EVENT PHOTOS : KERRY WASHINGTON/ SAMUEL JACKSON/ OPRAH/ JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE/DIDDY/DENZEL/KIM KARDASHIAN/AKON/ NELLY & ASHANTI

Samuel Jackson was honored and received an special award at the 23rd Annual American Cinematheque show held in Beverly Hills on December 1st.

Kerry Washington, Denzel Washington, Justin Timberlake, Vin Diesel, George Lopez and  Andy Garcia attended the show in Samuel Jackson's honor. Click here for more celebrity event photos.

OPRAH WINREY PARTY TO CELEBRATE SUSAN TAYLOR'S 37 YEARS AT ESSENCE MAGAZINE

Oprah Winfrey threw a private power party to celebrate Susan Taylor's 37 years at Essence Magazine. Diddy,  Reverend Al Sharpton and Common were some of the guest at the cozy soiree.

Binside TV spoke to Susan Taylor about her tenure at Essense Magazine when she was honored for a special award at Black Girls Rock! stay tuned to Binside TV for the episode.

EMPOWERMENT FOR AFRICA DINNER

Celebrity sextape vixen Kim Kardashian attended the "Empowerment for Africa" dinner in recognition of World AIDS Day, hosted by Hearst Magazines, the Diamond Empowerment Fund, and A Diamond Is Forever at Hearst Tower on December 1, 2008 in New York City. There are rumors that Kim K may be trying to be Angelina by accepting an offer to become UN ambassador to South Africa.

The UN must be hurting for help these days. Word on the street is that the UN asked Kim Kardashian (and her groovy new bangs) if she would be interested in ambassador-ing for South Africa.

Kim is so fly and cool that she was asked at the Empowerment of Africa dinner if she would be interested in becoming an ambassador because the “UN is looking for more influential ‘pop culture’ celebs to inspire younger generations to become more involved in international affairs.”

Kim will be teaming up with Russell Simmon’s Diamond Empowerment Fund, a non-profit international organization with the mission to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

It all sounds very nice and worthwhile…but Kim better not try to steal Angelina Jolie’s UN sunshine. Angie has a huge knife collection and she ain’t afraid to use it. source

Russell Simmons and Oprah Winfrey's BFF Gayle King were at the dinner along with singer Cassie.

3rd ANNUAL BLACK AND WHITE BALL

Nelly and his girlfriend Ashanti attended the 3rd Annual Black and White Ball. Nelly looks handsome in a suit.

SRC, Universal Motown and MySpace Present Akon Live on Stage

Akon released his album "Freedom" with a special release party at the China club with Shontelle.