By Antracia Moorings

Higher Learning: Singer Mary J. Blige recently announced on ‘Good Morning America’' that she will be heading off to Howard University and plans to get her bachelor's in 2014. The 39-year-old, who dropped out of school in the 11th grade, has had her fair share of drama, from being molested as a child to battling drugs and being physically abused by a former lover. All of these situations derailed any plans for furthering her education. The nine-time Grammy Award winner has refused to let life’s knocks lay her out flat, though, and has continued to be an inspiration to listeners. Blige has not released any information on what her area of concentration will be at Howard, but rest assured, when the diva puts her mind to something, she follows through all the way.

Tying the Knot: Comedian Martin Lawrence married his longtime girlfriend, Shamicka Gibbs, at his home in Beverly HillsHollywood on Saturday. The funnyman, 45, and Gibbs, 35, already have two daughters together, Amara, 9, and Iyana, 7, both of whom were flower girls during the ceremony. The private nuptials were for 120 guests and R&B singer Shanice serenaded the couple. Celebrity pals like Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington and Michael Strahan were apparently among the attendees.  The wedding was planned by Diann Valentine, who also oversaw the nuptials of rapper Nas to singer Kelis, and R&B star Usher, among others. Lawrence was previously married to former Miss Virginia Patricia Southall. The couple divorced in 1996 and have a daughter, Jasmine, 14, who also participated in the wedding ceremony. The star of the former sitcom ‘Martin’ recently wrapped production on ‘Big Momma’s House: Like Father, Like Son’ and is executive-producing the fourth season of ‘Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up’ for the Starz Network.

The Business of Beauty: Tyra Banks announced that she is launching a fashion and beauty website that will offer how-to videos and styling advice. Oh, and there's an app for it! The entrepreneur wants to get in on the mobile phone action as well. “I have always been passionate about harnessing my experience and knowledge in the beauty and fashion business and creating an engine that would provide my audience with inspirational and instructional content to help them look and feel their best,” Banks said of the new venture.
Banks will launch her vision with Demand Media, a private company that creates online content bundled for social media platforms- meaning the site will be extremely interactive and entertaining. No wonder she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. It must be nice to be so bankable.
Briefly: Popular TV and radio host Jacque Reid will be a special guest host on ‘The View’ on July 21. Reid was considered one of the front-runners for Star Jones’ vacant seat on the ABC talk show back in 2007. The coveted job was ultimately given to comedienne Sherri Sheppard. A former news anchor for both CNN and BET, Reid currently works as a co-host on the ‘D.L. Hughley Morning Show’ on New York City radio station WRKS (98.7 FM), known as Kiss-FM … Former doo-wop singer and Motown jack-of-all-trades Harvey Fuqua died over the weekend in a Detroit hospital of a coronary-related problem. Fuqua was not only a singer, songwriter and record producer but he is also heralded as one of the major players behind the development of the Motown label.

Finally: Zoe Saldana has been chosen as the face of the Calvin Klein new line of lingerie, Calvin Klein Envy. “We are excited to have Zoe Saldana as the face of Calvin Klein Underwear and Calvin Klein Envy, our new product launch,” said Bob Mazzoli, chief creative officer of Calvin Klein Underwear. “Zoe brings the campaign to life, and her universal appeal will enable us to continue to expand our dialogue with our consumers worldwide.”