Tag Archives: Year

FOURTH Year In A ROW! Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy Sending 100% Of Its GRADUATES To COLLEGE

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For the fourth year in a row, Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy is sending 100% of its graduating class off to college.  Get the deets inside on the school that is setting the example for America…..

 

Just when you thought the next generation’s success was questionable due to their lives being run by Twitter, Instagram, social media and reality tv, at least one specific group is constantly excelling.

For the fourth year in a row, Chicago’s Urban Prep Charter Academies can proudly announce that all of its graduating seniors have been accepted to four-year universities.

This year, Urban Prep, the all male charter school excelling in a city facing the worst crime stats in America, is sending off 167 seniors (from their Englewood and University Village campuses) to institutions of higher education.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke about the accomplishment saying, "What this 100 percent proves beyond a doubt is that it need not be the exception but it should be the expectation for every child in the city of Chicago."

Urban Prep founder Tim King expressed his excitement saying, "It’s really heartwarming. It’s really an inspiration. These guys are an inspiration to all of us because they show you what can happen when you really work hard and do the right thing. I feel great. There are no words to describe how powerful and wonderful it is to be a part of Urban Prep."
 

The country’s first all-male charter high school started in 2002 out of a need to cater in an innovative way, to boys in the city.  Approximately 85% of Urban Prep students are low-income and nearly all are African-American. 

The school–which operates off a lottery system and open to any Chicago resident 9th graders–has proven once again that succeeding in education is not about how much money or access your family has, it’s about an unparalleled focus on students and the best teachers possible. 

Watch a clip from the graduation ceremony above.  Congrats to the young men!

FOURTH Year In A ROW! Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy Sending 100% Of Its GRADUATES To COLLEGE

 photo Classof2011withTimKing-1.jpg

For the fourth year in a row, Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy is sending 100% of its graduating class off to college.  Get the deets inside on the school that is setting the example for America…..

 

Just when you thought the next generation’s success was questionable due to their lives being run by Twitter, Instagram, social media and reality tv, at least one specific group is constantly excelling.

For the fourth year in a row, Chicago’s Urban Prep Charter Academies can proudly announce that all of its graduating seniors have been accepted to four-year universities.

This year, Urban Prep, the all male charter school excelling in a city facing the worst crime stats in America, is sending off 167 seniors (from their Englewood and University Village campuses) to institutions of higher education.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke about the accomplishment saying, "What this 100 percent proves beyond a doubt is that it need not be the exception but it should be the expectation for every child in the city of Chicago."

Urban Prep founder Tim King expressed his excitement saying, "It’s really heartwarming. It’s really an inspiration. These guys are an inspiration to all of us because they show you what can happen when you really work hard and do the right thing. I feel great. There are no words to describe how powerful and wonderful it is to be a part of Urban Prep."
 

The country’s first all-male charter high school started in 2002 out of a need to cater in an innovative way, to boys in the city.  Approximately 85% of Urban Prep students are low-income and nearly all are African-American. 

The school–which operates off a lottery system and open to any Chicago resident 9th graders–has proven once again that succeeding in education is not about how much money or access your family has, it’s about an unparalleled focus on students and the best teachers possible. 

Watch a clip from the graduation ceremony above.  Congrats to the young men!

BREAKING: Janet Jackson & Wissam CONFIRM They Got MARRIED…LAST YEAR!

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Well if this isn’t the shocker of the day….

 

Janet Jackson and her now husband Wissam Al Mana have confirmed in a statement that they are married.  And they have been since last year!  Deets inside…

Forget the rumors that 46-year-old Janet and her long time man, 36-year-old Qatari billionaire Wissam are planning for an extravagant wedding soon (something we never believed anyway).  But the couple has one-upped the rumors by confirming, in a statement today, that they are ALREADY MARRIED.

Yep, you read that right.  Another secret marriage for Janet.  "Entertainment Tonight" received the couple’s first statement as a couple that read:

"The rumors regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true. Last year we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony…."Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favorite children’s charities. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected and that we are allowed this time for celebration and joy. With love, Wissam and Janet"

 

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Wowzers.  No word on their exact wedding date.  It could have been just a couple months ago in 2012 or literally a year ago.  Either way, these two make a gorgeous couple and have looked super happy together since they started dating in 2009.  The newlyweds spent this past weekend sitting front row at the Milan Fashion Week shows as Wissam is a buyer for luxe shopping malls in Dubai.  And were at the Giorgio Armani show today:

Get it Mrs. Jackson.  And CONGRATS!

Jermaine Dupri weeps….

 

Black & white photo: Marco Glaviano, Top pic via news.com.au, Reuters

ANOTHER Year Of SPARKLE: Happy 23rd Birthday Jordin Sparks!

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Sparkle actress Jordin Sparks turns 23-years-old today. Celebrate with the "American Idol" winner inside…

 

Since stealing our hearts with her infectious smile, Jordin Sparks had claimed her spot as our "American Idol" on both the music charts and the big screen.  With a star turn in the Whitney Houston-produced film Sparkle, Jordin has gone on to become a spokeswoman, launch a fragrance ("Ambition"), and nailed down one of the music industry’s hottest bachelors, Jason Derulo.  We expect to see Jordin sparkle and shine in 2013 as her bubbly personality and angelic voice are a breath of fresh air to the entertainment industry.

And on Twitter, Jordin received tweets from her adoring boyfriend Jason, 

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And a nice one from her mom too…

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She rarely hits the club.  So all Jordin wants for her birthday is……. 

 

Watch the video above to find out how you can wish Jordin a happy birthday.
 

Celebrate with her best red carpet and performance looks from this past year in the gallery below….

A SPARKLE-FUL YEAR! Happy 23rd Birthday Jordin Sparks!

PARTY FAB: The Breakfast Club’s Two Year BASH With Victor Cruz, Tamar Braxton, Bow Wow, T.I., La La & More

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The Breakfast Club (Charlamagne, Angela Yee & DJ Envy) celebrated their second anniversary with a big bash that included T.I. & Tiny, Tamara Braxton, French Montana, A$ ap Rocky,Wyclef, Bow Wow and La La Anthony. See the party pics inside….
 

 

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Last night, tons of celebs crowded into the Best Buy Theatre in NYC to celebrate the second anniversary of The Breakfast Club on Power 105.  A Who’s Who in the entertainment industry came out including NFL baller Victor Cruz, T.I., DJ Will, Maino and Geespin (the Assistant Program Director).

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Andre Harrell, La La, Tiny and A$ AP Rocky (who performed) were on hand for the party.  

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Busta Rhymes posed with DJ Khaled.

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La La Anothony was with her reality tv co-star Dice and Po.

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T.I. performed a few tunes.  

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The hosts from BET’s "106 & Park"  Jordan "Shorty da Prince" Johnson, Kimberly "Paigion" Walker, and Mykel "Miss Mykie" Gray showed their support.

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DJ Will posed with La La and "BBW LA" star Malaysia. 

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Angela Yee posed with Tamar Braxton and Renee Graziano.

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DJ Envy attended the bash with his wife Gia Casey, who’s exepcting a baby.  The couple are rumored to be a part of the "LAHH" cast but nothing is official.

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Geespin helped the co-hosts cut their cake.  

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Swizz Beatz rocked a hood all evening and performed with T.I. during the event.  

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Tamar Braxton hit the microphone to have a few words.  

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"Tiny Tonight" host Tiny Harris was there rocking box braids to support her husband.

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Bow Wow, who’s also a co-host on "!06 & Park" was spotted hanging with DJ Khaled.

Fun times!

Photos via AllEyesOnWho.com

President Obama NAMED “TIME” Magazine’s “Person Of The Year” + Oprah Winfrey COVERS “The Hollywood Reporter” RULE BREAKER Issue

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President Obama closes out 2012 on the cover of TIME Magazine as their "Person of the Year." See the cover inside and find out why The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER calls Oprah Winfrey a "Rule Breaker."

On the cover of TIME Magazine, President Obama posed for his first official portrait since his re-election.  The picture was captured by legendary photographer Nadav Kander, who is known for his "painterly touch."

The famed photographer spoke about the portrait saying, “When photographing such a high profile individual, it’s a huge challenge to not let their high profile take over the process.  I wanted to make a meaningful photograph that reflected pause in a person’s life and reflect his humanity.”

And TIME’s managing editor Rick Stengel spoke about choosing the POTUS as "Person Of The Year" saying, “We are in the midst of historic cultural and demographic changes, and Obama is both the symbol and in some ways the architect of this new America.”

 

Congratulations to the President….

 

Also on magazine stands….

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Oprah Winfrey covers The Hollywood Reporter’s "Rule Breaker" issue where the magazine covers the dramatic turnabout that OWN has done in terms of ratings. Oprah commented on her change of fortune herself saying, “I’m not doing the hula yet …but compared to a year ago, it feels like a sigh of relief."

She explains her initial lack of success with OWN saying, “Part of my own expectation was, ‘You’ve had 25 years of success; people will leverage that. But we didn’t account for people not having the channel, and not knowing how to find it, and the cable audience being different from broadcast.”

Congrats to Oprah! We’re happy people are finally tuning into OWN.

 

PICS: LeBron James Honored As 2012 Sportsman Of The Year In NYC With Savannah, Jay-Z & Beyonce

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LeBron James is the new 2012 Sportsman of the Year, and he copped his award at a big honoree ceremony tonight in NYC.  And his fiancee Savannah Brinson was there to celebrate, as well as his homie Jay-Z and wife Beyonce.

 

Pics inside…

LeBron and Savannah made it a celebratory date night while attending the 2012 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award presentation at Espace Wednesday night in NYC.

The twosome made their way to the Miami Heat star’s big awards ceremony, and had a few of their A-list friends there to celebrate the ocassion as well–The Carters:

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Savannah looked great in a mesh detailed purple cocktail dress while Bey kept it cool in an oxblood pantsuit.  LeBron kept it dapper in an off-black suit himself.

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Fab couple indeed.

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LeBron posed on the carpet with his trophy.

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And he snapped pics with Hov and his US Olympic Team coach Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski.

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Bron tweeted on the way to the game a pic of him and his fab fiancee saying, "I’m good."  Cute.

LeBron James NAMED “SPORTS ILLUSTRATED” Sportsman of the Year + Jamie Foxx COVERS The January 2013 Issue Of UPSCALE

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Miami Heat star LeBron James was named SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s Sportsman of the Year.  Get more deets on his honor inside and find out what Oscar-winning actor Jaime Foxx told UPSCALE Magazine about dating in LA.  Find out what he said inside….. 

 

Miami Heat star LeBron James, who is just the second player to win an NBA championship, MVP title and gold medal in the same year, was named SI’s "Sportsman of the Year."

LeBron reflected on winning the honor and his "Decision" to move to Miami saying, 

"I remember just like yesterday when I signed here and basically, like the roof caved in. "To see that I and my team and everyone around me was able to patch that roof up, to come to this point, to come to this point and receive such a prestigious award, it’s huge."

Sports Group editor Paul Fichtenbaum said,

"LeBron kind of made it easy on us. In a year that had really high standards, he just stood taller than everybody else.  I do think there has been some sort of closure – maybe not entirely in Cleveland, but across the nation. LeBron’s jerseys are now the No. 1-selling jerseys. I think there’s a reason for that. I think people really appreciate him for everything he can do."

Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of Team USA, beautifully described LeBron saying,

"The game is a house, and some players only have one or two windows in their house because they can’t absorb any more light. When I met LeBron, he only had a few windows, but then he learned how beautiful the game can be, so he put more windows in.

Now he sees the damn game so well, it’s like he lives in a glass building. He has entered a state of mastery. There’s nothing he can’t do. God gave him a lot but he is using everything. He’s one of the unique sports figures of all time, really, and he’s right in that area where it’s all come together." A voracious mind has caught up with a supreme body. The marriage is a marvel."

 

Dude has a lot of haters, but the title is well deserved.  The Dec. 10th issue of SI hits the stands on Wednesday and LeBron will be honored at the magazine’s Sportsman of the Year awards gala in New York on the same day.
 

Also in magazine covers…..

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Jamie Foxx, who just celebrated his LA CONFIDENTIAL cover, stars in Quentin Tarantino’s latest flick Django Unchained (Dec. 25th).  In the latest January 2013 edition of UPSCALE Magazine, the actor jokes about dating LA women, how work sometimes dries up after winning an Oscar and his thoughts about slave movies.  

Here are the highlights:

On dating L.A. women:
"What’s the most romantic thing a woman has ever done for me? It’s hard out here in L.A., they don’t really do that shit. They be like n-gga you better be glad I’m here, the Lakers are having an after party. That’s the most romantic thing a woman has ever done for me. She took me to a Laker party."

On staying humble:
"If you think about it, a lot of people that have won Oscars, you don’t get a chance to see them any more. And that’s because there’s not a lot of work out there, it’s not a lot of great projects, so you gotta be very careful and always stay humble. You can jump on out there and do your Oscar thing and you mess around and be trying to sell that Oscar, like, ‘Give me $ 1,200 for this…let me get $ 1,500.’ Like, ‘It’s gold, n-gga! It’s pure gold! Here, hold it!’"

On old black slave movies:
"Usually when black folks are the slaves…when it’s time to get them back as opposed to slapping them, we’ll put our hands down like, ‘Nah, I ain’t gonna be like you…’ And then we’ll start singing and the next thing you know we got an album coming out, as opposed to just join on and whipping his ass. Just whip a n-gga and get on about your business."

 

Django Unchained hits theaters on Christmas day.

 

Rihanna GETS NAKED For GQ’s “Men Of The Year” Issue, Releases “Diamonds” (Remix) Ft. Flo Rida & “777″ Tour Dates

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Rihanna gets naked for her latest GQ cover where her breasts are only slightly covered by a leather jacket.  See the cover inside and listen to the "Diamonds" (Remix) featuring 2 Chainz and get the deets on her "777" tour.

Rihanna shows off her tattoos and ta-tas on GQ’s "Men Of The Year" issue.  She tweeted the cover to fans saying, "GQ’s man of the year?! When will your fave? #histoRih #GQ"  We guess she mean’t to ask "Who is your fave." 

And as "Diamonds" rules radio airwaves all over the world, Rihanna capitalizes on the song’s popularity by adding rapper Flo Rida to the song’s remix.  On the track, Flo Rida flows over the song’s piano intro and says "I hope you can handle a rider."  

And later this month, fans in 7 cities  in 7 countries will get to see RiRi perform tracks from her 7th studio album Unpologetic (Nov. 19th) on her "777" tour.  And she’s taking along a group of fans and international press along for the ride.

"I am so excited about the 777 Tour," said Rihanna. "We are turning this jumbo jet into our tour bus. We’re practically living on this thing for a week: sleeping, partying, all together. Me, my fans, the press…it’s going to be a wild ride. I wanted it to be a rock n’ roll adventure, and I think when it’s over it will be the coolest thing I’ve ever done. I’m that excited about it."

Rihann’s camp will announce the venue for the performance once she gets to the city.

Here are tour dates:  

NOVEMBER 14th IN MEXICO CITY;
NOVEMBER 15th IN TORONTO;
NOVEMBER 16th IN STOCKHOLM;
NOVEMBER 17th IN PARIS;
NOVEMBER 18th IN BERLIN;
NOVEMBER 19th IN LONDON;
NOVEMBER 20th IN NEW YORK CITY

Listen to the "Diamonds" (Remix) featuring Flo Rida here:

 

Kelly Rowland Preps “Year Of The Woman” Album & New Promo Shot + Frank Ocean HITS THE STUDIO With Pharrell & Jay-Z

Singer Kelly Rowland revealed a new website today along with a promo shot and the title of her 4th solo disc. Get the deets inside and see who Frank Ocean is working with…

Actress and singer Kelly Rowland revealed a new website today where she told fans the title of her upcoming disc.  She said,

Im so excited to reveal the title of my fourth solo studio album. For weeks I have been using the hashtag #YOTW which stands for my next album which is titled ‘Year Of the Woman‘. This album is one of my greatest pieces of work and I cannot wait to share it with you guys! xoxo- KR

Kelly spoke to Vegas Magazine about the upcoming project saying,

I am more excited going into it this time than last time because I have a concept. I’m making this album for my ladies, oh, yes, and it is strong. All of the producers I’ve been working with get the concept so much that they brought in a little more aggressive—and sometimes masculine—approach, but there is a really incredible top line: I want to tell women how incredible we are, how our intuition is so spot-on. Sometimes we don’t listen to it, but it is the thing that can actually make us happier.”
 

Another album though?  We love Kelly so we’ll just say do you boo.  By the way, you can also check out the new Destiny’s Child greatest hits collection Playlist which hits stores today.

 

In other music news…

Pharrell tweeted a photo of himself in the studio with Frank Ocean and Jay-Z saying,

 

No word yet on what the three are cooking up but it should be interesting.