Monthly Archives: July 2011

NEWS: RODNEY KING ARRESTED FOR DUI + MUGSHOT

Police arrested Rodney King on suspicion of driving under the influence on Tuesday afternoon in Moreno Valley, California. The 46-year-old was reportedly driving a 1994 Mitsubishi when officers observed him committing “multiple infractions.” King was taken into custody and was eventually arrested and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center. Police have given no details on what substance King was allegedly under at the time of the arrest. Rialto police, who were the first to respond, said King was intoxicated when they arrived and that it was difficult to decipher what he was saying. Continue

Posted in NEWS/STORIES Tagged

MUSIC NEWS: CIARA INKS NEW DEAL WITH EPIC RECORDS? / MARY J. BLIGE TALKS NEW ALBUM

According to reports made by Billboard.biz, Epic Records’ staff has been quite energetic over their first week with new label head L.A. Reid, who recently stepped down from his stint at Def Jam.

With reports of trying to restructure the label, which is a part of Sony Music Group, it has been announced that Ciara may be teaming forces with L.A. Reid, who signed her before, back in 2003 to LaFace Records.

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Posted in MUSIC, MUSIC NEWS Tagged ,

AWARENESS: JILL MARIE JONES SPEAKS TO A PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL IN L.A.

Actress Jill Marie Jones (best known for playing Toni on Girlfriends) spoke at Wendy Raquel Robinson’s performing arts school, Amazing Grace Conservatory, in Los Angeles recently. Jill donated her time to visit the school, give inspiring words to the students, and answer their questions about the entertainment industry.

Jill loves to do motivational speaking and has plans to launch her own non-profit organization to help at-risk youth. Jill and Wendy can currently be seen in the new independent film, “35 & Ticking,” directed by Russ Parr, playing in select theaters nationwide.

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Posted in CL Galleries, awareness Tagged

NEWS/STORIES: BRONX TEEN ACCEPTED TO UCONN THEN DENIED

Meet Autum Ashante. This 13 year-old poet and high school senior was accepted into the University of Connecticut mid-June of this year. She speaks three languages (Arabic, Swahili, and Spanish), is a UN Youth Ambassador, who performs spoken-word and considers herself as an activist. Unfortunately with her IQ standing at 149, it wasn’t enough for the University of Connecticut to allow her to attend the academic institution:

In a bizarre development, the father of a 13-year-old Bronx prodigy says his daughter will not be attending the University of Connecticut this fall, after the school rescinded their acceptance.

Batin Ashante said his daughter, Autum, is “devastated” after university officials called him yesterday to “rescind” their offer of acceptance. “They said they now feel she’s not academically ready,” he said. “That’s B.S.!”

Autum’s story exploded on the blogosphere and several news agencies reported on the young phenom from the Pelham Parkway section of the Bronx.

“I’ve got nothing but positive feedback,” Ashante said. “I’m her dad and it just bothers me to see her go through this.” [Source]

It’s alright Autum. The next university that accepts you will be even better than the University of Connecticut. We are all proud of you, young lady! Props to you!

Check out Autum Ashante’s video EPK below, where she introduces herself to world last year. She shares her aspirations of one day publishing her own book and giving back to the community.

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Posted in NEWS/STORIES