BY: Lande Yoosuf
Another happening in history occurred Friday Evening. Crystle Stewart of Missouri City was another African American to win the miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Hotel. She beat out Leah Lavino of Mississippi and Tiffany Andrade of New Jersey for her crown.
Stewart scored high in three categories – the swimsuit, evening gown, and in her interview. She runs a party-planning and motivational speaking company. Stewart also models professionally with dreams on of taking on international philanthropy. Her crown offers her an apartment in New York City, a two year scholarship at the New York Film Academy, and an opportunity to run for the miss Universe Pageant this July.
Crystle also noted that American society is taking significant strides because she is one of the few African American women to win this ceremony through out its 50-something year history.
****************************************************************************************
Renowned Hip-Hop group The Roots are slated to perform in an outdoor concert this June at Philadelphia’s Festival Pier. It is planned as a full day event and they invited guests such as Gnarls Barkley, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Cool Kids, Santogold, Deerhoof, J*Davey and Esperanza. The doors for the concert open at noon, but the concert begins at 2:00pm. General admission tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster locations and Livenation.com. In related news, the roots will be releasing their next album, Rising Down, on April 29th.
Nelson Mandela’s camp reached out to rapper Eminem last month to join the roster for a concert assembled for Mandela’s 46664 AIDS charity organization. It will also be his 90th birthday celebration. The concert will be in London’s Hyde Park on June 27th with Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith as event hosts. Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, Razorlight, and Keane are other confirmed guests to perform.
****************************************************************************************
Speaking of Hip Hop…Brooklyn Bodega’s annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival has finalized dates (it is scheduled for late June) for performances, screenings, and other related events. Traditionally, a special headlining guest will perform at the concert, which has yet to be announced. For more information and frequent updates on the event, check out www.brooklynbodega.com.
****************************************************************************************
Radio personality, political commentator, show host Tavis Smiley no longer holds a spot on Tom Joyner’s radio program after a 12 year run. Joyner announced to listeners on Friday and he blames Smiley’s departure over the public feud with Senator Barack Obama.
Obama was one of the presidential candidates invited to Smiley’s “State of the Black Union†symposium this past February. Smiley openly criticized Obama for his rejection of the invitation and received a harsh backlash from the black community in return. However, Smiley rejects any notion of the Obama situation as his reason for leaving. Rumors are actually floating around that he may have his own radio program.
Another happening in history occurred Friday Evening. Crystle Stewart of Missouri City was another African American to win the miss America Pageant at the Planet Hollywood Hotel. She beat out Leah Lavino of Mississippi and Tiffany Andrade of New Jersey for her crown.Stewart scored high in three categories – the swimsuit, evening gown, and in her interview. She runs a party-planning and motivational speaking company. Stewart also models professionally with dreams on of taking on international philanthropy. Her crown offers her an apartment in New York City, a two year scholarship at the New York Film Academy, and an opportunity to run for the miss Universe Pageant this July.
Crystle also noted that American society is taking significant strides because she is one of the few African American women to win this ceremony through out its 50-something year history.
****************************************************************************************
Renowned Hip-Hop group The Roots are slated to perform in an outdoor concert this June at Philadelphia’s Festival Pier. It is planned as a full day event and they invited guests such as Gnarls Barkley, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Cool Kids, Santogold, Deerhoof, J*Davey and Esperanza. The doors for the concert open at noon, but the concert begins at 2:00pm. General admission tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster locations and Livenation.com. In related news, the roots will be releasing their next album, Rising Down, on April 29th.
Nelson Mandela’s camp reached out to rapper Eminem last month to join the roster for a concert assembled for Mandela’s 46664 AIDS charity organization. It will also be his 90th birthday celebration. The concert will be in London’s Hyde Park on June 27th with Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith as event hosts. Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, Razorlight, and Keane are other confirmed guests to perform.
****************************************************************************************
Speaking of Hip Hop…Brooklyn Bodega’s annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival has finalized dates (it is scheduled for late June) for performances, screenings, and other related events. Traditionally, a special headlining guest will perform at the concert, which has yet to be announced. For more information and frequent updates on the event, check out www.brooklynbodega.com.
****************************************************************************************
Radio personality, political commentator, show host Tavis Smiley no longer holds a spot on Tom Joyner’s radio program after a 12 year run. Joyner announced to listeners on Friday and he blames Smiley’s departure over the public feud with Senator Barack Obama.
Obama was one of the presidential candidates invited to Smiley’s “State of the Black Union†symposium this past February. Smiley openly criticized Obama for his rejection of the invitation and received a harsh backlash from the black community in return. However, Smiley rejects any notion of the Obama situation as his reason for leaving. Rumors are actually floating around that he may have his own radio program.
