Da Brat has been released from prison
By Florence Anthony
Word is Rihanna visited Jerusalem in Israel on May 28 where she bought some souvenirs at the Egyptian Market and cleansed her soul at a large church. Meanwhile, Rihanna's Last Girl On Earth tour kicks off July 7 in Seattle, Washington. The upcoming trek, which features Kesha, as the opening act, will hit major cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami before it wraps on August 25 in Chicago.
Now listen up everyone because this is a biggie. There are more than one million people living in the United States with HIV/AIDS. Two-thirds of them are undiagnosed, not under medical care or not receiving proper treatment. While African Americans represent approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population, we comtinue to account for a higher proportion of cases at all stages of HIV/AIDS compared with members of other races and ethnicities. Now to address this, the good folks at Bristol Meyers Squibb and the National AIDS Foundation just announced the awarding of major grants that will enable 35 community based organizations to help improve access to care for people living with HIV and AIDS in five regions in the U.S. This includes Chicago, New York, Oakland and San Francisco and the states of North Carolina and Louisianna. Recognizing that there are barriers to accessing care, Bristol-Meyers Squibb and the National AIDS Foundation launched Positive Charge, a new initiative designed to help break down barriers to treatment. The grants were announced at the White House when senior members of the Obama administration, including my girl Melody Barnes, the President's Domestic Policy Adviser and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, hosted a panel discussion highlighting the critical role of public and private partnerships in helping to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. For more information about Positive Charge, please visit www.BMS.com.
Tongues are wagging that Da Brat has been released from prison. The fem-ce served three years on aggravted assault charges stemming from an altercation at Studio 72 nightclub in Atlanta. The raptress must also serve seven years of probation and 200 hours of community service.
Lionel Ritchie is a fan of Zona body products as witnessed when he goes into an L.A. beauty supply store in Beverly Hills and buys out what they stock of the Italian, pure body line. Lionel favors the Green Tea scent. Maybe his daughter Nicole got him into being a metro man. But Lionel always looks good to me! Check out this line at www.zonaspa.com.
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Word is Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth indulged Saturday at Wella Beauty Bar at Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood, with a blowout, manicure and makeup application. The recently named West Coast Editor of Reality Weekly, chatted with guests in the Schick Quattro for Women lounge.
T.I. has confirmed that VH1 renewed his hit reality show, "T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle," for a second season. He has said that the show is so important to him because it helps people get a better understanding of who he really is. T.I.'s highly anticipated album, "Troubleman," is due out in March.
A very happy Savannah Brinson showed off the 10 carat pear shaped engagement ring that her fiance LeBron James presented her at last Sunday's Miami Heat/Charlotte Bobcats game at the American Airlines arena in Miami.
Three years ago, Jeff Friday, Founder/CEO of Film Life, Inc., launched The Pro Hollywood Initiative at the American Black Film Festival. Friday's program was so impressive and ground-breaking, that it gained the attention of the NFL.
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and Broadway producer Alicia Keys will host a talkback discussion following the "Stick Fly" performance on Thursday, December 22 at the Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48 Street, New York City.
After being ordered on bed rest for the latter part of her pregnancy, the American Idol winner gave birth to a boy on Monday, December 12th. She delivered the bundle of joy in a North Carolina hospital.