Ebony articles from June 2008

Ebony archives from June 2008

Fathers deserve love, too: a message from the president & CEO.(PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE)(Editorial)
June 1, 2008... Each year, millions of fathers, whether they verbalize it or not, recognize that Father's Day, for whatever reason, is not celebrated with the same degree of enthusiasm as Mother's Day. There are exceptions, but in general, this scenario holds...

Making the cover.(BEHIND THE SCENES)(Chris Brown)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Energetic doesn't even begin to describe pop sensation Chris Brown. As many of his million-plus fans already know, he can fly through the air in a single bound. He does spin like Michael Jordan toward an invisible...

Vanessa Williams.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In regard to the article, "Vanessa: Resilient Actress, Down-To-Earth Mom Redefines The 'Perfect' Family" (May 2008), I was proud of Vanessa 25 years ago when she became the first African-American to win the Miss...

Janet Jackson.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... Thank you for the cover, "Does Janet Still Have It?" (April 2008), with Miss Janet Jackson, my favorite and the best female entertainer in the world! Although Janet is almost 42 years old, she has not lost a step, physically or when it comes to...

Campus queens.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I would first like to thank EBONY for displaying campus queens since 1975. As a former featured queen, I have enjoyed the recognition my and several other universities have received since this feature's inception. However, I was extremely...

The king memorial.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... The opening line of this article, "The Controversy Behind The King Memorial" (April 2008), indicates how very important it is to get this right! It says, "It's the first major memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D. C., to honor an...

Ebony in Africa.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I congratulate EBONY on its excellent and very inspiring piece, "Africans You Should Know" (April 2008), on professional Africans in the Diaspora. This certainly advances the magazine's "the other Africa" theme in the positive direction that it...

Two sides.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I'm writing about "Two Sides: Do We Owe A Debt To The Clintons Or Is It Obama's Time?" (April 2008). I feel that we don't' owe the Clintons anything. We are beautiful Black people who did our part when we voted for him in '92 and '96. It's...

Indian blood.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I was very intrigued and overwhelmed with emotions when I read your article, "Indian Blood: Is It A Part Of Your Heritage?" (April 2008). I just finished a booklet in February on my family history that's based on information passed down to my...

Barack Obama.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I received the March 2008 issue of EBONY magazine with Barack Obama gracing the cover. What a cover! The words alone, "In Our Lifetime: Are We Really Witnessing The Election of the Nation's First Black President?" brought tears to my eyes. I...

For brothers only.(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2008... I just wanted to commend you on the "For Brothers Only" column, "The Importance of Being A Gentlemen In Not-So-Gentle Times" (March 2008). Although my mother and father were divorced, they both instilled in me the importance of being a...

Correction.(Correction notice)
June 1, 2008... In the article, "Professional Women, Signature Style" (April 2008), a reference to the Chicago Urban League's "Next One" program should have indicated that it works with 16 well-established, Black-owned businesses.

Ebony on the scence.(Barack Obama, Zimbabwe elections, Kelly Anyadiki)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] 1. During the presidential campaign in Charleston, W. Va., Democratic contender Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) greets Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) as he steps off the plane. 2. At a polling station in Chinamhora,...

A spotlight on individuals who are moving onward & upward.(SPEAKING OF PEOPLE)(Brenda Freeman, Morace Landy, Zollie Stephenson)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BRENDA FREEMAN She's a bigwig for Turner Broadcasting, but Brenda Freeman doesn't wear a suit every day. That's because she's the recently hired chief marketing officer for Turner Animation, Young Adults and...

Ifa Bayeza: a child of the '60s speaks to today's youth from the stage.(CENTER STAGE)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Chicago playwright Ifa Bayeza, whose new production, The Ballad of Emmett Till, is running at the city's famed Goodman Theatre, has been fascinated by theater her entire life. "I had two very theatrical parents,"...

5 questions for ... Teddy Penderegrass.(Interview)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inside a suite at the Conrad Hotel in Chicago, Teddy Pendergrass explains why it took two actors to portray the R&B legend's powerful life. "Hey," he says, outstretching his arms, "Do you think that one person could...

Ayo: British sensation brings her soulful sound to the U.S.(SOUNDING OFF)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's not often that an artist sounds even better live than on their album. But not many are like Ayo, the platinum United Kingdom sensation who has finally brought her unique sound to this side of the world. ...

Al Green: lay it down with Rev. Al.(Sound recording review)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Al Green is a classic, once-in-a-life-time kind of artist who is so unique in his vocalizing, artistry and delivery (and yes, personality) that he has no peers but many admirers and avid, devoted fans. Since his...

Hil St. Soul.(ALSO NOTED)(Black Rose)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Relax and take a smooth summer ride with Hil St. Soul into a music world that is enlightening, soothing and drenched in blues and soul. On Black Rose from Shanachie Entertainment, singer Hilary Mwelwa serenades...

Tiffany Evans.(ALSO NOTED)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Star Search "grand champion" Tiffany Evans expresses teenage pop enthusiam on her debut self-titled CD released on Columbia. Multiplatinum artist Bow Wow, who also launched his career as a teen, joins the 15-year-old...

Hot tix: summerfestival checklist.(ALSO NOTED)(Brief article)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... * Al Jarreau, James Moody Quartet, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove Big Band, Gerald Albright and Dee Dee Bridgewater are among artists featured during Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, June 14-15. * Aretha Franklin will perform...

Our children need arts education.(SISTERSPEAK)
June 1, 2008... My mother was born in 1928 in the rural South. She was a naturally talented, gifted child who loved the arts, yet she never attended a concert, museum or a public library during her childhood. She was an adult before she had the opportunity to...

Save money now: simple everyday moves can keep cash in your pocket with only minor lifestyle changes.(MONEY TALKS)
June 1, 2008... These days everyone is concerned about the financial markets and the bad news we are hearing daily about higher prices, declining value of housing and other investments and people losing their jobs. Regardless of what income bracket we...

What you don't know about STDs: get the facts: with nearly half of African-American girls infected, there are serious implications of a bigger, deadlier problem.(HOUSE CALL)(sexually transmitted disease)
June 1, 2008... As a parent, you might not think it occurs, but girls between the ages of 14 and 19 are having sex, And your little girl could be one of them. Worse, a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that...

Expert advice on relationships Dr. Joyce answers questions on marriage and dating & romance.(EBONY ADVISOR)
June 1, 2008... Q: I am single, Black, female and 50. I need a "life lift." The first half of my life was filled with stress, grief, unnecessary pain and hardship. I'd like the last half of my life to be wonderful, meaningful, happy and interesting. But I have...

June: what's happening where?(TRAVEL GUIDE)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... ATLANTA * Real Men Cook. The Foundry at Puritan Mill. June 15. realmencook.com * National Association of Black Accountants convention. Hilton Hotel. June 10-14. * Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement,...

Lyrically speaking: beats & rhymes beyond the stigmas: the voice of hip-hop is not limited to negative stereotypes.(FOR BROTHERS ONLY)
June 1, 2008... When hip-hop arrived on the scene in the early 1970s, it was a new and exciting means of articulating the socio-political conditions of those who had been influenced by the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the '60s. Rapping, break...

Creative 'sons: with powerful prose, male authors explore the challenges of Black America.(BOOKSHELF)(Richard Wright, Sidney Poitier, Hill Harper)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A FATHER'S LAW (Harper Perennial, $14.95) by literary giant Richard Wright, with a foreword by his daughter and literary executor Julia Wright, is the unfinished novel expatriate Wright was completing in Paris when...

April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.'S Death and How It Changed America.(TOP SHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In APRIL 4, 1968: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S DEATH AND HOW IT CHANGED AMERICA (Basic Civitas, $24.95) Michael Eric Dyson takes his turn at expounding on Dr. King's, death, life and legacy. In this year's 40th...

Long Road Outta Compton: Dr. Dre's Mom on Family, Fame and Terrible Tragedy.(TOP SHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LONG ROAD OUTTA COMPTON: DR. DRE'S MOM ON FAMILY, FAME AND TERRIBLE TRAGEDY (Da Capo Press, $24.95) by Verna Griffin is the candid memoir of a woman who gave birth to five children--losing two in infancy and one to...

Hotlanta.(TOPSHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HOTLANTA (Point/Scholastic, $8.99) by Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller is the first book in a trilogy aimed at teen readers. "Hotlanta focuses on the elite of the Southern African-American community. So you're dealing...

Dying Is the Easy Part.(TOPSHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the midst of defending himself against federal bribery charges, Louisiana Congressman William J. Jefferson has penned an extremely personal collection of stories about African-American life. In DYING IS THE EASY...

On the radar.('Passing for Black' and 'The January Girl')(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * HOT PICK PASSING FOR BLACK (Dafina/ Kensington Books, $14.00) is a sophisticated debut novel by Linda Villarosa. It is a sexy and fast-paced romp of a novel with characters who resemble real life. Author...

6 ways to get ready by summer! Simple steps spell success for a season that sizzles.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)
June 1, 2008... Summer is here. Are you ready for it? As busy as our lives are, there's a very good chance that you are like most of us, and the warm weather and all that comes with it has caught up with you, Never fear! The following are six tips to help you...

Scentimental moments.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(fragrances)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Fragrance can evoke a mood or special memory. Rich, woody aromas are reminiscent of grandfather's wisdom; fresh energetic citrus blends can capture the excitement of a new father; warm sandalwood or spicy patchouli can recall a strong...

Sunny delight: we rounded up the best shampoos, conditioners and stylers to help you maintain your mane when the weather heats up.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Caring for your hair in the summertime requires sun-savvy products that preserve your pretty whether you're lounging poolside or spending a day at the beach. Consider your style and texture when choosing treatments that can withstand sunshine,...

Dayglow: everything you need to know to protect your skin from the sun.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... "Even the darkest skin types can burn in the sun, so it's essential to wear sun protection," says dermatologist Kenneth Beer. Sunscreens defend skin from the damaging effects of sunlight (including premature aging and cancer) by reflecting,...

Hair rules for high temperatures.(BEAUTY & STYLES ESSENTIALS)(Hair Rules!: The Ultimate Hair-Care Guide for Women with Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair)
June 1, 2008... The summer is the most challenging season for Black women and their hair. Humidity and intense heat force women to fight the frizz and, in turn, limit physical activity to remain sweat-free. With the help of renowned stylist Anthony Dickey,...

Music makers: the next generation of sound tech.(TECH ESSENTIALS)(Digital audio equipment)(Buyers guide)
June 1, 2008... Music isn't just music anymore. Moving to the digital format means a music lover has to not only figure out what to listen to, but where to listen to it and on what new device. And since the digital future is all about choice, there's a...

Between two worlds Chris Brown straddles generations to groom his career.(BLACK MUSIC MONTH)(Interview)(Cover story)
June 1, 2008... For his latest album, Chris Brown could have gone the crass route by explicitly describing what he wanted to do with a woman. But he didn't. "I wanted to do something more along the lines of a grown record," explains America's newest...

Breaking the sound barriers: 15 popular artists defy labels about what Black music is.(BLACK MUSIC MONTH)
June 1, 2008... For some, pop superstar Chris Brown is the "right" way to sound Black. For others, it's African songstress Angelique Kidjo, or rapper Lupe Fiasco. But what about Canadian opera star Measha Brueggergosman? Or British songbird Corinne Bailey...

Big home advantage: Deion Sanders' Texas-size mansion is just big enough to contain his family, his faith and his heart.(EBONY HOMES)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Step inside Deion Sander's house and the word 'megacrib' immediately comes to mind. The retired football and baseball superstar, sportscaster and part-owner of an arena football tram enters the foyer of his...

Is paying for sex: yes, men pay for it anyway, one way or another.(TWO SIDES)
June 1, 2008... The Eliot Spitzer scandal has made him the poster child for "hypocrisy." And yet, the scandal only reaffirmed my belief that Spitzer, the former governor of New York, is also a fiscal reformer. I'm not talking about the policies he passed as...

Really worth it? No, prostitution exploits many women's deep pain.(TWO SIDES)
June 1, 2008... I'm a survivor. And I can say with authority that NO, sex is not worth buying. In the process of selling my body, I was shot five times, stabbed more than 13 times, beaten unconscious several times, had my arm and nose broken, had two teeth...

Popping the other question: before you hit the sheets, hit the clinic and be ready to prove your results.(on sexually transmitted diseases)
June 1, 2008... "Honey, do you have an STD?" It's the one question no one really wants to ask, but everyone should. Why? Because sexually transmitted diseases affect Blacks at disproportionately higher rates than any other race in America. In fact,...

In the clubs: in Cairo and across Africa, the nightlife gets hot long after the shops close.(Directory)
June 1, 2008... When the sun goes down across Africa, the heat turns up on the club scene. From Cairo to Cape Town, young Africans, Arabs and Western expats wear out dance floors to an intoxicating soundtrack of traditional music merged with today's reggaeton...

He*ro.(fathers)
June 1, 2008... 1: the courageous and caring ones who uphold our world with their sacrificial commitment 2: strength and compassion fuel their mission to protect family, assist community and transform nations 3: undaunted 4: proud 5: loving: syn see BLACK...

Beyond the class room: EBONY'S 2008 top high school seniors show how community service helps them learn about themselves.(Jeremy Feaster, Alexis Danee Crosby, Vivian Mbawuike, Darlene Zephyrine, Jonathan Jordan Lewis, Shareef Ross McDonald, Artisha Devette Scott, Trae Robison, Crystal Ayana Orr and Christopher Onwuka)
June 1, 2008... From working to decrease high infant-mortality rates to caring for the dying in hospice, from mentoring younger students to discovering inexpensive ways to purify water, EBONY magazine's 2008 top seniors are going outside the classroom to...

Slaughter of the innocents.(PART 1 OF A 2-PART SERIES)(Short story)
June 1, 2008... In major cities across the nation, children are dying from gun violence at alarming rates. Each year, more than half of the victims of gun homicides in the United States are African-Americans. Last year in Chicago alone, 24 public school...

Strictly for laughs.(Cartoon)
June 1, 2008... "How am I supposed to learn the value of a dollar if I'm only getting a $.50 allowance?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Maybe we should change the name, Sam." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

6 steps to get your body swimsuit ready: with the right moves and dedication, be ready for the beach in no time.(BODY TALK)
June 1, 2008... As the weather heats up, many minds and hearts wander to the sun and the beach or swimming pool. Is your body ready to follow your heart? It's not too late to counter the effects of lazy winter months on your body. By following these exercises,...

Sidestepping baby mama drama: how fathers can navigate through the legal system and successfully co-parent their children.(PARENTING)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We've heard the excuses before: "She won't let me see my child." "I pay too much child support." "If it weren't for that woman, I'd be a good father." But are these kinds of statements always excuses? Sometimes...

In blu green.(FASHION FAIR)(blue green clothing)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Summer weather is accompanied by attire that is beautiful and colorful. While there are the mellow yellows, tantalizing tangerines and plenty of pinks, this summer the colors blue and green make a bold, fashionable...

Simple sides for any occasion.(DATE WITH A DISH)(recipes)(Recipe)
June 1, 2008... No meal is complete without side dishes. With the entree getting most of the attention, side dishes are often overlooked, but sometimes they can be the real star of the meal. The trick is to choose dishes that complement the meal, but also are...

Memorable photo.(A Raisin in the Sun)(Brief article)(Photograph)
June 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a scene from the award-winning, 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun, the actors include Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Glynn Turman and Diana Sands. The play, which was written by author and playwright...