Check out the video for Ciara’s latest single “Never Ever” Featuring Young Jezzy. I like the lyrics to this song… took me awhile to get used to the rest of it but it’s aight, it’s grown on me. The video is cute though. I have always been a fan of her dancing!

Get it on DVD at AmericanGirl.Com

I just got done watching this great movie and I’d like to share it with you all! The movie is called “An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong.” It’s a story about a young girl, Chrissa Maxwell, who moves to a new neighborhood and has to start a new school in the middle of the school year. She has to deal with making friends, dealing with bullies and standing up for yourself. The movie is great, especially for kids and teens, but I personally think anyone can enjoy it *smile*. I absolutely loved it… it gave me a good feeling inside at the ending (which is something very rare for me these days). I definitely recommend it!

It’s an American Girl movie, so it’s a bit “cheesy” and some might say that it’s nothing out of the ordinary, but I still think young people should watch it. It has a few good messages that I always try to tell all the kids around me: Be Yourself. Love Yourself and always remember that no one is better than you and you are better than no one else!

If I had to rate it I would give the movie a 5 out of 5 just for giving me that warm fuzzy feeling at the end (lol). Nice family movie, pick it up! You can buy the movie on DVD now at AmericanGirl.com or try to catch it if it airs again on HBO.

WATCH THE MOVIE TRAILER

The Stars: Chrissa is played by the 13 year old actress Sammi Hanratty. I believe this is Sammi’s biggest role in a movie and I must say she did an awesome job! I’ve heard of her before, even visited her websites but this is the first time I’ve seen her in action. You can see some of her work on her fansite HERE. Adair Tishler played Tara the big bully! She played her part really well. I hope to see more of her in the future. I also liked the young actress who played Sonali (Ariela Barer), she’s so cute. I love how she stood up for her self in the movie!

Linkage: American Girl, IMDb, Sammi Hanratty Official Website, Sammi Fansite

Jazmine Sullivan just released her latest video for her hawt new single “Lions Tigers and Bears“, check the video up top! I am loving this song right here; the video is alright. She’s definitely doing her thing right now though, and she’s nominated for 5 GRAMMY’S! There’s something about these Philly artists’ music that I just love (and it don’t have anything to do with the fact that I’m a Philly native too *smile*) but their music is just real. Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, The Roots, Jazmine Sullivan… you can’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about!

What’s Good… in Your Hood is a new section where we post about events that people may enjoy attending if they live in or near the same area as you.

If you’re in Philly or will be in the Philadelphia Area on March 15th 2009, here’s an event you might want to check out!

Radio One/Philadelphia urban WPHI (100.3 the Beat) and urban AC WRNB will bring back the second annual Music and Entertainment Conference to the Marriott in downtown Philadelphia.

In addition to music workshops focused on hip-hop and R&B-related issues, this year’s event will feature “Black Hollywood” with panelists Jamie Foxx and actress Wendy Raquel Robinson, a “Fashion Workshop” with “America’s Next Top Model” winner Eva Marcille and “Project Runway” contestant Mycheal Knight and the “So You Think Can Dance” workshop hosted by noted choreographer Fatima Robinson.

The hip-hop workshop will include panelists Common, D-Nice and Ron Browz, and representing R&B will be Brandy, Monica, Avant, Jazmine Sullivan and Keri Hilson. Also featured will be a “Listen and Critique” session that will include producers and songwriters such as Raphael Saadiq, Michael Bivens, Kevin Liles, Ray J., Ricky Bell and Ronnie DeVoe to offer constructive criticism.

Tickets for this event will be on sale starting tomorrow, January 31st at Ticketmaster Online and all Ticketmaster retail locations. Check this link if you want more info: EVENT INFO.

It’s going to be a lot of celebrities that I like in the house… I might have to check it out myself, depending on the prices of those tickets. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Human Nature

Written and Submitted by Braelynn J

Welling up inside, soon to erupt like a volcano
Lost in a rainstorm of tears
A tornado of emotions
Black clouds of grief
Galaxies of unspoken words
All of this in a bowl as big as the universe, swirling until the sun collapses
Self esteem crushed beyond the root of the Earth
Gravity pulls down every amount of hope possible
A constant waterfall of despair
What can I do?
What must I do?
I must overcome the fears
Deal with the stress and learn from the hard times
Gradually get back to normal life
Most importantly don’t forget the joy I once found in life

If you wrote a poem or short story that you would like to share email us at contribute@youngblackstarz.org.