Ebony articles from December 2007

Ebony archives from December 2007

Michael's return & spotlight on Africa: a message from the President & CEO Linda Johnson Rice.(PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE)
December 1, 2007... No matter what you might think about Michael Jackson's personal life, the general consensus is that, as an entertainer, he is perhaps the best and most exciting performer in music history. That belief is supported by the multitude of accolades...

A spotlight on individuals who are moving onward & upward.(SPEAKING OF PEOPLE)
December 1, 2007... UBONG ITUEN [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the new vice president of Global Brand Strategy for McDonald's, Ubong Ituen is joining a long list of high-paid, Black corporate globetrotters. That means she's helping to create Mickey Ds'...

Making the cover.(BEHIND THE SCENES)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Just about everybody has a clear memory of their first encounter with Michael Jackson. I fell in love with his music back when I was in elementary school and "ABC" had just hit the airwaves. The sound was unique, and the moment--for me--was...

Ebony on the scene.(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [1] At "A Royal Celebration" to highlight the birthday of actress Lisa Raye McCoy-Misick, well-wishers included entertainer Bobby Brown. The Beverly Hills affair was arranged by McCoy-Misick's husband, the Honorable...

International affairs.(EBONY ON THE SCENE)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] 1. In Old Havana, Cuba, a Cuban model wears a unique creation during a fashion show commemorating the anniversary of the Handmade Paper Workshop. 2. In Johannesburg, South Africa, demonstrators participate in an...

Alicia Keys.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the article, "Alicia Bares Her Soul: Her Six-Year, Secret Romance, Why She Was On The Edge Of Burnout and How She Has Learned To Say No!" (Nov. 2007), refreshing, classy and dignified do not begin to de scribe...

Rene Syler.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... I fell in love with Rene Syler when she was here at Birmingham's NBC 13, and I followed her career when she went to CBS' The Early Show. I was glad to see her in the article, "Imperfect Supermom" (Oct. 2007), because Birmingham loves Rene. ...

The business of fashion.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... I must say how much I enjoyed reading the September issue of EBONY, beginning with the cover story, "The Business Of Fashion With Tyra, Iman, Kimora & Alek." It's been a long time since I was able to read EBONY page for page. It's nice to see...

'I am not white'.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... Thank you for printing Ytasha L. Womack's article, "I Am Not White: Light-Skinned Blacks Defend Their Identity" (Aug. 2007). Like civil rights attorney Wendell Freeland, my grandfather was an Aryan-looking man who could pass for any European...

Living with Lupus.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2007... I would personally like to thank you and the author, Shirley Henderson, for the article, "Living With Lupus" (July 2007). I have been battling this systemic disease for seven years now, and it has been a hard row to hoe. But I have learned to...

Aaron Douglas: African American Modernist.(Art Lovers)(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2007... Aaron Douglas, who combined angular Cubist rhythms and seductive Art Deco dynamism with traditional African and Black imagery, has long been known for his contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and American modernism in general. Now, his work...

Other People's Skin: Four Novellas.(Shades of Black)(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In OTHER PEOPLE'S SKIN: FOUR NOVELLAS (Atria Books, $14), edited by Tracy Price-Thompson and TaRessa Stovall, four prominent African-American female writers come together in an anthology to grapple with the...

One Drop: My Father's Hidden Life--a Story of Race and Family Secrets.(Shades of Black)(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2007... In ONE DROP: MY FATHER'S HIDDEN LIFE--A STORY OF RACE AND FAMILY SECRETS (Little, Brown and Co., $24.99), Bliss Broyard recounts her extraordinary journey to piece together her father's history--and her own newfound heritage. A month before his...

Daughters of Men: Portraits of African-American Women and Their Fathers.(Shades of Black)(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2007... In DAUGHTERS OF MEN: PORTRAITS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN AND THEIR FATHERS (Amistad/HarperCollins, $27.95), author Rachel Vassel shines the spotlight on Black fathers, who have played an enduring role in the lives of their daughters, including...

My Life In and Out of a Helmet: the Bus.(Sports Fans)(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2007... Most football fans know Jerome Bettis as a six-time Pro Bowler, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and Super Bowl champion. Before his retirement in 2006, Bettis helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win their...

Quiet Strength: the Principles, Practices & Priorities of a Winning Life.(Sports Fans)(Brief article)(Book review)
December 1, 2007... In QUIET STRENGTH: THE PRINCIPLES, PRACTICES & PRIORITIES OF A WINNING LIFE (Tyndale, $26.99), Tony Dungy, with Nathan Whitaker, reveals the secrets to his success. In this touching memoir, the head coach of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis...

Third World Press celebrates 40th anniversary.(BOOKSHELF)
December 1, 2007... THIRD WORLD PRESS one of the oldest Black-owned publishing houses In the nation, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Founded in 1967 In the basement of an apartment building by Chicago State University distinguished professor Haki R,...

How to read the bible: 10 simple tips can help you get the most out of "the word".(LISTEN)
December 1, 2007... IT'S 66 BOOKS IN ONE. It contains sweeping epics, riveting love stories, great poetry and deep kernels of wisdom. It's a "whodunit" mystery complete with a surprise ending. It has insight into the great questions of life. It discusses slavery...

Cuba Gooding Jr.: still passionate about his craft.(CENTER STAGE)(Interview)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] No one forgets the characters Cuba Gooding Jr. plays. Distinguished and versatile, Gooding can play for laughs, for thrills, or for tears. This has been a busy year for the actor--he has four notable projects...

5 questions for ... KeKe Palmer.(Interview)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KeKe Palmer's show-stopping abilities began at age 5 when she belted out "Jesus Loves Me" in front of her family's church congregation. Born Lauren Keyana Palmer 14 years ago in Robbins (outside Chicago), Palmer...

Sisters at the crossroads: take control of your life and move forward with purpose.(SISTERSPEAK)
December 1, 2007... There comes a point in every woman's life when she purposely pauses along her path to deeply ponder: What do I have to show for all I've been through? Am I on the right path? Is this the life I truly want for myself? Whether she is...

Luther.(SOUNDING OFF)(Love, Luther)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LUTHER VANDROSS--Love, Luther is a great holiday gift for almost perhaps everybody) on your gift list. The four-CD box set offers a retrospective on the life and career of the beloved balladeer who died in 2005....

Boyz II Men.(SOUNDING OFF)(Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Where do you go after being one of the best-selling R&B male recording groups ever.,' Back to your musical roots if you are Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman the silky-voiced members of BOYZ II MEN....

Also noted.(SOUNDING OFF)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... NEW RELEASES WILL DOWNING After Tonight Peak Records [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SHIRLEY CAESAR After 40 Years... Still Sweeping Through the City Light Records [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SHAGGY ...

Jay-Z generates excitement with the release of his new recording, American Gangster (Roc-A-Fella), which offers new original material that is described as a "lyrical interpretation of snapshots" from the movie American Gangster, which stars Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.(SOUNDING OFF)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)(Video recording review)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] JAY-Z generates excitement with the release of his new recording, American Gangster (Roc-A-Fella), which offers new original material that is described as a "lyrical interpretation of snapshots" from the movie...

What to do if someone is having a heart attack: if you are prepared to deal with the unexpected, you can save a life.(HOUSE CALL)
December 1, 2007... Perhaps one of the most frightening and stressful situations one can encounter is to witness someone having a heart attack--whether at home or in public--and not knowing what to do to help. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Being faced with this...

Expert advice on relationships: Doctor Joyce answers your questions about marriage and dating.(EBONY ADVISOR)
December 1, 2007... Q I hope you can help me with my confusion. I have known a particular man for four years. We have been on a date only once. I don't know for sure where he stays, and I only have his cell number. We only talk about three times a week and...

December: what's happening where?(TRAVEL GUIDE)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ATLANTA * The 81st Annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert. Martin Luther King Jr. Interdenominational Chapel, Nov. 30 & Dec. 2; Sisters Chapel, Dec. 1. * Annual Holiday Tours of Dr. King's birth...

All I want for Christmas is to stay out of debt.(MONEY TALKS)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I hate Christmas," declares a 30-something Realtor, who requested that her name not be used to cloak the shame she feels will befall her if her family knows how she really feels about their holiday demands. She...

It's not only 'the Jena 6': you could be next! Georgetown University professor and author of Know What I Mean? Reflections On Hip Hop delivers a warning.(FOR BROTHERS ONLY)
December 1, 2007... It would be a tragic mistake to think that the plight of the Black male youths in Jena, La.--dubbed "the Jena 6"--is a unique one. There are many lessons that young Brothers around the country can learn from the Jena 6. First, the...

Holiday stocking stuffers: wake up your loved ones to these great treats.(ESSENTIALS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We made our list (and checked it twice) to find perfect presents for the loved ones in your life, A giant gift is not what it's all about, As these stocking stuffers prove, it truly is the little things that count,...

Fabulous finds for your Sister circle.(ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... [1] Snake Bracelet $75, metmuseum.org/store [2] Banana Republic Winter Scented Candle $24, bananarepublic.com. [3] Catherine Rapetti Gold Clutch $330, catherinerapetti.com [4] Foot Petals Tip Toes in Cheetah and Zebra $7,...

Make merry with these must-haves for the men in your life.(ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... [1] Nautica green / cream scarf, 100 percent wool $40.00, www.macys.com [2] Ermenegildo Zegna Striped Leather Belt $195, Ermenegildo Zegna boutiques [3] Croc Embossed Wine Opener $35, redenvelope.com [4] Twisting Leaf Graphite...

Holiday essentials for the style conscious man.(ESSENTIALS)
December 1, 2007... Fornay's Tips: These 10 style and grooming tips will help you to look your best throughout the season--at work and at play! [1] FACE FACTS Ingrown hairs, razor bumps and tough beards can wreck a hug and a kiss. Kiehl's "Close Shavers"...

Holiday gift guide: affordable goodies all under $100.
December 1, 2007... Make everyone on your holiday gift list happy without blowing your budget. This season EBONY found great gift options for your friends and family, from infants to teens and beyond. We discovered edible treats, Afrocentric treasures, home decor...

Michael: the thrill is back: twenty-five years after the record-breaking Thriller album, the king of pop shares a rare glimpse into his creativity, where he has been and where he is headed next.(Michael Jackson)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] They call him "Mr. Jackson." Dressed in black, a confident, mature Michael Jackson directs his staff', guides his child and peers over the reading glasses perched on the edge of his finely chiseled nose. ...

Q&A: Michael Jackson in his own words.(Interview)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sitting on the sofa next to Michael Jackson, you quickly look past the enigmatic icon's light, almost translucent skin and realize that this African-American legend is more than just skin deep. More than an...

An unfamiliar Africa.(EBONY IN AFRICA)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AN EBONY SPECIAL REPORT Say the word "Africa" and, for most Americans, it conjures up images of war, genocide, famine, HIV/AIDS and political corruption. Sure, those problems exist, But there is another Africa...

The Africa you don't know: there is much more to the motherland than negative media highlights.(EBONY IN AFRICA)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nigerian journalist Gbemisola Olujobi likes to tell the story of how on a recent trip from Lagos to Washington, D.C., she passed the time at Dulles Airport engaging in small talk with an airport employee. "I hear...

Africa: what every black person should know.(EBONY IN AFRICA)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AFRICA, THE MOTHERLAND AND CRADLE OF HUMANITY, has a history as varied and as rich as her natural resources. Scientific evidence confirms that early man walked eastern and southern Africa as many as 3 million years...

'We are all Africans': genealogical research and DNA testing can reveal your ethnic connection to Africa.(EBONY IN AFRICA)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THINK of the Whitest person you know: someone with blond hair, blue eyes and almost translucent skin, not a drop of Black ancestry in them. Now think of the darkest person you know: someone richly endowed with...

A conversation with former president William Jefferson Clinton in Africa--and about Africa: since leaving the White House, he continues to focus on the continent.(EBONY IN AFRICA)(Interview)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Earlier this year, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, heading a delegation of the William J. Clinton Foundation, made what has now become an annual humanitarian trip to four African countries. The nine-day tour...

What's your Africa IQ? Find out what you know by answering the following questions.(EBONY IN AFRICA)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. WHAT 2006 ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING MOVIE BECAME THE FIRST MAINSTREAM MOTION PICTURE TO BE FILMED ENTIRELY ON LOCATION IN UGANDA? a. Blood Diamond b. Babel c. Pirates of the Caribbean d. The Last...

Why we celebrate--or don't celebrate Kwanzaa: for many African-Americans, post-Christmas holiday is filled with joy, confusion and ambivalence.
December 1, 2007... KWANZAA, THE SEVEN-DAY AFROCENTRIC spiritual festival, turns 41 this month. Since its inception by founder Maulana Karenga in 1966, many faithful celebrants have lit the kinara while espousing the Nguzo saba (Seven principles) of Kwanzaa. ...

Prepare 4 takeoff: travel light with these carry-ons that carry all!(BEAUTY & STYLE)(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Surviving the hustle and bustle of the holiday travel season is no easy feat. But spending time with loved ones from near and far makes any daunting experience worthwhile. Whether you are trekking by plane, train, or...

Strictly for laughs.(Cartoon)
December 1, 2007... "It's about time they got around to us." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "He looks like a hostile witness to me." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I keep telling you that you need glasses, Earl!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Love in black & white: Janet Langhart and Bill Cohen speak out on racism and interracial marriages.
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spending time with Bill Cohen and Janet Langhart is to be immersed in a great American love story--but also into a frank, sometimes emotional discussion on race and politics and interracial relationships in America....

Should celebrity athletes/entertainers be role models? No. I'll say it again--athletes/entertainers should not be role models.(TWO SIDES)
December 1, 2007... I am not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids." That was the message of the Nike...

Should celebrity athletes/entertainers be role models? Yes. They are whether they want to be or not.(TWO SIDES)
December 1, 2007... For professional athletes, whether we like it or not, there is always someone, some child or other person, who admires us for what we do and what we say. We have a way of impacting lives. It's fortunate and it's unfortunate, because a parent...

Patent leather & lovely.(FASHION FAIR)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Glossy patent leather has been on the fashion scene for decades, but it is no longer just for shoes--for little girls or churchgoing women. And today's patent leather is not necessarily your mother's. This season, patent leather is making a...

The ultimate holiday experience: celebrate the season with some delectable dishes.(DATE WITH A DISH)(Recipe)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the midst of all the holiday fun and cheer, food continues to be at the center of the celebration. The menus vary, but the best holiday dinner combines familiar and unexpected pleasures. During this holiday...

Toy stories: parents can find entertaining toys that reflect the child's culture--and are made in the USA.(PARENTING)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With toy safety now becoming an even bigger concern for parents, selecting Christmas toys this year may present even more challenges to fulfill that holiday wish list. According to the Center for Consumer Product...

Cardio kickboxing: an effective way to spice up your winter workout.(BODY TALK)
December 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dorothy Bryant says she can deliver a pretty good side kick and back kick with little effort these days. And she's not bad with an uppercut and a jab: No, she is not a martial arts expert or a boxer. She is a...

Memorable photo.(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... In Nairobi, Kenya During independence celebrations in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta became the first prime minister of Kenya. A year later, on December 12, 1964, Kenya became a republic, and Kenyatta served as the president until he died on...