Bring That Week Back: Week of March15

Beyonce boosts Macy's sells by $3 million in one just one month. Terrell Owens wants big bucks. And Oprah is going to court.

Ja Rule to Star in Gospel Drama - Rapper Ja Rule is set to star alongside Cheetah Girl singer Adrienne Bailon in a gospel flick entitled, “I’m In Love With a Church Girl.” Ja Rule will play a drug dealer trying to do right and Bailon will play his love interest, a church girl, reports Hip Hop Wired. The producers, Reverence Gospel Media, say the film will be G or PG-rated and that the soundtrack features “some of the hottest gospel and R&B artists of our time.”

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Ja Rule to Star in Gospel Drama - Rapper Ja Rule is set to star alongside Cheetah Girl singer Adrienne Bailon in a gospel flick entitled, “I’m In Love With a Church Girl.” Ja Rule will play a drug dealer trying to do right and Bailon will play his love interest, a church girl, reports Hip Hop Wired. The producers, Reverence Gospel Media, say the film will be G or PG-rated and that the soundtrack features “some of the hottest gospel and R&B artists of our time.”

Michelle Obama Meets With Food Giants - Earlier this week, First Lady Michelle Obama urged the nation’s largest food companies to boost their efforts to make healthier foods and to cut down on marketing of unhealthy foods to children. She told participants at the Grocery Manufacturers Association meeting, “We need you not to just tweak around the edges but entirely rethink the products you are offering.” Mrs. Obama launched her Let’s Move initiative this year to fight childhood obesity.

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Michelle Obama Meets With Food Giants - Earlier this week, First Lady Michelle Obama urged the nation’s largest food companies to boost their efforts to make healthier foods and to cut down on marketing of unhealthy foods to children. She told participants at the Grocery Manufacturers Association meeting, “We need you not to just tweak around the edges but entirely rethink the products you are offering.” Mrs. Obama launched her Let’s Move initiative this year to fight childhood obesity.

Detroit Closes 45 Schools - About a quarter of Detroit’s 172 public schools are slated to close at the end of the school year. The district is attempting to account for the declining enrollment and close in on a $219 million budget deficit with the move. Six schools will be closed in June of 2011 and seven more in 2012, according to emergency financial manager Robert Bobb.

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Detroit Closes 45 Schools - About a quarter of Detroit’s 172 public schools are slated to close at the end of the school year. The district is attempting to account for the declining enrollment and close in on a $219 million budget deficit with the move. Six schools will be closed in June of 2011 and seven more in 2012, according to emergency financial manager Robert Bobb.

Macy's Sells $3 Million Worth of Heat - Heat, the new fragrance by pop star Beyonce, is flying off of Macy’s counters. Launched in February exclusively at the department store, it sold $3 million worth in its first month out. And during an in-person appearance by the singer at a store in New York, they sold 72,000 bottles in just one hour. Each bottle retails for between $39 and $59.

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Macy's Sells $3 Million Worth of Heat - Heat, the new fragrance by pop star Beyonce, is flying off of Macy’s counters. Launched in February exclusively at the department store, it sold $3 million worth in its first month out. And during an in-person appearance by the singer at a store in New York, they sold 72,000 bottles in just one hour. Each bottle retails for between $39 and $59.

No Child Left Behind Overhauled - A proposed overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, first introduced by former President George W. Bush, would change the face of the sometimes criticized legislation. The new act would move away from punishing schools that didn’t meet academic benchmarks and put more focus on rewarding schools that have made progress, particularly with poor and minority students, education officials say.

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No Child Left Behind Overhauled - A proposed overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, first introduced by former President George W. Bush, would change the face of the sometimes criticized legislation. The new act would move away from punishing schools that didn’t meet academic benchmarks and put more focus on rewarding schools that have made progress, particularly with poor and minority students, education officials say.

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Mike Tyson Gets TV Show - Mike Tyson has taken on a new sport – pigeon racing. The former boxing champ has been racing pigeons all of his life, but this year he’ll start taping a reality show on Animal Planet that will pit him against other competitive racers. The show, currently titled “Taking on Tyson,” will be taped in New York City and is set to air next year.

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Mike Tyson Gets TV Show - Mike Tyson has taken on a new sport – pigeon racing. The former boxing champ has been racing pigeons all of his life, but this year he’ll start taping a reality show on Animal Planet that will pit him against other competitive racers. The show, currently titled “Taking on Tyson,” will be taped in New York City and is set to air next year.

Oprah Is Going to Court - Talk show host Oprah Winfrey will have to testify in court over a defamation lawsuit brought by a former headmistress at Winfrey’s school for South African girls. Nomvuyo Mzamane was headmistress during the sexual abuse scandal in 2007 and was let go after Winfrey said she had “lost confidence” in her. Mzamane says she had problems finding another job afterward. The two-week jury trial will start in Philadelphia March 29.

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Oprah Is Going to Court - Talk show host Oprah Winfrey will have to testify in court over a defamation lawsuit brought by a former headmistress at Winfrey’s school for South African girls. Nomvuyo Mzamane was headmistress during the sexual abuse scandal in 2007 and was let go after Winfrey said she had “lost confidence” in her. Mzamane says she had problems finding another job afterward. The two-week jury trial will start in Philadelphia March 29.

Vivian Green Releases First Video From New Album - Vivian Green is back! The R&B singer and songwriter has a new song and a music video, the first from her new album, “Beautiful” slated for release on April 6. She has not released an album since her 2005 success. "I hope you soon find out how to love,” she sings in the title track.

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Vivian Green Releases First Video From New Album - Vivian Green is back! The R&B singer and songwriter has a new song and a music video, the first from her new album, “Beautiful” slated for release on April 6. She has not released an album since her 2005 success. "I hope you soon find out how to love,” she sings in the title track.

Tiger Woods Returns With a Masters Plan - Tiger Woods is returning to golf. His debut game will be in the Masters tournament. The pro golfer released a statement saying, "The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta."

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Tiger Woods Returns With a Masters Plan - Tiger Woods is returning to golf. His debut game will be in the Masters tournament. The pro golfer released a statement saying, "The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta."

Heroes In The Fight - Tavis Smiley, a broadcaster, author, advocate and philanthropist: He has held the presidential candidates’ feet to the fire on the issue of HIV/AIDs and the Black community. As an outstanding voice for change, he also continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.

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Tavis Smiley Holds Summit on Black Agenda - Black leaders met during a symposium in Chicago, urging President Barack Obama to address the "Black agenda." The gathering and panel discussion at Chicago State University was organized by television and radio host Tavis Smiley. Topics included education and the economy.

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Michael Jackson Estate Signs Big Contract - Michael Jackson's music lives on. Really. The estate of the late King of Pop signed a history-making recording deal. Sony Music signed a $200 million contract for seven years to produce a range of projects that could include DVD compilations, videos and more. The contract could go up to $250 million.

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Michael Jackson Estate Signs Big Contract - Michael Jackson's music lives on. Really. The estate of the late King of Pop signed a history-making recording deal. Sony Music signed a $200 million contract for seven years to produce a range of projects that could include DVD compilations, videos and more. The contract could go up to $250 million.

NFL Players Travel to Haiti - Three New York Jets players traveled to Haiti to help with the relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake that killed a government-estimated 230,000 people and made 1.3 million homeless in January. Safety James Ihedigbo led a group of about 20 to Port-au-Prince, including linebacker Vernon Gholston, wide receiver David Clowney and former Jets cornerback Ahmad Carroll, along with medical professionals and volunteers. Members of Yele Haiti, Wyclef Jean's charity teamed up with Ihedigbo.

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NFL Players Travel to Haiti - Three New York Jets players traveled to Haiti to help with the relief and recovery efforts following the earthquake that killed a government-estimated 230,000 people and made 1.3 million homeless in January. Safety James Ihedigbo led a group of about 20 to Port-au-Prince, including linebacker Vernon Gholston, wide receiver David Clowney and former Jets cornerback Ahmad Carroll, along with medical professionals and volunteers. Members of Yele Haiti, Wyclef Jean's charity teamed up with Ihedigbo.

Sugary Sodas Expelled From Schools - Pepsi announced that it is getting rid of all sugary drinks in schools all around the world. The company has set a 2012 date to remove all of the company’s full-calorie, sweetened drinks from schools in more than 200 countries. The company says PepsiCo Inc. will sell only water, fat-free or low-fat milk, and juice with no added sugar.

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Sugary Sodas Expelled From Schools - Pepsi announced that it is getting rid of all sugary drinks in schools all around the world. The company has set a 2012 date to remove all of the company’s full-calorie, sweetened drinks from schools in more than 200 countries. The company says PepsiCo Inc. will sell only water, fat-free or low-fat milk, and juice with no added sugar.

Terrell Owens Wants $5 M a Year - Terrell Owens wants $5 million for the next year he plays in the NFL. The free agent’s rep, Drew Rosenhaus, said of the deal, “we will be very patient,” during negotiations. T.O. landed a $6.5 million contract to sign with the Buffalo Bills last year.

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Terrell Owens Wants $5 M a Year - Terrell Owens wants $5 million for the next year he plays in the NFL. The free agent’s rep, Drew Rosenhaus, said of the deal, “we will be very patient,” during negotiations. T.O. landed a $6.5 million contract to sign with the Buffalo Bills last year.

Obamas Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day - On St. Patrick’s day, the president and First Lady turned the White House fountain green. Then Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Brian Cowen to the executive mansion. Obama also attended a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol. In the evening, he and the first lady hosted the Irish leader and his wife at the annual St. Patrick’s Day reception in the East Room.

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Obamas Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day - On St. Patrick’s day, the president and First Lady turned the White House fountain green. Then Obama welcomed Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Brian Cowen to the executive mansion. Obama also attended a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the Capitol. In the evening, he and the first lady hosted the Irish leader and his wife at the annual St. Patrick’s Day reception in the East Room.

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Show Stopper - Weezy's energy will be difficult to replace. During his sentence, Wayne will miss the BET Awards and the MTV VMAs, which are both slated to be held in Los Angeles.

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Warrant Issued for Lil Wayne in Arizona - A bench warrant was issued Tuesday for Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne, who is facing drug and weapons charges in Arizona. A Yuma County Superior Court judge issued the warrant after the entertainer, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, failed to appear in court for a final trial management conference. But Lil Wayne's attorney, James Tilson, said his client couldn't appear because he's serving a one-year jail sentence in New York for having a loaded gun on his tour bus.

East Coast Floods - Rains and melting snow are still causing the Red River in North Dakota to flood. And on the east coast, a rain storm blew across the Northeast, also causing flooding. The storms closed schools and at least nine people died. The storm affected parts of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

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East Coast Floods - Rains and melting snow are still causing the Red River in North Dakota to flood. And on the east coast, a rain storm blew across the Northeast, also causing flooding. The storms closed schools and at least nine people died. The storm affected parts of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Census Forms Arrive - More than 120 million U.S. census forms began arriving in mailboxes around the country, in the government's once-a-decade population count that will be used to divvy up congressional seats and more than $400 billion in federal aid. Fast-growing states in the South and the West could stand to lose the most because of lower-than-average mail participation rates in 2000 and higher shares of Hispanics and young adults, who are among the least likely to mail in their forms.

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Census Forms Arrive - More than 120 million U.S. census forms began arriving in mailboxes around the country, in the government's once-a-decade population count that will be used to divvy up congressional seats and more than $400 billion in federal aid. Fast-growing states in the South and the West could stand to lose the most because of lower-than-average mail participation rates in 2000 and higher shares of Hispanics and young adults, who are among the least likely to mail in their forms.

Jim Clyburn: Democrats Are Giddy - U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Democrats were “giddy” that their health care bill will reduce the national deficit by $130 billion over 10 years. He said that number accounts for more savings than any other bill passed since 1993. The news came days before Democrats voted on the controversial bill.

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Jim Clyburn: Democrats Are Giddy - U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said Democrats were “giddy” that their health care bill will reduce the national deficit by $130 billion over 10 years. He said that number accounts for more savings than any other bill passed since 1993. The news came days before Democrats voted on the controversial bill.

ESSENCE's Mikki Taylor is Retiring - Mikki Taylor, beauty and cover director of ESSENCE magazine, is retiring after 30 years at the Black women's fashion, beauty and lifestyle publication.

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ESSENCE's Mikki Taylor is Retiring - Mikki Taylor, beauty and cover director of ESSENCE magazine, is retiring after 30 years at the Black women's fashion, beauty and lifestyle publication.

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Urban Prep Graduates Entire Senior Class - There are so many stories in the news about Black men not doing the right thing; this is not one of them. This is the story of a charter school, a principal, and the commendable work he and his students are doing. Urban Prep Academy for Young Men, a public, all-male, all-African-American high school just announced that 100 percent of its senior class had been accepted into college. The students proudly switched their uniforms in a ceremony designed to celebrate their achievement.

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Urban Prep Graduates Entire Senior Class - There are so many stories in the news about Black men not doing the right thing; this is not one of them. This is the story of a charter school, a principal, and the commendable work he and his students are doing. Urban Prep Academy for Young Men, a public, all-male, all-African-American high school just announced that 100 percent of its senior class had been accepted into college. The students proudly switched their uniforms in a ceremony designed to celebrate their achievement.

Wyclef Honored Overseas - Musician Wyclef accepted a Casandra Award during a ceremony at the National Theater in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Awards are handed out each year by the Asociación de Cronistas de Arte of the Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo.

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Wyclef Honored Overseas - Musician Wyclef accepted a Casandra Award during a ceremony at the National Theater in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Awards are handed out each year by the Asociación de Cronistas de Arte of the Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo.

Michael Jordan: Dream Come True - Michael Jordan vows to help Charlotte experience what winning is about, telling reporters and season ticket holders it's a "dream come true" to own the Bobcats. The NBA great held a whirlwind of media interviews a day after the rest of the NBA's owners approved his $275 million purchase from Bob Johnson. Jordan is the first former player to own an NBA team, and the second Black majority owner.

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Michael Jordan: Dream Come True - Michael Jordan vows to help Charlotte experience what winning is about, telling reporters and season ticket holders it's a "dream come true" to own the Bobcats. The NBA great held a whirlwind of media interviews a day after the rest of the NBA's owners approved his $275 million purchase from Bob Johnson. Jordan is the first former player to own an NBA team, and the second Black majority owner.

Black Caucus Hears Voices of Unemployed - The Congressional Black Caucus held a hearing on unemployment. The CBC hoped the voices of the unemployed heard on Capitol Hill will educate members of Congress on the seriousness of the jobs situation and influence their colleagues to support the "Local Jobs for America Act."

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Black Caucus Hears Voices of Unemployed - The Congressional Black Caucus held a hearing on unemployment. The CBC hoped the voices of the unemployed heard on Capitol Hill will educate members of Congress on the seriousness of the jobs situation and influence their colleagues to support the "Local Jobs for America Act."

Condi Rice Regrets Iraqi Rebuilding - Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she would "many times over liberate" Iraq again, but she regretted the Bush administration failed to work closer with Iraqis to rebuild the war-torn country. Rice, speaking at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said she believed history would eventually vindicate many of the decisions made during the presidency of George W. Bush. "I would many times over liberate Iraq again from Saddam Hussein," Rice said. "I think he was a danger."

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Condi Rice Regrets Iraqi Rebuilding - Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she would "many times over liberate" Iraq again, but she regretted the Bush administration failed to work closer with Iraqis to rebuild the war-torn country. Rice, speaking at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said she believed history would eventually vindicate many of the decisions made during the presidency of George W. Bush. "I would many times over liberate Iraq again from Saddam Hussein," Rice said. "I think he was a danger."

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Bush, Clinton Make Joint Trip to Haiti - Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who are spearheading U.S. fundraising for Haiti, will make their first joint visit to the Caribbean nation on Monday to assess the nation's earthquake recovery needs. The Jan. 12 quake killed an estimated 230,000 people and left 1.3 million homeless, according to Haiti government figures. The Clinton Foundation said Thursday that the two presidents and members of the board of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund will meet with Haitians.

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Bush, Clinton Make Joint Trip to Haiti - Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, who are spearheading U.S. fundraising for Haiti, will make their first joint visit to the Caribbean nation on Monday to assess the nation's earthquake recovery needs. The Jan. 12 quake killed an estimated 230,000 people and left 1.3 million homeless, according to Haiti government figures. The Clinton Foundation said Thursday that the two presidents and members of the board of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund will meet with Haitians.

Dems Push to Pass Health Care Vote - Slowly but steadily, support is building behind President Barack Obama's health legislation in the House, the result of intense lobbying and politically targeted changes aimed at reassuring waverers and winning over critics.

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Dems Push to Pass Health Care Vote - Slowly but steadily, support is building behind President Barack Obama's health legislation in the House, the result of intense lobbying and politically targeted changes aimed at reassuring waverers and winning over critics.

Health Care Bill Passes - The Democratic-controlled Congress approved historic legislation Sunday night extending health care to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and cracking down on insurance company abuses, a climactic chapter in the century-long quest for near universal coverage. Widely viewed as dead two months ago, the Senate-passed bill cleared the House on a 219-212 vote, with Republicans unanimous in opposition.

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Health Care Bill Passes - The Democratic-controlled Congress approved historic legislation Sunday night extending health care to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and cracking down on insurance company abuses, a climactic chapter in the century-long quest for near universal coverage. Widely viewed as dead two months ago, the Senate-passed bill cleared the House on a 219-212 vote, with Republicans unanimous in opposition.