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Lifestyle > Health & Wellness

The American landscape would not be nearly as rich, diverse and hip without pioneering forces such as Don Cornelius. As the creator of Soul Train, Cornelius did more than establish a profitable company/brand but also simultaneously uplifted people of color by giving them a platform to express their innate talents while reinforcing positive and inspiring messages through the creative disciplines of music, dance and fashion. Following news of Cornelius’ recent passing, BlackEnterprise.com spoke with Kenard Gibbs, current CEO/Partner of Soul Train Holdings and co-founder of Madvision Entertainment, to Decode how Cornelius went from investing $400 into the Soul Train pilot to forever changing American culture. —Souleo

Don Cornelius’ Death Sparks a Discussion on Suicide in the Black Community

In the wake of the Soul Train creator's death, questions arise about depression and mental health in our communities

Following Don Cornelius’ death and the start of the Rutgers suicide trial—where Tyler Clementi took…

By Tamara Warren

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Radio Personality Big Boy Shares His Weight Loss Journey

The longtime radio jock explains how he transformed from fat to fit in new book

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

By Tomika Anderson

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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

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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

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(Image: ThinkStock)

Are Black Men More Susceptible to Kidney Disease?

An exploration into the high number of kidney-related incidents in the African American community

Nick Cannon’s recent kidney failure scare raises awareness about the high number of kidney disease…

By Shydel James

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Well, it’s official. The new year is here. Like everything else in our rapid-fire world these days, with the flick of a switch (or drop of a big crystal ball in Times Square) all the anticipation, planning and counting down is suddenly over and then comes… the big let down. Because no matter how much we force feed it, bumper-sticker optimism and new resolutions, somehow, most new years just don’t feel all that new. In fact, chances are you dragged all your 2011 challenges into 2012. Doing more with less on the job? Check. Trying to still get a job? Check. Relationship stresses? Check. Wish you were in a relationship? Check. Owed too much money? Check. Feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated and out of whack? Check, check, and check! Let’s be real. Things don’t suddenly get better as one year changes into another anymore than they magically improve when a random tough Thursday becomes a freshly hatched Friday. Nothing becomes “new” unless we do. So, here are five surefire ways to make you feel, look and perform better, this new year. —Caroline Clarke

5 Things You Should Do to Better Yourself in the New Year

If resolutions aren't your thing here are some simple 2012 tasks

The start of a new year is the perfect time to make changes in your…

By Caroline Clarke

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Is a Woman Less of a Woman If She Decides Never to Have Kids?

Sportscaster Pam Oliver inspires a new book and asks the hard question many professional women face: Am I a failure if I don't have children?

Sonja Lewis’s new novel ‘The Barrenness’ inspired by sportscaster Pam Oliver who says who says…

By Tomika Anderson

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(Image: ThinkStock)

All I Want For Christmas is… Balance in My Life

The holidays bring out the best and worse in people but there is a middleground

Christmas is a time for family & friends but it can be a stressful period…

By Caroline Clarke

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Carmelita Jeter Talks About the 2012 Olympics and the Business of Track & Field

Next summer the world’s attention will be focused on London for 2012 Olympic Games and…

By timmhotep aku

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Holiday Gift Guide: 8 Health-Conscious Tech Gifts

Don’t know what to purchase the health buff in your life? Check out these tech treats

These eight healthy gift picks will have folks talking about your gift well into the…

By Janel Martinez

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