May 15, 2006

It was a who's who gathering of Black Hollywood, music stars and sports figures in Louisville, Ky., for the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Dave Chappelle, Star Jones Reynolds, Usher, Hill Harper ('C.S.I.: NY') and Michael Jordan were all guests of Grand Gala (www.GrandGala.com), an organization conceived by marketer Rohena Miller, and founded in part by Louisville businessman Charlie Johnson and former NBA star Junior Bridgeman to diversify the Kentucky Derby and raise funds for causes like the United Negro College Fund.

Gabrielle Union and Chris Tucker were the honorary chairs for the Grand Gala, which kicked off with a reception at the Muhammad Ali Center. The famed boxer and his wife Lonnie Ali hosted the swank affair that featured a performance by jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon.

There were a host of parties all over Louisville. At Playboy's bash, rapper Ludacris held court with Union and Essence Atkins ('Half & Half'), while the Reynolds (Star and Al) sipped champagne with Spike and Tonya Lee. Tucker, NFL Hall of Famer John Elway (Denver Broncos), John Salley ('Best Damn Sports Show Period'), Bob Guiney ('The Bachelor') and wife Rebecca Budig ('All My Children'), and Mike "The Miz" Mizanin ('The Real World') were among those partying in the V.I.P. section.

Over at Jermaine Dupri's party, O.J. Simpson didn't recognize the newly svelte Jones Reynolds when his daughter Arnell Simpson brought her over. (Jones Reynolds was the senior correspondent and chief legal analyst at Simpson's murder trial for 'Inside Edition' and 'Rolonda.') The half-dressed former NBA star Charles Oakley showed off his six-pack, while Jordan dirty danced with tennis pro Serena Williams as her new boyfriend looked on. Chappelle sat on a couch with Erykah Badu, who attended the Derby as his guest.

Celebrities were bused to Churchill Downs in two police-escorted motor coaches, and shared several jockey suites on the fourth and fifth floors. Union and boyfriend, football star Darren Sharper (Minnesota Vikings), shared a suite with Boyz II Men, Victor Williams ('King of Queens'), Harper, James Lesure ('Las Vegas'), Julius Irving and Regina King.

Boyz II Men's Wanya Morris was the big winner, taking home $10,000 after winning on two races, while King, Harper and Usher were among others who made out pretty well betting.

The weekend was capped off with the Grand Gala's gala at the legendary Galt House hotel. Boyz II Men and The O'Jays performed at the black-tie affair, which could rival both the Oscars and the Golden Globes. Everyone from Henry Simmons ('NYPD Blue') to Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh Steelers) and former BET host Rachel, were spotted partying.

Among the other guests who attended events sponsored by Grand Gala during the Kentucky Derby were Ashanti, 'The Apprentice' winner Randal Pinkett, football player Warrick Dunn (Atlanta Falcons), Warner Records music exec Kevin Liles, Ciaraand retired NFL star Warren Moon.

Spring Cleaning

Another Hollywood couple has called it quits. Former 'Soul Food' hunk Rockmond Dunbar, who is now a regular star on Fox's hit series 'Prison Break,' has filed for divorce from his wife Ivy. The actor is citing irreconcilable differences as his reason for ending their two-year union. "I deserve a partner who's going to be my partner 100 percent of the time," Dunbar told the Beck/Smith Hollywood Exclusive.

Despite it all, Dunbar was diplomatic about the matter in his interview with Beck/Smith's syndicated column. "I wish her happiness. There are no ill feelings, no ill thoughts, nothing. At the end of the day it's sort of like my life is doing spring cleaning-getting rid of all the things I don't need, that aren't healthy and making room for the all the good stuff that I'm really excited about," he added.

Dunbar stars next in the film 'Dirty Laundry' with Loretta Devine and Terri J. Vaughn and will then direct and produce a film called 'Wrath of Medusa.'

High Praise

Innovative Christian marketing company Black Gospel Promo celebrated its five-year anniversary with an all-star gospel luncheon and red carpet television special during Dr. Bobby Jones' biannual International Gospel Industry Retreat in Hollywood, Fla. last week. The company's founder and president Veda Brown held an invite-only luncheon at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where newcomers Lyric Sings and Kim Burrell performed. Burrell supplied a moving rendition of the Walter Hawkins' classic "Thank You" that had Brown overcome with emotion.

Industry power players such as marketing exec Max Siegel (Zomba Label Group), Melanie Few (Results Inc.), Neily Dickerson (the ND. Company), Calvin Terrell (Sister 2 Sister), Tara Griggs McGee (Sony Gospel), Telisa Stinson (Specialtes Inc.), Kenny Taylor (GTM Media), Shawn Tate (Univocal Music) and Lisa Collins (Gospel Industry Roundup), hobnobbed with such artists as Percy Baby, The Caravans, Lucinda Moore, Malcolm Williams and actor Lamman Rucker ('Half & Half') during lunch.

Yours truly hosted the red carpet special for Black Gospel Promo, along with comedian Jonathan Slocumb and singer-TV host Lexi. I interviewed Myron Butler, Virtue, R&B star Meli'sa Morgan, Mark Hubbard, Lucinda Moore, 21:03, comedienne Chanita Morris (formerly known as Chocolate), and Dottie Peoples and others for the show, which will air on the Word Network in the coming months.

Others in Florida for the artist retreat include Donald Lawrence, Coko of SWV, Youthful Praise, Ted Winn of Ted & Sheri, John P. Kee, Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, Tony Terry, Tamela Mann, Darius Brooks, Sean Simmonds, Keith "Wonder Boy" Johnson, Ami Rushes, Woods & When Singers Meet, Judith McAllister, Ernest Pugh, Sister Cantaloupe, Smokie Norful, Oscar Williams, Melvin Williams, Luther Barnes, A7, Canton Jones, the Nashville Super Choir.

Buzzworthy

The funeral for actor Michael "Bear" Taliferro was last Friday at the Power of Love Christian Fellowship Church in Los Angeles. The actor, who died of a stroke, was best known for his role in Eddie Murphy's film 'Life.' Fans often recited his infamous line-"You goin eat your cornbread?"- to him when they met him. He also appeared in 'You Got Served,' 'Armageddon,' 'Sister Act 2' and on 'The Jamie Foxx Show.' Taliferro was engaged and a father of three. His family has set up the Memorial Fund of Michael Taliferro with OneUnited Bank.

Singer Ann Nesby told us that her granddaughter Paris Bennett has already been approached by three record labels with offers since being voted off 'American Idol.' Bennett herself announced during a radio interview with syndicated morning show host Tom Joyner that she wants to record a jazz record, in addition to doing voiceover work in movies. Since Bennett missed her senior prom to appear on 'Idol,' MTV has offered to host another prom in her honor. "It will be my 'Super Sweet 18th Prom Party,'" Bennett said.

Soul siren Sy Smith recently completed the music video for the single "Fa Sho" from her album 'The Syberspace Social.' The video was directed by Mike Quain, and the treatment was done by Smith. There are cameos in the video by Rahsaan Patterson, N'Dambi, Frank McComb and producer James Poyser.

Can't Say Names…

If looks could kill, a certain retired athlete would have dropped dead at the Kentucky Derby. Said former hoops star walked up to an R&B singer and began bragging about how he once dated the singer’s current wife while she stood there. It was clearly an uncomfortable moment as the singer looked as though he was holding back his rage as the one-time jock shared off-color remarks about the crooner’s wife.

BV Scene

Jamie Foxx, Uma Thurman, Maxwell, Russell Simmons, BET talent Julissa, Damon Dash, Marilyn Manson, Michelle Rodriguez ('Lost'), promoter Dave Brown and brand strategist Marvet Britto all partied at the grand opening of Mr. Chow in Tribeca community of New York City, while AOL Black Voices' Entertainment News Producer Karu F. Daniels held court with Fox News columnist Roger Friedman… One-half of the Motown duo Black Coffey, singer Jason Coffey, was spotted shopping with a female friend in the department store Dillards in Louisville, Ky.… Psychologist and TV personality Dr. Joyce Brothers was spotted flying from New York City's LaGuardia Airport to Cincinnati on Delta Airlines… Singer T-Low of the R&B trio Next was walking through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and announcing to a fan that recognized him: "New CD out in August."… Neo-soul duo Floetry was standing in the long security line at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport… Shaun Robinson ('Access Hollywood') dined at Fresco by Scotto restaurant in Manhattan, NY.