A Father’s Day Message from Barack Obama

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This week, Parade magazine asked President Barack Obama to share his thoughts on fatherhood.  He encouraged fathers to step up:

In many ways, I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence—both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill. We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and good schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully make up the difference.  

That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise one. 

As fathers, we need to be involved in our children’s lives not just when it’s convenient or easy, and not just when they’re doing well—but when it’s difficult and thankless, and they’re struggling. That is when they need us most. 

Click here to see more of the President’s letter.

Jada Pinkett Smith keeps the romance alive in her marriage

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Jada Pinkett Smith, star of the new TNT series, “Hawthorne,” told Redbook magazine how she maintains the fire in her 11-year marriage to Will Smith.  

“[Go for] a drive – and then pull over on the side of the road!” she said.  “Think of places outside that are comfortable to have sex. Does he have access to his office? Have a fantasy date. Be his secretary!” 

“Be sneaky,” Smith adds. “Your girlfriend’s house at a party. The bathroom! A guest bedroom! Just switch it up. Anything like that can keep it going. Anything it takes to keep the flame alive.”

What’s the Tee?

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Singer Usher Raymond has filed for divorce from his wife of less than two years, Tameka Foster. The couple has two young sons together. The R&B superstar whose hits have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide filed the petition in Superior Court in Atlanta. One hit in particular seems to fit this situation. Remember “You Make Me Wanna?”

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Mariah is ‘Obsessed’

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Today, Mariah Carey released her debut single,”Obsessed.”  Mimi will drop her new album,”Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel,” Aug. 25.

“Seriously, this is one of my favorite songs ever,” she wrote June 9 on Twitter about the new single. “I love the whole album.  I’m completely immersed in it.  I can’t wait for you to hear it.”

Beyonce to perform at BET awards

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Beyonce has joined the lineup of performers for the BET awards, which includes:  Kanye West, Maxwell, Young Jeezy, Ne-Yo and Soulja Boy.  The singer leads the pack with five nominations, including favorite R&B female and video of the year.

The BET awards will broadcast live from Los Angeles June 28.  Jamie Foxx will host the event.

Vanessa Williams gives back to charity

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Beginning June 30, actress and singer Vanessa Williams will share some of her tips for success with a charitable education campaign that will benefit Dress for Success, an organization that provides professional attire and career tips to disadvantaged women trying to succeed in the corporate world.

Usher files for divorce

It is official!  With rumors circulating that Usher was divorcing his wife of nearly two years Tameka Foster Raymond, the R&B singer filed the petition in an Atlanta court Friday.  Usher, 30, and Tameka, 38, have been living apart for several months now, reports People.   The couple has two sons, Usher Raymond V, 18 months, and Naviyd, 6 months.

Kanye performs for Chicago school children

As Suite 411 reported earlier, Kanye West performed for Chicago public school children at the ”Stay in School” Benefit Concert last night.  This event helped to benefit his charity, The Kanye West Foundation, founded in 2007 by his late mother, Donda, to help fight the dropout rate in America.

Mike Tyson marries in Las Vegas

Two weeks after the accidental death of his 4-year-old daughter Exodus, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, 42, marries his girlfriend Lakiha Spicer, 32, in Las Vegas this past weekend, reports People.com.  Spicer has comforted Tyson since the young girl was found strangled by the cord on a treadmill in her home.  

The couple were married in the La Bella Wedding Chapel at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel-casino at 10 p.m. Saturday after first picking up a marriage license at the county bureau.  This is Tyson’s third marriage.

50 Cent launches first fragrance

Do you want to feel the power of 50 Cent?  Well, soon you can smell like the rapper, who is set to launch his first fragrance, Power by Fifty Cent, this fall exclusively at Macy’s.