Courtesy of Hello Beautiful

I find it no small coincidence that Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month both fall in the month of October.

Not enough women are aware that both can kill you. Mercilessly. Quietly. Unexpectedly.

Just as “breast” softens the frightening, unforgiving sound of cancer to the masses, rendering the pink ribbons and “Save The Tatas” shirts marketable to said masses; domestic implies that the violence is tamed, expected – and to some extent, accepted – in the home. It suggests that it is anything other than nightmares steeped in male-dominated power and aggression, leaving its victims wrapped in isolation, guilt and shame.

With African-American women experiencing domestic violence at a rate 35% higher than their Caucasian counterparts, this dynamic is sadly not uncommon in our communities. We live with it, whether in our own homes, or on the sidelines of someone else’s. We feel the unspeakable pain as blows, both psychological and physical, continue to rain down on our mothers, sisters, daughters. Us.

But is it ever forgivable? Does the sage wisdom, “If he hits you once, he’ll hit you again,” always apply? Can men ever learn from the pain they inflict on the women who love them?

Continue reading at Hello Beautiful

[Photo: Shutterstock]

Courtesy of EURWeb

Tavis Smiley has been feeling his funny bone and has come with 20 reasons why Black folk need to vote in this upcoming election.

Be sure to see Tavis’ last three sentences which drives home his point about voting.

1. “They said Obama was winning!”
2. “I didn’t get to the polls, but I did say a prayer for the brotha!”
3. “You know they wasn’t gonna let no Black man have no two terms!”
4. “See, what had happened was….”

Continue reading at EURWeb

Teamwork is the name of the game as Robert Townsend and the Miami Heat have partnered for a new basketball-themed romantic comedy.

Playin’ for Love, which is set to be directed and produced by Townsend, centers around a high school basketball coach and a single mother who comes in to shake things up. The film has garnered investors that include Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, the City of Miami, the aforementioned Heat, Jamba Juice, Doubletree Hotels and more. Auditions will be held in the city in early November to utilize local talent.

Related: Star Clique

“When Commissioner Jones approached me about creating a project here in Miami to give the local community and beyond a message of hope, I signed on immediately,” Townsend said. “I was that kid from the ghetto. I know what we can do by reaching out to young people in Miami and showing them possibilities.”

Townsend recently finished production on In the Hive which stars Michael Clarke Duncan in his final role. The film hits theaters Dec. 7.

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Hottie Shemar Moore salutes me, er, the paps as he heads into the doctor’s office in Beverly Hills on Oct. 25. Photo: INFphoto.com

Maxwell competes for dapper man of the night with Usher, who was honored at the second annual Pencils of Promise Gala at Guastavino’s in NYC, on Oct. 25.

Estelle was also on hand for the Pencils of Promise fete in NYC on Oct. 25.

Oprah wears slippers to the ABC Studios in NYC, where she was a guest host on “Good Morning America,” on Oct. 25. Photo: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Alicia Keys launches The Journals of Mama Mae & LeeLee interactive storytelling app at the Apple store in SoHo of NYC on Oct. 25. Photo: Nancy Rivera/ACE/INFphoto.com

Jennifer Hudson looks fabulous while attending the opening of the Versace SoHo store cocktail reception in NYC on Oct. 24 Photo: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Kelly Rowland performs during Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week at 751 D.Park Tank zone in Beijing on Oct. 24.

Common took a couple members of his team to the Staples Center in LA to catch the LA Lakers playing the LA Clippers on Oct. 24. Looks one of them is ready to party and the other brought work along.

Halle Berry received some support from her No. 2 fan, Olivier Martinez, at the Cloud Atlas premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in LA on Oct. 24.

Bobbi Kristina and her godbrother/boyfriend Nick Gordon attend the premier of “The Houstons: On Our Own” at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on Oct. 22. Photo: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com

RELATED: First Look: ‘The Houstons: On Our Own’ Supertrailer

Bond Girl Naomie Harris and Mr. Bond Daniel Craig attend the royal premiere of Skyfall on Oct. 22 in London. Photo: INFphoto.com

It looks like Jaleel White stuck with June Ambrose‘s style advice, as he walks around NYC on Oct. 22. Photo: JT/INFphoto.com

Too Short heads into BOA Steakhouse in LA on Oct. 21.

Carol’s Daughter owner Lisa Price and Cedric the Entertainer attend the American Family Insurance’s Dreams Protected Tour in Atlanta on Oct. 21.

A makeup-free Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo walk through the Grove in LA after seeing a movie onOct. 21.

Diddy shows no shame as he walks his LA neighborhood looking a bit scruffy the weekend of Oct. 20.

Alicia Keys makes an appearance on “106th & Park” in NYC on Oct. 19.

Seems Rihanna is trying to earn the moniker, “The Hardest Working Woman in Showbiz,” as she heads into an LA recording studio on Oct. 19. Photo: Larsen/Arshamian/INFphoto.com

Brandy enjoys the NYC night scene while in town to promote her new album Two Eleven on Oct. 18. Photo: Nancy Rivera/ACE/INFphoto.com

Tyra Banks and Rob Evans, her rumored beau and new “American’s Next Top Model” judge, attend the Flawsome Ball, which benefited TyTy’s TZONE charity, at Capitale in NYC on Oct. 18. Photo: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com

First Lady Michelle Obama makes an appearance on “Live with Kelly & Michael” in NYC on Oct. 17.

Chaka Khan performs at Tradgarn in Gothenburg, Sweden on Oct. 17.

Camille Winbush goes for a low-key look while shopping in Beverly Hills on Oct. 17

No one’s action star Tyler Perry tries to fit in with Bow Wow, Paigion, Shorty Da Prince, and Miss Mykie, while promoting Alex Cross on ’106th & Park” in NYC on Oct. 17.

Laila Ali lends her support to the 33rd Annual Salute To Women in Sports gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC on Oct. 17.

Gabrielle Douglas poses with her “Sportswoman of the Year” award at the 33rd Annual Salute To Women in Sports gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC on Oct. 17.

RELATED: Gabby Douglas Wins Sportswoman Of The Year

Singer VV Brown attends the Argo screening at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, during the 56th BFI London Film Festival, on Oct. 17. Photo: INFPhoto.com

NeNe Leakes proves her modeling background by “selling” her Hermes Birkin bag while dashing about NYC on Oct. 17. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Nick Cannon proves that there comes a time in every man’s life when he should relinquish his baggy sweats, while leaving Matsuhisa restaurant in Beverly Hills on Oct. 16.

NBA player John Wall also shares Cannon’s dilemma while making moves through NYC’s SoHo neighborhood on Oct. 16.

Always the reluctant natural hair spokesperson, Solange rocks straight hair to the American Ballet Theatre 2012 Gala at the New York City Center and dinner at The Pierre Hotel in NYC on Oct. 16. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

RELATED: Solange Knowles Quits Carol’s Daughter

Condola Rashad looks gorgeous in an ivory gown at the American Ballet Theatre 2012 Fall Gala on Oct. 16. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

Alek Wek shows off her model figure at the American Ballet Theatre 2012 Fall Gala on Oct. 16. Photo: Billy Farrell Agency

Dr. Dre greets a fan as he heads into his New York hotel on Oct. 16. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Girls-girl LaLa Anthony has a night out with Taraji P. Henson at Miss Lilly’s in NYC on Oct. 16. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Tyler Perry attends the premiere of Alex Cross at the Arclight Theater in LA on Oct. 15. Photo: INFPhoto.com

50 Cent hits up a signing at Virgin Megastore at Champs Elysees in Paris on Oct. 15. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Jennifer Lopez and her side-piece Casper Smart take her daughter Emme Anthony shopping in Paris on Oct. 15. One question: Where’s Max? Photo: INFPhoto.com

Leona Lewis does her best “I Dream of Jeannie” impersonation while signing copies of her album Glassheart at HMV Oxford Street in London on Oct. 15. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Reggie Bush and his pregnant girlfriend Lilit Avagyan watch their footing while leaving Prime Italian restaurant in Miami Beach on Oct. 14. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Bobbi Kristina and her beau Nick Gordon jumped into action to help a sick man who collapsed in an Alpharetta, Georgia parking lot on Oct. 13. Photo: INFPhoto.com

RELATED: Coupled Up: Bobbi Kristina & Nick Gordon’s Weird Relationship Will Play Out On TV

Swizz Beatz flies commercial on Oct. 9 because he says he’ll go broke if he flew in a private jet everyday. Photo: TheRealSwizzz Instagram

Mitt Romney supporter Stacey Dash leaves CNN studios in NYC after appearing on “Piers Morgan” on Oct. 9. Photo: Alequin/Bosch/INFphoto.com

RELATED: Stacey Dash Defends Romney Endorsement On ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’ [VIDEO]

LeBron James gives Kanye West a shout-out for stopping by his sneaker and clothing store Unknown in Miami on Oct. 8. Photo: KingJames Instagram

Nicole Scherzinger heads into Nobu restaurant in London on Oct. 8. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kim Kardashian wants us all to know that sometimes she stays in her pajamas when the rest of the world is out really earning a living on Oct. 8. Photo: KimKardashian Instagram

Chris Brown tries to show his “sensitive side” by posing on the roof of a building on Oct. 7. Photo: FuckYoPictures Instagram

RELATED: Chris Brown Explains Loving Rihanna And Karrueche At The Same Time [VIDEO]

Bow Wow shows his colors for a Beats By Dre photoshoot on Oct. 6. Photo: BeatsByDre Instagram

Jennifer Lopez drops it low for the German TV show, “Wetten Dass..??,” on Oct. 6 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Photo: INFphoto.com

Keke Palmer leaves Sirius Radio in New York City on October 3. Credit: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Rihanna, sporting a sexy pair of Christian Louboutin thigh high boots, slinks away from her NYC hotel, shortly after Chris Brown reportedly visited her there on October 2. Credit: Alequin/Bosch/INFphoto.com

Halle Berry and daughter Nahla are getting into the Halloween spirit in Hollywood, CA on October 2. Credit: Andra Viak/INFphoto.com

Instead of food shopping, John Legend (fried chicken master) and fiancee Chrissy Teigen (model/cooking school-student) do some clothes shopping  at Fred Segal in Hollywood on October 2. Credit: Merino/INFphoto.com.

Angie Martinez was in Brooklyn talking that talk with pals Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson. “The girl talk @theBarclay was real! @theRealTaraji @iamqueenlatifah & B!” Credit: @angiemartinez/ @kodaklens

M.I.A. goes incognito for the Stella McCartney spring 2013 show during Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 1. Photo: INFPhoto.com

Snoop Lion runs into a fan while satisfying his 3 a.m. munchies craving on Sept. 29. Photo: Instagram

Mehcad Brooks attends the 2012 Environmental Media Awards at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif. on Sept. 29. Photo: Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com

RELATED: Coupled Up: Zoe Saldana Gets Some More Bradley Cooper Lovin’

Tracee Ellis Ross counts down the launch of TraceeEllisRoss.com on October 1. Photo: Instagram

Kanye West and his leather pants make another star-studded appearance together. This time at the Christian Dior spring 2013 show during Paris Fashion Week on Sept. 28. Photo: INFPhoto.com

On Sept. 27, a photo of an 18-year-old Michelle Obama surfaced after the Princeton Alumni Weekly published “Mrs. Obama goes to Washington.”

Smokey Robinson and Aretha Franklin attend the Broadway premiere of Motown: The Musical in NYC on Sept. 27. Photo: Walter McBride/INFphoto.com

Rosario Dawson and Tara Smith launch Tara Smith Vegan Haircare at Marks and Spencer in London on Sept. 27. Photo: Famous/ACE/INFphoto.com

Christina Milian goes Cali-glam for a shopping excursion at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills on Sept. 26. HMO/INFphoto.com

President Barack Obama joins Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in NYC on Sept. 25. Photo: Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com

A sexy Paula Patton takes strong strides while out and about in Hollywood on Sept. 25. Photo: Brooks/INFphoto.com

Chris Paul is joined by his wife Jada, singer Miguel, and Nazanin Mandi at the celebration for his October GQ cover, which he shares with Denzel Washington and Javier Bardem, at The Sayer’s Club in L.A. on Sept. 24. Photo: Michael Kovak / Wire Image

RELATED: Like Fine Wine: Denzel Washington Covers GQ’s Style Playbook [PHOTOS]

Ballers Matt Barnes, Canon Butler, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin, and Willie Green helped Chris Paul celebrate his October GQ cover at The Sayer’s Club in L.A. on Sept. 24. Photo: Michael Kovak / Wire Image

RELATED: The Sexiest NBA Ballers On The Court

Rosie Perez and Viola Davis attend the premiere of Won’t Back Down at the Ziegfeld Theater in NYC on Sept. 23. Photo: Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com

Carmelo and LaLa Vasquez Anthony spend a night out in NYC with Swizz Beatz and an unidentified man on Sept. 23. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Looking like a mature version of her What’s the 411? self, Mary J. Blige hits up the iHeart Radio Music Festival at MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas on Sept. 21. Photo: INFphoto.com

Kim Kardashian wears a Mary Katrantzou body-conscious dress to a Quick Trim Event at Silk Road in Melbourne on Sept. 20. Photo: INFphoto.com

A.J. Calloway interviews Cedric the Entertainer for “Extra!” on Sept. 19 in NYC. Photo: Guillermo Bosch/INFphoto.com

John Leguizamo mean mugs more than kicks ass on the set of Kick Ass 2 in Toronto on Sept. 19. Photo: O’Neill/White/INFphoto.com

Nicki Minaj uses her “band leader” styling to tell her fellow “American Idol” judges that she’s leading the show as she heads into day two of taping the new season in NYC on Sept. 17. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Practice makes perfect for Alicia Keys as she poses in the dance studio: “Rehearsal time!!! I’m a tigress for these up coming shows!!!! Grrrrrrr!!!!” Via: @aliciakeys

Rosario Dawson spreads peace as she heads into Sunshine Theatre on Houston St. in NYC for a fan Q&A for her movie 10 Years on Sept. 16. Photo: Dario Alequin/INFphoto.com

Lee Daniels confidently strides into the premiere of his film Paperboy during the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 14. Photo: Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com

Cornrows and a new cross tattoo as shared by Ms. Kelly Rowland on Sept. 13.” Via @kellyrowland

Andre Leon Talley leaves the Calvin Klein show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 13. Something tells us that his caftan is one of a kind and wasn’t featured in the show. Photo: INF

Tyra Banks waves goodbye to her haters as she struts into a fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Sept. 12. Photo: INF

Kim Kardashian dons a shaggy jacket and Kanye West opts for denim-on-denim for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 12. Photo: INF

With a megawatt smile, Paula Patton arrives at Holt Renfrew to promote Disconnect, with Jason Bateman, during the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo: INF

A model can’t walk every show; sometimes she’s just got to sit front row. Check out Jessica White as she struts into the Alice + Olivia show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC on Sept. 10. Photo: INF

Rihanna takes styling cues from Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in Coming to America as she heads to Heathrow Airport in London on Sept. 10. Photo: INF

Songbird Estelle gets her very first tattoo (“DO – Divinely Orchestrated”) on Sept. 10 from @bigstevenyc (via @estelledarlings)

Note to Chris Brown and Rihanna: less is more.

Artiste extraordinaire Swizz Beatz ‘wines’ down in the studio on Sept. 11 ‏

“In my studio Zone with opus1 08 :) bang out time…..” (via  @THEREALSWIZZZ)

Hot mama Taraji P. Henson celebrates her birthday on Sept. 10 with a few tweeps and peeps.

“RT @sueannhan: Celebrating @therealtaraji @tarajiphenson ‘s bday & waiting 4 the Queen @maryjblige to take the stage. (via @TherealTaraji)”

Will, Willow, Jaden, and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive for the premiere of Free Angela & All Political Prisoners at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 9. Photo: INF

Even though she’s the youngest of the bunch, which also includes mom Kimora Lee, dad Russell Simmons, and sister Ming Lee Simmons, Aoki Lee Simmons knows the paps are always snapping, especially during Mercedez Benz Fashion Week in NYC, on Sept. 8. Photo: INF

Alicia Keys literally Stands Up 2 Cancer while arriving to an event for the organization on Sept. 7. Photo: INF

Mariah Carey hits the stage during the NFL Opening Kickoff at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC on Sept. 5. Photo: Amanda Schwab/Startraks

Just when you thought Rihanna had rocked every hairstyle imaginable, she shows off a new pixie cut while attending a dress rehearsal for the MTV Video Music Awards in L.A. on Sept. 5. Photo: Credit: X17online

RELATED: MTV VMA Flashback: Lil Kim’s Mermaid Pasty, Lenny Kravitz’s Space Suit & More [PHOTOS]

Kim Kardashian gives us side-boob, cleavage, butt profile, and exposed back all with one dress at the opening of a Brian Atwood store in NYC on Sept. 5. Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc/Sipa

Lauryn Hill leaves the funeral for Chris Lighty at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on Madison in Manhattan on Sept. 5.

RELATED: Hip-Hop Heavyweights Pay Respects To Chris Lighty

Sofia Vergara sports a prosthetic pregnant belly for her role on “Modern Family” on Sept. 5 in L.A. Photo: Pacific Coast News

President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch, from the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama deliver her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte on Sept. 4.

Terrence J announces his move to “E! News” on the set of the celebrity-driven news show with fellow anchor Giuliana Rancic on Sept. 4.

RELATED: Terrence J Announces His Big Move

Romany Malco celebrates the 100th episode of “Weeds” with co-star Mary-Louise Parker on Sept. 3.

Tamar Braxton proves she really does deserve that solo album by killing the “Star Spangled Banner” at the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic in Washington, D.C. over the Labor Day weekend.

Beyonce and Jay-Z shoot the breeze with director Ron Howard, who was shooting a documentary about the Budweiser Made in America music festival, in Philadelphia during the two-day celebration on Sept. 1. No word on why Beyonce is squatting for no apparent reason. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Salma Hayek and her 4-year-old daughter Valentina jet to the Venice Film Festival on Aug. 31. Photo: Jacopo Raule/FilmMagic

Singer Rita Ora rocks a gold frock to London’s ITV Studios on Aug. 30.

Nicole Richie launches her first fragrance, appropriately named Nicole, at Macy’s in Glendale, Calif. on Aug. 29. Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Alicia Keys and son Egypt leave the ITV Southbank studios in London on Aug. 28. Photo: INFphoto.com

Jordin Sparks looks gorgeous in a white minidress while performing at the U.S. Open on Aug. 27.

On Aug. 28, Paris Jackson enjoys a birthday tribute for her late father Michael Jackson, who would have turned 54 on Aug. 29, in Gary, Ind. Photo: Michael Hickey/WireImage

RELATED: Happy 54th Birthday Michael Jackson! [PHOTOS]

Rihanna struts our of her London hotel. Photo: Splash News Online

Halle Berry heads to the movies with daughter Nahla on Aug. 25. Photo: FameFlynet

Kourtney Kardashian and her “little man” Mason Disick go for a walk on Aug. 23. Photo: AKM-GSI

Oprah hits up a Framingham, Mass. Bed Bath & Beyond, in order to take three girls shopping for dorm room accessories on Aug. 23. Photo: Splash News Online

Looking quite wind-blown, Rihanna is out and about in L.A. on Aug. 22. Photo: AKM-GSI

Tyra Banks gets in bed with new ANTM judges Kelly Cutrone and Rob Evans to celebrate the premiere of the model competition show in NYC on Aug. 22. Photo: Craig Barritt/Getty

Christina Milian hits up the studio with Lil Wayne and Mack Maine, members of her new Young Money family, in Miami on Aug. 22. Photo: Instagram

Eva Mendes stands guard with her dog Hugo in West Hollywood on Aug. 20. Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Mariah Carey looks very low-key on the set of The Butler in New Orleans on Aug. 20. Photo: FameFlynet

First Lady Michelle Obama greets the attendees of the first-ever Kids State Dinner at the White House on Aug. 20. Photo: Olivier Douliery/ABACA

Wearing her best beachwear, Halle Berry goes shopping with fiance Olivier Martinez in L.A. on Aug. 19. Photo: INF

Nick Cannon lends his support to the Do Something Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. on Aug. 19. Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty

Jennifer Hudson films a scene from Smash in NYC on Aug. 17. Photo: X17online

Nicole Richie arrives at Virgin’s Sunset Strip Music Festival VIP party at SkyBar in West Hollywood on Aug. 17. Photo: Splash News Online

Jordin Sparks shares a moment with Bobbi Kristina and her boyfriend Nick Gordon after the Hollywood screening of Sparkle on Aug. 17. Photo: Eric Charbonneau/WireImage

Talk about an awkward moment! Jaguar tapped Jane Krakowski; Tracy Morgan, who has made homophobic jokes; and Johnny Weir, who came out publicly after achieving figure skating fame, for Jaguar’s Chill Event on Aug. 17 in NYC. Photo: Amanda Schwab/Startraks

Camila Alves, who is pregnant with her third child, takes hold of her tots, Levi, 4, and Vida, 2, after leaving a doctor’s appointment in Santa Monica, Calif. on Aug. 16. Photo: AKM-GSI

Gabby Douglas does the red carpet just as well as the uneven bars while attending a post-show event for “America’s Got Talent” on Aug. 15.

Camila Alves shows off her pregnancy curves at the Nylon Guys party in Santa Monica on Aug. 15.

Viola Davis looks beautiful in a white sheath dress while attending the Teachers Rock benefit in L.A. on Aug. 15.

Rihanna arrives at Tokyo Narita airport on Aug. 15 to perform in Japan over the weekend.

Jordin Sparks rocks a fiery peplum ensemble to the premiere of Sparkle in NYC on Aug. 14.

Kelly Rowland attends the David Jones 2012/13 season launch in Sydney on Aug. 14.

Halle Berry looks a little sauced after celebrating her birthday at Little Door club with fiance Olivier Martinez, Salma Hayek, and Francois-Henri Pinault on Aug. 14.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Gabby Douglas share some laughs with Jay Leno on his late-night talk show on  Aug. 13.

Soon-to-be parents Tamera Mowry-Housley and Adam Housley are positively glowing at their baby shower, where she also threw him an impromptu birthday celebration on Aug. 12.

Jennifer Hudson mismatches a pair of studded loafers with a pink mini dress while attending Apollo in the Hamptons event in East Hampton, N.Y. on Aug. 11.

Kerry Washington strikes a pose in a fun Dior frock while attending the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Installation Luncheon in Beverly Hills on Aug. 9.

Khloe Kardashian-Odom dons a leather dress to celebrate InStyle magazine at a party in California on Aug. 9.

Ciara and photographer Yu Tsai share a photo on Instagram on Aug. 9.

Olympian Allyson Felix celebrates after winning the gold medal for the 200-meter race on Aug. 8. Photo: Getty Images

RELATED: Olympic Runner Allyson Felix Finally Wins Gold In The 200-Meter Race

Tyra wears a slinky dress to The Cinema Society special screening of 2 Days in New York at Landmark Sunshine Cinema in NYC on Aug. 8. Photo: Getty Images

Brandy performs at the MDA Show of Strength held at CBS Television City in L.A. on Aug 8. Photo: Getty Images

RELATED: Brandy’s Comeback Begins

Estelle poses with manager Kevin Liles at Rosa Regale’s “Wonderful Life” performance series, during which the singer gave an intimate performance, at The Darby in NYC on Aug. 7.

Kim Kardashian photographs her favorite subject while wearing a pair of Celine leather sweats, a Helmut Lang top, and $6,0000 Guiseppe Zanotti booties designed by Kanye West on Aug. 7.

Spike Lee gives us a wry smile as he poses with his wife Tonya Lewis Lee and their children at the premiere for his film Red Hook Summer on Aug. 6 in NYC.

Harry Belafonte poses with his Life Achievement Award at the 65th Locarno Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland on Aug. 6. Photo: Getty Images

RELATED: Belafonte: Jay-Z, Beyonce ‘Turned Their Back on Social Responsibility’

Lance Gross hits up 2 Chainz‘s listening party at Tree Sound Studios in Norcross, GA on Aug. 6.

Drake and guest Nicki Minaj rock the stage at Toronto’s third annual OVO Fest at Molson Amphitheater on Aug. 5.

Someone actually hired Joseline Hernandez of “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” to host a party at Atlanta’s Mansion Elan on Aug. 4. Of course her side-kick Stevie J. was there too.

Robert Townsend, Melanie Fiona, and Laz Alonso on August 3rd at the Studio Museum of Harlem where Alonso was announced as the new travel ambassador of BlackAtlas.com.

U.S. Olympic swimmer Lauren Perdue poses with fellow Olympian Lebron James in an Instagram. She started a firestorm after tweeting that Lebron had asked her to dinner, which really turned out to be an invitation to the dining hall.

Ray J poses with his new boss Rickey Smiley, who will star in a TV One sitcom loosely based on his life alongside Ray J, on Aug. 1 at the Beverly Hilton, the same hotel in which Ray J’s former lover Whitney Houston died.

Yoselyn Ortega, the 50-year-old nanny allegedly responsible for the stabbing deaths of two small children on the Upper West Side in New York City is in a medically induced coma.

Marina Krim, the mother of the slain children, walked into the horrifying scene unfolding in her apartment on Thursday. She found 2-year-old Leo Krim and his sister, 6-year-old Lucia Krim, dead in the family’s bathtub. Ortega lay on the floor, near a bloody knife, with what authorities believe were self-inflicted slash wounds to her throat.

Krim, a mother of three, took her 3-year-old daughter to a swimming lesson earlier that day. According to a statement made by NYPD Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Ortega was scheduled to meet Krim and the 3-year-old at a dance studio after the swimming lesson. When they failed to show up, Ms. Krim returned home to the tragic scene.

Friends of Ortega say she was having a turbulent year, after losing her apartment in the Bronx and being forced to move back into her sister’s apartment located in Harlem. Those who knew her say “she had changed for the worse, looking harried, gaunt and older in recent months,” according to the New York Times. Family members also believe Ortega may have also been visiting a psychologist.

However, what compelled her to murder the children–who many say she was extremely devoted to–remains unclear. Investigators are hoping Ortega’s recovery will reveal some answers.

In a Philadelpia suburb, family friend Raghunandan “Raghu” Yandamuri attempted to kidnap and hold a baby girl hostage to get $50,000 in ransom money from her software-engineer parents. Instead Yandamuri killed the baby and her grandmother in a botched kidnapping, according to police.

An affidavit released by authorities on Friday stated, the 26-year-old wrote a ransom note to the parents, threatening to kill the child if they did not leave the money at a local supermarket.

“It’s up to you to decide. Do you want your 1-year-old or five months of your income?” the note read.

Yandamuri’s plans unraveled, however, when he dropped the baby as he struggled with her paternal grandmother, while holding the baby and a kitchen knife. According to the affidavit, the grandmother was in the U.S. on a six-month visit from India. She was babysitting 10-month-old Saanvi Venna on Monday, when the incident occurred.

The 61-year-old grandmother Satyavathi Venna, was fatally stabbed and suffered defensive wounds. According to reports, Yandamuri told police he put a handkerchief in the baby’s mouth to keep her quiet. He then wrapped a towel around her head and put her in a suitcase when he left the sixth-floor apartment.

The search for the missing baby stretched through the week, but the parents were never contacted again for money. The ransom note called the infant’s parents by family nicknames, which lead police to focus their investigation on family friends and acquaintances, said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman.

“We had been hopeful that Saanvi was still alive,” Ferman said. “Tragically, that is not the case.”

Authorities later found baby Saanvi wrapped in a white dress beneath a bench in the apartment complex where Yandamuri and the victims lived.

While being interviewed by police on Thursday, the suspect said he had printed approximately 200 missing-child posters at work and distributed them. He also said he attended a vigil for the baby. But he later acquiesced, revealing the details of the botched crime.

Yandamuri is being held without bail on two counts of murder, kidnapping and robbery. Additional charges will be addressed during a preliminary hearing set next week.

Reports confirm that rapper and singer Natina Reed was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The Atlanta music community is mourning the death of the 32-year-old best known as a former member of the R&B group Blaque.

Initial reports state, Reed was killed early Saturday morning, after being struck by a driver while crossing the street in Atlanta, GA. The young artist was also the protégée of TLC rapper Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, who ironically met her own tragic death in a car accident in April 2002.

Reed would have turned thirty-three on Sunday, October 28th.

She leaves behind her 10-year-old son Tren, from a former relationship with rapper Kurupt.

*UPDATE: According to a press release sent from the Gwinnett (Ga.) Police Department to E! News, police received a call of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle at about 10:30 p.m. yesterday. “The driver of the vehicle contacted 911 to request assistance,” the press release states. “Natina Reed was pronounced dead at Gwinnett Medical Center at 10:59 p.m. E.S.T.”

The Florida prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin shooting case pleaded with Circuit Judge Debra Nelson on Friday to impose a gag order on all attorneys involved.

Twenty-nine year-old George Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder for the February shooting of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty claiming self-defense.

Bernie de la Rionda, Assistant State Attorney, wants the order imposed because he believes George Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’Mara, has been using a website, social and news media to influence potential jurors in the case.

The Assistant State Attorney challenged “O’Mara’s motives and ethics in publicly questioning the credibility of potential witnesses in the high-profile case,” according to the Huffington Post.

De la Rionda told the judge: “My concern is if we are going to be able to pick a jury in Seminole County or anywhere else in the state of Florida?…Commenting on the credibility of witnesses? Why do we have an ethical rule about that?”

O’Mara denied crossing ethical lines, saying his unique approach to the case is necessary to combat attempts by the Trayvon Martin’s parents to paint Zimmerman as a “racist murderer.”

O’Mara explained to the judge: “We had to do something to deal with the enormity of information flowing in the case,” he said.  “And we did it in a way we thought was principally presented.”

Judge Nelson delayed issuing a written ruling until Monday, after listening to more than an hour-and-a-half of arguments.

Judge Nelson also ruled on other motions, including setting a date for a hearing on the “Stand Your Ground” self-defense immunity. The date is set for 45 days before trial. George Zimmerman’s murder trial was previously scheduled by the judge for June 10. A status hearing is scheduled for mid-December.

Courtesy of Madame Noire

Halle Berry might be sipping on some of that Aretha Franklin right now — but  not in a way that’s beneficial to the Queen of Soul. You know Re-Re  has been going hardcore to get Halle to play her in a biopic, to which the  actress basically said, thanks but no thanks. Turns out, Halle has a girl crush  of her own who she’s thirsty to play and appears to be getting nowhere with:  Angela Davis.

In the latest issue of In Style, which Halle Berry covers, she  tells the magazine it’s her dream to play the civil rights activist in a major  Hollywood picture.

“Her story is so fascinating,” she said. “I would love to bring it to the screen. I would pick her brain to have a better understanding of her affiliation with the Black Panthers and that period from the 1960s.”

Continue at Madame Noire…

Courtesy of Loop 21

The 1,000-mile wide Super Storm Sandy slammed into the New Jersey coastline with 80 mph winds Monday evening and hurled an unprecedented 13-foot surge of seawater at New York’s shores as well as Connecticut and other points north and south along the eastern seaboard. Here are some of the images from the storm.

See more pics at Loop 21

Mariah Carey is following in the footsteps of her American Idol foe Nicki Minaj with the launch of a new OPI nail polish collection. And as to be expected, there’s a whole lotta glitter.

We dropped a few details about the deal back in August which included eight shades that will debut in OPI salons, spas and retailers worldwide in January. The remaining colors will hit shelves later in the year. In addition, the nail lacquer is introducing a brand new nail finish called “Liquid Sand” that features a textured, matte finish when worn without a topcoat.

Related: Star Clique

“OPI is extremely excited to work with Mariah,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive vice-president and artistic director. “She’s very passionate about beauty and her nails in particular.”

She continued, “To pay homage to her iconic status, we wanted to launch her collection with something completely new and exciting. Liquid Sand nail lacquer offers a never-before-seen look with a pebbled finish that lightly shimmers with fine glitter particles. Worn without topcoat, Liquid Sand lacquer gives nails a unique textured matte finish worthy of a superstar.”

So which nail color will fit your inner diva? Find out after the jump!

“A Butterfly Moment”

“Sprung”

“Pink Yet Lavender”

“Anti-bleak”

“Stay The Night”

“Get Your Number”

“The Impossible”

“Can’t Let Go”

Courtesy of Essence.com

Women often ask men why they just up and stop calling. It’s not right, but it happens a lot. Don’t be discouraged. The truth is, you shouldn’t focus on anything but your individual truth. The man that deserves you is the same man that will love you just the way you are. Unfortunately, not every man is ready to love selflessly. And for some, there are certain personality traits in a woman or circumstances that will either instantly attract or repel him. Here are 10 things he could consider instant red flags.

Continue reading at Essence.com

[Photo: Shutterstock]

Prepare to be taken for a ride.

In what’s being considered a “must-see” by film critics, director Robert Zemeckis (Cast Away) keeps audiences at the edge of their seats in the new action-drama Flight, starring the incomparable Denzel Washington as our hero. Maybe.

Whip Whitaker, a middle-age pilot for a regional Southern airline, gains national attention after an emergency landing saves more than 100 passengers on-board. But after further investigation, the beloved pilot finds himself knee-deep in a scandal as alcohol was discovered in his system during the flight.

UPTOWN caught up with Washington, who tells us all about learning to fly a plane, playing an alcoholic and chasing himself.  After the jump, check out our interviews with co-stars Melissa Leo, Kelly Rielly and Bruce Greenwood

Flight, also featuring Don Cheadle and John Goodman, opens Nov. 2 in theaters nationwide.

Melissa Leo:

Kelly Rielly:

Bruce Greenwood:

Courtesy of Clutch

An interesting interview between NPR’s Michelle Martin and D.L. Hughley on Tell Me More recently came to my attention, and I must say I’m not sure how to feel about it.

During the interview which aired last week, Hughley spoke openly about his new book, I Want You to Shut the F#ck Up: How the Audacity of Dopes Is Ruining America, his upcoming comedy special, and his views about politics. But it was his views on women, and specifically black women, that really caught my attention.

Although Hughley’s been married for 26 years and has two daughters, he admitted to Martin that he doesn’t really like women.

Continue reading at Clutch

By Karu Daniels

In comedy, you’re pretty much put out to pasture by the time you’re 50. That’s certainly not the case for one of the “Original Kings of Comedy” Steve Harvey. With his new daytime talk show on NBC and his host gig on the nationally syndicated game show Family Feud, Harvey’s doing double duty on TV. Factor in his top-rated morning radio show boasting a listenership of 7 million, best-selling books Straight Talk, No Chaser and Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man (recently transformed into a No. 1 movie) and a fashion line with K&G, and you’re looking at a multipronged media maverick. And he’s 55.

Not too shabby for Broderick Steven Harvey, a former Ford Motor Company plant worker who’s not ashamed to tell his own rags-to-riches-back-to-rags-to riches story (after he left a successful six-season run of WB’s The Steve Harvey Show, he only had $1,700 in the bank). Though he recently retired from stand-up, the happily married father of seven is showing no signs of slowing down.

I am… a positive person. I’m an enjoyable person. When I’m doing my thing as a comedian and it’s at the expense of something or someone, people take that as being mean, but it is the business I’m in.

Comedy is… not what it used to be. Look back to when I was coming up on Def [Comedy] Jam. It was me, Bernie [Mac], Cedric [The Entertainer], Bill Bellamy, Simply Marvelous, D.L. [Hughley], Adele Givens, Sheryl Underwood, Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Damon Wayans, Earthquake, Bruce Bruce, and the list goes on and on and on. You had to be a lot funnier back then because the competition was great.

My new talk show is unique… because of its male perspective, which is missing from daytime television.

Photo credit: mark mann/contour by getty images

I didn’t know… that my book would sell 3 million copies. I figured 200,000 would be good. The book company said, “[Write] black women do this, and black women do that.” And I said, “No, black men, white men, brown men, red men, and yellow men all think the exact same way. Let’s not put color in it.”

I was enlightened by… hosting BET’s Celebration of Gospel. I found out that you not only don’t have to be perfect, but guess what? You can’t be because no one is.

I Thank God… for my haters, because my haters have made me greater.

The best Tweet I ever received… “Your career is what you get paid for, your calling is what you’re made for.” That was a very powerful tweet, and it really touched me because it was the truth.

I was made stronger… when [people] were trying to destroy my family on the Internet. All it did was push us closer together, made us rely on each other more, and get closer to God.

Within the next five years… me and my wife, Marjorie, are going to open up a mentoring camp. We are going to Paris. Sail the Mediterranean for a couple of months. Then come back, and I’m going to give her two more babies!

Even the good deeds of Alicia Keys’ Keep a Child Alive Foundation have been disrupted by Superstorm Sandy.

The organization’s ninth annual Black Ball was scheduled to take place on Thursday (Nov. 1), but the destruction of the massive storm has postponed the event to a later date.

Related: Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina King, La La Anthony & More Stun At Black Girls Rock! [PHOTOS]

“Our thoughts and prayer are with all our fellow New Yorkers affected by this devastating storm,” the organization said Tuesday in a statement. A new date will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year’s Black Ball was set to feature performances from Beyonce, Carole King, Angelique Kidjo and Alabama Shakes, with Oprah Winfrey and Kidjo to be honored for their philanthropic efforts. Whoopi Goldberg was scheduled as the event’s emcee.

Related: Star Clique

There is no word on if these plans have been changed.

Keep a Child Alive was founded in 2003 by Keys and Leigh Blake to assist HIV/AIDS victims in Africa and India.

Courtesy of The Frisky

It happened in Florida. A toddler sucked on a used condom on a playground and may have gonorrhea, or even HIV, because of it. I’m not even going to make a Florida joke right now because this story is so thoroughly disturbing.

Tiesha Sanders has filed a lawsuit against the Jacksonville Urban League, which runs her three-year-old daughter’s Head Start daycare program. Sanders claims that her daughter found a used condom on the daycare’s playground and sucked on it.

“I lift up my head and I saw her put something in her mouth and I was like, ‘get that out of your mouth!’ And someone said see what she had in her mouth and that’s when I found out she had a condom in her mouth,” explained Sanders.

Continue reading at The Frisky

[Photo: Shutterstock]

Coming off a big win against the Boston Celtics and an even bigger night with their ring ceremony, Miami Heat stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are living the life. The NBA champions celebrated their opening win (120-107) on Tuesday at Samsung’s “The Next Big Thing & The Ring” event at Soho Beach House in Miami.

Related: Charles Barkley Thinks LeBron James Can Be Better Than Michael Jordan

Posing with his latest piece of bling, James brought fiancé Savannah Brinson along as the MVP was honored for his outstanding season. Actress Gabrielle Union was also in attendance to stand by her man and round out the fabulous foursome.

Teammates Chris Bosh and Ray Allen joined the party as well as Kim Kardashian, who left Kanye West at home to enjoy the festive night with her good friend Jonathan Cheban.

Related: Gabrielle Union Talks Marriage With Dwyane Wade: ‘We Both Failed Miserably The Last Time’

James’ collaboration with Samsung’s Galaxy Note II kicked off in a big way with the premiere of his latest commercial, which aired throughout the Heat/Celtics game.

Check out the video below and a few more shots after the jump!

Photos courtesy of Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Speaking with absolute perfect honesty, the gentleman’s hat does not elicit the level of deference that it so rightfully deserves. Because truthfully, a man only reaches for any type of head protection during one time during the year, and that would be late autumn extending into the winter. Other notable occasions are baseball games, but those don’t count toward sophisticated appearances. Yes, only when the weather threatens to drop to teeth-chattering temperatures does a man frantically rummage through his closet in a desperate search and rescue mission for a cold weather cap. If you are said gentleman in question, pay close attention, this article may be of importance.

Sometimes, the basics are all a gentleman requires. It’s the simple things in life that grant the most ease and comfort. Seriously, who wants complicated? And so, when you are heading out the door, you can forget all of the sartorial gymnastics that might accompany more stressful combinations of dress. Calm yourself and realize — throwing on this simple cap just may be the easiest thing you do all day.

Ralph Lauren Merino Cuff Hat, $42

When sporting a hat when no one else dares, a gentleman might as well demonstrate how wearing one is flawlessly executed. And this is the kind of hat you need in your repertoire. The dapper brim pictured to your left exudes some throwback style that is reminiscent of 1970s swagger. Hey, the weather isn’t the only thing that deserves to be cool.

Lock & Co. Hatters Plaid Harris Tweed Cap, $160

A pom-pom adorned topper is strictly reserved for those occasions when a gentleman cannot take himself too seriously. Perhaps, those moments arrive after an arduous work week, and a gentleman just wants to kick back and indulge in some outdoor recreation. Well, embrace that little kid that dwells within, don this whimsical knit cap, then go out and have some fun.

Gant By Michael Bastian Tennis Knit Cap, $95

If you are looking for a hint of softness with your hat, opt for a standard wool selection that’s blended with a sumptuous, luxurious touch of cashmere. We’re guessing your outfit is leaning on the dark side, so adding a colorful accessory into the equation might be a bright idea — pun intended.

Ralph Lauren Cashmere Lambswool Cuff Hat, $68

An eclectic interpretation of a gentleman’s classic, this handsome trilby will readily contribute a hearty helping of polish to any man’s outdoor ensemble. Actually, this hat is so sharp, you may have to buck the rules and wear it inside too. Comprised of a stunning potpourri of quintessential patterns, this hat is the perfect finisher to an elegant sports coat or blazer.

Etro Patchwork Wool Blend Trilby, $350