Ebony articles from July 2008

Ebony archives from July 2008

A weight-loss challenge for a new you: a message from the president & ceo Linda Johnson Rice.(PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE)
July 1, 2008... It's no secret. We all know that excessive weight (mad the serious problems it can cause) is one of the most intractable issues in our community. In fact, African-Americans represent one of the largest percentages of people affected by more...

Making the cover.(BEHIND THE SCENES)(Serena Williams)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] When the EBONY editors began thinking about what July means to Black people, fun emerged as an all-time favorite idea. The warm weather really does become our clarion call for being outside enjoying friends and...

What's online in July.(EbonyJet.com)
July 1, 2008... From politics to travel to what's next in music, gadgets and culture from New York to Tokyo to Brazil and London, ebonyjet.com, the daily online magazine, brings you opinions that matter. You'll find unique voices with edge, humor and style,...

Chris Brown.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Regarding the article, "Between Two Worlds: Chris Brown Straddles Generations To Groom His Career" (June 2008), thanks EBONY for always giving us the hottest artist with the most positive message! After reading this...

Vanessa Williams. (LETTERS TO THE EDITOR).(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I just want to thank you for your article, "Vanessa Williams: Resilient Actress, Down-To-Earth Mother Redefines The 'Perfect' Family" (May 2008). She is a woman who has kept it together. I have been a fun of hers from the beginning. I felt so...

Two sides.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... Your "Two Sides: Do Men Really Fall For Those Weaves?" (May 2008), was great! I laughed (out loud). I reminisced, and I actually saw myself as a little girl when I was a child (more than 50 years ago in the South). It was the most accurate...

Guess who sells your weave?(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... Thanks for the article, "Guess Who Sells Your Weave?" (May 2008). The Korean-Americans have become dominant players in many types of small businesses such as dry cleaners, liquor stores, small grocery stores and hair salons, mainly because of...

Parenting.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... The article, "Parenting: Mothers Making A Difference" (May 2008), was inspirational, especially the part on Sheryl Lee Ralph. I, too, am an AIDS advocate, and after losing my son and two of his friends to AIDS, I have written a book, The...

Sisterspeak.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... Thanks so much for the Sisterspeak column, "Love Yourself First" (May 2008), by Dominique Dawes. It's hard to believe a pretty, petite, young woman who had enough inner confidence (in spite of the immense pressure!) to win the gold medal at the...

Janet Jackson.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... Rarely am I moved to write a letter to a publication to comment on an article. However, after reading your story, "Does Janet Still Have It?" (April 2008), on Janet Jackson, I felt compelled to write and tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed...

Indian blood.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I love you for doing the article, "What Does Indian Blood Look Like?" (April 2008), by Adrienne E Samuels and photography by Valerie Goodloe. I was conversing with friends recently, and we were talking about Indians and Black people. I had...

For brothers only.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I really wanted to comment on Anwan (Slim Charles) Glover's "For Brothers Only" column, "From The Streets To The Silver Screen" (April 2008). I feel that because of his life-changing experiences he is a talented man who can help me overcome my...

Ebony on the scene.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. In New York City, a young boy perched on his father's shoulders holds a sign as they march to protest the acquittal of the three New York Police Department detectives on all charges that stemmed from the November...

International affairs.(EBONY ON THE SCENE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. After the crash of a Congolese jetliner in Goma, a Congolese woman cries after seeing a family member at a morgue. The aircraft carrying 79 passengers and crew crashed on takeoff, careening off a runway into a...

Beverly Johnson showcases timeless beauty.(CENTER STAGE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Beverly Johnson has fronted more than 500 magazine covers and turned that appeal into multiple book deals, acting roles and successful business ventures. After more than 30 years in the fashion industry, she is still...

Mint Condition.(5 QUESTIONS FOR ...)(eLife)(Interview)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Finally! The modern-day Black band is back. Mint Condition, of "Pretty Brown Eyes" fame, is dropping a new album that's sure to be refreshing to the ears of R&B fans who are ready for good summertime music. On eLife,...

A spotlight on individuals who are moving onward & upward.(SPEAKING OF PEOPLE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] YVETTE NOEL-SCHURE Yvette Noel-Schure has done it all--as a journalist, publicist for some of entertainment's top artists and as a mother and wife. Now, 24 years into the entertainment game, she's the senior...

Small steps to a better life: add a little spice to your fitness and wellness regimen.(SISTERSPEAK)
July 1, 2008... As a restaurateur, food is my passion and a major part of my life. I am not "naturally" thin, so I work diligently to keep my weight under control. Many may wonder how I stay trim even though, as the owner of three restaurants, I'm always...

The sad truth about saggin' pants: emulating convicts can lead to prison mentality.(FOR BROTHERS ONLY)
July 1, 2008... We've all seen young Black men wearing white T-shirts and jeans sagging so low that their underwear was on display for all to see. And we've all shaken our heads and wondered what they were thinking, coming outside dressed like that. The sad...

Taking care of your smile means a better, healthier you: if I told you that gum disease could endanger your heart, would you see your dentist to get a checkup?(HOUSE CALL)
July 1, 2008... If I told you that gum disease could damage your kidneys, would you make an appointment to see if you have gum disease? Did you know that oral cancer can be managed or avoided if detected early? We already know that diabetes can contribute...

To the other woman: stop deceiving yourself and get on with your life.(EBONY ADVISOR)
July 1, 2008... There are many sensible single Sisters who would never get involved with a married man. But far too many openly and willingly accept the role of the "other woman." A common chorus sung by this sideline choir is that they are relieved that the...

When debt collectors call you may owe money but you still have rights.(MONEY TALKS)
July 1, 2008... The call came just before dinner. The woman asked me to confirm who I was. I responded: "You called me. How can I help you?" I was more than annoyed. The woman then said I had a past-due debt and needed to pay up. She told me the company and...

Lalah Hathaway.(SOUNDING OFF)(Self Portrait)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lalah Hathaway returns to the hearts of her fans with SELF PORTRAIT, which is released on the revived Stax Records and distributed by Concord Music. On the first single, the mid-tempo "Let Go," Hathaway frees...

Apollo heights.(SOUNDING OFF)(White Music for Black People)(Sound recording review)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's 3 a.m. in Japan and every member of Apollo Heights is wide awake. On a Web chat, guitarist Danny Chavis of the New York-based rock band breezes through Japanese phrases with band mate Hayato Nakao, who actually...

Cassandra Wilson.(ALSO NOTED)(Loverly)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ease into a laid-back summer groove with Cassandra Wilson's new recording of standards and you might just forget that it was ever cold. On Loverly (Blue Note), the consummate jazz vocalist varies the mood and tempo...

Marcus Shelby.(ALSO NOTED)(Harriet Tubman)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The life of historical figure Harriet Tubman (Noir Records) is chronicled brilliantly in music as composer, librettist and bassist Marcus Shelby's original oratorio. He adapted historian Kate Clifford Larson's 2004...

Ear Candy new releases.(SOUNDING OFF)(Brief article)(List)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] INCOGNITO Tales from the Beach Heads Up Records [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DONALD LAWRENCE INTRODUCES THE MURRILLS Family Prayer Zomba Gospel [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WAYMAN TISDALE ...

E. Lynn Harris returns with a sizzling new book, perfect for summer beach reading.(BOOKSHELF)(Interview)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] In his new novel, JUST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE (Doubleday, $23.95), bestselling author E. Lynn Harris returns to his roots with a story set in the very Atlanta beauty salons where he sold his first self-published books....

What's on your nightstand?(The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time)(Book review)(Brief review)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE END OF POVERTY: ECONOMIC POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR TIME by Jeffrey D. Sachs "I'm in the process of reading it and so far it's an eye-opener.

Can I Get a Witness.(TOP SHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In CAN I GET A WITNESS? (Pocket Books, $14), best-selling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley opens her court drama with an interesting twist: It's the divorce court judge who needs the divorce when she discovers her...

Moving Up: Dr. Sujay's Ten Steps to Turning Your Life Around and Getting to the Top.(TOP SHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
July 1, 2008... If self-improvement is on your summer to-do list, toss MOVING UP: DR. SUJAY'S TEN STEPS TO TURNING YOUR LIFE AROUND AND GETTING TO THE TOP (Doubleday, $19.95) into your beach bag. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, affectionately known as "Dr. Sujay,"...

Trading Dreams at Midnight.(HOT PICK)(Brief article)(Book review)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In TRADING DREAMS AT MIDNIGHT (HarperCollins, 824.95) by Dianne McKinney-Whetstone, the author returns with a compelling story of a family of women. In evocative prose, she re-creates the world of 1940s and 1950s...

Love Tornado.(HOT PICK)(Brief article)(Book review)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In LOVE TORNADO (Harlem Moon/Broadway Books, $12.95), R&B singer-turned-evangelist Dr. Mable John and David Ritz are back dishing up soul, wit and charm at the Stay Out of the Kitchen Health Food Care. The novel's...

Atlanta's National Black Arts Festival celebrates 20th anniversary.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... IN JULY, MANY ROADS WILL LEAD TO ATLANTA and the National Black Arts Festival. And that's by design, says the festival's executive director, Stephanie Hughley. She says initial feasibility studies pointed to Atlanta as the "mecca, our center of...

July: what's happening where?(TRAVEL GUIDE)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... CHICAGO * DuSable Museum 33rd Annual Arts & Crafts Festival. Washington Park. July 12-13. www.dusablemuseum.org * UNITY 2008 Journalists of Color convention. McCormick Place West. July 23-27. www.2008unity.org CINCINNATI *...

Step up: put your best foot forward with a spa-style pedicure.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)
July 1, 2008... Brothers--a word to the wise. Your best grooming advice for the summer season: Treat yourself to a professional pedicure. A little TLC can transform troubled toes, cracked heels and dry skin into fret-free feet ready to be revealed in sandals...

The travel guy.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... When choosing grooming essentials for a weekend getaway, business trip or family vacation, it's important to follow the rules for a hassle-free flight. Nothing of a liquid or gel-type consistency can go in your carry-on luggage (unless it's...

The travel girl.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... Whether you're going on a relaxing retreat or girls' getaway, planning a beauty and hair care regimen that meets airline regulations can be challenging. When large bottles and liquids were banned, throwing your shower gel and shampoo into a bag...

Skin soothers.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Yes, you, too, can get burned by the sun! "Fact is, sunburn in brown skin is more common than people realize," says Susan C. Taylor, M.D., creator of the skin care line Rx for Brown Skin. Women and men with medium or dark skin tones can suffer...

The great summer shootout.(TECH ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... The beach, the cookout, the family day at the park. Summer is here and it is time to start capturing those special moments. Now that film-based cameras are virtual antiques, digital cameras have become cheaper, more compact and offer many more...

Serena Williams: from grand slam tournaments to the Olympics in Beijing, tennis champ pushes summer fun to the next level.(Summer's BEST)(Interview)(Cover story)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From the romantic streets of Paris to the sunny beaches of Southern California, Serena Williams is poised for her busiest summer yet. In addition to competing in the Beijing Olympics this summer, the 26-year-old...

What I'm doing this summer.
July 1, 2008... Patti LaBelle, Singer Cruising in the Mediterranean. "We're going on a 10-day cruise to Greece. We're going all over in August. We're gonna cruise it out. And then I'm gonna probably end up loving sun. I have a home in Eleuthera...

Best beaches: visiting one of the country's great beaches is a wonderful way to enjoy the summer.(Summer's BEST)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... FAMILY: Biloxi/Gulfport Beach, Miss. Twenty-six miles of white sand beach along the Mississippi Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Alabama provide a haven for family fun and have recovered well from Hurricane Katrina three years ago. Easily...

Best day trips: pack away the BlackBerry and shut off your laptop. Think bonding with nature as you plan your eco-friendly outing.(Summer's Best Day Trips)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Porter, Ind. www.indianadunes.areaparks.com There's something special about the 25-mile stretch of bogs, wetlands, woods and beaches that lines the southern shore of Lake...

Best drinks: the icy-cool martini--shaken, not stirred, of course. A crisp, light French wine. A muscular amber ale from southeastern Colorado. Whatever your pleasure, here are a few beverages to help douse the heat as well as save the planet.(Summer's BEST Drinks)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... MARTINI: Greentini Going green's never been tastier. For the environmentally conscious, the Greentini is made from 100 percent organic 360 Vodka, made from local grains in Kansas and Missouri. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Greentini 2...

Best roller coasters: the anticipation of the climb, the look and then, finally, the fall--that's why we love to ride these coasters--for the thrill of it!(Summer's BEST Roller Coasters)(Directory)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Superman: Ride of Steel Six Flags New England, Springfield, Mass. www.sixflags.com/newengland You know those pictures they always take when you are on your way down on a roller coaster? If you ride the Superman,...

Best grill tips: to make the best of the backyard BBQ, start with a hot grill and a cool idea.(Summer's BEST Grill Tips)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BY AIR: Asian Chicken Kabobs TIP: For the juiciest kabobs, use thigh meat. The dark meat tends to hold its flavor and juices, particularly when seared at high heat. And if you use wood skewers rather than metal,...

Best festivals: from concerts to crawfish to deep-dish pizza, some of the best fun happens under the sun.(Summer's BEST Festivals)(Brief article)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MIAMI: Zo's Summer Groove, July 9-July 13, www.zsg.com Now entering its 12th year of celebration, Zo's Summer Groove invites you to party hard with NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning and his fellow Miamian Dwyane Wade...

Best accessories: the easiest way to update your look is to add the right style touches.(Summer's BEST Accessories)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sexy sunglasses Look glamorous wherever you go sporting the latest in eyewear fashion: oversized frames. Check out shades like Versace's exaggerated frames in copper for women ($339) or Prada's tortoise...

Best water parks: splashing around is a great way to cool down at these wet wonderlands.(Summer's BEST Water Parks)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wet 'n Wild, Orlando, Fla. www.wetnwildorlando.com There's more than Disney in Orlando. Check out this water park that features the "extreme tube ride" the "Brain Wash," where you fall through a 53-foot...

Black gold: Olympic hopefuls savor success.
July 1, 2008... These are not ordinary athletes. They are the best of the best. For some of them, this summer's 2008 Olympics in Beijing will be their third attempt at the coveted gold, silver or bronze medals. Others will be virgins to the worldwide...

Black & green: the new eco-warriors.
July 1, 2008... The legacy of activism and awareness that has been part of the African-American experience has found a familiar battlefront: planet Earth. Since the days of George Washington Carver, who in the late 1800s transformed the lowly peanut into...

Save money while saving the world: going green and staying economical.
July 1, 2008... With all that we have to worry about--subprime loans, $4/gallon gas, teen violence--why should Black folks go green? The truth is, a healthy environment directly affects your life, your family, your pocketbook and your community. Too...

Ebony celebrates outstanding women in marketing and communications.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] STRONG LEADERSHIP AND GOOD DEEDS SHOULD NEVER GO UNNOTICED. With this sentiment, Johnson Publishing Company President and CEO Linda Johnson Rice brought together 500 people to celebrate the achievements of 10...

Pajama party.(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Just because you're grown doesn't mean you can't have some old-school fun every now and then. Instead of talking on the phone for hours with your friends, host a pajama party, where you invite your girlfriends from...

It's all about losing the weight with excessive pounds and obesity ravaging the Black community, 5 families take charge of their lives and accept the 'Ebony/Jet weight-loss challenge'.(SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS: EBONY/JET CHALLENGE)
July 1, 2008... When besieged by a crisis, it is not a time for us to mince words. So let me be transparently honest. We are killing ourselves and don't even realize it. I'm not talking about homicidal killings, for they are no comparison to the death toll...

The epidemic of too much weight: if you're overweight, you need to lose those excess pounds--now!
July 1, 2008... Let's be honest. Most of us eat too much and exercise too little. No wonder, then, that obesity in America is a major public health problem. In recent decades, obesity has increased among men, women and children, across all age groups and...

Shoefetish: the right athletic shoe will amp up your workout.(SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTH & FITNESS: WORKING OUT)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All gym shoes are not created equal--especially if you're stepping up your workout. Walkers need a walking shoe. Runners need a running shoe. In court sports (like tennis or basketball), players need a court sport...

Eating lite to get your body right.(Recipe)
July 1, 2008... Eating is one of the basic pleasures of life, and with so many weight-related conditions plaguing our community, it is important that we understand the role food plays in health and disease. By combining a balanced diet and regular exercise,...

A shooter's story: as one accused gunman faces his day in court, a former drug dealer reveals the street culture that is killing our children.(Carail Weeks and Parker Turner)
July 1, 2008... Twenty-six-year-old Carail Weeks is young, male, Black and facing life in prison. Police allege that on March 3, 2006, Weeks shot and killed Starkesia Reed, a 14-year-old honor student who lived in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago...

From the cradle to prison: violence is not just killing our kids, but incarcerating them younger and longer.
July 1, 2008... Each day in America, 4,302 children are arrested--locked up at such a high rate that a Black boy born in 2001 has a 1 in 3 chance, and a Black girl a 1 in 17 chance, of going to prison in his or her lifetime. For decades it has been known...

Parents find purpose in their pain: our children didn't die in vain.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Blair Holt was riding the bus on his way home from school. Willie Williams III was leaving a movie theater at a popular shopping mall. Siretha White was attending her birthday party at her aunt's home. All three,...

Uncommon ground: across the country, Africans and African-Americans still struggle to come together.
July 1, 2008... Mohamed Adam came to the United States 12 years ago fleeing ethnic and tribal clashes in his native Somalia that turned the East African country into a civil war zone. He never imagined when he arrived in America that cultural conflict...

Cuba and color: in a country where nationalism trumps race, bigotry and discrimination still complicate the lives of Cubans of African descent.
July 1, 2008... HAVANA -- In the center of this historic bustling city, Brothers with cornrows wearing Tommy Hilfiger shirts and baggy jeans dart between crowded buses and old American cars. A shapely woman with cinnamon-colored skin exposed to the sun strolls...

Should parents tell children of past indiscretions? No They don't need a play-by-play of all the stupid things you did.
July 1, 2008... You have more to lose than gain by telling your children that you did drugs when you were young. I'm not saying don't ever tell them; I'm saying that you don't have to tell them until they become adults (or very close to it). If you feel...

Should parents tell children of past indiscretions? Yes. Embrace the authenticity of self-disclosure.
July 1, 2008... Last December, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama spoke to a group of high school students in New Hampshire about his prior drug use. Many foolishly criticized Obama, including Republican candidate Mitt Romney, believing that...

Family reconnection: non-custodial parents can bridge the void--and be there for their children.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Celeste Chappell-Bates and her son, Christian, enjoy hanging out when they are together. They play Wii in the living room, watch movies on the sofa and attend church on Sundays together. They just don't live...

Strictly for laughs.(Cartoon)
July 1, 2008... "I can't talk right now. I'm taking the bar exam." [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] "It looks exactly like the picture in the recipe book, except for the burnt parts." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Barely there: sexy suits make way for sultry summer skin.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Now that you've gotten your body ready for warm weather fun and the beach, update your summer look with the season's hottest swimwear options. If you are daring and have the body to pull it off, consider one of these skin-baring designs offered...

Tomato teasers.(Recipe)
July 1, 2008... Tomatoes--loaded with vitamins, minerals and the antioxidant lycopene--are the main ingredient in thousands of dishes. Incredibly, there are more than 4,000 varieties of tomatoes, ranging from the small cherry tomato to the giant Ponderosa...

Memorable photo.(Photograph)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: In Paarl, South Africa (near Cape Town), Nelson Mandela and wife Winnie raised clenched fists in celebration after he was released from Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990. The African National...