BEAUTY
27 Nail It! A brilliant bunch of nails
32 Hair News Our stunning summer hues collection along with two weaving wonders
FASHION
39 Diva on a Dime Rocking fabulous on a budget
48 Perfect Fit Soak up the 1960’s with these sunburst patterns
FEATURES
106 I’m the One That They Call Queen She’s conquered the worlds of hip-hop, beauty and Hollywood, and now Queen Latifah tells us this is just the beginning of her reign By Regina R. Robertson
110 The Fabulous Single Girl’s Summer Dating Guide Sisters who are successful on the dating scene share their strategies for an active love life; plus let our quiz lead you back into the dating game By Demetria L. Lucas and Tanisha A. Sykes
116 High Five Be inspired to take your hair to a lofty level with this airy display of updos By Pamela Edwards Christiani
CULTURE
53 A Mighty Heart Jada Pinkett Smith practices strong but caring medicine in an original prime-time drama
54 Gazette Fresh face Lauren London makes her mark on the big screen; sounds from an Angel; remembering the biggest fight party
56 Books Move over Marvin Gaye; in our latest book club pick, author Jill Nelson gives lessons in getting it on; plus this month’s best sellers
WORK & WEALTH
61 Get Your Hustle On! Explore more ways to earn cash on the side
64 Money Makeover Rescuing a home owner from foreclosure
66 Working Smart Trading in your pink slip for a paycheck
RELATIONSHIPS
71 ESSENCE Single Man of the Month
76 What Men Think Crescent City fellas speak on dating women who make more
80 On His Mind Heaven help this preacher find love
OUR NEWS
93 Ten Things We’re Talking About
100 Obama Watch The White House gets serious about the spread of AIDS particularly among African-Americans
102 Opinion Guided by its new president, Benjamin Jealous, the 100-year-old NAACP renews the fight against unequal justice
HEALTHY LIVING
123 Fit & Fab Special It’s the perfect time to go slimming with our ultimate workout program; plus one woman shares how keeping the faith helped her to keep losing the pounds
132 Sexual Health Dr. Hutcherson tackles when sex brings stress; Cookie Johnson warns that the threat of HIV and AIDS is more dangerous than ever
136 How She Does It A married professor with three small kids discusses life with a special needs child
138 Summer Entertaining Aaron “Big Daddy” McCargo, Jr., invites us to a modern backyard barbecue
IN EVERY ISSUE
18 Between Us
20 Contributors
22 Your Letters
145 Where to Buy
148 Horoscope
150 Get Lifted Out of Harm’s Way by T.D. Jakes