Actor Amiri Starr,
Launches Online Campaign
in Bid for Role as Tupac Shakur

If Amiri Starr has his way, he'll realize his dream of starring as the late, legendary rap artist Tupac Shakur on the big screen in  Antoine Fuqua's upcoming cinematic version of his life.

Shakur's upcoming biopic was last reported to  begin shooting in September, and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day," "Tears of the Sun," "Brooklyn's Finest" ). In a recent interview, Fuqua stated he is looking to find a new face to...more

Brother of Recording Artist Jay King,
Killed by Police

Music industry veteran and popular music personality Jay King was stunned last month to discover his younger brother, Michael Todd White, age 46, had been killed on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010  by the Vallejo Police Department.   The outspoken artist, who is best known for founding the Grammy awarding winning group, Club Nouveau,  has been on a mission ever since to bring attention to the issue of widespread police brutality in this country and particularly in his hometown f Vallejo, CA. King fielded calls recently from listeners on his online radio show...more

Grammy Nominated Producer
Kashif
Sponsors Music Camp for Foster Kids

Kashif University and
Department of Children & Family Services
Host Music Recording Camp
July 12-23, 2010

With California's budget crisis wreaking havoc on the poor, some of the hardest hit are youth in foster care and their guardians. Having experienced eight foster homes between the ages of four months and 15 years old, Grammy nominated producer Kashif, knows on a personal level the dilemma such a crisis can cause...more

Annual African Marketplace and Cultural Faire in Danger of Closing Down
After 25 Years

Friends of the African Marketplace CommitteeUnite In Rescue Effort

The Annual African Marketplace and Cultural Faire may have its roots in its native city of Los Angeles, but the world has its roots in it.  A community institution conceived and produced under the auspices of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs by James Burks, The African Marketplace and Cultural Faire has been selected twice to the list of top 100 events in North America in the last ten years...more

Musical Force / Master Keyboardist
Joel Gaines
Stirs Up Emotions with New CD "Just The Way I'm Feeling"

Singer/ songwriter/ master keyboard artist, Joel Gaines has dipped his musical ladle deep into an enchanting kettle of melody and is stirring up our emotions with the torrid release of his new CD, "Just The Way I'm Feeling," on JG Music Group.  A tantalizing gumbo of adult contemporary,  jazz and swaying gospel even, "Just The Way I'm Feeling" is a joyous celebration of sound!

An internationally renowned musician and performer, Gaines captures the fiery passion  he displays...more

Legendary R&B Icon
Gladys Knight
Debuts Her Gladys Knight Jewelry Collection
At Essence Music Festival July 4 Weekend in New Orleans

Regal class, timeless beauty and captivating style are only a few of the adjectives associated with legendary R&B icon, Gladys Knight.  She has mesmerized audiences for decades with her hits, charmed us with her acting, and endeared us with her business savvy and humanitarian efforts.

Now Gladys Knight, via collaboration with the LaRoda Group and Robert Rose Jewelry, will debut her highly....more

Toni Love,
International Hair and Weave Expert,
Celebrates the 10 Year Anniversary of her Classic Book, Re-Releases "The World of Wigs, Weaves & Extensions"

Hair trailblazer Toni Love, an internationally recognized hair loss and weave expert, is celebrating the 10th year anniversary of her classic book “The world of Wigs, Weaves and Extensions” (Milady Publishing) with a re-release. With hair weaves having evolved into an increasingly popular style, now unabashedly worn by some of today’s hottest celebrities including Wendy Williams, Tyra Banks and Kate Gosselin...more

Bill Cosby and Malcolm-Jamal Warner
June 11, 2010 Launch
Duets & Dialogues Series
at the
California African American Museum

The California African American Museum (CAAM) has played host to some of Los Angeles' most culturally significant events over the last 30 years. From art openings to book signings to vintage film screenings, CAAM has shone a fresh perspective on the rich traditions and legacy of African American art, history and culture.

On Friday, June 11, 2010, CAAM will set yet another precedent with the...more

Cleo Manago
Comments on
CNN's "Black or White: Kids on Race"
Let the Healing Begin, or Else!

Cleo Manago's commentaries are nationally acknowledged to consistently cut to the core, as he analyzes social propaganda and deconstructs cultural myths. A socio-political analyst, behavioral health researcher and expert, writer and popular spokesperson on the most controversial issues facing American health today, he returns once again to the forefront to grace us  with a biting observation on CNN's recent feature, "Black or White:  Kids on...more

Best-Selling Author Terrance Dean
Celebrates New Tribute Book
"Visible Lives"
Dedicated To The Late E. Lynn Harris

Tour Begins with
Two Special Los Angeles Book Signings

ESSENCE Magazine best-selling author Terrance Dean is celebrating in Los Angeles with two special book signings in conjunction with his latest release, "Visible Lives: Three Stories In Tribute To E. Lynn Harris" (Dafina Books - May 2010) .  "Visible Lives" is Dean's literary tribute to his friend and mentor, the late E. Lynn Harris...more

New Biography of Kingpin Ike Atkinson
Disputes Claims of Frank Lucas and "American Gangster" Movie

In April of 2007, 84-year old Ike Atkinson was released from federal prison after serving a 32-year prison term.  There were no cameras and little fanfare as the man deemed the biggest American drug kingpin ever to operate out of Asia was set free.  Atkinson, who operated the largest drug smuggling enterprise in the 1970s, never carried a gun, never committed murder and never bowed down to the infamous Italian La Cosa Nostra.   As...more

Jay King
Launches Music Workshop Series,
"Making Dollars and Sense Out of the New Music Business"

First event to be held in Beverly Hills, Saturday, June 19

On Saturday, June 19 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, musical master mind Jay King will present industry newbies with a roadmap for success with a new workshop entitled, "Making Dollars and Sense out of the New Music Business."  The recording legend and creative force behind such ground breaking groups as the Timex Social...more

"The Wire's" Wood Harris and Jamie Hector
Reunite in a Pulse-Pounding Film About
the Brutal Hip-Hop Industry
"Just Another Day"
 
Premiering on DVD, Blu-ray™ and Digital Download July 20

Two men are struggling on both ends of the volatile hip-hop scene:   one reaching for fame, the other desperately holding onto that precious notoriety.  During the course of 24 hours their paths will meet within the confines of this cutthroat and competitive industry. On July 20, Image Entertainment presents Just Another Day: a story of...more

Bluesman John Lee Hooker Jr.
Drops "Live in Istanbul, Turkey" CD
Releases New Animated Blues Video "Extramarital Affair"

There is something keenly energetic about a 'live' album. And when bluesman John Lee Hooker, Jr. shouts "Istanbul, are you ready for the blues?" at the onset of his newly released CD, "Live in Istanbul, Turkey" you can feel the electricity in the stadium. "Live in Istanbul, Turkey" on Hooker, Jr.'s own Steppin' Stone Records and the European label...more