DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine

We close on this last day of nationally honoring and recognizing Black History month with members of the community, from both near and far, who share their stories of strife, wisdom, and accomplishment as they are being honored by President Barack Obama.

You know her as the contestant on Donald Trump's The Apprentice, and other reality shows. Left to right: The Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., Rev. Omarosa O. Manigault and Rev. K.W. Tulloss after the ordination. Now, Omarosa Manigault , also an accomplished author and current editor of Reality Weekly Magazine , can add Reverend to her growing list of accolades. National News Releases is reporting that Rev. Manigault was ordained February 18, 2012 at the historical Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, CA. The Rev. Dr. H.B. Hicks, pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, DC, preached the ordination sermon. Rev. K.W. Tulloss offered the charge to Omarosa. Omarosa went before the ordination committee, made up of prestigious ministers from around the country, lead by the renowned Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. Omarosa demonstrated that she was both theologically prepared and scripturally rooted. The committee unanimously voted for her to be appro...

A ground breaking ceremony was held today at the site of the proposed $500 million dollar Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum . The museum, slated to be completed in 2015, will house artifacts and memorabilia from the African American experience and will be built on the National Mall near the Washington Monument. Visitors can see a bit of everything, from the head protector of heavy weight champion Muhammad Ali (then called Cassius Clay), to a sign outside a doctor's office with a schedule to see which days the doctor would see Black patients, to the writings of Frederick Douglas. "Whether your family has been in this country 200 years or 20 minutes, I want you to come to this museum and say 'I get it', said Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the museum. "This is not a Black story.  This is an American story." Today's ground breaking ceremony saw many dignitaries attending, including former First Lady Laura Bush ; Washington...

True to everything that was Whitney Houston -  style, grace, and beauty - the pop star's funeral held Saturday at New Hope Baptist where she grew up, was that and more. The going home ceremony was attended by family and scores of invited friends who gathered to say goodbye to the beautiful songbird; among them Angela Bassett , Tyler Perry , Whitney's Bodyguard co-star Kevin Costner , Al Sharpton , Jesse Jackson , and another Newark born and raised star, Queen Latifah . Houston performing in DC in 1985 at the Warner Theatre.  Photo/Oggi Ogburn. Alicia Keyes , R. Kelly , BeBe and CeCe Winans , and Stevie Wonder performed at the ceremony.  Pastor Marvin Winans gave the eulogy. A touching moment, and there were many, during the service came at the end as Houston's casket was being lifted onto the shoulders of the ball bearers, the final realization that Whitney Houston is no longer with us, at least not in body.   Houston's friend R...

Washington, DC's own Martin Puryear was honored at the White House last week by President Obama for his contribution to America in history, culture and identity through sculpture.   In his youth, Puryear studied crafts and learned how to build guitars, furniture, and canoes through practical training and instruction. After earning his BA from Catholic University in Washington DC, Puryear joined the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, and later attended the Swedish Royal Academy of Art. He received an MFA in sculpture from Yale University in 1971. Puryear’s objects and public installations—in wood, stone, tar, wire, and various metals—are a marriage of minimalist logic with traditional ways of making. Puryear joined Al Pacino, perhaps one of the most prolific and recognized actors of our time, awarded for his contribution to film and the Arts.  The 71-year old smiled earnestly upon meeting the president and his cheeriness continued as he headed off stage, turn...

More than 150 leaders of Mocha Moms , Inc., the national non-profit organization that supports at-home mothers of color, will visit The White House on Feb. 16 for a Moms Briefing with Obama administration officials and celebrity mothers as part of the administration's celebration of National African American History Month. Mothers will hear a full briefing from officials representing a wide range of departments and agencies, including EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Obama's cabinet official in charge of environmental protection. Mocha Moms, Inc. National President Kuae Mattox will moderate the discussion and open the floor to questions on everything from motherhood and work-life balance to health and education. More than 350 Mocha Moms and their families will return on Feb 17 for a tour of The White House East Wing. The unique two-day opportunity is a historic milestone for the grassroots organization, which was founded in 1997 by four mothers in Maryland, a...

 Houston with daughter, Bobbi Kristina. The powerful voice and beauty that has mesmerized fans since the mid 1980s has died. Whitney Elizabeth Houston , who began her career first as a model, was found dead at the Beverly Hills Hilton where she was to appear at a pre- Grammy celebration along with the man who discovered her, Clive Davis .  A statement by Davis reads: "By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney’s passing. I don’t have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn’t scheduled to perform. She loved music and she loved this night that celebrates music. My heart goes out to her daughter Bobbi Christina, to her mother Cissy, to all of her relatives and to so many of you here tonight, her e...

Looking at this precious little face, we had to post it here at DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine. This is the daughter of parents Beyonce and Jay-Z , who was born January 7, 2012.   She has the look of comfort on her face, almost like she's saying 'I trust you', and 'I like it here'. We're still not sure who she favors at this point, Jay-Z or Beyonce, but one thing is sure, we can see in this picture that she is loved. Make no mistake, the Carter and Knowles fam will stop at nothing to ensure that Ms. Blue has the very best. Welcome Blue Ivy. Precious Blue Ivy Carter.  If those eyes could talk. If those little dark eyes could talk. See more pics of Blue Ivy with her parents here .  See also, Beyonce post birth photos . Related Blue Ivy name patented . What's in the name ?