Wicked Wisdom. I toured and I loved it. But soon after, my kids’ careers started taking off, so I sacrificed it. I am pleased to say my daughter, Willow, will be putting out an album soon and I look forward to enjoying music through her creations. I am excited about that, and she’s pretty awesome. She will be better at it then I ever could be anyway!”
Keke Palmer became a star at just 11 years old, getting the attention of movie critics and Oscar-winning actors. But for the last few years she's been building a following of younger fans and peers. She tells CNN she wants to present a positive example for young girls in both her music and acting.
"There are not many young African-American women on TV. I want young girls to see that it's normal, that it's natural to see a young black girl on TV. If they see it enough times..then they'll know it's possible."
And she refuses to use sex appeal to build a career for herself. "I haven't been nude in anything in my whole life...You don't have to do anything crazy to make your dreams come true."
Of course at 16, she's still a few years to young to broadcast her sexuality for popularity. although that hasn't stopped stars like Taylor Momsen from doing exactly that.
Because of the positive messages she sends to young African-American girls, the NAACP honored Keke with an image award, earning her a nod from First Lady Michelle Obama.
That's right, the Obamas watch True Jackson, VP.
Why can't more young stars have the confidence to rely on their talent and work ethic instead of getting attention with sexuality or debauchery?
Nicki Minaj's new June/July VIBE cover is here. The Barbie girl in the rap world is giving some interesting insight to her new found fame, female MCs before her, and her weird voices.
New data confirms that Twitter’s population is disproportionately black. According to Edison Research’s annual report on Twitter, black people represent 25% of Twitter users, roughly twice their share of the population in general. I guess we love to keep the masses informed!!
On The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda amazing tennis player Venus Williams who has won 43 WTA tour titles, with 7 Grand Slams and 10 Doubles titles with sister Serena, talks about being successful off the court. Venus is the President of her own clothing line company, and an interior design company V Starr Interiors, and part owner of the Miami dolphins along with sister Serena Williams.
Venus talks about a competition she has with her fan to design an dress online and the winning dress will be worn at the 2010 US Open. "I had a really great competition for my fans with Tide Plus and Febreeze Freshness Sport and they got to design a dress online and I got to judge all the dresses, and all the entries entered and the winner will be announced on May 7th, but I will wear the dress at the Us Open".
She also has a book coming out this June that elaborates on how sports has helped a lot of people through their lives. "Ive talked to so many wonderful people. We have Vera Wang, very high level figure skater could have went on to that next level, but I think she found she wanted to do something else, but how that applied to her life even to this day, and how with out playing sports she couldn't have had that success that she had".
Being so involved in tennis as a kid one would expect certain child hood experiences to be missed, but that's not how she feels. "I've been so blessed in my life I get to do what I love. I get to design, I get to do interior design and I get to play tennis and I love playing it!"
With such a busy schedule Venus believes that when it comes time to settle down and find a soul mate she will make the time.
Wearing a green, camouflage ball cap, Myraline Morris Whitaker looks like a drill sergeant as she leads a group of volunteers putting together care packages for U.S. soldiers serving overseas.
"Excuse me, you gotta put one of these in all of the boxes," she says to one volunteer.
But Whitaker is not an officer, nor has she ever served in the military. She's a hospitality executive who in 2007, founded the Sister Soldier Project - an organization that sends hair care products to female troops of color, who often face challenges maintaining their ethnic hair in desert areas like Iraq and Afghanistan.
The California resident says she got the idea after talking to one of her Caucasian friends who served as a U.S. Marine 20 years ago. The woman told Whitaker she always had to leave the room whenever her African-American roommate would style her hair with what's known as a "hot comb."
Whitaker researched the Internet and discovered some of the most requested items from African-American military women serving overseas were black hair care products.
Answering the call, Whitaker hosted a "packing party," where her fellow book club members helped her send out unused hair products they found in their bathroom cabinets. The idea expanded, and Whitaker now hosts packing parties all over the country, helping an estimated 2, 500 soldiers and counting.
On March 15, the organization held one of its largest events at Morgan State University in Maryland, where volunteers prepared 200 hair care packages. In addition to products like relaxer kits and shampoos donated from black hair care companies, the boxes include women's magazines, toiletries and letters from local elementary students.
"As a future officer potentially going to Afghanistan myself, I think this is a great opportunity for me to give back to those who are serving before me, and then once I go, I know someone will be doing this for me," says Tyeshe Morgan, an Army ROTC student at Morgan State.
The volunteers' efforts haven't gone unnoticed. In 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored the Sister Soldier Project with the Veterans Braintrust Award - given to individuals or groups that support America's military veterans. And every day, Whitaker receives emails and letters from soldiers expressing their gratitude.
"I just want to express my personal appreciation for the recent package that you had sent. You certainly did not have to go to such trouble, but I am glad that you did! Your efforts throughout my deployment have been a tremendous morale boost for myself and my soldiers. I will NEVER forget what you have done for us," wrote Lisa Taylor, a soldier serving in Iraq.
For Whitaker, it's that kind of appreciation that pushes her to be all that she can be.
"These [women] have something special in their DNA that says 'I'm going to go out and be of service to this country.' And I want to help them do their job better... and feel better."
Imagine you are the daughter of an internationally known supermodel and former Olympic athlete. Now imagine you are over 300 pounds. That used to be Zulekha Haywood, who is the daughter of supermodel Iman and former NBA/Olympic basketball player Spencer Haywood, who has struggled with her weight and body image her entire life--until now.
Like many women, Zulekha has tried every diet imaginable. Of course none of them worked in the long-term, causing her to make the decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery, an experience Haywood wrote candidly about in article called "Imagine You Are the Daughter of a Supermodel" the most recent issue of Glamour magazine.
Haywood sat down with The Today Show's Hoda Kotb and Kathy Lee Gifford to talk about her experience being the daughter of two famous parents, her weight loss struggles and her decision to undergo gastric bypass. To date, she has lost 170 pounds.
"I've seen plenty, fights breakout all the time over small things, over big things" said one teen girl. "Like oh you looked at me different to oh you're talking to my boyfriend."
Girl fights, they're all over YouTube, but why are they happening?
As girls have access to drugs and alcohol more, they're behaving more like boys.
On Monday San Diego county officials focused on binge drinking as one tie to the female violence.
Defined by the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health as girls fighting at school or work, or taking part in a group-against group fight or attacking someone with the intent to seriously hurt them.
According to the survey, about one in four girls between the ages of 12 and 17 had been engaged in at least one of those types of violent behavior in the past year.
The survey also revealed the girls who fought were more likely than those who did not to have reported binge drinking and illicit drug use in the last thirty days.
"No, we're not saying it's all about the alcohol. We're focusing on alcohol as one of the intervenable effects," said Trauma doctor Michael Sise.
Sise says while binge drinking is just one link to the violence, it is one that shows up in many high-risk behaviors.
"If you don't make it clear that drinking is unacceptable, that violence is unacceptable, then you're putting them in danger. It works to tell our kids what to expect it works to show up and be a force in their lives it's our future and its their health and safety." Sise said.
by Melissa Rose Cooper from www.grio.comShari Griffith and Katrina Kelly met over 10 years ago and are best friends. At 25-years-old, they walked the path that many students typically follow after graduating from high school: they went to college, earned bachelors' degrees, and obtained jobs in corporate America.
But in 2008 during the height of the recession, their lives took a different twist. They were both let go from their employers. But instead of struggling to find other jobs, the duo decided to revisit their high school roots in March 2009 and create their own catering business --- Cake N Wings.
Griffith and Kelly's business is a unique combination of bite-sized, square cakes, called "tots," and chicken wings. It had its birth in 2001 when the two were seniors at Frederick Douglass Academy. Kelly proposed the idea that they enter a business competition through The National Foundation of Teaching Entrepreneurship.
"It just started with the fact that I make wings," said Griffith, "and she [Kelly] makes really good cake. "
Kelly shook her head, still baffled that her friend had even considered the idea.
"I didn't think she was going to take me seriously," she said.
As simple as their idea seemed to be, Cake N Wings won the competition and Griffith and Kelly received $200 in seed money to start up their business, which continued throughout their last year at the school.
Griffith studied business at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. and Kelly, theater arts at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. They both graduated in 2006 and like other new graduates, secured paying jobs. However, they soon learned that earning a regular paycheck was not necessarily the key to their happiness.
"I realized that I didn't want to work for anybody," said Griffith while Kelly nodded in agreement. "I wanted to work for myself and I wanted to work with my best friend and be happy."
Kelly lost her job in July 2008 and almost 4 months later, Griffith lost hers. These long time friends then took their misfortune, turned it into an opportunity and brought their inactive business back to life.
Griffith and Kelly sought help from the place that initially brought them together---their high school. Their principal, Dr. Gregory Hodge, has known them for 13 years and was one of their biggest supporters. He gave the women their first catering job, which turned out to be a surprise birthday party for an investment counselor, Robert Schwartz.
"I struck up a conversation with them at the party and I was very impressed," said Schwartz, who is now retired. He said the event was such a success that he decided to provide the start-up money for Cake N Wings.
And with the money Griffith and Kelly received for their company, they began advertising Cake N Wings throughout Harlem by word of mouth and giving their business cards out in the neighborhood. This is how they met Michael Rosen, a local hip-hop artist promoter.
"Me and Shari are just your regular girls from around the way," said Kelly. "We're not all stiff and, like, uniformed and if we have a job, we come there as ourselves. That's what makes us stand out."
From www.thegrio.comI recently saw a commercial for the "Booty Pop" panties -- a pair of panties that is padded to increase a woman's gluteus maximus, and thus her confidence -- available in several sizes: extra-sweet, sweet, sweeter, sweetest and super-sweetest. The panties are available in both black and nude shades. The commercial was clearly geared towards young white women without actually saying as much. And doing a quick search around the Internet, it's clear the artificial buns are really popular; even with talk show host Kelly Ripa.
What makes this product interesting from a black woman's perspective is that we have long dealt with low-self esteem and the idea that our bodily features -- especially our stereotypically big butts -- are not only unattractive, but also inhuman. I remember reading in school about the life of Saartjie "Sarah" Baartman, a black South African woman who was exhibited literally like she was a caged animal throughout Europe 200 years ago because of her large backside.
Fortunately, pop-culture icons like Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian have made having "junk in the trunk" a desirable feature. Tune in to almost any hip-hop music video and you'll almost certainly see very full-figured females showing off their very healthy behinds. You may also notice that women on the magazine covers are also airbrushed to add on a little curve to their backside -- regardless of their race.
The "Booty Pop" panties are just the latest in a growing trend to have women who are rear-end challenged achieve this now popular Hollywood look. Woman can opt to receive butt implants; there are special exercises, diet regiments, and jeans to give them the bums they desire.
The argument can be made that this new trend will make ethnic girls who are naturally gifted with shapely backsides feel a bit more proud about their bodies. But this new panty product can also be viewed as another loss for women in general. Young girls and women of all color are increasingly under pressure to augment and adjust their bodies.
What's disturbing about the "Booty Pop" ad is that it clearly focuses on young women. It's already bad enough that young women have to deal with a laundry list of body image issues. While we can expect that there will always be someone trying to make a buck off of our insecurities, this just serves as a reminder that we must impress upon our young women that they are all sweet, no matter what sizes they come in.
Target has expanded its hair care assortment to include African American salon products never before offered at mass. Now available at select Target stores and Target.com, the new offerings include Miss Jessie’s, CURLS, The Jane Carter Solution, and the Target exclusive SheaMoisture. This expansion further delivers on the retailer’s Expect More. Pay Less™ brand promise while providing guests with convenient access to the brands they know and trust.
The heart of the hair care expansion at Target is the launch of the Miss Jessie’s® product line at mass. Known throughout the hair care industry and favored by celebrities including Alicia Keys, The Roots, Holly Robinson Peete and Randy Jackson, Miss Jessie’s is considered the go-to productline for curls and waves. Initially developed to manage the curl of African American hair, Miss Jessie’s products have since found a strong fan base among people of all backgrounds looking to enhance curly hairstyles.
Once you have sex with your BF, can you still tell him no? Of course!
At some point, every virgin faces the big "will you, won't you?" sex question, but once you've gone all the way, does the question go away? No.
Once you've had sex with a guy, it does not mean you have to do it every time you see him -- in fact, telling him you want to wait before the second time is a good way to find out if he's really into you. Any guy who's worth your time will be more interested in getting into your heart than your pants. If sex is the most important thing in your relationship, perhaps it's not the best match for you. The "virgin decision" is not the only decision you make when it comes to sex -- it's a decision you make each time you do or don't.
Then there are times when you've already said yes in the heat of the moment (or in response to pressure) -- but you change your mind. Is it still okay to say no when you're in the middle of yes? Yes.
Your body is yours and you can deny access at any time. No matter how mad he might get, if you're no longer into it, it's your right to end it. But, try to avoid it, indecisiveness comes off as game playing.
Bottom line: You are never obligated to be intimate with your guy, even if you've already slept with him. And you can always change your mind, no matter how far beyond kissing the makeout session has gone.
Saying no is always okay. And if you do say yes, make sure you play safe.
If the names Chelsea Gray and Chiney Ogwumike sound familiar, it’s because both have been chosen as PARADE All-Americans twice before. This year, they have the added distinction of sharing Player of the Year honors on our 34th annual All-America High School Girls Basketball Team.
Gray, a 5-foot-11 point guard for St. Mary’s High in Stockton, Calif., helped keep the Rams in the nation’s top-ranked position for most of the year, averaging 18 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds per game.
“She’s a great all-around player, always working hard to improve,” St. Mary’s coach Tom Gonsalves says. “Chelsea could score 30 points every night; instead, she passes and gets our other players in the game. She’s an even better person than player, and a super student with a 3.6 GPA.” Gray will head to Duke next season.
A love of basketball runs in the family for Co-Player of the Year Ogwumike, a 6-foot-3 center at Cy-Fair High in Cypress, Tex. Her sister Nneka was named PARADE Co-Player of the Year in 2008, and Chiney has two younger siblings who also play the sport. But she isn’t likely to disappear into anyone’s shadow. This season, she averaged 23 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
“Chiney has so much talent and outstanding leadership abilities,” Cy-Fair coach Ann Roubique says. “She has grown tremendously—not only as a player but as an individual. She’s an excellent teammate and an excellent role model, and she’s without a doubt a great representative of our school and our community.” A straight-A student who is active in her community and president of the student council, Ogwumike will join her sister Nneka at Stanford next year.
Gray and Ogwumike head a 40-player roster of standout athletes from 18 states and Washington, D.C. California leads the pack with nine All-Americans, including Co-Player of the Year Gray. The team was selected by coaches, scouts, and recruiters across the country. Top Players
KALEENA MOSQUEDA-LEWIS Mater Dei High, Santa Ana, Calif. ODYSSEY SIMS MacArthur High, Irving, Tex. NATASHA HOWARD Waite High, Toledo, Ohio ELIZABETH WILLIAMS Princess Anne High,Virginia Beach, Va. RICHA JACKSON Midwest City High, Midwest City, Okla. SHONI SCHIMMEL Franklin High, Portland, Ore.
A Gary, Indiana native will make history next month as the first black valedictorian from the University of Notre Dame.
Katie Washington, 21, is a biology major and minor in Catholic social teaching with a 4.0 GPA.
“I am humbled,” said Washington to the Northwest Indiana Times. “I am in a mode of gratitude and thanksgiving right now.”
University officials said they couldn’t recall ever having a black valedictorian, and don’t keep record of their race.
“Katie works so hard,” Washington’s mother Jean Tomlin said. “I told her when she went to Notre Dame, ‘You are representing your family, your church and the city of Gary. Make us proud.’”
She has definitely made her family proud and is following in their footsteps. Her father is a doctor, her mother and sister are nurses, one brother is completing his residency and another brother who works for British Petroleum.
“I have had so much support, people who really wanted to see that I reached my full potential,” Washington told nwitimes.com. “They all had my best interest at heart.”
In a historic moment for women in sports, Washington D.C. science teacher Natalie Randolph has been named head coach of the Calvin Coolidge Senior High School football team, reports CNN. Randolph is believed to be the first female head varsity coach in the country.
"While I'm proud to be part of what this all means," she said at a new conference this week, "Being female has nothing to do with it. I love football, I love teaching, I love these kids. My being female has nothing to do with my support and respect for my players on the field and in the classroom..."
Grammy and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has recorded a version of One Shining Moment , the song that plays each year at the end of the CBS broadcast of the NCAA men’s basketball title game. Hudson will be the first woman to sing it.
Want a new look for that weekend party? You have to pick up the latest from Stila. It's Jewel Eye Shadow formula creates a glistening wave of color that glimmers and sparkles across your lids like no other to give your eyes a brilliant, sequin-like reflection.
Shades include: Rose Quartz: light pink with silver sparkle Amethyst: grey eggplant with champagne sparkle Black Diamond: black with silver sparkle Golden Topaz: champagne shimmer with silver and gold sparkle
Our number 1 pick goes to Zoe Saldana!!!!!! The “Avatar” star took a chance in a violet Givenchy couture gown. We loved the sparkling bodice and ruffled tulle skirt with the matching shoes!!! AMAZING!
We loved Nicole Richie as she appeared ready to disco the night away at the club in this vintage-inspired sequined Reem Acra dress and Judith Leiber clutch.
The Queen reigned supreme in a regal lavender figure-hugging satin gown, which she accessorized with diamonds and pink sapphires courtesy of Chopard.
The Best Actress nominee was absolutely “Precious” while working it in a blue off-the-shoulder Marchesa creation. Gabourey also won some extra points for her sass: “If fashion was porn, this dress is the money shot,” she laughed on the red carpet.
It's official--Mo'Nique is an Academy Award-winning actress. The stand-up comedian and late-night talk show host won Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a violent, abusive mother in Precious.
And her outfit made a statement -- not a fashion statement but a political one -- and to speak her mind about her win. As Mo'Nique told reporters after the awards ceremony, the reason she wore a blue dress and gardenias in her hair was to pay tribute to Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Academy Award; McDaniel wore that color and that flower when she accepted her groundbreaking Oscar in 1940 for the movie Gone With the Wind.
