Congratulations, Brandin Jay!

Creativity runs in my family. My cousin, Natarsha Garcia, is the founder of a performing arts school in Atlanta, where she discovers and nurtures the talents of young future stars. One of her brightest stars is her own son, Brandin Jenkins, who is appearing in the role of Junior in the upcoming Martin Lawrence movie Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Everybody is in this movie: Martin, Mo'Nique, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, James Earl Jones. Wow. Way to kick off an acting career.

But there's even more to this kid! Brandin is also a rising singer/songwriter. Check out his work on his MySpace page. And watch for more from this talented triple-threat.

Some People Just Get Everything!

Variety is reporting that Tyra Banks has inked an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. to develop scripted shows, reality programs and direct-to-DVD projects. She also signed a series development deal with the CW and has restructured her Bankable Productions staff.

Glad to see her doing her thing, but I also have to admit that I'm just a wee bit envious! I'd love to pitch and develop some projects too. Gimme one day in the life of Tyra (minus the modeling and photo shoots, of course)...

I know, I know, I'm whining again!

Models: The Ultimate Top Model Casting T-Shirt

How many wannabe models will show up at the next ANTM castings wearing t-shirts or hoodies with this logo across the chest or back? Lots, I hope. That's why I created it!

Pick up yours today at WordCanvas.com. Logo appears on various affordably-priced products.

The Strength of Kendra

I'm putting the finishing touches on what will most likely be my most important young adult work ever. Considering the range of emotions I experienced while writing K My Name Is Kendra, I doubt I can do this again. Y'all know I suffer from bouts of depression In Real Life. Hard to take on the drama of a book character too!

Sadly, Kendra's story, though fictional, is not a new one. Statistics show that African-American girls ages 12-18 are more likely than all other youths to be victims of violent crimes against their bodies. That violence very often leads to depression, promiscuity, drug abuse, suicide and incarceration. Even more often, the cycle continues.

Our girls are in crisis and it breaks my heart to talk to girls like Kendra--real live girls--who have experienced the same atrocities against their bodies (and subsequently their spirits) that my character did in this book.

But at least there is dialog. And though it's difficult to listen to these all-too-common heartbreaking expressions, doing so is healing. Most especially when accompanied by professional help from a counselor or therapist. Without such help, this breakdown of spirit is carried into womanhood and is made perpetual.

It won't be easy, but I look forward to reaching as many at-risk girls as possible once the book is released in January.

Maybe I'll meet you.

Another FEMA Scandal

What exactly were these people thinking when they pulled this particular scam? Setting up a fake press conference to address the Southern Cali fire issues?

I'm constantly in awe of the foolishness of some people. What will be even more interesting, however, is to see which, if any, heads will roll for this insulting stunt.

Thank Goodness For Artists Like Anthony Hamilton

I was just in the car, running the streets of the suburban community in which I now live in Northern Virginia (back in the day I'd be rollin' five-deep down Jerome Avenue in the Bronx on a night like this...*sigh* I miss the ghetto sometimes), and I tried, really tried, to listen to the radio.

Two songs in, I'm reaching over to twist the knob into the OFF position because my ears are being assaulted by some R. Kelly song about a freak and her booty up in the club. Not for nothing, but isn't every other song by R. Kelly about that same thing?

I'm just asking.

Anyway, as soon as I step through the door of my mother's home, I pop in Anthony's Ain't Nobody Worryin' CD and exhale deeply, relaxing in the lyrical and vocally-relevant journey that is the music of this soulful virtuoso.

All is right again in the universe.

So They Really Do Use This Stuff In Real Life

I'm sitting here watching one of my new favorite shows: Numb3rs, starring Rob Morrow and David Krumholtz. [Not too sad that I'm home alone on a Friday night. I don't even bother dating anymore. The only men asking me out are not good for me.] I am absolutely intrigued by the application of mathematics to criminology. Okay, so once they launch into formulas and numerology, I'm lost. Still, it's impressive.

I wouldn't be me if I didn't also mention the chocolatey-goodness that is actor Alimi Ballard, who I think looks like a slightly taller and more filled-out version of Sean Patrick Thomas.

Yet another reason to tune in.

Why?

With all the shampoo, conditioner, soap in the world--and a stockpile of money to purchase any and all of it at will...

This look--out in public and even after an arrest...just why?

Diggin' This Site: Telltalepress.com

This is the perfect little gift for writers. Tell Tale Press sells colorful stationery products that actually do, well, tell a tale. Each greeting card has the beginning of a story that you can then complete as part of a writing contest. Very creative writing prompt.

I purchased my set a couple of years ago, but I've never given one away. They're too cute!

More Girl Power

The words on this t-shirt (another personal quote of mine) fit my mission of empowerment:

I walk tall...and it has nothing to do

with the height of my heels

You can pick yours up today at WordCanvas.com. And don't worry, it's available in various colors and styles (pink just shows up best here).

Plus-Size Never Looked So Pretty

That's the title of an article I found on the AOL homepage today. The subtitle was "Tips to Hide That Pesky Bit of Pudge".

Cool.

So I read the article. And I gotta say, it says absolutely nothing about how to hide what I've got going on around my waistline! Yes, I've lost lots of weight (kudos to NutriSystem, Congestive Heart Failure, Type II Diabetes and the resulting threat on my life for the part they played in my choice to drop a few LB's...yeah!), but this spare tire I'm rockin' around my waist just doesn't factor in to the whole just accessorize with a super-wide belt philosophy.

Note to Mommy: my black clothes are my best friend because they are flattering and streamlining, according to this article. Okay, so I guess I can take their advice and venture beyond that one color and add more chocolatey browns, charcoal grays and olive greens this season. And more jackets like that camel-colored suede piece I picked up at the Avenue last year. You like that one, no?

Now if only I can find one good "strategically-placed oversized clutch purse" to "chicly camouflage" my quote-unquote tummy troubles as I get back in slimdown mode.

Brandy Is Back In the Studio

Eurweb.com is reporting that singer Brandy is back in the studio. I'm so glad to hear that. She's always been one of my favorite artists, from way back in the day, and I've missed her music. Do your thing, girl...

I can't say that without also saying this: my heart goes out to all the people affected by the terrible vehicular tragedy involving Brandy, which claimed the life of a mother my own age. I feel for her family, her children especially. But I also feel for Brandy, because to live with the knowledge that you may have caused the death of someone--though an accident--is also heartwrenching.

News: Arson Suspected in the California Fires

I had a feeling they'd come to this conclusion. Wow at the damage one twisted person can do.

ANTM: The Fab Five

Is it five or six models that end up going overseas to some exotic location as the competition begins to wind down? I'll pick my Top Five now: Bianca, Heather, Lisa, Jenah and Saleisha. If it's six that travel, I'd have to add Sarah as the sixth.

As for who I think will be in the final episode? Kinda too early too tell, but I think it will be Heather, Bianca and Saleisha. Who will battle on the runway? I think it'll come down to Heather and Bianca. The winner? I can't call it yet...

Ding Dong, Ebony's Gone!

So the buzz all over the ANTM message board at cwtv.com is that many viewers think Tyra was mean to Ebony last night for throwing away the modeling opportunity given to her. And throw it away she did!

If you didn't see it, Ebony was in the bottom two, which is just where she wanted to be (and truly where she belonged). She told her fellow housemates even before stepping into panel that she wanted to go home. It came across in her interaction with Mr. Jay and in her pictures (did you peep the snarl in her closeup?). It came across from the moment she stepped into panel. And it came across when the judges were critiquing her pictures. In fact, I think she was purposely even more off-putting than usual (as if that were even possible)because she wanted to tick them off and be sent home. It backfired though, because Tyra chose her to stay over Ambreal.

And then it happened.

This is where I'm in defense of Tyra. Now, I don't remember her exact words at the moment (I'm not in a TIVO household anymore so I couldn't play it back, but I will watch the episode online later), but I do recall that Tyra did check Miss Ebony and called her a quitter. Some viewers thought that was rude. But here's the thing: I don't believe Tyra would've come that hard if Ebony hadn't been so funky all along (and let's not act like she hasn't been) and if she hadn't been so flippant in the way she announced that she just didn't want to be there anymore. Sometimes it's the way a person says something that works either for or against them. The end result probably would've been the same, but Tyra's response would most likely have been different. In fact, think back to Cycle 7 when one of the twins (I can't recall which one) expressed her doubts at being in the competition. Yes, she was sent home, but Tyra was wayyyyyyy nicer about dismissing her. You see? Tone and attitude truly make a difference.

I will say this for Ebony, though. She was woman enough to take herself out of the race before it went any further; before the opportunity was taken away from another model who really wanted to be there.

Drama.

Kindred the Family Soul

Please tell me you're down with this powerful husband/wife duo. If not, you really want to be. Listening to Aja and Fatin sing (both on their CD and onstage) is a musical experience like few others.

Visit kindredthefamilysoul.com with your speakers in the ON position.

I Want This Tee

This is not one of my tees, but I'm diggin' it deeply because I HEART ?UESTLOVE too (if you don't know who he is then shame on you), so I'm street-teaming it (unofficially).

I stood behind him once at the 930 Club in DC. Floetry was onstage and my manager had brought me in through the back door. I was right next to the speakers and a guy with a big ol' afro was standing just below the stage. His hands were dug down deep in his pockets, and he was barely moving...except for the rhythmic bounce of his head. He turned at one point, I caught his profile, and it was then that I realized I was just feet away from a musical genius.

Ah...

Diggin' This Site: Meetup.com

Great place to search for and create in-person meetups with people who share your various interests.

Need A Stylish Way to Carry Your Rhymes To and From the Studio?

This messenger bag features a line ("you bring the beat, I'll bring the flow") from "The Micness", a little diddy I co-wrote and recorded with a local producer a couple of years ago. I think it's the perfect gift for the aspiring lyricist/songwriter in your life.

Buy it online at WordCanvas.com for just $29.99.

How to Score a Get-Out-Of-General-Population-Free Card

What do you do when you begin to serve a sentence at Rikers and you quickly realize that each woman around you is ten times the hardcore thug you only thought (and wanted people to believe) you were? Befriend at least one fellow inmate, stage a scuffle in the yard, and get your poseur behind out of General Population (and into punitive segregation for as long as possible) as quickly as you can without losing face.

You can't tell me that's not what went down here. And to be honest, if I were Foxy Brown, I would've done the same thing. There's a big difference between throwing a cell phone at a complaining neighbor and trying to throw a punch at Big Wanda and her crew.

Note to Ms. Brown: Don't forget to have your manager write and send the check to that inmate's family in return for her role as Punk Inmate No. 2 in your little cellblock "play".