When Sandra Bullock stepped on stage to thank the Academy for naming her best actress this year, she also gave a special shout out to “the moms that take care of the babies and the children, no matter where they come from.”

Now we know why. In January, Sandra Bullock and soon-to-be ex-husband, Jesse James, secretly adopted a baby. And yes - that baby’s a brother.

Three-and-a-half month old Louis Bardo Bullock was born in New Orleans. His adoptive parents chose to name him after jazz legend, Louis Armstrong. Although Bullock is going forward with divorcing James, she recently told People that she is enjoying every moment of her single mother status. "You wake up, you feed, you burp, you play, you do laundry," she said. "I'm still in that stage where I'm just amazed with him and at life."

As if surviving marital affairs and divorce proceedings isn’t enough already, Sandra Bullock now has the challenge of new motherhood in front of her. But the diapers will be the easy part. Being the real-life white mom of an adopted black child is much different than playing one on the large screen. When it comes to inter-racial adoption, many people feel that love isn’t enough.

Judging from that tearful acceptance speech, though, I have a feeling that little Louis Bullock will be just fine. His mommy has the next eighteen years – if not his whole life – to worry about race matters as they pertain to him anyway. For now, she should just enjoy these first months doing what any other new mom of a beautiful, brown baby boy would do: love on him. And just feel thankful she won’t have to do hair.

According to artist Sofia Maldonado, the stylized female figures on her 92’ x 12’ mural at Times Square (on view now until April 30, 2010) were meant to represent working women who are seldom seen in mainstream media. They are working class Latinas, the kind of women that Rosie Perez brought to the large screen in Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" more than twenty years ago. Beige and brown-skinned with hair colors that aren't usually found in nature, the women of Maldonado's imagination wear tight clothing, airbrushed fingernails nails and elaborate coiffures fit for a hair show. They skateboard and shake their hips to a distant dancehall beat. And although they're supposed to be enjoying themselves, the mural’s title, “Women Working to Get Ahead," explains why its subjects don’t exactly look happy.

Several African Americans, both male and female, took offense to the large-scale painting that was commissioned by the Times Square Alliance for Women’s History Month. In a recent video that features the painting, viewers stand before it, snapping photos and shouting in frustration. Speaking for the silent, somber figures behind them, the protesters voiced their fears that the mural might tarnish the reputation of dignified black women far and wide.

In response to the criticism, Sofia Maldonado, who was born in Puerto Rico and trained at Pratt Institute recently  issued a statement in defense of her work:

“[My mural] illustrates strong New York City women as a tribute to the Caribbean experience in America. Inspired by my heritage, it illustrates a female aesthetic that is not usually represented in media or fashion advertising in Times Square. It recognizes the beauty of underground cultures such as reggaeton, hip-hop and dancehall and incorporates trends such as nail art and Latina fashion.”

But to some, the statement wasn’t enough to heal psychological wounds that stem from the fact that for far too long, media images of women of color have failed to show the full scope of their humanity. For many, these wounds are healing, but they still hurt.  

It’s safe to say that the protesters wouldn't have had much say about larger than life sized painting of a wise Latina, like Sonia Sotomayor. But what about a streetwise Latina artist who uses vivid color to make people stop and take a good look at her people, for better or for worse? By giving viewers pause, Sofia Maldonado making them ask themselves questions they'd rather not answer. Is a Boricua popping gum any less worthy of visiblilty than a sister wearing pearls?

I know it sounds like an outlandish question, but apparently Serena Williams is one of Palm Beach, Fla.’s budding nail technicians. This, ladies and gents, is not a game for Ms. Williams.

“Don’t be surprised if you hear about a part-time job I’ve picked up at a local nail salon,” she wrote on the celebrity blog site, Global Grind.

The younger Williams sister says she will be producing a nail care collection with HairTech, a company pushing “the world’s best hair extensions” by way of celebutante Paris Hilton. Wonder how much Paris knows about the inner workings of the hair industry? Well, Serena is determined to know all about taking care of your fingers and toes—which is admirable. So many celebrities attach their names to products—Kim Kardashian with Carl’s Jr. (accused of being paid up to $10,000 per Tweet), Rachael Ray with Dunkin’ Donuts (later rumored to only drink Starbucks coffee)—and for many of them it’s all about the money.

But Serena and her sister, Venus, have proven to be shrewd businesswomen. They were known for the bright and fashionable tennis outfits, and in 2004, Serena launched her fashion line, Aneres. In August 2009, the Williams sisters became part owners of the Miami Dolphins, making them the first African-American females to own part of an NFL franchise.

So I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s taken a serious interest in nail care, upon inking a deal with HairTech. If anything, Serena’s latest endeavor has me thinking about my own trips to the nail salon. The industry is dominated, just like the “black hair” industry, with Asian-owned and -operated salons. I’ve never been to a black-owned nail salon. And I know there are several black-owned, full-service day spas out there. But for me, the quickie nail salon on the corner seemed to be much more convenient, much cheaper, albeit sometimes less sanitary, than the more high-end, high-priced day spas that many black entrepreneurs own.

In today’s celebrity-driven, product-placement riddled, I-can-say-what-I-want-cause-someone-else-will-say-something-even-more-ignorant-tomorrow culture, it’s nice to see Serena doing something worthwhile. And if, like many in my generation, I’m supposed to admire a celebrity for their efforts—on and off the court, field, TV screen or stage—then maybe I will let Serena do my nails, too.

—ERIN EVANS, FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER.

You've heard the term "living legend"--it simply means someone fabulous that we are fortunate enough to still have in our midst, but who we all fully expect to be a "legend" long after they (and we) are gone from this life.  My sisterfriend, mentor, and 2nd mom Mikki Taylor is one of those people. Mikki turns "30" today (not her chronological age, of course, but her career age at Essence) and we should honor and celebrate her for the great value she has meant to black women and the black community at large.

I first met Mikki some years ago, but her presence in my life has been nothing short of a gift of teaching, wisdom, and true sisterhood.  This should come as no surprise to the generations of black women who have read Essence for the past almost 40 years.  What I love most about my friend Mikki is that she is truly "authentic" something young black women need to grasp firmly in their lives, now more than ever.  As she likes to tell me "Sophia you have to show up ready everyday for life".  Mikki is a lot like a shot of Tequila--"straight no chaser" and I love her for that old fashioned sense of grace, charm and candor that she brings to my life everyday.  Amazingly, she is also devoted wife (of over 30 years), mother of three and grandmother of one.  She is truly a "do it all" kind of sister and she exemplifies the fact that we can have it all sisters, if we are grounded in faith, and self love and respect.

Of all the many things we long-time Essence readers have to be grateful for, Mikki Taylor may be the greatest of all (of course we all loved the soulful spirit and musings of Susan L. Taylor, Longtime former Essence Editor in Chief) beause she has had a quiet yet steady impact on the lives of black women in a way that is truly transformational.  Over the past 30 years, Mikki helped to create and shape a new image of black women in the beauty sector and she has coached companies, industry leaders and the like on how black women think, shop, and experience life differently, perhaps, than do other women.  Her impact in this area, I believe, will be felt for generations to come.

As I think of the passing of legends like Naomi Sims, and other black female trailblazers, and the impact they have had on how the rest of us as black women view our self worth and value, Mikki leaps forward to the front as one of those somewhat "unsung sister heroes" who work behind the scenes to make a monumental difference in the lives of others.  So today, we thank you and celebrate you Mikki--we wish you God's blessings and providence over your life and your great vision for the health, beauty, relational and spiritual wellness of today's black woman.

Sophia Nelson is a Regular Contributor to the Root.com & TEWW