It’s fitting that the first Black president was elected and sworn-in this year, 2009. That’s 100 years after the founding of the NAACP, and the organization starts its centennial off right with the 40th Annual Image Awards show, airing tonight on FOX.

Halle Berry and Tyler Perry will host the event. Perry’s TBS sitcoms are up for awards.  

Nominees include Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson for their roles in “The Secret Life of Bees.” Tia Mowry and Wendy Raquel Robinson are up for awards for “The Game.”

BET’s “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” is nominated for Outstanding Reality Series. “American Gangster” is nominated in the Outstanding News/Information category.

Muhammad Ali and Russell Simmons are special honorees. Seal and J-Hud are scheduled to perform.

Anyway, the awards show is just the icing on the cake. I think all minorities should take a second today to think about the “advancement of colored people” in the last 100 years. Some may think the NAACP irrelevant in today’s society, but the organization and others like it paved the way for many of us today, including President Obama.

So, even if you don’t tune in, try to do something to commemorate BHM today.

BET Celebrates BHM.

On the latest episode of “For the Love of Ray J,” the heartthrob decided to present the ladies — and I use that term loosely — with a video chat challenge. They ladies were to show him a talent and connect with him over the phone.

A few ladies attempted to sing and rap. That failed. One chick chugged beer. Not impressed. Another did a flip onto the floor. Go figure. The bottom line: These women aren’t too talented.

The three that won a date with Ray J were Danger (pictured), Chardonnay and Cocktail, who wowed Ray with a stripper-like dance. Chardonnay recited a poem and then covered herself in ice cream. (Who knew that was a talent?) In the end, Ray was most impressed with Danger, who painted a portrait of him. On the date, he ended up making out with Danger, which surprisingly seemed to offend to Chardonnay. So, clapping your butt cheeks for a guy you just met is OK, but kissing a guy you’ve known for a few days is out. Got it.

Genuine and Atomic Bomb were the two ladies eliminated. Genuine finally admitted she was there to further her acting career. Atomic Bomb just wasn’t aggressive enough for Ray.

So, from the looks of things, Ray prefers somewhat aggressive women who are into the arts.

Anyway, I think I like him and Danger together; although, I think that tattoo on the face will eventually start to annoy him. Who do you think is best for him?

T.I.’s Road to Redemption – MTV Shows

Last night, T.I. was seen on the Grammy stage doing what he does best, but tomorrow, you’ll see him in a different light, if you tune in to MTV for the reality docu-drama “Road to Redemption.” Not unlike BET’s “Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown,” the MTV’s new show chronicles the last few days before T.I. serves his sentence behind bars.

Hopefully, it will serve as a cautionary tale for those on parole who might want to collect guns.

Anyway, will you be TiVo-ing? 

Get more on this.

 Lil’ Kim is officially a bonafide reality star. First there was “Countdown to Lockdown.” Then, she served as a judge on the Pussy Cat Dolls show, and now she’s dancing with the stars.

 That’s right. The Queen Bee will be buzzing around the dance floor come March. She’ll be one of the competing dancers on the next season of the ABC hit, “Dancing With the Stars.”

So, the No. 1 question on every one’s mind: Can she keep it decent? Kim is known for her outrageous outfits and tendency for ghetto fabulosity. Will she be able to tone it down for this audience, or will she show up with a patch over her nipple and her boob hanging out?

Will you tune in to find out? 

Journalist Katie Couric interviewed Lil’ Wayne for her “All Access Grammy Special” broadcast. Fans learned a little more about Weezy: (1) He’s singing a Katrina song at the Grammys, (2) He was a straight A student (3) He has custom made bowling balls and (4) He uses “Miss” when addressing older White women.

Check it out.

You really have to give it to Diddy for being omnipresent. This brother is everywhere. If you’re not catching him on “MTB4″ on MTV or “I Want to Work For Diddy” on VH1, then you’re seeing him on the Grammys Sunday and BET Honors Monday.

 Oh, and that’s not the only place you’ll catch him Monday. Watch the preview of his “CSI Miami” cameo. He’s playing a lawyer.

Diddy must have about six TiVos to track all his TV appearances. Good for him.

There are still a few surprises on TV. I didn’t think there’d be a second season of Bravo’s “Make Me a Supermodel,” but it turns out I was wrong. Who knew?

Season two of the model-search reality show premieres Saturday at 11 p.m. That’s also known as the “kiss-of-death” time slot. LOL. If you’re home that late on a Saturday night, let’s hope you’re doing something more interesting than watching skinny people pose.

Anyway, sexy Tyson Beckford returns as the major star and primary judge on the show, which is a lot like “ANTM” only with boys and girls.

I watched part of season one, but it didn’t hold my attention too tough. Honestly, I’m no prude, but it seemed like it was only a matter of time before one of the group photo shoots turned into an orgy. Something about the show seemed very … suggestive.

Anyway, click here to meet the cast (there are more minorities this season), and tell me: Will you watch?

Don’t you like it when things just seem to come together? Don’t you feel like life has meaning when an embarrassing, humiliating event in your life ends up leading to a great opportunity?

 Well, that must be what Vivica A. Fox is feeling right now. After her highly-publicized relationship with a younger 50 Cent went bad, she bounced back with as much dignity as she could muster, and now she’s hosting a new show about women just like her … Cougars.

That’s the popular term for older women who date younger men: Mariah and Demi come to mind.

“Cougar,” coming soon to TV Land, is like the “Bachelor” in reverse. The object of desire is an older woman, and she’ll pick from a litter of cute, younger guys. Who better to host than Vivica?

Hopefully, the show will be more successful than Vivica’s last hosting gig on VH1’s “Glam God.” The responsibility for that show’s failure doesn’t fall solely on Vivica’s shoulders, but the fact that she judged a challenge in pink pleather didn’t lend any credibility to the show.

So, who else would be a good host for “Cougar”? I’d like to see Whitney as host. Better yet, let’s get some of these older stars on the show, so they can find a man to tame.

When we last saw “Making the Band,” Diddy had kicked rebel child Aubrey out of the group. D. Woods kinda got kicked out and kinda left on her own. (That depends on who you ask.) That was just the beginning of the drama. Season three continues Thursday, and only two of the group’s members, Dawn and Aundrea, even bothered to show up. Of course, the rumors have been confirmed that the group is over.

As awful as that is for the group’s fans, and the ladies themselves, it should be great for ratings. I sure plan to tune in. I want to know WTH happened since that last appearance. Did Diddy try to apologize to D. Woods? Why did Shannon bail? Are Aubry and Aundrea still cool? Where does that leave Day 26? Will Diddy try another stab at an all-girl band?

Hopefully, there will be some answers. Seriously, I’m still wondering what happened to season one’s “Da Band.” Can I get an update on Dylan, Ness and the crew?

Anyway, back to season three … Do you care? Will you watch?

VH1’s new “For the Love of Ray J” premiered last night. The women on this show are cuter than many of those who turned out for “Flavor of Love” or “Real Chance at Love.” So, this should be an easier show to watch, or at least I thought so.

Yes, the players are more attractive. You don’t cringe when a woman snuggles up to Ray J the way you did when Flavor Flav stuck his tongue down some poor girl’s throat; however, I did wince when Chardonnay (pictured) dropped into a split on the floor and started bouncing her assets around. Ray J cheered, but the other women were a bit turned off, and rightfully so.

They began to question whether Ray J was looking for love, or for groupies. When it came time for elimination, the booty shaker was in the bottom three, but Ray J said he was saving the best for last. She ended up with a champagne glass, and he encouraged her to brush off the haters and keep on doing what she does. Does that mean there will be more bikini butt clapping? I hope not, and I hope Ray J stays focused on the goal … looking for love, not just looking for someone else to make a sex tape with.

Hot Cocoa and Naturelle were the two ladies sent home. Hot Cocoa was a bit too reserved, and Naturelle was an actress, which made Ray J think she was there for the exposure.

What do you think? Did Chardonnay take it too far, or was she just making sure she stood out from the crowd? Is it fair to eliminate people just because they have dreams of stardom, like Naturelle? Is Ray J ready for love, or is he just looking for a new bunch of women to bed?