By Antracia Moorings

Celebrating Roots: Oprah will be hosting the cast of “Roots” in her Montecito, Calif. home for an intimate reunion. The epic and classic series, which includes Cicely Tyson, LeVar Burton, Leslie Uggams, John Amos, Louis Gossett, Jr., and Ben Vereen, first debuted 35 years ago, sweeping the nation and bringing African Americans back home. “Roots 35 Years Later” will include clips from the production as well as in-depth interviews. “‘Roots’ forever changed television,” according to an OWN press release. “For the first time, TV viewers, white and black, experienced a part of American history through the eyes of slaves. For many it marked an awakening…and for the participating actors and actresses, it was nothing short of a spiritual experience.” The reunion special will air on January 16, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Hosting the Commander in Chief: Spike Lee and wife Tonya will host a fundraising dinner for President Obama in New York on January 19, according to the New York Post’s Page Six. Lee, who has been supportive and critical of Obama’s presidency over the course of his term, will throw the fundraiser at his Upper East Side brownstone as an early evening dinner reception. A maximum of 60 guests paying $38,500 each, or $71,600 per couple, are expected to attend the intimate affair, the paper said. According to the Post, the couple said the event would be “no more than six tables and 60 people.” Earlier that day, Obama will be fundraising at four-star restaurant Daniel on the Upper East Side, the paper reported.

Rising Star: Master P’s daughter, Cymphonique, now 15, has been granted her own television show on kids’ network, Nickelodeon, “How To Rock.” Being the offspring of one of the most successful businessmen--at one time--in the hip hop industry, young Miss Miller follows in the footsteps of her older brother who also had his own Nick show, “Romeo!” from 2003 to 2006.

Sitting Pretty: LaLa Vazquez Anthony is getting entrepreneurial with a line of makeup for all skin tones. She made the announcement via Twitter recently, writing: “Guess what’s coming in 2012? –>*sneak peak…giggles*” and posted a photo of colorful lip glosses, lipsticks, eye shadows and blushes. An insider reveals that the line will also include a range of foundation for everyone. LaLa will be the fourth VH1 reality star to launch her own line of beauty products. Others before her include Jennifer Williams, Evelyn Lozada and Tami Roman.

Briefly: Aretha Franklin says she’s ready to tie the knot with longtime friend William “Willie” Wilkerson. Franklin told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that the pair was considering a summer wedding, perhaps in Miami Beach, Florida. The Queen of Soul wants to follow the ceremony with a reception on a private yacht. The 69-year-old singer has been married twice before ... According to TMZ, Emmanuel Lewis’ home was foreclosed on and was recently sold at an auction for only $56,000 in September. The actor lost his Fayette County, Georgia home when he failed to pay state, county and school taxes from 2007-2010 totaling $44,081.41. According to reports, his mother Margaret is also listed on the foreclosure docs, but it is unclear if she lived there or not.

Finally: Will and Jada Pinkett Smith sold their seven-acre Hawaii vacation home for $20 million. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Kauai was purchased for only $13.5 million in 2009. The mansion includes solar heating, a swimming pool and a hot tub. The couple has a nine-bedroom estate in Calabasas, Calif., which also includes basketball and tennis courts, three golf holes, a recording studio and a private lake.