Alicia Keys ties the knot with Kasseem “Swizz Beats” Dean.

by Maya Carpenter

It looks like wedding bells were in the air recently for quite a few celebs. Pregnant Alicia Keys tied the knot with long-time boyfriend, Kasseem “Swizz Beats” Dean, in a private ceremony in France. The couple has been together since 2008.

Also, rap star Clifford “T.I.” Harris married Tameka “Tiny” Cottle in Miami with a “fairytale” theme. They’ve been together since 2001. T.I. has three children from previous relationships, and Tiny has two from a previous relationship. Together, they have two children.

Lauryn Hill is back! Most music connoisseurs have been waiting on Hill to come off the musical hiatus. So after the buzz about her new single, Repercussions, there was a music frenzy; and now people are anticipating an upcoming album. Her first (and last) album, Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), won five Grammy Awards and has been deemed a classic in music history with its hits “Everything is Everything” and “Ex-Factor.” She also was the first woman ever to be nominated 10 times in one year.

Actor Laurence Fishburne and his daughter Montana.

In other news…
Actor Laurence Fishburne may not be the happiest father on earth after learning that his daughter, Montana, has purposely participated in a porn movie designed by Vivid Entertainment, one of the biggest adult film companies. She notes she was inspired by Kim Kardashian’s sex tape because that’s what ultimately led to her success.

The National Urban League recently celebrated its Centennial Conference in Washington, D.C., where thousands of people came out to celebrate, including President Obama, there to address members on education reform. His most discussed topic was the need to improve failing schools.

The conference also included journalist Ed Gordon, educator and activist Cornel West, Rev. Jesse Jackson, author Maya Angelou, and such personalities as Angela Bassett, Judge Hatchett, rapper/actor Common, Tom Joyner, LeVar Burton, and Lamman Rucker. The National Urban League was founded to cultivate economic quality as well as to empower the Black and other minority communities.

Now, on to some sad news…
According to recent reports, NBA star Lorenzen Wright, 34, who played for the Memphis Grizzilies, was found dead in Memphis. Wright had been missing since July 19 after flying to Memphis to visit his six children and friends, according to USA Today. Reports also say that the former NBA star was shot to death. According to Wright’s sister, Wright was spotted in Memphis after he was expected to have left the city. He was supposed to be en route to Atlanta with a friend and his children after leaving his ex-wife’s home in Memphis. Apparently Wright had been struggling with financial problems, including two homes reportedly facing foreclosure.

Maya Carpenter and Lamman Rucker at the Urban League’s Centennial Conference.