The Cibolo Creek Ranch, where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died Feb. 13, 2016, is a luxury resort in West Texas where high-profile individuals go for rest, relaxation, and most importantly privacy.

“For years, public figures, including Justice Scalia and Mick Jagger, and wealthy, anonymous vacationers have descended on the 30,000-acre enclave of the Chinati Mountains,” reports The New York Times. “It is a place where remoteness is cherished, and where, without ever leaving the grounds, guests can spend weeks in historic adobe forts.”

Cibolo Creek Ranch was first established in 1857, but was purchased in 1990 by Houston manufacturing executive John B. Poindexter and restored. It is comprised of three forts, with rooms fetching $350-$800 a night.

Amenities of the ranch that is just north of Mexico include a 5,300-foot airstrip. Keep clicking to take a closer look at Cibolo Creek Ranch.

[Images: Cibolo Creek Ranch]

The carefully restored forts now offer luxury accommodations with lake views, views of the pool, or the garden.

Cibolo Creek Ranch offers on-site activities, as well as premium activities, like ATV tours and horseback riding.

The ranch’s cuisine has been featured in Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine, Gourmet, according to its website.

Cibolo Creek Ranch also offers 12″ Meade telescopes for star-gazing or as they call it, star party viewings. But during the day, the mountains also provide breathtaking views.

Vanity, whose real name is Denise Katrina Matthews, passed away today, Feb. 15, 2016, after battling kidney failure for years and an abdominal illness most recently.

Vanity was the lead singer of 1980s girl group Vanity 6 and was a protege of Prince, whom she toured with in 1999 before quitting the music business. Her biggest hit was 1982’s “Nasty Girl.” She also played love interest Laura Charles to Taimak‘s Leroy Green in the cult classic The Last Dragon.

Vanity passed away in a Fremont, CA hospital. She revealed a few months ago that she had been diagnosed with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis, an inflammation of the small intestines.

In 1994, Vanity overdosed on crack, which destroyed her kidneys. She underwent nearly daily dialysis treatments.

Vanity ditched the limelight and drugs and became a born-again Christian in the ’90s. She reportedly attended Saturday services at her local church, where she was an active member, and told the congregation she was “ready to go home.”

RELATED: Gone But Not Forgotten: Celebrity Deaths Of 2015

Source

The 58th Annual Grammy Awards red carpet was all about showing as much leg as possible (ahem, Ciara), taking risks (Zendaya, you switched the faux dreads for a mullet?), and showing your kooky fashion side (we see you, Janelle Monae). Yellow and a combination of black and white were big color schemes this year at the Grammys. Keep clicking to see more from the Grammy Awards red carpet.

Zendaya Coleman took a risk with her DSquared suit and ’80s-inspired mullet, topping off the look with Butani and Casa Reale jewelry and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.

Vanessa Simmons worked the red carpet in a yellow and white striped gown with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit.

Lianne La Havas tapped Vivienne Westwood Couture for her sculptural frock.

DJ Khaled tried it in a houndstooth tuxedo jacket.

LaLah Hathaway opted for a white body-conscious gown and embellished cape.

Music super-producer Jimmy Jam walked the carpet with his model daughter Bella Harris, who wore Alice + Olivia.

Singer Diamond White left little to the imagination in a Joyce Pilarsky black mesh gown with strategically placed white lace.

Lady Gaga brought the fashion eccentricity we’ve missed from her lately in a custom Marc Jacobs satin coat dress.

Ciara wore a Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture black silk chiffon leopard crystal-embroidered slip dress.

Chrissy Teigen rocked Yousef Al-Jasmi gown, Lorraine Schwartz and Ofira jewelry, and Stuart Weitzman shoes.

Ariana Grande‘s red silk crepe evening gown is by Romona Keveza. She carried a Jimmy Choo clutch and strutted in Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.

Janelle Monae opted for her typical black and white palette with an Emm Kuo clutch.

UPTOWN has teamed with Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE to help us celebrate Black History Month witha Michael Jackson ONE giveaway. Five (5) lucky readers will win a special prize pack including a mix of the following items: MJ ONE Reusable Bag, MJ ONE white leather bracelet, MJ ONE Light up Cap Red and an MJ ONE Smooth Criminal Dangle Keychain.

Now playing at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Michael Jackson ONE is a sonic experience that fuses acrobatics, dance and visuals to provide an immersive experience into the late King of Pop’s music.

To enter, complete the form below before Wednesday, February 24 at11:59pm EST for your chance to win! We’ll announce winners February 26, 2016.

What Grammy Awards host LL Cool J teased as a controversial performance turned out to be the performance of the night — a must-see that spoke directly to Black experience in America.

Kendrick Lamar walked onto the stage as part of a chain gang to perform “The Blacker the Berry” with his band locked inside jail cells.

Lamar followed up those striking visuals with a rendition of “Alright” in front of a giant bonfire. But the rapper, who took home five Grammys last night, wasn’t done yet. He also performed an unreleased song before finishing his performance with the word Compton over an image of Africa.

CBS didn’t air the awarding of four of Lamar’s Grammys: best rap performance for “Alright,” best rap song for “All Day” (writer), best rap/sung collaboration for “These Walls,” and best music video for “Bad Blood.”

When accepting the Grammy for best rap album for To Pimp a Butterfly, which was televised, Lamar said, “This for hip-hop.” He counted his win as a victory for hip-hop and also honored classic rap albums of the past that were ignored by the Grammy pantheon. “This for Snoop Dogg, Doggystyle. This for Illmatic, this for Nas. We will live forever, believe that.”

[Image: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images]

Lauryn Hill was expected to perform with The Weeknd at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards last night, but she was a no-show onstage. It’s still unclear why Ms. Hill didn’t take the stage because her representation’s reason conflicts with a source on the show.

“The Grammy’s announced a performance by Ms. Lauryn Hill prematurely and without approval. Ms. Hill had concerts all weekend, leaving no time to prepare, and was uncertain she would even be able to make it to LA in time to rehearse for the event,” her camp said in a statement to EW. “Any performance that could have happened was never confirmed, and should not have been advertised as such. Ms. Hill was invited to do a collaboration with an artist she appreciates. The performance was intended to be a surprise and unfortunately due to its last minute nature, was unable to come to fruition.”

An EW source familiar with the awards show disputes the claim that a packed schedule prevented the former Fugees frontwoman from performing with The Weeknd. The source says Hill participated in not one, but two run-throughs of the performance during dress rehearsals. Hill reportedly returned to the Staples Center last night, but only after The Weeknd took the stage, the source continued.

The Weeknd performed “Can’t Feel My Face” and “In the Night.”

RELATED: Quick Pics: Lauryn Hill Performs At #FHNY

[Image: Jeff Blake]

The mainstream met him marching in Selma and now he’s running in Race. Stephan James doesn’t plan to sit still. Ever.

By Satchel B. Jester

If history does indeed repeat itself, then we can partially blame 22-year-old acting sensation Stephan James for playing a role in it. Literally. The Canadian-born scene stealer has stepped into roles in The Book of Negroes, When the Game Stands Tall and most recently, Ava DuVernay’s Selma. Now, he’s hoping to sprint back to the top of box office in the biographical drama, Race, based on the life of Olympic superstar and gold medalist Jesse Owens.

Swapping his running shorts and tank top for a tailored suit and distinguishing chapeau, we catch the film’s front man as he comes out of the starting blocks again into a lead role for what just may be his qualifying performance en route to gold.

NO STRANGER
Who said you had to be of the land to know the law? The Canadian actor cut his chops on the long-running Canadian teen series Degrassi: The Next Generation, but has garnered a majority of his acclaim within U.S. boundaries, playing historical African-American characters like Owens and Civil Rights Activist and U.S. Representative John Lewis. “As an artist it’s just about learning. Yes, I’ve lived a very different life from John Lewis and Jesse Owens, but I still wasn’t that far removed. Learning history doesn’t have boundaries, so my origin doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme.”

RUNNING MAN
Upon noticing James’ taut frame, you instantly know that he’s no stranger to athletics. How does one prepare to become the planet’s fastest man? “I could say it was easy,” he laughs, “but I don’t know how true that would be.” Being chosen for the role while shooting Selma found the featured fellow training on his off days on the campus of Georgia Tech in Atlanta. “For me it started with conditioning,” he reports. “I had to run for three months to make sure I was able to sustain during filming, but even more than that, the devil was in the details. I had to look and move like Jesse. His facials had to become my facial. I’ve patted myself on the back several times for pulling this off!”

BABES, BEATS AND BEIBER
The running and rapping Sagittarius prefers his roles—specific. Though he pleads the fifth when asked about his love life off-screen, he stands boldly behind being into fellow Canadian Justin Bieber’s body of work. “He’s dope. Seriously,” he maintains. “I’m digging Future too.” Dare we say that’s more like it?

FINALLY FAMOUS
“I can’t believe I landed this role,” James says regarding his first major on screen lead. “Seeing billboards, buses and my face in a variety of different places is almost surreal.” Even with a nomination for Canada’s Oscar Award equivalent, the Canadian Screen Award, the eager eyed actor feels more certain of his next steps now more that ever. “I’m doing it and I’m just getting started.”

RELATED: First Look: Stephan James As Jesse Owens In ‘RACE’

Jimmy Kimmel Live joined together one-time R&B sensation Sisqo and Panic! At The Disco to create a “new band,” Panic! At The Sisqo for another round of Mashup Monday. The group performed the platinum-haired singer’s 1999 ode to women’s g-strings, “The Thong Song.” With a choreographed routine and unchanging repetition of “That thong-thong-thong-thong-thong,” Sisqo easily stole the Mashup. Watch below.

Rihanna apparently had another awful Grammy night this year. She was reportedly screaming hysterically before bailing on her performance, but there are conflicting reasons for the outburst.

Rihanna’s camp was quick to put out a statement Monday that she was under doctor’s orders not to perform as a result of a bout with bronchitis. And sources close to the no-show singer said she was so upset about not performing that she left the Staples Center and didn’t watch the show.

However, other sources told TMZ Rihanna was displeased during rehearsal and had a loud outburst. And then bailed on the show completely.

It seems bronchitis was just an excuse. Rihanna reportedly sang flawlessly at a Lionel Richie charity event. Several sources also said her voice was great during the Grammys rehearsal.

RELATED: Why Didn’t Lauryn Hill Perform With The Weeknd At The Grammys?

[Image: Instagram]

“I continue to believe Mr. Trump will not be president. And the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people. And I think they recognize that being president is a serious job. It’s not hosting a talk show or a reality show. It’s not promotion, it’s not marketing. It’s hard. And a lot of people count on us getting it right. It requires being able to work with leaders around the world in a way that reflects the importance of the office, and gives people confidence that you know the facts, and you know their names, and you know where they are on a map, and you know something about their history — and you’re not just going to play to the crowd back home, because they have their own crowds back home, and you’re trying to solve problems. And so, yeah, during primaries people vent and they express themselves, and it seems like entertainment, and often lot of times it’s reported just like entertainment — but as you get closer, reality has a way of intruding.”

— President Barack Obama addresses the outcome of the 2016 presidential election while speaking at U.S.-Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Rancho Mirage, California Tuesday. In true Donald Trump fashion, he responded by saying Obama “has done such a lousy job as president.”

Source

[Image: White House via Instagram]

Moët Hennessy promoted Rodney Williams to chief marketing officer and executive vice president of brands in January.

In his roles as CMO & EVP Brands, Williams “will be responsible for driving MHUSA business strategies and execution,” according to a press release. “Additionally he will be developing and implementing consumer-driven strategic and operation brand plans that maximize brand growth, image and equity profitability, leading the communication strategy, and developing the MHUSA Brand organization.”

Previously, Williams held the title of Executive Vice President, Spirits and was responsible for the strategic direction of the Moët Hennessy Spirits Portfolio. He also “oversaw the development and launch of a new strategic platform and advertising campaign that returned the brand to growth after four flat years,” as SVP Hennessy.

Before joining Moët Hennessy, Williams worked for Jackson Family Wines, Constellation Wines, OnStar, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson.

The name Channing Dungey might not be familiar to you, but if you’re a fan of hit shows Scandal, Criminal Minds, How to Get Away with Murder, Quantico, Army Wives and Once Upon A Time, you’ve definitely seen her work.

Yesterday, Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC Television Group, announced Dungey as the new president of ABC Entertainment Group. She is succeeding Paul Lee, who decided to step down as president.

“Channing is a gifted leader and a proven magnet for top creative talent, with an impressive record of developing compelling, breakthrough programming that resonates with viewers,” said Sherwood.

“I’m thrilled and humbled that Ben has entrusted me with this tremendous opportunity,” added Dungey. “I’ve had the great honor of working alongside the talented team at ABC for many years and look forward to starting this exciting new chapter with them.”

Previously, Dungey was executive vice president, Drama Development, Movies & Miniseries, ABC Entertainment Group. “In this position she oversaw the development and production of all drama pilots, movies & miniseries and the launch of new series for ABC Entertainment,” according to a press release.

The promotion makes Dungey the first Black president of ABC Entertainment Group. Judging from the previously mentioned programs she was instrumental in developing and making successes, Dungey has a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Brava!

PRINCE ROGERS NELSON::PASSPORT PICTURE 2/11/16 pic.twitter.com/lgdLCXQ9y2

— Prince3EG (@Prince3EG) February 11, 2016

Not even  Beyoncé can take a passport photo as fabulous as the one Prince shared via Twitter this week.

While most of us are simply happy if both our eyes are open in our passport pics, Prince’s passport photo highlights all his best features: gravity-defying afro, pink full pout, smokey eye, and last but not least, a bitch-say-what expression.

The 57 year old probably can’t wait to flash his mug while touring Australia and New Zealand in the coming weeks.

We did some digging around the web and found passport photos for 12 more celebrities, including Beyoncé and Whitney Houston.

Whitney Houston

Marilyn Monroe

Katy Perry

Sammy Davis, Jr.

Muhammad Ali

Joe Frazier

David Bowie

Ella Fitzgerald

Marvin Gaye

Beyonce

Justin Bieber

Pope Francis

Fashion designer Zac Posen poses with a bag emblazoned with the message “Black Models Matter.” The tote was designed by model Ashley B. Crew for the Council of Fashion Designers of America and speaks to the lack of diversity and inclusion that still plagues the fashion industry even in 2016. Posen is committed to diversifying the industry and has been posting images of iconic Black models and style geeks to Instagram all week. As HelloBeautiful points out, Posen has a way of celebrating these women of color as muses, rather than appropriating their culture for gain, as is often the norm in the fashion industry.

Fashion and beauty go together like the internet and racist trolls, and that was proven when MAC cosmetics posted an image of model Maryse K‘s full lips to its Instagram page.

The photo was taken during New York Fashion Week to highlight a particular shade of MAC lipstick and Maryse’s beauty. But her lips apparently offended some fools who bombarded the cosmetics brand with racist comments.

One racist troll opined that Black women would never be as beautiful as white women and spewed more bigoted BS.

But for every troll there’s a righteous “clapback,” as The Root described it. Women of all backgrounds joined against the trolls to celebrate Maryse’s beauty.

While this is just another day of internet racism, it’s pretty disgusting that MAC, a cosmetic brand that celebrates women of all ethnicities, has “fans” that just don’t get it.

By Patrick T. Cooper

Just ask Kim Kardashian curves are definitely in season. Veteran designer and ingenious fashion savant Jasmine Elder is crafting incredible garments for an often forgotten niche market. Jibri celebrates fashion for the real woman. Elder spares no expense and carefully creates silhouettes to enhance the beauty of her clientele, in sizes 10 through 28. Cultivating a celebrity following with clients such as Jill Scott, Jibri is blazing a trail in the curvy category. Who says big isn’t beautiful? We say bigger is better and this design magnet is making the biggest footprint for the women who appreciate refined elegance with a vintage Hollywood flair. Go BIG or go home!

UPTOWN: Do you channel any iconic figures when developing the lines and appeal of your collection?
Elder: Everyday women inspire me a lot more than icons. I redress women in my head all day long. Just walking around Atlanta, I see women from all over the world.  I see something beyond the Starbucks cups and designer sunglasses. This season it was the craziest thing -– every woman who caught my eye wore her heritage. The eye makeup was darker, the jewelry looked like heirlooms, the scents were noncommercial. These were regular women, in the market, in line at the bank, and in the nail salon.  I saw their skin, bone structure and poise, but most importantly — I saw their past. I scratched my head and my fingers got tangled in my own. Everywhere I looked I saw women carrying the stories of their ancestors. They carried the loss and the victories. They were beautiful, so naturally, I had to make them some duds.

U: Where do you find inspiration for each collection?
Elder: Again, everyday women for sure. I’m also heavily inspired by music. I’m always in some kind of mood when I’m working and generally listen to the same thing over and over while I’m designing.

U: What brand in the market place past or present in your opinion represents the success you would like to achieve for your own line?
Elder: I’d definitely have to say DVF. I admire her ability to remain relevant and consistent throughout the years with such an identifiable look.

U: Celebrity capital has become such an impactful resource in the fashion industry. What celebrity personality would you choose to be your brand ambassador and why?
Elder: I’d have to say Oprah because she influences so many women, but also because her ease with everyday glamour matches my brand.

U: What’s next for your brand why should we stay tuned?
Elder: Bridal. I’ve been cradling these dresses for a couple of years now and I’m really excited to release them later this year.

U: Do you find designing for the curvy chic more difficult that the industry standard average size 4 woman?
Elder: Absolutely not. I’m a plus sized woman and I was honestly my first client. Creating for curvy women is my norm.

Jibri is available at JibriOnline.com. Follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

For more than 15 years Patrick T. Cooper has consistently influenced fashion, art, and entertainment. With an innate creative ability, Cooper curates visual imagery that sets trends. Cooper mindfully manipulates color, texture, and layering to create a lifestyle and his mantra “Live in color,” which is an exercise to be and live freely. This attitude is evident in each uniquely designed piece of the Patrick T Cooper Resort Collection. For more information go to PatrickTCooper.com or follow him on social media @patricktcooper.

The ProActive Family is petitioning Congress to designate the second Saturday of August as a national holiday focused on family — Family Day.

What is Family Day?
Family Day is not about perfect families. Rather, Family Day is about celebrating those families and individuals courageously working towards becoming their best self in family. On Family Day, all Americans are challenged to make meaningful investments in their family unit for the advancement of future generations.

Why support Family Day?
In short, because Family must be celebrated. Family work is hard and it is often a thankless obligation with unpredictable challenges. As a nation, we must recognize the daily sacrifices made by individuals doing family. To honor the institution of family and preserve its inherent function as a social building block, we must celebrate!

What is the ProActive Family?
The ProActive Family is a team of professionals seeking to impact the intimate aspects of family through honest conversation. Once launched, The PAF intends to use online tools to provide topical editorials and video content on common family issues.

What happens after you sign the petition?
We must obtain 100,000 signatures in 30 days to guarantee a response from the White House. To reach this threshold, we are partnering with organizations and individuals that are committed to championing the petition through their networks.

When we launch our White House petition, all signatures collected on this site will be added to the whitehouse.gov petition to count towards the signature threshold. In short, your name has power and we hope you decide to sign the petition today.

Sign the petition here!

[Image: Shutterstock]

Image: Instagram

GeenieBox isn’t your average monthly subscription box providing you with sample beauty products you couldn’t care less about, instead this brainchild of Chana Ginelle Ewing (pictured below) aims to feed your soul.

Each month, GeenieBox is curated by a different iconic Black woman — a Geenie — who will put you onto books, products, and experiences that empower ambitious Black women as they stake their claim to success. GeenieBox highlights Black female leaders and what propels them.

The first Geenie to curate the GeenieBox when it launches in March is entrepreneur, marketer, investor, and most-importantly, mother, Lauren Maillian. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and the CEO of Luxury Market Branding, which is “a strategic marketing and branding company that helps consumer-facing luxury brands creatively communicate their brands, cultivating meaningful partnerships that generate revenue,” according to a press release. Next up for Maillian is a run on Oxygen’s new startup-focused reality TV show, Quit Your Day Job, which also will premiere in March.

GeenieBox is $29.95/month. Click here to subscribe!

RELATED: Serial Entrepreneur Lauren Bias Talks Getting to the Top in Business and Life

Your Monday evening is about to get more festive, because today, Feb. 22nd, is National Margarita Day! According to NationalMargaritaDay.com, there is much debate about who invented the classic margarita in the 1930s or ’40s. However, the origins of the frozen margarita are known: In the ’70s an inventive bartender converted a soft serve ice cream machine into a frozen margarita device and the rest is tequila history. Since the margarita is the most popular tequila-based cocktail in the U.S., I’ve culled some of the best and unique margarita recipes from Tres Agaves, Tequila Avion, and even Maker’s Mark in celebration of National Margarita Day. Salud!

Chipotle Cocoa Margarita

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Avión Añejo
• ¼ oz. light agave
• 3 slices of orange
• 1 slice of lemon
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• chipotle powder

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice, and shake vigorously.
2. Strain into a glass that has been rimmed with a mixture of cocoa powder and chipotle powder.

Spicy Sage Margarita

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Avión Silver
• ¾ oz. jalapeño-infused elderflower liqueur
• ½ oz. orange juice
• ¼ oz. lemon juice
• ½ oz. lime juice
• ¾ oz. simple syrup
• 3 sage leaves
• 1 sage leaf and salt for garnish

Instructions

1. Muddle sage in a shaker.
2. Add all ingredients. Shake. Double strain.
3. Pour over ice in salt-rimmed glass.
4. Garnish with sage leaf.

The Twisted Margarita
(Created by Cody Goldstein, founder of Muddling Memories and head bartender at Upholstery Store: Food & Wine)

Ingredients

• 2 parts Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
• ¾ parts lime juice
• ½ part triple sec
• ½ part simple syrup
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• Mustard seed and sea salt rim

Instructions

1. Rim glass with a slice of lime.
2. Roll rim of glass in grounded mustard seed and sea salt mixture.
3. Combine Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila, lime, simple syrup, triple sec and mustard powder into a shaking tin.
4. Fill half way with ice and shake for 10 seconds.
5. Strain over ice in a rimmed rocks glass.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.

Sriracharita

Ingredients

• 1 ½ parts CRUZ Tequila
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• ¾ part Cointreau
• ¼ part Jalapeno-infused Tres Agaves Agave Nectar*
• 3 dashes Sriracha
• orange wedge for garnish

*Jalapeno agave syrup

• 2 cups Tres Agaves agave nectar
• 1 jalapeno, cut lengthwise, seeds removed (2 if you’re feeling bold!)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake, and strain in to a rocks glass over ice.
2. Garnish with orange peel.

Makerita
Sweet, sour, and absolutely delicious. An old favorite gets kicked up a notch with Maker’s Mark Bourbon in the mix.

Ingredients

• 1 part Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• 1 part fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1 part JDK & Sons O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
• ¾ part Tres Agaves Agave Nectar

Instructions

1. Fill tall glass with all ingredients.
2. Shake and strain over ice in highball glass.
3. Salted rim is optional.

Ava’s Cupcakes’ Margarita Cupcake, $3.25

If you prefer to eat your calories instead of drinking them, then the Margarita Cupcake is for you. Available for a limited time, this tequila-soaked cake is stuffed with a fresh lime curd, with swirls of sparkling lime buttercream, dredged in a sugar wreathe, and topped with a fresh lime wedge. Orders can be placed on the phone, online, or purchased in-store.

UPTOWN MAGAZINE TO HONOR AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS NIA LONG AT ANNUAL “UPTOWN HONORS HOLLYWOOD” PRE-OSCAR GALA
HOSTED BY CHRIS SPENCER

Dinner and celebratory tribute recognizes the accomplishments of individuals in Hollywood

New York, New York, February 17, 2016 – Uptown Ventures Group, the parent company of UPTOWN Magazine, announced today that they will honor award-winning television and film actress Nia Long at their annual “UPTOWN HONORS HOLLYWOOD” Pre-Oscar Gala, presented by Lexus and hosted by comedian Chris Spencer. The event will take place on Thursday, February 25 at Lure, in Hollywood, CA.

The evening will pay tribute to Nia’s illustrious work including her memorable roles on the big screen in John Singleton’s critically-acclaimed film, Boyz n the Hood, family comedy drama Soul Food, romantic drama Love Jones and comedy drama The Best Man. Nia has won three NAACP Image Awards, hosted several awards shows including “Black Girls Rock” and the “Trumpet Awards,” and has also been honored by PETA.

“We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our friend, the talented Nia Long. Her career continues to flourish and we have supported and been a part of her Hollywood journey from the beginning. This evening will salute her many past, present and future works and contributions to the entertainment industry,” said Len Burnett, Co-CEO and Chief Revenue Officer, UPTOWN Ventures Group.

This exclusive, invitation-only event will bring together industry executives, VIPs and celebrities for an intimate dinner and toast to the honoree, followed by a private reception for additional guests afterwards, with music by DJ M.O.S.

Past honorees have included Malcolm D. Lee, Will Packer, Salim Akil, Lee Daniels, Ava Duvernay, as well as Reggie and Warrington Hudlin.

UPTOWN Magazine partner Lexus will display vehicles throughout the event venue for

guests to touch, feel and experience the luxury of their top-of-the-line automobiles, including the all–new and impressive 2016 Lexus RX, the first-ever GS F, and the aggressively styled RC F.

“We are fortunate to have partners who continue to support our efforts to celebrate our African American leaders, entertainers and corporate endeavors. Thanks to Lexus and our additional sponsors Merrill Lynch, AT&T and Zacapa for your partnership,” says Burnett.

For more information about UPTOWN, please log on to UPTOWNMagazine.com.

Follow us on our social media platforms:

Twitter – @UPTOWNMagazine

Instagram – @UPTOWNMagazine

Event Hashtag – #UPTOWNHonors

About UPTOWN Magazine
Founded in 2004, UPTOWN is the only luxury lifestyle brand that targets the Affluent African American (AAA) Market. UPTOWN Magazine affords luxury purveyors the broadest access to this highly sought-after male and female demographic. Uptown Media Group, LLC offers both traditional and innovative strategies across multiple platforms including UPTOWN Magazine (published bi-monthly nationally with regional editions in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Charlotte and Detroit, UptownMagazine.com, the interactive website, signature events and newly launched digital channel Uptown Unplugged.

About Lexus
Lexus launched in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since that time, Lexus has expanded its line-up to meet the needs of global luxury customers. Lexus is now going beyond its reputation for high quality vehicles with the integration of innovative technology, emotional exterior and interior designs, and engaging driving dynamics and performance. With six models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers eight F SPORT models and one F performance model. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 236 dealers who are committed to exemplary customer service.