Fantasia Performs at the NABOB dinner. Photo via Reliable Source / Ray Llanos

Attendees at the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters 27th Annual Communications Awards Dinner didn’t know that they’d be in for such a musical treat when they sat down to dine. A-listers like Sherri Shepard (who emceed the event), U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, and neo-soul superstar Chrisette Michele were witness to the Fantasia’s passionate performance.

She kept true to her brand by kicking of her stilettos and coming into the crowd to sing her soulful rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” She told attendees, “if your shoes hurt, take them off!” Other performances included Chrisette Michele and Regina Belle. The event held at the Omni Shoreham Ballroom in D.C. honored pioneering media and entertainment icons for their work. This year Dr. Bobby Jones, Soledad O’Brien, Buddy Guy and Slinger Francisco took home the prestigious awards.

Were the Washington elite ready? Well, you re-examine the photo above and tell me.

-Angel

( L-R) John Legend, Jamie Foxx, Nick Jonas, and Seal, perform at the W.H. Motown Celebration. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

If you ever had a question that the culture of our White House has changed, you would’ve had your answer last night. Nostalgic tunes and tight harmonies reminiscent of a 1960s childhood wafted through the halls of the White House, pulsing from the East Room like the bass of a set.

As artists like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, and John Legend took the stage to perform Motown hits, guests were no longer in the nation’s capital. No, they were taken back in time to Detroit street corners and barbershops filled with the sounds of “My Girl,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” and “Stop in the Name of Love.”

Artist from all genres were brought together to commemorate Motown music in honor of Black History Month. The latest installment in the White House concert series was probably the most soulful yet. Politicos like D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and CBC Chairman Emanuel Cleaver excitedly took on the concert. Barry Gordy sat smiling in the audience, beaming like a proud papa who’s seeing all his hard work come to fruition.

Nick Jonas performed “I Can’t Help Myself”; Natasha Bedingfield, Jordin Sparks, and Ledisi formed a trio to perform “Stop in the Name of Love”; and Smokey Robinson and Sheryl Crow delighted the crowd with their updated rendition of “You Really Got a Hold on Me.”

Jamie Foxx hosted the affair, setting the tone for the evening by performing his own rendition of James Brown’s “Sex Machine,” called “Presidential Machine.” LOL. He even suggested that Barry Gordy lend the administration some of his Motown money to decrease the deficit.

Obama ended the evening by saying, “To Mr. Barry Gordy, thank you for helping us dance in the streets.”

The concert will air on PBS March 1.

Helena Andrews, Angel Elliott, and Jason Parker at Impact Election Watch Party / Photo by Kea Taylor, Imagine Photography, TheRoot.com

Last night I attended/covered an election night party that IMPACT, BET and The Root sponsored. The event took place at K Street Lounge (1301 K St. NW). Black professionals and graduate students attended, taking advantage of the multiple flat screens, open bar and Asian-inspired hor d’oeuvres.

Impact Election Watch Party Panelist and Moderator/ Photo by Kim Johnson, Imagine Photography, TheRoot.com

BET News White House Correspondent Andre Showell served as moderator of the panel discussion that took place before news outlets started calling the midterm elections. Charles Ellison from Politic365.com, Jesse Moore, Gary Flowers, head of the Black Leadership Forum, Paris Dennard from the RNC and the NAACP’s Stephanie Brown served as panelists. They engaged in a lively, opinionated discussion on what it would mean from Republicans to take control of the House of Representatives (and we all know that later that night, they did just that.)

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President Obama / SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Yes, this is a bit of self promotion but hey, it’s all for the greater good so YOUR voice can be heard right? I’m sure you’ve heard by now that BET, MTV, and CMT are hosting our very own live youth town hall with President Obama, “A Conversation with President Obama” airing at 4PM EST on all BET, Centric, MTV, MTV2, MTV Tr3s, and CMT.

The special is being filmed at BET Studios in Washington D.C. which is the largest studio on the east coast I might add. A BET News and MTV News production, the live event will be hosted by BET’s April Woodard, MTV’s Sway Calloway and CMT’s Katie Cook. So log onto BET.com/YesWeWill, where the live event will be streamed live!

See you there!

-Angel

Misa Hylton, Paul Wharton and India on 106 & Park

This year’s Rip the Runway was taped this past weekend in NYC at the Hammerstein Ballroom. I headed that way for the week (the reason for my A-List absence) to work on a whirlwind of fabulous fashion, scheduling & production.

Misa Hylton, Paul Wharton, India and Rocsi on 106 & Park

 Before models walked the catwalk we held an amatuer modeling contest on 106 and Park; and one of my besties, and DC’s own socialite Paul Wharton participated as a judge along with celebrity stylist Misa Hylton and model India.

Paul Wharton, Misa Hylton, and India Backstage at CBS Studios for the 106 & Park Taping

 Rip the Runway airs on BET and Centric, March 15th.

-AE

Andre Showell, Tiffany Tate, Tom Joyner, Donna Richardson, Roland Martin

Monday night, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. was buzzing with the energy of reporters; but they weren’t working any angles last night- except maybe to snap a photo with the President at the White House’s annual Holiday Press Party.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers greeted invited press to the White House’s Red and Blue Rooms; while senior advisor Valerie Jarrett posed for pictures.

Andre Showell, Desiree Rogers, Tiffany Tate

Reports dined on Modern Asian fare from Sei (444 7th St. NW), a popular DC restaurant that the First Lady frequents. Spotted at the affair were BET White House Correspondent Andre Showell, BET News TV producer Tiffany Tate, Tom Joyner, Ann Curry, Wolfe Blitzer, Arianna Huffington, Maureen Dowd, Greta Van Susteren, Eugene Robinson and David Brooks among many.

-AE