Ebony articles from October 2008

Ebony archives from October 2008

'Take care of yourself first': a message from the President & CEO.(PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE)(chief executive officer)(Editorial)
October 1, 2008... Since May 2005, morning after morning, Robin Roberts has come into our homes, delivering the news and other tidbits as a member of the Good Morning America team. While we eat breakfast, she's there. While we get the kids ready for school, she's...

Making the cover.(BEHIND THE SCENES)(Tyler Perry on the cover)(Editorial)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Atlanta is not the likely location for a mega-moviemaker. It's thousands of miles away from Hollywood. For blockbuster filmmaker, TV producer and actor Tyler Perry, however, being headquartered in Atlanta is just...

What's online in October.(Ebony Jet.com)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... We're making it easier than ever to find the best content on the Web! Newly archived sections, an iTunes library of podcasts, continually refreshed multimedia galleries and vintage videos are only a click away. POLITICS AND PERSPECTIVES...

Michelle Obama.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thank you for your well-written article, "The Real Michelle Obama" (Sept. 2008), featuring a 360-degree view of Michelle Obama. I stayed up late to see various replays and clips of her stint on The View. I was...

The genius of cool.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... Thank you for "The Genius of Cool: The 25 Coolest Brothers Of All Time," (Aug. 2008). When I saw Billy Dee Williams, my heart skipped a beat. Then there is Sidney Poitier, Quincy Jones, Richard Roundtree, Denzel Washington, Sammy Davis Jr., Ed...

Genarlow Wilson.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I am a longtime subscriber and enjoy EBONY monthly. However, I just had to send a note of thanks for the article, "Dear Mama" (Aug 2008), on Genarlow Wilson. I followed his case in the news, and though I do not know him or his family, I prayed...

Serena Williams.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I have always been a total fan of Serena Williams ("Serena Williams Heats Up The Summer," July 2008) and Venus Williams because of the way they play the game of tennis. But I hope that Serena will stay confident in everything she does on and...

Parenting.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... My name is Beverly Morris, president and founder of The National Association of Non-Custodial Moms, Inc. (NANCM), and I am writing to personally thank you for the article, "Family Reconnection" (July 2008), on non-custodial parents. While I've...

A Shooter's Story.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I think "A Shooter's Story" (July 2008) should be required reading for all of the people who blame the schools, parents, environment and other numerous "factors" for street violence. It also explains why marches, prayer vigils, "outreaches" and...

For Brothers Only.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... In response to the "For Brothers Only" column, "The Sad Truth About Saggin' Pants" (July 2008), written by Judge Mathis, I find many of his points to be completely true about my generation today. As a young woman who embraces and loves hip-hop...

Chris Brown.(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... This response is in regard to Chris Brown being on the cover of the June 2008 issue. I am a 62-year-old grandmother, and I appreciate the attention EBONY gives our young men sometime. It's great to read how well our young Brothers are doing....

Breaking the Sound Barriers.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2008... I was so happy to see the article, "Breaking The Sound Barriers" (June 2008), with Corinne Bailey Rae. I received her CD for Mother's Day and it has been one of my favorite gifts of all time. I'm one of her biggest fans. (I'm also one of her...

Ebony on the scene.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [1] In New York City, the Women of Independent Means, upset about a controversial New Yorker magazine cover of Sen. Barack and Michelle Obama, express their dissatisfaction during a silent march that was organized by Audrey Smaltz, founder of...

International affairs.(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] 1. A man cools off at the scene of a fire that burned an industrial packaging company in Lagos, Nigeria. 2. A model wears a creation by French designers Beatrice Ferrant and Mario Lefranc as part of their...

James McBride: author's book, Miracle at St. Anna, comes to life in Spike Lee movie.(CENTER STAGE)
October 1, 2008... It was James McBride's uncle, Henry Jordan, who is partially responsible for the novel-now-movie Miracle at St. Anna. "When I was a little kid in Brooklyn, [my uncle] used to talk about World War II and about how the Italians loved the colored...

5 questions for Natalie Cole: Still Unforgettable after all these years.(Interview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] She's remarkable in any musical genre. But Natalie Cole is exceptionally memorable when she tackles jazz standards. She returns this fall with Still Unforgettable. It is Cole's 21st studio album and her first...

Desiree Rogers.(SPEAKING OF PEOPLE: A spotlight on individuals moving onward & upward)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Some people were born to be in charge. Desiree Rogers, a few months into her new job with Allstate Financial, is one of them. She is president of social networking at the financial division of Allstate Insurance,...

Angela Guy.(SPEAKING OF PEOPLE: A spotlight on individuals moving onward & upward)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Black women are making their mark in major corporations and Guy is one of them. She's the new general manager and senior vice president of SoftSheen-Carson--the perm and hair-product company. It's the kind of job any...

Animal care specialist: Indya Watts.(SPEAKING OF PEOPLE: A spotlight on individuals moving onward & upward)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Indya Watts gets paid to "swim with the fishes," or the mammals, to be more exact. But this 30-year-old Sister isn't with the mob. She's a dolphin trainer at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where she regularly...

The hidden treasures in the inner city.(FOR BROTHERS ONLY)
October 1, 2008... If you want to get rich quickly, I know where you can find buried treasure--in the inner city. I can't really remember the first day I met Eric Berry, but I do remember being impressed. I had gone to Dorsey High School in Los Angeles to teach a...

Change your attitude change your life.(SISTERSPEAK)
October 1, 2008... Believe it or not, there was a time in my early 20s when nothing seemed to go right for me. I didn't regard myself as beautiful or successful. All my relationships seemed to be unhealthy. I experimented with drugs. I had no job, no money, no...

For women only: when it comes to staying healthy, save yourself first: routine medical screenings can identify problems in their most treatable stage.(HOUSE CALL)
October 1, 2008... Women, in general, do a better job than men when it comes to getting necessary medical screenings that can identify problems early when treatment may be most effective. However, there is still a large number of women who neglect their health so...

Should you confront 'the mistress'? Ultimately, your main contention must be with your husband.(EBONY ADVISOR)
October 1, 2008... Discovering that your husband has broken his marriage vows and is having an affair with another woman is emotionally devastating. I recently received a query from a betrayed wife who wanted to know if she should confront the other woman with...

What's on your marriage checklist? Church, flowers, credit report?(MONEY TALKS)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You just got engaged and you're high on a cloud. The wedding! The reception! The honeymoon! But before you say "I do" and kiss, have you both gotten your financial houses in order? Do you know your honey's...

Eric Benet: returning home and reclaiming his roots, romantic singer moves on with his life and love.(SOUNDING OFF)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eric Benet is back with the romantic music that works for the boudoir or a banquet. His third solo effort, Love & Life, will leave fans wanting more. Collaborating with his longtime production partner Demonte Posey...

Spensha Baker: teen Gospel singer excels by living her life Outloud!(SOUNDING OFF)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fifteen-year-old gospel singer Spensha Baker has done what most her age, and many much older, only dream about: She sang at the White House and debuted her first album Outloud! Spensha, signed to Geffen Records, got...

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.(ALSO NOTED)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sharon Jones kicks off the party with "100 Days, 100 Nights" and listeners are compelled to pat feet, nod heads and get up and dance. It is a throw back to '60s and '70s music and indicative of what the CD, 100 Days,...

N*E*R*D.(ALSO NOTED)(Sound recording review)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] N*E*R*D's most visible member, Pharrell, is arguably one of hip hop's best modern-day producers. Add Chad Hugo and Shae to that mix and you get a nearly unstoppable production team. Together they create a hot, and...

Musiq Soulchild.(PLUGGED IN)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Right now I'm listening to a new artist out of Washington, D.C., who I was recently exposed to named Muhsinah. She's like the greatest thing ever to me right now. She writes, produces and sings." * MUSIQ SOULCHILD,...

Omar Tyree's last stand: author's triple-threat book tour highlights his final novel, and first books about business and children.(BOOKSHELF)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Omar Tyree's is a rare phenomenon--a contemporary Black male author with a penchant for writing best-selling, award-winning fiction that's popular with both men and women. With more than 18 books published, Tyree...

What's on your nightstand?(BOOKSHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] I'VE GOT A HOME IN GLORY LAND by Karolyn Smarzd Frost IDA: A SWORD AMONG LIONS by Paula J. Giddings DEFYING DIXIE by Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore "I react fiction too, but these three are as compelling as...

Renegade for Peace & Justice: Barbara Lee Speaks for Me.(HOT PICK)(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... In RENEGADE FOR PEACE & JUSTICE: BARBARA LEE SPEAKS FOR ME (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Inc., $24.95) by California Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the author chronicles more than politics in this candid autobiography. Lee describes the...

Mobilizing the Community to Help Students Succeed.(HOT PICK)(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... In MOBILIZING THE COMMUNITY TO HELP STUDENTS SUCCEED (ASCD. S21.95), Hugh B. Price. former Urban League president and CEO. shares lessons and concrete examples of ways to boost the academic performance of children and to help close the...

Hazel Scott: The Pioneering Journey of a Jazz Pianist, From Cafe Society to Hollywood to Huac.(TOP SHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In HAZEL SCOTT: THE PIONEERING JOURNEY OF A JAZZ PIANIST, FROM CAFE SOCIETY TO HOLLYWOOD TO HUAC (University of Michigan Press, $29.95) by Karen Chilton, the author presents the compelling biography of Hazel Scott,...

The Sea is so Wide and My Boat is so Small: Charting a Course for the Next Generation.(TOP SHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In THE SEA IS SO WIDE AND MY BOAT IS SO SMALL: CHARTING A COURSE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION (Hyperion, $19.95), best-selling author Marian Wright Edelman looks back on what has been done and what still needs to be done...

Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White.(TOP SHELF)(Brief article)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TIM & TOM: AN AMERICAN COMEDY IN BLACK AND WHITE (University of Chicago Press, $24) by Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen, with Ron Rapoport, tells the story of the pioneering interracial comedy team that was ahead of its...

Say a Little Prayer.(KIDS' CORNER)(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Superstar singer Dionne Warwick puts her life's motto--"If you think it, you can do it!"--on paper with a new children's book, SAY A LITTLE PRAYER (Running Press, $17.95). The book encourages kids to find their best...

Donavan's Double Trouble.(KIDS' CORNER)(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DONAVAN'S DOUBLE TROUBLE (Amistad, $15.99) by Monalisa DeGross, illustrated by Amy Bates, is an inspiring story that explores what it means to be a hero. The long-awaited sequel to Donavan's Word Jar brings back...

Bermuda Music Festival: ocean paradise 'upgrades' with Beyonce & Alicia Keys.(TRAVEL GUIDE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Although many believe 18 is an unlucky number, the 13th annual Bermuda Music Festival, Oct. 1-4, likely will prove both lucky and memorable with superstars headlining the event. "If this isn't the biggest, it's certainly the hottest...

October: what's happening where?(TRAVEL GUIDE)
October 1, 2008... ATLANTA * Sweet Auburn Heritage Festival. Historic Auburn Avenue, Downtown Atlanta. Oct. 3-5. sweetauburn.com * 9th Annual Morehouse College Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. Morehouse College, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel....

Into the light.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Tanda Regenerate Light Therapy)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... As the weather cools, it's time to give your skin and your body a little more attention. You can go high-tech and try light therapy, treat ache with the latest face products, slough off dead skin and welcome silky softness, and even go to the...

On the spot.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)
October 1, 2008... If you thought the days of blemishes and breakouts were behind you after your teen years, it's time to face the facts. One in 5 women between ages 25 and 40 suffer from adult acne. (Because of hormonal changes, women are more prone to acne than...

Get polished.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... Indulging in a body-smoothing treatment can be good for your skin and your health. Exfoliating not only softens and eliminates dead skin, it also stimulates blood flow to help improve circulation and drain impurities from the system. Experts...

Think pink.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and fortunately some of our favorite brands are doing their part to increase...

All-purpose gear to get you from A-Z.(BEAUTY & STYLE ESSENTIALS)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] An all-purpose bag is a lifestyle essential for women--and men. We've harvested the season's best on-the-go bags to carry fashion functionally from the gym to work to play, and back again. With attention to on-trend...

Becoming Tyler: bill collector turned billion-dollar media mogul was molded from pain, promise and persistence.(Cover story)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tyler Perry never forgets the past. It's only a 15-minute drive away. On this sunny summer afternoon, he's anticipating an important phone call as he sits in his office at The Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. The...

A conversation with Spike Lee: the filmmaker of few words gives Ebony magazine an earful about his latest film, his thoughts on the presidential election and the responsibility Black folks have to step up. His next project is a documentary on NBA MVP Kobe Bryant.(Q&A)(Interview)
October 1, 2008... EBONY: I saw the film Miracle at St. Anna and I thought it was very powerful. What made you decide to do this movie? SPIKE: The novel by James McBride. The way he writes is in images and it is very much cinema. So right away I knew that I...

What the world wants from Obama: how the junior senator from Illinois has lifted hopes around the globe.(Barack Obama)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A GLOBAL IMPACT Less than two years ago, an energetic but virtually unknown senator from Illinois traveled to South Africa to learn about the growing nation and meet with top officials. Problem was, he had a...

Obama and the world: what the candidate thinks about his global appeal.(Q&A)(Barack Obama)(Interview)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EBONY magazine senior editor Kevin Chappell accompanied Sen. Barack Obama on his recent international trip and sat down with the candidate to get his thoughts on reactions to his campaign overseas. EBONY: Do you...

The last days of Ike Turner: the story of a rock 'n' roll legend who lived hard, loved life but couldn't quite let go of his past.
October 1, 2008... Going to jail in 1989 was the best thing that ever happened to Ike Turner. Locked up as prisoner #E4678 at the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, the pioneering rock 'n' roll musician who invented a genre of music and trained...

Fall for him.(men's clothing)(Buyers guide)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When cooler weather comes, Brothers definitely want to update their look. Whether it's the addition of a vest or the mix of dressy and casual wardrobe items, it's time to refresh your attire. No need to go trendy....

Statement jewerly.(Buyers guide)
October 1, 2008... Toss conservative to the autumn wind and turn up the drama in your wardrobe with statement-making jewelry. Pile on playful pieces like chunky chains, icy arm candy, layered pearls and oversized costume rings that update your look by adding a...

TV with out TV: as Black shows shift online, viewers can tune into the Web to find color.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This year's fall network TV lineup is looking rather pale. From dramas to comedies, it appears that African-Americans in new, leading roles on network television may sit this season out. In some cases, Black shows or...

The best of Africa: from 5-star hotels and restaurants to state-of-the-art golf courses and romantic getaway spots, the Motherland has it all. Charles R. Stith, former U.S. ambassador to Tanzania and president director of the African Presidential Archives and Research Center at Boston University, knows Africa as well as any American and many Africans. Here are his picks for some of Africa's best tourist destinations.(Travel narrative)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WESTERN MEDIA OUTLETS MOST OFTEN PORTRAY AFRICA, at best, as the land of the exotic or, at worst, a place defined by extreme conditions of disease and natural disasters. Sure Africa has its share of problems. But,...

Robin Roberts shares her breast cancer ordeal: the athletic, forever-upbeat Good Morning America anchor follows her mother's advice to 'make your mess your message.' Following is an excerpt from a new chapter Roberts wrote for the paperback edition of her book, From The Heart: Eight Rules to Live By (Hyperion), due for release this fall.(Excerpt)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That very night I discovered something that would change my life. I had driven to Connecticut (after the GMA tribute to Joel Siegel) to resume the last week of my vacation. Exhausted from my all-night flight and the...

Preventing preterm births for Black women: what you can do to reduce risk factors for this serious pregnancy complication.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Though Jocelyn Hayes-Fields did everything right during her two pregnancies, she's the mother of two children born prematurely who spent a total of 194 days in neonatal units fighting for their lives. She is now a...

Laila Ali: mother-to-be gives tips on having an easier, healthier pregnancy.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fans of world champion athlete Laila Ali have witnessed her agile skills in the boxing ring and on the dance floor as a Dancing With the Stars finalist. So it's no surprise to see her taking her first pregnancy in...

Take control & become your own health advocate!
October 1, 2008... As women, it seems we are always battling with our bodies. Cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and stress affect Black women at disproportionate rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of...

The Ebony/Jet Weight-Loss Challenge (Part 2): making progress: after 3 months of trying to change their lives, are the participants losing the pounds?(EBONY/JET CHALLENGE)
October 1, 2008... Often it's the approach to weight loss that determines whether one will succeed or fail; Attitude, determination and perspective go a long way in ensuring that one keeps on the journey that's often rife with obstacles, temptations mad potential...

After the verdict, should we continue supporting R. Kelly? No, Amina's story is one reason why.(TWO SIDES)
October 1, 2008... About 10 years ago I met a girl I'll call Amina. At 12, she was kindhearted and intelligent. She took pride in her skill at weaving intricate cornrow patterns when she braided her friends' hair and she spoke fluent Yoruba--but refused to utter...

After the verdict, should we continue supporting R. Kelly? Yes. Should we act as if it doesn't matter what the court says.(TWO SIDES)
October 1, 2008... MARV DYSON The jury has ruled in the curious case of R. Kelly and the verdict is "not guilty." But what does that mean for fans of his highly popular music and others in the Black community troubled by the evidence in this case which...

Wireless workouts: exercising with video games can knock out calories.(BODY TALK)(Product/service evaluation)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Plug the game into your TV, pick up a remote control and--using real punches and boxing gloves--step into the ring for a three-minute bout with a German dude named Ivan. Ivan spits. He yells. He hits fast. He ducks....

Got mayhem? Call in a parenting coach: when the kids are fighting and life seems unmanageable, your team could use a new game plan.(PARENTING)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The calls come throughout the day and into the night from parents in need of advice. They have questions about everything--from what to do about a newborn who refuses to sleep to how to handle a S-year-old who is...

The great cover up.(FASHION FAIR)(jackets and coats)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As autumn's chilly breezes start to invade the weather scene, fashion-conscious Sisters are wise to begin to assess their fall and winter wardrobes, especially their outerwear. As you ponder your cover-up options,...

The art of slow cooking.(DATE WITH A DISH)(Recipe)
October 1, 2008... You hear it all the time, people complaining about not having enough hours in the day to do some of the things they really want to do, and that includes time to prepare the kind of meals that require hours to cook. Enter the slow cooker, one of...

Strictly for laughs.(Cartoon)
October 1, 2008... "When you die, where should I put the remote--in your right hand or left?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "She was calling ME to dinner!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "How can you say you're offering me unconditional love if I can only get...

Memorable photo.(Dr. Edith Irby Jones)(Brief article)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FALL 1948: While being ignored by White students, Edith Mae Irby (now Dr. Edith Irby Jones) stands alone in the hallway on the first day of school at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. The 22-year-old Hot...