Harlem Honors 'Mockingbird' Actress Kim Hamilton

Kim Hamilton, a former Harlem resident, was honored by the Harlem community for her acting career and for being a positive role model for young people. The former harlem resident, received her honor at the Museum of the City of New York with about 250 middle school students in attendance. There also was a screening and discussion of the movie,To Kill a Mockingbird, which starred Gregory Peck and was based on the Harper Lee novel of the same name. To Kill a Mockingbird, set in a small Alabama town during the 1930s, examines the life of Finch, a lawyer who defends a black man accused of rape.

Hamilton, who's the only surviving black adult actor with a speaking role in the 1962 classic film, said
"I think it is terrific," ... "I'm very pleased and very surprised."

Aviator, Barrington Irving Honored by Congress

Barrington Irving, a pilot in Miami, finally received the national recognition he deserves from the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress unanimously passed a resolution honoring the 23-year-old Miami Gardens resident as the youngest person and first black -- ever recorded to fly around the world solo. Museums around the U.S. are being urged to commemorate this achievement.

Irving's historical 26,000-mile journey began in March, after convincing friends, politicians and corporate sponsors to believe in his aviation dream. Flying a plane named Inspiration, Irving accumulated thousands of fans who followed him on his blog and flight tracker. Teachers across the nation even taught geography lessons based on his travels. Irving has already received recognition from Miami and his early childhood home Jamaica.

''It's just so humbling to know that something that started so small is now being recognized across the nation,'' Irving said. `But, no matter, what the greatest award will always be the impact that I've made on youth and teaching them they can do or be anything.''

Flashes: I Am Legend and The Great Debaters Movie Premieres

I Am Legend star Will Smith and Wife Jada


Actor/Singer Tyrese


Singer Mary J Blige with Husband Kendu



Rapper Bow Wow and Singer Omarion



Will and Family


Actors Sally Richardson and Dondre Whitfield

Black star power was out last night in New York and LA supporting Will Smith's I Am Legend and Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters movie premieres. Be sure to check these films out and make sure your ticket stub has the correct movie title on it.

The Great Debater star, Denzel Washington with Wife Pauletta, LaTanya and Samuel Jackson.


Oprah Winfrey


Actress Kimberly Elise

Actress/Singer Jennifer Hudson


Actress Tia Mowery


Actor/Director/Writer Tyler Perry


Actress Vanessa Williams


Actress Holly and Rodney Peete

(Photos:WireImage)

Flashes: 8th Annual Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's Youth Holiday Party

Russell Simmons and girlfriend Porschla


DJ Kid Capri and Radio Personality Egypt


Russell Simmon's Nephews

(Photos: WireImage)

Flashes: Art Basel Miami

Lainie Dalby and Kehinde Wiley


Lauren Day, Nikki Haskell and Former Supermodel- Beverly Johnson


Michelle Ogundehin
(Photos: Patrick McMullan)

The beautiful city of Miami was taken over last week by the largest art show in the world Art Basel. People around the world from artists, muses, celebs, socialites and collectors, everyone was on the scene. Numerous events were held, including floating galleries, auctions, charity soirees, fashion shows and parties galore. More Art Basel Flashes to come!

Flashes: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Opening Night Gala

Gala Co-Chairs


Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder


Artistic Director/Co-chair, Judith Jamison and Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya


Co-chairs: Sandy and Joan Weill, Kathryn and Kenneth Chenault


Tamara Tunie



Janice and Christopher Williams


Bruce Gordon, Twana Tibbs and Rev. Jesse Jackson


Harold Ford and fiancee


Russell Simmons, Porschia Coleman and Rev. Jesse Jackson



World renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicked off their season with an Opening Night Gala in New York. The benefit raised more than $2.7 million for all Ailey’s essential programs with support from over 1300 patrons. The Gala performance featured the company premiere of Firebird, choreographed by Maurice Béjart, Reflections in D, a solo Mr. Ailey created for himself in 1962, and the globally acclaimed, Revelations.

A heart-felt tribute by Artistic Director Judith Jamison and Gala Co-chairs Joan and Sandy Weill was paid to Maurice Béjart, who passed away one week before the Gala as "an innovator, humanist and a citizen of culture and the world." The AAADT received outstanding reviews for their opening night performances from The New York Times who stated Clifton Brown was "Perfect for the role" in Firebird, as well as, "Matthew Rushing's lyrical control proves riveting, beautifully attuned to Eric Scott Reed's live performance at the piano."


Dancers and patrons alike, looked glamorous as they united for dinner and dancing at the New York Sheraton Metropolitan Ballroom later that evening. Designers, Badgley Mischka bedecked the the female luminaries of AAADT in their Platinum Collection. In a nutshell, the night was a beautiful success.

Dancers: Willy Laury, Ebony Haswell and Yusha-Marie Sorzano


Dancers: Abdur-Rahim Jackson and Oliva Bowman


Alexis Clark


Alicia Graf


Thelma Golden


Dancers: Hope Boykin, Rosalyn Deshauteurs and guest.


Alvin Ailey Dancers

Click here for a schedule of upcoming performances.

Flashes: Capital Rocks in London

Actress Naomi Ryan


Adam Atkinson? and Actress Rhea Bailey



Radio Personality Margarita Taylor


Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and Lead Singer of Phats and Small, Ben Ofoedu

(Photos: Furniss/WireImage)


The local UK talent looked smashing as they supported a great cause while in attendance at Capital Rocks in association with Capital Radio and the charity Help a London Child, held at the Battersea Evolution in London, England.