The LAPD has released the names of the two officers who shot Ezell Ford. The August 11 shooting occurred two days before the Ferguson slaying of unarmed teen Mike Brown. Like Brown, Ford was unarmed when the police fatally shot him.

LAPD identified Ford’s shooters Thursday as Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas, who were assigned to the Newton Division gang enforcement detail. Wampler, a 12-year veteran, and Villegas, an eight-year veteran, approached Ford while he was walking down the street. They shot him three times in the back while he was lying on the ground.

Witness testimonies dispute the cops’ claims that Ford, who was mentally challenged, tackled a cop, trying to reach for his gun. One witness reports hearing an officer yell, “Shoot him,” before Ford was killed in the street.

The release of the officers’ names was delayed as a result of the police’s concern for the officer safety. The autopsy results have also been hidden from public review as a result of a security hold by LAPD. Officials have also declined to provide information about why the officers approached Ford as he was walking home along West 65th Street near Broadway.

The California Supreme Court recently ruled that police departments must provide the names of officers involved in shootings, unless they can demonstrate there are credible threats to officer safety.

Source

While we face the realization that summer is almost over, Rihanna decides to rub it in our faces by vacationing in Sicily, Italy this past week. The 25 year-old singer posted a cluster of bikini pictures on Twitter highlighting some of her favorite moments.

This seems to be a much needed break after finishing her eighth album and touring with Eminem on The Monster Tour. Check out some of the hot photos to what summering in Sicily is all about.

[IMAGES: TWITTER]

During an interview with US ELLE Magazine, she offered a small secret to her beautiful glowing skin. ‘When I feel like my skin has had it, I cut all the alcohol completely and overdo the water.”

Rihanna shies away from the cameras (as if).

Rihanna slays on a private yacht showing off her radiant skin in a skimpy pink bikini.

As if the vacation couldn’t get any sexier, the Bajan princess proves otherwise.

The “Diamonds” singer relaxes in a black and gold bikini right before sunset.

Titling the photo “Sun. Down,” Rihanna covers up in a crochet Bohemian dress.

Turn down for what: BFFs share a glass of wine during their “vacation holiday”.

Rihanna gives classic glam in a selfie taken as she and friends ‘sailed up to an active volcano for dinner’.

During the worst Ebola outbreak in history, U.S. colleges are taking extra precaution with African students arriving on campus. The deadly virus has killed over 1,550 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Liberia.

Although the virus is transmitted strictly through direct contact with bodily fluids of sick people, and not by sitting next to someone in class, extra health checks will be put in place for those entering the U.S. to help stop the epidemic from expanding.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued no specific recommendations for colleges, some state health departments, including in South Carolina and North Dakota, have spelled out for administrators what symptoms to look for and how to react.

Universities are creating their own precautionary plans against the often-fatal hemorrhagic fever, which causes weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, internal bleeding, and sometimes bleeding from the nose and ears. Current cases total 3,069, with a 52 percent average fatality rate.

Universities in the United Kingdom are also on high alert with the expected arrival of thousands of Nigerian students.

Source

[Image: Shutterstock]

At last weekend’s VMA’s, a seemingly innocuous moment turned into a social media travesty in one thoughtless incident. Rapper Common got on stage to deliver an eloquent speech dedicated to Mike Brown and Ferguson, which he concluded by asking the audience to take a moment of silence with him to honor Brown’s memory and to pray for peace in America and all over the world.

Regardless of your skin color, your socioeconomic standing, your politics, or your feelings about Mike Brown, asking everyone to honor and respect the idea of worldwide peace from Missouri to the Gaza Strip seems like a concept worthy of deference. Well, unless you’re a Kardashian/Jenner in which case whatever vapid bullshit you were texting about was far more important than taking a second of your life to symbolically recognize the need to increase the peace.

While I couldn’t give two damns about what the Jenner children do, it’s a little disappointing to see Kim be so disconnected, especially now that she has a daughter who can, and probably will, identify as being Black. As much as North may have Armenian, English, Scottish, French, German and Dutch in her background, she also is half Black because her father is Kanye West. And if President Barack Obama has taught us anything, it’s that being half-Black can still earn you the full range of xenophobic and racist hate in America. And another thing that the Obama family and many other rich and famous Black families can teach Kim is that North’s wealth and affluence will NOT protect her from discrimination and prejudice.

After Mike Brown was murdered, the resulting protests in Ferguson have proven that the Black community is officially fed up. There are even protests in Los Angeles for Ezell Ford, and marches in New York for Eric Garner, both unarmed men murdered by the police. While on Twitter, my friend Jason astutely noted, “Ferguson has made folks HAVE to take a side. There’s no more sitting on the fence.”  That means the days of pretending we live in a post-racial society are OVER. The days of pretending that we have actualized MLK’s dream must come to an end. We need to understand that racism is alive, and it’s claiming Black lives every single day in the United States of America. These are the facts of American society, and these are necessary realities that need to be imparted onto Black children all over the country by parents adept enough to understand what they are up against.

While I take no issue with dating someone from another race, the harsh reality of dating interracially in a racist society with someone you want to build a life and family with, is that experience sharing is an absolute MUST. I’m not saying that it’s an immediate, first date type of topic, but the concept that you’re just going to build a life with someone and approach that difficult conversation the day you become a family is dangerous and ignorant. Besides police brutality and excessive militarization, Ferguson has exposed the fact that we as people have very different concepts of what the Black experience is in America. The gap of racial understanding is incredibly large, and the only way to close that gap is through communication, effective listening, and experience sharing. That’s how you get men like Jon Stewart who understand the complexities of the racial divide.

Growing up, my Black parents made a point of telling me how to navigate our prejudiced society as safely as possible. They taught me how to to handle discrimination before I started grade one, when my non-Black classmates were just being taught to not lose their lunch boxes. They taught me how to address authority figures in grade six, when my non-Black classmates were asking their parents if they could grow their hair long like Kurt Cobain. When I got my driver’s license, my parents immediately taught me how to handle being pulled over, when my non-Black friends were being told to wear their seat belts. And my experience doesn’t make me unique at all. Those were incredibly important and necessary lessons that MANY other Black boys and girls got from their Black parents. If Trayvon Martin and Renisha McBride have taught us anything, they are lessons that are STILL relevant today, which means that biracial children will NEED their non-Black parent to be well versed in understanding prejudice and racism.

One of the greatest parts of dating interracially and inter-culturally is sharing your love and learning new things. And while it’s awesome to learn about different foods, the customs of different cultures and the rich history of different families, it’s also necessary to share the not-so-good parts of their cultural experience. There are many non-Black women and men out there who will be parents to biracial children (just like Kim Kardashian), and whether they ever expected it or not, they will need to be able to communicate how to help them in ALL areas. I truly wish interracial couples ONLY had to face the same relationship bullshit that we all deal with, but unfortunately, society hasn’t matured to that point yet.

Photo: Shutterstock, MTV; mrmecc

LAB
Lincoln Anthony Blades blogs daily on his site ThisIsYourConscience.com, he’s an author of the book “You’re Not A Victim, You’re A Volunteer” and a weekly contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @lincolnablades and on Facebook at This Is Your Conscience.

If Mathew Knowles has his way, we could be seeing a Destiny’s Child reunion tour sooner than later.

During a recent interview with “The Roula and Ryan Show,” the 63-year-old music exec discussed his thoughts on Elevator-gate, suggesting the whole incident was staged to boost album and tour sales for Beyoncé, JAY Z and Solange. If that soundbite didn’t make enough waves, Knowles went on to hint at a possible DC tour.

He explained: “I still am the manager of Destiny’s Child. When you see Destiny’s Child on TV and you see them doing songs together slowly… now they’ve done two, they were recently on TV. I don’t know there might be another Destiny’s Child album coming. There might be this tour that makes history that’s Destiny’s Child featuring Beyoncé, Kelly [Rowland] and Michelle [Williams]. Can you imagine what that would be like?”

Knowles was then asked to cough two times if the album or tour would happen within the next year. He coughed twice.

The group’s last album Destiny Fulfilled was released in 2004, but the trio have still managed to get work done together. In addition to reuniting during Beyoncé’s halftime show at last year’s Super Bowl and on Rowland’s fourth studio album Talk A Good Game, the group most recently came together for Williams’ gospel single “Say Yes.

Check out Knowles’ radio interview after the jump.

Photo courtesy of eOne Music US

Little League national champs Jackie Robinson West received a warm welcome as they returned to Chicago earlier this week, yet one player came back to the reality that he and his family are homeless. Fortunately, a local funeral home is hoping to change that.

As reported by the Sun-Times, 12-year-old Jaheim Benton and his family have been down on their luck since his mother Devona Benton had her work hours cut as a home care provider. Jaheim’s father Frank Johnson works as a part-time radiator technician, but Devona says they can’t support the family on the salaries from their part-time jobs.

Prior to the Little League World Series, Jaheim was sleeping in the homes of friends and family members as to avoid shelters or, worse, the streets. He and his father are currently staying with a family friend and former coach while Devona cares for her three grandchildren and Jaheim’s older brother and sister.

Upon hearing about the family’s struggles, Spencer Leak Jr. of Chicago’s Leak & Sons Funeral Homes said the business is offering to cover an entire year’s rent for the Benton family. Leak told the Huffington Post he met with Devona and the two “talked privately, and hugged and talked about some items for the future.”

“I just felt for them. I look at my son and my daughter and by the grace of God, they’re able to come home to their own beds every night. But that could all end tomorrow,” Leak said. “God has blessed us, so we have to give back. Whether it be help for a funeral or housing or giving food, we have to step up to do that.”

Photo courtesy of Kevin Tanaka/For Sun-Times Media

The family funeral home was founded in 1933 by Leak’s grandparents. In 2012, Crain’s Chicago Business said Leak & Sons handled approximately one-fifth of the city’s funerals.

Michael Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL, has been cut from the St. Louis Rams ahead of the regular season.

The defensive end officially hit waivers on Saturday at 4 p.m. EST after losing his spot on the 53-man roster to undrafted rookie Ethan Westbrook. The rest of the teams in the league will have 24 hours to pick up Sam.

After the decision came down, Sam took to Twitter to make a statement about the cut.

“I want to thank the entire Rams organization and the city of St. Louis for giving me this tremendous opportunity and allowing me to show I can play at this level,” he wrote. “I look forward to continuing to build on the progress I made here toward a long and successful career. The most worthwhile things in life rarely come easy, this is a lesson I’ve always known. The journey continues.”

The Rams have expressed interest in having Sam return to their 10-man practice squad, but Sam is not expect to settle for that option. Many believe he will land on his feet soon.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Sam was drafted with the 249th overall pick in the seventh round of the NFL draft.

Congratulations are in order for Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade who tied the knot Saturday in Miami after five years of dating.

The couple exchanged “I dos” at the Chateau Artisan mansion, which sits on 14 acres of land and is protected by a moat. The big day was tightly guarded as attendees were asked to leave their cell phones and cameras at home.

Guests included Kevin Hart and fiancée Eniko Parrish, Chris and Adrienne Bosh, Terrence J, Ludacris and girlfriend Eudoxiee, Stephen G. Hill and others. PEOPLE reports John Legend performed at the ceremony.

Union wore a strapless Dennis Basso gown with an oversized bow in the back. Wade sported customized Dsquared2 and his personally designed Wedding Collection bowtie from The Tie Bar, along with a boutonniére by Floral Fix.

The couple planned a 1930s era juke joint for guests and the official white wine of the evening was Vanilla Puddin’ Chardonnay, co-created by Union.

Photo courtesy of Bob Metelus for Bob Metelus Images

This is the second marriage for both Wade and Union. The pair began dating in 2009 and became engaged in December 2013.

By Isoul Harris

Mexico City

The capital city of Mexico is a global cultural hub. Museo Jumex houses the largest private contemporary art collection in Latin America—from Orozco to Warhol—and the $70 million Museo Soumaya features a top floor full of Auguste Rodin sculptures. Gabriela Camara and Pablo Bueno present unique Baja California-inspired surf and turf small plates at MeroToro in the fashionable Colonia Condesa nabe and famed chef Enrique Olvera’s Pujol, is not only widely considered the country’s best restaurant, with Olvera’s unique spin on traditional Mexican fare, but since its inception in 2000, it has maintained a top-20 status on just about every notable world food list. Also upending the unexpected: the St. Regis Hotel Mexico City  with its contemporary art and high-end, modern decor. The impeccable condo-sized suites discourage venturing outside into the D.F. (Distrito Federal, as the city is also known), and the premium seafood and sirloin at Michelin starred chef Jean-Georges’s J&G Grill, one of the hotel’s three restos, is on par with any other eatery in this city of boundless culinary choices.

Huatulco

Seasoned travelers refer to Huatulco as Mexico’s hidden gem. This laidback beach town sits at the merging point of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, with 36 beautiful beaches (including El Organo, recognized as one of the world’s cleanest) that favor the jet-set. On one of those beaches, La Bocana, sits Villa Escondida a breathtaking four suite, mini-manse with views of the ocean and mountains. Guests enjoy a full kitchen and massive living room, luxury amenities (including a private chef, housekeeper and butler), a rooftop hot tub and infinity pool overlooking the ocean. There is also the private Bar Escondida, tucked under the home, with easy beach access, perfect for hosting a group for pre-drinks before dinner or a party. The concierge service can arrange a private yacht tour along the coast of Huatulco, water sport activities, dinner at one of the town restaurants and even a private bonfire on the beach. Huatulco may be paradise, but Villa Escondida is heaven.

Puerto Escondido

Hospitality group Grupo Habita is known for bringing sexy boutique hotels to Mexico— including Mexico City properties Distrito Capital, Condesa DF and Downtown. But with the minimalist beauty of Hotel Escondido, the company has ventured outside of their urban cosmopolitan zone. Located on a stretch of virgin coastline in the surf town of Puerto Escondido, the compound consists of only 16 cabanas—each with private plunge pools and beach access—a spa, an ocean parallel pool (replete with hammocks waiting to support afternoon naps), restaurant and study area. Hotel Escondido boasts that its property is “where time hides,” so don’t venture here if you want a jam-packed itinerary. Arrive and unplug in Federico Rivera Río’s luxuriously designed village. But be forewarned: you may not want to plug back in.

By Karu F. Daniels

For close to a decade, Anthony Wayne has been treading the boards of The Great White Way with stellar work in Broadway musicals such as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Anything Goes and most recently the Tony Award-winning revival of Pippin. This fall, the Norfolk, Va. native, along with his partner Kendrell Bowman, will present their longtime passion project, Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical – exploring the life and music of late disco icon Sylvester.

Set to open at New York City’s Theatre at St. Clement’s on September 5, the project was inspired by an episode of the TV One documentary series Unsung. “I said, ‘Let’s do something to celebrate his drive and his ambition to just be who he wanted to be,’” says Wayne, 33, who does double duty as the writer and co-director of the show.

Previously produced as a tribute concert at (Le) Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village, Mighty Real is now a full musical theater experience with more songs, costumes and layers that Wayne promises will be, “higher, bigger and better.” Bowman, 32, who hails from Charleston, S.C., boasts a background in fashion (working with brands such as Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga and music stars including K. Michelle and Kanye West). In addition to co-directing, he also handles costume design, taking cues from many of Sylvester’s music videos and live performances and by working closely with the late singer’s family.

The couple met through an online dating site three years ago and are now also professional partners – with the mission of producing their vision their way. “[No one] can produce your vision better than you,” Bowman attests. “Not saying that we’re perfect, but we feel creating something with your partner is much more effective than bringing someone else in.”

That said, the pair have joined forces with legendary Dreamgirls star Sheryl Lee Ralph and The Diva Foundation to bring more awareness to the project and Sylvester’s final fight: He succumbed to AIDS-related complications in 1988. “He stood in his truth about who he was until the end,” Bowman says. “Before RuPaul, Adam Lambert and even Boy George, Sylvester was doing things that were unheard of in that time. I think Sylvester’s story is honestly everyone’s story.”

By Joane Amay

“I picked up my first camera at age 16 and I’ve never looked back,” says photographer Marc Baptiste. The Port-au-Prince, Haiti native has since shot luminaries such as Shakira, Idris Elba and Jada Pinkett Smith as well as the Obamas.

However, shutters and lenses aren’t the only tools that ignite his passion. “I am a very visual person and anything new that catches my eye I have to have,” admits Baptiste, who lives in New York City with his wife and twin daughters. Here’s his take on his latest favorite tricked out contraptions.

Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone 5 case

“My iPhone 5 is my best assistant; it’s an extension of myself. This black and white graffi ti-print rubberized case is a bit street as well as sleek.”

$35, mrporter.com

Canon EOS–1D X digital SLR camera

“As a photographer, my camera is my life. Canon is my tried and true brand. I never leave home without my trusted Canon G12 and on shoots I use their professional digital SLR.”

$6,799, canon.com

Grado Reference Series RS1e headphones

“I must have music and the wood detail on these professional- quality headphones is a nice touch.”

$695, gradolabs.com

Opening Ceremony Exclusive Special Edition Projecteo

“I love Instagram. It’s creative and inspiring. So I was beyond thrilled to discover this pocket-sized projector that takes your Instagram photos and turns them into a slideshow. It’s a modern take on a throwback.”

$50, openingceremony.us

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 tablet
“The high-definition color resolution of the screen on Samsung’s new tablet is insane.”

$499.99 samsung.com

Evan Ross and Ashlee Simpson wed in a ceremony at Diana Ross’ Greenwich, CT estate on Saturday. The couple, whose relationship came as a surprise to many last year, got engaged in January after courting for over a year.

“We just want to be married,” Ross said in an interview with E!. “We’re in love.” He continued, “This is the most incredible time I could ever think of in my life and I’m young, but the same time, I’ve lived a different life than most and I can’t think of a happier moment.”

The wedding bash began with a yacht party on Friday and culminated at Diana’s estate in Greenwich. Simpson’s son, Bronx, with former husband, Fallout Boy rocker Pete Wentz walked her down the aisle.

But for such a fairytale romance, few magazines were interested the couple’s wedding photos.

[Image: US Weekly]

Simpson and Ross were reportedly expecting a hefty pay out for their wedding pics, in similar fashion to the seven-figure ducats sister Jessica Simpson and her ex-husband Nick Lachey received for their nuptial photos, or at least the $300,000 Jessica made off her most recent wedding. But alas, Ashlee and Evan just don’t have that kind of star power — and apparently neither does Supreme mother Diana.

The only outlet that expressed interest in purchasing the pics was People, which made it clear that an image of Simpson sisters was preferred over an image of the bride and groom. And they wouldn’t be a cover. Late in the afternoon on Labor Day, the Simpson clan released the non-exclusive images to any magazine or newspaper willing to pay.

Ashlee reportedly considered releasing the images via social media.

Source

Looks like those divorce rumors are null and void– at least for another week–as Jay Z and Beyoncé were very much into each other at the Made in America Festival in Philadelphia over the weekend. The two appeared to be a loving couple, holding hands and canoodling while music played.

Solange even  joined Beyonce for a photo Mrs. Carter posted on her Instagram Monday.

The power couple’s sighting comes on the heels of Beyonce’s father, Matthew Knowles, telling a radio interviewer that he felt elevator-gate was a publicity stunt to sell tickets for the highly successful On The Run world tour.

Body language experts were employed by tabloid magazines to examine the behaviors of the couple at the VMAs, where Beyoncé accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award after doing a 15-minute performance of all the songs off of her self-titled fifth studio effort. Contrary to evidence shown in the photos taken over the weekend, the experts said that Bey and Jay appeared distant and as though they were saving face in front of their daughter, Blue.

 Photo: E! online; Instagram

Police arrested an Atlanta cop at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Aug. 28 for allegedly killing a woman he met online. Tahreem Zeus Rana, 23, met Vernicia Woodard on Backspace.com, a website used to facilitate romantic meetings.

A city employee found Woodard’s body on August 22. Police believe Rana took his 26-year-old victim to a secluded area and shot her several times. Rana, then, set fire to Woodard’s body in an attempt to destroy evidence. Authorities linked the Atlanta cop to the crime through Woodard’s phone records.

Police allowed Rana, who had been placed on a no-fly list, to go through airport security to ensure that he wasn’t armed when they arrested him. He was en route to Mexico in an attempt to flee the United States.

Rana, who was on the police force for three years with no history of disciplinary action, will face kidnapping, murder, and arson charges. He is due in court on Friday.

Woodward was mother to an 8-year-old daughter.

Singer CeeLo Green has deleted his Twitter account after tweeting in regards to accusations he drugged a woman with Ecstasy.

The former judge on “The Voice” plead no contest to accusations of slipping Ecstasy into his date’s drink at a sushi restaurant in July 2012. As part of his plea deal for drug charges, the “Crazy” singer is serving three years probation and was ordered to complete 360 hours of community service. Prosecutors dismissed the rape charges related to the alleged incident due to insufficient evidence.

Although Green escaped a trial, he felt the need to plead his case anyway. Yesterday, he allegedly tweeted: “People who have really been raped REMEMBER!!!” and “If someone is passed out they’re not even WITH you consciously! so WITH Implies consent.”

Green deleted the two tweets prior to deactivating his entire account, but not before attempting an apology.

“Let me 1st praise god for exoneration fairness & freedom! Secondly I sincerely apologize for my comments being taken so far out of context,” Green tweeted.

“I only intended on a healthy exchange to help heal those who love me from the pain I had already caused from this,” he reportedly added. “Please forgive me as it was your support that got me thru this to begin with. I’d never condone the harm of any women. Thank you.”

Green must attend 52 Alcohol Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous meetings with a March 2, 2015 court date for a progress report. The Gnarls Barkley singer will spend his community service helping out at the MusiCares Foundation of the Recording Academy.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol and local police are on the hunt for teens who escaped the Woodland Hills Youth Development Center in Nashville, on Sept 1.

Around 11 p.m., 32 teens fled the detention center through a weak spot in the fence surrounding the property. The fence is buried eight inches into the ground, but the teens managed to pull up a weak portion and crawl underneath. Once staff members noticed the group escaping, they called the police. Two of the teens were captured immediately, while others were caught throughout the night by authorities. Others turned themselves in or were returned by their parents. Nine teens remain at large.

[Image: Shutterstock]

The center houses young adults, ages 14-19, who have committed at least three felonies. It’s unclear whether the escape was planned during late hours when there’s minimal staff or if the plan was spontaneous.

The 23 who were found or returned to the center were escorted to Metro Nashville Juvenile court and could face escape charges.

This is the second security breach for the Woodland Hills Youth Development Center. In May, six teens escaped from their dorm rooms. They were captured before they were able to leave the property.

Source

When I was 17 years old, I entered into my first serious relationship. It might sound corny, but I didn’t see it as some puppy-love or high school sweetheart type of relationship. I really thought I would be her husband and she would be the mother of my kids (which, coincidentally, was happening to friends my same age during that time). But as a boy who had never been in a serious relationship before, much of my actions were predicated on what I thought I was supposed to do, as opposed to what came naturally, or even what made sense. This way of thinking lead to many stupid decisions on my part, but the worst mistake I ever made in that relationship was fighting for a woman who didn’t really want me to fight for her.

Enter Keri Hilson, who, this past weekend, decided to hop on Twitter and go in on women who were vying for attention from her man, Oklahoma City Thunder center, Serge Ibaka.

Why do girls think it’s cute to vie for the attention of a taken man? Why don’t they feel hoe-ish? When did this become acceptable?

— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) August 29, 2014

 

Did ALL the rules go out the window w/ social media? Don’t we have more respect for OURSELVES, if not for other women? And relationships?

— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) August 29, 2014

 

Meanwhile, that man AND his girlfriend are laughing at your thirsty ass–together. That’s what you need to know. Have a little self-respect.

— Keri Hilson (@KeriHilson) August 29, 2014

From a general perspective, her tweets are completely on-point and definitely speak to the illness of cheating and unfaithfulness. But I’m going to go out on a limb and state that her tweets, like mostly everyone on Twitter, were inspired by events close to home. And just by looking at how my female friends swoon over Ibaka, I can tell he probably does have many women willing to disrespect the sanctity of his relationship to get with him. But, from a specific standpoint, Keri’s tweets were pretty bad for ONE main reason – It’s NOT her job to tell women to stop disrespecting their relationship, it’s her BOYFRIEND’S.

When you decide to enter into a relationship, both people have one main responsibly to the other person: Letting people who want you KNOW that they can’t have you, and they should refrain from shitting on your relationship by trying to wedge their way in. It’s Keri’s job to let this super-thirsty ass dudes know that she is NOT gonna be their “friends” and she will NOT be messaging them on Whatsapp because she has a man. And it’s Serge’s job to let these dehydrated heffas know to stay OUT of his DM’s because he is TAKEN and OFF THE MARKET. But neither of them have the job of talking for the other person because they are both grown-ass adults with the ability to talk for themselves. And if the person you’re with doesn’t WANT to speak up for themselves, you will end up learning the same lesson I learned at 17: The person you’re with doesn’t mind being lusted after because THEY respect you less than the people dishonoring your relationship.

LAB

Lincoln Anthony Blades blogs daily on his site ThisIsYourConscience.com, he’s an author of the book “You’re Not A Victim, You’re A Volunteer” and a weekly contributor for UPTOWN Magazine. He can be reached via Twitter @lincolnablades and on Facebook at This Is Your Conscience.

While we regular folks were just happy getting off early on Fridays this summer, celebrities were taking their summer vacations very seriously. The majority migrated to beach locales with friends and families. Through social media and the paparazzi, we got a glimpse of banging beach bodies and genuinely happy celebs enjoying time off.

Check out how your favorites — Halle Berry, LeBron James, Lupita Nyong’o, and more — spent their celebrity summer vacations … Prepare to be envious, though.

Halle Berry decided to spend her summer vacation zip-lining in Hawaii.

In an undisclosed location, Beyoncé and Blue Ivy get playful jumping on a trampoline.

Rihanna dazzles in a crochet cover-up dress in Sicily.

Jada Pinkett Smith does not age and her body is proof, while in Hawaii.

As if Lupita Nyong’o’s skin couldn’t look more radiant, she proves otherwise while vacationing in Maui.

Baby Future and mommy Ciara soak in the beautiful views of Ibiza.

LeBron James and wife Savannah Brinson enjoy a baby-moon in Greece to welcome their daughter.

Jennifer Lopez shows off her amazing abs while posing by the pool with her BFF, Leah Remini.

Keri Hilson and a couple of her girls were on “Baewatch” at an undisclosed beach.

RELATED: Keri Hilson Checks Serge Ibaka’s Groupies – But Broke The Cardinal Rule Of Dating

Here comes the bride! This year has been filled with beautiful weddings with some of our favorite celebrities tying the knot. While many, including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, chose to keep their ceremonies private, we have still managed to get our hands on a few photos of the cherished moments. From destination weddings to extravagant hotel affairs, these celebs have wedding bliss down pat. Check out some of our favorite photos from this year’s best celebrity weddings!

[Image: WENN/People]

Evan Ross and Ashlee Simpson wed in a private ceremony at Diana Ross’ estate in Connecticut this past Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014.

RELATED: Evan Ross And Ashlee Simpson Wed, No One Buys Pics

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade wed this past Saturday, Aug. 30, in Miami with a black and white-themed affair. Union wore an elegant Dennis Basso strapless gown with a tiered veil. While her groom, wore a tailored suit and personalized bow-tie from The Tie Bar.

Rounding out the Labor Day weekend weddings, Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg tied the knot in Chicago at Hotel Baker on Aug. 30, 2014.

Kandi Burruss married beau Todd Tucker, on April 4, 2014, in an extravagant dress and Coming to America-themed wedding that left many talking. 

Kelly Rowland wed her longtime boyfriend Tim Witherspoon on May 9, 2014 during a simple yet romantic getaway.

Eve became Mrs. Maximillion Cooper in Blue Marlin, Cala Jondal Beach in Ibiza, Spain while wearing Alice Temperley on June 14, 2014.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West said “I do” in Florence on May 24, 2014, wearing a dress designed by their best friend, Riccardi Tisci.

Soon after a much-publicized break up from Big Sean, Naya Rivera randomly married Ryan Dorsey on July 19, 2014.

When Eva Marcille was introduced to us early in her season of “America’s Next Top Model,” I think it’s fair to say that we had a feeling she would win. The hazel-eyed beauty appeared to be an untapped natural-born model. Years later, Eva has expanded her talents into the realm of acting, with recent appearances on the season of “Real Husbands of Hollywood.” Now Eva is taking on the role of mother to her adorable baby girl, Marley Rae.

Fans are eagerly awaiting her next move on screen and in fashion. On Instagram, she’s among my favorite celebs to keep a close style eye on for inspirational looks, accessories, and more. So, as you get your everyday wardrobe camera ready, check out some from our favorite looks of this week’s Star Style, Eva Marcille.

To make yourself it-girl ready for a night out, consider making an impact in a white gown. Leave the black gowns to the others, and stand out in the color that can now be worn during any season.

Denim shorts will always be a wardrobe essential that can withstand the changing temperatures and trends of the season. By adding tights, blazers, knits, and/or knee-high boots, you’ll be set for fall.

Eva’s been known to wear African-print garments on and off the red carpet. Truthfully, regardless of what the mainstream fashion industry says about the print being a trend, African patterns will always be en vogue within our community.

Sometimes a gown is too much for special parties. In those instances, a maxi dress that combines sophistication and edge is the perfect equation for making an exquisite statement.

If you like the idea of stripes, but haven’t found vertical or horizontal stripes that complement your shape, a dress with stripes in a geometric pattern is perfect.

Eva knows how to put together a picture-perfect look that goes from desk to dinner. During the day, office friendly accessories are the only items that need to apply. But for night, like Eva, you can simply give your pants a more relaxed look, while keeping the other half of your look somewhat formal with a bow tie and blazer.

Accessories really do make the look. In Eva’s case, she took her asymmetrical jumpsuit into a boho-chic direction by adding a leather belt and turban.

For fall, the silhouette on the minds of many designers and style geeks is the loose-fitting frock, which thankfully is forgiving for many shapes. But like Eva, you can still doll up a flowing look with dainty jewelry and other accessories.

Clearly, you can tell that head-wraps are definitely among Eva’s personal style essentials.  The look totally works for her no matter what she’s wearing!

Eva exhibits the true meaning of classic glamour in this lace, vibrant blue, strapless dress by Jean Fares Couture.

The plush velvet combined with the metallic sheen, gives this dress a hot ultra luxurious vibe.  Both textures work seamlessly together and are worth trying this fall.

For autumn, consider borrowing accessories from the boys. Fedoras are a hot way to spruce up your cold-weather wardrobe.