New Look for ClevelandUsher Raymond is confirmed to lead a two-hour workshop for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, which is hosting its 2006 Midwest Black/Hispanic Achievers Teen Leadership Summit March 17-19. The multiple Grammy Award winning artist is participating to boost awareness of his philanthropic organization, Usher’s New Look.
"Usher is renowned as a singer, composer, producer and actor — but [he] is also a businessman and a philanthropist with a mission to create opportunities for young people interested in the business side of the sports and entertainment industry,” said
Viola Rembert, Director of Community Services for the Greater Cleveland YMCA." According to a spokesperson, over 400 youth from across the country are expected to participate in events that aim to give them the opportunity to sharpen their leadership skills and gain insights in to a variety of educational and personal development areas.
Usher, who is in the midst of working on a follow-up to 2004's monster-selling ‘Confessions,’ is a co-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His presentation during the summit is part of New Look's national mini-camp series, which gives youth the opportunity to explore the sports and entertainment industries and gain new perspective on how to achieve success in these fields. The mini-camp series presenters are industry leaders including members of the Cleveland Cavaliers marketing team, as well as the senior leadership team from Usher’s own record label.
"From a young age, I envisioned a life in the entertainment industry, and thankfully I was able to make that dream a reality,” said Usher. “But many kids with that dream do not have the opportunity to perform on stage or in an arena. In my thirteen years in this industry, I've been blessed with an incredible support system, and it's important to me to show these kids the wide variety of amazing careers available to them and to help give them a new look for the future.” New Look is headquartered in Atlanta.
Hollywood's Inner City HonorsThe 14th Annual Inner City Destiny Awards will take place at Hollywood's Celebrity Centre International March 18. According to a spokesperson, the event will be hosted by 'Desperate Housewives' star
Mehcad Brooks, and will include live music from the LA Inner City Mass Choir and
Michelle Williams of
Destiny's Child. Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and
Cedric the Entertainer are confirmed as special presenters for the event which is said to honor "unsung heroes, leaders, and celebrities making a difference in [the] inner cities.'
Still Going StrongOn the heels of her recent much buzzed about appearance on the Spanish talk-show 'Christina,'
Karrine Steffans is still a hot commodity. The former music video model turned best-selling author will make an appearance on Fox News Network’s ‘The O'Reilly Factor with
Bill O'Reilly' March 16. Last June's release of the Amistad/Harper Collins memoir 'Confessions of a Video Vixen' has catapulted the single mother of one into the national spotlight. In the page-turner, Steffans alleged she has had sexual encounters with a laundry list of celebrities, including
Vin Diesel, Ray J, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Ja Rule, Bobby Brown, Shaquille O'Neal, DMX and
Jay-Z. The book -- which drew the ire of black journalists and urban media personalities -- has been a mainstay on The New York Times best-seller's list. In the April issue of
'Essence,' the tome is noted as the best-selling non-fiction title. According to an Amistad rep, 'Confessions' will go in paperback this fall.
Beauty is as Beauty DoesStacie J., the fashion model and entrepreneur who appeared on season two of
Donald Trump's, 'The Apprentice,' is serving as a national spokes model for the "Reading is Fashionable" campaign -- the Magazine Publishers’ Family Literacy Project initiative which helps kids learn to read and build their self-esteem by organizing collaborative magazine industry, business and community partnerships. On March 14, Stacie J (
nee Stacie Jones), who owns her very own successful Subway sandwich shop franchise, made an appearance during the after-school program at Harlem's PS 242, where she donated 'TIME For Kids' magazines and spoke about the importance of education and how it helps achieve goals. The Emory University alum even went a step forward and offered to mentor any young women who wanted to pursue a career in modeling. "I’m so happy to be partnering with the Magazine Publishers Family Literacy Project,” the Omaha, Nebraska native told Black Voices.” “I think it’s a great way to get kids involved and see the importance of reading. I look forward to this fun and exciting journey”.
More 'Emancipation' On The WayAlready boasting three consecutive #1 airplay hits,
Mariah Carey's
six-times platinum selling comeback album, 'The Emancipation of Mimi,' will spawn two more singles for radio --'Say Something' with
Snoop Dogg, and the gospel inflected 'Fly Like A Bird'-- on April 3. The music video for 'Say Something' was shot in Paris and helmed by
Paul Hunter. Pharrell Williams and Snoop appear in the clip, which showcases the newly designed Louis Vuitton store on the storied Champs-Elysées. The accompanying video for 'Fly like a Bird' --featuring Grammy-winning
Pastor Hezekiah Walker and his
Love Fellowship Choir -- is expected be shot in New York City in late March, according to a Carey rep. With three Grammy Award wins last month, the 36-year old singer/songwriter also took home two trophies during the recent 2006 Soul Train Awards, currently airing in syndication.
Return to the RootsPhylicia Rashad
stars as a newly-widowed mother who enforces her iron will on her large household, only to have her daughters overwhelm her tyranny in the world premiere production of 'Bernarda Alba,' currently playing at New York's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in Lincoln Center. With words and music by
Michael John LaChiusa and direction and choreography by
Graciela Daniele, the musical is adapted from the play 'The House of Bernarda Alba' by
Federico García Lorca and co-stars
Judith Blazer, Nikki M. James, Sally Murphy, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Saundra Santiago, Yolande Bavan, Candy Buckley, Laura Shoop and
Nancy Ticotin. Rashad, known to television audiences as Claire Huxtable on the pioneering sitcom 'The Cosby Show' began her career in the theater, appearing in such Broadway musicals as 'Ain’t Supposed To Die A Natural Death,' 'Dreamgirls' and 'The Wiz.' She won the Tony Award for her performance in the 2004 Broadway revival of 'A Raisin in the Sun.' Last season she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in
August Wilson’s 'Gem of the Ocean.' Ghostlight Records will record the show March 27, for a late spring release.
