Congratulations to Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s 17 year old sister), who wed Daniel Smith on February 29, 2004 in the Bahamas. In a statement Solange said "I am excited about this new phase in my life. I am very happy and feel truly blessed to have the unconditional love and support of my parents and my entire family." Beyonce, who served as the maid of honor, fellow Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland and parents Mathew and Tina Knowles were all in attendance. Smith, 19, is the wide receiver on the Texas Southern University football team. During Beyonce’s toast, she joked that her sister beat her down the aisle, her date for the evening - you know who - was pretty amused. Look for Solange to make her big screen debut in the upcoming “Johnson’s Family Vacation” also starring Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa L. Williams and Bow Wow.

Beyonce Knowles and Ruben Studdard were named the Entertainer of the Year and Best New Artist, respectively at the 35th NAACP Image Awards on March 5 at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City, CA. This adds to the five Grammys she picked up last month.

On March 11, 2004 a Florida judge ruled that photographs allegedly showing R. Kelly having sex with an underage girl were obtained illegally by detectives and therefore cannot be used to try him on child-pornography charges in that state. As a result all charges were dropped. None of this, however, affects the 14 counts of child pornography Kelly faces in Chicago.

Missy Elliott’s “Missy Elliot Project” has been picked up by UPN. The show has been called a cross between Making the Band and American Idol. Missy is searching for talented singers, rappers and dancers across America through open auditions in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Virginia. The finalists will be brought out to Los Angeles to further narrow the pack. Once the group is small enough, they will move into a tour bus and hit the road with Elliott while she tours with Alicia Keys and Beyonce Knowles on the Verizon Ladies First Tour. Contestants will be eliminated weekly but Missy says she hasn’t determined how she will pick the winner. So I guess we’ll have to tune in this summer to see what happens.

Much love goes out to Whitney Houston, who recently entered rehab. In a statement issued by her publicist Nancy Seltzer, Houston “thanks everyone for their support and prayers”. We all wish Whitney and her family the best during this time of struggle.

Jill Scott has formed her own not-for-profit organization called the Blues Babe Foundation. On April 10, a check presentation and mentorship workshop will take place in Philadelphia. In a statement she said she “wants to empower young minds to reach their most highest achievements.” The foundation's President, Karen Taylor said “the Blues Babe Foundation was formed for the purpose of nurturing college-bound students of color, ages 16-21, artistically and academically. The Foundation seeks to provide financial support and mentoring for those students who have shown the aptitude and commitment to their education, but whose families may not have the resources to ensure completion of their undergraduate degrees.”

Connie M. Howell