The insider

MARIAH Carey--she with the distinctive, high-octave voice--is getting the last laugh on critics who practically slammed the door on her career a couple of years ago. After the phenomenal success of her CD, The Emancipation of Mimi, she is embarking on a highly anticipated concert tour that will begin on August 5 and continue through October, with stops in such cities as New York, Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas and Chicago on September 11, when she plans "something special" to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

In the cover story, Mariah takes the high road with her critics, putting her history into perspective, assessing her successes and focusing on her future, which will include some new and surprising projects.

Although the songstress is flying high these days, she's not alone. There are three other women who are set to soar, ready to journey beyond the ionosphere as history-making astronauts. Col. Stephanie Johnson is set to join a crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery this summer. Joan E. Higginbotham is scheduled for a flight in December, and Col. Yvonne Darlene Cagle, MD., will complete the three historic missions. Each is following in the footsteps of Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to be aboard a NASA mission when she lifted off as part of the crew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992.

In addition to the successes of the astronauts, it appears that the sky's the limit for 10 other talented women who do incredible work "Behind The Scenes In Hollywood." They range from producers to talent managers to programmers, and are integral parts of the process that has created the Hollywood that we know and love.

In Hollywood and other parts of the country, men are in the spotlight in the feature, "Not For Women Only: A Grooming Guide For Black Men." With more and more men paying closer attention to their appearance, many are taking steps to ensure that they are doing whatever they can to be as appealing as they can possibly be. Today's man, no longer concerned about the stigma once associated with meticulous grooming, does not hesitate to purchase moisturizers and shower gels, and many men regularly visit salons for the ultimate grooming experience.

Like the grooming habits of men, lifestyles differ--with some people enjoying homes fit for a star, specifically an NFL star. On page 84, take an inside look at Ty Law's spectacular Florida paradise, a six-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot home that includes a tiki hut and a rock grotto waterfall.

To round out this issue, the art of horseback riding and a love for horses are showcased by a collection of special women in the article, "Female Equestrians." But there's another group--despite their chronological age--who are not yet ready to ride off into the sunset. A new face has been put on the time of life that used to be considered "old age." In the story, "A New Look At 'Old Age,'" more "mature" people--at a time when past generations were slowing down--are living a more physical lifestyle, participating in activities that used to be reserved for the young. They have set an enduring example that all of us can follow. As we grow older, they have given us reason to believe, wholeheartedly, that life truly is mind over matter.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning