On the scene

Ebony, Sept, 2004

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Caption: IN THE HAMPTONS (Bridgehampton, N.Y.), P. Diddy (left) is the center of attention at his sixth annual "White Party" that also served as a kickoff event for Citizen Change, his get-out-the-vote organization, which is encouraging increased minority and youth participation in the voting process. The entertainer/businessman, whose T-shirt emphasized his interest in the electoral process, arrived with an original copy of the Declaration of Independence. Celebrities in attendance at the party included (right) Aretha Franklin and Tyson Beckford, Tony Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad (below, left), and (below, l. to r.) P. Diddy is joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton, Mary J. Blige and her husband Kendu Isaacs.

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Caption: A CELEBRITY FASHION PARADE in Los Angeles includes the sartorial displays of (clockwise from left) Elise Neal, Janet Jackson, Raphael Saadiq, Lisa Raye and Tammy Townsend.

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Caption: AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BLACK MAYORS (NCBM) in Philadelphia (above), honorees and attendees included (2nd from l.) Wellington E. Webb, former Denver mayor, former president of NCBM and recipient of the "Tribute To A Black American Award." He is joined by his wife, Wilma J. Webb (far l.); Valarie Jackson, widow of Mayor Maynard Jackson; Harvey Johnson, mayor of Jackson, Miss., and president of the NCBM, and his wife, Kathy Johnson. IN PHILADELPHIA (below, left), American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault and his wife Kathryn attend the 100th anniversary celebration of Sigma Pi Phi fraternity. IN LOS ANGELES (below, right), legendary music mogul Berry Gordy shares a laugh with Antonio (LA.) Reid, chairman of island Def Jam Music Group.