Jurnee Smollett at the premiere of ‘The Great Debaters”. (Splash News)
Jurnee Smollett, co-star of “The Great Debaters,” announced her intentions of working with Wiley College officials to establish a $2 million scholarship fund in honor of Henrietta Bell Wells, the woman behind her “Great Debaters” character, and her mother Janet Smollett, a civil rights activist and humanitarian, Saturday evening.
While holding back tears, Ms. Smollett vowed that the scholarship fund would “put young girls through college” and help diminish the negative stereotypes and images of black women as depicted by the media, which she feels are sensationalized. She also said the scholarship fund could possibly enable more African-American women to envision greater opportunities outside of what’s usually cast to them.
“I’m told I’m a statistic,” said Ms. Smollett, in a passionate address to the packed audience in the center. “I’m told that my young black sisters are disease-ridden…but we are greater than what society tells us we are.” [read more]
WILL SMITH DENIES SCIENTOLOGY AFFILIATION
Will Smith and good friend Tom Cruise. (Wireimage)
Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith are denying recently published claims that they’ve been recruited into the Church of Scientology.
“You don’t have to be Jewish to be a friend of Steven Spielberg. You don’t have to be a Muslim to be a friend of Muhammad Ali. And you don’t have to be a Scientologist to be a friend of Tom Cruise,” Smith tells us. “I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions. And I respect all people and all paths.”
- Will Smith [SOURCE]
Smith is responding to Radar magazine’s upcoming April cover story “Scientology Under Siege,” which makes the case that Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Kimora Lee Simmons are the new celebrity faces of Scientology.
In the article, the magazine said, “The Church has also set its sights on African Americans, opening up a center in Harlem in 2003 and making a strong play for Hollywood supercouple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett.”
MYA TAKES THE STAGE IN MAY
A new promotional picture featuring Mýa has surfaced online. Mýa will be apart of the long-running Broadway musical “Chicago” as the character ‘murderess Velma Kelly’ from May 12th to July 13th.
Mya portrayed “Mona” in the 2002 film version of the Tony-winning musical, but will now take on the lead role of Velma Kelly onstage in New York.
In additional to her new acting gig, Mýa will release a music compilations disc entitled, “LIBERATION: The Series” later on in the year. See more promo pics at URBAN-HOOPLA.
I would luv to see Mya on broadway!
HIS A CHRISTIAN NOT CATHOLIC, READ THE ARTICLE.
THANK GOD 4 DAT.
I was at work earlier taking them calls.. But Jurnee that is a beautiful picture of her and I think that it is good that she was inspired by the movie to contribute to the school. I am sitting here thinking how I can do something besides sit at home and watch t.v. on my days off…
About Will I think we are becoming too involved in some of these entertainers lives. With the internet being such an informational portal sometimes its too much.
I mean look what it has turned our society into. Just a thought.
Mya I have always liked her music and I think she is a good dancer too. Kudos to Mya on continuing to do you. With so many people who can be discouraging fans included she has prevailed on to acting again. Buena Suerte
#10.IT’S HAPPENED QUITE A FEW TIMES. UGH KUDOS TO JURNEE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG SIS DOING SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL FOR OTHER BEAUTIFUL BLACK FOLK! BLESSED BLESSING
It’s about time you knuckle heads posted this about Mya. LOL.
Do your thing Ma…I love you! And I really don’t give a crap what anyone else thinks…so don’t start! LOL
That is truly a wonderful thing Jurnee is doing for young Africann-American women. As many posters have written earlier, people need to focus more on people like Jurnee, The Simmons Sisters and Raven who are young African-American women doing positive things instead of focusing on the trials and tribulations of people such as Kim Kardashian, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, The Spears sisters and so forth. If they focused on people such as Jurnee, Raven, and other young black sisters doing great things then maybe young African-American girls will have a different mindset and do better for themselves. As an African-American woman, I’m proud that she is doing a great thing. Keep up the excellent work girl, you’re going to definitely be a star, actually, in my opinion, you already are.
Mya’s best bet is to just stick to Broadway. She was trained in dance for many years and was doing great in Chicago before.
hairsmystory.com
damn jurnee is beautiful !!
i loveeeeeeeeeee jurnee!
I love this girl! (no homo)lol I am glad that she dedicated to Henrietta Bell Wells…that says alot about her character! Hollywood needs more actresses as Jurnee..
And for you lames who did not go to the movies to see “The Great Debaters”…… Good karma will come to you if you purchase the DVD in April! I can’t wait till it releases:)
We need to see more young black women do more for the community like Jurnee!!!!
Stop the ass claping and start helping young women know their worth. I’m so proud of her….. I think the Great Debaters made this young lady into a poweful speech writer also. I wish the best for her. She’s giving back something that is powerful than money. She’s giving back hope!!!!!!!!
WOW at #3)!
Its comments like those of black women that great people like Journee are trying to dispel from our communities. Mya is trying to upstart her acting career. She has many talents, she can sing, dance and act and she’s trying to look beyond the fickle music industry instead of “waiting around for a rich man, getting pregnant and calling it a day”. I’m glad she is following her heart. Sad that many women on here have to hate on her for that.
Congrats to Journee and congrats to Mya.
JURNEE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND PRETTY VERY OUTSTANDING ACTRESS U DONT SEE HER HAVE SEX ,NOR ON DRUGS, NOT INTO GUYS SHE NOT FAST AND SHE’S CONCERTRATEING ON THE NEXT GENERATION SHE’S SO AMAZING SHE MADE ME CRY AFTER I READ THIS ARTICLE SHE REMINES ME OF MY SISTER. GO GIRL DO IT STAY POSITIVE
Jurnee …finally a celebrity doing something that matters.a great role model.:)
jurnee looks gorgeous in that pic!
its official i have a girl crush on journee… she is so beautiful
Pingback: » CANDIDS: EVA & LANCE / JURNEE / VIVICA / EVE / TRACEE / CHRIS / MEL B / CHRISTINA / ZOE & BEN // 'CONCRETELOOP.COM' YOU BETTER ACT LIKE YOU KNOW!
Who would had thought….Jurnee has blossomed into a beautiful being, person and a role model. I just posted on the Simmon’s sister’s 1 yr-anni…that these young sista’s, (Raven, Simmon’s Sisters) and now Jurnee are setting the pace and the new face for young, black and famous in Hollywood. I look to them and I see selflessness, hope and young black women who not only are gifted, but are giving back! That is a rarity in this day and age, when a lot of young women/people are all about “give-me, give-me” and know nothing about civic duty and using your wealth/fame to help others.
At a time when young White women in the media are the highlight of News and sex/drugs and outlandish behavior…we can be proud!
This is year is going to be a great year for Black people…and for all people! I am very positive, although daunted with the elections, recession and outlook…when I see and hear things like this…It keeps me hopeful of young leaders of the future/tomorrow.
Too bad Megan Good fell into the “D” list actress range huh? Some people are meant to shine differently than others…Jurnee is proof of this! May God Bless her and Keep her grounded.