"Crash" is the new "racially provocative" movie that is sure to get everyone's attention. The average critic review on "Crash" was a B, viewer reviews were an A+. "Crash" has an all star cast line up including such as Sandra Bullock and Don Cheadle.

For reviews, trailers, showtimes and information on this movie, click the link below.

Comedy Central And Chris Rock Team Up To Create Diversity Program For Aspiring Student Writers

COMEDY CENTRAL is partnering with Chris Rock to establish a diversity program for aspiring student writers, it was announced today by Rock and Doug Herzog, president, COMEDY CENTRAL, during the MTV Networks Upfront presentation at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The program will rotate students through a variety of assignments at the all-comedy network that will focus on improving their comedy writing skills while exposing them to the process of writing for television and providing an opportunity to gain hands-on experience. The eight-week internships will run from June 13 - August 5. "Chris Rock is one of the great comedic voices working today and we've been exploring ways to collaborate with him for some time," said Herzog. "We're thrilled to team up with Chris and have this opportunity to share our collective knowledge of comedy and the industry with these talented students this year and beyond." "The old adage goes: 'If it don't work on the page, it don't work on the stage...' Good writing is essential to a good joke, good sitcom, or a good movie. My thanks to Doug Herzog, Michele Ganeless, and the folks at COMEDY CENTRAL who've agreed to partner with us on our effort to diversify talent in the business of being funny," said Rock. "Along with my partner in this program, Bill Stephney, we are also grateful to my colleagues Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle, for their future participation. Finally, out of the exemplary tradition of groundbreaking writers such as James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Ralph Ellison, it is comforting to know that we'll be training kids capable of writing 'Dodgeball.'"

"COMEDY CENTRAL is very eager to partner with Chris and contribute to the education and development of the next generation of comedy writers," said Michele Ganeless, executive vice president and general manager, COMEDY CENTRAL. "We hope to provide these students with real hands on experience, both in writing and in learning about how a production is crafted, at a time when they need it the most, the beginning of their careers." With a goal of expanding to the West Coast in subsequent years, the first-year pilot program is being conducted with the help of a number of East Coast colleges and universities (Columbia University, New York University, Brooklyn College, Emerson College and Howard University). The six students participating in this summer's program were selected by an Advisory Board within COMEDY CENTRAL after reviewing all of the applicants. Beginning June 13, the selected interns will embark on a carefully planned eight-week schedule that will pull back the curtain and provide insight on the inner-workings of the network, specifically how to write comedy for television, and expose them to industry professionals through speaker-based lunches. COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 87 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL is a registered trademark of Comedy Partners. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is http://www.comedycentral.com.

May is Stroke Awareness Month

by Monique Bruner

There are many faces of stroke however African Americans are almost twice as likely to have suffer the effects than whites. Recently, the American Stroke Association started a campaign to education and initiate change about the attitude of health in our community. Ultimately, their goal is to create a movement around the serious health disparity issue of stroke among African Americans.

The first line of stroke defense is to take the American Stroke Associations pledge. The pledge is a document for people to sign committing to not just survive but to thrive by doing their part to make the right health choices for themselves, their families and their communities to prevent and overcome stroke. In addition, the association encourages people to know their familys health history, and to work with their doctor on a plan to prevent and manage stroke risk factors. Some risk factors, such as family history, age, ethnicity and having a previous stroke put people at higher risk for stroke and cant be controlled. While other risk factors such as: high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol can be changed, treated or modified.

Taking simple actions now against even one risk factor can help reduce the risk of having a stroke.

Commit to the American Stroke Associations stroke pledge and join the movement to fight stroke.

Get your blood pressure checked. If its 140/90 mm Hg or higher, control it.

Visit your doctor regularly to monitor your health.

If you smoke, STOP!

Start physical activity. Try to work up to accumulating 30 minutes of activity on most or all days of the week.

In an effort to promote physical activity during the month of May -- Stroke Awareness Month --the American Stroke Association created the Marathon in May! It gives participants an opportunity to complete a marathon in 31 days. The participant is given a mile journal to log their miles using the "honor system" and once they have completed the 26.2 miles, they receive a "Marathon in May 2005" finisher's t-shirt. Get healthy and get active because a stroke can break strides. Be an advocate. Go to http://www.EstherMays.org. By making a tax-deductible contribution, you can become a part of the cure.

An Interview w/ Kendra Normn-Bellamy author of "Crossing Jhordan's River"

by Yolanda M. Johnson

Kenra's Bio: I was born in West Palm Beach, Florida as the third of five children. That means I'm the middle child and it is often said that the middle child is a bit different than the others. Seeing how my life has evolved, I'm inclined to agree. In my family, I'm the only college graduate and the only writer. As a young girl, I wanted to be everything from a florist and teacher, to a news reporter and journalist. When I grew into early adulthood, my love for words and typing lead me to a professional life of executive administrative positions and my near-obsession with health lead me to become a professional certified fitness instructor. I began writing poetry at the age of ten, but it wasn't until I was very much an adult that I realized my true destiny was to become a writer.

Kendra's current book: My most recent title is Crossing Jhordan's River (Moody Publishers) which released on May 1st. Like most of my novels, this book surrounds the life of a positive black man who is faced with issues that place him at a crossroads. In Jhordan's case, his issues deal with his apprehension to fully trust a woman. He's been "burned" in the worst ways by the women in his life who meant the most to him and now that he finds himself in love again, he's so busy trying to save himself from heartbreak, that he's on the verge of losing Kelli, which would break his heart more than he ever imagine. The book tackles issue of love, faith, trust, honesty, betrayal and forgiveness.

What would you like your readers to take away from your book? I hope readers will see the world through Jhordan's eyes and understand his pain and hesitations; but I also want them to grasp the important of trust to a relationship. Love is a powerful thing and in order to have it for, share it with, and receive it from someone fully, trust has to be there. We can't go through life living in the past, but we have to leave all of that stuff that we have no control over in God's hands and move forward.

What are the joys and sorrows of writing? I can honestly say that I've not had any sorrows in my career thus far. I feel immensely blessed and fulfilled. I think the most joyous part of writing for me is that I know that I'm walking in my purpose. God, I believe, designs everyone with a purpose and some people live their whole lives without ever finding theirs. So, to be able to live mine and share my gift of writing with the world is wonderful.

Do you have any marketing tips that work? When people ask me about the best way to market, my answer is always advertisement. Getting your name, face and book in the eyes and hands of the public is not optional if you want to survive in this industry. When I say advertise, I'm not talking about spending an arm and a leg, I'm simply saying get your work out there! That can be anything from radio interviews (most of which are free) to mass emails (also free) to ordering postcards, which are very reasonable and sending them out to everybody you know. Somehow, as an author, you have to crate a buzz. Even as mainstream published authors, we have to keep our feet pounding the pavement. Otherwise, we won't be mainstream published for long.

Name something that would suprise others about you: I think readers would be surprised to know that I have panic attacks for days leading up to radio and television interviews and even before symposiums or other events where I am on a panel or upfront speaking. I am extremely camera shy and I'm very nervous when all eyes (or ears) are on me. I have to do a lot of praying before going to events and it works. By the time I get there, most people can't tell how uneasy I was (and sometimes still am) when it's time to take the mic.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? When given the opportunity, I try and always encourage aspiring writers to believe in their talents. This is an industry wherein writers can easily become discouraged. There are so many gifted writers in circulation and for newcomers, it is becoming increasingly difficult to break into the industry. Especially for those who wish to be published through one of the big houses. Many times a writer can get numerous rejection letters before ever being accepted. After a while, those rejections can feel like a personal attack and make them want to put down their pen and pad, slide that chair back from the computer and call it a day. If a person wants to make it on the literary stage, he or she will have to grow a thick skin and keep pressing forward. Know who you are, know what you do and never give up on your dream.

If you could have dinner with 3 authors (living or deceased), who would you invite and why? First I would invite, Maya Angelou because she was my first literary inspiration. I just love her and would embrace the opportunity to pick her brain! I was inspired first by her poetry and then by her books. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is still my favorite novel of all times. Definitely, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would be there. In my opinion, he is the greatest speech writer and orator who ever lived. I can't imagine having the opportunity to meet him and not taking advantage of it. Finally, I'd choose Oprah Winfrey. She's one of today's most amazing women and although she's not best known for the books she's written, I think it would be just an honor to be in her presence and have the opportunity to talk with her.

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)] Readers can contact me by emailing me at kendra_bellamy@hotmail.com or they can visit me on the web at www.knb-publications.com. I made a conscious effort to answer all of my emails. Sometimes it may take me a while to respond, according to my schedule, but I do reply.

Can you us give us a sneak peek of your next book? My next book releases July 5, 2005. I write for two publishing houses, therefore I am always writing and always on the go. Because of Grace (BET Books) is the sequel to my freshman novel, For Love & Grace, which was initially self-published in 2002 and then re-released in 2004. Because of Grace will continue in the lives of Greg, Grace, Derrick, Sherry and the whole gang. I absolutely love the characters in this series and writing Because of Grace was as much an emotional rollercoaster for me as I hope it will be for the reader. In For Love & Grace, Greg (Dr. Gregory Dixon) had a choice to make that could make him lose his best friend, Derrick. In the sequel his faith is put to the test again. Only this time, no matter what choice he makes, he could lose both the job he loves and Grace, the woman he adores.

Among the impressive credits John's amassed in the last few years (which includes session work with Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Eve, Common, the Black Eyed Peas and, of course, Kanye West), John is particularly proud of his work on "Everything Is Everything," a key cut on Hill's multi-platinum Grammy-winning The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. "Through a friend of hers," says Legend, "I went to the studio when Lauryn was working on that record and I sang a couple of original songs for her and ended up playing piano on that song. I'm still very proud that that was the first major record I was on."

To Learn More About John Legend visit: www.johnlegend.com.

The NBA Playoffs!

by Yolanda M. Johnson

Sit me down and hush my mouth! The Mavericks had the nerve to beat Houston in the first round playoff matchup. Who do they think they are? They act like they want this? Well I say it's about time. Maybe crazy and derranged Avery Johnson is just what they needed to get their butts in gear.

The Mavericks won't get any rest any time soon. They lost thier first game to the Phoenix Suns on Monday night as they started round 2 of the series. And you can best believe that the Mavs and Little Squeaky (Avery Johnson) are revved up. Okay I guess we should lay off the Avery small jokes because he has proved that big things come in small packages. I wonder if he's available for the Cowboy NFL season this year.

I guess the bigger question right now is, can the Mavs take down the Suns? During the regular season, the Suns upped their point average from 110.4 to 113.8 ppg during their sweep of Memphis. The problem for Phoenix is that the Mavs have more depth, defense (96.8 to 103.3 pts. allowed over the regular stanza), and playoff experience than the Western Conference's top seed. With all those factors playing against the Suns, this is the upset to pick. Dallas is victorious in seven games.

Hey, I'm not a Mav's fan, but I do live in Texas, so since MY team didn't make it to the playoffs, I've gotta root for SOMEBODY. However, word on the street is that Phil Jackson plans on returning to the Lakers and you can best believe I will be glued to the boob tube next season. Until next time, Go Mavs! For More updates, you can go to NBA.com or click the link below to go to the Mav's home page.

Black Spas

Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Be good to yourself when traveling. Pamper your body, senses and spirit in ways only possible at Black Spas. One of the services offered by Black Spas is the Therapeutic Massage. In Debrena Jackson Gandy's Book, "Sacred Pamper Principles: An African American Woman's Guide to Self-Care and Inner Renewal" (page 158-159), she outlines the following benefits from this service:

Muscles gain elasticity and lose tenseness.

Red blood cells increase, as well as the amount of hemoglobin in the bloodstream.

Blood circulation is increased by the dilation of capillaries.

Lymph flow is increased. Lymph, which is a key player in the body's immune system is the bodily fluid that transports white blood cells.

Massage raises skin temperature between four and five degrees, and even higher among women. The expansion of capillaries increases the nourishment of the glands and superficial tissues, producing a visible improvement in the appearance, complexion and texture of the skin.

# Peripheral nerves are soothed by gentle stroking. Nerve endings actually tingle.

# The relaxing, sedative effect of general massage is the result of reflex responses of the central nervous system and may even produce sleep.

The toxic by-products of muscular exertion, which cause fatigue, are eliminated more quickly following massage.

Urine excretion is increased by general abdominal massage. The percentage of nitrogen and sodium chloride (salt) excreted is greater after massage.

Touch is powerful and it can't be substituted. The warmth of the hand, the energy exchange, the sensation of the contact, the stroking and kneading do so much for our overall health, vitality, and aliveness. I'd recommend a professional body massage once a month if possible.

by Monique Bruner

For Skip Hill it's FUNKY. RICH. LYRICAL SPIRITUAL. COLORFUL VIBRANT. ROMANTIC. ART.

Skip Hill has been involved in art since he was a child putting together comic books to sell to his elementary classmates. Skip has always had the entrepreneurial spirit that mixed art with business and a dash of cultural spirituality. After working for a large advertising firm and making money for corporate America, Skip took time to self-reflect, heal and find his purpose in life. During his five-year spiritual journey around the world and back, Skip realized Gods calling on his life - Painting. He enrolled at the University of Oklahoma to discover the fundamental elements of art while finding his own voice, which is a mix of African American heroes, Folk Art, Kuba tribal textiles, Romae Bearden, Picasso and Van Gogh.

Hill is continuously giving back to the community by dedicating numerous hours to teaching art to urban youth. He often offers art workshops to community children in order to teach them the craft of art while showing them the appreciation all art forms. Hill has also presented forums concerning careers in art, using art to address your feelings and concerns, history on African American artists and making children aware of who these people are. Hill has been commissioned to paint art murals by the community within the community.

Skip Hill plans to translate his paintings into a giftware line while establishing his own publishing company. His dream is to establish a school that would focus on teaching art not only visual but music, performing, entrepreneurial training, and teaching students to recognize first and then use their potential. He would like to model the school after a Chicago school, Little Black Pearl.

Are you following your dream? Have you taken the time to find your purpose? Check out Skip Hills, Hodari Fine Art and discover some artistic motivation! www.skiphillart.com

Psalm 121:3

He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber ....