Bring That Week Back: Week of Jan. 3, 2010
Keyshia Cole gets engaged. Beyonce takes heat for New Year's Eve performance. A veteran Black journalist dies and Tyrese survives car crash.
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Keyshia Cole Gets Engaged - Congratulations to R&B star Keyshia Cole, who publicly announced her engagement to NBA player Daniel “Boobie” Gibson on Thursday. Cole said Gibson, a guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, proposed to her on New Year's Eve. The two are expecting their first child.
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Reggie Bush Covers ESSENCE; Stirs Controversy - Should a Black man who is dating a non-Black woman be on the cover of a magazine that targets Black women? Essence magazine is embroiled in a cover controversy for featuring New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush on the cover of its latest issue. Bush is dating reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who is Armenian American.
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Tyrese Survives<bR> Car Crash - Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson was involved in a car accident on January 4 when his SUV collided with a Dodge Charger. Gibson later tweeted about the accident, confirming his stable condition, thanking God and revealing how he prayed after the crash.
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BET Nominated for Image Awards - BET Networks and CENTRIC snag five nominations for the 41st NAACP Image Awards. They include The BET Awards '09" and coverage of the Michael Jackson Memorial Service (Outstanding Variety), "The Mo’Nique Show" (Outstanding Talk Series), "The Inauguration of Barack OBama", 44th President of the United States” special (Outstanding News/ Information), and episodes of CENTRIC original series "Leading Women" featuring India.Arie and Dr. Maya Angelou.
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Beyonce Criticized for Playing Qaddafi Gig - Beyoncé received some backlash this week for giving a $2 million performance at a private New Year's Eve show in St. Barts hosted by the 33-year-old son of controversial Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi. The event held at an exclusive club on the Caribbean island was attended by several American celebrities, including Knowles’ hubby Jay-Z.
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Russell Simmons<br>Defends Beyonce - “I am amazed at the hypocrisy of the international media’s attack on Beyonce for her performance at Nikki Beach in St. Barts over the holidays,” said Russell Simmons defending Beyonce’s St. Barts performance. While I personally do not have any business dealings with Libya, Muammar al-Qaddafi or his family, Libya is a state recognized by the current and previous US administrations and is now crawling with new investments from so called “blue-chip” US execs and corporations."
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Washington Post Editor Deborah Howell Dies - Deborah Howell, former editor and ombudsman of the Washington Post, died on Jan. 2 after a motor vehicle accident in New Zealand. She was 68. Ms. Howell is considered a trailblazer for women in the newsroom and was well-respected for her news coverage style.
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“Precious” Leads Image Awards Nods - The story of a 16-year-old teenage mother’s hard and cruel life in Harlem has secured eight NAACP Image Award nominations including Best Motion Picture. The nominations, which were announced Wednesday, also acknowledge the roles of several actors involved in the film including star Gabourey Sidibe and supporting actors Mariah Carey, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton and Lenny Kravitz. The Image Awards will take place Feb. 26.
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Tiger Woods Makes Racial Jokes in Vanity Fair - In an excerpt released from an interview with Tiger Woods by Vanity Fair, the golf superstar makes several crude jokes about Black men and sexual stereotypes. Ironically, Woods has lost millions in endorsements and has taken a sabbatical from golf stemming from several extra-martial affairs. The story, which is expected to come out in February, features several pictures of a shirtless Woods working out.
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Obama N.Y. Billboard<bR>Upsets White House - A clothier has placed a billboard advertisement in Times Square featuring the President of the United States in one of its products. The Weatherproof Garment Company ad features President Obama in one of its jackets standing next to the Great Wall of China. The White House asked on Thursday for the clothier to remove the billboard as it misleads the public into thinking Obama endorses the jacket.
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Alpha Phi Alpha Suspends Intake - Concerned with the growing number of hazing incidents being reported on college campuses, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., President Skip Mason has suspended all new member intake until “further notice.” Alpha Phi Alpha is the oldest Black Greek Letter Organization, founded on Dec 4, 1906.
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Mo'Nique Show<Br>Set Director Killed - The BET family is sad to report the death of Maureen Allaben, a set director for "The Mo'Nique Show," who was allegedly killed by her husband in suburban Atlanta. According to police, Allaben, 43, was killed by her husband Dennis Allaben,46, who wrapped his wife's body in a tarp and stored her in the back of his blue Ford pick up truck as he drove to Virginia to leave the couple's children with relatives.
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Jayson Williams In N.Y. Car Crash - Former NBA star Jayson Williams was charged with drunk driving and suffered several facial lacerations and other injuries as his SUV crashed into a tree in Manhattan. Williams, who played for several teams during his NBA career, is also set to stand trial for reckless manslaughter in the 2002 shooting death of his limo driver in his New Jersey mansion.
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Eunice W. Johnson Dies - Eunice W. Johnson, the wife of late Johnson Publishing founder John H. Johnson and creator of the annual Ebony Fashion Fair traveling fashion show, died on January 3. She was 93 years old. Mrs. Johnson, who also served as the secretary and treasurer of Johnson Publishing, began her world-famous fashion show in 1961 to showcase the range of fashion styles and cosmetics sported by African-American women.
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Alfamega Daughter Stabbed at T.I. Club - The daughter and son of hip-hop star Alfamega suffered stab wounds and a fractured jaw, respectively, during an altercation at Club Crucial in Atlanta. T.I.'s uncle, who owns the club, says he had no knowledge of the incident. Alfamega promised the club and police there will be no “street justice” retaliation.
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Tavis Smiley Ends "State of the Black Union" - After 10 years of gathering the best and brightest minds in African-American culture, community, education and politics, author and journalist Tavis Smiley has decided to end the Black State of the Union Series. Smiley said the dynamic of the country has changed as African-American causes and concerns are being expressed through both traditional and non-traditional media outlets. Smiley plans on airing at least four primetime specials in the upcoming year.
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Obamas Get Private Zoo Tour - Before exiting Hawaii, the Obamas received a special private tour of the Honolulu zoo. When a reporter asked the commander in chief if he was ready to leave, Obama and family replied jokingly, “NO!” The President also squeezed in a few more hours at the golf club.
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Two Democratic Senators Resign - Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) have resigned from the U.S. Senate effective at the end of the year. Both men faced tough re-election campaigns as Democrats work to keep their majority in Congress.
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Bill Clinton Visits Obama at Oval Office - 42 visits 44 as former President Bill Clinton paid a visit to current President Barack Obama on Thursday. The Presidents typically “check in with each other” once a season, according to White House aids. Their last meeting was in September.
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Newark Airport<bR>Shuts Down - A man at Newark Liberty International airport sneaked through security to meet a woman, causing the busy New York-area airport to shut down. The breach of security caused delays across the globe and brought into focus the safety of U.S. airports. Video of the incident shows a guard had walked away from the post.
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Gilbert Arenas Suspended - Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was placed under an indefinite suspension without pay by NBA commissioner David Stern on Wednesday. Arenas is accused of pointing a gun at a teammate during a locker room argument.
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Mariah Carey “Soaks it Up” at Award Show - Mariah Carey may have had a few too many cocktails before accepting her award at the Palm Springs Film Festival. Carey won the “Breakthrough Performance” award for her role in “Precious.”
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Lil Wayne to Play Jesus in Cartoon - Rap star Lil Wayne will be the voice of Jesus in a new cartoon called “Freaknik.” The cartoon, set to air on the Cartoon Network and produced by T-Pain, celebrates the long-lost Atlanta tradition of the same name.
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Rushed to the Hospital - “Diff’rent Strokes” star Gary Coleman was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday after vomiting in his hotel room. Coleman, who has medical issues particularly with his kidneys, checked out of the hospital and passed all medical tests, according to his agent. Coleman is 41.
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Former B2K Member Arrested - Jarrell “J-Boog” Houston was arrested on domestic abuse charges for allegedly beating up the mother of his children. Houston is a former member of the teen boy band B2K.
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Percy Sutton Laid to Rest - A former Tuskegee Airman who served as Malcolm X's lawyer was laid to rest on Wednesday. Hundreds gathered in New York to pay their respects to Percy Sutton. Attorney General Eric Holder, Gov. David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sen. Charles Schumer were among those to speak during the ceremony.
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Shaq Buys LeBron Rolls Royce - As a 25th birthday present for NBA superstar LeBron James, his teammate and fellow superstar Shaquille O’Neal bought him a brand new Rolls Royce Phantom costing more than $434,000. When asked if it was a lease, Shaq said he bought the vehicle “straight-up.”
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Mayweather – Ross Standoff - Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and hip-hop star Rick Ross were ready to rumble as both men and entourages literally bumped into each other at a Las Vegas club. The two have a longstanding feud as Ross believes Mayweather has tried to belittle him in front of his child.
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Obamas Return From Hawaii - President Barack Obama returned to Washington on Sunday after spending two weeks on vacation with his family in Hawaii. Obama said his goals for 2010 are creating jobs and protecting the nation and its citizens from terrorism.
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Shaq Accused of Harassment - Vanessa Lopez, a model, is suing Shaquille O’Neal for harassment after she told him that she was carrying the 17-year NBA veteran’s child. Lopez has hired renowned attorney Gloria Allred to represent her in court. Shaq’s wife has filed separation papers.
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Beyonce and Alicia Keys to Team Up - Two of music's biggest stars will star in a video together. Beyoncé will make an appearance with Keys in the video for her song, “Put It in a Love Song.”
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Nigerian Terror Suspect Indicted - Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was indicted and arraigned this week in Detroit on charges on 6 six criminal counts that included attempted murder and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction. The 23-year-old Nigerian is being held in a Michigan jail.
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Rep. Clyburn Softens Public Option Stance - On a Sunday morning talk show, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, one of the staunchest and most vocal supporters of the public option in the U.S. Congress, said he can now vote for the health care bill even if it is not included. When asked about that possibility, the House Majority Whip said, “Yes, sir, I can.”
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Chris Henry Fiance Speaks Out - Loleini (Leini) Tonga, the fiancée of former NFL player Chris Henry will not be charged by North Carolina police in connection with Henry's fatal accident. Henry died after falling out of a pick-up truck that Tonga was driving. Tonga's interview about the incident airs Sunday on ESPN.
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Obama: Feds Not Connecting Dots in Terror Fight - President Obama said information was readily available to stop the terror suspect who allegedly attempted to blow up a plane on Christmas Day in Detroit. Obama promised more cooperation between law enforcement agencies and intelligence-gathering operations domestically and abroad. On Dec. 25, Nigerian-born Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab boarded a plane in Amsterdam with explosives in his underwear that he was set to detonate as the plane landed in Detroit.
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Willie Mitchell, Soul Music Producer, Dies - A producer for Al Green, Ann Peebles and a host of ‘70s soul stars has died. Willie Mitchell, the house producer at Hi Records, died Tuesday in Memphis. He was 81.
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KFC Ripped for<bR>Controversial Ad - How to soothe a group of Blacks? Pass around a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. In a new ad currently airing in Australia, a lone White man passes around chicken to calm down a group of drum-beating Blacks. Several civil rights groups convinced KFC to pull the advertisement.
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Diddy to Hold Bad Boy Weekend in D.C. - To celebrate the one-year anniversary of our nation's first Black President, Diddy is hosting “Dirty Money Weekend” in Washington, D.C. on Jan 16. Diddy informed the masses of his idea through his Twitter account on New Year's Day.
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Another Chicago Teen Murdered - Fred Couch, a Chicago teen, was gunned down on a city street as he was leaving a convenience store. Chicago police have arrested 42-year-old Randall White for Couch's murder. The incident was caught on tape by surveillance cameras. Couch was a classmate of Derrion Albert, the innocent teenager who was recently killed on his way home from school during a gang clash.