A Diva State of Mind

Today is World AIDS Day! The one day the world stops to bring special attention to this epidemic.  According to the World Health Organization, approximately 33.3 million people are currently living with HIV worldwide. There were 2.6 million new infections alone in 2009. We have a crisis on our hands!

People are participating in a number of activities globally in honor of World AIDS Day. Alicia Keys and a few celebrities have died a digital death, avoiding social media sites Twitter and Facebook until $1M is raised for Keys’ Keep A Child Alive Foundation.

Locally in DC, there are numerous organizations that have organized events and free testing clinics in honor of World AIDS Day.  I encourage everyone to get tested and know your status.  And if you can, take the time and research HIV/AIDS organizations in order to make a donation to help support those who are currently living with this disease.

DECEMBER 1^st World Aids Day in the DC area provided by TBD:

9 a.m – 5 p.m. Whitman-Walker Clinic

Free confidential HIV testing at the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center (1701 14th St. NW) until 5pm and the Max Robinson Center (2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE) until 4:30pm.

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. George Mason University

Free confidential HIV testing by the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM). Results will be delivered in 20 minutes.  Ten AIDS Quilt panels will also be on display at the school’s Johnson Center. Location: George Mason University, Student Union Building, Fairfax Campus, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, Va.

5:30 p.m. Whitman-Walker Clinic’s Candlelight Vigil

Annual candlelight vigil in Dupont Circle (1900 P St NW) will recognize the fact that “at least one in every seven gay or bisexual men in DC has HIV.” The DC Center will partner with WWC to lead the vigil, and the clinic’s mobile testing unit will be on-hand for rapid HIV testing.

Following the vigil, the Whitman-Walker Clinic will host a fundraiser “Red Hot Night” at Dupont Circle Wine Bar Urbana (Hotel Palomar 2121 P St NW). Proceeds will benefit the clinic.

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Prince George’s County World AIDS Day Social

The social will feature singing, dancing, and door prizes. Sponsors include Heart to Hand, Inc., the Greater Than AIDS campaign, Sistas United, GapBuster Learning Center, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Location: MSG, 7929 Central Avenue, Capital Heights, Md.

7 p.m.  – 9 p.m. World AIDS Day Benefit at Howard University

Singer Marsha Ambrosius headlines this concert that will include dance, spoken word and songs by students, organizations and local artist.  Proceeds will be donated to Metro TeenAIDS. General admission is $20, students $10. Location: Armour J. Blackburn University Center.

8 p.m. Illuminations . . . Light from the Soul!

Interfaith worship service at D.C.’s Covenant Baptist Church: “Journey through the intimate stories of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, a night where life is transformed into dance, music, and poetry. Each story is translated into poetry, reenacted by dancers, and accompanied by the gospel music that helped them through these trials and tribulations.” The event will also include a prayer vigil. Location: Covenant Baptist Church, 3845 South Capitol Street SW, DC.

Remember, to ALWAYS wrap it up!  We can all do our part to help STOP the spread of HIV. Check out World AIDS Campaign to learn more about World AIDS Day and events going on in your area.

Sunday night marked the 10^th Anniversary of the BET Awards.  After last year’s disgrace of a show in honor of Michael Jackson, BET NEEDED to redeem themselves and make sure they got the show right!! And they definitely did; this show was 10x better than last year, but then again, they could only go up right?

The show was definitely entertaining.  Blog sites have been going crazy with commentary: recapping the show, talking about Chris Brown’s performance and Prince’s lack of enthusiasm.  Regardless on your take of the show, there are a few lessons learned from this year’s award show: 

1. Debra Lee Needs a Stylist (or a new one):

Every year, Debra Lee never fails to come out in some other the top outfit that would look great on someone else, but just doesn’t translate when she walks out on stage.  Is she picking out these outfits herself or does she have help?? And it doesn’t help that she seems to be nervous every time she speaks too.

Sidenote: Whoever told celebrities it was ok to wear sweaters and other winter clothing in 90 degree weather needs be fired. If these celebrities made that decision on their own, they clearly have no friends because there is no way I would let my friend walk outside like that.  It doesn’t make you look cool; you look foolish and uncomfortable.

2.  Never Try to Dress Like Your Kids

Jada Pinkett Smith. Need I say more? Usually Jada is on point when it comes to her red carpet outfits, but her 90s braids were an epic FAIL!! She looks like she goes tanning and was she wearing shorts or a skirt? Jada, we love you, but please stay out of Willow’s closet.

3. Lip Synching Rap Songs is NOT ok!

I don’t know who told Nicki Minaj that it would be ok to lip synch her 20 seconds on stage during the “Hello, Good Morning Remix” and “My Chicks Bad Remix”, but they clearly gave her some bad advice.  It wasn’t cool when Britney Spears did it, but at least she was dancing while “singing” so I understand if she didn’t want to sound bad and seem out of breathe. But Nicki, all you have to do is look like you’re having a seizure and say your 5 lines. Can it really be that hard??

4. Oldies Are Still the Goodies

From the surprise appearance by El DeBarge to Tyrese swooning the ladies with his Teddy Pendergrass tribute, these fellas proved once again that the oldies R&B is still the best.  I’ll even push early 90s into my “oldies” category because there is nothing like some 90s slow jams! The R&B music we were reminded of at the award show is exactly the type of music we’re missing today. I feel bad for these young kids today because they don’t have any clue as to what good music is.   I can tell you it isn’t Teirra Marie “Sponsor”

 5.  We ALL Make Mistakes

This isn’t a new lesson learned, but I’m sure someone was expecting a reference to Chris Brown if I was going to talk about the BET awards.

We all make mistakes and would want to be forgiven in order to move on. Why can’t C Breezy do the same thing? If he has truly learned from his mistake and is trying to be a better man, then let him be. Should I even bring up other artisit who we have forgiven over the years?

I would talk more about this, but between twitter and blogs, I’m tired of talking about it…moving on…

6.  Pregnant is Sexy

Alicia Keys looked stunning at the award show; I guess she has a reason to glow now that Swizz Beats divorce is final and the two love birds can move on to create their own family.   This diva worked it on stage with her pregnant self, singing some of her biggest hits while being recognized as the BET’s Artist of the Decade.  I think she forgot for a second that she was pregnant, because she climbed on top of a piano to serenade the audience during her rendition of “Adore” for the Prince tribute. According to Necolebitchie.com, this was supposed to be her last televised performance until after the baby was born.  Well she worked it out!!! Ms. Keys proved Sunday night that while she may be pregnant, she is still sexy and fierce! I wouldn’t be surprised if this diva was 9 months pregnant trying to go on another world tour!

7. We All Have Meltdowns; It’s How We Recover That Really Matters!

Last year Kanye West went a little crazy and had to go into hiding.  So it was refreshing to see him open the show with his hit “Power.” His show was solid and surprisingly, we didn’t hear from Mr. West for the rest of the night.  Maybe he’s done a little reflecting and now has his emotions under control after his stunt at the MTV award show last year.  Only time will tell until the next MTV Video Music Awards, but until then, Mr West, we’re glad you’re back!

 That’s all I could think of at the moment.  What other lessons did we take away from Sunday night’s BET Awards show??

“Unthinkable” is the best song off of Alicia Key’s Elements of Freedom album so I’m uber excited that the new video is finally here!!  Check it out below!! How could you not love this song?!