Here’s details from the HuffoPost!

WASHINGTON — Sarah Jessica Parker, Kerry Washington and Forest Whitaker are adopting some of the nation’s worst-performing schools and pledged Monday to help the Obama administration turn them around by integrating arts education.

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities announced a new Turnaround Arts initiative as a pilot project for eight schools with officials from the White House and U.S. Department of Education. Organizers said they aim to demonstrate research that shows the arts can help reduce behavioral problems and increase student attendance, engagement and academic success.

The two-year initiative will target eight high-poverty elementary and middle schools. The schools were among the lowest-performing schools in each of their states and had qualified for about $14 million in federal School Improvement Grants from the Obama administration. The public-private arts initiative will bring new training for educators at the Aspen Institute, art supplies, musical instruments and programs totaling about $1 million per year, funded by the Ford Foundation, the Herb Alpert Foundation and other sponsors.

To read the full article, click here.

ABC Scandal star Kerry Washington covers the March 2012 issue of ESSENCE Magazine where she dishes on what it’s like to be a black actress in Hollywood.

Kerry Washington, who will be honored at ESSENCE Magazine’s “Black Women In Hollywood” luncheon this month, covers the latest issue of the magazine. Inside, she dishes on being a Black actress in Hollywood and how things are changing.

She said:

“I think it’s a really special time to be a woman of color in this business. The landscape of who has the power is changing. We are in more influential positions and are able to have a say in the stories that are told. I feel very lucky to be in the business now.”

And Kerry’s also making history. As the star of Shonda Rhimes’ upcoming drama “Scandal,” Kerry will become the only Black actress to lead a drama based on a real-life black woman, high-profile crisis management adviser Judy Smith.

Via The YBF

Kerry attended GQ’s 2011 “Men of the Year” Party and looked great on the red carpet. I’ve uploaded loads of photos from the event for your viewing pleasure. So make sure you check them out while I try and get us current with the 2011 Events & Public Appearances!

“Night Catches Us” is going to be released on February 1, 2011 and is available for pre-order on DVD for $19.99 or Blu-ray for $21.99 at Amazon.

Though hard to imagine her being anything but perfection, Kerry Washington has a no-fuss style mantra.

“I like to try different things,” Kerry told Redbook in the December issue on news stands now. “If I feel good about what I see in the mirror, who cares if what I’m wearing is a don’t or a do?”

Seeing the petite actress in a cozy cream sweater, sparkly leggings and suede booties just goes to show that rules were made to be broken.

The Redbook photo shoot of all things sparkly, highlights a joyful holiday spirit and Washington’s casual glamour.

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