A Ferguson Police Department public relations officer has been put on administrative leave as discipline for his remarks regarding the Michael Brown memorial.

The memorial consisted of flowers and signs in the middle of a street near the Canfield Green apartment complex, where former officer Darren Wilson fatally shot Brown. Social media photos showed the remnants of the Michael Brown memorial scattered and it appeared to have been run over by a vehicle.

When the Washington Post interviewed Officer Timothy Zoll about the damage to the memorial, he said, “I don’t know that a crime has occurred. But a pile of trash in the middle of the street? The Washington Post is making a call over this?”

On Saturday, the department released a statement saying that Zoll had misled his superiors about his remarks in the interview, that his unpaid leave was effective immediately, and that disciplinary proceedings will occur. Zoll initially denied he made the comments during the interview.

The statement also said:

“The Ferguson Police Department wants to emphasize that negative remarks about the Michael Brown memorial do not reflect the feelings of the Ferguson Police Department and are in direct contradiction to the efforts of city officials to relocate the memorial to a more secure location.”

A public relations officer should know better …

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She’s back and with what appears to be a burgeoning empire! After a long hiatus, actress, singer, and songwriter Christina Milian has relaunched her career with some major business moves. Come January 18th, her new reality show “Christina Milian Turned Up” will debut on E! network.  In addition, she’s venturing into two other areas of business — wine and fashion. Christina has launched a wine brand called VIVA DIVA Wines with her mother. For the fashionistas within her fan base, she’s created an athletic clothing line of sweat shirts, pants, and crop tops called, We Are Pop Culture. Watching Christina juggle these projects as a working and attentive mother, along with sharing why she’s been on a hiatus, certainly sounds like the makings of a great new reality show to watch in 2015.

Whether hosting on air, walking the red carpet, or out and about, Christina spices up her looks with individuality and attitude. The 5-foot-2 style maven exhibits her fashionable side with confidence and subtle city-chic edge. If you are petite and looking for new ways to step up your style for 2015, here are some inspirational looks from this week’s Star Style, Christina Milian, to get you started.

There are a few things you should bear in mind when it comes to finding a fur that’s right for your height and shape. If petite, don’t overwhelm your frame with a fur that is full-length. Like Christina, opt for a coat or jacket with subtle fur accents.

 Christina slays with a touch of chic and a lot of sizzle in this look. Her pencil skirt and sheer, cut-out corset isn’t over-the-top sexy. In fact, her look is “sexy” worn correctly.

Elongate your height with a gown that has a slit for an evening affair.

Whether with tights or without, a hot pair of shorts or a mini skirt with strappy sandals are perfect for giving the illusion of a taller frame.

Who knew a Wu-Tang T-shirt could be rocked with a hint of chic urban flair? Christina looks hot in her Tee paired with leather pants, a blazer, and heels.

Large prints can be overwhelming on petite frames, so instead try prints that are smaller in scale.

Long dresses with cut-outs at the waist are another style option for petites, too.

Considering the athleisure trend, but not sure of how to pull off the look? Like Christina, try pairing a hot pair of leggings with jazzy sneakers and a top that combines comfort with style.

If you wish to grace a special event in a floor-length dress, opt for a column gown.

Be bold and different in ivory knee-high boots that will take your style individuality to the next level.

Consider mixing pastels with metallic for night.

Who says a blue jean look has to be boring? Add a hint of luxe into the mix by wearing a shirt with sheen and shoes with bling and shine.

As Mayor Bill de Blasio presented the introduction at an NYPD graduation ceremony Monday, he was met with jeers and shouts of criticism. This is the second time in just a couple days that officers have expressed major discontent for the New York City leader.

When de Blasio walked onto the stage at Madison Square Garden where 884 cadets were waiting to be be sworn in, much of the audience cheered and clapped, but scattered among the officers were boos and other angry reactions, the Associated Press reported. As many as a dozen officers turned their backs toward de Blasio at the graduation, mimicking the silent demonstration on Saturday by hundreds of police at the funeral of slain officer Rafael Ramos.

de Blasio offered words of encouragement to the room of rookies during his speech:

“It takes a special kind of person to put their lives on the line for others — to stare down the danger,” he said. “Because that’s what you will do. You will stare down the danger. You will keep the peace.”

But even as he spoke words of positivity and support, hecklers in the audience refused to let him finish without interruption. “You will confront all the problems that plague our society — problems that you didn’t create,” de Blasio told the audience.  Then, one man shouted “You did!”

The NYPD began to express disappointment in de Blasio after he said that he has to instruct his biracial son on how to deal with police. Many members of the force have since said that his words encouraged protests and violence against officers, such as the murders of two NYPD policeman Ramos and Wenjian Liu.

de Blasio was sure to address the deceased officers within his speech.

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be children of God … We lost two peacemakers nine days ago,” he stated. “We lost two heroes. They were children of God for sure.”

Tami Williams is walking the runway to becoming the world’s next iconic fashion model at just 16 years old. She has landed the cover photo on French Elle‘s December edition, defining the teen as a rising star.

Williams, a doe-eyed Jamaican girl with smooth mocha skin, flawlessly-structured cheekbones, and incredibly long and slender legs, has only been an international model for nine months. She was first discovered by her modeling agency Saint International when she was 12, but it was in February that she was introduced to the top model world while strutting down a New York Fashion Week runway wearing Marc Jacobs, The Gleaner reported.

Now, through her recent French Elle cover, Williams not only has a major platform to shoot her name to even higher fame, but she has made historic feats as a Black model. Williams is the first Caribbean model and the youngest Black model to grace the cover of French Elle, one of the most respected fashion publications.

“This epic milestone places Tami on the path of legendary supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, who earned her first cover at a similar young age,” says Saint International Founder Dewight Peters.

Williams’ agency says they are working toward television roles and brand endorsement deals for their client with hopes of making her a world-renown supermodel.

Check out some more images from her French Elle photo shoot …

A petition has been created to urge law enforcement to investigate and explain the death of an 18-year-old girl who was found lifeless in a jail cell. Some are calling her the “female Eric Garner,” according to reports.

Sheneque Proctor, a recent high school graduate and mother of a newborn son, was found dead in an jail cell after being arrested for disorderly conduct, while at a Bessemer, Alabama hotel with friends on Nov. 1.  Her aunt, Tracy Rodda, told Weld for Birmingham that her niece  said the police were being physically rough with her. Proctor also mentioned she was having trouble with her asthma. The next morning, Proctor was found dead in her cell.

After almost two months, law officials have yet to provide the family with an official cause of death.

Rodda and Proctor’s family visited both the jail where their loved one was found deceased and city hall, and both times, authorities told the family that no one was available to discuss the incident.

Karen Jones of Montgomery, Alabama read Proctor’s story and decided that the young woman’s family deserves answers on what took place in that jail cell in November. Jones created a Change.org petition asking State Senator Quinton Ross and four other state representatives to order a federal investigation into Proctor’s death.

“This family deserves some answers we don’t need another ‘I can’t breathe’ story,” Jones wrote on the petition page. “Her life mattered and still matters to her family. They deserve answers from the State Bureau of Investigations and the FBI. As Blacks we deserve answers because we know Alabama lawmakers have Open Carry Laws and it seems as if we are getting into the Open Season on Blacks.”

The request has garnered over 7,000 signatures and has a goal of 10,000.

Click here to sign the petition.

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Some Rosès are cool inside and out: the Luc Belaire Fantôme fits the bill. Black, sleek and luminescent, this limited edition bottle is a favorite of Rick Ross, Jennifer Lopez and Diddy.

A delicious sparkling wine made with with Syrah, Cinsault and Grenach grapes grown in the Provence-Alpes-Coté d’ Azur region of France, it will surely became a fave of yours as well. Pop it for the New Year

And Nicolas Feuillatte offers its own limited edition X’Ploration, with its festive gold sleeve, just in time for Holiday celebrations. The bottle for this crisp and sophisticated Brut Reserve is embossed with images reminiscent of travel, making it a perfect gift for the globetrotter in your circle.

-Sylvia Richardson

It has been revealed that House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke at a conference held by a white supremacist group in 2002.

Louisiana political blogger Lamar White Jr. found a number of posts on Stormfront, one of the original white supremacist websites, that reference Scalise’s presence at a gathering for the European-American Unity and Rights Organization. According to one attendee, Scalise — who was a state representative at the time — spoke to the organization at a workshop “to teach the most effective and up-to-date methods of civil rights and heritage related activism.”

The conference, held May 17-18, 2002 in Metairie, Louisiana, was listed on an Anti-Defamation League list of extremist events for that year.

EURO was founded by former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke, who served as Louisiana state representative from 1989-1992. The organization seeks to fight for “white civil rights.” The Southern Poverty Law Center recognizes the organization as a white nationalist hate group.

“Throughout his career in public service, Mr. Scalise has spoken to hundreds of different groups with a broad range of viewpoints,” Moira Bagley Smith, a spokeswoman for Scalise, said in a statement. “In every case, he was building support for his policies, not the other way around. In 2002, he made himself available to anyone who wanted to hear his proposal to eliminate slush funds that wasted millions of taxpayer dollars as well as his opposition to a proposed tax increase on middle-class families. He has never been affiliated with the abhorrent group in question. The hate-fueled ignorance and intolerance that group projects is in stark contradiction to what Mr. Scalise believes and practices as a father, a husband, and a devoted Catholic.”

Scalise spoke to NOLA.com late Monday to add, “I didn’t know who all of these groups were and I detest any kind of hate group. For anyone to suggest that I was involved with a group like that is insulting and ludicrous.”

An aide to Scalise also came to his defense, noting that he only had one aide at the time, and would speak to anyone who would listen to his arguments about “slush funds.” A user who posted to Stormfront around the time of the conference did mention Scalise’s talk of the subject.

“In addition to plans to implement tactical strategies that were discussed, the meeting was productive locally as State Representative, Steve Scalise, discussed ways to oversee gross mismanagement of tax revenue or ‘slush funds’ that have little or no accountability,” user Alsace Hebert wrote on May 21, 2002. “Representative Scalise brought into sharp focus the dire circumstances pervasive in many important, under-funded needs of the community at the expense of graft within the Housing and Urban Development Fund, an apparent give-away to a selective group based on race.”

Scalise’s office also claimed that he was unaware of EURO’s politics at the time, but many conservatives are not buying his story. RedState‘s Erick Erickson wrote that he found it highly unlikely that Scalise did not know the nature of EURO’s views. He cautioned, “Trent Lott was driven from the field in 2001 for something less than this.”

However, the Republican Party of Louisiana supports Scalise and are writing the news off as a “manufactured blogger story.”

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President Obama’s tee time got in the way of a couple’s wedding plans, but he made sure to apologize when he realized the snub.

Natalie Heimel and Edward Mallue Jr., both captains in the Army, were scheduled to get married at the 16th tee box at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course in Hawaii. The day before the wedding, they were informed that their location needed to be moved because President Obama would be in town to use the golf course.

The couple actually knew that Obama would be in Hawaii at the time, and sent the Obamas an invite to their wedding. He respectfully declined, but sent them a letter wishing them happiness on their wedding day. The letter arrived on the same day they found out about the move.

“It was kind of ironic they got the letter from them and then, within hours, they were told they had to be moved due to him,” Jamie McCarthy, Mallue’s sister, said in an interview. “It was emotional, especially for her—she’s the bride and in less than 24 hours they had to change everything they had planned.”

However, the couple had been informed of the possibility that their plans may be altered, so they had back-up plans in place.

However, anyone planning an event at the course when the president may be in town is warned about the potential for last-minute changes, said Naile Brennan, manager of K Bay Catering, which was logistically planning the wedding. Brennan said there were other sites ready for the wedding, and the couple ended up choosing the lush, green lawn near the home of Colonel Eric Schaefer, the commanding officer of the base, which offers an elevated view near the 16th hole.

“It’s much prettier and much nicer venue unless you’re an avid golfer,” Brennan said. “It’s more secluded and there are no golfers yelling, ‘Fore!’”

It seems as if the White House may not have even known about the wedding in advance. However, after an administration spokesman was contacted about the incident, President Obama called the couple personally.

“He apologized and congratulated them,” McCarthy said, adding that it was a “wonderful talk.”

“We were all there, it was perfect,” she said. “Made their day.”

Erika Murray, who was found living with the remains of three babies in a run-down Massachusetts home with her boyfriend and four other children, plead not guilty on Monday to murder and other crimes.

The 31-year-old woman was charged with murdering two of the infants and illegally concealing a stillborn birth. Authorities on a child welfare call found the bodies after searching her home in Blackstone, Mass. in August.

According to Worcester District Attorney spokesman Paul Jarvey, Murray tried to conceal the babies from her boyfriend Raymond Rivera, 38. She would give birth in the bathtub, alone, and hide the bodies in the trash.

Rivera has also been charged with seven criminal counts, including assault and battery on a child, causing substantial bodily injury. The other four children living in the home, ranging in age from three months to 13 years, have been taken into state custody.

An autopsy report on the infants’ bodies has not been released. Murray’s lawyer, Keith Halpern, is hinging on the lack of a report saying that without it, there is not enough evidence to charge her with murder because it is unknown how or when the children died. The case has largely been based around Murray’s accounts to the police.

In addition to the murder charge, Murray faces charges for assault and battery on a child, reckless endangerment of a child, and animal cruelty for the deaths of a cat and a dog found in the house.

Murray was denied bail on Monday. She is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Feb 4. Rivera, who also plead not guilty earlier this month, is set for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 14.

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[Homepage image: Shutterstock]

Courtesy of HypeHair.com

Despite many celebs who have joined the natural hair movement, their pictures say otherwise. When you see women take the plunge and rid themselves of chemically processed tresses, they either do the big chop—go super short—or grow out their perm.

However, if you were to ask us which celebs were natural, we would miss many names because there are still many who hide their natural tresses under the invisibility weave/wig cloak. But we’re hoping that for 2015, more celebs support the natural hair movement by ditching their hair hats and rocking their god-given mane outwardly (see: Tracee Ellis Ross).

With a week until we’re ringing in the New Year, flip the page to check out the 15 celebs that should ditch the weave and rock the real in 2015.

Continue reading …

Ex-Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams was arrested for speeding and driving with a suspended license in Atlanta yesterday.

Williams was allegedly driving 78 mph in a 55 mph zone when she got pulled over, according to TMZ. Instead of receiving a normal speeding citation, the 33 year old was booked after authorities discovered she had a suspended license. She was quickly released, with a pending arraignment, after posting $1,726 bond. Her car was also impounded.

This is Williams’ second arrest of the year, after first being apprehended for physically assaulting cast mate Kenya Moore during a reunion taping. She was charged with simple battery.

As a result of the fisticuffs, and a lack of juicy story lines, according to the show’s executive producer, Andy Cohen, the ex-wife of Kordell Stewart was demoted from full-time housewives status to a recurring role.

The family of Ezell Ford is accusing the Los Angeles Police Department of “executing him,” while his autopsy revealed he was shot three times, including once in the back. The family is suing for $75 million.

Ezell Ford, 25, was killed in a confrontation with police in August. According to the autopsy report released Monday, Ford was shot three times in his right side, right arm and back. He also had abrasions to his left hand, forearm and elbow.

The autopsy also revealed a muzzle imprint, consistent with that of the gun used by LAPD, found near the back wound, indicating he was shot at an extremely close range.

Ford was unarmed when police confronted him on a street near his home on August 11 in South Los Angeles. Representatives from the LAPD said officers attempted to speak to him ,but got into a struggle with Ford and shot him when he tried to grab an officer’s gun.

Ford’s family claims the cops knew of Ford from the neighborhood and was aware he was mentally ill. In addition to the lawsuit, the family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.

A historically Black fraternity is in hot water for allegedly hazing pledges — and there are photos to prove it.

Bowie State University sophomore and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hopeful Kevin Hayes is suing the organization for $3 million in damages for injuries. The 17-page lawsuit claims Hayes, 20, and other pledges were often given jewel shockers, back racks, and fat joes. Pledges also were forced to “take wood” during the pledging process.

“It broke me down. It’s something I never felt before,” Hayes said.

The hazing allegedly began with beatings and humiliation in the fall of 2013, and the abuse, including punching, body-slamming, and paddling by masked men, continued over a two-month period. The alleged hazing incidents took place between September and November on premises off-campus.

One night, Hayes says an older fraternity brother went through his cell phone and found a photo of his injuries.

“They began to say, ‘You’re a snitch; you’re always talking. We are going to blackball you.’ They began to ostracize me,” Hayes said.

A spokesman for Alpha Phi Alpha said the allegations were being investigated and that activities for the Bowie State chapter had been suspended.

Who doesn’t love the preppy, foot loose talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wacky dares? Well apparently, these New York City cops don’t. A black man was pushed to the wet pavement by an officer when he attempted to participate in DeGeneres’ dance challenge, where you dance behind unsuspecting strangers.

YouTube personality Alexander BOK danced behind several strangers before attempting the dance dare behind an officer on Christmas Eve. BOK readily admitted he was dancing but the officer still replied: “F–k you doing behind me?” after busting him.

BOK is then pushed against a police van and surrounded by three officers, and the following exchange can be heard:

Officer: “Are you f–king kidding me? What’s wrong with you?”

BOK: “I’m dancing.”

Officer: “What are you dancing in the street for?”

James Avery, best know for the role of “Uncle Phil” on the popular sitcom “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” died December 31, 2013 in Glendale, CA of complications following heart surgery. He was 68. Avery had roles on numerous television shows and films, often playing characters in legal or high-level professional fields. He was also a popular voice-over actor for numerous cartoons and advertisements. Probably his most famous voice-over was that of Shredder for seven years on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”.
Juanita Moore, best known for her starring role in the “Imitation of Life”, died January 1, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA of natural causes. She was 99. Moore’s performance in “Imitation of Life” made her one of the few African-American Academy Award nominees. She was also nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for that role.

Moore had a number of bit parts and supporting roles in motion pictures through the 1950s and 1960s and a role in Disney’s “The Kid” (2000) movie and guest-starring roles on television shows “Dragnet”, “Adam-12″, “Marcus Welby, M.D.”, “ER”, and “Judging Amy”.
Amiri Baraka (formerly known as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amear Baraka), poet, dramatist, and self-described political activist, died January 9, 2014 in Newark, NJ of complications following surgery. Baraka─considered a founder of the Black Arts Movement, Black Aesthetics Movement or BAM─was no stranger to controversy. His writing career spanned over nearly fifty years and mostly focused on the subjects of Black Liberation and White Racism.
Anna Gordy Gaye, businesswoman, composer and songwriter, died January 31, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA of natural causes. She was 92. Gaye was Barry Gordy’s sister and Marvin Gaye’s ex-wife.

She and helped Gaye compose two songs on his album “What’s Going On”. She was also the inspiration for his hit “Pride and Joy”.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, actor, director, and producer, was found dead February 2, 2014 in Manhattan from acute mixed drug intoxication. He was 46. Hoffman, was accomplished in both film and stage. His death was described by several commentators as a considerable loss to the profession because of his uncanny ability to connect to all audiences and to breathe life into any role he took on. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Capote (2005), and was nominated three times for Best Supporting Actor. Hoffman also received five Golden Globe Award nominations (winning one) and five BAFTA Award nominations (winning one). Hoffman starred in and directed numerous stage productions in New York. He received three Tony Award nominations for his Broadway performances.

Celebrity mixologist and Cooking Channel personality Darryl Robinson died of unknown causes on February 5.  He was famous for mixing up cocktails on the Cooking Channel’s “Drink Up” in 2010.  The New York based bartender also made appearances on “Access Hollywood,” VH1’s “Morning Buzz,” and “The Wendy Williams Show.”

Shirley Temple Black actress and diplomat, died February 10, 2014 in Woodside, CA of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was 85. Temple-Black was a leading child actor during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, appearing in over 40 movies, including “On the Good Ship Lollipop”, “Bright Eyes” for which she earned a special Academy Award for Outstanding Personality of 1934, and “Curly Top”.

Her acting career peeking at a young age, she retired and entered public service. During that period of her life, Temple-Black held a number of diplomatic appointments: U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; ambassador to Ghana in 1974; chief of protocol of the United States; and ambassador to Czechoslovakia. In 1988, Temple-Black became the only person to date to achieve the rank of honorary U.S. Foreign Service officer. Temple-Black’s lifetime accomplishments were celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honor and she she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.

James Rebhorn, actor, died March 21, 2014 in South Orange, NJ of complications from melanoma. He was 65. Rebhorn appeared in over 100 films (“Independence Day”, “Scent of a Woman”, “My Cousin Vinny”, and “Carlito’s Way”, “Guarding Tess” and “The Perfect Wedding”) and television series (most recently, recurring roles in “Homeland” and “White Collar”).
Francis Warren Nicholls, Jr., legendary DJ and music producer─better known by his stage name, Frankie Knuckles─died March 31, 2014 in Chicago, IL of Type II diabetes-related complications. He was 59. Knuckles played regularly at the iconic Warehouse in Chicago, laying the groundwork for electronic dance music─the sound and culture of house music. He was often known as ‘The Godfather of House Music’ due to his importance in the development of the genre. In addition to his contribution toward the development, sound and culture of house music, Knuckles was a remixing master, winning a Grammy Award for Remixer of the Year – Non-Classical in 1997. His work included mixes of major artists such as Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Ariana Grande, Depeche Mode and many others. His best known original tracks include “Your Love”, “The Whistle Song”, and “Tears”.
Mickey Rooney, actor and Hollywood legend, died April 6, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA. He was 93. Beginning as a child actor working in vaudeville, his career extended over 80 years. He appeared in more than 300 films, was one of the last surviving stars of the silent film era and had one of the longest careers in the medium’s history.

He also made hundreds of appearances on TV, including dramas, variety programs and talk shows. Over his career, Rooney received four Academy Award nominations and was nominated for five Emmy Awards, winning one.
Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, middleweight boxer, died April 20, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada of prostate cancer. He was 76. Carter had some success as a boxer but was best known for his legal problems. He was wrongfully convicted of murder and later freed via a petition of habeas corpus after spending almost 20 years in prison.

His story inspired the 1975 Bob Dylan song “”Hurricane”” and the 1999 film “”The Hurricane”” (with Denzel Washington playing Carter). From 1993 to 2005, Carter served as executive director of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted.

Rodney “Skip” Bryce, best known as DJ E-Z Rock, died April 27, 2014 of complications from diabetes. Bryce was one-half of a Harlem hip-hop duo with Rob Base. The duo reached fame with their 1988’s iconic track, “It Takes Two”, which blended hip-hop with house music and became a nationwide hit, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart.

The song has been sampled several times by artists such as Snoop Dogg, Gang Starr and Girl Talk, and has been featured in numerous soundtracks from films, TV shows and video games.
Maya Angelou, author and poet, died May 28, 2014 in Winston-Salem, NH following reportedly poor health. She was 86. Considered one of the most important writers of her generation, Angelou received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees, including a Tony Award nomination for her role in the 1973 play “Look Away”, three Grammys for her spoken word albums, the National Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. Known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences, the first, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1969), brought her international recognition and acclaim. Angelou’s poetry influenced the modern hip-hop music community, including artists such as Kanye West, Common, Tupac Shakur, and Nicky Minaj.
Ruby Dee, actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, and activist, died June 11, 2014 in New Rochelle, NY of natural causes. She was 91. The formidable actress, who appeared in several movies including “American Gangster” (for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress), “A Raisin In the Sun” and “Do the Right Thing”, had a career that spanned seven decades. She was the recipient of Grammy, Emmy, Obie, Drama Desk, Screen Actors Guild, and Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement awards as well as the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honors and the Frederick Douglass Award.

She was married to actor Ossie Davis until his death in 2005. Dee and Davis were well-known civil rights activists. Dee was a member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the NAACP, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Kasey Kasem, a disc jockey and voice-over actor, died June 15, 2014 in Gig Harbor, WA of Lewy body dementia. He was 82. He was best known as the host of several music radio countdown programs (most notably American Top 40, Casey’s Top 40, Casey’s Hot 20, American Top 20 and American Top 10), and for providing the voice of “Shaggy” Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 until 2009. Kasem also provided the voice of many commercials and the character voice of Peter Cottontail in the Rankin/Bass production of “Here Comes Peter Cottontail”. He performed many voices for Sesame Street and was ‘the voice of NBC’ for many years’.
Anthony Keith “Tony” Gwynn, a 15 time All-Star with the San Diego Padres, died June 16, 2014 in Poway, CA following a lengthy battle with oral cancer. He was 54. Nicknamed “Mr. Padre,” Gwynn spent his entire career in San Diego amassing a .338 career average with 3,141 hits and only 434 strikeouts over nearly 10,000 at bats. The left-handed slugger won eight batting titles in his career and is considered one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He was recognized for his skills both on offense and defense with seven Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove Awards. Gwynn was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 (his first year of eligibility) and is widely regarded as one of the best hitters of his generation.
Robert Dwayne “Bobby” Womack, singer-songwriter, musician, producer, instrumentalist, died June 27, 2014 in Tarzana, CA. Womack had numerous health issues, including prostate cancer, colon cancer, pneumonia, and Alzheimer’s disease. He was 70. Womack, discovered by Sam Cooke while singing with his brothers in a gospel group, covered various musical styles that included R&B, soul, rock and roll, doo-wop, gospel, and country over a 50-year plus timespan. Performing with his brothers initially, Womack had success as a solo artist. He frequently collaborated with other artists and his songs are routinely covered by popular artists as well as used in films.
Meshach Taylor, actor, died June 28, 2014 in Altadena, CA of colorectal cancer. He was 67. Taylor is best known for his Emmy nominated role as Anthony Bouvier on the CBS hit sitcom “Designing Women”, and for his portrayal of Hollywood Montrose, a flamboyant window dresser in the box office hit, “Mannequin”. Taylor also played Sheldon Baylor on the CBS sitcom” Dave’s World”, and appeared as Tony on the short-lived NBC sitcom “Buffalo Bill” opposite Dabney Coleman.
Alice Coachman Davis, a track and field athlete who specialized in the high jump, died July 14, 2014 in Albany, GA of cardiac arrest and respiratory problems. She was 90. Winning ten national championships in a row from 1939 through 1948, Coachman dominated the AAU outdoor high jump championships.

Though she was unable to compete in the Olympic Games in 1940 and 1944 as they were cancelled because of World War II, when she did compete in the 1948 Olympics, she was the only American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics and the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal.

James Garner, a successful film and television actor, died July 19, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA of a heart attack. He was 86. Garner starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades, including popular roles as Bret Maverick in the 1950s western-comedy series, “Maverick” and Jim Rockford in the 1970s detective drama, “The Rockford Files”.

He also starred in more than fifty films, including “The Great Escape” (1963), “Grand Prix” (1966), “Murphy’s Romance” (1985), for which he received an Academy Award nomination, “Space Cowboys” (2000) and “The Notebook” (2004). On August 28, 1963, Garner was one of several celebrities to join Martin Luther King, Jr. in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In his autobiography, Garner recalled sitting in the third row listening to King’s “I have a Dream” speech.
Robin Williams, beloved and prolific comedian and actor, died August 11, 2014 in Paradise, CA from an appraent suicide by hanging. He was 63. Williams was loved by fans and fellow comedians and the Hollywood community. With four Oscar nominations (“Good Morning Vietnam”, “Dead Poets Society”, “The Fisher King”, and “Good Will Hunting”) and one win (Best Supporting Actor for “Good Will Hunting”), Williams was one of the most versatile actors of his time and one of the most successful comedians turned actors ever. His versatile career included voice roles in popular movies like “Aladdin” and “Happy Feet”, dramatic roles in “Awakenings” and “What Dreams May Come” and wacky, memorable roles in films like “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Hook”.
Lauren Bacall, known as much for her distinctive husky voice and sultry looks as well as her romance with leading actors Humphrey Bogard and Jason Robards, died August 12, 2014 in Manhatten after suffering a stroke. She was 89, dying one month before her 90th birthday.

Her big break was as a leading role in the Humphrey Bogard film, “To have and Have Not”. Her decades long career garnered recognition by the American Film Institute and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of her accomplishments in the Golden Age of motion picture.
Charlie Powell, one of the first black NFL players and a professional boxer, died September 1, 2014 in San Diego, CA after living with dementia for several years. He was 82. At age 19, Powell came straight out of high school to join the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers as a defensive end. He became the first 49er rookie ever to be awarded a game ball. Powell also played for the Oakland Raiders. As a professional boxer, he knocked out Nino Valdes of Cuba who was the number 2 ranked heavyweight fighter in the world at the time. During his career, he fought Muhammad Ali (who was then known as Cassius Clay) and was knocked out in the third round and Floyd Patterson, losing to him in 6 rounds. He finished his pro boxing career with a record of 25-11-3.
Joan Rivers, the unabashedly, sassy comedian whose gossipy “can we talk” and “what are you wearing” persona catapulted her into a career as a headlining talk-show host, best-selling author and red-carpet maven, died September 4, 2014 in Manhatten. She was 81. Rivers stopped breathing during elective throat surgery. She was taken to New York’s Mount Sinai hospital, and was later reported to be on life support.

Simone Battle, a singer in girl group “”G.R.L.””─the reboot of the Pussycat Dolls group─died September 5, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA from an apparent suicide. She was 25. Battle rose to fame on the U.S. “”X-Factor”” show, reaching week one of the competition following the battle rounds. She had some minor success as a solo artist and actress, releasing four singles and one music video as a solo artist, one extended play, two singles (including one as a featured artist), two promotional singles, and three music videos with G.R.L.

Gerald Wilson, Grammy-nominated jazz musician, bandleader, trumpeter, composer, arranger and educator, died September 8, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA following a bout of pneumonia. He was 96. Wilson’s career began in the swing era of the 1930s and progressed to the diverse jazz sounds of the 21st century. Wilson wrote arrangements for many other prominent artists including Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Julie London, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson. He also played and arranged for the bands of Benny Carter, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.

Richard Kiel, actor, voice-over artist, and comedian, best known for his role as Jaws in the James Bond franchise, died September 10, 2014 in Fresno, CA of coronary artery disease. He was 74. Kiel began his career in television and film in 1960 before the James Bond film producers spotted him in “Barbary Coast” and concluded he was ideal for the role of towering villan, Jaws, in “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977). One of the few Bond villains to appear in two Bond films, Kiel later appeared in “Moonraker” (1979). He reprised his role of Jaws in the video game called “James Bond 007, Everything or Nothing”, supplying his voice and likeness.
Caldwell Jones, a NBA center, power forward and defensive specialist, died September 21, 2014 of a heart attack. He was 64. As a defensive specialist beginning with his stint with the Philadelpia 76’s, Jones concentrated on rebounding, shot blocking, and defense. He blocked more than 2,200 shots in his 17-year pro career and played in three National Basketball Association finals with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Comer Cottrell, pioneering Dallas businessman, died October 3, 2014 in Plano, TX of natural causes. He was 82. Cottrell founded Pro-Line Corp. in 1970─a hair care company aimed at the African-American market. In 1979, Pro-Line manufactured and distributed the “Curly Kit” and the “Kiddie Kit”, a product that allowed the masses to replicate the ‘Jheri curl’ style for a fraction of the cost. Cottrell sold the company in 2000 to cosmetics giant Alberto-Culver for reportedly between $75 and $80 million. Cottrell was the first black person to hold an equity stake in a major league team when he became a part owner, with George W. Bush, of the Texas Rangers professional baseball team in 1989. He also was the first African-American to join the Dallas Citizens’ Council, a powerful group comprised of CEO’s from the 80 largest companies in Dallas.
Geoffrey Holder, actor, choreographer, director, painter, costume designer, singer and voice-over artist died October 5, 2014 in Manhattan of complications from pneumonia. He was 84. Holder was best known to most TV audiences in the 70’s and 80’s as a 7-Up pitchman (remember the ‘uncola’). He won two Tony Awards for direction and costume design of “The Wiz” (1975) and was the first black man to be nominated in either category. He also won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design. As an actor, Holder appeared in “Doctor Dolittle”, “Annie” and “Live and Let Die” in which he faced off against Roger Moore’s James Bond as the villain Baron Samedi. In later decades he worked with Eddie Murphy in “Boomerang”, and more recently did voice work in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. Holder also was a prolific painter, winning a Guggenheim Fellowship in fine arts in 1956.
Elizabeth Pena, actor and director, died October 14, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA of cirrhosis of the liver. She was 55. Pena appeared in a host of movies and television shows during her career spanning over three decades including roles in “Lone Star”, “Transamerica”, and “The Incredibles”.
Joanne Borgella, singer, model and television personality, died October 18, 2014 of endometrial cancer that had spread to her brain . She was 32. Borgella was signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City, Miami and LA. She was the first winner of “Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance” pageant as Miss F.A.T. in 2005 and a top 24 contestant on the seventh season of “American Idol” in 2008. Borgella appeared as a coach on MTV’s “Made in 2011″. In 2013 she joined the cast of NUVOtv’s hit show “Curvy Girls”.
Oscar de la Renta, renowned fashion designer, died October 20, 2014 in Kent, CT of complications from cancer which he battled for the last eight years, off and on. He was 82. de la Renta was one of the most famous names in fashion, known for dressing celebrities for red carpet events and numerous American first ladies, among other achievements.

Henry Lee Jackson, better known as “Big Bank Hank,” died November 11, 2014 in Englewood, NJ of kidney complications due to cancer. He was 58. Jackson was one of the founders of the pioneering New Jersey rap trio, Sugarhill Gang. The group’s 1979 single “Rapper’s Delight,” is considered the commercial genesis of hip-hop.
Orlando Thomas, a defensive back for the Minnesota Vikings from 1995 to 2001, died November 14, 2014 in Crowley, LA of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 42. Thomas was a second round pick in the 1995 NFL Draft and led the NFL in interceptions that same year as a rookie. Thomas played in 98 games (all for the Vikings), starting in 82 of those, and ranks seventh with 22 interceptions in the league for that category. During his career, he logged 457 tackles.
Jimmy Ruffin, R&B singer on the Motown label and others, and brother of Motown great, David Ruffin, died November 17, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV following an undisclosed serious illness. He was 78. “What Became of the Brokenhearted” was his most successful song, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B Chart. Though he followed up with two other successes, “I’ve Passed This Way Before” and “Gonna Give Her All the Love I’ve Got”─both reaching the US charts in late 1966 and early 1967─his success in the U.S. was short-lived. In the 1980s, Ruffin moved Great Britain to continue his career, where he continued to perform successfully.
Marion Barry, the former mayor of the District of Columbia, died November 23, 2014 in Washington D.C. of cardiac arrest. He was 78. Despite his history of political and legal controversies, Barry was a popular and influential figure in the local political scene of Washington, D.C. Dubbed “mayor for life” by the alternative weekly Washington City Paper, Barry served four terms as mayor.
Titi Branch, co-founder and co-CEO of the natural hair care line Miss Jessie’s and Miss Jessie’s Salon, died December 4, 2014 in NYC from “an apparent suicide due to asphyxia”. She was 45. Branch and her sister, Miko, opened Miss Jessie’s Salon and launched Miss Jessie’s product line in response to the demand for services and products that cater to natural hair and naturally curly hair. The sisters proved the old adage, necessity is the mother of invention. Born to a Japanese mother and African-American father, Titi and Miko had a head full of multi textured hair. Over ten years ago, the pair launched a line of hair products in response to their experience with curly hair. Their products continue to be a market innovator in the natural hair and naturally curly hair segment.
Stephanie Moseley, actress and dancer best known for her role in the VH1 cheerleader drama, “Hit the Floor”, was found dead December 8, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA allegedly shot to death by her husband, rapper Earl Hayes, in an apparent murder-suicide. She was 30. Moseley also appeared in several other TV shows: CW’s cheerleading comedy “Hellcats”, “Psych” and “Cold Case”. She had small roles in such features as “Sparkle”, “Mirror Mirror”, “Idlewild” and “Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ and did stunt work on the 2003 Halle Berry movie “Catwoman”. She was a backup dancer on Britney Spears’ and Janet Jackson’s tours in the mid-2000s and also performed with such artists as Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Usher.

-Compiled by Augusta Lamar

Courtesy of HypeHair.com

We’ve been extremely excited about the success of some of our favorite stars in Hollywood. From Lupita N’yongo’s victory as Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars to Laverne Cox’s historic nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress at the Emmys, Black women have ruled the Hollywood scene this year. But even though their acting chops come as no surprise to us, we also live for their beauty and style on this year’s red carpet. Check out some of our favorite Black actresses who dominated with their glam looks!

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With the theater release of the 2014 remake of the classic film Annie, department stores are using the occasion to sell clothing and other merchandise based on the movie. Target is one retailer that launched a product line in its honor, but one woman was outraged when her daughter noticed that the store did not use the African-American version of Annie for the ads, but featured a white girl instead. The mother has created a petition demanding Target scrap the photo of the white model and apologize to the newest Annie actress, Quavenzhane Wallis.

L’Sean Rinique Shelton of Bear, Delaware said she was looking on a website at Target’s new Annie clothing line with her daughter last week. Although Shelton said she had seen an ad featuring Wallis before, this one featured a white girl dressed in the signature red Annie dress. Shelton said her daughter, who is biracial, was disappointed that Wallis was not in the ad.

“She saw the ad and said to me, ‘That’s not what Annie looks like. How come the new black Annie isn’t good enough? Does that mean I’m not good enough?'” Shelton told Yahoo Parenting.

Shelton then said she attempted to convince her daughter that the ad was just a mistake.

“I explained to her that the original Annie was white, and that both Annies are beautiful, and that sometimes people make mistakes and have to apologize for them,” the concerned mother claims she told her daughter, who she says is a huge Annie fan. “Then we started singing ‘It’s a Hard-Knock Life’ while she got back to doing her chores.”

But Shelton didn’t stop thinking about the ad.  She felt is was very misleading for Target to use the image of a white model and disregard the young, black actress who actually portrayed the character on film.  Shelton created a Change.org petition demanding that Target replace the white Annie pictures with a black one resembling Wallis and apologize to the young actress.

“Why do you feel that we are not enough to portray our beautiful images on your advertisements?” Shelton wrote on the petition page. “If it is a multi-cultural issue, surely you could use her co-stars on some ads and Quvenzhané Wallis or another African American girl on others.”

“Despite most beliefs, African Americans are capable of portraying more than drug dealers, pimps, and other bastardized portrayals of our culture,” she continued. “Gone are the days that African Americans sang or read lines from behind the scenes while our counterparts lip synced and was viewed as the stars. Quvenzhané Wallis earned that role and we demand your respect.”

On Tuesday, Shelton posted a response from Target:

At Target, we appreciate the opportunity to hear from our guests. We’re proud of our Annie for Target collection, which was inspired by the recently released remake of the family classic and designed by the film’s costume designer…With regard to the marketing of the collection, girls from a variety of backgrounds were featured within the campaign, reflecting that anyone can embody the spirit and character of Annie.

As for the involvement of Quvenzhane Wallis, we had conversations with her team about being in the campaign, but ultimately it did not come to fruition. Fortunately, we had the pleasure of working with Ms. Wallis a number of times, including appearances at Target’s sales meeting in September and a launch event in New York City in November. We had a great experience working with Ms. Wallis and appreciate her efforts in promoting this collection.

Shelton stated that while she appreciated the response, she still was not satisfied that the model the retailer chose did not resemble Wallis.

The petition has garnered over 7,000 signatures.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that this year’s influenza numbers have reached epidemic proportions, with 22 states reporting a high activity level for the illness.

Nine states reported to be highly at-risk for the flu in only one week, joining the other risky eastern areas of the country, the Washington Post reported.  Fifteen children from across the U.S. have died from the flu this year.

In order for the flu to be considered an epidemic, pneumonia and influenza must reach a mortality rate of at least 6.8 percent among those infected, and the CDC says the country has reached that requirement.

“Right now, all of the CDC’s influenza surveillance systems are showing elevated activity,” The CDC’s flu department explained in a statement sent via email.

Adults over 65 have reportedly been hospitalized by the flu at higher numbers than previously, with  38.2 per 100,000 adults in that age group seeking medical attention for the virus this year and 28.4 per 100,000 during 2012-2013.  The CDC states that this analysis “suggests this season may be on track to be more severe in terms of hospitalizations in older people, or it may just mean that we are having an earlier season than in 2012-2013.”

But the CDC mentions that just because reports of flu cases seem to be popping up rapidly, there is not yet any information proving that this year’s flu epidemic isn’t outside of its “typical pattern.”  In fact, influenza epidemics are common during flu season in the U.S.  Erin Burns, a CDC health communications specialist, said that after viewing flu statistics from past years, “it doesn’t seem like anything unusual is happening.”

However, the medicine used to treat influenza could prove to be useless for many this season.  The predominant strand of the flu this year is H3N2.  Medical experts claim that makers of the virus vaccinations were unaware that H3N2 would be as infectious as it is, so the components needed to treat the strand were not added into this season’s batch of vaccinations.

“The most concerning thing about the flu season this year there is a mismatch between the predominant strain that is circulating and what was put in the vaccine,” Trish Perl, the head of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Epidemiology and Infection Prevention told The Washington Post.

Medical officials added that although the vaccination won’t work on every strand, it may still be effective for those infected with other strands that the medicine was created to target.

A mother was shot dead by her 2-year-old son in an Idaho Walmart after he reached into her purse and fired her gun, according to authorities.

Veronica Rutledge, 29, had her son seated in a shopping cart while shopping with family at around 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday. The video surveillance shows her son getting a hold of her gun according to the Kootenai County Sherriff’s Office. A preliminary investigation is labeling the incident as accidental.

Rutledge did have a concealed weapon permit for the firearm, according to deputies at a press conference. She was in the Hayden area visiting family for the holidays when the tragedy occurred.

[Source: NY Daily News]

Nicki Minaj graces the cover of the latest issue of Rolling Stone and in the interview, she discusses her heartache over having an abortion as a teen.

The 32-year-old rapper spoke candidly for the first time about her decision. “I thought I was going to die. I was a teenager. It was the hardest thing I’d ever gone through.”

“[It’s] haunted me all my life. It’d be contradictory if I said I wasn’t pro-choice. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t have anything to offer a child.”

The rapper has alluded to the abortion in some of her raps, but never explicitly stated what happened. In her 2008 song “Autobiography” she refers to herself as “Mommy.”

In the song “All Things Go” on her recently released album The Pinkprint, she rapped: “My child with Aaron would have been 16, any minute/ So in some ways I feel like Caiah is the both of them/ It’s like he’s Caiah’s little angel, looking over him.” The bars reference her beloved younger brother Macaiah, who is currently 16 years old.

Although the identity of “Aaron” is unknown, he is believed to be an older man from Queens whom Minaj met while she was a student at the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the arts.

The candor is surprising given Minaj’s history for being protective of her private life. However, she told the mag that she wanted to start being more open with her fans, hence the more personal nature of her latest album.

“One of my goals was to give people a glimpse into my personal life, because it’s something I’ve kept very private.”

Nicki also addressed her sexy persona and said it is her way of advocating for women’s empowerment.

“I’m a grown-ass f***ing woman! I stand for girls wanting to be sexy and dance, but also having a strong sense of themselves. If you got a big ol’ butt? Shake it! Who cares? That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be graduating from college.”

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