::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . .Click the photo to hear Javen's latest music. . . . As an  Award-winning Recording Artist ,  JAVEN  has the dynamic talents of  Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Speaker,  and  Producer . With more than 10 years in the music industry, he has won multiple awards for his outstanding work and gained notable recognition across the country and around the world.   JAVEN 's impeccable stage presence led him to star in numerous productions. He was a lead in the theatrical production of  "A Raisin in the Sun"  and he starred in the Off-Broadway musical "The Rock and the Rabbi."   JAVEN  continued to earn parts in feature films like  "One Night with the King"  starring opposite Omar Sharif; the feature film  "Abandoned"  starring Britney Murphy; and the feature film  "Preacher's Kid"  starring Clifton Powell. As a songwriter,  JAVEN wrote and recorded the hit single  "One Step"  w...

buzzz worthy. . . Sylvia Matthews was selected as the Director of the Office of Management and Budgets on April 24, 2013. The Senate unanimously confirmed Sylvia Matthews Burwell as the head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  Burwell formerly served as the Budget Director  in the Clinton administration. In this position she will oversee  efforts to balance the national debt and map out a plan to dampen the impact of sequestration. President Obama praised the Senate for being non-partisan in its 90-0 vote. His remarks follow: Statement from the President on the Confirmation of Sylvia Mathews Burwell "I am pleased that the Senate took bipartisan action today to confirm Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.  Sylvia shares my commitment to growing our economy, shrinking our deficits in a balanced way, and reigniting a rising, thriving middle class.  Sylvia has spent a career fighting for working fami...

buzzz worthy. . . With messy break-ups and the love light dimming on many celeb couples, it's good to see several  popular couples are committed for life. Ahead of their 6th Wedding Anniversary Style Network star of "Tia & Tamera," Tia Mowry Hardiwict and her hubby Cory renewed their vows in a beautiful, yet simple beachside ceremony in Malibu, CA. The Hardiwicts  renew their vows annually.  The bride and groom and their guests all wore white. The Hardiwicts renewed their vows on April 16, 2013 in Malibu, CA. Since they became parents, saying "I do" again and again reflects their mutual love for their almost 2 year old son, Cree, as well as for each other. ""Cory and I have been together for 13 years and married for five. However, we now have this new  miracle   in our lives and I wanted to celebrate our love, and what our love together created -- Cree!," she shared with US Weekly.   Husband and wife acting team Davi...

buzzz worthy. . . Fantasia released her fourth studio album, "The Side Affects of You" (RCA) today.  'Tasia (her nickname) said she wanted to make music like Tina Turner and Patti Labelle and for the first time she had full creative control.  She is working with  British producer Harmony Samuels, who knows how to fuse rock and soul to her liking.  Last week she performed the lead single "Lose to Win" on American Idol where her career in music kicked off ten years ago. This recording represents a comeback mentally and musically for the Grammy award winner. On the Steve Harvey Morning Show she said artistically this album is to her and Samuels what "Thriller" was to MJ and Quincy Jones. Scottish singer Emeli Sande penned the title cut. In music and in her personal life, the North Carolina darling was not in a good place three years ago.  Her frustration with the industry and feeling drained by the people who were closest to her was lived o...

buzzz worthy. . . Los Angeles - One might easily contend that bassist  Anthony Crawford  has music flowing through his veins instead of blood.    When you take into consideration that his dad is the noted funk and rock drummer  Hubert "H bomb" Crawford , who has played with greats like James Brown, Cyndi Lauper  and  Mother's Finest , and his uncle is the legendary jazz saxophonist  Hank Crawford , the evidence becomes even more convincing.      Now factor in the knowledge that he picked up his first instrument at age two, began visualizing his musical destiny at age 6, started teaching himself the bass at age 12, and was performing on stage with Bette Midler at 14, the evidence is enough to make you really wonder. One listen to his latest release however, and one just might be totally convinced.    With his new effort, Crawford amazingly mixes, meshes and mingles musical genres in a lusciously seductive terrain he c...

buzzz worthy. . . Author and Senior Film Executive DeVon Franklin shares that integrity is the key to success in Hollywood. Photo credit: Laura Locke/ARC LOS ANGELES --  As a senior executive in the film industry and a man of faith,  DeVon Franklin  knows all too well the challenges of working in Hollywood and maintaining a high moral standard by not reducing one's values in return for a chance at career advancement.  Over the past 15 years Franklin worked his way up the corporate ladder, from Overbrook Entertainment intern to Senior Vice President at Columbia Pictures through hard work, fervent prayer and integrity. He addressed a packed room of aspiring actors, directors and producers at the  Artist Resource Center  in North Hollywood to make one thing very clear: You don't have to compromise who you are to get where you're going! "Don't want the job so bad that you compromise who God is to get it," said Franklin. "The bible says do not...