Dana Elaine Owens better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American performer and actress. in film, music and on television, Queen Latifah is the recipient of two Screen Actors Guild Awards (two Image Awards), a Grammy Award, six more Grammy nominations, and nods to the Emmy Award. Queen Latifah, the daughter of an Newark New Jersey schoolteacher and a Newark New Jersey police officer Lancelot Owens Senior, was raised and born in Newark New Jersey. Her parents divorced when Latifah was ten. Latifah was brought up in the Baptist church, and attended Catholic school in Newark New Jersey. Latifah means gentle and very generous. The name was given by her cousin to her when she was eight years old. Always tall, the 5'10 tall Latifah was a forward for her high school basketball team. In her high school's play she performed "Home" from The Wiz. Latifah was a beatboxer in The Ladies Fresh rap band. Latifah used to be a part of Flavor Unit - a group of rappers who...