Bring That Week Back: Week of Feb. 22

A White sorority wins a step show -- but has to share the prize with AKAs. Whitney Houston begins world tour. Get those and all the week's top stories.

Fire Destroys Music Company - This week, a two-alarm fire damaged the building that houses the Gamble-Huff Music Company, where the "Sound of Philadelphia" was born. Fire officials say the Sunday morning blaze on the third floor of the Philadelphia International Records building has been determined to be "incendiary” and declared it an arson. One man has been questioned and released, officials say. The fire melted gold and platinum records and destroyed memorabilia.

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Fire Destroys Music Company - This week, a two-alarm fire damaged the building that houses the Gamble-Huff Music Company, where the "Sound of Philadelphia" was born. Fire officials say the Sunday morning blaze on the third floor of the Philadelphia International Records building has been determined to be "incendiary” and declared it an arson. One man has been questioned and released, officials say. The fire melted gold and platinum records and destroyed memorabilia.

Brian Westbrook Released From Eagles - The Philadelphia Eagles have released two-time Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook. A former All-Pro, the dynamic Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage in 2007 with 2,104 yards. He rushed for 1,333 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns that season. He spent much of last season on the sidelines, missing eight games with a pair of concussions and an ankle injury. Westbrook had only two touchdowns in 2009.

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Brian Westbrook Released From Eagles - The Philadelphia Eagles have released two-time Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook. A former All-Pro, the dynamic Westbrook led the league in yards from scrimmage in 2007 with 2,104 yards. He rushed for 1,333 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns that season. He spent much of last season on the sidelines, missing eight games with a pair of concussions and an ankle injury. Westbrook had only two touchdowns in 2009.

President’s Health Care Summit - President Obama and Republican lawmakers failed to reach many areas of agreement during their 7 ½-hour debate at this week’s health care summit. The stalemate leaves many speculating that Democrats could try to push the legislation through Congress without any Republican support, a move that could cost the Dems in congressional elections come November.

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President’s Health Care Summit - President Obama and Republican lawmakers failed to reach many areas of agreement during their 7 ½-hour debate at this week’s health care summit. The stalemate leaves many speculating that Democrats could try to push the legislation through Congress without any Republican support, a move that could cost the Dems in congressional elections come November.

Jayson Williams Sentenced - Former NBA star Jayson Williams has been sentenced to a minimum 18 months in prison for fatally shooting a hired driver in 2002, ending an eight-year legal odyssey. Williams avoided a retrial on a reckless manslaughter count by pleading guilty last month to aggravated assault in the February 2002 death of Costas Christofi. Williams was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but convicted of covering up the shooting.

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Jayson Williams Sentenced - Former NBA star Jayson Williams has been sentenced to a minimum 18 months in prison for fatally shooting a hired driver in 2002, ending an eight-year legal odyssey. Williams avoided a retrial on a reckless manslaughter count by pleading guilty last month to aggravated assault in the February 2002 death of Costas Christofi. Williams was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but convicted of covering up the shooting.

Obamas Host Governors Ball - President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a fancy dinner for the nation’s governors in the State Dining Room of the White House. Jazz musician Harry Connick, Jr., performed to standing ovation with the glee club from Washington D.C.’s Myrtilla Miner Elementary School.

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Obamas Host Governors Ball - President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a fancy dinner for the nation’s governors in the State Dining Room of the White House. Jazz musician Harry Connick, Jr., performed to standing ovation with the glee club from Washington D.C.’s Myrtilla Miner Elementary School.

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Van Jones Gets Award, New Gig - Things are looking up for President Obama’s former adviser, Van Jones, who resigned from the Obama administration last year. Jones came under attack from far-Right wing groups that eventually led to his decision. Now, Jones is up for an NAACP image award as well as two new jobs. He will be a fellow at Princeton University and will also work with The Center for American progress, a liberal think tank in D.C.

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Van Jones Gets Award, New Gig - Things are looking up for President Obama’s former adviser, Van Jones, who resigned from the Obama administration last year. Jones came under attack from far-Right wing groups that eventually led to his decision. Now, Jones is up for an NAACP image award as well as two new jobs. He will be a fellow at Princeton University and will also work with The Center for American progress, a liberal think tank in D.C.

Mo’Nique Gets Ready for Tour - Actress, talk show host and comedienne Mo'Nique recently won the Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award. Now, she is getting ready to kick off a comedy tour. The tour, called “Spread the Love,” begins March 19.

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Mo’Nique Gets Ready for Tour - Actress, talk show host and comedienne Mo'Nique recently won the Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award. Now, she is getting ready to kick off a comedy tour. The tour, called “Spread the Love,” begins March 19.

Kobe Makes Big Comeback - Kobe Bryant returned to the lineup after missing five games with an ankle injury and made a 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night. Bryant led the Lakers with 32 points, including his team's final nine points. His 3-pointer with 54 seconds left tied the game at 96. His game-winner came off an inbounds play 4 seconds after his layup attempt was blocked by Rudy Gay.

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Kobe Makes Big Comeback - Kobe Bryant returned to the lineup after missing five games with an ankle injury and made a 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 99-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night. Bryant led the Lakers with 32 points, including his team's final nine points. His 3-pointer with 54 seconds left tied the game at 96. His game-winner came off an inbounds play 4 seconds after his layup attempt was blocked by Rudy Gay.

Reds' Chapman Is Baseball's It Guy - Commentators and fans of the Cincinnati Reds are wondering if the latest addition to their team, Cuban player Aroldis Chapman, is worth the money. His name has been the buzz on sports blogs and articles ever since the team dropped a cool $30 million risk all rolled on the 6-foot-4, 185-pound pitcher.

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Reds' Chapman Is Baseball's It Guy - Commentators and fans of the Cincinnati Reds are wondering if the latest addition to their team, Cuban player Aroldis Chapman, is worth the money. His name has been the buzz on sports blogs and articles ever since the team dropped a cool $30 million risk all rolled on the 6-foot-4, 185-pound pitcher.

NAACP Elects Youngest Chairman - The NAACP elected a health care executive as its youngest board chairman Saturday, continuing a youth movement for the nation's oldest civil rights organization. Roslyn M. Brock, 44, was chosen to succeed Julian Bond. She had been vice chairman since 2001 and a member of the NAACP for 25 years. Brock works for Bon Secours Health Systems in Maryland as vice president for advocacy and government relations, and spent 10 years working on health issues for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

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NAACP Elects Youngest Chairman - The NAACP elected a health care executive as its youngest board chairman Saturday, continuing a youth movement for the nation's oldest civil rights organization. Roslyn M. Brock, 44, was chosen to succeed Julian Bond. She had been vice chairman since 2001 and a member of the NAACP for 25 years. Brock works for Bon Secours Health Systems in Maryland as vice president for advocacy and government relations, and spent 10 years working on health issues for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

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Lil Wayne Starts Twitter Account - Lil Wayne is about to go to prison on a felony weapons charge, but in his last days of freedom, the rapper has started a Twitter account. He tweets about his daily routine and everything from his grills to shooting videos. His Twitter persona is liltunechi and he already has more than 180,000 followers.

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Lil Wayne Starts Twitter Account - Lil Wayne is about to go to prison on a felony weapons charge, but in his last days of freedom, the rapper has started a Twitter account. He tweets about his daily routine and everything from his grills to shooting videos. His Twitter persona is liltunechi and he already has more than 180,000 followers.

Older Blacks Hit Especially Hard by Recession - Black Americans over 45 seem to be suffering the most from the recession, according to a report from the AARP. Of those surveyed, 31 percent of older Blacks have had to decrease their medicine supply to save money, and 50 percent have had to postpone vacations. In addition, the unemployment rate for older Blacks sits at 18 percent, eight points above the national average.

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Older Blacks Hit Especially Hard by Recession - Black Americans over 45 seem to be suffering the most from the recession, according to a report from the AARP. Of those surveyed, 31 percent of older Blacks have had to decrease their medicine supply to save money, and 50 percent have had to postpone vacations. In addition, the unemployment rate for older Blacks sits at 18 percent, eight points above the national average.

Harvard University Honors Wyclef Jean - Rapper/producer Wyclef Jean will be honored this weekend by Harvard University for his charity work and music, reports HollyScoop.com. Since the devastating quake hit his native Haiti last month, Jean has been working hard to raise money to help earthquake survivors.

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Harvard University Honors Wyclef Jean - Rapper/producer Wyclef Jean will be honored this weekend by Harvard University for his charity work and music, reports HollyScoop.com. Since the devastating quake hit his native Haiti last month, Jean has been working hard to raise money to help earthquake survivors.

Promoter Defends Whitney Houston Return - Despite widespread reports that had disappointed fans walking out on her shows, Whitney Houston’s publicist said that, on the contrary, Australian concertgoers enjoyed her performance. “Her fans were dancing and singing along with her and Whitney appreciates their support,” her publicist, Kristen Foster, said.

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Promoter Defends Whitney Houston Return - Despite widespread reports that had disappointed fans walking out on her shows, Whitney Houston’s publicist said that, on the contrary, Australian concertgoers enjoyed her performance. “Her fans were dancing and singing along with her and Whitney appreciates their support,” her publicist, Kristen Foster, said.

California's Negrohead Mountain Renamed - California’s Negrohead Mountain was recently renamed Ballard Mountain after former slave and blacksmith, John Ballard, a pioneer who bought land on the 2,031-foot mountain in 1880.

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California's Negrohead Mountain Renamed - California’s Negrohead Mountain was recently renamed Ballard Mountain after former slave and blacksmith, John Ballard, a pioneer who bought land on the 2,031-foot mountain in 1880.

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Katt Williams Phantom Rolls Repo’d - Funnyman Katt Williams is rumored to be broke. So broke that his Rolls Royce has been repossessed. The same report claims that he faces foreclosure and huge legal bills, stemming from a number of lawsuits.

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Katt Williams Phantom Rolls Repo’d - Funnyman Katt Williams is rumored to be broke. So broke that his Rolls Royce has been repossessed. The same report claims that he faces foreclosure and huge legal bills, stemming from a number of lawsuits.

White Sorority to<br> Share Prize With AKAs - After days of controversy over White sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha's win in a step competition, sponsor Coca-Cola said Thursday the second-place team, representing Alpha Kappa Alpha, will share top honors. Coca-Cola said in a statement that a review of the scoring from Saturday's national contest revealed a "scoring discrepancy" that it declined to explain. This is the first year of the Sprite Step Off, but step contests are typically dominated by Black sororities and fraternities.

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White Sorority to<br> Share Prize With AKAs - After days of controversy over White sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha's win in a step competition, sponsor Coca-Cola said Thursday the second-place team, representing Alpha Kappa Alpha, will share top honors. Coca-Cola said in a statement that a review of the scoring from Saturday's national contest revealed a "scoring discrepancy" that it declined to explain. This is the first year of the Sprite Step Off, but step contests are typically dominated by Black sororities and fraternities.

Magic Johnson Won’t Be Buying Johnson Publishing - Businessman and former BET honoree Magic Johnson admits he was in “advanced talks” but says he did not reach a deal with Johnson Publications, Inc., to buy the Chicago-based company. He says he is still looking for Black media properties to buy.

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Magic Johnson Won’t Be Buying Johnson Publishing - Businessman and former BET honoree Magic Johnson admits he was in “advanced talks” but says he did not reach a deal with Johnson Publications, Inc., to buy the Chicago-based company. He says he is still looking for Black media properties to buy.

Not True - Yung Berg (born Christian Ward) doesn’t miss anything on the internet. Last week, TMZ broke a story about Berg being violently assaulted and robbed during a house party in L.A.; but according to the Chicago native, that’s far from the truth.

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Young Berg Denies<bR>Robbery Report - Christian Ward, more popularly known as Young Berg to his fans, is denying TMZ reports that he was robbed while hanging out with friends at his L.A.-area home. It seems Berg doesn’t miss anything on the internet. The rapper responded on YouTube, saying he was in Vegas at the time that the Web site claims he was robbed.

Marvell Scott Accused of Raping 14-Year-Old - A former New York City sportscaster was indicted Tuesday on charges he raped a 14-year-old runaway working as a prostitute. Dr. Marvell Scott pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court to charges of rape, patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child. His attorney called the charges &quot;a ruse.&quot; Prosecutors said Scott met a man and two girls near Times Square on the afternoon of June 5, 2008.

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Marvell Scott Accused of Raping 14-Year-Old - A former New York City sportscaster was indicted Tuesday on charges he raped a 14-year-old runaway working as a prostitute. Dr. Marvell Scott pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court to charges of rape, patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child. His attorney called the charges "a ruse." Prosecutors said Scott met a man and two girls near Times Square on the afternoon of June 5, 2008.

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Nigerian President Returns - Nigeria's ailing president returned home after a long stay in Saudi Arabia. Shaky television footage showed an ambulance leaving the presidential wing of the capital airport early Wednesday but offered no images of the 58-year-old Yar'Adua, who has not been seen in public since leaving Nigeria on Nov. 23 to seek medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. His long absence had raised concerns about who was in charge of the fragile West African country.

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Nigerian President Returns - Nigeria's ailing president returned home after a long stay in Saudi Arabia. Shaky television footage showed an ambulance leaving the presidential wing of the capital airport early Wednesday but offered no images of the 58-year-old Yar'Adua, who has not been seen in public since leaving Nigeria on Nov. 23 to seek medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. His long absence had raised concerns about who was in charge of the fragile West African country.

Firefighter Convicted of Murder - A firefighter’s aspirations of heroism allegedly cost four people their lives. Prosecutors say that Caleb Lacey, a 20-year-old volunteer firefighter, set a fire that killed a New York mother and three of her children because he wanted to be seen as a hero. Lacey was found guilty of manslaughter, arson and reckless endangerment.

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Firefighter Convicted of Murder - A firefighter’s aspirations of heroism allegedly cost four people their lives. Prosecutors say that Caleb Lacey, a 20-year-old volunteer firefighter, set a fire that killed a New York mother and three of her children because he wanted to be seen as a hero. Lacey was found guilty of manslaughter, arson and reckless endangerment.

Desiree Rogers to Step Down - A White House aide says Desiree Rogers is resigning her post as social secretary, effective sometime next month. Rogers recently came under criticism for her handling of the administration's first state dinner. A celebrity-seeking couple from northern Virginia got into the exclusive Nov. 24 affair on the South Lawn without a formal invitation, despite heavy White House security. Rogers later acknowledged not having staff from her office at security checkpoints to help identify guests.

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Desiree Rogers to Step Down - A White House aide says Desiree Rogers is resigning her post as social secretary, effective sometime next month. Rogers recently came under criticism for her handling of the administration's first state dinner. A celebrity-seeking couple from northern Virginia got into the exclusive Nov. 24 affair on the South Lawn without a formal invitation, despite heavy White House security. Rogers later acknowledged not having staff from her office at security checkpoints to help identify guests.

Gov. Paterson Won't Seek Election - Less than a week after declaring he would seek a full four-year term, New York Gov. David Paterson abruptly dropped his election bid under pressure from Democrats concerned about his faltering agenda and criticism of his handling of a domestic abuse case involving a trusted aide. At a news conference in New York City, Paterson cited an accumulation of distractions, but said he had never abused his office.&quot;But I am being realistic about politics,&quot; he added.

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Gov. Paterson Won't Seek Election - Less than a week after declaring he would seek a full four-year term, New York Gov. David Paterson abruptly dropped his election bid under pressure from Democrats concerned about his faltering agenda and criticism of his handling of a domestic abuse case involving a trusted aide. At a news conference in New York City, Paterson cited an accumulation of distractions, but said he had never abused his office."But I am being realistic about politics," he added.