Marcia's Musings

1. New York Association of Black Journalists announced Beyonce's self-penned cover story, "Eat, Love, Pray," for Essence's June 2011 issue, will receive a journalism award for best Culture/Entertainment writing during its 24th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet. During the May 15th award program, she will be honored along with a tribute to broadcast pioneer Gil Noble. Excuse me while I clear my throat.

2.  African-American Tony Award nominees: Actors Condola Rashad, Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, James Earl Jones, David Allen Grier, Philip Boykin, Davine Joy Randolph  were all given a nod by the Tony Awards for their thespian talents. Notably absent was Nicole Ari Parker who breathed new life in Blanche DuBois' character in A Streetcar Named Desire. But alas, the show's costume designer, Paul Tazewell, however, did receive a nomination for the stylish creations. 

3. Jay-Z designs the new logo for the Brooklyn Nets, but New York Post writer, Phil Mushnick, is more than distraught and pens a venomous tirade about it.: "As long as the Nets are allowing Jay-Z to call their marketing shots — what a shock that he chose black and white as the new team colors to stress, as the Nets explained, their new “urban” home — why not have him apply the full Jay-Z treatment? Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York N------s? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn B----hes or Hoes. Team logo? A 9 mm with hollow-tip shell casings strewn beneath. Wanna be Jay-Z hip? Then go all the way!" This is why I've personally boycott buying the Post. 

4. Tamar Braxton gets into Twitter war of words with Jill Scott over implied shade. Showing that reading between the Tweets, is really not, fundamental. 

5. Adam Yauch, aka MCA, who was one-part of the Beastie Boys, died from cancer of the salivary gland. He was 47 years young. I remember interviewing the Beastie Boys over 20 years ago when "Licensed to Ill" came out. They were a handful for any reporter, but no one can deny their impact on hip hop and rock n roll. His role later on in life as activist was to some, more, if not just as, profound. 

6. Naomi Campbell is all set to become a judge on new modeling reality show called "The Face" on Oxygen Networks and produced by those behind "Tabitha's Salon Takeover." No cell phone-throwing allowed. 

7. The Avengers' movie, which stars Scarlett Johannsen, has singlehandedly reawakened the film industry. Pulling in a record $575 million in 10 days!! That's more than 10 flicks make in one year. Count on more releases from the Marvel-Disney deal. 

8. Patrcia Krentcil, the tanorexic New Jersey mother takes getting "some color" just a little too far for anyone's use. After her daughter said she got a burn from "tanning" with mommy, school officials, rightfully, called the police. Is there something in the Jersey water? There really ought to be a law against how many times you can go to the tanning salon. 

9. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt upsets his countrywomen with his choice of a partner: a white, Canadian-born resident of the island. Love is love, but et tu Usain?

10. It's Dr. O'Neal to you. Ex-NBA player, Shaquille O'Neal, who initially left college for an early NBA draft pick when back to her his bachelors, masters has now earned his doctorate in Education, graduating from Barry University in Miami on Saturday. He explains why his three reasons to ABC News: "I promised my parents I would[follow my passion for education]. Two, I wanted to continue my education and three, I wanted to challenge myself," he said. "The hardest part was getting back into high school mode. You ever have that high school teacher that says, you’ve got to read six chapters over the weekend?”" he said. He wrote his thesis on the value of humor in leadership, because he says he’s a natural leader who loves to laugh. The graduate wants to become a motivational speaker and plans to go to law school. O’Neal told ABC News there’s "no way" anyone is allowed to call him Shaq anymore. "Only the children can call me Shaq, the adults have to address me as Dr. O’Neal," he said. "I’m proud to call you Dr. O’Neal!" said his mother.