Women’s boxing champ and daughter of the greatest of all time, Laila Ali was tapped as the keynote speaker at the 7th Annual EspeciallyMe Conference at South High School in Denver. The conference is geared toward encouraging young black women and providing more confidence, self esteem, respect and dignity. In her speech, Ali did just that as well as attacked the images seen in most hip-hop videos.

In a one-on-one interview with Adeeba Folami (of adeebafolami.com) after the conference Ali said, "All you see in black videos are people shaking their butt. What about other races who turn that on? They think all black women are hoes and all we got is a big booty and are just trying to show it off. It’s sad. You have to care enough about the image you’re portraying and not just about yourself, making your little dollar and having your little fame. It has to do with how we are all portrayed as a people."

Ali was also recently promoting her book, ‘Reach! Finding Strength, Spirit, and Personal Power,’ detailing her rise to stardom as well has her challenges throughout her life at a Florida middle school.

Chris Webber Gets His Design On

Now with his Philadelphia 76ers out of the playoffs, Chris Webber will have time to promote his new cap. New Era Cap Company announced that it’s released a Webber-designed limited edition 59Fifty New Era cap. The fitted denim hat pays homage to C-Webb’s Detroit roots with an Old English-type “D” on the front and “6 Mile” on the side, the neighborhood where he grew up. "I have a long history with New Era from wearing their caps as a kid to being featured in one of the company's commercials in the late ’90s -- I'm a fan," Webber said in a statement. "I was excited to sit down to design my own 59FIFTY; it had to be fashionable and 'clean.' My 59FIFTY is inspired by all that Detroit means to me: family, friends, fans -- home!" Other hats have been designed by Spike Lee, Roger Clemens, George “Iceman” Gervin, rapper Fabolous, MTV VJ La La and others. The hats can be seen and purchased at New Era Cap's website

John Cena’s Wrestlin’ Rap

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) champion John Cena took a break from the wrestling ring and headed to the studio. This week, the wrestler-turned-rapper is dropping his debut album, ‘You Can’t See Me,’ on Columbia Records. It features partner-in-rhyme Trademarc and an appearance from underground emcee Freddie Foxx. Umm, so are people expected to buy this?

"I know what I'm up against. I know people are going to dismiss me as a hip-hop artist out of hand because they think there is no way a white wrestler could rap," Cena said. "I busted my ass for three years writing songs and improving my skills to prove those people wrong. Whether you love or hate this record, I don't think you can deny its authenticity." To get a taste of what he has to offer, take a look at this clip.

Jay-Z, New Jersey Nets Look for Next Great Intern

In association with Reebok, New Jersey Nets minority owner Jay-Z has launched the S. Carter Academy, a program seeking to train students interested in obtaining elite status in the music, fashion and sports industries. The academy’s first internship is a six-week program with the New Jersey Nets in which an intern will get real-life work experience and learn the inner workings of a professional sports franchise. Interested students can apply at SCarterAcademy.com through May 15. All entries will be judged on the entrant's academic and professional credentials, an essay submission and the creative presentation of the essay.

EA Sports Taps Dwyane Wade, Goes Retro for Game Covers

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat has been selected to grace the cover of EA Sports latest installment of NBA Live. Often overshadowed by his draft classmates Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony, Wade has made huge strides this year in improving his game and clicking with superstar Shaquille O’Neal to lead the Heat to the No. 1 seed in the east. Selecting Wade was an easy decision.

"This is quite an honor to be named cover athlete of NBA Live in just my second year as a professional,” Wade said in a statement. "When you look back at some of the great players who have had this opportunity, it’s exciting to be a part of the EA Sports family and contribute to a game I’ve been playing for more than 10 years."

NBA Live ’06 will be released this fall.

In other EA Sports news, the company has gone retro with its NCAA Football 2006 video game, tapping 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard to appear on the cover. Howard, a former receiver at the University of Michigan from 1988 to 1991, won the Heisman Trophy in 1991 as a junior after catching 61 passes for 950 yards and 19 touchdowns (23 total touchdowns). He was the first receiver in Big Ten conference history to lead the league in scoring with 138 points. A first-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins in the 1992 NFL Draft, Howard went on to be named MVP of Super Bowl XXXI while with the Green Bay Packers.

"I'm very excited about being chosen to be on the cover of NCAA Football 06,” Howard said in a statement. “Winning the Heisman Trophy was one of the greatest moments of my football career and it’s cool that EA Sports is now giving gamers the chance to experience that for themselves in NCAA Football 06."