Soul-singing chanteuse Jill Scott appears on the May issue of Essence Magazine. While looking exceptionally beautiful, it’s hard to ignore the multi-talented stars glaring glow. In the issue, Scott dishes on her motherhood, upcoming music, and reclaiming her starring role in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?

The ‘Real Thing’ singer will also be embarking on Read the rest of this entry »

In a recent segment on the black community and homosexuality, CNN host Don Lemon spoke with Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt Murray who asserts “it’s time for the African-American community to get real. Homophobia does exist in our community, we’ve embraced it and it’s killing us.” The discussion moved into the reasons why many in the gay community don’t “come out” and followed by video footage of a panel discussion hosted by Lemon on “Blacks & Gay Equality.”

Heeeeey Lemon chile!

The panel included Steve Perry, Tyrone McGowan, Bishop Eddie Long, Tyree ‘DJ Drama’ Simmons, and Farrah Gray.

Check out the video after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »

Last night, CNN aired Reclaiming the Dream, a forum co-produced by Essence, moderated by Soledad O’Brien and featuring CNN Contributor Roldan Martin. The forum addressed several sensitive and serious issues affecting the Black community. One issue discussed was that of HIV/AIDS, homosexuality and the role of the Black church. Forum participant and TV personality Judge Penny Brown Reynolds didn’t hold back in voicing her belief that the Black church needs to do more.

According to Reynolds, Read the rest of this entry »

Author E. Lynn Harris’s personal assistant Laura Gilmore spoke with Essence.com and gave the details of Harris’s last day leading up to his death. Essence.com reports,

Last Tuesday, the former IBM executive boarded a train from Alburquerque, New Mexico, to Los Angeles for a meeting with CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Tracey Edmonds, allegedly to sell the rights to his books. During his travel, he fainted but medics aboard the train said his vital signs were okay.

Two days later while meeting with one of his students from his alma mater, University of Arkansas, where he served as an adjunct professor of English and sponsor and coach of the cheerleading squad, Harris took his final breath.

Lynn and his student were about to order some food when the student got up to turn on the TV and heard a loud thud, Harris’s Read the rest of this entry »

In case you missed it, Usher officially filed for divorce from wife of two years, Tameka Foster Raymond, a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta Superior Court. Since then, there has been a lot of mud slinging at Usher’s now estranged wife. To the rescue, Tameka’s BFF since middle school, Nyeisha Dewitt. Gotta love the BFFs of the world. Dewitt recently sat down with Essence magazine to discuss, the Usher/Tameka separation, Usher rumored relationship with Def Jam’s Grace Miguel, and Tameka’s liposuction trip to Brazil.

Check out excerpts from the interview after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »

Jill Scott, who recently gave birth to her first child, Jett Hamilton, now 2 months, is managing her toughest role yet solo. Jill Scott recently revealed to Essence magazine that she is no longer with fiance and drummer, Lil’ John Roberts. Jill explained, Read the rest of this entry »

Queen Latifah, Essence magazine’s July cover girl, opens up about being sexually abused as a child and coming to terms with it as an adult. In the interview, Queen revealed, Read the rest of this entry »

Terrance Dean, author of the book Hiding in Hip Hop, was recently tapped by Essence Magazine to provide commentary on the recent announcement from Dwight Eubanks, the gay stylist from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, on his engagement to a woman.

Here’s an excerpt from Dean’s commentary: Read the rest of this entry »

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