As some of you may know, today is World AIDS Day. It’s an international day held on December 1st every year and it’s aim is to raise awareness about HIV & AIDS around the world. The first ever world AIDS day was on December 1st 1988, so it has been going on for 21 years!

Because of the importance of the issue, YBS wanted to do our bit to spread the knowledge about the virus by sharing some stats:

DID YOU KNOW THAT IN THE UNITED STATES…

* Every 9 ¬Ω minutes, someone is infected with HIV.
* An estimated 56,300 will become infected with HIV this year.
* More than 580,000 have died of AIDS since the epidemic began in 1981. 1.1 million are currently living with HIV, including 21% who are unaware of their status.
* Young people, ages 13-29 account for 34% of all new infections, the largest share of any age group. Most young people are infected sexually.
* African Americans, although comprising only 12% of the population, account for 46% of all new infections. Latinos, comprising 15% of the population, account for 17% of all new infections.
* In general, racial and ethnic minorities account for 67% of those living with HIV, and 70% of AIDS deaths.

As YBS is all about young people using their talents for the greater good (be it entertaining, helping the community or raising awareness) and in the theme of World AIDS Day, we would like to tell you about Stephanie R. Alston.

Stephanie is a twenty-year-old writer that has written and published her first book ‘As I Die Slowly (AIDS)‘. It is a fictional story centered around AIDS and what it can do to a life.

The synopsis reads:

“Taleah Chantel Davis has it all under control. She is attending one of the most prestigious HBCUs in the nation, the ideal boyfriend, great family support, and an awesome God by her side. Nothing can go wrong, or so she thought. After her first night of sexual intercourse Taleah’s life is dramatically turned upside down. During this time Taleah is forced to depend on God like she never has before. Will her weeping really endure for a night? Will her joy come in the morning or will she be forced to sit there, as she dies slowly?”

Hey kids! This is Terrell Ransom Sr. also known as Allstyle7 your red carpet stylist here giving you what’s going to keep you hot in these cool streets this fall. Have you ever wondered how to incorporate red carpet high fashion looks that you see worn by your favorite YOUNG BLACK STARZ into your every day wardrobe? Well, I have a few of today’s hottest trends that will keep you looking red carpet ready everyday!

To begin, are you ready for this jelly? I’m talking about these “bootie-licious” finds. Starlets such as Beyonce and Rhyon Nicole Brown have rocked booties also known as ankle boots this season. These will keep you red carpet ready in either high or low heels and can be found at any price range. Converse has even taken note for all you sneaker heads out there. Don’t hurt ‘em ladies!

Hey there my fellow fashion readers it’s Marquise Christina (profile) from the camera screen to the typing scene I’m bringing you some of the hottest fashion trends. It’s cooling down going into the Fall season and it’s time for us to keep warm and look good doing it! One of the top items in our fashion closets should be a stylish jacket, you know that jacket hanging in your closet that says cute and confident; that one!!! Whether it is a trophy jacket sported by Beyonce’ as she strolled down the fashionable streets of London, to the chic leather jacket, to the simple classic boyfriend blazer.

The Trophy Jacket
1) From Balmain’s Spring 2010 Ready to Wear runway “Drummer-boy Michael Jackson jacket” {he gave us music and fashion}

The Chic Leather Jacket
2) From Prada’s Fall 2009 Ready to Wear runway

Classic Boyfriend Blazer
3) From Donna Karen’s Fall 2009 Ready to Wear runway

From the runway to the stores get these hot looks for a low-price

The Trophy Jacket
1) Band Leader Jacket from Bebe’s

The Chic Leather Jacket
2) Lulu & Veronica Faux Leather Motorcycle Jacket (Juniors) from Nordstrom’s

Classic Boyfriend Blazer
3) Sashimi Boyfriend Blazer from Nordstrom’s

So, now that we have enhanced our closets we can create our own runway styles whether were strolling the streets of LA, Atlanta, Philly, or New York. We can throw these new looks on with some cute jeans a fun pair of heels or flats and rock the look with style. Until next time thanks for reading!

Kisses & Pink Shopping Bags
- Marquise Christina

Want to hear more from Marquise Christina? Check out her YouTube Channel!

Coco Jones is a multi-talented 11 year old star in the making who has been singing since the age of 2. She’s performed the National Anthem for different sports games and has appeared on the Maury Show during the 2009 Most Talented Kids edition. Coco has worked in the studio with Grammy nominated producer Rob Galbraith, working on new music as well as recording for the Greg Tornquist play titled Mississippi. Coco has a character and song for the play called “Here Comes Coco Jones” which is to be out in 2010-2011.

Additionally, Coco has done modeling and acting work. She’s just been tapped as a principal actress in a National PSA by Dr. David Katz titled Nutrition Detectives. The public service announcement promotes a healthy lifestyle for kids by having good nutrition and physical activity. More recently, Coco has been selected to star in the film Love The Light produced by Hemisphere Entertainment in LA. The film tells the story of a young black girl that is sent to live with her grandmother after her family is killed in an accident. The young girl ends up helping save her church by getting the choir to win a gospel singing contest.

Attached is a video of Coco’s performance on Maury’s Most Talented Kids of 2009.

Fun Fact: Coco is the daughter of former NFL football player Mike Jones (Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals)!

To learn more about Coco Jones, visit her on the web at Coco Jones Sings.

14 year old Rachel Dupard is an upcoming singer and actress with an amazing story. She was born August 16, 1995 and at the age of 3, it was discovered that she had a hearing and speaking impairment. After surgery, Rachel endured complications and even came close to losing her life. While healing and overcoming the impairments, Rachel was given speech therapy for 3 years and at the age of 6, she began to share with others, her soulful voice.

Since then, Rachel has expanded as a singer and actress. She has done many shows, appearing on Dallas Fox 4 Insights, sharing the stage with Irma P. Hall from the movie Soul Food, traveled to Bermuda performing as a solo artist and more. In 2008, Rachel finished in the top 50 of 30,000+ on America’s Got Talent. More recently, she has performed at the 2009 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans for the Youth Empowerment session. Rachel has also just been cast for the role of 12 year old Feliciana, daughter of a single mother, in the new movie Flood Streets. Filming begins next month in New Orleans.

Rachel has completed her first CD project which was produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Madukwu Chinwah. Some of her music can be heard via her MySpace page. A music video for her song called Child of the King can be seen underneath along with a video called “Introducing Rachel Dupard” to learn more about her.

Visit Rachel on the web at RachelDupard.Com