From YourTango

Is it just me or is TV out of control with all the dating shows being aired? According to this article in The New York Times, three new shows aired this month with each program being worse and worse. The first program to air was Eva Longoria‘s show, Ready for Love, but it was cancelled after only two episodes. The idea was that three matchmakers had to scour the world to find matches for their clients. (My thought: if these matchmakers had to “scour the world” to find someone a match, this client was being way too picky, anyway.)

Next to hit the airwaves was Find Me My Man on Oxygen, featuring Miami matchmaker Natalie Clarice. The show, created to help Miami’s professional women find love, is clearly another reality dating series … sans the reality.

Read more at YourTango.com

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You already know a certain amount of risk goes along with online dating, but a new survey from Whatsyourprice.com may lower your risk just a bit. The online dating auction site just identified the cities where men and women have the most honest and dishonest dating profiles. So, even though you may have already reduced your search to a regional one, this might help you figure out whether you should keep it local or check out a new state altogether. See which cities had the most honest and dishonest men and what they lie about.

Source: Getty Images

Well, this a bit disheartening but nobody is perfect.

Tracy Mourning, wife of former Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning, was arrested on Friday morning driving under the influence in Miami.

According to The Huffington Post, Mourning was clocked going 28 miles over the speed limit in Coconut Grove while driving her Porsche.

When a police officer finally stopped her a few blocks down, she’d apparently been swerving and she ran a stop sign.

At that point, the officer says Mourning then put on her charms and asked in a nice voice, “What did I do officer,” followed by a wink and then saying, “Was going fast, wasn’t I?” Okay so even at almost 4am and knowing she was wrong, Tracy tried to use the “bat your eyes” trick to get out of any trouble.

But the officer wasn’t buying it. He said her eyes were bloodshot, she was slurring her speech and reeked of alcohol. After failing a roadside sobriety test and refusing to take a blood alcohol test, she was then arrested.

No word yet on what time she was released and when she’ll have to appear in court. Her hair still manages too look good, even in the booking photo.

The Mournings have become pillars of the community in Miami where they spend countless hours giving back.  Alonzo has been known for years to throw one of the best fundraising events in town with his “Zo’s Summer Groove.”  Along with that huge money maker, the couple often scouts for other ways they can get back.

Hopefully, Tracy can get this taken care of and be extremely careful when it comes to drinking and driving (how about just don’t do it).

Honestly, how many of you still get behind the wheel even though you know you’ve probably had one too many drinks? Do you still get in the car with someone who you know has had too much to drink and let them drive?

Brian To/WENN.com

Let me go on record right now and say that any time there’s a chance to see this piece of eye candy, the show event – whatever – will be a good one.

Okay, let’s get back on track.

The American Black Film Festival has announced that actor Omari Hardwick will be the 2013 Festival Ambassador, according to EURweb.

The ABFF will once again take place in Miami and it is in its 17th year, it continues to become not only a staple for up and coming filmmakers, but also for a “hot spot” for those who want to be seen. The five day festival takes the time to showcase, support and promote quality black films.

The festival’s founder and CEO Jeff Friday had this to say about Hardwick:

“Omari Hardwick is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood. He shares our vision for Black cinema and understands the importance of nurturing new artists and maintaining diverse voices in this business that sometimes overlooks those outside the mainstream. The role of the ABFF Ambassador is to broaden public awareness of the festival as well as its mission, which is to encourage collaboration and support between Hollywood and the independent film community.”

Hardwick seems like a great fit. He started acting back in 2001 in very small roles with his first big break coming in 2008 in Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna. Since then, his career has taken off with parts in CSI: Miami, Dark Blue, For Colored Girls and Middle of Nowhere. He’s also the host of Centric’s Verses & Flow.

He also released a statement saying:

“I am beyond humbled for being asked to be the ambassador of such a legendary and established film festival that has been around for 17 years and counting. I have always been a fan of the work Jeff Friday has done within the film community and I look forward to sharing the wisdom, experience, creativity, and passion that I have to offer to the American Black Film Festival in 2013.”

This is a good look for Omari Hardwick as he continues to grow his brand.

The ABFF will be held June 19-23. If you’re a filmmaker, the deadline for narratives is March 1st and the deadline for documentaries is March 8th.

Photo Credit: TNYF/WENN.com

From ESSENCE

Dwyane Wade was suspended from Friday night’s Miami Heat game against the Detroit Pistons for an incident that occurred during Wednesday night’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Wade allegedly kneed guard Ramon Sessions in the groin. The Miami Heat issued a statement disagreeing with the judgement, according to the Associated Press.

“While we accept the decision of the NBA regarding Dwyane Wade, we do not agree with it,” read the statement. “In his 10 years in the league, Dwyane has never been suspended, and has been an exemplary player and positive influence to his teammates and fans and we have been honored to have him as part of the Miami Heat family. Unfortunately, he is the type of player, along with other players on our roster, that defense take privileges with. We stand with Dwyane and support him in this situation and have made our feelings known to the league office.”

Fair enough. You can read the rest, including Wade’s reaction to the incident, on ESSENCE.

Source: WENN

I know Tami Roman is a bully, but I didn’t peg her for a liar. Unfortunately, I think she stretched the truth just a bit far in a recent interview with Coco Fab. The ladies over there asked her what was to come on the next season of “Basketball Wives,” and she claims we are going to be pleasantly surprised. Here’s what she told them:

“People are really going to be surprised at the approach we’re going to take this season because it’s more family oriented, not as much drama.What you’ve seen in past seasons was real, but that’s not how our lives are 98% of the time. We’re excited to show you more than just the drama.

“I’m a busy mom and I have a new show coming out and I’m focused on that. I’m really a loving person and you’ll see that on season five.”

They might claim the show will look more like “Hollywood Exes” but we’re not dealing with Hollywood Exes players, and we know VH1 don’t play that fun loving stuff — especially with this franchise.

Something else interesting that came out of Coco Fab’s reporting was that not only has Stephon Marbury’s wife, Tasha, joined season 5, so has Kevin Garnett’s wife, Brandi, and Dwight Howard’s ex, Hope Alexa. I imagine he’s kicking himself right now thinking about the fact that the producers got rid of his baby mama only to add his ex the very next season. Let this be (yet another) lesson about who you do the nasty with.

What you do you think about Tami’s claim that season 5 will be family oriented?

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A few weeks ago, I was surprised to learn that my brother got married. It’s not that he wasn’t the marrying type or anything like that, it’s just that he said his “I dos” without inviting any of the family, or his friends to partake in the happy occasion.

He had been seeing a young lady for more than a year that he was head over heels for, and after news broke that homegirl was preggo, he decided to do right by her and put a ring on it. ASAP. I was getting all mentally prepared for another year of trying to put money together to pay for a bridesmaid’s gown, and gifts, and tickets to fly home, and ish for a shower (including a baby shower), and more. These were all things I wasn’t well prepared for a year before when I watched my sister say “I do” in lavish fashion. But to my surprise, my mother called me a few weeks after the baby and engagement announcement to tell me that my brother and his bride-to-be had already tied the knot. Without anybody knowing, without any  friends or family for witnesses, they took off work, flew down to Florida and made a major commitment to each other under the sun, and God, on a beach. They didn’t ask for any help, any presents, or any ballyhoo surrounding their nuptials. Compared to all the time, money and energy spent for my sister’s wedding, this one was a pleasant surprise.

Recently, my mother and father came to visit me and when they did, they brought along the DVD that my brother sent to everyone of the beach nuptials. It was just the two of ‘em, along with a photographer and an officiating minister on the beach in Miami. My brother and his new wife stood inside of a heart drawn in the sand and read their vows, said their “I do’s” and kissed. After their small ceremony on the beach, the two walked up and down said beach, on the water, taking romantic photographs, kissing and rubbing the little one in my new sister-in-law’s belly. As simple as the whole thing was, I couldn’t help but find myself tearing up at how in love they seemed, and how happy they were, just the two of them, ready to move on to the next chapter of their lives. Well, make that the three of them with the baby chilling womb-side.

After watching the cute DVD (which had a homemade soundtrack made by my bro with the sounds of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and other classics) and thinking about how fast, simple and inexpensive they had done things, I couldn’t help but wonder if all the fuss and the debt over big weddings is really all that necessary. There was something incredibly romantic about my brother and his lady running off to have a ceremony somewhere quiet and focusing on the two people who would have to make the marriage work. You know. Them.  She had the dress, they had the rings, they had each other, and honestly, isn’t that what it’s all about? In fact there was something more desirable to me about tying the knot like that (not let’s run off to Vegas style) than you and your man and everyone you know to drop big bills on an expensive wedding, to lose your mind trying to find a planner, a DJ, a huge venue for a reception, trying to schedule space in a church, trying to come up with and cut down a guest list, and having to hurt some feelings in the process of picking bridesmaids. It sounds very desirable actually.

But that’s not a shot at people who have been waiting all of their lives to have the big white wedding that shows like “My Fair Wedding” have us fawning over. Do what your heart desires, and save me a piece of cake if you do go that route. But in the midst of a still slow-growing economy, I was just wondering if you would you ever consider downsizing and making your wedding just about you and the boo? And not about you, the boo, and everybody you know too? Could you have a happy wedding if it wasn’t surrounded by all your loved ones and all the trappings we’ve come to associate with a “real” ceremony? While it might not sound as fairytale fab, you still walk away with the ultimate prize: the man of your dreams.

Could you have a happy wedding if your friends and family, the big cake and ornate flowers, and all the dressings “My Fair Wedding” has us wanting weren’t there?

gossiponthis.com

Well, this is not good.

Chad Johnson, receiver for the Miami Dolphins, was arrested Saturday night for headbutting his wife Evelyn Lozada, star of Basketball Wives, after they got into a heated dispute. According to police, the couple was at dinner when Evelyn confronted him about a receipt she’d found for a box of condoms. As they left the restaurant, the argument continued until they got outside of their home where Chad then headbutted her.

Evelyn called the police and Chad was charged with a misdemeanor for simple assault, domestic violence. He is being held until he can appear before a judge and Yahoo! reports that it might not be until Monday before that happens.  Evelyn was treated at the hospital for a cut on her forehead and then released.  The Miami Dolphins are aware of the situation and because most teams have rules about getting into such trouble, I’m sure they’ll have a few questions for Chad when they’re able to speak with him.

These two have had quite the fiery relationship from the very start and accusations of cheating have flown over them at many different times.  In fact, many were skeptical as to whether or not their July 4th wedding would actually happen (yes, they’ve only been married a month and a half).  Although you never want to see or hear about someone being abused, I would hope this isn’t yet another call for attention for their reality show.  Domestic abuse is really not something that should be taken lightly or played around with for ratings since many people deal with it (or have dealt with it) on a daily basis.

Neither of their reps have made any statements yet but I’m sure there will be something forthcoming.

Suzan McDowell, CEO and President of Circle of One Marketing has worked with companies like the City of Miami Gardens   “Jazz in the Gardens” festival, the City of Rivera Beach Jazz and Blues Festival and the AHCA Medicaid Reform along with Fortune 500 companies and community organizations. She talks with us about working with clients, building a brand, and the basics of marketing.

MN:  What initially attracted you to marketing? 

SM: I was attracted to marketing because my father told me to hurry and pick a major when I was at the University of Texas, so I chose the one that was farthest from math: advertising. But it turns out that I’m a natural-born sales person, which is a big part of being a marketer. I love [moving] people from point A to point B. I get really excited about the creative process, about getting to work on a project from inception to crazy success.

MN: Why did you decide to start your own marketing agency rather than work for a large, established firm?

SM: I did work for large established firms for years: Harte Hanks, the LA Herald Examiner and Cox Radio. Those combined working environments prepared me to do what I’m now doing. I decided to start my own agency because just selling radio became too limiting for me. I wanted to be able to create marketing campaigns where I had input in the entire process. South Florida is one of the largest Black markets in the U.S and [when] I opened The Circle there was (and still is) only one other Black owned agency in Miami.

MN: Visitors see these words when they visit your official website, “Though we’re a small agency, our size has very little to do with our might.” Which business strategies allow you to add large-scale services for your clients?

SM: Well, as one of my former staff members said to me, “Suzan….you girls work like ants!”  That’s the first thing. I think we have a good reputation for turning out a quality product and being fastidious with our presentation, especially when it comes to an event that we market and manage. We have really tried to establish a brand [that is] resourceful, unafraid to try something different, and sometimes crazy in order to get done for our clients what is most effective.

Left to right: Kenicia Cross and Angelique Michelle

Located in Miami, image consulting firm Iconiq speaks to the way founders Kenicia Cross and Angelique Michelle would like to be perceived. Both 2005 graduates of Howard University, the two officially formed their business a few years after. The firm offers services that include styling, image consulting, personal shopping and a wardrobe rework.

The virtual styling computer program, Iconiq Virtual Wardrobe, one of their most notable developments,  is being transformed into an iPhone app and an interactive website. News reporter turned stylist Cross and image consultant Michelle — who’s worked with the likes of Chris Brown and Kelis— are counting on technology to distinguish and elevate Iconiq in the world of fashion.

Madame Noire: How did you meet and come up with the idea to found Iconiq?

Kenicia Cross: Both Angelique and I graduated from Howard University; she went to school for fashion merchandising, I went to school for journalism. After graduating I moved to California where I was a newscaster. I’d do on-air things and would always ask her what I should wear. I’d send her pictures on my cell phone and I would think, “I wish there was a way you could see my whole closet.” We decided that we would come up with a way to solve this problem. If we were having this issue, we were sure people all over the world could use the same services.

MN: You have a journalism background. How did you become a seasoned stylist?

KC: Growing up I was always into fashion and beauty so I kind of just have a natural talent and passion for it, whereas fashion is what Angelique got her degree in. With her being creative and my skill set — organizing and the business side of things — we make the perfect pair. An important part of running a business with a partner is making sure you complement each other. We taught each other along the way.