AnythingUrban - by R Eldridge

I ♥ AFRO Divas - a few of my favorites

Pam Grier ICON - The greatest female heroine in film history, in my humble opinion.  During the blaxpoitation era in cinema, Pam was a one woman "terminator".  I recall a role she played in Coffy, where as a sexy nurse she would meet and great you, hit you with her unique style of swag, and just as your libido reached a climatic apex, she would merc you. Picture that.  She would further her cinematic career in the 70's for her role as Foxy Brown.  She left an indelible impression in film and also in hip hop.

Question: Can somebody make a Foxy Brown action figure?

Vivian S. Amundsen

 

 

Victoria Rowell Makes Bold Statement with 'Obama' Dress at 2009 Emmys

The 61st annual Emmy Awards delivered all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.

However, actress and "New York Times" best-selling author Victoria Rowell marched to the beat of her own hem, so to speak, when she arrived on the red carpet in the boldest of fashion statements - a strapless dress emblazoned with President Barack Obama's face.

Check out more pictures of Black Hollywood on display at ESSENCE.com - or click here.

Did you get a chance to check out the new hot couture on display at Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week?

ESSENCE.com has your fresh New York Fashion Week Coverage - click right here.

Check out Kimora Lee Simmons' SPRING Fashion Week Baby Phat and KLS Collections Shows - click right here.

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ALSO, take a look at all of the commotion  -- and behind the scenes with Badgely Mischka - right here:

Cosmopolitan Swag

In 2002, Brooklyn native Yvette Jarvis became the first Black American elected to public office in Greece.  She was also the first immigrant elected to office in Greece, a country that has struggled to assimilate hundreds of thousands of foreigners who call Greece home.  I recall that she was also amongst one of several dignitaries that greeted athletes from all around the world during the Olympics of 2004 in Athens, Greece.

Samata Angel, clothing designer, author and public speaker, her clothing label creates stunning, unique pieces of clothing for women and since its launch in 2005 has already been recognized for its work by awards and nominations such as the UK Urban Fashion Award “Best Couture Line 2006”, Aristoc Ultra Woman of 2007 and British Female Inventor and Innovator ‘Exceptionally Creative’ Award.  In 2008, following participation in the Nolcha New York Fashion Week, Angel received a letter of recommendation from Prime Minister Gordon Brown to become an ambassador for the national campaign 'Girls! Make Your Mark'.  She was also a finalist for the ‘Future Fashion Star of 2008 award’ with Cosmopolitan magazine.

Beatrice Achaleke In 2008 she was the first Black Woman to stand for parliamentary elections in Austria. She is formal President of ENARA - European Network Against Racism Austria.  She was honored with the MIA Award 2008 for her Humanitarian and Social Engagements. In September 2008 she received the Official and Honorary Decoration of the Federal Republic of Austria for her interculture activities and in March 2009 the Miriam Makeba African Diva Award for her Engagement in the Empowerment of Black Women in Europe.

Beatrice is the initiator of several Award wining projects in Austria. She is author of several articles on the above-mentioned topics and frequent keynote speaker in Europe and on Austrian TV.

She is the publisher of the book “voices of Black European Women 1, challenges, reflections and strategies from the Vienna Congress”.  Her next book, titled “100 Black European Women in Leadership” is due in October 2009.

Read more great articles and stories about Black women in Europe here.