As the entertainment world continues to mourn the loss of Whitney Houston nearly one year ago, the music icon will be remembered for her lasting legacy at Clive Davis‘ annual pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday.

Unfortunately, the singer’s mother Cissy Houston has made it quite clear that she will not be in attendance.

While unveiling her daughter’s wax figure on Thursday (Feb. 7) at Madame Tussauds in New York City, Cissy discussed the invitation to the famous industry event and why she declined the offer.

“I got an invitation to the party– which is the most obscene thing. I don’t know why they would want me to come to the party in which she died, you know? Unheard of,” she told Access Hollywood. Pat Houston and Whitney’s brother Gary Houston are expected to attend the celebration.

Related: Cissy Houston Addresses Whitney’s Drug Abuse In New Memoir

Cissy added, “I guess maybe he just sent me a copy for remembrance sake.” She is also passing on the Grammys this year, but said she will be watching the ceremony at home on Sunday.

Davis, Whitney’s mentor and longtime friend, said he is “feeling keenly the loss” of the superstar and is “going to do something to remind everybody that her talent lived among us and in so many people” during Saturday’s gala.

“It’s a different kind of opening,” he explained to PEOPLE. “The opening has never been done before, with the kind of music that’s unprecedented.”

The post Cissy Houston Calls Invite To Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala ‘Obscene’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Could Oscar nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis be headed toward another brilliant role in the coming months? Industry insiders say yes.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the charming 9-year-old is being considered for the title role in Sony’s remake of the Broadway classic Annie.

While director Will Gluck and the producers at Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment and Jay-Z’s Marcy Media have yet to make any casting decisions, Wallis could be taking on the loveable character passed on by Willow Smith.

Related: Cute! Quvenzhané Wallis Goes One-On-One With André Leon Talley [VIDEO]

Initial reports stated that Willow had simply outgrown the role since being cast at age 9. But in a recent interview at Temple University, Will said his daughter would much rather live life as a normal 12-year-old.

He explained:

“Willow was supposed to be doing Annie, we got Jay-Z to do the movie, got the studio to come in and Willow had such a difficult time on tour with ‘Whip My Hair’ and she said, ‘You know Daddy, I don’t think so’ and I said, “Baby, hold up! I said no, no, no, listen, you’ll be in New York with all of your friends and Beyonce will be there. You will be singing and dancing,’ and she looked at me and said, ‘Daddy, I have a better idea, how about I just be 12.’”

Production on Annie is expected to begin this fall and is slated for a 2014 release.

And just because…

The post Studio Rep: Quvenzhané Wallis Could Be Cast As ‘Annie’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Reuters

Grammy host LL Cool J called it a “death in our family” and it was he who suggested starting the Grammy Awards show last year with a prayer for Whitney Houston.

Behind the scenes, Grammy Awards producers had worked all night to re-shape the music industry’s biggest night just 24 hours after the drowning death of the troubled superstar in a Beverly Hills hotel.

Producers and musicians tell the tale in a one-hour TV special “The Grammys Will Go On: A Death in the Family” to be broadcast on CBS on Saturday on the eve of this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony.

Read the full story here.

Rapper Lil’ Wayne is facing a lawsuit. Fan Alfredo Marino claims a member of the rapper’s entourage hit him in the head with a skateboard back in May 2012.

According to TMZ, Marino says he was attacked after trying to have his picture taken with Lil’ Wayne in Los Angeles last year. Marino’s attorney, Craig Chisvin, filed the lawsuit in L.A. County Superior Court. As detailed by TMZ: “a man who works for Wayne grabbed a skateboard and clubbed him in the back of the head.”

Marino says he sustained significant injury to his head as a result of the incident. He also holds Lil’ Wayne and his record label responsible for the run-in because he believes they enabled the attacker.

According to TMZ, Marino has filed a lawsuit for unspecified damages. Lil’ Wayne has not commented.

Courtesy of The Root

Authors of a recent study declared the Obamas the official replacements for Cliff and Clair Huxtable. Bizarre as the idea is that we’re allocated one-high profile black couple per generation, it’s true that the openly affectionate — and by all indications, mutually supportive — partnership is fast becoming a national reference point for what happens when love and success combine.

Insights into their bond are all the more treasured by African Americans, who, in the age of Love and Hip-Hop and alarmist stories about black marriage rates, have to look a little harder for positive portrayals of love.

But are the Obamas really all that unique? We think not. And based on the up-and-coming black power couples on our radar, there are plenty more where Barack and Michelle came from. This Valentine’s Day, check out just a few lesser-known young marriages in which both spouses are making their marks on leadership, law, politics and, of course, love.

Continue reading at The Root

With more than 400 stores in 38 countries worldwide, fashion retailer Topshop has found a new home in the streets of Los Angeles.

Jennifer Lopez, Solange Knowles, Kim Kardashian and others flocked to Cecconi’s West Hollywood Wednesday night (Feb. 13) for free eats, live music and a celebration inspired by British street fairs. Check out a few of the star arrivals after the jump!

CHRIS BROWN

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

SOLANGE KNOWLES

KIM KARDASHIAN

ESTELLE

CHRISTINA MILIAN

JENNIFER LOPEZ

RYAN SEACREST & RANDY JACKSON

LA TOYA JACKSON

LIONEL RICHIE

NICOLE SCHERZINGER

The post Celebs Head West For Topshop Topman LA Opening Party [PHOTOS] appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

by Angela Bronner Helm

Amsterdam will dazzle your senses–sight, taste, touch, smell, and sound. It’s an old, cobblestoned town with a long tradition of tolerance, openness, and beauty–from the way the city seems to have arisen from its canals, to the Dutch Masters’ grand canvases. It’s New York City meets the old country condensed–what Mick Jagger deemed the “world’s smallest metropolis.”

Although this was not our official honeymoon, my husband and I left the kids at home and decided to experience something unique and meaningful together. Sure, Paris is romantic, Tuscany is picturesque, and Mykonos is sexy, but if you’re a lover of history, and a little edgy, Amsterdam can be the perfect place to wed and honeymoon.

At Amsterdam’s center is the aptly-named Centraal Station, reached directly by train from Schiphol airport. One of the many tram lines from Centraal can get you anywhere in the city within 20 minutes. Many get around by bicycle (watch out! is all I can say), by foot, or even by boat, as water is as prevalent as pavement here. The city is divided into many neighborhoods, each with its own flavor, from the densely packed, intellectually-leaning Spui, to the infamous Red Light district, where prostitution is open and legal.

The Euro is the currency and many speak English here. There is so much to see in Amsterdam that another trip may be in order. Here are our top recommendations for a sexy, savvy twosome.

SEE: One of the most highly visited and yet somber stops in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House, the narrow home where a young Jewish girl hid during Nazi-occupied Amsterdam during WWII. Her book, The Diary of Anne Frank, has been read by millions worldwide. annefrank.org

Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands. It has been standing since 1876, and contains many of the Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer, along with sculpture, Asian art and prints. rijksmuseum.nl

The Van Gogh Museum showcases the trajectory of Vincent Van Gogh’s life, from his early work, to his most significant pieces including Sunflowers. To view such beauty up close will leave you literally breathless. vangoghmuseum.nl

EAT: Located on the top floor of the shopping center ‘Kalvertoren,’ Blue is a chic, modern, all white bistro and bar with a breathtaking view of the city. The authentic Dutch meat pie, goes great with fries, Heineken, and whole mustard. blue-amsterdam.nl

Dropped in the middle of Frankendael Park, Merkelbach sits in the garden of a former Coach house dating back to 1650. The French- Mediterranean menu provides the perfect aphrodisiac for one of the most romantic settings in the city. huizefrankendael.nl

If comfort food is what you crave, take a trip to the DePijp neighborhood. Spang Makandra is always crowded and for good reason–the Javenese-Surinamese food there is delicious, authentic and reasonable. (spangmakandra.nl) And since you’re in DePijp, you must visit the daily markets, but also stop at Bakken met Passie. My husband and I literally visited daily for the delicate and delicious mini lemon cake loaves and fresh baked everything from cheese sticks to focaccia.

EXPERIENCE: Coffee Shops are, of course, places in Amsterdam that legally sell marijuana. You can experience different strains of the potent botanical in any part of the city, from posh upscale shops to a more young and clubby vibe. Partake, and then go on a leisurely walk, have deep talks, laugh, or hit Bakken met Passie for cake.

The Red Light District gets its name from the lights outside of windows where prostitutes present their wares. The streets of this area are narrow and dark and with just enough bite to be adventurous. There’s always something to see, whether it’s a live sex show, or just for “inspiration”.

The Bijlmer area, which is about 30 minutes outside of the city, houses many of the African and Surinamese communities who were colonized by the Dutch. Experience a “hood” that boasts vibrant foods, markets and plenty people of color, for a different kind of day trip than The Hague.

The reasonably priced Hotel Ambassade is set in ten 17th Century buildings in the aristocratic Herengracht district, where luxury shopping, the canal side flower market, diamond merchants and antique shops are literally steps away. One of the coolest parts of the hotel is Koan Float, a massage center which features “floaten”, weightless floating in a salt-water chamber, a unique relaxation technique. Other fun things at the Ambassade include bicycle rentals, and a sexy Champagne breakfast for two. ambassade-hotel.nl | koanfloat.nl

A GRAND TIME

We had the distinct pleasure of staying at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, the only Sofitel in Europe to be given the muchcoveted title of Legend, one of only seven in the world. Perched right at the lips of the Red Light District, the Grand sits on a quiet street between two canals. The former 15th century monastery has 177 rooms and 52 suites, and used to be a favorite haunt of Michael Jackson—appropriately, as the Grand is worthy of superstars. The French-acculturated hotel’s service is impeccable, from the personal butler, to the fabulous doorman adorned in tails and top hat. The semi-private courtyard had living art scattered throughout it— beautiful tiled benches made from recovering addicts, speaking to both the Dutch’s love affair with art, as well as their tolerance.

The rooms and suites here are, in a word, majestic. Bathed in light, each premium room boasts a courtyard, canal or garden view and “name brand” amenities (Hermes bathroom products, Bose DVD players and Philips flat screens). The ceilings over the beds are illuminated with dots of lights to emluate sparkling stars after the lights go out. Each bathroom is fitted with sunken tub, Jacuzzi, and second flat screen above it, and the shower room comes with a Hammam (steam bath) and glorious water falling from the ceiling in uniform rivets. The Sofitel Grand has won many interior design awards and has a Spa, Fitness Room, and popular seafood restaurant, Bridges at guests disposal.

Not only Honeymoon worthy, the Grand is also a popular wedding venue. The reigning monarch of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix, and Claus von Amsberg married here in 1966. There is also the more intimate wedding chamber (pictured left), a glorious jeweled box for nuptials (interestingly, in Dutch weddings the bride and groom are seated), in the colors of olive green, turquoise, and purple with accents of orange and gold. The entire room was designed and painted by Chris Lebeau (1878-1945), including luminous frescos on the walls and ceilings, and stained glass windows. Each wall is fraught with symbolism and tells a story of love, marriage and family. The chamber opens up to a lovely courtyard for an intimate, sophisticated reception. sofitel-legend.com

No tea, no shade! No shade, no tea! This week, a pint-sized Grammy winner reveals her dream role, the King of Hip Hop disses a sloppy collaborator, and a sexy Hollywood A-Lister still doesn’t want any “goddamned peas!”  Plus, guess which “RHOA” personality passed on a spinoff show, and Berry Gordy said what?! AND I QUOTE …

“I would like to play a lesbian. I don’t know why. And do a whole make-out scene and the whole thing; just something completely different than people would expect from me. Not a lipstick lesbian, either.”

Toni Braxton, who recently announced her retirement from the music industry, reveals her dream role, in an exclusive interview with The Huffington Post.

Source

“I’d like to thank the swap meet for his hat. Thank you guys.” 

Jay-Z disses songwriter-producer The Dream for his Boyz n the Hood skully hat, while accepting the award  for  Best Pop Song/Collaboration, at the 2013 Grammy Awards ceremony. 

Source

I don’t want my mama suing me. I don’t want my parents disowning me because of a TV show.”

Phaedra Parks declines an offer for a “RHOA” spinoff and throws a little shade to former co-star Kim Zolciak, in a quirky interview with celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

Source

“Diana left me for $20 million dollars! I was crying inside … I had to let her go; I promised her that during our love affair.”

Berry Gordy reflects on his love affair with Diana Ross, while discussing Motown: The Musical, via The Grio.

Source

“Yeah, that’s probably one of my favorite lines ‘I don’t wanna hear about no goddamned peas!’ I really don’t wanna hear about no goddamned peas!”

Nia Long, who is currently starring with Don Cheadle in Showtime’s “House of Lies,” recounts one of her favorite lines from The Best Man, in a sit down with The Urban Daily.

Source

“But now that we had a black president, we didn’t have to have a unified front, so I wanted to say something that had been burning in my mind. That sentiment? F*ck Tyler Perry!”

Kamau Bell, comedian and host of “Totally Biased,” explains his “f*ck Tyler Perry” joke from the comedy album Face Full of Flour, via HuffPost Live. 

Source

“POTUS signing autographs for members of congress. Tradition but still odd to me. #makeitouttoTJ #SOTU”

T.J. Holmes, who has been guest anchoring on  MSNBC instead of BET, assesses to Obama’s State of the Union Address, via Twitter.

In today’s link round-up: Chris Brown and Drake sue each other, a Harlem Shakedown and much more!

VIBE.com
Rapper Tim Dog Dead At 46
The New York rapper played his part in the ’90s East Coast/West Coast beef.

Huffington Post
Chris Dorner Identified: Officials Positively ID Charred Remains Of California ‘Cop Killer’
San Bernardino County sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Miller said that the identification was made through Dorner’s dental records.

EURweb
Chris Brown, Drake Suing Each Other Over Club Brawl
His and His lawsuits. How cute.

The Root
The Harlem Shakedown
“How a silly viral video craze completely overshadowed the origins of a beloved old-school dance.”

Black Enterprise
All-Star to Tech Star: Why Black Athletes Need to Get in the Startup Game
Actors and rapper are doing it, where are the athletes?

The Frisky
16 Couples Everybody’s Friends With — Whether They Like It Or Not
No. 3: The couple that breaks up once a week.

The post LOTD: Rapper Tim Dog Dead At 46 + Christopher Dorner’s Body ID’d appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Sorilbran Stone

So how are those Black History Month projects coming along for the kids?

There may not be much talk about it in the schools anymore, but February is still Black History Month. If you happened to attend an inner city school and come of age in the 70s and 80s, you may remember working on Black History projects. These days, you would be hard-pressed to find a kid carting red, black or green poster board to school at all this month. In what some would call a “post-racial” America, is there still a need to celebrate Black History Month?

Post-racial or not, America’s social and political heritage are hot-button topics, especially where the matter of race is concerned. The social nuances of race headline whenever and wherever they are present. Take this year’s Oscar awards. Quentin Tarrantino’s pre-Civil War era, western-themed movie Django Unchained  chronicles the relentless pursuit of a savvy freed slave-turned-bounty hunter (played by Jamie Foxx) as he attempts to rescue his wife (Kerry Washington) from a brutal slave owner (Leonardo Di Caprio). The film has garnered 5 Academy Award nominations. Hollywood is also buzzing about Steven Spielberg’s movie, Lincoln which is a cinematic interpretation of the historical events surrounding the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation and the drafting of the Thirteenth Amendment. The movie, which was released just a few weeks prior to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, has 48 industry awards already and is nominated for 12 Academy Awards.

When historian Carter G. Woodson created “Negro History Week” in the mid-1920s, it was intended to serve as a precursor to the widespread incorporation of African American history as part of American history. Today, the entire month of February is designated as Black History Month and it is arguable whether American history now presents a more accurate and deliberate presentation of the contributions African Americans have made in the tale of America.

If American history is still found lacking in its presentation, what then is the remedy for this oversight – more Black History Month celebrations? Has Black History Month run its course?

The question of whether Black History Month is outdated offers two main arguments. Those who are against taking a month to celebrate black history point out that there is no productive reason to distinguish African American history from American history. In his 2012 documentary, More than a Month, Shukree Tilghman opened a dialogue in cities across America to find out how people view Black History Month. For Tilghman, black history is American history. Actor Morgan Freeman and music artist Talib Kweli have gone on record against relegating our history and contribution to one month out of the year.

On the flip side, supporters insist that Black History Month is absolutely necessary to honor the profound legacy of African Americans. There still isn’t a strong African American presence in most American history books. Even within institutions of higher learning the African American experience goes untold unless a student specifically elects to take an African American history course. Black History Month is still our nationally-recognized time to pay homage – even when it’s in the form of polite applause – for the contributions and hard-won achievements of African Americans in this country.

Surely, there is more to our legacy than just rehearsing random facts and remembering a handful of inventions. We can honor the game-changing contributions African Americans have made to this country and to the world by celebrating what we’ve constructed thus far, both collectively and individually.

(Black History Month Image credit: Shutterstock)

Remember this name: Zora Ball, the youngest person to create a full version of a mobile app video game.

According to The Philadelphia Tribune, the 7-year-old brainiac from Philidelphia unveiled her new app at the University of Pennsylvania’s “Bootstrap Expo” last month to the surprise of many attendees. When asked, Ball showed off her expertise by reconfiguring the program on the spot using Bootstrap language.

Ball attends first grade at the Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School in West Philadelphia where she learned Bootstrap programming language through an after-school program, STEMnasium Learning Academy. Harambee science teacher and founder of the program Tariq Al-Nasir says the the star student is on her way to a bright future.

“We expect great things from Zora, as her older brother, Trace Ball is a past STEM Scholar of the Year,” he said. “I am proud of all my students. Their dedication to this program is phenomenal, and they come to class every Saturday, including holiday breaks.”

And FYI, Bootstrap programming language is typically taught to students between the ages of 12 and 16 to help them learn concepts of algebra through video game development.

Boom.

The post First Grader Becomes Youngest Person To Develop Mobile App Video Game appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of EURweb

HBO has its standards, and according to the New York Daily News, the network had no interest in airing a documentary about Beyonce when her team first pitched it.

In fact, it took six weeks for the singer’s management team to convince HBO officials to just sit down and watch her self-made debut, “Life Is but a Dream,” according to the newspaper. But once they saw the film, executives were blown away and it immediately topped the network’s “must have” list.

Related: Oprah, Jay-Z, Chris Rock & More Attend ‘Beyonce: Life Is But A Dream’ Premiere [PHOTOS]

“I have no clue why this works,” HBO’s President of Programming Michael Lombardo told the Daily News. “If someone said to me, ‘Why is this on HBO?’ I can’t say why — this isn’t a traditional documentary and this isn’t a traditional music special because there something undeniably moving and honest about it.”

Lombardo said that the film, airing Feb. 16 at 9 p.m., arrived at HBO nearly complete and needed only minor edits and titles added, all of which were handled by Beyoncé’s team.

Initially, he did not go out of his way to accommodate Beyoncé — after all, HBO has long been known for airing critically acclaimed documentaries and blockbuster music specials. They receive and reject hundreds of pitches a year — many times from A-list stars.

Continue at EURweb…

The post It Took Six Weeks To Sell HBO On Beyonce’s Documentary appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

These celebs have nothing on Norman and Norma Burmah.

The 102-year-old gent and his 99-year-old lady celebrated their 82nd anniversary on Jan. 26, making them the longest known married couple in America. Family members knew the pair had broken the record when a Connecticut couple received national attention for 81 years of marriage earlier this month.

Related: The Album: Featuring Weddings We Love

“We knew our grandparents were Louisiana’s longest married couple and were pretty sure they were the longest living African-American couple in the United States, but the fact that they could be the country’s longest living married couple is just phenomenal,” granddaughter Glenda McKinley said. “[...] We see them as our national treasure.”

Related: Love On The Vineyard

The Burmahs tied the knot in 1931 after meeting at New Orleans’ Roof Garden Dance Hall during a live performance by Louis Armstrong, according to The Huffington Post. The couple have two daughters (one deceased), six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Norman and Norma owned a private catering company and still enjoy entertaining guests in their Marksville, La. home.

The post Meet Norman & Norma Burmah, America’s Longest Known Married Couple appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of Madame Noire

If you couldn’t get enough of Sweet Brown in that commercial she did for a dentist in Oklahoma, word on the street is, not only is she somehow going to be the co-host of Cheaters soon, but according to Gawker, she’ll have a part in Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas, which we previously told you has a cast that has been lacking in color all around. But now, they might have one of the most colorful people around in Sweet Brown to liven things up.

Continue at Madame Noire…

The post Sweet Brown In A Movie?! YouTube Star To Appear In Tyler Perry’s ‘A Madea Christmas’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Be careful what you name your penis size app.

Rock and roll legend Chubby Checker has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Hewlett Packard and Palm Inc. over a software application named after the musician that estimates the size of a man’s penis based on his shoe size. The application’s unauthorized usage of the 71-year-old singer’s name and trademark “adversely affects Chubby Checker’s brand and value,” the lawsuit claims.

Although the app is no longer available, Checker’s attorney says “The Chubby Checker” has already caused enough damage.

“He’s hurt,” Will Gary said. “He worked hard to build his name and reputation over the years.”

On Thursday, HP issued a statement saying, “The application was removed in September 2012 and is no longer on any Palm or HP hosted website.”

The Associated Press reports the app, which sold less than 100 copies, was removed the same month Gary issued a cease-and-desist letter on behalf of Checker.

Checker is seeking a half-billion dollars in damages and restitution.

“This lawsuit is about preserving the integrity and legacy of a man who has spent years working hard at his musical craft and has earned the position of one of the greatest musical entertainers of all time,” Gary said earlier this week. “We cannot sit idly and watch as technology giants or anyone else exploits the name or likeness of an innocent person with the goal of making millions of dollars.”

The post Chubby Checker Files Half-Billion Dollar Lawsuit Over ‘Penis Size’ App Named After Him appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Blue Ivy Carter will make a cameo appearance in Beyonce’s HBO documentary, Life Is But a Dream.

The documentary is an unorthodoxly revealing look at the pop-diva’s career and personal life. A leaked image from the project shows Beyonce smiling and holding daughter Blue Ivy, giving the world a glimpse of the now 1-year-old–something she and husband Jay-Z have long avoided.

Churning out a solid media tour leading up to the documentary’s airing, in the last few weeks, Beyonce has graced the March cover of Vogue and performed at the Super Bowl Half-Time show. With the day finally here, Life Is But a Dream airs tonight, February 16th on HBO at 9 p.m.

Beyonce also recently sat down for an intimate interview with Oprah, scheduled to air Sunday night on Oprah’s Next Chapter.

The post Beyonce Shows Off Blue Ivy In HBO Documentary: “Life Is But a Dream” appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy New York Daily News

Should Nick Cannon be jealous?

Someone was sharing a bath with Mariah Carey on Valentine’s Day and it wasn’t her hubby — it was with one of her playful pups, Jill E Beans.

The 42-year-old singer took to Twitter to upload a sexy shot of herself playing around in the bubble bath as she got ready for what she called a “Valentines Rendezvous consumed by bubbles” with Cannon, 32. However, it didn’t take long before an unexpected guest jumped in the tub with Carey.

Read full story here.

The post Mariah Carey Takes Bubble Bath With Dog on Valentine’s Day appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Tonya Battle, an African-American nurse, filed a lawsuit against Hurley Medical Center in Michigan for preventing her from caring for an infant patient because of her skin color.

According to the Huffington Post, the complaint states the newborn’s father pulled up his sleeve, showing Battle’s supervisor “a swastika of some kind.” He then, allegedly, asked that no black people be involved in his child’s care.

Battle was relieved of caring for the infant. Her supervisor later explained that she was no longer allowed to care for the child at the request of the parents. She returned to work the next day to find a note attached to the child’s file that read: “No African American nurse to take care of baby.”

According to court documents obtained by WNEM TV 5: “[Battle] was shocked, offended and in disbelief that she was so egregiously discriminated against based on her race and re-assigned.”

Despite Hurley Medical’s attorneys later objecting to the decision, the hospital is believed to have granted the parent’s request for over a month.

Battle filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She is now seeking compensation for emotional distress and harm to her reputation.

The post Tonya Battle, African American Nurse, Sues Michigan Hospital For Race Discrimination appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

Courtesy of the Huffington Post

When we heard that Rihanna would be showing her River Island collection during London Fashion Week last month, we were impressed. The Brit fashion capital has become a place where we look forward to catching some of the most innovative looks of the season. We thought: OK, Rihanna, bring it.

But then the show debuted and our positivity began to wane. As the reviews rolled in, we started to realize that this wasn’t the fashion world triumph that was anticipated. “Rihanna’s collection for River Island as brought forth in London tonight was a horror show,” wrote The Daily Beast.

Read the full story here.

The post Rihanna’s River Island London Fashion Week Debut Described As ‘Horror Show’ appeared first on UPTOWN Magazine.

By Starrene Rhett Rocque

When in Tokyo, a city filled with all of the lights, culture, and chic that you can stand, it’s nice to set intended destinations but smart to embrace the highly likely possibility of getting lost. This is good thing, especially when you’re bonding with your significant other. My husband and I, who had been married for all of 6 months, chose Japan for our honeymoon because it had been a life long dream of mine to visit. The year he proposed was supposed to be my year to head to Tokyo but planning and budgeting for a wedding forced me to post-pone indefinitely until he suggested that we set up a honeyfund and make my dreams come true. With the help of nearly $10,000 raised in wedding gifts and Inside Japan Tours, we planned what became the trip of a lifetime.

Our Honeymoon to Japan included multiple regions but we chose Tokyo as our homebase because flights to Narita tend to be cheaper and more convenient than other areas of the country. Tokyo also isn’t far from other popular destinations like Hakone, a mountainous region rife with traditional Japanese style inns and secluded from urban life, Kyoto, where traditional Japan meets the 21st century, and Osaka, which is possibly home to the best food in Japan, so a day trip on a bullet train (shinkansen) is another option to consider. However, while in Tokyo, we stayed at the Century Southern Tower Hotel, a sky scraper abode that starts at the 22nd floor, has breathtaking views and is centrally located a train ride and in some cases walking distance away from most of the city’s action—think the areas of Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Rappongi Hills—the places you absolutely need to see. And speaking of seeing, from the hotel, you can glimpse the surrounding Shinjuku neighborhood, and landmarks like Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Tower and if the weather permits, the majestic Mt. Fuji.

DAY 1 – SHINJUKU
After starting off your day with the all-inclusive breakfast package at The Century (the scrumptious buffet features a selection of a traditional Japanese breakfast: fish, veggies, green tea, Western style or both), head out and explore the closest neighborhood, Shinjuku. Your first few steps outside of the hotel will guide you to Takashimaya Time Square, a shopping center where you’ll find high-end and mid-range products. Head straight to Tokyu Hands, the perfect place for uniquely Japanese gifts. Imagine if Michaels, Home Depot, Pier One Imports and Target merged and created a super store, this place would be the result. You even get a discount here for brandishing your passport. Eventually, head to the Golden Gai district, known for small alleyways and over 200 bars, each serving assorted varieties of beer, and/or food items like ramen noodles and small plates like baby sardines and chicken skin. Nagi is where you want to go for the noodles and Tachibana Shinsatsushitsu provides “experience.” Here, you’ll share the bar’s one table with other customers but also get served by a barmaid in a nurses uniform. This and the combination of alcohol sets a nice mood for you and your beau.

DAY 2 – GINZA
The Ginza district is akin to New York City’s 5th avenue. Shoppers with expensive taste will find retailers like Hermes and Chanel but go to an authentic Japanese department store like Mitsukoshi and while there, head straight to the basement, which is the real treat—literally. It’s an underground food market that specializes in confections like macaroons, bean cakes, frozen yogurt and other yummy delights. The Sony Building is a must see. Think of it as a museum of sorts, where tech enthusiasts can check out almost every Sony gadget imaginable, even devices that aren’t for sale yet.

DAY 3 – COOKING TOUR
Spend time with a local for the best sense of what authentic life is like for Tokyo dwellers. Various hotels and companies like Inside Japan Tours can hook you up with an English-speaking guide who will take you to a native’s home where you will delight in authentic Japanese cuisine. By the end of your day, you will have learned how to prepare popular fare like vegetable rolls, tempura, soba noodles and fish head soup (which is only eaten to celebrate special occasions). A wife can never have too many weapons in her arsenal, and being able to whip anything up in the kitchen is but one. insidejapantours.com

DAY 4 – HARAJUKU AND SHIBUYA
Harajuku is definitely all about fashion, style and color but on the more romantic side of things, take a stroll to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, for respite from the concrete jungle. Here, you’ll see monks, prayer walls and possibly a Japanese wedding recessional. Shibuya, which is nearby, is also a good place to shop. Visit Shibuya 109, which has two malls, one solely for men and one for women, that caters to Japanese style trends; but also head to Scramble Crossing, which is one of the largest intersections in the world. Thousands of people pass through this intersection daily from all directions. It provides excellent people watching.

DAY 5 – ROPPONGI HILLS
Roppongi Hills is part residential community, part mini city and it’s Tokyo’s international playground. It’s raucous at night, recommended for hard partyers but it’s also refined. There’s a movie complex, the Mori Art Museum and food. You have to visit Sadaharu Aoki, a Parisian-inspired café where you will devour the best French confections you’ve ever had in your life, ironic but true. A short distance away from the fray is Tokyo Tower, a replica of the Eifel tower that is almost half the weight, consisting of broadcast waves and multiple observatories that offer panoramic views of Tokyo. The best times to visit for the view are sunrise, late afternoon and in the evening. roppongihills.com/en

As a native New Yorker, it’s blasphemy to say that I left my heart in Tokyo but like Lincoln, I won’t tell a lie. I was overwhelmed at first but eventually comforted once I began to discover the diversity of this beautiful alpha city. And of course, being with my favorite person was fail proof. I’ve discovered that Tokyo is my shopping twin, while my hubby is still fantasizing about the buttery waffles at the Century Southern Tower, and we’re both constantly searching for something close to a Japanese style breakfast here in the states. We haven’t had luck with that thus far but here’s to reminiscing one of the best moments of our lives. As newlyweds, we obviously have a lot more to experience together but we already know that not much will top our visit to Tokyo.

Photo courtesy of Inside Japan