Oprah Winfrey Network will present a night of compelling conversation on Sunday, June 23, beginning with Oprah’s Next Chapter (9-10 p.m. ET/PT) featuring Oprah’s in-depth conversation with some of Hollywood’s most powerful female African-American actresses including Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union. In the discussion, the iconic actresses open up about the challenges, criticism and competition they face as African-American women in Hollywood. In the groundbreaking conversation, the women shed light on a topic that is not often discussed in the entertainment industry.
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Immediately following is the world television premiere of the groundbreaking documentary Dark Girls (10 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET/PT) from filmmakers Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry. The film explores the prejudices that dark-skinned women face throughout the world. Women share their personal stories, touching on deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes of society, while allowing generations to heal as they learn to love themselves for who they are. From filmmakers Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, Dark Girls made its world premiere at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. The DVD will be released September 24, 2013.
Sounds like must-see TV to us here at GBN. Be sure to tune in or set your DVRS!
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson
Posts published in “Lifestyle”
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According to the Huffington Post, Joan Smalls, the Puerto Rican beauty, is currently ranked the #1 model in the world and for good reason. She covers the top magazines, lands major fashion and beauty campaigns, hosts MTV’s “House of Style” and the list goes on. Recently, the 24-year-old got superhero-chic for director Barnaby Roper and Nowness.com’s short film “Woman of Steel.”
The minute-and-a-half long video is a dizzy display of Joan (literally) spinning and being all-around fierce in an array of designs by Rodarte, Altuzzara, Balmin and Anthony Vaccarello. Stylist Keegan Singh also adds a collection of big gold Eddie Borgo baubles for even more edge. “I tried to show a strong individual female character and Joan was the perfect person—she gives really strong poses,” Roper told Nowness.com.article by Julee Wilson via huffingtonpost.com
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Hair envy is a serious matter. The intense emotion has made droves of women fry, dye and cut their hair to replicate fabulously coifed notables (see: FLOTUS and Kate Middleton) or that woman (or man) in your office who looks like they just stepped off the set of a hair commercial. We’ve even contemplated going green (and we’re not talking about recycling).
And with the natural hair movement well underway, many ladies are coveting curl patterns that aren’t their own. Isn’t that the opposite of embracing your natural hair? Actress and curly girl, Tracee Ellis Ross, is addressing this unfortunate trend by launching the “Hair Love” Campaign–a call to action for women to start loving their hair, as-is.
Prompted by an Instagram meme from AroundTheWayCurls showing a little girl crying with a caption reading, “That moment you realize you don’t have Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair,” the 40-year-old star created a video response to express her gratitude–but to also explain her views on the matter.
“I don’t want you to want my hair. The reason I don’t want you to want my hair is I’m of the school of love what you got. For me, the reason my hair was such a battle was because I was trying to make it something it wasn’t. I wanted the hair that somebody else had,” Tracee says in the video.
She goes on to say: “I love that you love my hair but I only love that you love my hair if it’s an inspiration for you to love your hair.”
What a fabulous sentiment. We love that Tracee’s speaking out about this and hope it encourages others to really start embracing their own hair.
article by Julee Wilson via huffingtonpost.com
What are some great homemade face mask ideas to get the glowing skin you’ve always wanted – without spending a fortune? A little known secret is that you don’t need chemicals or exotic, hard to find ingredients, the best skin care can be found right in your refrigerator or pantry. Perfecting your complexion is easier than ever with these miracle masks, toners, astringents, moisturizers, face-lifting and skin-tightening facials you can make for yourself at home. Best of all, they’re easy to mix and inexpensive to prepare.
Choose one or two days a week to have your own facial spa day at home with these simple and beautifying ideas!
Want an instant facelift? Try this Mask!
All it takes is 2 simple ingredients:1egg white and ½ teaspoon lemon juice.
- Whip egg white and lemon juice until foamy. Gently spread mixture on face.
- Lie back and let dry for no more than 10 minutes.
- Apply 2nd layer on top of dried mask on face. Lie back for another 10 minutes (maximum 15 minutes only). Rinse off with lukewarm water. Splash with cold water then pat dry.
Firming and Moisturizing Made Simple
Grab some honey (organic, if possible but not necessary) and 1 egg. For dry skin use yolk only. For oily skin use egg white only. For normal skin use whole egg.
- Measure 1 tablespoon honey, heat in microwave for few seconds only. Thoroughly
- Mix honey with egg.
- Apply and leave on face for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Completely rinse off with warm water.
Natural Cleansing for Sensitive Skin
Whip up this cleanser to gently cleanse pores, removes dead skin cells, and softens dry, sensitive skin without irritating it.
- Measure 2 teaspoons yogurt with 2 teaspoons baking soda.
- Mix ingredients well, then apply to face.
- Gently massage into skin for at least 2 minutes.
- Rinse well with warm water.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday called for a more robust national discussion on mental illness, saying the time had come to bring the issue “out of the shadows.”
Speaking at the opening session of a White House conference on mental health, the president said his goal was to let people affected by these issues know they should not suffer in silence.
“Struggling with a mental illness or caring for someone who does can be isolating,” Obama said. “It begins to feel as if, not only are you alone, but that you shouldn’t burden others with the challenge.”
The conference is part of Obama’s response to last year’s shooting massacre at a Connecticut elementary school. While the president emphasized that most people with mental health problems are not violent, he said untreated mental illness can lead to larger tragedies.
There’s been little publicly revealed about the mental health of Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza, although it’s been documented that other gunmen involved in mass shootings suffered from mental illness. Federal law bans certain mentally ill people from purchasing firearms, but the background check system is woefully incomplete and Obama is trying to get more mental health records included.
“We can do something about stories like this,” he said. “In many cases, treatment is available and effective.” Top administration officials, along with actors Bradley Cooper and Glenn Close, were among those participating in the White House conference.
The agenda includes discussion of insurance coverage for mental health care and substance abuse, recognizing the signs of mental illness in young people and improved access to services for veterans. The overall goal is reducing the stigma of mental health problems and encouraging those who are struggling to get help.
April showers brought more than May flowers for first lady Michelle Obama and a group of elementary school children from two New Jersey schools seriously damaged by Hurricane Sandy, Monday. Students from Union Beach Memorial School in Union Beach, N.J., and Long Beach Island Grade School in Ship Bottom, N.J., joined Obama to harvest crops, such as lettuce and broccoli, planted in the White House garden in April.
“One of the reasons why we wanted to invite you guys is I understand that given all that you guys have been through,” she said. “Many of your schools got damaged in Sandy, right? — but despite that, you guys are still going to school every day, and you’re working on eating healthy … And it hasn’t been that easy, but you guys have managed to get through the school year way on top of the game, and we’re just very proud of you,” she added.
The children’s visit to the White House coincided with President Obama’s visit to their home state of New Jersey to highlight rebuilding efforts in coastal areas damaged during Hurricane Sandy last fall.
From The Daily Beast:
Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway couldn’t helped but be moved by the recent editorial by fellow actress Angelina Jolie discussing her decision to have an preventative double mastectomy. In 2009, the veteran of stage, television, and film went in for a mammogram and was told the results looked “suspicious.” The co-star of the Showtime series “Shameless”—who appeared in the original Broadway production of “Dreamgirls” and became a familiar face to fans in the hit films “Coming to America,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and “The Crimson Tide”—shares with Allison Samuels of The Daily Beast her head-butting battle with breast cancer, the lessons she learned about relinquishing control, and her plans for a healthier future for her two daughters.
I can still remember sitting straight up in my bed one morning thinking something’s wrong. I didn’t know what it was and I didn’t know where it was, I just knew something wasn’t right and I couldn’t explain it. I told my husband, an anesthesiologist, about the feeling I had. First he asked if I was in pain and I said no and then he said not to worry, but of course I did anyway. I had that nagging feeling that all women get at one time or another when that little voice in our heads just won’t be silent.
I’d always been very diligent about getting my yearly mammograms, pap smears, and anything else related to my health since I’d become an adult woman. Sometimes I’d even get them twice a year if the spirit hit me. I took care of myself in other ways as well. I’d been a dancer since childhood so exercise was a part of my daily regiment, and because I’m an actress, being fit goes along with the job description. A healthy lifestyle was an attitude I wanted to pass down to my two daughters, Ashley 22, and Alexandra, 18.
But despite all those years of dogged dedication to my well-being and the fact that there is no history of breast cancer in my family, four years ago I heard the dreaded words no woman wants to hear: the results of my mammogram were “suspicious.” In my mind I knew “suspicious” could mean cancer, but as much as I tried not to dwell on that reality, I somehow couldn’t stop myself. I told as few people as possible as my husband and I waited for the doctors to probe deeper.
It was cancer in its early stages in my left breast. Yes, at 51 years old I was stunned, but I had a plan that I put into action quickly. To know me is to know that I’m a “planner.” This would be no different. I would simply have a lumpectomy. Then I’d have radiation to complete treatment. There would still be no need to tell my parents, my husband’s parents, or my two daughters as my youngest was a sophomore in high school and my oldest was a sophomore in college. My girl’s lives wouldn’t have to be turned upside down and I could continue to go on auditions for television roles in-between treatments.
NFL star Plaxico Burress is testing new waters during the off-season and has launched a luxury sock line as part of The Plaxico Burress Collection.
A fan of vibrant and comfortable socks, Burress, 35, has spent the last two years designing a collection that reflects his taste in fashion and provides great-fitting socks to those who consider them hard to find. “I’ve always been crazy about my socks, my socks have always been loud,” Burress told theGrio at his launch event on Friday.
“It’s all about comfort and style, I want to wear a sock that’s comfortable for me because I have a size 12 shoe, I put on a lot of these socks on and the heel box doesn’t even go over my heel,” he admits. As a result, Burress took it upon himself to craft a line that provides these necessities for men – but he isn’t the only celeb to launch this venture.
Reality TV star Rob Kardashian has also recently entered the market for footwear and released his own line of designer socks, known as Arthur George. However, Burress says his collection “isn’t like anyone else’s, it’s a little different over here” and reassures that “it’s all about comfort and style.”
CeCe Bruce, a waitress at an Indianapolis eatery, received a $446 tip on a $6 bill for her positive attitude. Bruce has been waiting tables at Steak and Shake for two years, while attending school part time.
“Serving is our bread and butter,” Bruce told WTHR. ”So if we’re not nice, then we don’t get tipped good.” The hardworking waitress said she was having trouble with a table who was giving her a hard time, but she “just kept smiling and going on because that’s what you got to do.”
Shortly after, one of her regular customers, Miss Jo, left her the very generous tip. This is the biggest tip Bruce has received and says it was just in time to pay the bills. To see video of Bruce’s story, click here.
article by Carrie Healey via thegrio.com
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ENews reports Oprah Winfrey is offering the first glimpse of her farm in Maui (see video above), which is now yielding healthy produce she gives to the needy. All signs point to Winfrey intending for her farm to eventually supply an organic foods business with partner and fitness expert Bob Greene. Additionally, Winfrey and Greene are holding a contest to bring one lucky viewer/reader and their guest on a tour of the farm. Details on how to enter can be found at Oprah.com.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson and Lesa Lakin