Amber Riley

So I've been naughty about keeping up with my Black History month pledge...I'll try to do better.Promise.

Today's woman in the spotlight is newcomer Amber Riley. I must admit that I'm not a Glee fan but I do recognize, talent, poise, and personality when I see it - and she has it all.

This young diva's style and makeup game are quickly catching recognition especially during this year's awards season. Check out some of her looks below:

 Essence March 2011

  Essence March 2011

Screen Actors Guild Awards 2011

Amber is rising quickly and def looking hot while doing so. She serves as an example of how TRUE beauty doesn't meet a status quo based on ethnicity/race or body size.

For this. We salute you.

Boldly,

Moji

My Obsessions: Pleasure P.

So I have this obsession with Pleasure P. He made the right decision in leaving Pretty Ricky and pursuing a solo career. His first solo album, The Introduction of Marcus Cooper, debuted in 2009 and was Grammy nominated. Every song, I repeat, every song is phenomenal! I have been patiently waiting for his next album ever since; fingers crossed that it has a 2011 release.  Gotta Have You is my absolute fave!!!

     

I JUST LOVE HIM!!!!!

~Moji

Ruby Dee

Our next pioneer is the talented Ruby Dee.

She was born Ruby Ann Wallace on October 27th, 1924 in Cleavland, Ohio; however she was raised in Harlem, New York. She went to Hunter College High School and later graduated from Hunter College in 1945 with degrees in Spanish and French. Dee played several roles on Broadway before gaining notable recognition in the 1950 film The Jackie Robinson Story. Over the years, she has played leading roles alongside Sidney Poitier and Denzel Washington in addition to winning and being nominated for several awards. Titled an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and activist, Dee is recognized as helping pave the way for young African-American actors and filmmakers. For this, WE SALUTE YOU!

Boldly,

Moji

It's Black History Month!!!

In honor of Black History Month I have decided to honor the fabulous, talented, and intelligent women who served as pioneers and inspiration for women of color. 

Our First Pioneer is the lovely and beautiful Lena Horne.

Born Lena Mary Calhoun Horne on June 30th, 1917, she  was an American singer, actress, civil rights activist and dancer. Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of sixteen and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood, where she had small parts in numerous movies, and more substantial parts in the films Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. Due to the Red Scare and her left-leaning political views, Horne found herself blacklisted and unable to get work in Hollywood. Returning to her roots as a nightclub performer, Horne took part in the March on Washington in August 1963, and continued to work as a performer, both in nightclubs and on television, while releasing well-received record albums. She announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than three hundred performances on Broadway and earned her numerous awards and accolades. She continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s, disappearing from the public eye in 2000.

Ms. Horne sadly passed away May 9th 2010. As visible from the pictures above, she was a testament of how well we age; continuing to remain active, relevant, and socially and politically influential well into her older years.She was certainly an inspiration who helped breakdown early barriers regarding 'Beauty' and 'Blackness' in Hollywood and thus American culture and society.  For this and more WE SALUTE YOU!

Boldly,
Moji

sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Horne