When the house lights went down on the sellout crowd of 1,200 at the Hilton Americas-Houston Saturday, the spotlight went up on a group of accomplished women noted for community leadership.

The Ivy Educational and Charitable Foundation of Houston honored nine leaders at the 26th annual scholarship luncheon and fashion show, this year featuring House of Deréon. Fashion designer Tina Knowles was in the spotlight not only as the creative force behind the catwalk presentation of slinky, sexy fashions but also as one of the honorees and as honorary luncheon chair.

Taking bows with Knowles were honorees Caleen Burton-Allen, Yvonne Cormier, Cheryl Creuzot, Algenita Scott Davis, Licia Green-Ellis, Eileen Lawal, Jane Lyman and Dr. Janice Powells.  more >>

A hip-hop artist who has collaborated with the likes of Eminem and 50 Cent will make his Muncie debut tonight in Irving Gym. The Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the University Program Board will present Lil Scrappy at 9 p.m.

The fraternity has been working to coordinate the event for more than a year, Andrico Spates, Omega Psi Phi member and coordinator of the event, said. Students have expressed the desire to see national recording artists come to campus, he said, so when it came time to think of ideas for the fraternity's week of events, bringing a national act to Muncie seemed like a logical choice.

The group looked at several artists in their price range and felt that Lil Scrappy would draw the biggest response from the students, Spates said.  more >>

In response to a rise in youth violence and gang activity, a county alumni chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. has created a mentoring program for young men.

Fraternity brothers Darryl Curtis and Milton Dilligard, who run a recreational track and field club for middle school students in Burlington Township, started the club as a way to keep young boys out of trouble.

“We said, "We need to have something so we don't lose the kids that we have,'” Curtis said.  more >>