Quote Of The Day...

If you live in the past

and act as if it is still the past,

then the future will find it very hard to see you!

Introducing Rubin Singleton....

One of my very good friends is model, Rubin Singleton. He is one of the nicest and funniest people you will ever meet. And, the boy can sing his face off!!!

Rubin has a new calendar coming out and I wanted to share it with you all. He shot the calendar in the beautiful Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic. My second home.

When Rubin hit New York City, just a few short years ago, a bidding war ensued. Modeling agencies clamored to get him signed to their agencies. Rubin became the next “it” male model on the scene.

Rubin has graced the magazine pages of Slamm, Time Out New York, The Source, Ebony, and VIBE. He has secured modeling campaigns with AT&T, Wendy’s Restaurant, Foot Locker, Nokia, Amtrak, X Ray Jeans, Miller Beer, and B&B Cognac.

Rubin has been able to expand and reach beyond the traditional magazine and print modeling jobs. His exotic looks and personable attitude has allowed him to work as a featured model on the hit Emmy award-winning television series, Ugly Betty. Rubin has also appeared on television for CBS Fashion Rocks, UPN Network VIBE Beats and Style as a runway model, and ABC’s The View with award-winning singer/actress, Beyonce, as a featured model. So enthralled with Rubin’s grace, style, and looks Beyonce brought him on the Verizon Ladies Tour as a Body Boy Model.

I encourage you to check out his website: www.rubinsingleton.com

His myspace page: www.myspace.com/rubincalendar

You can pre-order his 2009 calender on either site. The cost of the calendar is $20.

Documentary Filmmaker Byron Hurt presents Barack & Curtis...

Documentary Filmmaker Byron Hurt is a good friend of mine. I have known him for years. He did the amazing and powerful documentary, "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes"

He is an award-winning documentarian. So, Byron hit me up to be a part of this new 10-minute documentary, Barack & Curtis: Manhood, Power, and Respect. I couldn't turn down the opportunity. I knew he was doing something powerful. I also respect Byron and his work and I understood the mission of the documentary.

I encourage you to take the time to view the documentary. Share it with your friends, and spread it all over the internet. I think it serves as a great insight into the views of masculinity and how we see ourselves and define the images of Black males in America.

Here is a note from Byron Hurt:

One final note: Barack & Curtis is in no way intended to create a negative association between Barack Obama and 50 Cent. Anyone who would suggest that mis-understands what my piece is all about. Furthermore, anyone who uses Barack & Curtis to smear Barack Obama in any way, is either ignorant, or morally bankrupt. In no way do I want to damage Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign. In no way am I suggesting that Barack Obama is down with G-Unit or is a gangsta rapper cleverly disguised as a presidential candidate. Neither is Barack & Curtis intended to glorify 50 Cent. Instead, the piece is my attempt to humanize 50 Cent, examine two very different Black men who express their masculinity in two very different ways, and who took two very different paths to achieve manhood, power, and respect.

In the end, I hope Barack & Curtis spreads all over the world over the Internet, igniting a powerful online conversation about Barack Obama, 50 Cent, and the range of black masculinity in between.

God bless,

B. Hurt
www.bhurt.com

Someone Will Be Coming Out Soon...

Ever since my book release I have been asked by interviewers if I think a major black celebrity would ever come out of the closet.

I have stated in each interview that within the year a major black celebrity would be coming out.

"Is it someone who has a song on the radio currently?" Interviewers ask.
"Yes, they do?" I say.
"Will we be shocked?"
"Yes and no."
"Is it a man or woman?"
"Hmmm. Like I said, they will be coming out within the year."

How do I know? I have lots of friends in the entertainment business, and many are celebrities.

However, this particular celebrity is mentioned in my book. He will be a trailblazer and set the tone for others in the business. It will be a first and I feel initially fans will be shocked, but then everyone will get over it and move on. His record sales will see an initial decline, but his fans love him and his music. He will not lose his core audience and he will go on to do amazing things with his career.

I do hope we will see more artists come out and not be afraid. It will be courageous and brave for them to be their true authentic self.