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Lifestyle

Radio Personality Big Boy Shares His Weight Loss Journey

Struggling with weight loss all his life, radio personality Big Boy details his journey from…

Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander has always been, well, a "big boy." For years the longtime radio personality played up his hefty size, even if it came at the expense of his health. After failed attempts at maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, he eventually went under the knife in a quest to drop the pounds. However, complications from the surgery nearly cost him his life. Big Boy details his personal journey and lifelong struggles with weight in his new book, An XL Life: Staying Big at Half the Size (Cash Money Content). Now back on the right track, he shares personal before and after photos of his fluctuating weight throughout the years with BlackEnterprise.com. Afterwards click here to read Big Boy's interview with BlackEnterprise.com about how he triumphed over weight loss and gained a second chance at life.

Big Boy: Before & After the Weight Loss

Taking a visual look at the radio personality's amazing weight loss through the years

The radio personality shares personal photos of his before and after weight loss experience as…

By Anslem Samuel

Posted: February 7, 2012 Tags: Big Boy, Dr. Dre, Janet Jackson, Jay Z, Kevin Liles, Michael Jackson, Run-DMC, Vicente Fernández Gómez, weight loss, Will Smith

Preview Our World: Laila Ali’s Knock Out Punch Against Kidney Disease

The boxing champ fights the good fight against kidney disease in Black community

Women’s super middle-weight boxing champ Laila Ali “pairs up” with National Kidney Fund to raise…

By Andrew Wadium

Posted: February 3, 2012 Tags: Audrey Smaltz, Bishop Barbara C. Harris, boxing, Dancing With the Stars, kidney disease, Laila Ali, Marion Jones, National Kidney Fund

Unfulfilled by his advertising job, Andre Woolery found refuge in his creative energies as a visual artist. Rather than just relying on paint, the New Jersey resident created one-of-a-kind murals of public figures like Barack Obama, Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, and Kanye West among others completely of colored thumbtacks. As a preview to Woolery's first solo exhibition this February 23rd at Frontrunner Gallery in New York, here is a photo gallery of some of his most notable pieces. Click here to read Woolery's full story and follow him on Twitter @undre2g for all updates on his art and upcoming shows.

Artist Andre Woolery’s One-Of-A-Kind Thumbtack Portraits

The former ad man immortalizes Barack Obama and Jay-Z using thumbtacks as his creative base

Artist Andre Woolery creates detailed portraits of public figures like Barack Obama, Jay-Z, Kanye West…

By Anslem Samuel

Posted: February 3, 2012 Tags: Andre Woolery, art work, Barack Obama, Changing Lanes, Jay Z, Jimi Hendrix, Kanye West, Shawn Carter

FREE! Alvin Ailey Extension Classes

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater just kicked off their 2012 US Tour, which will…

By Sasha King

Posted: February 3, 2012 Tags: Alvin ailey, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Alvin Ailey Extension, BE Rewarded, Dance Classes

For many, eyewear has moved well beyond the days of loathing to become a must-have fashion accessory. Today, glasses are associated with prestige, confidence, smarts---and swagger.

Utenzi Miller-Johnson (photographed) knows a thing or two about style-savvy specs as an entrepreneur and optician at Elegant Eyes, a New Jersey-based optical company that offers eye-care and personal concierge services.

"A great way for busy professionals looking to upgrade their eyewear style is to set up a consultation [with a personal concierge service], Miller-Johnson says. "Another option would be to visit your local optical store and try on different looks."

Check out how to choose the perfect frames for a polished look, and 5 top picks for the hottest in eyewear. ---Janell Hazelwood

Office Chic: 5 Cool Frames for Professional Flair

Hot eyewear picks that are perfect for the office

Utenzi Miller-Johnson, entrepreneur and optician at New Jersey-based Elegant Eyes, gives her top eyewear picks…

By Janell Hazelwood

Posted: January 31, 2012 Tags: accessories, black opticians, Elegant Eyes, eyeglasses, Eyespa, eyewear, frames, office attire, office fashion, professional attire, sunglasses, Utenzi Miller-Johnson, women entrerpreneurs, workplace attire, workplace fashion

Just because it’s the heart of winter doesn’t mean you have to forego fashion sense for warmth. The businessman’s response to the frigid days at the end and beginning of the calendar has been the topcoat. Stylish and classic, these outerwear garments should be a staple in any well-dressed gentleman’s wardrobe. For this edition of Suit Your Life, we highlight eight topcoats that’ll help you make a lasting first impression while keeping you nice a toasty. Just remember a topcoat is meant to be worn over layers, so when purchasing it’s best to try one on while wearing a blazer to make sure it will fit properly when worn over a suit. —Gardy V. Guerrier

8 Affordable Topcoats for Power Meetings in the Winter

Top off your winter business wear with one of these classic outerwear garments

A classic staple in any businessman’s wardrobe is a stylish topcoat, here are several options…

By Gardy V. Guerrier

Posted: January 31, 2012 Tags: Alfani RED, Banana Republic, Ben Sherman, business attire, Calvin Klein, Fashion Week, Gardy V. Guerrier, John Varvatos, men's fashion, Ralph Lauren, Suit Your Life, topcoat, Topman, Uniqlo

Squinting, eye strain, prescription changes and migraines. These are all common health issues among today's office professionals.

With about 14 million people ages 12 and older having visual impairment, eye health is one factor that can't be ignored or dismissed. The economic impact of major vision problems alone is telling--- at more than $51 billion, according to the CDC's Vision Health Initiative---causing "a substantial social and economic toll for millions of people including significant suffering, disability, loss of productivity, and diminished quality of life."

Maintaining proper eye care can ensure everyday living --- from home to work --- is that much more manageable. BlackEnterprise.com caught up with entrepreneur and optician Utenzi Miller-Johnson, of New Jersey-based Elegant Eyes, on how to improve and maintain good visual health. ---Janell Hazelwood

Eye Sore: Three Quick Tips to Avoid Behind-the-Desk Strain

Three tips to ensure good eye health beyond the office

Entrepreneur and optician Utenzi Miller-Johnson offers these steps to improve and maintain your eyesight.

By Janell Hazelwood

Posted: January 27, 2012 Tags: CDC, diabetes, Elegant Eyes, eye care, eye health, eyeglasses, eyewear, eyewear fashion, fitness, glasses, office professional, office worker, Utenzi Miller-Johnson, Vision Health Initiative, vision impairment, vision loss, workplace health

Icon Dionne Warwick Talks Reality TV, Songwriting, and Protecting Her Legacy

Award-winning composer releasing new album, expanding audience

Dionne Warwick, a Black Enterprise Legacy Award winner, has seen more than 50 years of…

By Tomika Anderson

Posted: January 27, 2012 Tags: Celebrity Apprentice, Dionne Warwick, Donald Trump, entertainment, Legacy Award, music business, music composing, Music Industry, NeNe Leakes, reality TV, Soul Train Music Awards, Star Jones, Women of Power Summit

Actor De’aundre Bonds, on the long road to redemption

Actor De’aundre Bonds Gets Career on Track After 10 Years in Prison

'The Wood' star details what role God played in his road to redemption

De’aundre Bonds’ Hollywood dreams were deferred by a 10-year prison sentence but The Wood star…

By Starrene Rhett

Posted: January 27, 2012 Tags: Anthony Mackie, Antwone Fisher, black hollywood, De'aundre Bonds, Denzel Washington, Gangster Squad, Nick Nolte, prison, Sean Penn, Spike Lee, The Wood

Lifestyle

By Anslem Samuel

By Andrew Wadium

By Anslem Samuel

By Sasha King

By Janell Hazelwood

By Gardy V. Guerrier

By Janell Hazelwood

By Tomika Anderson

By Starrene Rhett

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