Flashes: Alek Wek,Terry McMillan, Jaime Hector & Lynn Whitfield @ Essence Literary Awards

Lifetime Achievement winner, author Terry McMillan

Actor, Jaime Hector


Author, L.A. Banks


Supermodel and author, Alek Wek

Actress, Lynn Whitfield


Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray, Emmy-nominated actress Victoria Rowell, Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb, and Michelle Ebanks, President Essence Communications Inc.

Last Thursday, Essence held its 1st Annual Literary Awards in New York City at the Le Parker Meridien hosted by Hoda Kotb and Dr. Ian Smith. The event was invitation-only and the guest list was a who's who of Black literature. The awards also launched ESSENCE magazine's "Save Our Libraries Campaign."

Novelist, Terry McMillan received the Lifetime Achievement Award and L.A. Banks was voted by Essence readers as Storyteller of the Year. Below is the list of winners. Click here to see more photos and info.

ESSENCE LITERARY AWARD WINNERS

POETRY: Duende by Tracy K. Smith/Graywolf Press
CURRENT AFFAIRS: An Unbroken Agony by Randall Robinson/ Basic Civitas
PRESIDENT'S AWARD: Reposition Yourself by T.D. Jakes/Atria
PHOTOGRAPHY: Daufuskie Island by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe/University of South Carolina Press
CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Marvelous World by Troy Cle/Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing
SAVE OUR LIBRARIES: Countee Cullen Regional Library in Harlem
MEMOIR: Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat/Knopf
NON-FICTION: Supreme Discomfort by Michael Fletcher and Kevin Merida/Doubleday
INSPIRATION: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy/Tyndale
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Terry McMillan
FICTION: The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson/Unbridled Books
STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR: L.A. Banks

Brazil's Rising Star, Lucy Ramos

Lucy as "Adelaide" in Sinhá Moça


(Photos: Marcelo Garcia)

Brazilian tv actress and model, Lucy Ramos graces the cover and is featured in the latest issue of RAÇA BRASIL.
The 25 year-old is from Brazil's northeastern province Pernambuco. Lucy began modeling at age 16, within a couple years she got a big break acting on brazilian telenovela "Comecar de Novo" (Starting New).

Her claim to fame was starring on hit telenovela, Sinhá Moça (Sinhá Girl), as Adelaide. Ramos has been staying busy. In 2006, she was in English speaking fright flick, Turistas. Last year she starred on brazilian reality show Domingão do Faustão (Dancing on Ice) and telenovela, Foot in Jaca.

I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of this brazilian cutie!

Kerry Washington in February's Allure

Actress Kerry Washington is featured in Allure Magazine's Fashion Stakeout for February. Kerry's always on the scene and always looks smokin. In the article it mentions that the natural beauty told her make-up artist, Tyron Machhausen that she doesn't want to look made-up, but I think there's room for improvement on lip-color. None the less, she's got great style. I'm loving the blush Armani Prive dress with the mermaid silhouette.

Society Stars: Alonzo Mourning Charities Kingpin Classic in Miami

Alonzo and Tracy Mourning

Bryant Mckinnie with Edgerrin James and Dorell Wright

Samantha Jacobs and Kookie

Dwyane Wade with Alonzo and Tracy

(Photos: JLash)

Last night, celebs,athletes and locals joined Alonzo and his wife Tracy to support a great cause. Alonzo Mourning Charities held its 3rd Annual Kingpin Classic in Miami Beach at Lucky Strike Lanes. The event was held to raise funds for the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, a program founded in 2002 by Alonzo's wife, Tracy Wilson Mourning. Honey Shine's mission is to develop and nurture the mind, body and soul of young women by providing experiences that enlighten and create balance in their lives.

Strike Team member tickets sold for $500 each allowing bowlers to be paired with a sports/entertainment celebrity and receive memorabilia and other perks. Meanwhile spectators enjoyed cocktails, catering and played billiards.

Alonzo's Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and Dorell Wright were in the house. Miami natives, NFL players Bryant McKinnie of the Minnesota Vikings and Edgerrin 'EJ' James of Arizona Cardinals also came out. That's just naming a few athletes. Honey Shine mentor and celebrity stylist, Kookie shared laughs with writer and Fashionable Palate owner, Samantha Jacobs. Celebrity photographer, J Lash was on hand to catch all the action.

The event was a success with over 300 guests, raffles and a live auction where luxury items and sports memorabilia, including Alonzo's autographed sneakers sold for thousands of dollars!

It's great to see successful people giving back to their community.

Kerry Washington and Usher Rally for Obama

Actress, Kerry Washington and pop star Usher were in South Carolina rallying for Democratic presidential hopeful, Barack Obama at South Carolina State University. Both celebs took time to speak with guests, raising awareness about voting rights.

I'm glad these younger black celebs are stepping up to the plate and speaking up.

Rihanna and Other Celebs Support "Fashion Against Aids"

(Photos:Photographers: John Scarisbrick & Daniel Jackson - H&M / Collage: nitro:licious)

H&M and Designers Against AIDS (DAA) are joining forces in the battle against AIDS and are launching a collection for guys and girls together with Rihanna, Timbaland and other well-known designers, musicians and artists. The aim is to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS, which affects many young people all over the world. The collection “Fashion Against AIDS” will be available in H&M’s Divided departments from February 2008.

The artists taking part in “Fashion Against AIDS” are Rihanna, Chicks on Speed, Good Charlotte, Henrik Vibskov, Jade Jagger, Katharine Hamnett, My Chemical Romance, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, The Cardigans, Tiga, Timbaland and Ziggy Marley.

"Supporting the Fashion Against AIDS campaign was a great way to encourage my fans to join me in the fight against HIV/AIDS. I love that H&M is providing a fashionable and easy way for young people all over the world to get involved in this worthy cause, “says Rihanna.

Twelve million young people in the 15-24 age group are now infected with the virus. The initiative for this collaborative venture was taken by Designers Against AIDS (DAA), a non-profit organisation that seeks to mould public opinion through collaboration with fashion designers, musicians and other artists. Twenty-five percent of proceeds will go towards the cause.

Flashes: Victoria's Secret Show

Happily married singer Seal and wife/model Heidi Klum

The lovely actress Gabrielle Union

Melanie B and her husband,Stephen Belafonte

Diana Ross' son/actor Evan Ross and actress Hayden Panettierre

Celebrities were in full effect and looked fabulous at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Seal perfomed as his wife Heidi worked the catwalk. Mel B and the Spice Girls also performed a couple of sets. Everyone was all smiles.