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At least when Ne-Yo and his girlfriend spend stacks on foolishness like strippers at Magic City they round it out by doing good. Monyetta Shaw, Ne-Yo’s girl and the mother of his two children, has reportedly agreed to adopt 48 children from the African nation of Swaziland.

The children won’t actually be living with the couple, but Monyetta did agree to pay each child’s living expenses for an entire year, which adds up to about $20,000. The sponsorship is apart of Beyond the Game, a charitable organization founded by “Football Wife” Chanita Foster who is the former wife of Georgia Bulldog George Foster. It’s nice to know Monyetta isn’t just riding off of being Ne-Yo’s girl. Can’t get mad at that.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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When I first read that a billionaire had adopted his girlfriend, I thought he was on some sort of creepy Morgan Freeman-type ish, but turns out the adoption is a legal maneuver to protect assets in a pending civil suit.

John Goodman, founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Fl, is being sued for the wrongful death of Scott Patrick Wilson, a 23-year-old he struck and killed in a drunk-driving accident in February 2010. Wanting to protect his earnings, estimated at several hundred million dollars, the 48-year-old adopted his girlfriend of two years, Heather Laruso Hutchins, in October, putting money in a trust for the 42-year-old who is now his child, legally.

West Palm Beach Judge Glenn Kelley wrote in a court order that these moves “border on the surreal and take the Court into a legal twilight zone.”

“The Defendant has effectively diverted a significant portion of the assets of the children’s trust to a person with whom he is intimately involved at a time when his personal assets are largely at risk in this case.”

Goodman has two biological children but they’re under 35, the pre-determined age at which they can control their trust funds. Since Hutchins is over the age of 35, her adoption entitles her to a one-third beneficiary interest in the trust. Previously, the court ruled that the assets owned by Goodman’s children could not be considered as part of his net worth in calculations for assessing punitive damages, but with this adoption, the family of Scott Patrick says that should change.

On the flip side, Goodman’s attorney, Daniel Bachi, maintains that “Nothing in this arrangement with Ms. Hutchins is illegal.”

“Everything that has been done by Mr. Goodman was done with the intention to preserve and grow the assets of the Trust for his two minor children, even should he personally be unable to continue his historical role in achieving these goals.”

Even though Goodman has thrown the legal system for a financial loop, nothing can protect him from the potential 30-year sentence he could receive if convicted in the drunk-driving case. Goodman’s civil trial is set for March 27 and his criminal trial for charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of a crash is on March 6.

What do you think about this legal move? Genius or creepy?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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I love being a mom–it’s absolutely one of the best things in my life. I have four, with age ranges from 14 and 2 years-old. My kids are hilarious, and so happy and optimistic about life and that makes me look at my own life anew. However there is a flipside: They are a lot of work. It’s impossible to be lazy if you’re going to do this whole parent thing well enough so that your kids won’t need a psychiatrist in adulthood. Gosh. I wish someone would have told me a few things about having kids before I started popping them out, such as…

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Queen Latifah has an amazing cover on the upcoming issue of MORE magazine, and inside she reveals some personal details of her plans for the future, including wanting to adopt.

She says, “I’m definitely going to adopt, or have a child. I’ve wanted to adopt since I was 17 or 18-years-old.”

It seems there isn’t anything that the 41-year-old rapper, actress, jazz singer, and cover girl model can’t do. Adding mother to the list only seems fitting. She told MORE that the death of her older brother in a motorcycle accident in 1992 inspired her to realize her dreams of motherhood. She also talks about the devastation of the loss and finding the strength to carry on.

“I know for a fact that my brother would not want me to stay right there, stuck in that misery. If the person who you lost loved you like you loved them, there’s no way they would not want you to live your life to the maximum, to appreciate it, to go for your dreams, go for your goals.”

Do you think the Queen will make a good mommy?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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When Steve Jobs passed everyone marveled at the fact that this adoptee had been able to achieve so much. The assumption is that if you’re adopted you’re at a disadvantage. These celebrities have proven that this is not always true.

Check out this surprising list at BlackEnterprise.com.

Viola Davis and her husband, actor Julian Tennon, have adopted a baby boy named Genesis. Our fave actress spilled the beans during an ELLE Women in Hollywood event during which she was honored on Monday. Tennon and 46-year-old Davis have been married since 2003. This will be the first child for Davis although she has two step-children from Tennon her husband. Davis has a lot to celebrate this year. Her summer movie “The Help” was one of the biggest hits of the year and did extremely well considering it was led by an all-female cast.

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Sometimes your biological family either cannot or will not be there for you. Maybe, like me, you live far away from home or your biological family is abusive, emotionally distant, or reclusive. Whatever the reason, being alone can be tough. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold and a cheerleader in their corner. Spouses and significant others can help fill the void, but they may come and go.

The good news is, if your real family is absent, you can create a group of close friends who act as your surrogate family. As an adult, forming deep friendships can be difficult with jobs, kids, and spouses. However, with some patience and effort, you can find your surrogate family. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

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Deaths, drugs, finances, unplanned pregnancies—many of us face these issues with close friends and family. Out of love, we do our best to help, especially when children are involved. Following our emotions, some of us (me included) would adopt every child on the street that didn’t come from a stable, loving home. However, in reality, adopting (or taking in) a child is not as simple as it appears.

There is much that comes with parenting and even more that comes with a child who isn’t biologically yours—particularly true in Losing Isaiah scenarios and step-parenting on non-custodial side of things. What happens when you invest your love into a child as if they were your own, make them a part of your family and, suddenly, ten years later their biological mother gets clean and wants to regain custody? Or, what about trying to integrate an outside child into your family culture every other weekend?

Though the reward usually outweighs the inconvenience and sacrifice, adopting a relative can be taxing which is why you should ask yourself a few questions before making the leap into non-biological parenthood:

• Do you have the ability to love the child more than you love yourself?
  It’s a no-brainer for most mothers as to whether or not they would sacrifice their well-being on account of their children. At the moment of birth something clicks and suddenly they are struck with the capacity to love unconditionally, selflessly. Parenthood often requires one to put their needs on the backburner to meet those of children—for better or worse, rich or poor. Would you be willing to give that child the last bite with no way to feed yourself?
• Are you being driven by emotions or clear thought?
  Emotions are unpredictable and deceiving; they flutter up and down, left to right. Remove your emotions from the decision and weigh out the pros and cons when your feelings are at rest. That way, you can accurately assess the situation and how you would tackle potential issues in the future.
• Are you flexible?
  If you’re an idealist, a less than traditional parenting setup may not be a good idea for you. Consider how firm you are on being The Mom and only mom. Ask yourself if you would wish the biological parents away or be open to making them a part of the child’s life. Adoption is an alternative form of parenting, which means it also requires a non-traditional approach.
• Can you afford it?
  No, you don’t need a million dollars to become a parent; but it costs money to raise children. Take a look at your finances and adjust your current budget with the added expenses of a child in mind. If you work, is there room for child care expenses? Can you buy school clothes and pay for dental appointments?
• Do you really want to raise someone else’s child?
  Taking a child in is a huge commitment and you have to be dedicated to that child as if they were your own, which is easier planned than done.

Adopting a new relative changes your life instantly. Think and pray through it before acting.

LaShaun Williams is a Madame Noire contributor and columnist whose work has appeared in the New York Times and across several popular sites, such as HuffPost Black Voices and the Grio. For more information, visit her blogPolitically Unapologetic or follow her on Twitter @itsmelashaun and Facebook.

(Chicago Sun Times) – In early 2009, LeVan Williams was living the bachelor’s dream. He was a young, successful, pharmaceutical salesman, making a good salary and living in his posh Bronzeville condo. He holds several degrees, including biochemistry, technology and a master’s degree in business administration ­— he was even accepted to medical school.  Life was good, but he felt something was missing. He knew he wanted to help his community. Why not adopt a kid in need?  That was Williams’ plan ­— to take in a young boy who needed positive leadership; someone he could mold and give a good life to, the way he had a good life. He got more than he bargained for — six children.  Starting out  Williams, 39, was inspired while campaigning for Barack Obama. He remembered some powerful words from Obama: How are you going to help your community? Taking that question to heart, in early 2009, he made his decision to adopt. Williams knew he wanted a little boy. He completed his classwork to qualify him as a parent, and soon after, he got a call from the agency.

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(AP) — An Illinois judge ruled Thursday that the state can stop working with Catholic Charities on adoptions and foster care placements — something the state decided to do in July after the not-for-profit agency refused to recognize Illinois’ new civil unions law.  In his ruling, Sangamon County Circuit Judge John Schmidt said that no one, including Catholic Charities, has a legal right to a contract with the state government. He did not address the more sensitive issue of whether a state contractor that refuses to serve gays and lesbians is violating the state’s new civil unions law.

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