MIAMI, Fla. – Music lovers from all over the world migrated to South Florida for a weekend of fun, dance and soul at the 5^th annual Jazz in the Gardens concert held at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The two-day event, which was brought to you by South Florida’s own Circle of One Marketing, Saunders Entertainment Group, and the City of Miami Gardens kicked off on Friday, March 19^th until the 21^st.

This year’s lineup helped generate a sold out crowd at Sun Life with performances by Grammy Award winning R&B guru’s Mary J. Blige and John Legend. Fans also caught a glimpse of piano-playing vocalist, Robin Thicke.

Other top performers included Grammy Award nominee Teena Marie,  ‘90’s R&B/Pop super group Boys II Men, Eric Roberson, new artist Melanie Fiona and saxophonist David Sanborn.

Marie opened her set with “I’m Just a Sucker for Your Love”, a duet with the late Rick James that earned her first top 10 R&B hit 30 years ago. At age 54, Marie made sure fans from her generation, and ours, knew their history as she dazzled the crowd with her riveting moves and funk-a-delic stage presence. She also paid a tribute to James by performing “Fire and Desire” another of the duets the two created.

What would an event in Miami be without the world witnessing some of its own local talent? Up and coming saxophonist John Saxx, Rachel Brown and K’Jon represented the region while Kawan Debose, Cassandra Wilson, Jovie and legendary Jazz musician Joe Sample also shared the stage with the event’s superstars.

The event also helped its local artists catch a sneak peak of their dreams, in live form.

“This is one of the highlights of my career,” said Saxx. “To perform on the same stage as Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Boyz II Men is an absolute blessing for me. It also encourages me to push harder at what I do and maybe one day I can headline an event like this.”

Local radio personality Tom Joyner hosted the event, while Grammy award-winning producer Bryan Michael Cox kept the crowd on its feet in between acts with his DJ skills.

Aside from the display of mesmerizing music, the crowd also had the opportunity to witness another form of magic. The Universoul Circus. Although we only got a small taste of what this unique demonstration of music, comedy and soul had to offer, we were certainly left with a lasting impression of the group. For those living in the state’s south region, the group will be performing at Sun Life Stadium next week. If you live outside the area, we encourage you to check out their website and see when they will be bringing their magic to you.

Despite the crowd-pleasing talent that the Circle of One team put together for its guests, the weekend still belonged to its top performers, John Legend, Robin Thicke and Mary J.

“My wife and I are avid music fans and appreciate its culture,” said Stephen Shaw, a native of England who brought his wife to the event as a gift for their anniversary. “We loved Teena Marie and Rick James way back when and too see Teena tonight was amazing. The trip was well worth it.”

Thicke took the stage first and immediately went to work, performing “Lost Without U,” and “Magic” from his platinum selling album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke; along with “Shakin it for Daddy” off his new album Sex Therapy.

Although Thicke’s performance had all the women screaming at the top of their lungs, he still something for the fellas to join in to. At the end of his performance, the R&B singer paid a small tribute to rapper Lil Wayne by performing Wayne’s hit single “A Milli”.

One of the most anticipated acts of the weekend was the performance of the “Queen of Hip Hop and R&B” Mary J. Blige. Blige, a native of New York, did not disappoint her fans in Miami as she graced the stage with her beauty, elegance and, oh yea, her spine-tingling voice. She also had the fashion heads at the event spinning, while rocking a dark blue, one shoulder cat suit and glitter-covered multi colored boots.

Mary performed some of her classic hits, including “What’s the 411”, “Real Love” and “Sweet Thing”. However, none of which touched the crowd, and herself, as much as her song from the Academy Award winning film “Precious” called “I Can See in Color”. The devastating diva broke down in tears during the song, while developing somewhat of a personal and emotional connection with her audience.

The performances by Blige, Thick and Marie were, without a shadow of a doubt, electrifying to say the least. The crazy thing is that was only Saturday’s performaces.

Legend, along with Boyz II Men and Melanie Fiona, wrapped up the event on Sunday. The city of Miami Gardens, and its guest’s, received another delightful treat from the team.

“I think this was one of the best year’s they had,” said Patience Bryant, a South Florida resident. “They had a great lineup last year, but seeing Mary was beyond unbelievable.”

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Cover Story: March 2010
Written By: Redd

In 2005 there was 2,230,000 Marriages are down from 2,279,000 the previous year. Today, 2007 the divorce rate is the lowest it has ever been since the 1970’s. That decline is not because less people are divorcing; it is because there are an increasing number of couples living together without marrying. That increasing number has grown tenfold since 1960 leaving the marriage rate down by 30 percent in the past 25 years.

In those numbers, only half of African-American Women are likely to tie the knot by age 30. These numbers are deplorable in coincidence with other groups.

…half of African-American Women are likely to tie the knot by age 30.

Poor communication, financial problems, infidelity and unmet needs are just a few of the underlying causes of these numbers.  With the state of the economy, it has become a grueling task to concentrate on family and marriage rather than it remaining something enjoyable and relaxing to do.

African Americans are not the only ones suffering from the rising divorce rate. These are not just problems in the black community; these are America’s problems. However, our unwillingness to take on the unorthodox could be jeopardizing our relationships and families as a whole.

There are some families now who are practicing alternate ways of living to accommodate their busy work schedules and less than relaxing nights.

One of those alternatives is called polyamory. Polyamory is the desire, practice, or acceptance of having more than one loving, intimate relationship at a time with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved.

Polyamory is often times mistaken or confused with polygamy. Nonetheless, they are very different. Polygamy, which is illegal in the US, can be defined as any form of marriage in which a person [has] more than one spouse. The most common form is polygyny, where a man can have many wives. Less common, but found in some societies such as Tibet, is polyandry, where a woman can have many husbands.

Polyamory is gaining more popularity throughout the American people. Polyamory is not something new but is practiced more often and has been getting the attention of various media outlets.

As an historic tradition dating back thousands of years and still practiced in 80% of our worlds cultures is what we have come to call polyamory. Then, the purpose of polyamory was to maintain large, strong tribal families that can fend for themselves and defend a common enemy.

Today polyamory is known as the desire, practice or acceptance of having more than one loving, intimate relationship at a time with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Polyamory is, as described by most of it’s participants as more than just a relationship status but more as a lifestyle choice.

People who identify as polyamorous typically reject the view that sexual and relational exclusivity are necessary for long-term, happy, functional relationships. Some have even called for the abolition of marriage. Although this is a far cry from becoming a reality in our modern American society, polygamy and polyamory becoming just as popular as conventional marriage are not.

Although it could have its drawbacks there are plenty of reasons that polyamory could aid in saving marriages as well as keeping relationships strong.

Aside from their amazing acting abilities actor Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith they are known for their seemingly perfect marriage. They can be seen red carpet to celeb events always smiling and never in tabloids for anything negative surrounding their marriage.

It’s difficult enough to spend years and years with the same person, but add a few kids and a thriving acting career in the mix and try to maintain as good as a relationship as these two.

Smith recently told European Reveal magazine that the reason for their joyful relationship is an open relationship that has been in place from day one of their now 11 year marriage.

”Divorce cannot be an option… I honestly believe there is no woman for me but Jada. No one can handle me the way she does… Once you feel someone locked in on you, it’s no contest.

“In our marriage vows, we didn’t say ‘forsaking all others’. We said ‘you will never hear I did something
afterward’…“

“This is it. I can’t imagine what anyone else would offer.” Will expresses about his marriage. If more people operated as the Smiths do in their relationships and marriages would there be an increase in marriages and a drop in divorce?

In the African American community, there is already an almost extreme difference in the amount of black men versus the amount of black women. Some of those reasons begin death, jail, HIV, and homosexuality. Since the difference of men and women is so vast it wouldn’t be very hard for a man to find more than one woman.

Love and intimacy do not have to be shared solely between two people. In a lifetime, we can have countless partners and carry with us memories and thoughts of those other individuals even after we are married.

Homosexuality and Bi-sexuality are slowly but surely becoming more accepted throughout our society, and although there are many more that disapprove of it, than those who approve of it could it be that alternative lifestyles such as polyamory could be an approved alternate to marriage.

Playing the devil’s advocate, we speak so feverishly about black men not being there for their children that might be spread across different households. If a man were to engage, in a polyamourous lifestyle that placed him in a house with all of his woman or partners then he would be available to all his children.

Another plus would be that when it comes down to it marriage should function as a business. Just like a business, you have to be a good team for a family to work well. Adding someone else to the team who has something to bring to the table will do nothing but aid in the growth and prosperity of the business [marriage].

It is easy to say that it would be hard for one man to take care of such a large family on his own; but with multiple partners come multiple incomes as well as multiple caretakers it would be much easier for everyone. Children will always be taken care of; there would be several incomes to make sure the household is taken care of. These are aspects that most of us look for in relationships; everyone is satisfied – so what is the problem?

Polyamory & polygamy goes against one of many African Americans strongest beliefs, The Bible says marriage represents the love and special bond within a relationship between two people. The opening chapters of the bible introduce the divine purpose and plan for marriage, showing Christians that marriage is indeed important. There are five topics emphasized specifically including monogamy, and a life long union. The others being heterosexuality, a legally acknowledged union, and a uniting consummated in sexual union.  It is considered a sin to have sex outside of marriage. There are certain morals and beliefs that have been engrained in us from slavery. Philosophies and principals in the African American community cannot shake.

Today’s African American woman would most likely flee from this idea as if it were the plague because most are very strong-minded and are lucky to even find one man in a nation where 60% of men are not available due to their sexuality, jail sentences, and a disproportionate population. On the other hand, many men would say that Monogamy is not only unnatural but restrictive and inhibiting as well.

Is it possible for woman in our society who, go to school, own businesses, and raise families on their own to submit to a man and create a sister-like bond with her husbands other wives or partners? Many woman _ at even the thought of “sharing” their man or feel that delving “deeper” with any other man aside from their husband or partner is disrespectful and greedy.

Is this an invention by those who look to rid of the institute of marriage for greed and perversion? Alternatively, might this be a better way to lower divorce rate and increase couples happiness. Nonetheless, the stigma associated with polygamy and polyamory in American society is likely to diminish with more and more people participating in this growing trend. Will our brothers and sister jump on the bandwagon and is it possible that polygamy/polyamory will have a legal future in the U.S?

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Young and concerned entrepreneur Eli Dancy of Bed Sty, NY has created a new and innovative way to be more responsible when it comes to involving yourself with someone. Whether it be the first time or the twentieth time the Safe Sex License can save you from getting into a sticky situation.
In Dec. 2004, Eli Dancy was extremely proud to introduce the world’s first and only Safe Sex License to NYC. Now, going on 3 years later and over 15,000 members strong, STFree introduces the world to its’ new online registration for HIV/AIDS testing. HIV is a major issue that has remained constant yet the infection rates have dramatically increased.

A clinically backed, wallet-sized photo ID works like this.
Step 1: You dial the number on the back of the card.
Step 2: You enter the members number located on the back of the card.
Step 3: You enter the members pin # (provided by the member)
Step 4: You press 1 and listen to the last two times that the member was test for HIV and other STD’s.
(STF also provides accounts for herpes, gonorrhea, and other STDs that require more frequent testing

Indeed just because you know the persons last STD test was negative doesn’t mean that as they stand in front of you they are in the clear. The program does though encourage individuals to go out and get tested, and will aid in follow up visits to a clinic to be tested regularly. When you are signed up to have the card you receive things like 24/7 nationwide access to testing history via telephone, verification of testing information, notification of scheduled testing appointments along with some other perks.
Well, what’s the verdict? Are you rushing out to get tested and receive your STFree license.
(For more information please visit www.stfree.com)

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Tina Turner

To the Queen of Rock n’ Roll goes the spoils of Rhythm and funk. I have never seen her perform on stage but I can only imagine it being out of sight. It’s not just her music career that intrigues me but her personal strength off the stage that captivates me. Her story is a testament of committing one-self to their goals and beliefs.

India.Arie

A beautiful woman that let her presence known in 2001 was armed with a voice and a guitar. I’m attracted by artist that are multi-faceted. The song that I chose helps me reflect on my own hardships and rising above. The first time I saw her in concert was when she opened up for Sade. That was a sight to behold. Her stage presence stood above her studio recordings. I’m please to have Ms. Arie as part of the After Midnight series.

Aretha Franklin

Click Here To View Video

I can not ignore the voice and sheer talent that Aretha Franklin has showcased. Let it be known that she is the quintessential Queen of Soul. I’ve always enjoyed her popular songs such as, “Respect”, “Think”, and “A Natural Woman”. Such hits were created when she signed on to Atlantic. Her albums, “Lady Soul” and “Soul 69” show how deep the woman can go.

Erykah Badu

How can such a big voice come from such a petite frame? Erykah Badu has had my ears since her first album. I remember in the summer of 1997 listening to her music. I had come off of long term relationship and it seemed like her music cradled my heart. I couldn’t tell if it was the summer heat or the melodies of her music that made me feel warm inside. Her album became the soundtrack to my life during that time. You know when that happens, you can’t help but reminisce about those days that once were. Surprisingly, her album releases have been parallel to all my break-ups except for this last one. With such an emotional charge from me to her music, it is only right that I homage to her and her music.

Sade

My father introduced me to her music when i worked with him. The first song I ever heard from her was “Hang on to your love”. It wasn’t until her Love Deluxe album did I start to really pay attention to her music. by this point I had her whole catalog and bought her “best of” CD, just for ” Please send me someone to love”. I saw her Lovers Rock tour in 2001 and when I heard the new rendition of “Paradise” I wanted to grab my chair and fling it into the crowd because it was so punk rock. I love her music but this version of paradise gets me amped up.

Minnie Riperton

She is the queen of hearts. There is a certain caliber of singing that is held by few and wanted by many. Minne Riperton belongs in the top echelon. Her voice is a window sent from heaven. Her singing is an auditory spectacle into the world of unconditional love. I ask myself what is it about her that attracts me to her music? It’s easy for me to say that her vocal range was second to none. But I challenge others to look beyond that and hear the spaces between her words. Her poetry is the effort of love pouring out of her soul. Songs like hers don’t come around that often, if at all. I hope that other singers see her as a standard of what a love song should talk about. It’s an era that she crowned with her voice. I know that this world was meant to catch a glimpse of her. She was put here to show the possibility of a life of love.

Jill Scott

I’m a big fan of Jill Scott. Her first album is always being played. What drew me to her was the refreshing sound that was missing from the radio. She had come from the place that so many people lack or hold dearly, love. In fact, her aura seems to be personified by how she dresses and holds herself. And to top it off she can write the words to the songs she sings. That means a lot to me. Her second album helped me overcome some of own challenges. Her words in the song family reunion helped me mend my own family ties, amen. It was at that point that I need to give something back to her.

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Paula Patton as Billy Holiday

As an aspiring singer, Holiday suffered sexual abuse, struggled with a drug habit and encountered racism everywhere. But the late Lady Day—one of the first African American women to sing with an all-white orchestra—translated all of that pain into some of the most achingly personal songs ever recorded. (Download “Strange Fruit,” which she sang at her 1948 Carnegie Hall concert, and listen for yourself.)

“You can imagine that women at home hearing her songs on the radio felt her vocalizing their emotions and their struggles.”—Paula Patton, 33, of the upcoming drama Push, wearing Holiday’s trademark gardenia in her hair

Chanel Iman as Althea Gibson

After years of playing segregated tennis, the late Althea Gibson tore down the color barrier of competition in 1950, when, at age 23, she became the first African American to compete in major U.S. championships—and, in 1957, the first to win Wimbledon. In her crisp whites, “the Jackie Robinson of tennis,” as she was known, won 11 major titles.

“She showed women…you can be sweaty, be gorgeous and do a great job.”—Chanel Iman, 19, cohost of MTV’s House of Style

America Ferrerah as Delores Huerta

A fierce advocate for migrant farmers, Huerta cofounded, with César Chávez, what became the United Farm Workers of America. In 1975 she played a critical role in enacting policies that allowed workers to bargain for better wages and conditions. Today, at age 79, Huerta continues to be active—last year she campaigned for Hillary Clinton’s presidential run.

“She saw her own opinion and voice as [something as] powerful as any man’s.”—America Ferrera, 25, of ABC’s Ugly Betty, holding a sign that reads “strike” in Spanish

Alicia Keys as First Lady Michelle Obama

Not only is Obama the first African American filling the position, but she’s already making best-dressed headlines for a style that ranges from couture to J.Crew. Raised in Chicago, Obama, 45, powered on to Princeton and Harvard Law School before beginning a career during which she met, mentored and married our current President. Hail to our newest smart, opinionated, chic First Lady!

“She has worked hard for everything she’s accomplished, and done so with grace and humility. So many women and girls can identify with her story.”—Alicia Keys, 28, whose most recent album is As I Am

Others included actress Lindsey Lohan as Madonna, Emma Rogers as actress Audrey Hepburn, actress Emma Stone as Carrie Bradshaw, and Hayden Panitiere as Amelia Earhart.

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By: Kathlyn and Gay Hendricks
Posted September 26, 2008 | 08:50 AM (EST)

One of the greatest benefits of an Obama presidency is hidden in plain sight: the relationship between Michelle and Barack. They provide a great role model of a healthy relationship, at a time when such models are sorely needed.

For example…
Imagine having a president who is not distracted from the nation’s business by the stresses of secrets in the presidential marriage.

Imagine having a president who likes his partner and values her as an equal, a president who touches his wife affectionately in public and actually listens to her when she talks!

Fortunately we don’t have to imagine it, because we already have that potential at the tip of our voting fingers. For Americans, one of the most important aspects of an Obama presidency is being overlooked: the model of a healthy relationship. In the 28 years of our own marriage, we’ve worked with more than 4,000 couples in our office and seminars, so we have a reasonably good idea of what kinds of behavior one sees in a healthy relationship. For example, Michelle and Barack do something we’ve never seen before in a presidential couple: they actually look directly at each other when they’re speaking to each other. They also laugh at each other’s humor, and they allow their sexual attraction for each other to be visible. Contrast that with other presidential marriages, in which the sexual attraction to each other was not visible but their sexual attraction to others became highly visible. Michelle and Barack talk openly about their feelings for each other. They’re real.

Why would their relationship be a benefit to the American public and the world at large? The main reason is that it would be genuinely useful to have a visible, public role model of what a healthy relationship looks like. Over the last fifty years there’s been a parade of not-so-great relationship models in the White House. They range from idol-worship (Nancy’s perpetually-adoring glaze, oops we mean gaze, at Ronnie) to the sternly maternal façade of the first Mrs. Bush. We’ve witnessed White House marriages strained to the breaking point by secrets. The country lost 50 million dollars and a year of the government’s focus because one president actually did have sex with “that woman” but wouldn’t tell us the truth until he was outed by DNA.

How about Camelot? Many of us were fooled into thinking the Kennedys were the very picture of a Perfect Relationship. There was a handsome, rich Prince with knockout hair, coupled with a doll-Princess whose faraway smile and breathy, little-girl voice made her seem heaven-sent. Unfortunately, it was all just a fantasy. In reality, John was a serial philanderer and Jackie was a chain-smoker who swore like a sailor and dropped the little-girl voice the moment she walked off-stage. There’s no way to measure the productivity that was lost because the president’s staff had to earn part of their government salaries ushering women in and out of the White House, all with exquisite timing (and with the look-the-other-way collusion of the media.)

However, you don’t have to go back in that far in history to see a strange or strained White House marriage. Have you ever seen the current occupant of the White House speak, much less listen, to his wife in public? For example, do we ever get to hear from the real Laura Bush, the one who disagrees completely with the far-right views of her husband on such matters as women’s reproductive rights? No, because she’s been muzzled, like most of her predecessors, and sealed off behind the glazed smile of the Perfect Presidential Wife.

It’s high time we got to see an honest, loving, real relationship in the White House. If you’re like us, you probably don’t want to spend the next four years hearing how much the perfectly-coiffed Mrs. McCain has spent on her outfit, which of their nine houses they’re weekending at or which of their thirteen cars they’re wheeling around in. There’s something bigger to worry about, though. If the actuarial tables have any predictive value, a McCain presidency would soon become a Palin presidency, and that is a scenario truly frightening to contemplate.

President Palin would be desperately trying to comprehend and handle business during one of the most trying times in our nation’s history, while taking care of a special needs baby, riding herd on pregnant teenagers, foul-mouthed hockey-jock son-in-laws and other household dramas. On the brighter side, a Palin White House would provide one exciting possibility for our increasingly tabloid-obsessed culture: the perfect capstone for Jerry Springer’s career! He would make an ideal Chief of Staff or Sergeant-At-Arms, charged with keeping the gun-totin’, hockey-stick-wielding clan from wrecking the furniture (and each other) or blowing away a moose for sport on the White House lawn.

Here’s a better idea: Elect Barack Obama. That way, we get the gift of seeing two people having an easeful friendship with each other. We get as a role model two people who communicate with each other as equals and stand beside each other as true partners. If we elect Barack Obama we are electing a new possibility in our relationship lives as a nation: respect, affection and authenticity. Michelle and Barack speak clearly and openly. You know she won’t bullshit you or embarrass you by playing the demure little wife. We’re ready to see that kind of relationship, and we hope you are, too. The question is: are we as a nation ready to end our national addiction to duplicity, phony adoration and Stepford wifedom in the White House? If not, we’re going to get what we deserve.

We have a chance now to make a real difference in the world. If we elect Barack Obama, we can all focus on the critical challenges that must be met now. Speaking personally, we feel a sense of warmth and pride when we think about the support and love the Obamas have for each other. We breathe easier when we see how they live their lives with balance, honesty and clarity. They’re the real deal. In November, let’s give ourselves this new mirror of our own value.

Source: Huffington Post

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Mango Mousse

Ingredients:

1/2 cup lime juice
Pinch of salt
4 lb Ripe mangoes
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tblsp unflavored gelatin
2 egg whites
1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions:
1. Peel the mangoes, sliced the flesh off the seeds, and puree in an electric blender with the lime juice, being careful not to over -blend.
2. There will be 5 cup of puree.
3. Stir in the sugar.
4. Dissolve the gelatin in 1/4 cup hot water, cool, and stir into the mango puree.
5. Beat the egg whites with the salt until they stand in peaks.
6. Whip the cram until it is stiff.
7. Fold the cream into the egg whites, then fold this mixture gently into the mango puree.
8. Pour into a big size serving dish, or into individual dishes, and chill in a freezer for 2 to 3 hours, or until set.

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