1. BET Announces New TV Shows and Movies at 2012 Upfronts
On Thursday, April 11, 2012, BET Networks unveiled its programming lineup for the new TV season at its upfront presentation at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The network’s new scripted and original series and TV movies feature Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart, Marlon Wayans, Larenz Tate and more. Here’s an inside look at some of the new shows and films: [MORE]

2. Are You Ready for the First Black Bachelor?
Fans of The Bachelor who’ve complained about the show never casting a man of color may finally get one. That’s if the show’s creators at least consider one sportscaster’s audition tape.

EW.com reports that a growing movement to make Portland-based sportscaster Lamar Hurd the first Black bachelor has gained traction. Hurd’s assistant, Tammie, initiated the idea, submitting an application to ABC on behalf of her boss, whom she described as “perfect.” [MORE]

3. Experts Say Health Care Reform Saves Lives
One of the reasons a majority of Americans view the Affordable Care Act unfavorably may be that they simply don’t know enough about it. But according to a panel of experts who spoke at a National Action Network’s forum Thursday afternoon in Washington, D.C., African-Americans must be as informed as possible about legislation that could literally save their lives. [MORE]

4. Gabrielle Union Talks About Homewrecker Allegations in JET
Ever since she started dating Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union has been fielding criticisms of being a homewrecker and allegations of breaking up Wade’s marriage to his ex-wife, Siohvaughn, but the actress never addressed the comments until now in this week’s JET magazine cover story.

“For the people that hire me, it’s a non-issue. But at the end of the day, Dwyane’s kids are going to be the ones who really suffer,” she said about the real reason why she didn’t defend herself. “They’re 10 and 4-and-a-half. They’re old enough to understand the mean things that strangers can say.” [MORE]

TAGS: ABC, Affordable Care Act, BET, Beverly Hills, California, Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union, health care reform, Jet Magazine, Kevin Hart, Lamar Hurd, Larenz Tate, Marlon Wayans, National Action Network's forum, Siohvaughn, SLS Hotel, The Bachelor, Upfronts, Washington DC.