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‘Sister2Sister’ Goes Bankrupt

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UPTOWN_sister2sister_oct_2014_issueFor as long as we can remember, Sister2Sister magazine has been the go-to guide for urban celebrity gossip. Unfortunately things have recently taken a turn for the worse, as the publication has filed for bankruptcy protection. According to owner and publisher Jamie Foster Brown, the website has taken priority while the print edition is currently on hold.

In regards to the shocking news, Foster Brown said she especially feels responsibility to the prisoners whom she published in the magazine because they “didn’t have a voice.” She added, “We wanted to teach people through celebrities.”

Foster Brown said Monday that she plans to release an official statement on the status of Sister2Sister. She is the sole owner of the publication, and is described as “The Barbara Walters of Print” on the publication’s website.

Although not listed in the latest circulation or advertising figures for the Publishers Information Bureau or the Alliance for Audited Media, Mediabistro puts Sister2Sister‘s June 2013 profile at a circulation of 135,000. The 64-page October 2014 print edition was scheduled to leave newsstands on Oct. 14, and features seven full-page ads, a one-third page ad for a hair product, and a public service spot from the Ad Council on the inside back cover.

Hopefully this legendary magazine will recover soon.

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San Francisco Minimum Wage Increase Especially Benefits Minorities, Women

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The minimum wage in San Francisco will rise to $11.05 an hour on Jan. 1. The city’s current minimum is $10.74.

The good news was revealed by the city’s mayor, Edwin Lee on Thursday. According to Mayor Lee, the city is all for supporting working families and low-wage earners, declaring his support for “a fair and responsible consensus measure.”

Next week, San Francisco voters will decide on a ballot that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by Jan. 1, 2018. If approved, the proposed minimum wage increase would follow a timeline, indicating the minimum wage in the city at $12.25 per hour by May 1, 2015.

Following the gradual increase, basic wage earners would receive a total annual income of $31,000. San Francisco has the highest minimum wage in the country. The federal standard is currently $7.25 an hour. California’s minimum wage is $9 an hour.

A study conducted by the University of California Berkley revealed that the increase would particularly be beneficial to women and minorities who account for 71 percent of the total number of people to be affected by the wage increase.

 

 

Starbucks Will Deliver Your Coffee Starting Next Year

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Attention java junkies, your coffee morning fix has just gotten easier. In select areas beginning next year, coffee giant Starbucks will begin its food and beverage delivery service through its mobile app.

The delivery service will be available to Starbucks loyalty program members as part of its new mobile pay app that will launch first in Portland next month, expanding nationwide next year. Starbucks has been pushing its mobile app, which allows customers to place orders ahead of time and pick up their order without waiting. 

In a conference call, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said, “Imagine the ability to create a standing order of Starbucks delivered hot or iced to your desk daily. That’s our version of e-commerce on steroids.”


Starbucks Corp. is pushing aggressively into different areas as it faces more competition from fast-food chains who are serving specialty coffees. The chain is also focusing on growing its tea business.

Starbucks also made headlines earlier this year, revamping the employee dress code. Visible tattoos are now allowed, but leave the bling at home. Precious gems, necklaces and engagement rings, are no longer permitted.

Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams Lose First Round in Marvin Gaye Lawsuit

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The late Marvin Gaye‘s estate is taking the lead in the courtroom against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams in the ‘Blurred Lines‘ lawsuit. Gaye’s family insisted the two stole parts of their hit song from ‘Got to Give it Up.’ Believing the that the songs may be substantially similar, a California judge has ruled in favor of the family.

According to U.S. District Judge John Kronstat, “defendants have made a sufficient showing that elements of ‘Blurred Lines‘ may be substantially similar to protected, original elements of ‘Got to Give it Up.” He also denied the singers’ motion for summary judgement on Thursday.

In addition, the judge agreed that there were similar bass lines, keyboard parts, vocal lines, melodies and harmonies between the two songs. There is enough evidence to move forward with the Gaye’s family claim.

Although the trial isn’t scheduled until February 10, 2015, the story made headlines earlier this year when depositions from April were made public. Some of the bizarre revelations were Thicke admitting Williams  wrote the song, but he took the credit for it, all while being “high on Vicodin and alcohol.”

Jerrod Carmichael Gets Sitcom Pilot on NBC

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Uptown_JerrodCarmichaelNBC has ordered a pilot based on comedian Jerrod Carmichael‘s stand-up, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The as yet untitled, multicamera comedy from Universal Television is inspired by Carmichael’s comedy and his relationship with his girlfriend and family. The show was originally developed last pilot season and narrowly missed the cut in May. It was shot as a low-budget presentation, but garnered a lot of support internally. Now, after some retooling, it is NBC’s first official pilot order for the 2015-2016 pilot season.

The delay may prove beneficial for Carmichael who has since garnered some notoriety. He had an HBO stand-up special directed by Spike Lee. He also appeared in the film Neighbors, which he worked on with Nick Stoller who is co-producing and co-writing the script on the NBC pilot. Ravi Nandan is also listed as a co-producer.

The new pilot will begin filming in December in Los Angeles.

Ramapo College to Female Students: Practice Facial Expressions To Avoid Rape

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Uptown_Woman_MirrorRamapo College is finding itself in some hot water after their student newspaper reported about a sexual assault presentation that advised female students to avoid making certain facial expressions to avoid being raped.

The presentation, titled, “Haven — Understanding Sexual Assault,” was given by the school’s coordinator of Substance Abuse & Violence Cory Rosenkranz. The seminar was part of a year-long course called “AlcoholEdu,” which is a class that trains students to become “peer facilitators.” These students can talk to freshman and encourage them to make smart decisions about drinking.

Brandon Molina, a junior peer facilitator who attended Rosenkranz’s presentation, said that things started normally, but quickly grew disturbing: “She was saying that women need to watch their body language and that women should practice how they articulate their face [in a social setting] by practicing in the mirror.”

This is a form of victim-blaming akin to telling a victim, “You were wearing sexy clothes, so you were asking for it.” According to the Ramapo News, Rosenkranz’s talk highlighted a few tactics that seem to target the victim over the person who is committing the sexual assault:

“During the hour-long presentation, which also covered alcohol consumption and abuse, Rosenkranz said female students needed to be self aware about actions that could invite sexual assault. Those included, Rosenkranz said during the presentation, how women dress, how they interact socially, how much they drink and how their body language and facial expressions could be interpreted.”

The incident has garnered a fair amount of outrage on campus and now in media reports. As Molina said,”My thought the whole time was maybe women shouldn’t practice how long they’re blinking, men should just not rape people.”

Ramapo tweeted their response to the criticisms:

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Wayne Brady Reveals His Battle With Depression

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UPTOWN_wayne_bradyTelevision host and comedian Wayne Brady opened up to “Entertainment Tonight” to about his struggle with depression that has lasted for years.

In an interview set to air Monday, Brady revealed that he kept his depression a secret. “People are like, ‘Wayne Brady’s always happy!’ No I’m not. Because I’m human,” he reportedly told ET. His mental state took a turn for the worse on his 42nd birthday this past summer.

“I was there by myself, in my bedroom and I had a complete breakdown. Just go ahead and imagine for yourself a brother in his underwear, in his room, you got snot … and that birthday was the beginning of, ‘OK, I’ve got to make a change!’”

Since his epic breakdown, Brady has shown improvement and thanks his ex-wife, Mandie Taketa, for leading him into recovery.

“It took me a while to get my stuff together to go, ‘You know what? If you’re not happy, you have to do something about it. Just to admit that you are feeling this way is a huge step. To claim that, to say, ‘Why do I feel dark? Why do I feel unhappy? Let me do something about this.’”

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Middle School Basketball Star Deja Kelly Going to University of Texas

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The women’s basketball team coaches at The University of Texas have just accepted their youngest player yet. Texan phenom Deja Kelly, 13,  will be suiting up as a Texas Longhorn. Once she graduates middle school and high school that is.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Darren Kelly a guard who played for the university in 1999 and 2001, took the offer from Texas during the Longhorns’ football victory over Iowa State on Oct. 18.

“It was my dream school because my dad went there,” she told the San Antonio Express-News. “I’ve been putting in the work.”

To have colleges recruit younger prospective student is not uncommon. Quarterback Zadock Dinkelmann, a friend of Kelly’s, committed to LSU in February while still in junior high.

Although the 5-foot-8 middle school teen cannot officially sign an official letter of intent until November 2019, she has has agreed to the offer, although it’s non-binding. Deja’s  father would have preferred for her to go deeper into the recruiting process he told NBC’s Today Show. “Still we are confident in the decision,” her mom, Theresa Nunn, told ESPNW.

When Deja – who’s been playing basketball since the age of three – was asked if she might change her mind, she simply responded: “I don’t think so.”


Adrian Peterson Gets Probation in Child Abuse Case

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NFL footballer Adrian Peterson has avoided jail time for felony child abuse by striking a plea deal in which he will be on probation and subject to drug tests.

Today, the Minnesota Vikings Running Back plead “no contest” to misdemeanor reckless assault in a Texas courtroom. The judge accepted the deal and ordered Peterson to pay a $4,000 fine. He has also been placed on probation and is required to perform 80 hours of community service.

The 29 year old was charged with a felony for disciplining his 4-year-old son with a switch in September. He reportedly hit the toddler with the object repeatedly, leaving bruises and lacerations.

He faced up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of reckless and negligent injury to a child charges. However, misdemeanor reckless assault, the charge Peterson copped to, carries a much lesser punishment. A tentative trial date had been set for Dec. 1, but the plea deal ended the legal process before any trial could occur.

As for when he can return to the NFL, the league is undecided. Peterson, who has been suspended since mid-September, has been paid his full salary, $5.3 million, in his absence.

Do you agree with Adrian Peterson’s plea deal and punishment?

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Celebrity Apprentice Season 7 Cast: Kenya Moore, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Terrell Owens, Vivica Fox and More

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Beginning January 4,  Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice is back on your weekly television line-up.  This season’s cast features Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore, and former baller Terrell Owens, Kate Gosselin , Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville, Sharknado‘s Ian Ziering, Geraldo Rivera and ten others.

Revealing the contestants in an interview with Matt Lauer, Trump stated, “This season of The Celebrity Apprentice is on point to be the best yet. With 16 extraordinary contestants bringing their energy to the boardroom, it is sure to be a hit, as always.”

By hit, it’s not clear if he means that in a figurative or literal sense, given the summer altercation that happened between Kenya Moore and Vivica A. Fox during the late spring filming.  Moore also had dust-ups with Pulliam and Glanville so don’t hold your breath for Moore to make it through to the very end. Back in May, Trump was very vocal about his opinion of the former beauty queen and an insider described her dismissal as “one of the most brutal firings.”

In its six previous seasons, the franchise raised $14 million for charity. This year will mark the seventh season for Celebrity Apprentice and the 14th season for The Apprentice overall.  The late Joan Rivers, winner of her season, will make an appearance in two episodes. In addition, the very first Apprentice, Piers Morgan will be present as adviser.

Get in on the action with the two-night premier at 9 p.m. and 8 p.m. on January 5 and check out the full cast roster on the pages to follow.

kenya moore

Real Housewives of Atlanta, ex-Miss USA Kenya Moore

41st NAACP Image Awards - Red Carpet

Cosby Show kid, Keshia Knight Pulliam

Vivica_Fox

Vivica A. Fox is amongst the team.

Terrell-Owens

6-time Professional Football Wide-receiver Terrell Owens


Kate Gosselin- Celebrity Apprentice

Kat + My 8 Kate Gosselin

Brandi Glanville- Celebrity ApprenticeReal Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Brandi Glanville

ian ziering- celebrity apprentice

Sharknado’s Ian Ziering


The Paley Center for Media Presents "America's Most Wanted"

Media personality Geraldo Rivera

Sig Hansen

Deadliest Catch‘s Sig Hansen

jamie anderson

Olympian Jamie Anderson

Lorenzo Lamas

80′s heartthrob Lorenzo Lamas

Johnny Damon

Former baseball pro Johnny Damon

Gilbert Gottfried

Comedian and ex-Aflac voice Gilbert Gottfried

Shawn-Johnson

Olympian gymnast Shawn Johnson

Leeza Gibbons

TV host Leeza Gibbons

Kevin Jonas-celebrity apprentice

Jonas bro Kevin Jonas

Q + A: Tommy Davidson Talks Flipping Scripts, Ebola and Bunz

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UPTOWN_Tommy_Davidson_longTommy Davidson‘s quirky personality and spot-on celebrity impersonations have made him one of our generation’s most celebrated comedic talents. The Washington, D.C. native lends his voice to Adult Swim’s “Black Dynamite,” the extension of the 2009 film of the same name. Davidson’s character Cream Corn is the high-pitched side kick to former CIA agent Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White).

Having starred on groundbreaking shows like “In Living Color” and “The Proud Family,” and taken on rib-tickling roles in “Booty Call” and “Juwanna Mann,” it’s clear Davidson’s contagious energy distinguish him from his peers. A staple in Hollywood, with an enviable career spanning over 25 years, Davidson continues capturing audiences with his crossover appeal. He’s successfully withstood the test of time, breaking barriers and setting the bar for emerging comics, yet it seems as if he’s just getting started.

Find out what to expect for the second season of the Blaxploitation comedy-spoof “Black Dynamite,” Davidson’s secret to longevity and his favorite comedians of today.

UPTOWN: What can fans expect from the second season of “Black Dynamite”?

Tommy Davidson: Expect the unexpected. The first episode of the season was based on “12 Years a Slave” but the slaves are white. We’re flipping the script.

U: Is there an Ebola storyline in the works or is it too soon?

TD: Oh no, we did the cartoon before the Ebola breakout. But I’m on tour with the African comedian Michael Blackson, and he has Ebola, so you may want to call him.

U: What’s it like working with the cast, Michael Jai White, Kym Whitley, Byron Minns?

TD: They’re all friends of mine. It’s great to work with your friends just like “In Living Color.” We all get along, we all finish each other’s sentences, we’re good to go.

UPTOWN_Tommy_Davidson_handsU: Who are your favorite comedians today?

TD: Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Tony Rock, all the Wayans brothers, and me!

U: Are you still performing stand-up?

TD: All over the country. I’m coming to Chicago from November 20-23 at the Improv in Schaumburg.

U: Which of your iconic roles would you want to reprise?

TD: Bunz from Booty Call.

U: What is the secret to longevity in Hollywood?

TD: Never take no for an answer. When you fall down, always get up. Never let them see you sweat, and have fun!

UPTOWN_Tommy_Davidson_closeU: What’s the biggest misconception about you?

TD: That I’m a very, very smart film producer.

U: Who’s on the guest list of your ideal dinner party?

TD: Bill Gates, Fidel Castro, Richard Branson, Tom Brady, George Lucas, Russell Wilson, and Julius Irving.

U: What’s on your bucket list?

TD: To walk on the Great Wall of China and to see the pyramids of Nubia and the Kilimanjaro mountains. To win an Oscar and secure airspace around Africa.

U: How did you get cast on “In Living Color”?

TD: Keenan Ivory Wayans saw me perform and was convinced I would be great for the show.

Tamar Braxton, Adrienne Bailon Address Chris Brown’s Rant

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Chris Brown is at it again. And by “at it” we mean showing his immaturity. After a segment on “The Real” about “friend-terventions,” the singer had some choice words for co-hosts Tamar Braxton and Adrienne Bailon.

The “Loyal” singer caught wind of the two hosts hypothetically discussing whether his girlfriend Karrueche Tran‘s friends don’t intervene in their tumultuous relationship because they benefit from his celebrity. They also pondered whether his fame is what keeps Tran coming back for his bad boy ways and alleged cheating.

Not one to hold his tongue, the 25 year old took his frustration to Instagram, with a picture of the former Cheetah Girl with an extended rant:

“BRING THAT ASS HERE BOY” ADRIENNE BAILON…. You ole trout mouth a** b****h. U tried it. Won’t u the same bitch that was f*****g wit married men? U also was keeping up with the Kardashians! U can’t talk about relationship goals when u don’t even have life goals. Ain’t you a cheetah girl? Last time u was important n****s was riding spinners and wearing 6x talk Ts. You the same b***h having threesomes like the rest of these hoes. U tried it too Tamara Braxton. U take the role of the ugly sister. It’s always the people wit no career that talk all the s**t. Dat plastic surgery f****d yo face up. B***h look like she always saying “huh”? Muppet face a**! #basicb***hproblems #thotiannas I don’t even need a photo for Tamar, that b***h is beat in every photo! #icanmakeabrokeb***hrichbutidontf**kwitbrokeb****es”

The post, of course, has since been deleted, but not before Bailon’s ex-boyfriend, Rob Kardashian liked it and started following Brown.

After liking eight of Rihanna‘s posts on her newly-reinstated Instagram account, Bailon finally addressed the public blowout by responding to a commenter on Instagram. According to “The Shade Room,” the former 3LW singer replied:

“Who said anything bad about her? I actually know her… We’re cool. The conversation was generally speaking of anyone who may ‘possibly’ be in a bad relationship. Please don’t start drama that doesn’t EXIST. If she’s happy… so am I.”

Braxton, on the other hand, had a bit more to say. She posted an image of herself and Bailon with a rant of her own:

“#whenyourgirlhasatalkshowinsteadofcryingaboutyouwhileONone… you are asked to talk about certain things such as A.relationships B.family C.fashion D. Things that has to do with HER in life! @chrisbrownofficial @karrueche no one came at either of you but was simply using your relationship as an example of things us ladies go through in a relationship!! I do not know nor do I give a hot damn about your relationship personally…. honestly and respectfully I’m VERY sorry if you BOTH were offended about our girl chat…. however you WILL NOT think its ok to come at GROWN women and talk to either myself or @adrienne_bailon as if u have EVER has us each in your bed at ANY point in our lives! (Maybe your mind is clouded) NOTE TO SELF: u are NOT my MAN or my DADDY so you got me completely FUCKED up!…(like your reputation) I’m not 20 nothing years old and I am fine with all 3 #1 tv shows and making my dreams come true with Love&War and now #letmeknow…which is on iTunes”

 

Do you think Chris Brown went too far? Or should Tamar Braxton and Adrienne Bailon refrain from discussing his relationship?

Oregon Mom Confesses to Tossing Autistic Son Over Bridge

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The body of 6-year-old London McCabe was found dead in the frigid waters of Oregon’s Yaquina Bay after his mother told police she threw him off a bridge Monday evening, according to authorities. His body was found four hours after the Coast Guard began searching.

Jillian McCabe was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, murder and first-degree manslaughter, after calling 9-1-1, telling dispatches she “threw her son over the side” early Monday evening.

Relatives report the 34 year old suffered a mental breakdown after caring for both her mute, autistic child, and husband fighting for his life full time, in addition to the death of her father.

Officials confirmed that McCabe told emergency dispatchers that she was reportedly hearing voices and that those voices told her to throw her son off the bridge.

Tanya McCabe, London’s great aunt, said London’s mother had expressed thoughts of harming herself, but the family never imagined she would kill her son.

McCabe is being held on $750,000 bond.

New Clue in Abduction of Philadelphia Woman

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The bank card belonging to a Philadelphia woman abducted from a Germantown, Pa. street was used Tuesday morning in Maryland, police said Tuesday afternoon, as relatives tearfully pleaded for her return.

Carlesha Freeland-Gaither was kidnapped when she was walking on a street around 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, when a man grabbed and dragged her to a gray four-door Ford. The chilling kidnapping was caught on surveillance video.

Other security images show a man using the missing 22 year old’s ATM card around 6 a.m. off a highway exit in Aberdeen, Md., approximately 75 miles from Philadelphia.

Authorities discovered shattered glass, a cellphone, and a pair of glasses at the scene where Freeland-Gaither struggled with her abductor. The suspect is described as a black male, with a medium brown complexion, 5 foot 10, with a medium build. Reward for her safe return has increased from $15,000 to $45,000.

Ana Mulero, the victim’s grandmother, said there was a person, whom she only identified as “Branden,” who was obsessed with her granddaughter. They met at high school.

Although the description of the abductor and the male on the ATM surveillance look similar, police cannot confirm if they are the same person.

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Stalker Dropped Through Tyler Perry’s Ceiling

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UPTOWN_tyler_perryEarly Monday morning, movie and television mogul Tyler Perry filed for a protective order against an alleged stalker, who dropped through a ceiling at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Employee Joshua Sole, 27, of Dunwoody, Ga. attempted to contact Perry on Thursday in hopes of securing a face-to-face talk with the film producer, but was unsuccessful, according to the lawsuit. Apparently, Sole decided to take matters into his own hands by disengaging the electricity and disabling the alarms and surveillance equipment at the studio. The former employee then successfully climbed through a suspended ceiling at the studio. Sole barricaded himself in a room where the administrative offices are located, according to the police incident report.

Local Atlanta police were notified about the intrusion around 6 p.m. Thursday. “Employee Joshua Sole has been acting weird,” the head of security told the officers upon their arrival. Sole was booked into county jail Friday for criminal trespass.

Perry says Sole is trying to intimidate him, in the lawsuit. He has requested that the court order Sole to keep a distance of at least 500 feet from him, and that the intruder undergo psychological evaluation and treatment, as well as pay Perry at least $100,000. The suit made no mention of whether Perry fired Sole or in what capacity he was employed at the studio.

Perry believes he is entitled to the money because of the “discomfort and annoyance caused by the diminished value of peaceful employment” he gets from the Tyler Perry Studios. However, he will let a jury decide whether he should receive any monetary compensation, the lawsuit said.

Since the incident, Sole has been unreachable and there has been no statement to specify what he needed to discuss with Perry.

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First Look: ‘Annie’ Oozes with Cuteness [VIDEO]

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The sun will come out December 19 when the remake of Annie debuts in theaters nationwide. But this time around Daddy Warbucks has been replaced with Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx), a New York mayoral candidate who adopts orphan Annie (Quvenzhané Wallis). Although Stacks sets out to play dad in order to get voters to like him, Annie wins him over with her cuteness and upbeat outlook in the face of adversity. She also teaches Stacks how to be a kid again. Rose Byrne takes on the role of Grace, one of Stacks’ staffers. Grace is similar to the character Punjab, played by the late Geoffrey Holder in the 1982 Annie film. Cameron Diaz rounds out the starring cast as Hannigan, no Miss needed.

Check out the trailer below …

BET to UMC: Robert L. Johnson Launches New Digital Channel

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RLJ Entertainment Inc., (NASDAQ: RLJE), created by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and The RLJ Companies and Chairman of RLJ Entertainment, today announced the launch of UMC – Urban Movie Channel (“UMC”), RLJE’s proprietary digital channel. UMC will feature urban-themed movies as an alternative to conventional subscription-based channels by showcasing the best drama, documentaries, comedies, horror, and stage plays.

Commenting on UMC’s launch, Robert Johnson said, “As founder of BET, I have gained a deep understanding and knowledge about the African American and urban consumer and the entertainment content that appeals to them. UMC was designed so that the African American and urban creative community could directly reach consumers in a way that removes many of the restrictions associated with the legacy content development and distribution models. As more video is consumed over broadband, we believe that we can quickly become the preeminent provider of quality urban entertainment to what has largely been an underserved, yet highly engaged audience. I am convinced that urban consumers will gravitate to the economic and entertainment value proposition of UMC and that the creative community will embrace UMC as the best way to reach their loyal fans and benefit financially from showcasing their outstanding work product.”

Programs previously released by RLJE under the One Village brand will be incorporated into UMC’s library, which will also include titles from RLJE’s existing Image independent feature film line. UMC will launch with a free trial period for subscribers through February 4, 2015 and with a suggested retail price of $4.99/month or $49.99/year thereafter, but with a special limited time introductory pricing of $2.99/month or $29.99/year to start.

Miguel Penella, CEO of RLJE stated, “As one of the largest independent distributors of entertainment content with nascent propriety streaming channels like Acorn TV, we are uniquely positioned to fulfill the vision of our chairman and deliver to the urban audience an unprecedented library of high quality video content. We are confident in RLJE’s ability to acquire, distribute, and monetize existing and original content that will appeal to the urban community across the growing number of distribution platforms.”

Among the titles launching are live stand-up performances featuring Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, and Charlie Murphy; documentaries Dark Girls and I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac; the feature films All Things Fall Apart starring 50 Cent, Mario Van Peebles, and Ray Liotta; and The Suspect starring Mekhi PhiferBestsellers include the stage play production of What My Husband Doesn’t Know by David E. Talbert. UMC can be found at: www.urbanmoviechannel.com.

Traci Otey Blunt joins RLJE as Corporate Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs and will oversee the company’s marketing, public relations and investor relations, as well as the promotion of the UMC channel. For the last six years, Traci served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at The RLJ Companies, the holding company which formed RLJ Entertainment. Prior to RLJ, Traci served as a national deputy communications director and director of African American media for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential campaign.

“Traci has been with The RLJ Companies since 2008 and has been responsible for all corporate communications, public relations and government affairs,” said Johnson. “She has proven to be an invaluable executive in promoting and executing the business goals and objectives of The RLJ Companies and its portfolio companies, and I believe appointing her to RLJE as Corporate EVP to perform these functions, as well as focus heavily on the marketing and promotion of UMC is an ideal fit.”

“I am confident that with Traci joining the RLJE management team, her expertise will be beneficial to the company as a whole and help our strategic launch of UMC,” said Penella. “She will promote the channel and grow its subscriber base by building new and cultivating existing relationships which will ultimately have a strong impact on RLJE’s digital platforms,” he concluded.

RLJ Entertainment, Inc.(NASDAQ: RLJE) is a premier independent owner, developer, licensee and distributor of entertainment content and programming in primarily North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. RLJE is a leader in numerous genres via its owned and distributed brands such as Acorn (British TV), Image (feature films, stand-up comedy), UMC (urban), Acacia (fitness), Athena (documentaries), and Madacy (gift sets). These titles are distributed in multiple formats including broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, and digital streaming.

UMC – Urban Movie Channel is a premium subscription-based streaming service exclusive to RLJ Entertainment, Inc., and is devoted to the development, production, and acquisition of feature films, comedy specials, stage plays, documentaries, music, and entertainment for the African American and urban audience. Launched initially in 2007 as One Village Entertainment, UMC titles are distributed across multiple platforms that range from theatrical, broadcast, Blu-ray™/DVD, digital streaming and downloading and features may be watched online or from any mobile device. www.urbanmoviechannel.com

Mia Love Wins as Congress’ First Black Republican Woman

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In yesterday’s election, Mia Love won Utah‘s 4th district and became the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress. Although the day had a rough start, the former Mayor of Saratoga Springs made her way to victory around 11 p.m PT that night. She finished with an estimated 64,390 votes. Democrat Doug Owens finished with 60,165 votes.

“Understand that Utahans have made a statement that they’re not interested in dividing Americans based on race or gender, that they want to make sure that they are electing people who are honest and who have integrity. …That’s really what made history here. Race, gender, had nothing to do with it,” Love said to CNN hosts Michaela Pereira and John Berman.

Related: To Be Young, Black & Republican

mia love- congresswoman

Because Jim Matheson did not run for another term, the state of Utah will no longer have any Democratic representation. Two years ago, Love lost to Matheson. She’s devoted to working hard for the citizens who did – and didn’t – vote her into office this time around.

“I wasn’t elected because of the color of my skin, I wasn’t elected because of my gender. I was elected because of the solutions that I put at the table because I promised I would run a positive issues-oriented campaign and that’s what resonated,” explained Love.

In addition to outside group contributions of about $155,000, Republicans across the country also supported her, which resulted in a sizable campaign marketing fund.

Ultimatums: How to Irreparably Damage Your Relationship

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I have a homegirl who is in a rocky, but ultimately loving relationship with the man of her dreams. The dude is tall, attractive, gainfully employed, well-traveled, and friendly. The thing is, dudes like him tend to have a lot of “female friends,” but not the sisterly kind. His female friends are more like the ones who would replace my friend’s ass in a hot second, if they were ever given the opportunity. These “friends” are the root cause of a lot of arguments between my homegirl and her man about boundaries, respect, and loyalty. While disagreements are typical in relationships, what she does to “win” these debates is terrible. She gives him relationship-ending ultimatums. But she hasn’t figured out that is the fastest way to irreparably damage their relationship.

A relationship-ending ultimatum is a threat or demand someone makes when they want to back their significant other into a corner to make them “act right,” under the fake guise that their wrong choice will to the dissolution of the relationship immediately. Although it’s completely ridiculous to even make that threat, what irreparably damages the relationship is the fact that most people who make that claim, don’t actually go through with the “or else” and end up staying with the person. Communication and trust are the most important pillars of a relationship, and if your significant other loses faith in your ability to do both with honesty, your relationship is effectively OVER.

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Ladies, I can’t even begin to tell you how bad it is for the health of your relationship to tell a man “do this or else I’m leaving you” and then stay with him — after he didn’t do what you wanted. He’ll no longer respect your demands (no matter how rational, logical, or fair they might be). And now your legitimate concerns will always be placed in the “crying wolf” box, which he will eagerly ignore as nothing more than cries for attention. So one day, you will come to him with a reasonable request about how unhappy you are due to his actions, and he won’t do a damn thing to change his behavior because he simply doesn’t buy the authenticity of your words. Once he gets there, the relationship is pretty much a wrap, because he’s going to treat you — and your emotions — like a second-class citizen.

Ultimatums are meant for boardrooms and business meetings, not bedrooms and relationships. But, if you get to the point in which you need to say one to your man, make sure it truly reflects the dire nature of your feelings. Don’t use an ultimatum as a ploy to get him to acquiesce to your demands.

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.

Lennon Lacy: Was A Black Boy Lynched In 2014?

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Imagine being a strapping 17-year-old Black athlete from Bladenboro, North Carolina, with dreams of playing collegiate and professional football in your future. Imagine spending an entire summer training, bulking up to 200 pounds, increasing your strength, lateral movement, and overall awareness in preparation for your upcoming season on the West Bladen Knights varsity team. Imagine seeing your handwork pay off, and hearing that you’ve been named a starting linebacker for your squad. Imagine the joy you would feel after crushing your first opponent, South Robeson High School, 42-8 in the season opener. Then, imagine how excited you would be to play your home-opener the following week against the West Columbus Vikings, in front of your family, friends, and classmates. Now, stop imagining, because the boy you’ve pictured in your mind reportedly hanged himself on a wooden swing set in a trailer park. That is the story of Lennon Lacy that we are being told to believe, and if that doesn’t make sense to you, don’t worry you’re not alone.

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As far as local authorities are concerned, there was no foul play in the death of Lacy, at all. After the autopsy determined that he died on Aug. 29, 2014 from asphyxiation, their conclusion was suicide. But that deduction is troubling for many reasons, especially the fact that he decided to end his life hours before playing the game he loved. But, just as I’m willing to entertain the theory that he was dealing with personal issues that trumped playing football, I’m not willing to overlook the abrasions and lumps all over the face and shoulders of his 200-pound. Those injuries suggest a struggle ensued before he died.

If authorities want us to believe that he hanged himself, they first must explain why both his cheeks, his chin, and his nose were all indented, why there was a knot on his forehead, and why his arms and back had multiple abrasions. Explain why he wasn’t wearing his brand new Air Jordans when he was found, and why the sneakers have gone missing when Lacy reportedly treated them with meticulous attention. This boy, who showed no signs of mental illness, supposedly decided to kill himself after laying out his school clothes and prepping for the big game to come? I’m simply not buying that, but there is a much more logical, and far more devious truth that lies at the heart of this: Lennon Lacy, a young Black boy living in the South was lynched in 2014.

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Bladenboro is not an inclusive, racially-sensitive place. This is a rural town so racially-charged, that police ordered Lacy’s neighbors to remove from their front yard a Confederate Flag that was accompanied by a sign that read: “Niggers keep out.” While the town was not completely segregated, they clearly lag behind more progressive places in terms of racial equality. And the racial animus in the town was definitely not helped by the fact that Lacy was dating a 31-year-old white woman.

Michelle Brimhall, the woman Lacy was dating, stated she doesn’t believe he would ever kill himself, because he loved his mother Claudia Lacy. In her mind, it’s not a question about how did he died, but rather who killed him. It’s interesting to note that Brimhall’s former husband, whom she left in February, was not even questioned by local authorities. While there was no physical evidence tying the husband to the crime scene, the fact that he went unquestioned is troubling given the entirety of the circumstances. In fact, just days after Lacy was buried, his grave site was desecrated by cowardly vandals who carved a hole into his burial spot and threw his flowers into a gutter. If Lacy was just a troubled teen who committed suicide, then where is this overt hatred and animosity coming from? How can it be so easily explained away and overlooked?

At this point, we do not know exactly how Lennon Lacy met his demise. But, the story of a young Black boy being lynched in a rural, openly-racist town is not a new one. The real question is: How many of us are willing to entertain that this “post-racial society” is not much different than the one that took the life of Emmett Till?

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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.

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