By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Ebony magazine has been a staple in African-American households long before we were called African-Americans.

The monthly glossy, founded by the late John H. Johnson in the 1945, was groundbreaking for the publishing world and has been the voice of our race more than six decades.

Over the last decade, many joked that the Chicago-based publication, and its sister magazine Jet, had become "out of touch" and "dated" in its approach to the magazine business.

But since the death of Mr. Johnson on Aug. 8, 2005, the magazine has gradually began modernizing its design and layout features.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

"The biggest misconception about me is that I am just another teenybopper artist," R&B singer Mario told BV Buzz.

The 21-year-old crooner, currently competing on 'Dancing with the Stars,' would also like to guest star on ABC's 'Ugly Betty.'

"I would love to be on 'Ugly Betty.' It's so diverse. I thought about that a couple of times. I actually met with them about doing it. I'd like to try that show," he explained.

The Baltimore-bred talent recently shot the music video for his third single, 'Music For Love' that is featured on his junior CD, 'Go.'

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Watching shows like 'Access Hollywood' cover the Kentucky Derby one would never know that some of the biggest and best black sports and Hollywood stars made the trek to Louisville, Kentucky for the big race and its festivities.

I was hosted by Grand Gala and its founder Rohena Miller during the must-attend sports weekend.

Grand Gala is an organization that has not only worked to diversify the Kentucky Derby by bringing in African-American celebrities, athletes and business leaders, but they are also involved with various philanthropic initiatives via its 828 Foundation.

Grand Gala's other guests this year included Michael Jordan, Gabrielle Union ('Ugly Betty'), Dwyane Wade, Tichina Arnold ('Everybody Hates Chris'), 'American Idol' winner Taylor Hicks, Michael Strahan (New York Giants) and girlfriend Nicole Murphy (ex-wife of Eddie Murphy), Lynn Whitfield ('Madea's Family Reunion'), basketball legend Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Hollywood executive Tracey E. Edmonds, Will Demps (Houston Texans), Chenoa Maxwell ('HavPlenty'), Warrick Dunn (Atlanta Falcons), Amobi Okoye (Houston Texans), Carl Anthony Payne ('Martin'), NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, Jamal Munnerlyn ('TV One Access'), NFL player Byron Leftwich, BET founder Robert Johnson, Terrell Owens (Dallas Cowboys), Vince Young (Tennessee Titans), retired NBA star Allan Houston, NASCAR's Max Siegel (Dale Earnhardt Inc.), Chester Pitts (Houston Texans) and former NBA star Charles Oakley.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Congratulations are in order for actress Terri J. Vaughn. The star of 'All of Us' and 'The Steve Harvey Show' gave birth to her second son, a baby boy named Kal'El Joseph Riley on April 21.

Vaughn is married to arena football star Karon Riley, who plays for the Cleveland Gladiators. This is the couple's first child.

Baby Riley weighed seven pounds, six ounces and measured 19.5 inches at his time of birth.

The child's name, Kal'El, was inspired because Riley is a self-proclaimed 'Superman' fanatic and Kal'El is Superman's Kryptonian name and means "God-like abilities."

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Gold-selling R&B darling Chante Moore has inked a new solo record deal with Peak Records.

She will unveil her first solo offering since 2000's 'Exposed' when her forthcoming release, 'Love The Woman' hits stores on June 17.

The set is being led by the first single, 'Ain't Supposed To Be.'

'Love The Woman' also features Moore's cover of the Minnie Ripperton classic, 'Give Me The Time,' the song that was played when she walked down the aisle during her wedding to R&B crooner Kenny Lattimore six years ago.

The 38-year-old vocalist reunites with her longtime musical mentor George Duke (Anita Baker, Regina Belle) on 'Love The Woman,' in addition to her collaborating with Raphael Saadiq (Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo) and Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Jamie Foxx) on the CD.

Best known for hits like 'Chante's Got A Man,' 'Love's Taken Over' and 'Its Alright,' the San Francisco-bred singer released two duets compilations with her husband.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

90's R&B girl group En Vogue had its original members reunited for the first time since 2005 at the Plymouth Jazz Festival in Tobago.

The female quartet, made up of Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones and Dawn Robinson, performed for the near-capacity crowd on the beach front festival just before headliner Shakira took the stage on the second day.

Wearing animal print tops and fitted denim jeans, the Funky Divas started the show with their hit, 'My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It).'

Though anticipation for seeing the reunited originals was high before the group hit the stage, crowd reaction was lukewarm upon realizing that they had opted to perform with music tracks in lieu of bringing a live band.

Not having musicians was a major faux pas at a festival of that magnitude, particularly since En Vogue had to follow the energetic reggae band Steel Pulse in the show lineup.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices

R&B diva Whitney Houston disappointed a sold-out crowd who came to see a rare performance by the trouble-prone singer at the Plymouth Jazz Festival in Tobago on Sunday, April 27.

The 'Greatest Love of All' singer performed on the last night of the festival, just before headliner Rod Stewart took the stage.

Houston opened her show with 'Its Not Right, But Its Okay' and by her third song, 'Saving All My Love,' the once soprano's newfound tenor tone was in full rasp.

Delivering only seven songs during her 30 minute set, Houston was reportedly paid a whopping $3 million for the show.

Though journalists were flown in from all over the world, Houston refused to allow media and photographers within 200 feet of the stage. She brought her own photographer to the venue and only he was allowed to shoot her performance.

Wearing a white gown with a single shoulder strap, Houston skipped around the stage and continuously shouted to the crowd: "I love you Trinidad!'

Unfortunately, the concert was in Tobago!

Locals shouted back each time: "This is Tobago!"

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

"I've outgrown strip clubs, I'm 29. I just feel like it's a disappointment because you just leave. I'd rather grab something for real and not just get teased." – singer John Legend talks about strip clubs in an interview with Parlourmagazine.com.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Sheryl Lee Ralph is a real renaissance woman!

She's an actress, singer, producer, dancer, humanitarian and political activist.

The 51-year-old original 'Dreamgirl' has carved out quite a niche for herself in Hollywood, having played a range of characters on shows like 'E.R.,' 'Barbershop,' '7^th Heaven,' 'Whoopi,' 'The Proud Family' and 'The District.'

Ralph became one of television's most beloved moms when she starred on the UPN sitcom, 'Moesha.' Though the show aired for six seasons, Ralph left the show after its fifth season because of creative differences with the show's storyline.

Her work on 'Moesha' earned her five NAACP Image Award nominations.

While maintaining her career as an actress, the Tony nominated talent has been a champion of raising awareness for HIV/AIDS.

She's a celebrity spokesperson for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; launched a one woman show called 'Sometimes I Cry' about real women who battle the disease; and annually hosts the 'Divas Simply Singing' benefit concert for her Diva Foundation to raise funds for research and awareness programs about HIV/AIDS.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Singer Omarion is no longer on Columbia Records.

A source at the label confirmed to the BV Buzz that the Sony imprint decided to drop the former B2K lead singer.

Omarion (real name: Omari Ishmael Grandberry) signed as a solo artist to Columbia Records after B2K broke up in December 2003. His boy band was actually signed to Sony's Epic division.

The 23-year-old singer released two solo CDs for the record company, including 2005's 'O' and 2006's '21.' Both albums were certified gold.

In December of 2007, Omarion partnered with rapper Bow Wow on the CD, 'Face Off.' To date, the set has sold 341,137 units according to SoundScan.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

I broke news April 18 -- during my segment on the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' -- that rapper Kanye West and his fiancé Alexis Phifer have called it quits.

Sources close to the hip-hop star tell me that it was West who ended the engagement after revealing to Phifer: "I just don't think it is going to work out anymore."

The 30-year-old entertainer even asked for his ring back!

The often-controversial rapper/producer got engaged to Phifer while overseas in the fall of 2006.

The two met when Phifer worked as the assistant to West's fulltime wardrobe stylist.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Mariah Carey is dating Nick Cannon.

The self-proclaimed "eternally 12" singer, who is now 39-year-old, and the former Nickelodeon star have been seeing each other for the last couple of weeks, according to reports.

Carey and Cannon were in Las Vegas last weekend for rapper Da Brat's birthday party.

The couple arrived in a private jet and went straight to Privé Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood, where Cannon was deejaying that night. Onlookers said the pair looked cozy while being escorted through the club.

At one point during the night, the 'Wild N Out' star spun Jay-Z's 'Public Service Announcement' and sang along with the lyrics, "I got the hottest chick in the game." The newly svelte Carey stood and raised her wine glass.

After her performance on Fox's 'American Idol' on Wed. this columnist received a text message from someone at the Beverly Hills Hotel that the pair was out front of the posh hotel in a black Bentley.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Actor Gary Dourdan has decided to not to renew his deal with the CBS drama 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' when contract expires next month.

The 41-year-old actor, who has starred as Warrick on the Emmy-winning show since it debuted in 2000, will vacate the show during its May 15 season finale.

Dourdan is the second principle cast member to vacate 'CSI.'

Actress Jorja Fox quit the crime series last November.

There is no word what Dourdan plans to do after leaving the series.

The green-eyed actor has won two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on 'CSI.'

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

'King of Comedy' Steve Harvey has launched his 'Take Your Shirt Off' campaign on the nationally syndicated 'Steve Harvey Morning Show.'

Because of the campaign, the 50-year-old comic and his several members of his staff have posted shirtless images of themselves on Harvey 's website.

Photos: A shirtless Steve Harvey poses for his 'Take Your Shirt Off' campaign.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

"When you get out of your own way, when you get this and it clicks, you will be a star. Because you are blocking your own blessings. That's how I see it! And I'm usually right! – said talk show Oprah Winfrey.