Ebony articles from June 2006

Ebony archives from June 2006

A message from the president & CEO.(CELEBRATING BLACK MUSIC MONTH)
June 1, 2006... IN this era of iPods and MP3s, there is perhaps no more integral part of our lives than music--whether it be R&B, gospel, blues, classical, hip-hop, rap or jazz. Imagine, if you can, that the soundtrack of our lives had no Luther, no Aretha, no...

The insider.(photographing five top African American musicians)
June 1, 2006... IT required hours and hours of skillful telephone work, diligent planning, intricate coordination, and an abundance of charm and patience to make it happen-but when it all came together, it was an incredible, adrenaline-generating experience....

Speaking of people.(FRONT ROW)(Jimmie Walton Paschall and Marsha E. Williams)
June 1, 2006... RONALD A. WILLIAMS is the first Black CEO of Aetna Inc., one of the nation's largest health insurers. Williams joined Aetna as executive vice president and chief of health operations in 2001, and was named president in the spring of 2002. He...

On the scene.(FRONT ROW)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... IN NEW ORLEANS (above, I. to r.), New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, U.S. Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-La.), the Rev. Jesse Jackson, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas), the Rev. Al Sharpton and National Urban League president Marc Morial form the...

Angela Bassett.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Thank you for the wonderful article, "Angela Bassett Talks About Love, Marriage, The Twins & Joys of Motherhood" (May 2006). I was so happy to see the wonderful group of photographs of one of my favorite actresses. I still believe she should...

Black college queens.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... In the feature, "Black College Queens" (April 2006), Shayna Y. Rudd, the campus queen at Howard University, was not included. The Philadelphia native, who hopes for a career in the arts, is involved with the Howard University Student...

Coretta Scott King.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Thank you for the great article "Remembering Coretta Scott King" (April 2006), on the legendary woman of the Civil Rights Movement. She had carried on the spirit and hope of her late husband's fight for freedom so many years, and she has earned...

Female pilots.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Thank you so much for the article, "Flying High With Female Pilots" (April 2006). It thrilled my heart to see those women seated in the cockpit of those airplanes. When I was younger, I had a desire to become an airplane pilot. There was a...

Body talk.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... As I read the Body Talk column, "Yes, You Can Lose Those Pounds And Inches" (March 2006), I was compelled to write and tell all the EBONY staff thank you for such an informative article. I am living proof that you can win the overweight...

Richard Pryor.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Thank you for the memorable article, "Remembering The Genius of Richard Pryor" (Feb. 2006). However, I was very disappointed not to see the entire cover devoted to him. You were right; he was a genius, though flawed, as are we all. ...

Memorable moments in black history.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Thanks for the article, "Memorable Moments in Black History (1945-2005)," in your February 2006 issue. However, it would be wonderful if you included in your future articles, the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, organized on...

Ebony salute.(LETTERS to the editor)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Just a note from a fan to say what a wonderful job you all have done with the magazine. The pictures and articles make me want to continue reading. So, as a fan, I want to say please don't change. For 34 years of my life, the magazine has...

Father's Day: a time to celebrate dads.
June 1, 2006... THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (Amistad, $25.95) by Chris Gardner, with Quincy Troupe, is the riveting story of a man who triumphs over tremendous obstacles to achieve success. At the age of 20, Milwaukee native Gardner, just out of the U.S. Navy,...

Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, And Redemption of The Black Athlete.(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In FORTY MILLION DOLLAR SLAVES: THE RISE, FALL, AND REDEMPTION OF THE BLACK ATHLETE (Crown, $23.95), veteran New York Times reporter William C. Rhoden deconstructs the Black athlete in an explosive and absorbing discussion of race,...

How To Kill Your Boyfriend.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In HOW TO KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND (IN 10 EASY STEPS) (Strebor Books, $14), D.V. Bernard takes a break from his usual serious subject matter and entertains readers with a humorous, intriguing tale of two women who get caught up in a journey of...

Chosen People.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In CHOSEN PEOPLE (Avon Trade, $12.95), Karen Grigsby Bates returns with the second book in the acclaimed Alex Powell mystery series. It's the story of a savvy reporter, several murders, and Los Angeles high-society in a fast-paced story that...

Before The Legend: The Rise of Bob Marley.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In BEFORE THE LEGEND: THE RISE OF BOB MARLEY (Amistad, $21.95), journalist Christopher John Farley goes beyond the myth to reveal Marley's private side, drawing on interviews from those closest to Marley and information that has not been...

Harlem's Dragon.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In HARLEM'S DRAGON (Strebor Books, $13), David Rivera Jr. writes a highly charged erotic thriller that's filled with inspired plot twists and uncompromising realisms.

Messengers: Portraits of African American Ministers, Evangelists, Gospel Singers, and Other Messengers of "The Word".(ALSO NOTED )(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In MESSENGERS: PORTRAITS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MINISTERS, EVANGELISTS, GOSPEL SINGERS, AND OTHER MESSENGERS OF "THE WORD" (Doubleday, $29.95), David Ritz and photographer Nicola Goode pay tribute to evangelists, gospel singers and ministers.

Passion, Betrayal And Killer Highlights.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In PASSION, BETRAYAL AND KILLER HIGHLIGHTS (Red Dress Ink, $21.95), Kyra Davis returns with her signature chick-lit and thriller genres. Mystery writer cum amateur detective Sophie Katz is surprised, but not saddened, to discover that her...

Tangled Roots.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In TANGLED ROOTS (Sepia, $13.95), Angela Henry returns with her unforgettable heroine Kendra Clayton, a part-time English teacher and reluctant sleuth, who finds herself persuaded to search for a killer in order to clear a friend's name.

Drama is Her Middle Name.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In DRAMA IS HER MIDDLE NAME (Harlem Moon, $10.95), radio personality Wendy Williams takes readers on a roller coaster ride through flashbacks of the rise and fall of her alter ego Ritz Harper. She involves her listeners by calling on them to...

Black Gold of The Sun: Searching for Home in Africa and Beyond.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In BLACK GOLD OF THE SUN: SEARCHING FOR HOME IN AFRICA AND BEYOND (Pantheon, $23), Ekow Eshun writes a life-affirming memoir about belonging, identity and hope that reveals the atavistic and historical connections between the West and Africa.

He Talk Like A White Boy: Reflections on Faith, Family Politics, and Authenticity.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... In HE TALK LIKE A WHITE BOY: REFLECTIONS ON FAITH, FAMILY POLITICS, AND AUTHENTICITY (Running Press, $22.95), actor Joseph C. Phillips presents a series of funny and thought-provoking essays that examine the simple fact that authenticity is far...

Urban Suicide: The Enemy we Choose Not to See.(ALSO NOTED)(Book review)(Brief review)
June 1, 2006... In URBAN SUICIDE: THE ENEMY WE CHOOSE NOT TO SEE (Amber Books, $14.95), Melvin B. Blackman weaves a cautionary tale about the impact of drug abuse on Black America.

Sarah Jones: one woman goes Broadway.(CENTER STAGE)
June 1, 2006... YOU can call it a friend in high places or simply having a guardian angel. Either way, playwright/poet/actress Sarah Jones, already acclaimed and building an audience, soared to stratospheric heights after legendary Academy Award-winning...

5 questions for: Chris Brown.(FRONT ROW)(Interview)
June 1, 2006... AT the tender age of 16, he took the world by storm with his it single "Run It" But since the release of his self-titled debut album, he has been the one who's running things in the music world. All the way from Tappahannock, Va., the teen R&B...

Music: the rhythm of life.(Sister speak)
June 1, 2006... MUSIC has always been an important part of my life and integral to my well-being. While I was growing up in Tennessee, my father (in addition to his night job) ran an appliance sales and repair business that doubled as a record shop. As I...

The Isley Brothers: five decades of soul and seduction.(Sounding Off)(Baby Makin' Music)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... WITH BABY MAKIN' MUSIC (Def Soul/Island), The Isley Brothers featuring Ronald Isley (and bassist Ernie Isley) is making history. The recording continues the unparalleled history of a group that has appeared on the music charts for each of the...

What's hot!(Unappreciated)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The R&B quartet CHERISH represents Atlanta to the fullest on its new release Unappreciated (Sho'Nuff/Capitol). Sisters Farrah (22), Neosha (20), and twins Felisha and Fallon (18) penned most of the songs on the recording, which has a variety of...

Artist spotlight.(Sounding Off)(Director)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The search for the next genuine contemporary R&B artist is over. Avant, 27, who first debuted with My Thoughts in 2000, is the answer for those who have longed for Marvin Gaye and surprise rose bouquets, which is what Avant promises in "This is...

Also noted:.
June 1, 2006... The Best of Lou Rawls (Capitol); BEN E. KING, I've Been Around (True Life); BILLY GRIFFIN, Like Water (RNB); LIQUID SOUL, One-Two Punch (Telarc); ODEAN POPE SAXOPHONE CHOIR, Locked & Loaded (Half Note Records); PAMELA WILLIAMS, Elixir...

Blood clots and travel.(House Call: Expert Advice on Health and Fitness)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Q For years, my husband and I have wanted to take a trip to Hawaii. but we a For years, my husband and I have wanted to take a trip to Hawaii, have some concerns because of the length of the flight. I've heard that some people who take extended...

Body mass index.(House Call: Expert Advice on Health and Fitness)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Q With so much attention being paid to weight these days, I've noticed that doctors are putting more focus on the Body Mass Index (BMI). What exactly is it? R.N., Minneapolis A You are correct about more attention being paid to...

Glowing flashlights.(Ebony Essentials)(Pelican Products)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... PELICAN[TM] PRODUCTS introduces glow-in-the-dark versions of their most popular flashlights. The special material in the lens ring maintains a charge from exposure to ambient light from almost any source. (www.pelican.com) [ILLUSTRATION...

Compact media center.(Ebony Essentials)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Mustek's PVR-H160 PERSONAL MEDIA CENTER has 60 gigabytes of internal memory and can hold up to 180 hours of video, 15,000 MP3 compatible songs and thousands of digital photos. (www.mustek.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tech-savvy sets.(Ebony Essentials)
June 1, 2006... * EBONY WEB BONUS! PLANTRONICS[R] PULSAR[TM] 590 SERIES BLUETOOTH[R] STEREO HEADSET allows you to make calls and enjoy wireless stereo listening on laptops, PCs, TVs, DVD and MP3 players. (www.plantronics.com) For an opportunity to receive...

Garden grooming.(Ebony Essentials)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The GARDEN GROOM is a hedge trimmer that cuts, shreds and deposits into a unique collection unit. It is available in two sizes, the larger Garden Groom Max and the smaller Midi. (www.gardengroom.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Stylish shades.(Ebony Essentials)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... RAY-BAN SUNGLASSES from Sunglass Hut features ultraviolet protective lenses and a silver wire frame with grey graduated lenses. (www.sunglasshut.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Smooth shaving time.(Ebony Essentials)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Caswell-Massey's 1752 Grooming Collection features the SMOOTH OPERATOR set that comes with Pre-Shave Oil, Shave Cream, After-Shave Balm, Face IT Treatment Mask, towel and a badger-and-bristle-hair shave brush. (www.caswellmaseey.com) ...

What's happening where! June.(TRAVEL GUIDE)(Calendar)
June 1, 2006... ATLANTA * 100 Black Men of America annual national conference. Omni Hotel at CNN Center. June 7-11. * Power Networking Annual Networking Training Conference. Hyatt-Regency downtown. June 14-18. * Real Men Cook. June 18. 2006...

Acquiring business capital.(Money Talks)
June 1, 2006... GETTING the necessary capital to start a business is one of the biggest problems potential entrepreneurs have to face, especially minorities and women. African-Americans are among the group that's more likely to start a new business this year,...

'The celebrity trap'.(For Brothers Only)
June 1, 2006... If you asked 10 Black boys who they look up to, what answers would you get? A hip-hop star? An actor? An athlete? Perhaps. Or would you get the name of someone who actually knows their name, like their father, their teacher, their Boy Scout...

Ebony's top Black high school seniors.
June 1, 2006... THE top Black seniors of 2006 have excelled and are top-ranked in their classes. While maintaining stellar grades, they find the time to serve their communities and remain actively involved in various extracurricular activities. Their multiple...

Top bachelors of the year.
June 1, 2006... ARE you looking for a man who is a lover and a friend? One of these 26 single and sexy men may be a just what the doctor ordered. The men--including athletes, actors, entertainers, doctors, lawyers, bankers and teachers--are looking for a...

Bruce Gordon takes charge: new leader of the NAACP brings a new style to the historic organization.
June 1, 2006... STEP into Bruce Gordon's office at the Baltimore headquarters of the NAACP, and it soon becomes obvious that the organization, historically led by preachers, politicians and activists, is under new management, and a new management style. ...

The fatherhood connection: celebrity dads combine parenting and fame.
June 1, 2006... WILL SMITH & LUDACRIS Actors/Rappers Rappers-turned-actors Will Smith and Ludacris are also dutiful dads when not creating great music and starring in memorable movies roles. Smith, with daughter Willow, 6, and son Jaden, 8, and Ludacris,...

Strictly for laughs.(Comic)(Cartoon)
June 1, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: "Let's start with the facts of life, Joey. How much money do you have?" "I hope this won't take long, officer. I'm already late for my luncheon with the police commissioner's wife." "I don't want to...

Eric Benet's voyage for India: singer-songwriter is balancing stardom and fatherhood.
June 1, 2006... THE only thing that singer-songwriter Eric Benet loves more than making music is spending time with his 14-year-old daughter, India. For him, she is like the air--essential for living. She is his inspiration, his muse, and the very reason...

From boys to men to fatherhood: three dads highlight the importance of being there for their children.(Parenting)
June 1, 2006... NOWHERE is the absent father more painfully obvious than in the African-American community. The cycle of fatherlessness continues to plague the Black family structure. An estimated 24 million children live in a home where the father is not...

B.B. King rolls on: for 100 nights a year, the 80-year-old blues legend still proves that the thrill is not gone.
June 1, 2006... IT'S 7 p.m.--in the middle of the desert, in the middle of the week--and more than 5,000 people from all walks of life have gathered for one purpose. To see an 80-year-old man play his guitar and sing the blues. But he's not just any...

Get ready, get set, get married! Facing your wedding day with beauty & style.(BEAUTY & STYLE)
June 1, 2006... WITH all eyes on the beautiful bride, she's got to have the perfect dress, flowers and, of course, the perfect groom. But one small detail is vital to make it a truly picture-perfect day--radiant skin. So before taking the wedding vows,...

The Hollywood shuffle: why so many celebrity couples are splitting up.
June 1, 2006... THANK God for Denzel and Pauletta. As celebrity marriages go, the Washingtons have one of the more enduring unions, lasting 23 years--practically an anomaly among high-profile celebrity marriages. While it is no secret that keeping a celebrity...

The perfect time for tarts.(DATE WITH A DISH)
June 1, 2006... Now that warmer weather has arrived, the time is right for tarts--those easy-to-make, sweet and savory delicacies that are perennial palate-pleasers. Tarts, which can be presented hot, cold or at room temperature, are so versatile that they can...

Selecting the right personal trainer: the correct choice can lead to a more productive workout.(BODY TALK)
June 1, 2006... MOST Hollywood heartthrobs, pop princesses and world-class Olympic athletes have one so that they can maintain their chiseled six-packs, shapely figures and toned physiques. No, it's not just in the genes; many times it's a personal trainer who...

Young, gifted and Black students thrive despite the odds.
June 1, 2006... NINE-year-old Michael Antonio Alexander, an extremely bright youngster who absorbs books beyond his years and who is inspiring others with his gift of oratory, already has a four-year scholarship worth $60,000 to Lambuth University waiting on...

Resort wear.(EBONY FASHION FAIR: SUMMER 2006)
June 1, 2006... Don't be concerned about what to take on your spring or summer resort vacation this year. European and American designers have it all mapped out for you. Spruce up your resort wardrobe with a snazzy minidress with a dazzling Pucci pattern such...

Sisters in ministry friends for life: these women of God exhibit a special kind of bond.
June 1, 2006... PROVERBS 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend." These women minister-friends exemplify that proverb--they sharpen each other. They are "rev-strs," a colloquialism they coined meaning reverend-sisters--Black women...

Catching up with Howard Hewett: after Shalamar, he's till making beautiful music.
June 1, 2006... HOWARD Hewett's smooth voice and sexy looks were major attractions when he was the lead singer of the R&B group Shalamar in the 1980s. Today, he is still adored by those who loved him then--as well as many of their children. "The audiences...

A joyful noise: five incredible music makers at the top of their game.(Celebrating lack Music)
June 1, 2006... BLACK music has been called the best music in the world. It is certainly among the most diverse, the most emotional, the most joyful, the most satisfying. In this issue we celebrate Black music, and the Black musicians, vocalists, lyricists,...

The innovators: they can only be described as one of a kind--some flashy, some defiant, some "a little bit different," but all are among a collection of contributors who influenced and shaped the art of music before raising it to new height.(CELEBRATING Black Music)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... THE HONOR ROLL The catalog of Black music has been created by thousands of talented music makers, and those listed on this Honor Roll (that extends throughout this story) represent only a tiny portion of those African-Americans who have...

The voices: in any area where talent is exhibited, there are those who have that "something extra" that sets them apart from the rest. The same is true in music. They are the songbirds and crooners, a special group who have the ability to put their signature on a song and leave an imprint on the heart of the listener.(Celebrating Black Music)
June 1, 2006... THE VOICES Oleta Adams Yolanda Adams India.Arie Aaliyah Ashanti Patti Austin Erykah Badu Anita Baker Shirley Bassey Kathleen Battle Regina Belle Mary J. Bilge Angela Bofill Toni Braxton Ruth Brown Shirley Caesar Mariah Carey Betty Carter...

The groups: there is perhaps nothing more beautiful than blended voices. And when you add that with some creative choreography, you get a memorable example of the tantalizing teamwork that occupies a special place in Black Music History.(Celebrating Black Music)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The 5 Blind Boys OT Alabama The 5th Dimension After 7 B2K Blackstreet Bloodstone Blue Magic Boyz II Men The Brothers Johnson The Cadillacs The Cardinals The Chantels The Chiffons The Chi-Lites The Clark Sisters The Cleftones The Coasters...

The musicians.(Celebrating Black Music)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Although vocals have been so prominent in Black Music History, there has been an amazing collection of trumpeters, saxophonists, guitarists, pianists, bassists and other instrumentalists who have produced lasting tunes that range from soothing...

The bands.(Celebrating Black Music)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... From R&B to funk and in-between, creative and cutting-edge bands, particularly those of the '70s and '80s, have produced some to the best dance music and sensual ballads while making their statements with unbridled energy and flashy...

The music makers.(Celebrating Black Music)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Ashford and Simpson Dallas Austin Clarence Avant David Bartholomew Harold Batiste AI Bell James Booker John Boudreaux Thomas Dorsey Dr. Dre Jermaine Dupri Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds Gamble and Huff Berry Gordy Jr. Holland, Dozier, Holland...

The hip-hop revolution.(Celebrating Black Music)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... In every era, there have been those unique personalities who have had the innate ability to recognize talent, nurture it and transform it into something that same pedestal are the composers, who are the foundation of Black music. Those combined...

Memorable photo.(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... In a 1969 photograph, DIANA ROSS, who is generally credited with discovering the JACKSON 5, chats with the group whose January 1970 song, "I Want You Back," was the first of four consecutive No. 1 hits in a nine-month period. It was followed by...