Obama Proposes Money for Black Farmers

President Obama wants the federal government to provide $1.25 billion to cover claims by Black farmers who say they were systematically denied loans and other aid that was traditionally afforded White farmers. Read more.

African-European Named ‘Playmate of the Year’
For the first time in the half-century history of Playboy, the iconic gentlemen’s magazine has named an African-European as its “Playmate of the Year.” At a high-profile bash in Las Vegas, Playboy introduced Swedish-African beauty Ida Ljungqvist as the 50th Playmate of the Year. The 27-year-old former Miss March 2008 is the daughter of a Tanzanian mother and Swedish father. “She traveled the globe while her father worked for UNICEF. She is fluent in three languages – English, Swedish and Swahili,” said Hugh Hefner, the magazine’s founder. Ljungqvist said she came close to turning down the offer to pose for the magazine. “This was never a dream for me; I didn’t even know what Playboy was and I was scared at first,” she said. “I have a lot of over-achiever in me, so I am self-critical. But after I met Hef and saw how beautifully they portray women, I was really excited. This experience has inspired me to broaden my horizons, to take chances in life.” Ljungqvist, 5-foot-4, was working at a Bebe clothing store on Rodeo Drive, when she was discovered by Playboy. Ljungqvist quit her job at Bebe a month later and appeared on the cover of Playboy in March of last year. She said her parents were hardly proud when she told them she was going to bare all for Playboy. “My mother didn’t speak to me for a month,” she said.

Hatemongers Deface Texas Church Van

The pastor of a Dallas-area church discovered the new van he had received as a gift had been turned into a collage of racist, sexually graphic messages. Cedric Malone, 37, pastor of a Grand Prairie church said that his son saw the hateful language while walking to school Tuesday morning. Read the rest.

A nude explicit photo of Madonna, which was sold to Playboy when she was a struggling, 20-year-old dancer, could go for $10,000 at auction. A representative of Christie’s auction house says that the photo, taken in 1979 and appearing in the men’s magazine in 1985, is one of six photos from the shoot sold to Playboy. Lee Friedlander took the full-frontal image, according to People magazine. Matthieu Humery, head of Christie’s photography department, says that of all the photos, this is “maybe the most explicit one.” Another photo of Madonna to be auctioned is by Helmut Newton; in that photo, the pop star is wearing lingerie, according to People.

Alicia Keys speaks out in support of British star.

While she rides the early praise for her collaboration with rocker Jack White on the theme track for a forthcoming James Bond flick, Alicia Keys says someone was missing. Troubled, controversial singer Amy Winehouse was in the running to record with White for the 007 movie Quantum of Solace before Keys got the gig. Winehouse claims that film execs instead chose “clean-cut and boring” talent. Apparently taking no offense, Keys says: “I would’ve loved for her to do it. It would have been awesome. All three of us should do it.”Playboy Radio is sued by a Black producer. A producer for the Playboy Radio show “Night Calls” claims the sexy broadcast got a little too sexy to remain professional. Terri Hughes is suing Playboy for unspecified damages after co-host Christy Canyon allegedly exposed “her genitals and breasts to co-workers, making requests to guests and co-workers to touch her genitals and breasts, and masturbating herself with her own hands as well as with various sex toys during live broadcasts of ‘Night Calls.’” Hughes, who is Black, also claims that when she was requested to work for another Black woman host’s broadcast, Playboy Radio’s executive producer denied the request, saying “no Negro shows.”

Lakeview Terrace earns $15.6 million.

The new movie starring Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington has earned $15.6 million in its first week in theaters. Beating out Burn After Reading, which co-stars powerhouses Brad Pitt and George Clooney, Lakeview Terrace is a suspense thriller. Jackson plays a bitter cop who terrorizes his interracial neighbors.

Lil’ Kim could be featured in Playboy

The rapper who presented an award to singer Diana Ross wearing a top made of pasties is reportedly ready to take things a step further. Lil’ Kim plans to pose nude for Playboy magazine, according to Web reports. The rapper, better known as Kimberly Jones, has been known for her sexuality since she began in the rap game during the late 1990s. She hasn’t confirmed the reports of her planned debut as a model for one of the most popular men’s magazines in America.

Comedian Mo’Nique among participants in “African World.”

Veteran R&B performers the O’Jays will headline one of the biggest annual Black cultural celebrations in the Midwest this weekend. Comedian and radio show host Mo’Nique will also appear, along with singer Talita Long, mother of actress Nia Long at the three-day African World Festival in Detroit. Black art, African and Caribbean cuisine, and musical rhythms from throughout the Diaspora will be featured today through Sunday at the free outdoor festival on Hart Plaza. Established by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the event has attracted as many as 1 million visitors.