Valerie Wardlaw

Oscar Winner Ruth E. Carter Receives Fourth Costume Design Nomination

Oscar winner Ruth E. Carter does not need an introduction. Carter made history as the first Black to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her stunning creations in the Marvel blockbuster “Black Panther.” She’s nominated again for the beautiful sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

African American Women Make History at Democratic National Convention

For the first time in the history of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), three African American women were named to top leadership positions. Rev. Leah D. Daughtry, Donna Brazile, and the Honorable Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio served as leaders at the 2016 Democratic National Convention held last week at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Purple Reign Prince Rogers Nelson, Dead at 57

There are moments that mark us. Those are the moments where you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news. On Thursday, April 21, 2016, we heard the news that Prince Rogers Nelson had died at his Paisley Park home and studio in Chanhassan, Minnesota (about 20 miles outside Minneapolis). He was 57 years young.

USC Fires Head Coach Steve Sarkisian

USC announced on Monday, October 12, that it has fired head coach Steve Sarkisian. This move comes one day after athletic director Pat Haden placed Sarkisian on an indefinite leave of absence. The sports outlet SB Nation is reporting that a source close to Sarkisian says he has checked himself into a residential treatment facility. USC announced the firing of Sarkisian on its athletic website under the heading “Sarkisian Terminated As USC Football Coach.” “After careful consideration of what is in the best interest of the university and our student-athletes, I have made the decision to terminate Steve Sarkisian, effective

USC Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Will Take Indefinite Leave of Absence

USC Athletic Director Pat Haden announced today that head coach Steve Sarkisian will take an indefinite leave of absence after failing to show up for practice today.  According to Haden, when he became aware that Sarkisian had not shown up for practice, he called the coach.  “It was very clear to me that he is not healthy.  I asked him to take an indefinite leave of absence,” Haden said. ESPN is reporting that a player told one of its reporters that “Sarkisian showed up lit to meetings again today.”   Offensive coordinator Clay Helton will take over as interim coach.  Haden

The Spiritual and Lyrical Instrument that is Rachelle Ferrell

If you ever have the opportunity to experience the live artistry of Rachelle Ferrell, run towards the light and goodness that is hallmark of a Ferrell performance. Making her first appearance at the Hyatt Regency Summer Concert series in Newport Beach (a fact which boggles the mind), Ferrell dazzled the crowd with her extraordinary vocal abilities and musicianship. But it was her soulful, self-penned, and eloquent lyrics that took center stage.

USC Receivers Coach Tee Martin Is A Player’s Coach

  Ask any college football fan about USC wide receivers coach Tamaurice Martin, better known as “Tee” Martin and they will tell you – he was the quarterback who led the Tennessee Volunteers in 1998 to its first college football national championship in 47 years. After Tennessee, the Pittsburg Steelers selected Martin in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.   Martin would go on to play for NFL Europe, the Oakland Raiders, and in the Canadian Football League. Prior to joining USC as the receivers coach and pass game coordinator, Martin coached at Morehouse College, the University of New

Los Angeles Clippers Host Media Day 2015

Soon and very soon, DeAndre Jordan will hoop it up for the Los Angeles Clippers, a sight that almost wasn’t. But on Friday, September 25 at the Los Angeles Clippers Playa Vista training facility, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan were poised and posed for the 2015-16 season. In case you didn’t know, the LA Clippers are deep, very deep. With the signing of newcomers Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith, Wesley Johnson, Pablo Prigioni, and Cole Aldrich, coupled with sixth man of the year, Jamal Crawford, and Austin Rivers, you have what Smith calls, the “bench mob.” The

Iyanla Vanzant Returns for New Season of “Iyanla: Fix My Life”

Iyanla Vanzant is back! The award-winning self-help series, Iyanla: Fix My Life returns to the OWN network on Saturday, September 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. In the three-part season premiere, Vanzant travels to Louisville, Kentucky to help two African American pastors, whose lives have been based on lies and deception, face their true identities and come out to their families and congregations. With her help, both Pastors take bold steps towards confessing their truth, after years of keeping their sexuality a secret from those they love.

Jill Scott Is All Grown Up

It’s been 15 years since “Who is Jill Scott – Words and Sounds, Vol. 1.,” and Jill Scott can hardly believe it’s been that long. But it has and in her own words, she has grown up and she has “something on her back that she needs to get off.”

Jazz Recording Artist NAJEE Releases ‘You, Me, & Forever’

Prolific saxophonist and flutist Jerome Najee Rasheed is back atop the jazz charts with his latest musical offering, his 17th studio project, the luxuriant “You Me, & Forever.” Congruent with his music, Najee is a gracious artist who finds time amid recording, touring, and family to share his gift with other musicians.