Photo courtesy of Vibe Magazine

R&B singer Lloyd cut off his long locks for a good cause. His hair will go to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that creates hair pieces and wigs for children who have lost their hair. What do you think of the cut?

At first glance Avery Klein-Cloud seems average. She’s a high school track star from Brooklyn who’s preparing to attend college. But her family is a diverse one; white Jewish lesbian parents, an older brother who is black and Puerto Rican and a younger brother who is Korean-American. Avery was adopted, and so were her brothers. “Off and Running” is a brilliant documentary that follows Avery during her difficult quest to connect with her birth mother and learn more about her roots.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJCyq0zQTtc

Be sure to catch the premiere of POV’s “Off and Running” on PBS on September 7! Check your local listings for times.

Diamond is 14 and from Georgia!

1) What’s one thing you can’t live without? Why?

One thing I can’t live without is my iPhone. It is my blogging center, my Twitter and Facebook, my photo editor, my camera, gaming system and my on the go internet. Basically it’s my baby!

2) What are the top 3 songs on your mp3 player right now?

“Rewrite” by Fullmetal Alchemist, “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga and “Like It’s Her Birthday” by Good Charlotte

3) Describe your style.

Japanese inspired; gyaru (the Japanese word for gal)

4) What are your favorite clothing stores?

Forever 21, Hot Topic, H&M, Wet Seal, Ulta

5) What are your favorite hobbies?

Volleyball, singing, dancing, drawing

6) What are your favorite books?

Eclipse (I’m not an obsessed Twilight fan!), Marked, The Alchemyst, Harry Potter

7) What’s your dream job?

Singer/actress

8 ) What’s your favorite class in school?

Drama!

9) What would you like to study in college/What are you studying in college?

I want to study design and technology.

**Be sure to follow Diamond on Twitter: therealdiamond1

And friend her on Facebook: facebook.com/diamondmusic**

So, it’s finally time to escape your parent’s nest and get your first real taste of adulthood in college. Being on campus, you will meet people from all over the world. You also will be able to take part in school spirit through various activities, clubs and events. But something else you will notice – and I don’t blame you – are all the new guys. The older ones especially have a glow of maturity that you probably didn’t see in high school boys. But let’s be honest, everything that’s new isn’t always good. Before you jump into a relationship during your first semester of college, here are a few things to consider.

1) You are easy bait. Sorry, but it is true. All the freshman guys as well as upperclassmen on campus see your vulnerability. They know that you are new and want to “date,” but in reality many aren’t out to get to know you. It’s better to take your time to feel guys out before you step into a relationship.

2) You will change. You will find over time that what you found cute and sexy in guys when you were an 18-year-old freshman will change drastically by the time you are 21. You don’t want to look back and say, “What was I thinking talking to him?” Happens all too many times.

3) True colors show later. Most of the time, the first semester is only four or five months, and most people put on facades the first few weeks of school. Then the truth about their character and the holes they’ve been trying to cover are revealed.

4) Time. Relationships take time, and your first semester should be more about meeting people and building friendships. Getting tied down will take you away from this experience.

5) Also about time. You should be focused on building your involvement on campus and your network. Don’t waste time with individuals who won’t allow you to grow and take part in activities that will help you learn more about who you are.

6) You have plenty of time! During your freshman year, be single and free. If start college off in a relationship from high school, like I did, be mindful of the fact that you and that person can grow apart, and the new experience of being apart will cause some strain on your relationship. Be wise in who you choose to take the long-distance route with.

Written by Natalage Whaley, a senior at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Cymphonique Miller, 13, gets a hug from older brother Romeo, 20, after performing at the Millions of Milkshakes fundraiser event for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

I am so, so sorry that I have not blogged in a while. I have been busy, and since I moved, I’ve had no internet. In my last blog I talked about my car trouble. Right after writing about that, my troubles got worse. It took five whole days past my move in day to figure out what was wrong with my car and get it fixed. By the way, it was bad gas.  I had to buy a new battery and fuel filter plus handle labor work costs. I am still broke from it, and I am now looking forward to this lovely refund check I am supposed to receive any day now

I FINALLY moved in on Tuesday to my new apartment, but I didn’t stay for long. Had to go to my new work place. I transferred from a Nashville Sam’s Club to the one in Murfreesboro near my college. As soon as I walked in, I was lost. They whole store layout was the complete opposite of the Sam’s Club I knew best.  I am still getting used to it, but I have a feeling that I will soon learn to love it. The people are really nice, BUT the one thing I really dislike is not being able to eat the sample foods I make…that really sucks. Sooo yea, I will be working on the weekends for now on including Fridays. I have no Friday classes! Yessss!

OMG, like those are the only highlights of my week! Very eventful yet boring at the same time…uh oh I feel adulthood coming up on me WAY too quick LOL. But yes, I LOVE my new apartment!  It’s sooo cozy! I will show it off as soon as all the decorations are complete! Whoa, I almost forgot. School has started!  Last night, the divine nine fraternities and sororities threw a back to school party on campus Last year there were so many fights at the party that I didn’t really want to be bothered with it this go round.

I am up and running again, and I am looking forward to blogging at least twice a week if anything crazy and exciting happens in my life!

Talk to ya’ll later!

Sai <3

Saidah, a sophomore at Middle Tennessee State University, blogs for Haven under “Sai Speaks College Life.”

On this day in 1963, the March on Washington took place. Over 250,000 participants walked down Constitution and Independence avenues in Washington, D.C. and gathered before the Lincoln Monument for speeches (most notably Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech), songs, and prayer. The peaceful march was held to promote civil rights and economic quality for all African Americans. Forty-seven years later today, civil rights and progressive organizations will hold a rally at Dunbar Senior High School in Washington, D.C. and march to the site of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall to commemorate the anniversary of the historic March on Washington.

Today’s march will be led by the Rev. Al Sharpton who recently encouraged young people to learn more about the history of the Civil Rights Movement. “When we study the intense struggle for civil rights in this nation, we quickly — and rightfully- -- find ourselves analyzing the life and legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” he said. “We learn of his tireless efforts to achieve equality and justice for all of humanity, as we pass on legends of sit-ins, marches and boycotts to our children. But what we as a collective sometimes forget to impress upon the next generation is the depth to which Dr. King was an advocate of the position that the federal government, as he knew it was the only effective tool to ensure a unified system of equality in every state.”

Those scheduled to speak at today’s event include Martin Luther King III, radio talk show host Tom Joyner and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4AItMg70kg

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdElzaAdZNA

Check out Chris Brown in this suave Louis Vuitton scarf. Click here to see more photos.

T.I. salutes the crowd on the red carpet at the "Takers" movie premiere on Aug. 25, 2010 in Atlanta. (Photo by Chris Dunn)

Singer Teyana Taylor poses on the red carpet on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at Regal Atlantic Stadium, for the screening of "Takers" in Atlanta. (Photo by Chris Dunn/cdunn@ajc.com)