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The Black Women's Guide to What's Hot Now!

Black Women in Hollywood: Encore!!!

By Emil Wilbekin on March 8, 2010 7:34 PM 0 Comments

Hattie McDaniel in "Gone With the Wind"

"Every actor and actress is possessed of the absorbing passion to create something distinctive and unique."--Hattie McDaniel

Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Oscar in 1939 for her portrayal of Mammy in "Gone With the Wind." Since that time, there have only been five Black women to win an Academy Award for acting in its 82-year history.

• Hattie McDaniel for Best Supporting Actress in "Gone With the Wind" (1939)

• Halle Berry for Best Actress in "Monster's Ball" (2001)

• Whoopi Goldberg for Best Supporting Actress in "Ghost" (1990)

• Jennifer Hudson for Best Supporting Actress in "Dreamgirls" (2006)

• Mo'Nique for Best Supporting Actress in "Precious" (2010)

Those numbers seem small to me in comparison to the wealth of African American actresses and talent in the marketplace. As I sat in the Crystal Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel at The 3rd Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, those numbers seem even more staggering. This was a celebration of sisters who can act, perform, direct, write and produce. It was a room filled with some of the most incredible, creative, dramatic and powerful women in the entertainment industry: Angela Bassett, Suzanne de Passe, Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Jada Pinkett Smith, Robi Reed-Humes, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tracey Edmonds, Vivica A. Fox, Tracee Ellis Ross, Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Nia Long, Victoria Rowell and many, many more.

This year ESSENCE honored Cicely Tyson, Queen Latifah, Zoe Saldana, Gabourey Sidibe and Mary J. Blige.

I had the great fortune to do one-on-on interviews with some of the honorees for a video that will be posted on the site on ESSENCE TV this week. When I tell you, these ladies were all real, humble and present. It was a pleasure to talk with them about the power of this luncheon and their favorite movies of all time.

A room full of strong Black women whom you've seen on TV, cable, DVD and film your whole life is a very moving and surreal experience. The overwhelming sense at this intimate affair was about self-realization--sisterhood. You could feel the love. These Black women had a shared experience and bond because of their craft, careers and creative aspirations. Of course their race, skin color and cultural backgrounds give them a deep and emotional connection in Tinseltown and the City of Angels. They are sisters in the cinematic struggle and were there celebrating their successes.

Here are some of my own images from behind-the-scenes at ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood. Thank you ladies for being you and inspiring our world. Keep up the great work. We need to see more of you. Encore!!!

* Special shout out to our ESSENCE.com celebrity bloggers who were in the house: Tichina Arnold, Malinda Williams and Joy Bryant.

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Joy Bryant and Honoree Zoe Saldana

Jada Pinkett Smith

Taraji P. Henson and Honoree Mary J. Blige

Malinda Williams

Tichina Arnold

Haute Hair: Joy Bryant Host Amoy Pitters' Salon Opening

By Emil Wilbekin on February 24, 2010 10:39 PM 2 Comments

I've known Amoy Pitters for many years. Actually, I met Pitters through my friend Joy Bryant. Missy, as we call Amoy, is one of the best hairstylist in the business. Her clients include: Naomi Campbell, Donatella Versace, JB and model Damaris Lewis. So when Amoy opened her new salon on Manhattan's Upper East Side I knew she was moving on up like the Jeffersons. If that isn't enough, there is a product line in the works and reality show for Oxygen in production. In fact, Oxygen was filming an episode of the show at the Amoy Salon opening. Lights, cameras, action...check out the special evening hosted by Joy Bryant during New York Fashion Week.

Amoy and Joy

Amoy Pitters in her new salon

Phillip Bloch and Bevy Smith

Calvin Wilson and JB

Damaris Lewis

Amoy and Misa Hylton-Brimm

Keesha Johnson and DJ Cassidy

Mom and Amoy

Coming To America: Arise African Collective Part III

By Emil Wilbekin on February 18, 2010 11:12 PM 5 Comments

"Magic becomes art when it has nothing to hide."--Ben Okri

One of the highlights of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Fall 2010 was the Arise African Collective III. It was modern, dramatic and full of energy. The fashion show production was inspired by Nigerian poet Ben Okri and felt very futuristic. Think "Avatar" meets "Blade Runner" meets "Gattaca." There was a post-modern backdrop, laser lights and video imagery incorporated into the staging that made it extra, extra dramatic. Top models like Chanel Iman, Sessilee Lopez, Arlenis Sosa and Damaris Lewis strutted down the runway to the heavy beat of Afropop meets Ambient music. This year the African culture magazine presented the creations of three designers: Black Coffee, Loin and Ashes and Deola Sagoe.

Check out some some of the magic backstage and on the front row at Arise.

Arise 1.JPG

Chanel Iman

Arise 3.JPG

Sessilee Lopez

Damaris Lewis

Black Coffee's tailored elegance

Arlenas Sosa and Sessilee Lopez

Young stunners

Deola Sagoe's modern magic

Naomi Campbell's Style Of Giving

By Emil Wilbekin on February 14, 2010 9:27 PM 14 Comments

When I first heard that Naomi Campbell was putting together Fashion Relief to help pregnant women in Haiti, I thought "What a brilliant idea." Naomi had expressed my perspective on how people can give back to the community. The earthquake that rocked Haiti was a calling, of sorts, for everyone to be connected as humans and respond with compassion, text messaging, buying fragrances, candles and t-shirts to donate money, time or our selves. We witnessed natural disasters and tragedy in our lifetime--911, the tsunami in Indonesia, and the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

What is different about what happened in Haiti is that right now, the whole world is in turmoil. The global economy is off kilter, war and disease are commonplace, and global warming is a reality. So there is a common vibration of uncertainty and a need for community. We also live in the digital age where we can experience everything in real time. Wasn't that the idea behind Twitter? Reading Facebook updates moments after the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti made me feel connected to what was going on.

I felt really torn about what I should be doing to give back and help Haiti. Of course I'm going to text a donation, but which organization should I give to? It wasn't until the "Hope For Haiti Now" concert that I felt like I was doing something. The music and the celebrities' participation and artistry were inspiring.

My mother says, "We can all do something."

Fortunately for me, my work often gives me the opportunity to make a difference by covering news or topical issues, creating a dialogue or simply disseminating information. Not only did we live stream the "Hope For Haiti Now" telethon on the site, we covered who performed and answered telephones. I personally bought the album on iTunes and blogged about it too. We also covered relief efforts, told personal stories of loss and life. Our writers and editors wrote stories about how and where to give. I even research drop-off locations in Virginia Beach for one of our readers...simply because she asked.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama also have had a powerful effect on community, philanthropy and giving. Their call to service has been on going. They actually give back and they are living examples of generosity because they care. It seems compassion and selflessness is contagious.

Naomi Campbell did what she could do. She joined forces with the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and CARE to raise money for the 7,000 pregnant women due to give birth each month in Haiti. NC called her friends like Alexander McQueen (who passed away days before the event), Marc Jacobs and the Missoni family to donate clothing. She called fashion designers like Diane Von Furstenberg and Donna Karan, artists like David La Chapelle and Estelle, and every young fierce Black model in New York City to walk in a fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The clothes worn on the runway will be auctioned off on www.net-a-porter.com on March 15, 2010 and the proceeds will go to Fashion For Relief Haiti.

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Naomi Campbell is walking the walk to make a difference in this world. What are you doing?

I Love New York: Brooklyn, Harlem and Broadway

By Emil Wilbekin on February 11, 2010 10:45 PM 1 Comments

"New York, New York big city of dreams."--Grandmaster Flash

This is one of those weeks when I love living in the Big Apple. As Grandmaster Flash rhymed "New York, New York big city of dreams. And everything in New York ain't always what it seems." But I've learned to appreciate the good things in my life and make the most of it...even a snowstorm.

Sunday, February 7:

My week kicked off on Super Bowl Sunday. A friend had a fabulous party at his apartment in Brooklyn complete with food, two flat screens and lots of fun. It was bitterly cold that day, but there is nothing like a good old house party with real folks to warm you up. Go Saints!!!

Monday, February 8:

After a day of hard work, it's nice to have a quite evening at home. HA! That doesn't happen very often in my world and tonight was no exception. My good friend Beverly Smith was honored by Target at an intimate dinner in Harlem. Ms. Bevy is born and bred in Harlem--an ambassador of the New York City neighborhood. As the emporium prepares to open a new store in this historic neighborhood, Target celebrated Smith's commitment to culture, style and community with dinner at Melba's. Malik Yoba, Trey Songz, Faye Wattleton and Kevin Liles all enjoyed dinner uptown.

Tuesday, February 9:

"Come on, babe

Why don't we paint the town?

And all that jazz"

Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny's Child, starred as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" on Broadway. Singing, dancing and acting, Michelle took to the stage and performed with ease. The R&B, gospel and dance music singer is a real artist who is not afraid to try new things and put herself out there. That was truly entertaining and inspirational.

Wednesday, February 10: The National Weather Service issues a blizzard watch expecting 8 to 12 inches of snow.

I was invited to attend the amfAR New York Gala 2010. But there was a snowstorm!!! The snow, sleet and ice didn't stop The Foundation for AIDS Research. Cipriani on 42nd Street was packed: Zoe Saldana, Iman, Zoe Kravitz, Miss Jay, and Rick Fox were all there to support this great cause. I also got to see Lady Gaga perform for the first time. Note: Believe the hype!!! She is the new face of MAC's Viva Glam.

*Next stop Bryant Park for New York Fashion Week.

Grammy Week: Please Don't Stop The Music

By Emil Wilbekin on February 3, 2010 1:40 AM 1 Comments

At the end of an eventful and very busy Grammy weekend (which was really a week long) it is apparent that music really does make the world go round. The music industry like the economy is in trouble, but optimism, inspiration and passion were alive and well at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Something About Mary:

The week started with ESSENCE Black Women in Music, an intimate and joyous party honoring Mary J. Blige, on Wednesday. In a heartfelt introduction, music impresario and Def Jam's L.A. Reid talk about MJB and her profound influence on women, urban music and the world. Wearing a red, one-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress, Blige said she is "a work in progress." The stars of Black Hollywood turned out to pay homage to the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union and Joy Bryant were all in the house to celebrate Mary.

They Write The Songs:

When it's 18 degrees, cold and grey in New York City, nothing beats a Saturday champagne brunch by the pool at the Sunset Tower in Hollywood. ASCAP held their "Rhythm & Soul" event and to honor the Grammy nominated people who write the lyrics to some of our favorite songs. In a casual chic afternoon, Ne-Yo, Eve, Matthew Knowles and Beverly Bond mixed and mingled. As Roy Ayers sang in his beloved song, "Everybody Loves The Sunshine."

Hot Tickets:

Clive Davis's Pre-Grammy Party is one of the hottest events of the year. The music industry icon has created a tradition that rivals the actual Grammy Awards. Read: His party on Saturday night makes the award show almost anti-climatic. This year the party (which is now called the Salute to Icons and honored Doug Morris, the Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group) did not disappoint with show-stopping performances by Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, The Black Eyed Peas and Maxwell to name a few.

The other hot ticket on Saturday was The Roots concert at The Key Club. John Legend (who was celebrating his birthday) and Estelle all took to the stage. If you couldn't get in here, Trey Songz was playing at The House of Blues.

The Actual Grammy Awards:

You had to be there. If you weren't...no worries. We've got you covered.

• Read our recap of the 2010 Grammy Awards and Beyonce's big win.

• Read our live blog of the Grammy Awards and what people were really saying.

• Check out our Grammy 2010 Best Dressed List.

The After Party:

The W Hotel in Westwood was on and popping after the Grammy Awards for the Universal Music after party celebrating the record company's nominations and awards. Sylvia Rhone, head of Motown/Universal, was the hostess with the most. She chatted with Motown founder Barry Gordy, took photos with Brandy and Kelly Rowland and watched the replay of the awards show on a flat screen. This was a grown and sexy ending to a high-energy week long celebration of music.

*Note: This blog was written on a flight from Los Angeles to New York City.

'Hope For Haiti Now' And Humanity

By Emil Wilbekin on January 25, 2010 10:31 PM 16 Comments

Wyclef Jean and Melky Sedeck

"The sky falls/ The earthquakes/ We gonna put this back together/ We won't break."

--Jay-Z featuring Bono, Rihanna "Stranded"

The 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti also moved the rest of the world. This unfortunate and deadly natural disaster opened the earth and our hearts. People from all over the world descended on the country to help save lives. But what could you or I to do?

It is totally unimaginable what the Haitian people and their families are experiencing. My friends, colleagues and the countless stories and videos on Facebook and Twitter tell the sad story. It's emotional and heart wrenching: the images of death and destruction, the feeling of loss and lost, and the helplessness there, everywhere.

Ten days after the catastrophe, George Clooney, Wyclef Jean, Anderson Cooper and many other stars held "Hope For Haiti Now," a telethon to raise money to help with the relief efforts in the devastated country. This was a nationally televised effort to mobilize people to fundraise and to grieve. While many of us weren't directly affected, we still feel the pain, sorrow and uncertainty--we are human. Our brothers and sisters are hurting.

This telethon taped into the global consciousness as a way of expression, emoting and coming together--83 million people tuned in. We live streamed the two-hour program on ESSENCE.com. It's been reported that there were some 1.9 millions streams of the telethon.

Sting and Mary J. Blige

I sat in my office late Friday night working and returning emails. Halle Berry, Brad Pitt and Chris Rock asked us to help. I caught myself frozen, listening to the voices, music and lyrics coming through the computer screen. Broadcast from the United States, London and Haiti, this was a vibration of love and humanity. It was inspiring and a release all at once.

Stevie Wonder's powerful rendition of "Time to Love"/"Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Christina Aguilera's soulful "Lift Me Up."
John Legend's moving version of "Motherless Child."
Madonna and a gospel choir singing the stirring "Like A Prayer."
Mary J. Blige taking it to church with "Hard Times (Come Again No More)."
Jennifer Hudson's deeply passionate and resounding "Let It Be."
Haitian artist Emeline Michel's sorrowful sounds of "Many Rivers To Cross."

One of my staff members stopped by my office to ask me if I was okay. Was I crying? Yes, I was and shaking my head. Listening to these incredible sounds, emotional songs, and voices of the children of Haiti. The music really opened me up. It let me mourn this terrible experience, the death and destruction. It was like a funeral, memorial and celebration of faith, all in one. It touched me and connected me with the people of Haiti, in my heart and my very core. It truly was a spiritual moment.

The next day, I went on iTunes and purchased the "Hope For Haiti Now" album (which is now the No.1 downloaded album on iTunes in 18 countries). It was a way for me to help, to give (The "Hope For Haiti Now" telethon has raised $61 million to date) and to be human and connect. My heart and soul go out to the people of Haiti and their families.

God bless you. Ohm shanti. Shalom. Amen.

As Bruce Springsteen said: "This is my prayer for Haiti."

"Hope for Haiti Now" will continue accepting donations for six months via the following methods:

Online: HopeforHaitinow.org

Phone: 877-99-HAITI

Text: Text "GIVE" to 50555

Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund,

Entertainment Industry Foundation

1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700

Los Angeles, CA 90017

History, Culture and Passion

By Emil Wilbekin on January 20, 2010 8:00 AM 3 Comments

"Science is discipline practiced with great passion."

--Dr. Keith Black, neurosurgeon

As we honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, I couldn't help but think about how far we as Black people have come and how far we must go. I am still in complete and utter awe that Barack Obama is the President of the United States of America. It is not lost on me that the same week we commemorate Dr. King and his Civil Rights legacy, we also celebrate the historic Inauguration of the first African American leader of the free world. Yes, we have been on a journey.

And then there is Haiti. I commend all of the citizens of the world who have gone out of their way to help the victims of the devastating earthquake that has crippled this country. Humanitarian efforts ranged from people texting $5 or $10 pledges to help in the relief efforts, nations such as Italy and China sending supplies and medics to assist, Haitian-Americans in Brooklyn mobilizing for the cause, and Wyclef Jean's immediate action to help his homeland in distress.

President and First Lady Obama also acted swiftly. The Obamas did community service on King's birthday. They are leading by example--just like Dr. King. Just like Wyclef and so many other people.

I was watching Turner Classic Movies on Monday, Martin Luther King Day. The network was showing great Black movies of the past: "A Raisin in the Sun," "Sounder" and "Bright Road." Again, I thought about the work and barriers our people have endured to get us to 2010.

The night before (on Michelle Obama's birthday, no less) Mo'Nique won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful performance in "Precious: Based on the Best-Selling Novel 'Push' by Sapphire." The play "A Raisin in the Sun" was written by Lorraine Hansberry (inspired by the poem "A Dream Deferred," by Langston Hughes) and was made into a movie in 1961 starring Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Claudia McNeil. (note: Poitier and McNeil were nominated for Golden Globes). These are stories about the Black experience and overcoming great odds.

"Bright Road" was new to me. The 1953 film starring Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte reminded me of "Precious"--of today. It's based on a Ladies Home Journal article about a fourth generation teacher from the British West Indies who takes interest in a troubled Black boy in her class and discovers he has an interest in nature which helps him develop. It is the story of life. Art imitates life, people help people.

We have a lot to appreciate and be proud of, but we cannot forget our past, our history or our fellow mankind. Like Dr. King, President Obama, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, Dorothy Dandridge, Sidney Portier, Halle Berry, Wylcef Jean or Mo'Nique, we all have the passion to make a difference, to make change.

What are you doing to help other people and make a difference in your community?

The Future Is Now And It's Wireless

By Emil Wilbekin on January 10, 2010 10:34 PM 22 Comments

Growing up, I remember watching the futuristic cartoon "The Jetsons" thinking how cool it would be to have robots cleaning your house, machines that created food, and telephones where you could see the person you were talking to on a TV screen.

Well, the future is here and now. We do have a Black President after all.

Not only are there Roombas that hover around your house vacuuming the floors, there are all types of machines that make food, heat it up and dispense it. I can even talk to friends in Los Angeles, Italy or China via Skype on my laptop. So "The Jetson's" may have been ahead of their time, but they have nothing on "Avatar."

This Christmas I got an adult toy. Easy...not that type of toy. I got a Kindle--an eReader created by Amazon. You would have thought that I was kid again getting a Atari console, a Gameboy or Walkman. It's not like I got a Wii--but I am not that dude either. The Kindle is a bit more cerebral--it's grown and sexy. Now, instead of feeling guilty about the environment when I throw out the hefty Sunday edition of The New York Times, I can now simply delete it on my Kindle when I finish.

Mind you, I am not a print journalism traitor here. I love newspapers, magazines and books--if you could see the stacks in my apartment. But I am also modern enough to realize that digital is the future of almost everything. And my life is more efficient carrying around a eReader than dragging around newspapers and getting ink all over my hands.

With the Kindle, I subscribed to The New York Times and read it on the subway on my way to work. I have it with me always and it transmits wirelessly where ever I am in the world. I can also download an unlimited amount of books from Amazon onto the Kindle. The first book I purchased was Octavia Butler's Kindred--talk about futuristic. Now I can catch-up on my reading by carrying this light weight tablet instead of packing three books. Did I mention that they have these cool caricatures of famous authors as screen savers. As fate would have it, when I charged mine up for the first time, Ralph Ellison's image popped up.

I feel more and more futuristic in my daily life. I'm online all the time (desk top in the office and laptop at home), always connected with my Blackberry and iPhone (that was my previous favorite adult toy--phone, email, music, photos and apps), and now I have my eReader. If I could just get that robot house keeper--I'm sure it's on the way. At least I hope so.

Reflection and Resolution: Happy New Year 2010

By Emil Wilbekin on December 31, 2009 11:45 PM 21 Comments

To quote Charles Dickens classic "A Tale of Two Cities": "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." This was quite a year. It was filled with high and lows of great extreme--we lost The King of Pop Michael Jackson and Disney created it's first Black Princess after all. The more the world moved forward (like the historic Inauguration of President Barack Obama) the further we step backwards (the senseless beating death of young Derion Albert in Chicago).

But there is something about hard times that force you to take stock and appreciate the good times. Recession, war and the myriad of life changing challenges force people to focus. It's amazing how we learn to do more with less. We find beauty in simplicity. Great depression seems to bring about great creativity and innovation. Change, they say, is good.

As I sit in front of the fireplace, under my Snuggie and watching re-runs of "30 Rock" (update: Carson Daly is on now and I am waiting to see Rihanna and Jay-Z perform) on New Years Eve, I decided to write this blog about 2009. I started clicking through my iPhoto albums and found these images.

Here is my resolution for the New Year: Enjoy the moment, be present and appreciate the good times.

While this was a difficult year, it was an enlightening and inspiring one. Actually, judging from these photographs, 2009 was incredible. Check it out (in no particular order).