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UPTOWN Magazine Partners With The SBA My Brother’s Keeper Music Summit

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President Obama's My Brother's KeeperMy Brother’s Keeper SBA Champion, Mike Muse Kicks Off Youth Music Summit at the GRAMMY Museum® on June 11th in partnership with UPTOWN Magazine.

All-Star Line-Up of Hit Makers For Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber Chris Brown, Britney Spears and Experts From Apple Music, Def Jam, Republic Records, and ICM Prepare Underserved, Millennial Boys of Color for Success in the Music Industry

Los Angeles, CA, June 10, 2016-  Mike Muse, the MBK SBA Millennial Entrepreneurs Champion today announced that he will further advance President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative with a music education summit at the GRAMMY Museum on June 11th.  Students (high school and college-aged) can register for the free event taking place at : 800 W Olympic Blvd A245, Los Angeles, CA 90015 from 9am -5pm here.  Seating is limited and ID must be presented for admission.

Mike Muse

The summit is part of the work Mike Muse and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), are doing to educate, empower and equip millennial boys of color with the tools needed to succeed in the music industry. With the help of an all-star, GRAMMY winning line-up of music executives who have worked with some of today’s chart-topping artists, summit panelists include: Naim McNair, Senior Vice President of A&R, Republic Records (Ariana Grande, Future, and Kendrick Lamar); Producer, Ernest “Tuo” Clark (Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, and Big Sean); Songwriter/Producer, Anthony Preston (will.i.am, Britney Spears, Pitbull); Singer-songwriter, Eric Bellinger (Usher, Chris Brown); Rapper/Producer Bobby Brackins (Zendaya, Jeremih);Producer/Writer, Cheo Hodari Coker (Notorious, Luke Cage); Caroline Yim, Agent, ICM Partners; Blue Williams, Manager, AGI Entertainment; Justina Omokhua, Global Head of Content & Lifestyle Strategy at Apple Music + iTunes; Karen Lee and Tony Ferguson, publicists from W&WPR, and Michael Mauldin, Festival Owner, ScreamNation (Scream Tour). More panelists will be announced. These industry veterans will help participants examine the ecosystem of the music business from music creation to product placement, marketing, touring, publishing and all of the entrepreneurial touch-points in-between.

My Brother's Keeper

“Unemployment among millennials, particularly in minority communities, and specifically among males, is at record levels,” says Muse, who was charged by SBA Administrator, Maria Contreras-Sweet to spearhead and develop programming that provides practical experiences in film, fashion, music and sports for America’s youth.  “While many young men of color have the intuition and drive to succeed, gaps remain in their understanding of how to translate their dreams into viable businesses. I want to show them how to turn their love of music into business ventures and professional careers,” he added.

The summit spans a six to eight hour day with the following tentative agenda:

Panel 1: “So you want to be famous?”

  • Featuring music industry experts

Panel 2: “I Need a Hit”

  • Featuring: Producers,Writers, Publishers, A&R professionals and Sound Engineers

Panel 3: “Build My Brand”

  • Featuring Managers, Agents and Lawyers

Panel 4: “Book Me!”

  • Featuring touring/festival experts and DJs

Panel 5: “Download My Album”

  • Topics include technology and streaming

Panel 6: “Make Me Famous”

  • Featuring publicists, journalists and brand managers

Uptown Magazine will bring the SBA MBK Music Summit to the nation via social media with a Twitter chat on Friday, June 10th at 2pm EST moderated by Angela B. Logan President of Nia Enterprises and EIC of Ladies Live and Learn.com , an Instagram takeover featuring Mike Muse on June 11th from 4pm-6pm EST, and event coverage online and in the upcoming print issue. Follow all the happenings with Mike Muse @IamMikeMuse and @UPTOWNmagazine with the hashtag, #MBKMusic.

Mike Muse Twitter Chat My Brothers Keeper

Mike Muse is building upon his recent “Careers in Film Summit” and subsequent film intensive completed in partnership with SBA, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Overbrook Entertainment, The USC School of Cinematic Arts and HBO. Additional initiatives will be announced through 2016 to help shift the music, fashion, film and sports industries into a more inclusive direction.

Media Contact:

Andrea Ferguson Peterson

andrea@ThinkBigPR.net /(646) 355-7557

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First Look: ID’s ‘I Am Homicide’ [VIDEO]

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Investigation Discovery has a new fix for the #IDAddicts of the world.

Meet Det. Garry McFadden, a nearly 30-year member of the Charlotte Police Department. With a 90 percent success rate in solving nearly 700 homicide cases, McFadden is the focus of the all-new original series I am Homicide. But he’s an unconventional detective. McFadden shuns the police precinct, preferring to operate out of a local diner in order to get to know the residents of Charlotte better. He often knows the victim, the family, or even the perpetrator. And McFadden doesn’t dress like your typical homicide detective. He prefers the very distinct garb of a Baptist preacher.

McFadden opens his case file during each one-hour episode of I am Homicide to reveal how his unorthodox investigation methods helped solve a heinous homicide. “Using recreations, archival footage and revisiting the scenes of his most renowned cases, McFadden will take you behind the curtain on the cases that not only defined his career but the community he lives in,” according to a press release.

I am Homicide premieres on Investigation Discovery tomorrow, June 14 at 10/9c. Here is your first look:

Tony Awards 2016: All Four Musical Acting Awards Go To POC

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For the first time in history, all four musical acting Tony Awards were bestowed on performers of color during the 70th annual awards show Sunday.

Three Hamilton cast members and one star of The Color Purple revival have made Broadway history.

Leslie Odom Jr. earned the best actor in a leading role in a musical award for his performance in Hamilton. Daveed Diggs took home the best actor in a featured role in a musical award for Hamilton. Renée Elise Goldsberry scored best actress in a featured role in a musical for Hamilton. Finally, Cynthia Erivo received the best actress in a leading role in a musical award for The Color Purple.

The Tony Awards marked the historical moment with a tweet:

Hamilton itself was also a big winner, taking home 11 awards out of 16 nominations during the James Corden-hosted awards show at New York City’s Beacon Theatre.

[Images: Instagram/Instagram/Instagram/Instagram]

Quick Pic: Pregnant Angela Simmons Goes Topless

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Angela Simmons is really basking in her pregnancy glow. So much so, that she posed topless for photographer K Rish Skönhet.

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The photographer, who has turned a lens on Simmons many times before, explained how the shoot went down: “Focused my lens on @angelasimmons 🙌🏽🙌🏽😍😍 I be pushing her to her limits lol. Love her cause she lets me. Sometimes… Well almost never”

Simmons recently revealed the sex of her baby. The 28-year-old fashion designer and daughter of Rev. Run is having a son with fiance Sutton Sean Tennyson.

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RELATED: Congrats: Angela Simmons Is Tying The Knot

Sugar Baby Nina Peterson Wants To Groom The Next Generation At Her Academy

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Meet 37-year-old Nina Peterson, who claims to have earned more than $1 million as a sugar baby and has desires to open a sugar baby academy to groom the next generation of moochers entrepreneurs.

The 6 ft. tall mother of four apparently knows how to please a man and get money in return.

“The sugar baby lifestyle has provided me with so many opportunities,” Peterson told Barcroft.tv.

“I’ve traveled all over the world and made a lot of money while meeting really amazing gentlemen.

“I would say that my most expensive present was a $200,000 Maserati Quattro and the house I live in now is all paid for by my sugar daddy — my children and I love it, especially the pool.

“Thinking back on this lifestyle I think it’s easy to say I have made well over $1 million.”

Along with financing her lavish lifestyle, Peterson’s sugar daddies have also spent more than $100,000 on cosmetic surgery to change her appearance to resemble that of her idol Jessica Rabbit. She’s had rhinoplasty three times and tripled the size of her breasts from 34C to 34H over the course of four surgeries.

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So what exactly does Peterson do in return? Well, she says it’s not prostitution.

“A sugar daddy invests in a woman that he feels has the potential to be an asset in his life, a prostitute is not an asset,” she argues.

“Sugar babies don’t necessarily need to have sex. My sugar daddy and I have sex, but he had already invested nearly $30,000 in me before we did — he had a hard job.

“I give them what they need and make them feel comfortable — the sky really is the limit when they feel settled with you.”

Peterson likens being a sugar baby to being a personal assistant. She says she manages his travel, his home, and other aspects of his life, including making sure he hires the right staff.

She says her children were overjoyed when she became a sugar baby because they would be able to spend more time with her. Peterson had previously worked several part-time jobs to make ends meet.

“When I told them they supported me 100 percent.

“I had a trusting relationship with my sugar daddy so I introduced him to the kids as they wanted to thank him for all that he did — since then we are like one happy family,” she added.

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In fact, her youngest children Juliana, 9, and Ymahni, 12, would consider this lifestyle for themselves and call Peterson’s sugar daddy Santa.

“I would want a man that pays for everything when I’m older because then I don’t have to worry about things and that is what a gentleman should do,” said Juliana to Barcroft.tv.

Peterson, however, is thinking forward and realizes her lifestyle can’t last forever. She says she would like to put her associate’s degree in business to use and open a sugar baby academy to groom the next generation.

“When you have a successful man they lean towards women who can be their subordinate and I know what that takes.

“I want to open a sugar baby academy where younger sugar babies can be groomed to take it to the next level.

“This life can’t last forever so I’ve got to have something to look to in the future and supplement my income.”

[Images: Ruaridh Connellan/Barcroft Images]

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Weekday Distraction: Raheem DeVaughn Presents The Lexus GS F

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Enjoy the ride as Automotive Rhythms and Kimatni Rawlins take three-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and auto enthusiast Raheem DeVaughn on a thrilling test drive in Southern California to experience the first-ever Lexus GS F.

Lil Wayne Is Stable After Double Seizures

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Lil Wayne is in stable condition after suffering two seizures Monday that forced his private jet to make emergency landings.

A spokesman for the rapper, Derek Sherron, said in an email to Reuters that the seizures were minor.

TMZ reports that Lil Wayne suffered the first seizure during a flight in his private jet and the pilot made an emergency landing in Omaha, Neb. The plane took off after that, but was forced to return for another unscheduled landing in Omaha after he began to seize again.

“Under the guidance of his own doctors, he is now in stable condition and good spirits. He thanks his fans for their everlasting support, prayers and well wishes,” Sherron said in the email.

Omaha television station KETV’s website showed video of a person on a stretcher being taken from an airplane to an ambulance. The station reported that Lil Wayne was being treated at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center.

Sherron declined to respond to Reuters’s questions about whether Lil Wayne was being treated at an Omaha hospital.

Sources close to the rapper told TMZ that Lil Wayne had consumed an extraordinary amount of lean during a club appearance in Milwaukee over the weekend. He reportedly drank three 16 oz. bottles of Promethazine/Codeine syrup, said a witness.

Lil Wayne, whose given name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., spent several days at a Los Angeles hospital in 2013. Shortly after being released, he revealed that he is epileptic and is prone to seizures.

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Make The Perfect Toast With DISARONNO Cocktails [RECIPES]

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DISARONNO amaretto-flavored liqueur is a bar classic that will be your favorite cocktail ingredient this summer. The sweet, almond-flavored spirit is the perfect accompaniment to the citrus fruits you will undoubtedly seek for refreshment when the temperature heats up. With the sunshine-filled season in mind, brand mixologists have crafted brightly-colored, simple-to-execute DISARONNO cocktails — from the classic amaretto sour to a Prosecco-topped cocktail — that are sure to make the perfect toast this season.

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DISARONNO SOUR
Ingredients

  • 2 parts DISARONNO
  • 1-part fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ part simple syrup

Directions

  1. Fill a Disaronno Sour Jar with ice.
  2. Pour in DISARONNO and then the fresh lemon juice.
  3. Add a teaspoon of sugar. Stir and garnish with lemon slice.

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DISARONNO GRAPEFRUIT DAISY
Ingredients

  • 1 oz. DISARONNO
  • 1 oz. Blanco Tequila
  • 1 oz. Lime juice
  • 1.5 oz. Ruby red grapefruit
  • 1 dash Agave syrup
  • Grapefruit slice

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Shake for 10 seconds.
  2. Strain into a margarita glass with ice.
  3. Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

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DISARONNO SUNRISE
Ingredients

  • 1.5 parts DISARONNO
  • 1.5 parts Pineapple juice
  • 1.5 parts Orange juice
  • ¾ part Grenadine

Directions

  1. Shake all ingredients and strain into a glass filled with ice.
  2. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

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DISARONNO OPERETTA
Ingredients

  • 1 oz. DISARONNO
  • .5 oz. Campari
  • 1 oz. Orange juice
  • .5 oz. Lemon juice
  • 1. 5 oz. Prosecco
  • Orange peel

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, except Prosecco
  2. Shake and strain into a wine glass with ice.
  3. Top with Prosecco.
  4. Garnish with an orange slice.

RELATED: Rosé Cocktails Are The Way To Refresh This Summer [RECIPES]

First Look: Tupac Shakur Biopic ‘All Eyez On Me’ [VIDEO]

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A trailer for the Tupac Shakur biopic, All Eyez on Me, dropped yesterday, on what would’ve been his 45th birthday. The one-minute trailer highlights Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac, and gives a glimpse of Danai Gurira as the legendary rapper’s mom Afeni Shakur. Pac’s “Thug Life” is on full display in the clip. There are women, money, fans, an FBI raid, and multiple arrests, punctuated by Afeni’s words of caution for her son.

Hill Harper plays a journalist seeking to interview Tupac before his untimely death in 1996. Jamal Woolard is set to appear as The Notorious B.I.G., a one-time friend-turned-rival of Tupac. Kat Graham will take on the role of Jada Pinkett, a friend and confidante of the rapper. The late Afeni Shakur executive produced the Benny Boom-directed film.

Heard On The Street: Zoe Saldana On Her Blackness

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“There’s no one way to be Black. I’m Black the way I know how to be. You have no idea who I am. I am Black. I’m raising Black men. Don’t you ever think you can look at me and address me with such disdain.”

— Zoe Saldana opens up to Allure about the backlash she received from portraying Nina Simone in NINA and defends her Blackness as a Black Dominican woman in the process. The two “Black men” she mentioned are her 1-year-old identical twin boys she conceived with her Italian husband Marco Perego. Saldana reprises her role of Uhura in July’s Star Trek Beyond, which also stars Idris Elba.

[Image: Instagram]

Victims Of Mother Emanuel Shooting Remembered One Year Later

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It’s been exactly a year since white terrorist Dylann Roof shot to death eight churchgoers and their pastor, Sen. Clementa Pinckney, at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Today, hundreds joined in singing and praying in remembrance of the Mother Emanuel victims at an ecumenical service at the TD Arena in downtown Charleston.

Pres. Barack Obama, who delivered the eulogy for Sen. Pinckney last year, and First Lady Michelle Obama sent a message to those attending the service: “As a nation we are deeply moved by your boundless love and unshakeable resilience.”

Spreading messages of faith, transformation, and reform was the focus of the three-hour service Friday.

Even Roof was mentioned, as one pastor prayed for God to show him mercy. Federal and state prosecutors are reportedly seeking the death penalty in the case.

Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott attended the service. Haley discussed the Emanuel 12, the nine victims and three survivors, and reminded South Carolinians of their kindness, strength, and faith during the aftermath of the murders.

“When we were tested, we proved it,” she said.

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Other speakers called to mind the recent deaths of 49 people in Orlando at the hands of another gunman, and used the occasion to discuss gun control.

“Can’t we at least remove the availability of assault weapons from those who have broken the law?” Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg asked an applauding audience.

Posters of the nine victims stood in front of the stage with the words “Still Speaking from Eternity” written at the top.

[Images: AP Photo/Chuck Burton]

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CELEB IG WKND: All About Dads

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Many celebs took to the ‘Gram to express their gratitude for their children on Father’s Day and to remind others how to be a good father.

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The Game gave accolades to the fathers who are parenting their children, and shared some tender moments with his sons and daughter.

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Snoop Dogg shared images of some legendary rappers, like Ice Cube and The Notorious B.I.G., with their offspring.

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Dwyane Wade thanked his sons for allowing him to be their leader.

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Ayesha Curry expressed how much she appreciates how her husband Steph Curry leaves the basketball on the court and is always happy with his family.

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Carmelo Anthony gave us a glimpse into a father-son moment, Kiyan learning to get fresh with the help of cologne.

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Larenz Tate wished his dad a happy Father’s Day, and reminded his followers what constitutes a real father.

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson gave a shout-out to all the protective “papa bears” out there.

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Laila Ali thanked her husband Curtis Conway for being the father she would want to be. The former boxer also remembered her late father Muhammad Ali.

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Apparently, the family that wears camouflage together celebrates Father’s Day together. Or maybe that’s just Fabolous‘s life.

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In this digital age, T.I. was all about celebrating Father’s Day on social media.

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Inside The Obamas’ National Park Vacation [PHOTOS]

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In an effort to draw attention to the country’s national parks during its centennial year and the effect climate change is having on America’s landscape, the First Family embarked on a vacation to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Yosemite National Park this weekend.

The Carlsbad Caverns in Roswell, New Mexico was the first stop on the Obamas’ national park vacation Friday afternoon. They descended 754 feet underground in an elevator to take in the Caverns’ famous Big Room. They spoke with park rangers and the president marveled at the stalactites and stalagmites creating the chamber.

Later that evening, Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama boarded a Marine One helicopter that flew “over a breathtaking landscape” on its way to the Obamas’ forest hotel in Yosemite.

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On Saturday morning, Pres. Obama met with a group of children to promote the Every Kid in a Park initiative, which allows fourth graders and their families to visit national parks for free. Afterwards, he delivered a speech at Sentinel Bridge discussing the importance of the National Park System, how much land has been protected, and how much land his administration has added.

“There’s something sacred about this place,” Pres. Obama said. “It’s no wonder then that 150 years ago President Lincoln protected the land under which we stand.”

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“When we look to the next century, the next hundred years, the task of protecting our sacred spaces is even more important,” Pres. Obama said. “And the biggest challenge we’re going to face in protecting this place is climate change. Make no mistake, climate change is no longer just a threat, it’s already a reality. I was talking to some of the rangers here. Here in Yosemite, meadows are drying out, bird ranges are shifting farther northward, alpine mammals like pikas are being forced further up-slope to escape higher temperatures. Yosemite’s largest glacier, once a mile wide, is now almost gone.”

“These parks belong to all of us. This planet belongs to all of us,” he added. “It’s the only one we’ve got.”

Keep clicking for more photos from the Obamas’ national park vacation.

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RELATED: Common Hosts National Park Service Centennial Event

Step Into Summer With A Yuzu Pedicure

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It’s the first day of summer, but don’t fret if your feet aren’t sandal-ready because you’re going to want to swap your typical pedicure for the Yuzu Pedicure.

For a limited time, New York’s Eve Salon (55 West 8th Street), which has been serving the West Village for 30 years, is offering the Yuzu Pedicure ($35).

So what is yuzu and what’s so special about it?

Yuzu is an East Asian citrus fruit that resembles a bumpy lemon, and is sometimes called the Japanese grapefruit. It’s believed to be a hybrid of sour Mandarin and Ichang papeda. But appearances aren’t everything. Yuzu also has health benefits. It is intensely moisturizing and leaves skin smooth and silky.

Like most citrus fruits, yuzu contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. It heals chapped winter skin, making it the perfect addition to pedicures. In fact, regular use leaves skin not only smooth and silky, but also fragrant as a result of essential oils.

Eve Salon incorporates a yuzu sugar scrub and moisturizer into the Yuzu Pedicure. First, feet are soaked in a relaxing yuzu bath. Then, the nail technician performs the usual pedicure steps — cutting cuticles, buffing nails, shaping nails, etc. The next step is applying the yuzu scrub to exfoliate feet and legs. Then, the technician applies a yuzu cream while massaging all stress from the feet. Finally, she applies the nail lacquer.

If you’re not in the New York City area, you can still get your hands on some yuzu. Bella Lucce has a Cranberry-Yuzu Sugar Scrub that sounds divine.


Heard On The Street: Dwyane Wade On His Posing Nude Fear

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“I was just never comfortable until about four years ago, when I started feeling comfortable with my body overall. As you go through life, you get more comfortable with yourself. It’s like everything else with life—you change, you grow. People might think it’s simple, but for me it was hard to even feel comfortable walking around naked when it’s just me and my wife. So the thought of doing it at a photo shoot in front of people [laughs]—it was like, ‘No way ever.’

“In my underwear line, Naked, we have this thing called the ‘Naked Truth’ — and my naked truth, I always say, is me being my authentic self. That became a part of me doing this shoot. I’m like, ‘You know what, nothing is clearer than this, being my authentic self.’ Right here is just me baring it all. This is as authentic as it gets. I always joke when I’m with people, ‘I’m always naked now’ [laughs]. I’m always naked in my everyday life. That’s because I either have on Naked underwear or no clothes at all.”

— Dwyane Wade explains why he repeatedly turned down the opportunity to pose in ESPN‘s “Body Issue.” Apparently, the magazine has been trying to get him stripped down on its pages since 2009, but wasn’t successful until 2016. Wade also revealed that one of his previous body insecurities was his outie belly button.

[Image: Carlos Serrao for ESPN]

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Jennifer Hudson Gave A Prince Tribute Worthy Of The Purple One

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Jennifer Hudson BET Awards Prince Tribute It’s hard to please when you are attempting to give honor to someone who has meant so much to so many in different ways. Prince tributes have abounded since the unexpected passing of The Artist Known As Prince. From Bruce Springsteen, to Beyoncé, the cast of Hamilton and no one can forget Madonna’s tribute. Some felt that some of these tributes hit a sour note. So BET promised to give the tributes of all tributes and came through during the BET Awards 2016. The evening featured tributes from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Bilal, and Erykah Badu who all gave huge performances.

Jennifer Hudson BET Awards Prince Tribute

But it was Jennifer Hudson who gave the Prince tribute we were waiting for which began with an inspiring entrance wearing a Prince inspired dress and ended with her singing her heart out in an unforgettable, chill-inducing performance.

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BET Awards 2016 Red Carpet

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Many celebrities — like LisaRaye McCoy, Tracee Ellis Ross, and French Montana — brought it on the BET Awards 2016 red carpet at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26, 2016. Trends included thigh-high slits, cut-outs, and all-white. Here are their looks …

[All images: Aaron J./RedCarpetImages.net]

Fantasia

Fantasia Barrino nearly busted out of her beige sheer gown.

Morris Chestnut

Morris Chestnut took his red carpet look to a new level with a maroon suit.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall brought the sexy in a cut-out gown featuring thigh-high slits.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys accentuated her black jumpsuit with a silver turban and sandals in the same color.

LisaRaye McCoy

LisaRaye McCoy wore her signature white, but added some color to her tresses.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union showed off her fit body in a one-shoulder, thigh-high slit Marc Jacobs gown.

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae went matchy-matchy in a Sass & Bide look.

Andra Day

Andra Day donned a festive sequin midi dress.

Kimberly Elise

Kimberly Elise opted for a silver embellished dress.

Nicci Gilbert

Nicci Gilbert also chose an all-white look for the night.

Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather wore a casual black suit.

Mya

Mya rocked the hell out of her notice-me-yellow get-up.

French Montana cleaned up well in a jacquard pants set.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross always brings it. This time she donned vintage Thierry Mugler and Christian Louboutin.

2 Chainz

2 Chainz wore Gucci.

Eva Marcille

Eva Marcille is always the style chameleon.

Naturi Naughton

Natori Naughton wore a Nina Ricci lace dress.

Meagan Good

Meagan Good looked stunning in an emerald Lorena Sarbu cut-out gown.

Tank

Tank and his lady went the casual route.

Amber Riley

Amber Riley was a lady in a red wrap dress and turban.

Anthony Hamilton

Anthony Hamilton exuded rock star status.

Chloe x Halle

Chloe x Halle coordinated their stripes and color palette.

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi is already a red carpet favorite, and her choice of this Tracy Reese sequin dress proves why.

Heard On The Street: Jesse Williams’s BET Awards Speech [TRANSCRIPT]

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“Peace peace. Thank you, Debra. Thank you, BET. Thank you, Nate Parker, Harry and Debbie Allen for participating in that.

“Before we get into it, I just want to say I brought my parents out tonight. I just want to thank them for being here, for teaching me to focus on comprehension over career, and that they make sure I learn what the schools were afraid to teach us. And also thank my amazing wife for changing my life.

“Now, this award — this is not for me. This is for the real organizers all over the country — the activists, the civil rights attorneys, the struggling parents, the families, the teachers, the students that are realizing that a system built to divide and impoverish and destroy us cannot stand if we do.

“It’s kind of basic mathematics — the more we learn about who we are and how we got here, the more we will mobilize.

“Now, this is also in particular for the Black women in particular who have spent their lifetimes dedicated to nurturing everyone before themselves. We can and will do better for you.

“Now, what we’ve been doing is looking at the data and we know that police somehow manage to deescalate, disarm, and not kill white people everyday. So what’s going to happen is we are going to have equal rights and justice in our own country or we will restructure their function and ours.

“Now … I got more y’all — yesterday would have been young Tamir Rice’s 14th birthday so I don’t want to hear anymore about how far we’ve come when paid public servants can pull a drive-by on 12 year old playing alone in the park in broad daylight, killing him on television and then going home to make a sandwich. Tell Rekia Boyd how it’s so much better than it is to live in 2012 than it is to live in 1612 or 1712. Tell that to Eric Garner. Tell that to Sandra Bland. Tell that to Dorian Hunt.

“Now the thing is, though, all of us in here getting money — that alone isn’t gonna stop this. Alright, now dedicating our lives, dedicating our lives to getting money just to give it right back for someone’s brand on our body when we spent centuries praying with brands on our bodies, and now we pray to get paid for brands on our bodies.

“There has been no war that we have not fought and died on the front lines of. There has been no job we haven’t done. There is no tax they haven’t levied against us — and we’ve paid all of them. But freedom is somehow always conditional here. ‘You’re free,’ they keep telling us. But she would have been alive if she hadn’t acted so — free.

“Now, freedom is always coming in the hereafter, but you know what, though, the hereafter is a hustle. We want it now.

“And let’s get a couple things straight, just a little side note — the burden of the brutalized is not to comfort the bystander. That’s not our job, alright — stop with all that. If you have a critique for the resistance, for our resistance, then you better have an established record of critique of our oppression. If you have no interest, if you have no interest in equal rights for Black people, then do not make suggestions to those who do. Sit down.

“We’ve been floating this country on credit for centuries, yo, and we’re done watching and waiting while this invention called whiteness uses and abuses us, burying Black people out of sight and out of mind while extracting our culture, our dollars, our entertainment like oil — Black gold, ghettoizing and demeaning our creations then stealing them, gentrifying our genius and then trying us on like costumes before discarding our bodies like rinds of strange fruit. The thing is though … the thing is that just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we’re not real.

“Thank you.”

— Jesse Williams delivered a powerful speech about racism and activism while accepting the humanitarian award at the BET Awards 2016 Sunday night. The executive producer of the documentary Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement received a standing ovation and praise on social media, with many of his quotes going viral.

RELATED: BET Awards 2016 Red Carpet

[Image: Instagram]

Quick Pics: Miguel’s Surprise Performance At The Samsung Creator’s Lounge

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Miguel rocked the Samsung Creator’s Lounge on June 25, 2016 by treating fans to a surprise and intimate acoustic performance during VidCon 2016 in Anaheim, Calif. He performed hits including “Adorn,” “The Thrill,” “Coffee,” and more to promote the video content he captured using the Samsung Gear 360 Camera. The audience really got into the performance, clapping in-time to the beat, while Miguel belted out the lyrics.

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[All images: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Samsung]

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