[singlepic id=55 w=320 h=240 float=center] There's something to be said for Oscar(tm) fashions... the competition is usually fiercer than the actual award ceremony! [nggallery id=8] Sisters came out in glamorous and fabulous dresses that were sophisticated, tasteful, and beautifully structured. When it comes to the Oscars(tm), Black actresses seemed to have a more flavorful flair than some of their peers --good or bad. [polldaddy poll=2812384] In 2002, Halle Berry set

(*Any ad that may appear in banners to promote skin lightening is absolutely not endorsed by the International Black Women's Film Festival or it's web-site.) Beautiful Brit singer Leona Lewis was recently featured in British fashion magazine, "Grazia." A wonderfully shot layout featured the season's newest trends in pale pastels, and included a ballet theme. What was the issue? Well, Ms. Lewis is not as well known in

For those who read --or stumble upon-- Essence Magazine, it was hit with a fire storm of letters in response to their February 2010 cover featuring Reggie Bush. Stunningly gorgeous, his presence on the cover backfired with Essence readers. Why? Well, Reggie Bush is among a long list of Black male athletes and celebrities who are currently dating non-Black women and showing them off in as

For all of you fans of Golden Globe-winning actress and comedienne Mo'Nique, she is scheduled to appear at the Oakland Paramount on (my birthday!) April 3, 2010! [picappgallerysingle id="7635814"] Tickets go on sale February 26, 2010, and everyone's buzzing about buying tickets early because she's a favorite for an Oscar(r) at this year's Academy Awards for her caustic role in the Oscar-nominated film "Precious." Stay tuned as more

Tyra Banks announced that after five years on the air, she's ending her talkshow, "The Tyra Show," in 2011. According to the Associated Press, Miss Tyra is refocusing her attention on her perennially successful reality show "America's Next Top Model," which is now in it's fourteenth season. The announcement comes on the heels of another talkshow queen who made her end-date announcement for 2011, also: Oprah

Over the weekend, TV actress Samaria Graham delivered some sad news that actress Alaina Reed Hall passed away. Mrs. Hall played Ms. Graham's TV mother on the hit television series "Blossom." Mrs. Reed --a stage, film and television actress-- was well known for her roles on "Sesame Street" (as Gordon's little sister, the photographer), and her recurring roles on "227" and "Cleghorne." Mrs. Hall was 66

Well, people said it couldn't be done. After Halle Berry's Oscar(r) win in 2002, people questioned if it was just a fluke, and if a Black woman could get movie-goers into the theaters. [picappgallerysingle id="7403564" align="center"]After the summer success of PRECIOUS, two more films have exploded stereotypes and myths about Black women and their place in film. [picappgallerysingle id="7132203"]Granted, one movie completely masks the fact that

Last month Jennifer Hudson announced that she will play Winnie Manikizela-Mandela in the Equinoxe Film WINNIE (due out in 2011). The Creative Workers Union of South Africa (CWUSA) promptly issued a statement to South African newspaper The Citizen protesting the fact that a South African was not cast in the role, and locals haven't been sought to star in or work on the film.

ATLien Janelle Monae has been rocking the scene lately making a number of appearances at such underground events as New York's Afro-Punk Festival, and elsewhere. In 2008, she was featured in Interview Magazine as an up-and-comer. However, most folks may recognize her --in a less alien appearance-- from fellow ATLiens OutKast's movie IDLEWILD, even appearing on the soundtrack. Like creative, independent funkstresses before her, Miss Janelle

The legendary Apollo Theater is presenting a limited engagement of the revival of "Dreamgirls." Turned into a major motion picture starring Oscar Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce Knowles, and the voice of the upcoming Disney film "The Fairy Princess," Anika Noni Rose. [imagebrowser id=5] The musical garnered major attention in 1981 when it debuted on Broadway and starred Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, Jennifer Holliday, Phylicia (Ayers-Allen)