By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

The 43-year-old actress had a previous stint as a daytime talk show host when she followed Mother Love as the second host of the nationally syndicated 'Forgive or Forget' in 2000.

Givens' new talk show will be produced by talk show veteran Montel Williams, whose self-titled talk show will end after 17 years on May 16.

There's been no announcement for a target airdate for Givens' new show.

Givens will star as controversial New York City radio host Wendy Williams in the forthcoming movie, 'Queen of Media,' which is based on the New York Times bestselling book about Williams' life.

The New York City native made her Broadway debut in 2006 in the long-running musical ' Chicago '- in which she was the first Black woman to portray the leading role of Roxie Hart.

In June 2007, Givens released an autobiography called 'Grace Will Lead Me Home' and Oprah Winfrey devoted an entire hour to the actress sharing her life story.

"There's so much I had to process about my life and this book will probably be a lot different than most people are thinking of it," Givens said when I interviewed her in October 2006 about the tome. "It really deals with three generations of women, my family and sort of breaking cycles. Hopefully it will be very empowering to women, that's my hope and goal for it."

The twice-married Givens has also dated shock jock Howard Stern and actor Brad Pitt. The actress has two sons, Michael, 16, and William, 9.

VIDEO: Watch this vintage clip of Robin Givens hosting 'Forgive or Forget.'

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After years of struggling with the confines of a major label structure and the battle to maintain the integrity of his art, soul singer Rahsaan Patterson decided to do things his way and he hasn't looked back.

Patterson, who released two critically acclaimed CD's (1997's 'Rahsaan Patterson' and 1999's 'Love in Stereo') on MCA Records, formed his own label in 2004 and has enjoyed the freedom of taking charge of his own musical destiny.

"What excites me now is the potential for independent artists to gain exposure, more mainstream exposure. I feel like the industry is catching up to the art of it. The commerce aspect will always be there, but the purpose of music is starting to come more to the forefront. The artists that do it independently do it because they have to. It's their art, it's their craft," he told me.

His latest offering, 'Wines and Spirits,' was released last fall and its second single 'Feels Good' is making a significant impact at Urban Adult Contemporary radio stations.

The former 'Kids Incorporated' star said that his fourth album is a compilation of a range of emotions he's felt over the last decade.

"These are sounds that reflected the stages of my life over the last 10 years. I wanted to be able to push the limits of what the supposed idea of soul is, particularly neo-soul and take myself out of that bracket," the singer explained. "I am a complex individual and I always have been. But at this state of my adulthood and creativity and artistry, all three of those combined. The level of comfort that I have with what I think, how I feel, what I believe; I've grown to really be able to articulate that."

The 34-year-old New York City native just wrapped production on his first Christmas album that will hit stores this fall.

VIDEO: Watch Rahsaan Patterson's music video for 'Feels Good.'

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By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Oprah Winfrey giveth and she taketh away!

The talk show titan has canceled her own show, opting not to bring back her debut reality series, 'Oprah's Big Give' for a second season.

In a shocking move, Winfrey, 54, asked ABC executives not to renew her weekly primetime show about charitable giving.

"We loved that show and absolutely would have loved to bring it back," ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson said yesterday during an upfront press conference. "But it was something [Oprah] didn't want to do."

On 'Big Give,' an eclectic group of 10 contestants traveled the country attempting to outdo their opponents in helping unsuspecting people tackling a diverse array of extraordinary circumstances.

Each week, the judges - Jamie Oliver ('The Naked Chef'), Tony Gonzalez (NFL Hall of Famer) and Malaak Compton-Rock (wife of Chris Rock) - sent the ineffective giver home.

The show, which was hosted by 'Oprah' regular, interior designer Nate Berkus, also featured appearances by many of Winfrey's megastar friends like Jada Pinkett-Smith, John Travolta, Natalie Cole, Donald Trump, Jennifer Aniston and best bud Gayle King.

The winner of the series was Stephen Paletta, a 43-year-old contractor from Bedford, New York . Without knowing that the show had a grand prize, Paletta took home $1 million for his philanthropic initiatives.

'Oprah's Big Give' was birthed out of an episode of the 'Oprah' show, where the billionaire TV talent gave audience members $1,000 and a video camera with instructions to give away the money to someone deserving.

Guests recorded their good deeds and they aired during a follow-up show weeks later.

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By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

Unless you've been under a rock, you've heard by now that TV personality Star Jones filed for divorce from her husband, Al Scales Reynolds on March 26.

The couple married on Nov. 13, 2004 and their high profile marriage had been the object of media scrutiny from the time Reynolds proposed to the former co-host of 'The View' during the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles on Feb. 15, 2004.

When 'Entertainment Tonight' broke news that Jones filed for divorce on April 23, the recent Court TV host released a statement vowing to take a low-key approach to the matter.

"Several years ago I made an error in judgment by inviting the media into the most intimate area of my life. A month ago I filed for divorce. The dissolution of a marriage is a difficult time in anyone's life that requires privacy with one's thoughts. I have committed myself to handling this situation with dignity and grace and look forward to emerging from this period as a stronger and wiser woman," said Jones, 46.

Since then, there have been numerous speculative and erroneous reports about why the couple split, particularly since neither of them has commented on the end of their union.

Reynolds, 37, who is a professor at Florida Memorial University in Miami and is working towards branding himself an expert in finance, has broken his silence and is fighting back against the personal attacks against his character.

With his permission, BV Buzz is posting in its entirety this 'Open Letter' that Reynolds posted on his MySpace page.

He writes: "Dear Friends: If you think you are having a tough day, may I propose you walk in my shoes for a few hours.

In my mind, it feels like "Dump on Al Month." And I'm not having fun yet.

I have been called a gigolo, a freeloader, unemployed, a sham and many other things that don't bear repeating.

People on television, radio and the internet have spoken disparagingly of my life, my sexuality, my career and my integrity. The media has barraged me (at my home), my friends, my family(including my 79 year old mother), my college classmates, my students and my professional colleagues.

Yet, despite this intense level of provocation, I have said nothing.

My publicist has put out a one sentence statement: "We're taking the high road." And we have and will continue on that path.

As much as I want to defend myself, it seems like a silly and futile exercise. It's clear that the media doesn't want to let the truth get in the way of a good story. I'd hate to ruin their fun.

I take great comfort in the fact that my loved ones and those people who really know me continue to love and respect me. Thank you "all" for the endless emails, phone calls and words of encouragement.

I know in my heart that I entered my marriage with love and the best of intentions and leave it with great sadness that it didn't work.

What the world doesn't know about me would fill a book, but I know who I am and what I have achieved in my life. Before I met Star Jones I was a successful Wall Street banker and since then I have become an entrepreneur, an educator and soon, an author.

I grew up in a working class home, a mobile home in fact. I understand the struggles of the working class. My mother was a teacher and my father was in the military.

I was given values, integrity and a strong moral upbringing (thanks mom and dad). In these hard economic times, I am working to take my knowledge and experience of the business world and use it to empower and enlighten working class Americans who are often 'left behind' by traditional financial advice.

I educate inspiring young men and women at Florida Memorial University , a historically black liberal arts university in Miami, Florida .

I continue to follow my entrepreneurial spirit in the world of business and investment while completing my doctorate in Organizational Leadership. So I indeed work very hard as a professor, business owner, doctoral student and author.

I play hard too. I make no apologies for that. A guy is entitled to a little fun, after all.

What I want people to know is that I am not the caricature portrayed by the media. I am complex, contradictory and capable of great intelligence but also remarkable stupidity. In other words, I am a human being.

To me, labels are for clothes, not people.

So...Please don't try to define me; don't try to categorize me; and most of all, don't label me.

Instead, JUST GET TO KNOW ME. And if you see me, just call me Al."

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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.

Once known for featuring the likes of Lena Horne and Harry Belafonte, Ebony more recently showcased contemporary entertainers as cover subjects including Janet Jackson and Chris Brown, who is featured on the upcoming Black Music Month issue in June.

The sexy image of the shirtless 19-year-old singer, with his pants sagging and underwear showing is definitely a departure from the Ebony we once knew.

Regardless, the Tappahannock, Va.-bred singer opens up about dating, sex and taking his music to the next level in his cover story.

"I wanted to do something more along the lines of a grown record," explained Brown about the June re-release of his sophomore album, 'Exclusive: The Forever Edition.'

"I wanna take her down," he continued, talking about the new single by the same name of the title that he carefully considered. "That sounds a lot better than drill, nail, smash. We made it a little bit more classy."

Brown, who has been dating pop sensation Rihanna for the last several months, spoke candidly about his perspective on relationships. "I date sometimes. If I ever had a girlfriend, it'd always be a problem. Fans want you to be attainable. I try to stay away from even having a girl. I go on dates, talk to a couple chicks on the phone," he said.

Maybe giving the impression that he's still "attainable" is why he has yet to confirm that he is dating Rihanna.

The Black Music Month issue of Ebony hits newsstands soon.

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

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.'

Read our in-depth feature with Mario here.

VIDEO: See Mario performing 'Crying Out For Me' live on this YouTube video:

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

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.

Most headed over to the Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center for Playboy's 'Crown Royal Barbershop Lounge' afterwards.

While DJ Kid Capri spun records, folks like singer Joey Fatone, Randy Moss (New England Patriots), 90's pop diva Taylor Dayne, golf great Lee Elder, Tom Brady (New England Patriots) and many of Grand Gala's guests partied in the VIP.

Playboy Playmates strolled around and media mogul Hugh Hefner looked on proudly.

Saturday before the race, I was invited to a benefit brunch at the home of boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

The exclusive affair only had about 40 or so guests, who dined on the decadent spread prepared by Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse.

Ruby, who owns restaurants in Louisville, Cincinnati and Belterra, Indiana, became infamous during the 2007 Derby for refusing to serve O.J. Simpson at his location at the Galt House Hotel.

Surprisingly, he received a lot of backlash from people who were upset about his decision. (I personally didn't think Black people still cared about Simpson.)

During a speech at the brunch, Rudy said it was Ali who assured him he had made the right decision.

"He congratulated me for not serving O.J. Simpson. He told me he was proud of me for not serving him. That meant the world to me," the restaurateur shared.

Boxing great Lenox Lewis - one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet - made a $40,000 check presentation to the Muhammad Ali Center on behalf of NBC's 'Celebrity Apprentice.'

At the track, guests wined and dined in Grand Gala's new suite located in the Millionaire Row section of Churchill Downs.

Our suite was popular because of the presence of M.J. People just flock to him!

Prince Albert of Monaco came past to meet and greet with His Airness.

There wasn't! It was just 'Tell It To My Heart' singer Dayne and she had authorities escort her across the complex to the Grand Gala box because she was on a mission to meet .

She came into the suite, took photos with him , reportedly gave him her number and then had the police take her back. Talk about determination!

The horse Big Brown was the big winner of the main event.

And of course you've heard by now that second place winner Eight Belles had to be euthanized after both her front legs fractured after crossing the finish line. Sad!

None of us were aware that had happened before leaving the track, but upon our return to the hotel it was all over the local news.

At Grand Gala's black tie soiree to close the weekend out, Earth Wind & Fire turned the place out with an almost 90-minute concert set.

The Galt House's Grand Ballroom was amazingly elegant, decorated in purple and silver and featuring table displays with white light branches.

Fashion photographer Nigel Barker ('America's Next Top Model'), singer Bootsy Collins and retired boxer Lewis were also in attendance for the dinner and concert.

Additional spottings throughout the Derby weekend included Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, actress Beverly Todd ('Crash'), TV host Carson Daly and Sgt. Harvey Walden ('Celebrity Fit Club'). They were all guests of other sponsors.

Special thanks again to Rohena Miller and Grand Gala for an awesome Kentucky Derby weekend. Their efforts to maximize the diversity of the Kentucky Derby are certainly commendable!

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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."

"I think the name is very fitting for him -- he's strong, cool and mellow, just perfect," the actress said at the time of delivery. "I could tell even when I was carrying him inside me because he made me feel like Superwoman!"

The football star is excited about being a first time father. "Kal'El looks just like his daddy," he said. "Terri was amazing during the delivery."

Vaughn most recently starred in the films 'Dirty Laundry,' 'Redrum' and 'Three Can Play That Game.'

The actress has a non-profit organization called Take Wings Foundation, which provides scholarships, mentoring and job training opportunities for young women living in public housing in San Francisco .

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

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.