I love Jada, but I don’t know if I by this one.  So you Bare it all in ESSENCE Magazine in order to teach your daughter about positive body image?  I could see if you were over-weight or plus-sized.  But with your perfectly petite golden-toned skin, I’m just not buying this as a good way to empower black women.  You may even make more women insecure by looking at you.  Jada explains,

“When I walked out there and disrobed, I felt like a queen. I felt like the world was mine. Like there was this power just emanating from my person. Like there was nothing I couldn’t do.” -Jada Pinkett Smith

Multi-talented actress and superstar mom Jada Pinkett Smith bares it all for the July cover of ESSENCE magazine, and makes a bold statement to empower Black women and girls. Jada shares the motivation behind her shoot, and explains why she approached ESSENCE with the idea.

The article reveals that posing nude was not about Hollywood vanity, but about the desire to teach her young daughter about positive body image. By celebrating our bodies and our skin tone, Jada preaches the power of femininity and the freedom of self-acceptance.

The July issue of ESSENCE magazine hits newsstands on June 11.

Also Read: Mary Mary performs with Headliners Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige & More at the 2010 Essence Music Festival

Register now! The Search for the Best Church Choir in America is on! And there is still time to register your church choir for a chance to fellowship with choirs from all over the country and sing before a vibrant audience of thousands! Verizon has set the stage for a truly unique opportunity for your choir to be uplifted and bonded in unity as you sing for the chance to win! Every choir that hits the stage can win cash and prizes up to $16,000 at the regional’s and up to $50,000 if they win it all. There is no fee to enter, so register today!

June 2, 2010 (Indianapolis, IN) – Earlier this year, radio host Cory “Coco Brother” asked listeners, “Are you willing to take a Stand?” and it appears that the nation responded with a resounding yes.  Just over a week since its release, Condrey’s album, Coco Brother Live Presents Stand 2010, debuted at #3* on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums Charts. Not only that but according to Billboard Magazine, the CD earned the Hot Shot Debut distinction, which is awarded to albums with the top sales during its first week.

Featuring the songs and inspirational moments from some of today’s top gospel artists such as BeBe Winans, Israel Houghton, James Fortune & Fiya, Joann Rosario Condrey, and Tye Tribbett, Stand 2010 is Condrey’s debut into the ‘record-making’ business.  As host of the nationally syndicated Coco Brother Live Show and The Spirit as well as BET’s Lift Every Voice, he has helped many artists ‘break’ new music but this project is the first time that he has been on the other end of a new release.

According to Condrey, Coco Brother Live Presents Stand 2010 is more than just a regular CD.  For some time now, he has been at the helm of the Stand campaign, which encourages believers to go out and tell the unsaved about Jesus Christ.  This CD represents one of the many outreach methods designed to promote the campaign including fan-created videos on YouTube and nationwide events called ‘Jesus Rallies’.

Condrey plans to keep this momentum going strong and is finalizing upcoming tour dates which will be announced soon. 

For more information please visit www.thestandcampaign.com , www.tyscot.com or contact Darryl Lassiter (770) 732-0986 / darryldlassiter@msn.com

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About The Stand Campaign

The Stand Campaign is an evangelistic ministry founded by Cory & Joann Condrey in 2007.  The purpose of Stand is to encourage the Body of Christ to become aggressive evangelists in their communities.  Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Stand also forms partnerships with community organizations and churches that enable believers to help their communities through charitable outreach efforts.  Just recently, Stand joined forces with Hosea Feed the Hungry to collect nearly 3000 blankets for Atlanta’s homeless.  The Stand Campaign does not represent a specific church or ministry.  It represents the whole body of Christ.  For more information about the Stand Campaign visit: www.thestandcampaign.com

The second CD from multiple Stellar Award winner DeWayne Woods will be released June 22, 2010 on Quiet Water Entertainment/Verity Gospel Music Group. The CD can be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com. Offering a mixture of comforting ballads, funky up-tempo tunes, and lively praise and worship songs, MY LIFE’S LYRIC is an eclectic and brilliant follow-up to Wood’s award-winning debut CD. It is also, according to Woods, a more mature and sophisticated album.

“I’ve grown a lot since I recorded my last CD, and the songs on this project reflect that,” says Woods. “MY LIFE’S LYRIC is an album full of testimonies of everything that I’ve been through. Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite scripture, and that powerful word is the foundation for this project.”

Each track on MY LIFE’S LYRIC not only represents a different experience and a different aspect of Woods’ life, but most of all, each song expresses another trait of God’s awesome character. With producers including P.J. Morton, Aaron Lindsey, and Daniel Weatherspoon, MY LIFE’S LYRIC includes the debut single “Living on the Top,” a remake of the song made famous by Douglas Miller in 1992. “Living on the Top” is currently available for purchase at iTunes, Amazonmp3.com and walmart.com. A second single, “I Won’t Be Afraid,” will be serviced to radio soon.

“I was drawn to ‘Living on the Top’ because it speaks to what is being taught, even now, in churches about understanding our place in God and our positioning in the Kingdom,” says Woods. “‘I Won’t Be Afraid’ shows us the dynamics between fear and faith. We know the scripture that talks about faith being the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; but fear is the substance of things that we do not hope for, and the evidence of things that we do see,” shares Woods. “If we understand that and know that God has taken care of everything that concerns us, we should know that we have nothing to fear.”

“We put together a phenomenal group of producers who were able to take DeWayne to another level musically,” says Donald Lawrence, Woods’ mentor and president of Quiet Water Entertainment. “MY LIFE’S LYRIC is an amazing album that showcases DeWayne’s powerful vocals and his connection with God, and it is also an album that explores DeWayne’s wide range as a modern gospel artist.”

MY LIFE’S LYRIC is a skillfully crafted expression from the heart of one of gospel music’s brightest stars. With a new project and more inspiration to share, DeWayne Woods is prepared to captivate the gospel music industry once again. MY LIFE’S LYRIC effortlessly picks up where Introducing DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet left off.

Single Day Tickets NOW AVAILABLE for the Fourth of July weekend-long Celebration in New Orleans, LA – July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

As ESSENCE celebrates its 40th anniversary, this year’s ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL(EMF) is presenting three female headliners who are icons emblematic of the ESSENCE brand. Each night of the Fourth of July weekend-long celebration in New Orleans will conclude with a headlining performance from these powerful women: Janet Jackson (Friday, July 2), Alicia Keys (Saturday, July 3) and Mary J. Blige (Sunday, July 4). This year’s multi-generational list of performers also features some of today’s greatest African-American artists and also honors the local music of New Orleans (full night-by-night line-up is below).

Throughout the weekend, EMF attendees are invited to free daily seminars featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment and the nation’s most influential speakers, artists, authors and leaders. The matching of the day-long experiences with live music late into the evening–all set against the classic backdrop of New Orleans–makes for a truly unique weekend. Each night, music fans will gather at the Superdome and this year, longtime festival participant Steve Harvey will also take part in the nightly musical celebrations serving as co-host for the three nights of Superdome musical performances with his radio colleague Nephew Tommy.

LINE-UP:
The 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL night-by-night line-up (as of 5/6) is as follows

Friday, July 2

• Main stage: Janet Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Raphael Saadiq, Monica
• Superlounges: Chrisette Michele, Irma Thomas, Arrested Development, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Mary Mary, Irvin Mayfield & the NOJO, WAR, Little Freddie King.

Saturday, July 3

• Main stage: Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight, LL Cool J, Keri Hilson.
• Superlounges: Laura Izibor, Sam & Ruby, De La Soul, Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, Mint Condition, Leo Jackson & Melody Clouds, Joe, Rebirth Brass Band

Sunday, July 4

• Main stage: Earth Wind & Fire, Mary J Blige, Jill Scott, Trey Songz.
• Superlounges: Estelle, Hot 8 Brass Band, Lalah Hathaway, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Ruben Studdard, Shamarr Allen and The Underdawgs, Melanie Fiona, PJ Morton Band, Soul Rebels Brass Band.

TICKETS
For those who haven’t yet purchased weekend passes for the 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, single day tickets go on sale May 6th and are priced from $53–$212 per person per night. Meanwhile, weekend packages ranging from $159–$636 per person continue to offer music fans the best way to enjoy a full three days of entertainment.
For additional information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit www.essencemusicfestival.com. For the most updated information on the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL’s weekend long festivities, connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL
The presenting sponsor for the 2010 Essence Music Festival is Coca-Cola. Other 2010 sponsors include Coors Light, CoverGirl Queen, Ford, McDonald’s, Olay, Pantene, Tide, and U.S. Army; AARP, CNN, HBO, My Black is Beautiful, TBS, TVOne.
The 2010 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL is executive produced by Essence Festivals LLC and produced by Rehage Entertainment. Essence Festivals LLC is a division of Essence Communications Inc. (ECI).

ABOUT ESSENCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is “Where Black Women Come First”. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 40 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.

The 9th Annual I Hear Music In the Air Conference will be held in Cincinnati, OH on May 28-30, 2010.  This year’s conference kicks off on Saturday with the “People’s Choice” Awards ceremony hosted by the dynamic duo and stars of TBS “Meet the Browns”, David & Tamela Mann and Bishop Greg Davis.  Also guest appearances from Ashmont Hill and Called II Worship. The following day is filled with exciting events all day.  There is a Teen Summit and I Hear Music IDOL which is free and open to the public. Contestants have the opportunity to submit their demo in hopes to perform and compete for prizes.  Christopher, D Maub, Ray Bady and Speak Life will entertain the audience during the competition also. Later that night, the highly anticipated, “Evening with Marvin Sapp” will feature special guests Byron Cage, Darwin Hobbs, Rodney Posey, Christopher and Kathy Taylor Brown. The weekend ends on Sunday, May 30 with the “Legends Ball” that features a keynote address from Pastor Damon Lynch Jr. and The Lifetime Achievement Award presented to The Clark Sisters.  Other honorees for the event are Lincoln Ware, Minister Natalie Brooks, The National Urban League, Sesh Communications and Reverend H. L. Harvey.

Famed preacher and artist Juanita Bynum has signed both a recording contract and management deal with Matthew Knowles and Music World Entertainment. Earlier this month, Bynum released her latest effort More Passion. This deal sees her releasing another effort later this year titled The Diary of Juanita Bynum.

Also new to the Music World family is worship leader and Stellar award nominee Micah Stampley.  Stampley has signed a management and recording joint venture with Music World Entertainment‘s faith-based label Spirit Rising Music. Stampley’s 2005 debut release, The Songbook of Micah was the second highest debut for a male gospel artist in Billboard history, entering at #3 on the Top Gospel Charts. The producer and psalmist joins Brian Courtney Wilson, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and now Juanita Bynum as part of the Spirit Rising family. Stampley’s new album is due in stores later this year.

Verity Gospel Music Group artist Richard Smallwood along with his famed choir Vision is in the studio working on a brand new project. The new album, titled Promises is slated for an October 27, 2010 release date. The six-time Grammy nominee’s last effort, Journey: Live In New York, released in 2007 and featured guest appearances from The Hawkins Singers, Chaka Khan, and Kim Burrell.

BET Sunday Best Season 2 winner Y’Anna Crawley has signed an endorsement deal with Shure Pro Audio. This endorsement deal kicks off a huge season for Crawley, whose new single, a cover of the Bill Withers classic “Grandma’s Hands”, is due at radio on May 4. Crawley’s long awaited solo release is due in stores on July 13, 2010, featuring production from famed duo Buster & Shavoni.
 

From May to June 2010, Deitrick and the cast of “Blessed & Cursed” will hit the road and take over youth departments across the nation promoting the upcoming movie and soundtrack to this summer’s blockbuster hit “Blessed & Cursed”. The tour will feature a screening of the movie and live performances from artists in the movie including Deitrick Haddon, Damita Haddon, Kiki Sheard and others. To book the tour at your church, contact Holly Carter or Ronnie Pitre at (323) 468-9470 or (310) 261-1052.