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Serena Williams Beats Maria Sharapova for Key Biscayne Title

By goodblacknews on April 2, 2013
Serena Williams poses with trophy
Serena Williams poses with trophy after winning the womens finals beating Maria Sharapova in three sets at the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Mandatory Credit: INFphoto.com)
KEY BISCAYNE, Florida (AP) — Serena Williams danced to the crowd’s roar, spinning and grinning, hopping and waving, then spinning some more.  If her victory celebration on the stadium court seemed well-rehearsed, it was. She earned a record sixth Key Biscayne women’s title by beating familiar foil Maria Sharapova 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 at the Sony Open on Saturday.
Sharapova set a new standard for futility in finals. She completed a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open last year, and won Indian Wells two weeks ago, but she’s winless in five Key Biscayne finals.  Sharapova playing nearly flawless tennis for an hour, before her serve and groundstrokes began to lose steam. Williams swept the last 10 games and faltered only during the trophy ceremony.

Jay-Z Announces New Sports Agency Roc Nation Sports; Signs Yankee Robinson Cano

By goodblacknews on April 2, 2013


Jay-Z welcomes a new member into the Roc Nation family.  Earlier today it was announced that world champion Robinson Cano, second baseman of the New York Yankees signed to Jay-Z’s latest venture, Roc Nation Sports. Life and Times reports:  

“Because of my love of sports, it was a natural progression to form a company where we can help top athletes in various sports the same way we have been helping artists in the music industry for years,” says Shawn “JAY Z” Carter about the new venture.

The Yankee Slugger also told the press he is ready to take control of his career, and this move makes that possible.

“At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field,” said Cano. “I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.”

article by BlogXilla via globalgrind.com

African-American Named New Highest-Ranking Uniformed Officer at NYPD

By goodblacknews on April 1, 2013

NYPD Chief: Community, Police Must Work Together

NYPD Chief Phillip Banks III

The new highest-ranking uniformed officer at the New York Police Department said Friday the community must work together with police to keep the city safe.  Philip Banks III was named chief of department lastvweek, replacing Joseph Esposito, who retired after more than a decade in the post. Banks was previously in charge of community affairs, and said his years there have helped him understand the city and its needs.

“We have to keep this city safe. And when I say we, I don’t mean just the New York City police department. It’s not just an ‘us’ job. It’s everybody in New York City,” he said.  Banks, 50, whose father was also a police officer, joined the nation’s largest police department in July 1986 in Brooklyn and worked his way up the ranks. He takes over as third in command behind Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and First Deputy Commissioner Rafael Pineiro during a challenging time for the NYPD.

Venus and Serena Release Trailer for Upcoming Documentary

By goodblacknews on April 1, 2013

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQpUkH37Gek&w=560&h=315]
Venus and SerenaThe story of how Venus and Serena Williams grew to become two of the world’s most notable tennis stars is quite fascinating. The sisters, who are only 15 months apart, are finally telling their story from the beginning with the release of the documentary, Venus and Serena.  Watch the super-trailer above to see the sisters give a never-before-seen glimpse into their lives as not only world-renowned champions, but sisters and best friends, too.  The film will be released on iTunes April 4 and in theatres May 10.
article by Nicole Maria Melton via essence.com

New Kevin Hart Trailer for Comedy/Documentary "Let Me Explain" (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on March 31, 2013


Due out in July, comedian Kevin Hart’s “Let Me Explain” movie-length exploration of his life on the road and on stage will be released by Summit Entertainment/Lionsgate.  Find out more about Hart and his projects at kevinhartnation.com.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Detroit Receives $8 Million Worth of Donated Police Cruisers and Ambulances

By goodblacknews on March 30, 2013

detroit ambulances
The business community donated $8 million dollars worth of police cruisers and ambulances to Detroit to improve emergency response times, said Mayor Bing on Monday.

With the donation, the city of Detroit now has 23 new ambulances, allowing the city to replace its current fleet of ambulances which frequently break down.

“This is not about downtown; this is not about Midtown; this is about the neighborhoods, so we can go out into these neighborhoods and let our people know that we support them, and we have not forgotten about them,” Bing said.
Bing says this is an indication of how the city and business leaders are working together to fight crime in the city.
“We believe these additional vehicles will enhance the visibility of the police and fire efforts in the city of Detroit, improve safety and security in our neighborhoods and have an immediate and lasting impact for everyone who lives, works and plays in our city,” said Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corp., the Bloomfield Hills-based transportation services firm.
Pictures of the new vehicles shown at a press conference revealed that the cruisers added to the fleet were Dodge Chargers, Ford Tauruses and Chevrolet Caprices. The EMS vehicles were Horton Terrastar ambulances.  The new cruisers and ambulances are being outfitted with new equipment and should be ready to use within the next two to four months.
article via yourblackworld.net

Beautiful Games: Oil Paintings by Ghanaian Artist Tafa

By goodblacknews on March 30, 2013

Painting by Tafa
Ghanaian artist Tafa has imbued his vibrant oil paintings with motion by stroking thick layers of paint across each canvas with a palette knife. Inspired by his West African heritage – especially the colors and patterns of Kente cloths and the rhythm of traditional drums – Tafa rose to prominence as an artist in his own country in the 1990s before moving to New York. His imagery encompasses sporting themes, as well as spirituality and music.
“I paint sports themes because they are a universal form of communication that is replete with powerful, multi-layered symbolism. Team sport fosters hard work, fraternity, excellence, and international understanding … It is an area of life that underlines Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision that people should be judged by the content of their character.”  To see more of his inspiring works, click here.
article via guardian.co.uk

GBN Historical Photo of the Day

By goodblacknews on March 30, 2013


Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson 1965

50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair on Display at Chicago History Museum through Jan. 2014

By goodblacknews on March 30, 2013

inspiring beauty

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Ebony Fashion Fair exposed black American audiences to some of the most cutting edge couture fashions in the world.  But the reason the shows were able to attract such quality was because of Eunice W. Johnson, the wife of John Johnson, who was the head of Johnson Publishing Company.  Mrs. Johnson regularly traveled to Europe and purchased couture from the top fashion houses in Europe.
“On the runways, what you saw was her vision of what was fashionable and what was stylish,” curator Joy Bivins said. “In the late 1950s, when these black people showed up in Europe to purchase these garments, it wasn’t always an easy thing to get their foot in the door. They didn’t have the history, they didn’t know who we were, what Ebony was.”
They amassed thousands of ensembles, some of which will be on display at the Chicago History Museum’s newest exhibition “Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair.”
Read the full article: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair on display at Chicago History Museum through Jan. 2014 | theGrio.

Nina Shaw Named Beverly Hills Bar Assn. Entertainment Lawyer Of The Year

By goodblacknews on March 30, 2013

Nina ShawThe Beverly Hills Bar Association will honor Nina Shaw with its 2013 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year award next month. Shaw is to be given the award by the Entertainment Law Section of the BHBA at its annual Beverly Hills Hotel dinner on April 16. A founding partner at Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano, the lawyer has specialized in the areas of television, motion picture and live stage for almost 20 years. “The Beverly Hills Bar Association recognizes Nina Shaw for her groundbreaking work in the field of entertainment law and her strategic focus on ever-evolving technology in entertainment and its far-reaching impact on the industry, as well as for her dedication to her clients and commitment to fair play in a notoriously competitive field, said BHBA Entertainment Law Section Chair Adam Siegler in a statement.
Among Shaw’s various clients, the lawyer counts Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, James Earl Jones, newly-named Who Wants To Be a Millionaire host Cedric the Entertainer and America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon. A graduate of Barnard College and Columbia Law School, Shaw began her career in the Entertainment Department of O’Melveny & Myers. Established in 1931, the Beverly Hills Bar Association is the fifth largest bar association in California with more than 5,500 members.
article by Dominic Patten via deadline.com