Avis Harrell
Entertainer
Producer
A truly unique vocalist, Avis has paid her dues in the music industry and is willing to pay more...it is completely unacceptable for the world not to know what a magnificent comet is passing through this Universe!
AVIS has done back up work, tours, and recordings with Ray Charles and Wayne Newton. She has been seen on KCET television in concert with Ray Charles and The Raelettes that was filmed a few years ago in Canada with "The Edmondson Symphony Orchestra" during her stint with him.
While keeping busy and being the opportunist she is, AVIS then joined Wayne Newton's organization when offered the job from Mr. Newton, where she was his lead singer for two and a half years. The high point of her stint with Wayne Newton was a soul stirring beautifully stylized rendition of "Endless Love" on Jerry Lewis' Telethon filmed at Caesars' Palace. Having performed in the background long enough, AVIS emerged to the forefront with the polish of any seasoned performer. With high-energy choreography and showmanship that pleases audiences of all ages, AVIS has a voice that's like a finely tuned instrument and delivers song after song in her own powerful way.
AVIS can now add another feather to her cap. Along with being the complete entertainer, she has written, played, programmed and produced her entire album/CD project, "SELF CONTAINED". She made it a point to cover as many genres of music as possible, while doing them all extremely well. The buzz has already started about this great CD and artist. For AVIS, "SELF CONTAINED" is a personal statement that there is no limit to the multiple talents God has blessed her with. This is a CD that you will want to play again and again.
www.myspace.com/avisharrell
Tracey
Moore-Marable
Acting Coach
Featuring
Kisha Rollins
The Spirited Actor, Midwest Director
Tracey Moore arrived in New York City to pursue a directing career, but she was suddenly sidetracked by the many opportunities that she discovered. He first venture was CEO of "The Jokes On You!" Inc., an ensemble of actors who performed practical jokes for hire. Through the success of her company, she developed lasting relationships with various actors who were anxious to be a part of this wacky production.
After five years of performing jokes, a director noticed the bulging files that Tracey had and asked her for a casting favor. "Find a void, fill it," says Moore-Marable and so Tracey Moore Casting was born. Tracey has gone on to cast for feature films such as Just Another Girl on the I.R.T., New Jersey Drive and A Brother's Kiss. As Extras Casting Director, Tracey cast for the popular Fox show New York Undercover. Her commercial credits include; Nike, Sprite, Coca-Cola, New York Times, Miller Lite, Pontiac and Taco Bell to name a few.
In her "spare" time, Tracey enjoys speaking to students at various colleges. She has lectured at Howard University, Long Island University, CW Post, Georgia State University and Loyola Maramount University. She also teaches an audition technique class called The Spirited Actor and she conducts private coaching sessions with musical artists such as Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Eve, Nelly, Chico DeBarge, Renee (Zhane), Faith Evans, Q-Tip, Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish).
Tracey realized that she was not sidetracked in her career, but she was merely experiencing the full scope of her journey. Bring a Casting Director has allowed Tracey to explore the talents that exist in this business and the opportunity to work with various actors. So Tracey decided to finally pursue her dream of directing. With a small budget, a dedicated crew and lots of love, Tracey made her directorial debut with an up and coming artist named Blac Dyemond and a cameo with Samuel L. Jackson. Tracey plans to write and direct a short film in the fall of 2001.
Tracey has written a monthly column for Black Talent News entitled Casting Corner since September 1995. She has also written articles for Essence and the BET Magazine.
Between coaching Busta Rhymes on Shaft, Tracey co-wrote a short film with Busta for HBO's Sounds of New York, produced by Madonna.
Tracey coached Busta in a Gus Van Sant film, Finding Forrester and the upcoming film with Ray Liotta and Jason Patric entitled N.A.R.C.
Most recently Tracey coached multi-platinum recording artist, Nelly on the featured film Snipes directed by Rich Murray. What does the future hold for Tracey? "I don't know what will come next because I know that life is right now, so I'm going to live in every moment of it!" laughs Moore-Marable.
www.www.thespiritedactor.com
www.myspace.com/thespiritedactor
Eddie Benitez
Legendary Jazz Guitarist
Legendary guitarist Eddie Benitez debuted with his first concert at Madison Square Garden in front of 20,000 fans. He was just 14 years old. The music sensation of Eddie Benitez started that same year when he signed with Fania/CBS records and released his first album 'Nightlife', which went gold. Six months later saw another hit with 1977's 'Essence of Life', also going gold. In 1983, Eddie signed with the innovative label, Island Records, which produced another hit, "Spirtis". He has performed with legendary stars such as "Father of Smooth Jazz"-George Benson, Barry White, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria and many others, throughout his career.
'Fans claiming to see angels on stage' . . . , When Eddie Benitez brought his legendary guitar playing to a private show in Phoenix, Arizona in 2003, angels were the topic of discussion by many people in attendance who claimed to see angelic beings on stage while Eddie performed. This event caught the notice of the media and several movie production companies. Eddie has been asked to do a reality show for the A&E Channel in 2008. One of Eddie's spiritual experiences was a haunting that was documented and recreated for the Discovery Channel series A Haunting-"Casa de los Muertos," by New Dominion Pictures. It recounts the story of Eddie's battle with an unknown force that possessed his oldest son.
"Lover's Never Say Good-bye", Eddie's latest CD featuring the hit, "They Cry". This CD is for those who loved and lost, and those who found that ultimate love that we all desire and dream about.
www.myspace.com/eddiebenitez
Terrence Warren
Entrepreneur
Terrence Warren has
plunged into the world of writing, telling how he attained his wealth and
started his businesses. With the release of a how-to business book, Terrence
would have the credentials to do even motivational speaking. So, Terrence
wrote the seminal autobiography From The Gutter To Glory: A Broke Man's
Guide To Starting A Business a detailed guide on starting and managing businesses, the different types of businesses, as well as business structures and their individual pros and cons.
From The Gutter To Glory: A Broke Man's Guide To Starting A Business is a diverse work about real life in the real business world. Terrence explains his underlining message, "I was that average guy living paycheck to paycheck and was tired of someone else managing my time. Working hard for a little amount of money got so annoying that I decided to change my situation. I had no degree, bad credit, and hardly any money, but with sheer determination and perseverance, I attained my goals despite what anyone said. I never let my color, upbringing, where I came from, or social status be a reason for failure."
This book was written to convey Terrence Warren's voice to the world. Indeed the world will be hearing more about this great new exciting author Terrence Warren.
www.terrencewarren.com
www.myspace.com/terrencewarren
Aziza
Pianist/Jazz Poetess/Composer
Composer, pianist, poetess, singer and music educator, formerly known as Linda Williams, Aziza was born and raised in New York City. She started playing piano at 8 years of age and began composing music while attending The High School Of Music and Art and The Manhattan School Of Music. She has a Master's degree in music education and a Bachelor's degree in music theory.
She taught music in the New York City Public Schools system for approximately 16 years. She also taught at the The Professional Performing Arts School where Alicia Keys was one of her music student for 3 years. In 1997, Aziza received The Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher Award from President Bill Clinton.
Aziza's most popular and internationally acclaimed song to date is "La Costa". Natalie Cole recorded it during the time when Aziza ( Linda Williams) was her music director and pianist and since then, it has been re-recorded by such artists as Ahmad Jamal, Jorge Dalto, Bill Perkins, Phil Upchurch and the list goes on. Aziza recorded 2 of her own arrangements of La Costa on her Jazzsoetry CD. She has also collaborated, written lyrics and recorded with Jazz piano greats Ahmad Jamal and Ray Bryant.
Aziza and her band perform in and outside of the U.S. and she is the designated keyboard sub for Shelton Becton in Oprah Winfrey's Broadway hit musical The Color Purple.
www.azizajazz.com
www.myspace.com/jazzsoetry
Morris Pleasure
Multi-Instrumentalist/Songwriter/Producer
Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, known affectionately as "Mo Pleasure", began playing acoustic piano at the age of four and by his early teens, Mo mastered several instruments including bass, trumpet, guitar, drums and violin. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from University of Connecticut, Mo began his professional music career, playing bass with Ray Charles. He then began working as a session musician and backing various performers crossing Jazz and R&B, such as, George Duke, Natalie Cole, Dianne Reeves, Jonathan Butler, Rachelle Ferrell, Michael McDonald, Oleta Adams, Roberta Flack, Marcus Miller and Frankie Beverly and Maze, to name a few.
From 1989 through 1992, Mo was both keyboardist and musical director with saxophonist Najee, pianist Alex Bugnon, and vocalists Philip Bailey, Patti Austin and Jon Lucien. In 1993, he became a member of the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire, and the band's musical director in 1994. Mo was featured playing keyboards, trumpet and guitar with Janet Jackson's 2001 "All For You" tour and also playing keyboards and trumpet with Boney James' 2004 "Pure" tour.
Mo's first offering as a solo artist is, Elements of Pleasure, which demonstrates his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist. The lyrical movement of the piano, the soulful sounds of the trumpet and flugelhorn and the funky rhythm of the bass are the elements that touch the heart, mind and soul. The music is a combined collaboration of instrumental funk and soulful vocals, reminiscent of his many musical influences. The CD features Philip Bailey on "Lover's Groove" and Michael McDonald, Oleta Adams and Peabo Bryson on "We Are One".
Mo is currently touring as the musical director for Roberta Flack.
www.morrispleasure.com
Camillia Harris-Butler
Author
My nine-and-a-half month pregnancy was complicated by a rare morning-sickness disease called Hyperemesis Gravidarum, which affects the mind and body. In addition to abnormally severe morning sickness, the disease caused me to suffer from crippling depression. I hope to provide hope for women who are suffering similarly.
Hopefully my book could be answers for someone’s daughter, sister, wife, cousin, niece or friend that may be having the same symptoms and not knowing what is going on with their body, “I want readers to read and feel my agony and to help any woman that may be experiencing this rare disease and stick by their side and support them through this sickness.”
I also hope to dispel myths about pregnancy, including the length of pregnancy and its simplicity. “The first misconception is that pregnancy is nine months. That is not true, you are given a 10-month due date and you can go into safe labor between nine and 10 months. The second misconception is that pregnancy is easy and simple. In my book you will learn that every woman doesn’t become pregnant, give birth and have the same healthy, happy life (they had) before the child.
The Good, The Bad, The Blessing provides a realistic depiction of pregnancy.
www.thegoodthebadtheblessing.com
Keyan Williams
Musician
Entrepreneur
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Keyan Williams now makes his home in Phoenix, Arizona. Keyan started playing the sax at age 8 and by
the age of 16 he was playing Jazz Sax and Classical Flute. Keyan has never been shy to play for crowds. Many fans of his music have said that his style
reminds them of Grover Washington Jr., and he is very humbled by their compliments. Grover Washington Jr., musically influenced Keyan, along
with many other jazz artists like: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery and Stanley Clarke.
Keyan recently released his new CD, “The Art of Living”. The CD is a groove filled production that is reminiscent of the kind of music Grover made.
Keyan says, “Grover Washington Jr. is one of my favorite musicians. He would give you a great show with three hours of non-stop playing. I wanted
to keep that kind of drive alive. It’s music with really strong grooves, to get back to what I call the original smooth jazz sound. I think I’ve done that
with this album”.
When it comes to live performances, Keyan plays from the heart and you’ll never hear him play a solo the same way twice. He has been gracing the
stage since his very early years, playing at various venues like Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. Keyan has had the honor of sharing the stage
with Herbie Hancock, Chic Corea, and Junior Cook. These experiences helped make him the performer he is today.
Keyan’s charity of choice is the Arizona chapter of the American Diabetes Association. This charity is close to Keyan’s heart given that he has lost his
Grandfather and more recently, a wonderful Aunt to this terrible disease.
www.keyanwilliams.com
www.bridgekeycatering.com
Art Whitaker
Entrepreneur
Motivational Speaker
Whitaker's RUMFRU Delight® Gourmet Cake
For more than 25 years, Art Whitaker's friends have enjoyed a wonderful secret:
Rich, moist cakes packed with fruit and mouth- watering spices. Each holiday season, the cakes have arrived at the doors of Art's loved ones. And now, these same wondrous cakes can arrive at your door year round!
Whitaker's Gourmet, Inc. is a family owned business that started selling Whitaker's RUMFRU Delight® Gourmet cakes, their alternative to the traditional fruitcake, in 1987. They are a mail-order business in Adelphi, Maryland.
Whitaker's Gourmet, Inc. was featured in the October 19, 1987 business section of the Washington Post in "Entrepreneur's Fruitcakes Selling Like Hot Cakes", in the October 1990 Black Enterprise magazine article, "Moonlighting for Fun and Profit", and in the December 1995 Kipplinger's Personal Finance magazine article, "Spending: Shopping Smart, A Moveable Feast".
Their motto is RUMFRU Delight® is,
"A taste to delight your senses and lift your spirit"
www.whitakersgourmet.com
Terence Blalnchard
Grammy Award Winner
Humanitarian
Grammy Award winner, Terence Blanchard is one of the most important musician/composer/band leaders of his generation. His emotionally moving and technically refined playing is considered by many jazz aficionados to recall earlier jazz trumpet styles. We will be discussing his latest project, A Tale of God's Will(a requiem for katrina).
Since 2003, Blanchard has released two critically acclaimed albums, Bounce and Flow, the latter of which was nominated for two Grammys in 2006. An important jumpstart for A Tale of God's Will was director Spike Lee's decision to document the aftermath of Katrina on film,in what turned out to be the four-hour HBO documentary,
When The Levees Broke, which aired last year. Lee, who has enlisted Blanchard on numerous occasions to score his films, such as Mo' Better Blues, MalcolmX, The 25th Hour and Inside Man, tapped him once again for his documentary.
Born March 13, 1962, in New Orleans, the young Blanchard was encouraged by his father, Joseph Oliver, to learn to play the piano. In the third grade he discovered jazz trumpet when a big band, featuring Alvin Alcorn on trumpet, played at a school assembly. In his teens Blanchard attended the New Orleans Center of Creative Arts, where he studied and played with saxophonist Donald Harrison. While performing with Lionel Hampton's bib band, he studied for two years at Rutgers University.
Harrison and Blanchard replaced Wynton and Branford Marsalis in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1982) and the next years, as leaders, recorded New York Second Line. The recording won the French Grand prix du disque. The compositions and solo talents of Blanchard and Harrison on the disc New York Scene (1984) helped bring a Grammy to the Jazz Messengers. In 1984 the team formed their own quintet and made several recordings, including Discernment (1985) and Black Pearl (1988). Since 1991 Mr. Blanchard has made several recordings as bandleader, including The Heart Speaks (1996, Columbia/Sony).
In recognition of his exemplary work as a trumpeter, bandleader, and composer, Terence Blanchard received three top awards from Down Beat Magazine for the year 2000: "Jazz Artist of the Year," "Jazz Album of the Year" for Wandering Moon, and "Jazz Trumpeter of the Year."
www.terenceblanchard.com
Elder Wheeler Parker
Minister
Cousin of Emmett Till
A highly respected minister and community activist in Summit, IL, Elder
Wheeler Parker is a living witness to one of the most sensational cases
in the American Civil Rights movement.
In 1955 Parker, with his cousin, fourteen year old Emmett Till, traveled
from Chicago to Mississippi for a summer vacation to visit their
grandfather, Moses Wright. While in Mississippi, Emmett Till was
murdered after speaking to a white woman in a store, an event that
changed Wheeler Parker's life forever.
For Till, the trouble started at Bryant's meat market and grocery store
in Money, Miss. Back then, most of the customers at this store were
black workers from nearby cotton plantations. A white couple, Roy Bryant
and his 21-year-old wife, Carolyn, owned the store. She was behind the
counter the afternoon that Till , Parker and his cousins came in to buy
some candy. As he was leaving the store, Till whistled at Carolyn, and
she went to get a gun.
Till and his cousins raced home that day and hoped nothing would come of
what Emmett had done. However, on the fourth day, early Sunday morning,
Roy Bryant, Carolyn's husband, and J.W. Milam, Roy's half- brother,
knocked on the door of Wright's home. They found Till in one of the
bedrooms. As they were leaving, they threatened Wright that if he told
anyone they would kill him. Three days later, Till's body was discovered
in the Tallahatchie River. It was weighted down by a seventy-five pound
cotton gin fan that was tied around Till's neck with barbed wire. His
face was so mutilated that when Wright identified the body, he could
only do so based on the ring that Till had been wearing. Soon Till's
murder became an international story.
Monica Young Freeman
Author
Domestic Abuse Activist
Share her experiences of once being a victim of Domestic Violence , stalked and shot five times by her ex-husband, who then shot himself and died. Monica is a survivor through the Grace of God. She hopes her experience of being on both sides, a victim and now an advocate, that professional fields; such as medical, legal, and churches will become more sensitive and will take part in whatever needs to be done so victims/abusers will not feel alone, and the institutions will be better able to aid.
From the beginning of her life, Monica Young- Freeman was challenged. She was born into a family that was no stranger to struggling to survive. Early on Monica learned that it was necessary to take care of herself. However, in the midst of living a life in the world, she was never able to deny the presence or power of God in her life. Her vision of one day discovering God?s will for her life kept her from being consumed by the false lure of worldly things.
In sharing her story, Monica hopes that other survivors and victims will listen and know that she too shares that same experience, and understands the fears and misunderstandings that go along with domestic violence. Monica hopes others will be more pro-active in this cause.
www.monicayoungfreeman.com
Sakai
Vocalist
You've heard her before, you just didn't know.
Though her name might not sound familiar, Sakai's voice has probably already touched you. From being the first voice you hear on Celine Dion's "A New Day", to vocals on records with Oleta Adams, Curtis Mayfield and Tower of Power to live performances with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Chaka Khan, Sakai is called on by the best.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sakai has traveled the world sharing her gift of song and beauty. Her sophomore album expresses life, love and pain from a soul who has been touched by others and is now giving back through her music.
Known for her powerful voice and soaring ballads,her latest CD, "Dream Big" does not disappoint with the inspirational "Leap of Faith" and the ever optimistic title track "Dream Big." This album also dances with urban uptempo jams and infectious mid tempo grooves, including "I Like" which is graced by the touch of D'wayne Wiggins of Tony!, Toni!,Tone´! on guitar.
Sakai is not just a studio artist. From opening for Goapele to opening for Frankie Beverly and Maze, to singing the National Anthem for the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants, and the Oakland A's, to headlining SOLD-OUT shows at the prestigious Yoshi's, and with a LIVE album in the works, it is no wonder why Sakai was nominated for "BEST Neo- Soul LIVE performance!"
"Dream Big" - Best Neo Soul Recorded Performance
- Los Angeles Black Music Awards
Dream Big is a MUST for any Soul/R&B collection, "...Worthy of pressing the repeat button more than once."
-Billboard Magazine
"She's a gifted songwriter with the voice of an angel. One of the industry's hidden treasures."
-Michael Walden (Grammy Winning Producer)
You may not have heard of Sakai before, but that is about to change.
www.sakaiworld.com
www.myspace.com/sakaiworld
KingCyz
Gospel Rapper
And, after being told by doctors and specialists in fertility that they could not have any children, Cyrus' parents knew that the medical profession had its limitations and that only GOD could and would perform the miracle that they so earnestly prayed for. They strongly believed that when the season and timing were in- accordance with His Divine and Perfect Will....it would be so. From the womb KingCYZ was labeled as the "Miracle Baby" since even the doctors were stunned at how such a conception could have ever occurred.
Born in Media, Pennsylvania, February 27,1979...Gospel Rap Artist... Cyrus "KingCYZ"
Alexander...has lived in Delaware ever since his birth (which was a
"miracle" all by itself).
During the past few years KingCYZ has ministered at events that featured such artists as "112" of Bad Boy Entertainment ...Maurette Brown Clarke of Verity Records...Jacquie "Lady J" Gines of Rising Son Media...Musician, Artist and Radio Host Jeff Majors...Vocal Group "Trin- i-tee 5:7", Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child) and Comedian Jonathan Slocum. He has opened-up for Platinum Recording Artist and Multi-Stellar Award Winner, "Tonex" (toe-nay) as well as as Tye Tribbett & G.A. (Greater Anointing). KingCyz is featured on the song "Happy" with Ann Nesby (former lead singer with the Sounds of Blackness) on her latest album "Make Me Better".
One of his accomplishments is a featured spot on the song "Champions" on the album "I'm Still Here" by veteran vocalist Melba Moore.
"Wake-Up!", the smash follow-up to his debut CD, "Life or Death", promises not to disappoint. Packed with bangin' beats, Word-based rhymes, and classic collaborations, this album raises the ministry bar to a whole new level. For those feigning for Holy Hip Hop at its finest, this 15-track gem couldn't have come at a better time. WAKE UP!
www.kingcyz.com
Brian O'Neal
Musician
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Brian O'Neal first discovered his love for music at the tender age of six, when he began taking drum lessons. Although Brian(known to his friends as "Bean") learned to play many instruments including saxophone, bass, and trombone, he aspired to be a professional drummer until his sophomore year in high school, when his grandmother "Daisy" purchased his first piano at age sixteen. Brian's excitement for piano developed from experimenting with melodies and chords. His skills matured, developing him into a self-taught Pianist. He received a full piano/music scholarship to Alcorn State University in 1984.
During the mid-eighties, Brian began experimenting with jingles. His love for movies and children inspired him to write film scores and music for youthful audiences. While writing jingles for companies such as McDonalds Corporation, Brian was also in demand to tour with several bands. He's been a member of two Rock bands, four Top-40 bands, and currently a Contemporary Jazz band music director. Brian has also shared the stage with artists such as Will Downing, Morris Day and the Time, India.Arie, Fantasia, Angela Bofill, Monica, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Magic Johnson, Rachelle Ferrell, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Alex Bugnon, George Duke, Pieces of a Dream, Ruben Studdard, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder, Najee, and Jeff Lorber.
In 1994 Brian ventured from Michigan to Atlanta, GA to start his own production company called BCO Media, Inc. Brian has produced music for Kathy Avalon, UNV, Kem, Mark Marcell, Eddie Oliver, Tiye Mahammad and a host of other up and coming talents alike. He was a member of the local Atlanta Jazz group called "Take Notes" and has written most of their original pieces.ieces.
www.brianoneal.com
www.myspace.com/brianoneal
Deena Marie Carr
TV Personality
Host of the popular "Finance: According
to Your Faith" on The Word Network, Deena Marie Carr earned a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Economics from
Northwestern University, and an MBA in
Finance from the University of Chicago. In
addition, Ms. Carr has spent most of the
past twenty years working in financial
services in the areas of: institutional money
management, mergers and acquisitions,
personal insurance and investments, and
employee benefits and business planning.
Currently, as a partner in a major
management consulting firm, Ms. Carr
services clients in financial services and
insurance.
Deena Marie Carr is the youngest of three
children. She grew up in a Christian home,
and from an early age was taught and
prepared spiritually. Ms. Carr has launched
out into the deep to educate people,
especially Christians, about finances. Her
training, both spiritual and natural, uniquely
qualifies her to lead viewers on this journey
to build wealth using the principles that
God set forth in His Word.
Her media ministry includes:
Television
Monday - 6:30am CST on WPWR-TV "My
50" - Chicago
Wednesday - 6pm EST/ 5pm CST
The Word Network check your local cable or satellite channel listing
or
view via
www.thewordnetwork.org
Thursday - 7:30pm CST & Saturday - 9pm CST on WJYS-TV Channel 62 - Chicago
Radio
Tuesdays 6:30pm EST/5:30pm CST
Rejoice 102.3 FM
www.wyca1023.com
www.financeaccordingtoyourfaith.com
Chris Curtis
Radio Personality/Entrepreneur
Web Business Motivational Speaker and Successuccess. Coach Chris takes a
proactive stance to encouraging business owners and entrepreneurs to use the web as a means of supplementing their incomes. She can usually be found on the radio or in online social network giving a teleseminar or facilitating a workshop on topics that help others tap into virtual revenue streams.
Radio Show Host.
In addition to her career in radio at VoiceAmerica, Chris is also the co-host of Tech Talk Philly on 900AM WURD in Philadelphia. She and her co-host, Chuck Stewart, provide easy to understand news and information about the technology world to their audiences. "Philadelphia's Favorite Tech Talkers", Chris and Chuck, offer information and advice about personal computing, computer networking, end-user training, e- commerce, virtual business ownership, and web site development. The shows focus is to educate and support individuals and businesses who need assistance with computers, technology peripherals and internet tools.
Internet Business Professional .Chris is a triple-threat web developer (web design, web programming, internet marketing) and an internet business consultant with 12+ years of building web sites that "do something". Sites built and managed by Chris usually enjoy high search engine rankings, plenty of web traffic and great positioning for financial gain. Chris offers web site design, interactive programming, project management and internet marketing expertise to business owners and small business entrepreneurs all over the world.
www.webbusinessownership.com
or
www.webwiseshow.com
Ronnie "Sport Coat" Overton
First and foremost, I'd like to take time to thank Our Heavenly Father for watching over me and giving me the strength to make it this far!! I was born in 1953 to Christine and Norman Overton in Pontiac, Michigan. I am the second oldest of eight surviving children. My musical career started at a very young age, like a lot of musicians, in grade school. I started out playing the violin until I took it home and broke a string! Scared to death of what my teacher was going to do to me, I almost cut my finger off trying to fix it! (shaking like Don Knotts!). After that I switched to the cello but that didn't last long, because around that time is when I really got serious about music! Strangely enough, my first real interest in music came from the Beatles!
Look here, let me tell you something, I couldn't wait for my parents to leave so I could crank up the radio, grab a broom (had to have a guitar) and something to tie on my head (had to have the hair)! At that time, I hooked up with some childhood friends and together we formed the Soulful Determinations. But I had to change that too, because everybody was drowning me out! So I kept up with the Joneses and switched to bass guitar.
I traveled from 1972 until 1978 with Ronnie McNeir (presently with the Four Tops) and Kim Weston. After a two year lay off, I went out on the road with the 50s doo- wop group, The Dell-Vikings. I traveled with them from 1980 to 1988, at which time in between tours I started selling drugs to make ends meet. Well, as you might have guessed, I got busted and had to go on an extended vacation for the state. Ten flat years!! I used that time to clear my head and tighten up my keyboard skills.
During the process of creating this project, I had the pleasure to work with and complete some other projects with some very talented musicians! Ronnie McNeir, David Finley (presently with the Miracles), Charles Anthony, Derek 'DJ' Johnson, Marcus Cummings, Darryl Wakefield, and Danny Carthan.
"When The Smoke Clears" is my first solo project and all the tunes written were based on my life experiences. If you're one of those many people who enjoy jumping in the car and just riding, this CD was designed with you in mind! It took me about five years to complete, but that's okay, because I wanted to make sure this CD wasn't one of those that you have paid $15.00 for, and only like one tune! This CD was created to make you pat your feet and just feel good! A few women friends have said that it contains baby- making music!
.....I'll leave that one alone! Enjoy!
Ronnie 'Sportcoat' Overton .
www.myspace.com/stillinthepocket
www.stillinthepocket.com
Crystal Glass
Choreographer/Actress/Makeup Artist
With an extensive background in the
performing arts
Crystal majored in Film/Theatre Arts and
received her
BA degree at New Jersey City University.
ity.
She has graced the stage with the
Rockettes at Radio
City Music Hall--Easter Show, Dance
Africa at Brooklyn
Academy of Music and performed with the
late Gregory
Hines. Her film/TV credits include New
York
Undercover, Law & Order, Sex in the City,
Copland,
Once in the Life, US Marshals, Just My
Luck and The
Thomas Crowne Affair. Crystal has toured
around the
world as a dancer/choreographer for R/B
and Pop
artist Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige,
Shabba Ranks and
Black Box just to name a few.
Crystal has been an entrepreneur for many
years. As of 3 years ago she finally has a
photography studio
to call her own. All of her many talents have
won her the
title, Director of Makeup/Hair/Wardrobe on
the feature
film, "Butterfly Chasers" shooting in August
2008. The film is
written and directed by Princeton Holt in
which she
also has a role as "Marcella".
Crystal will be launching her new
cosmetic
line of makeup, "Faces of Color" and
shooting
the TV
commercial in July. Also, in stores by
September
0 tion "Today's Bride & Groom For
Couples".
Crystal will continue on in the fall on tour
with the
Gospel Play "The Soul of a Man" by
Ronnie
Johnson.
Crystal's philosophy success---
"How do I measure success? It's the
journey that makes you a success at what
you're passionate about. Getting paid for
it is the icing on the cake!"
Crystal adds, "God has blessed me in so
many ways, and now this amazing
interview!"
Visit Crystal at:
www.myspace.com/crystalglassinc
and
www.myspace.com/CGcosmetics
Kirk Nugent
Motivational Speaker
For almost ten years Kirk Nugent has
served as a catalyst for change,
challenging preconceived notions
about success and self-actualization. Kirk
started public speaking in poetry
venues where he displayed a keen
understanding of social and
political issues delivered with his signature
brand of infectious wit and
frenetic energy. Early audiences crowned
him
"The People's Poet," and the
stage was set for Kirk to widen his
speaking
base to include college
campuses, key note addresses for Fortune
500
companies, church ministries and
empowerment workshops. He has spoken
at
venues across the United States,
Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. Kirk
continues to impact the lives of
people from around the world with public
speaking engagements, and live
appearances, as well as with his book,
The
Unpopular Truth and CD's The
Unpopular Truth, and I want to Testify, as
well
as with his highly anticipated
guide to self-actualization, Ripple.
Kirk celebrates his Jamaican
heritage which has fostered in him the
global
perspective of "Out of Many One
People. " This perspective is a relentless
endorsement of the idea that no
matter where you are in the world, the
innate right to chase your dreams
unites all individuals. This is the
philosophy which guides Kirk's
speaking engagements, and inspired Les
Brown
to proclaim, "Kirk is a poignant
speaker who challenges us to step out in
faith towards our dreams."
www.kirknugent.com
David Logan
Comedian
Comedian David Logan has become one
of comedy's premiere comedians. In his
career he has worked with Damon
Williams, Greg laush, Nick Lewis,
Mark Ryan, and Sheryl Underwood, which
are some of the best in the business.iness.
Comedian David Logan is also
the CEO of his own entertainment
company "Keep it Funny
Entertainment". This
company is where David created his
scholarship fund for single mothers, called
SMSF (Single Mother's Scholarship
Fund), which was established to raise
money for single mothers who are
attending college. David and Keep It Funny
Entertainment are also producing a sketch
comedy show TV pilot to be introduced to
TV and Internet networks. Known for
his professionalism on and off stage David
Logan is a comedian that will have you
thinking, holding your stomach laughing,
and leaving saying that boy is stupid. Look
out cause this comedian stays original,
fresh, and funny.
www.justacomedian.com
Jacqueline Wale
Life Coach
Author Jacqueline Wales doesn't have time for
a midlife crisis. She's too busy spending time
pursuing her passions and sharing her
discoveries with others.
ers.
When the Crow Sings, a novel, is based on the
real life story of Jacqueline's family. The book
explores three generations of mothers caught
up in a cycle of shame, abuse and denial; a
powerful story that explores the history of
mothers who abandoned their children, until
one person had the courage to break the
chains and give her daughter up for adoption.
Jacqueline admits "I was 19 when I became
pregnant for the first time, and I gave my
daughter up for adoption a year later. It was a
tough decisions, but I could barely take care of
myself, so who was I to drag a child through
my life."
More than 30 years later, the native of
Edinburgh, Scotland (who now lives in New
York) is the mother of four and says she is
using her past experiences to help other
Fearless Fifties women overcome their own
obstacles and create the life they want. "It's
never too late to pursue your passions. I
started writing at the age of 40 and earned my
black belt in karate at the age of 49. I've also
discovered many more talents that I didn't
think existed including singing, which has been
a lifelong passion."
www.fearlessfifties.com
Mack D. McGhee
Motivational Speaker
Mack D. McGhee, a once-troubled youth who turned his life around and went on to motivate thousands of youth, is featured in a recently-published book where
he is hailed as one of the nation's Top Up and Coming Motivational Speakers. McGhee, who lives in University Park, Illinois, is one of two from Illinois
featured in the book.
Titled "From Mediocre to Magnificent", the book profiles Mack's odyssey from when he was brutally attacked by gang members as a teenager. Pinpointing the
violent incident as a "turning point" in his life, McGhee opted to forgive rather than seek retribution against his attackers. Along the way, he became a noted
youth counselor, president of a motivational speaking firm and a young man with an impressive record of transforming lives.
The compendium features a diverse mix of nine speakers nationwide whose message, style passion and promise are worthy of such acclaim.
Hailed as a must-have for anyone interested in inspiration, the book was conceived by Kevin Bracy, a world-renowned motivational speaker who was trained by Les Brown. In crisscrossing the
country identifying up-and-coming speakers, the nine featured in this compilation stood out.
Bracy characterizes McGhee as an inspirational treasure whose powerful presence is eclipsed only by his dynamic message of hope and inspiration.
He is truly phenomenal, awesome and commanding in his presence and in his message. His dynamic style underscores why he is able to arouse and
motivate.
www.mackdmcghee.com
Thomas Brooks
Author
Thomas Brooks grew up as the only child of a struggling single mother in inner-city Pittsburgh. He was battling racial stereotypes at school and
searching for a place among his peers. Then he was told at age eleven that he had been adopted as an infant. He did not know it at the time, but
Brooks had actually been born to a white biological mother who descended from Lithuanian Jews and a black Kenyan foreign student father.
er.
Years after that stunning revelation, Brooks escaped the ghetto and traveled to search for his heritage. He found his biological mother in London with his
previously unknown British siblings. He then located his biological father and extended family in Nairobi.
His international search and the resulting reunions have profoundly affected three families in the United States, England, and Kenya.
He earned his B.S. Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and his MBA from the University of Maryland. The award-winning author has
published several articles, and has been featured frequently on the radio and on television. In 1998, Brooks won a national award from the Career
Communications Group in the category of Technical Sales and Marketing for his work in corporate America.
The entrepreneur co-founded MinorityProfessionalNetwork.com in 2001, a leading global online resource for career, economic and lifestyle content. Brooks is a life member of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and also the National Black MBA Association. He enjoys public speaking, snow skiing, running and salsa dancing. He lives with his
wife and children near Houston, Texas, USA.
Walter Cannon is a successful businessman in the Chicagoland area who has
owned and operated his very own mortgage company for 4.5 years. ears.
His company is called C-Cess (Success) Mortgage Corporation. He has 15 years
of financing industry experience. He is active in his church and other civic
organizations, (Masonic and Non-Charitable Organizations).
He is a single parent raising a son who is now 17 years old. Walter has vast
Marketing experience and is a charismatic public speaker.
His goal for this Novella is to reach his audience via all aspects of media:
television, radio, print, and internet; book clubs, past and present
clients, and the old fashioned way - "Word Of Mouth."
www.realmencook
Tonya Mitchell Peele
Health and Wellness<
Tonya's Philosophy
I believe self-renewal is the foundation of wellness, but this hasn't always
been my philosophy. I spent the majority of my young adult years with thighs
that rubbed together like sandpaper, a pantry filled with
sweet and salty snacks, and a closet of oversized blouses that masked an
unfit body - from me and from
others. Yet, every aspect of my life still centered around food and
inactivity. I wasn't "fully present" in my
life and didn't have a clue that I was in need of renewal.
My transformation began when I changed the way I thought about various areas
of my life. When I
renewed my thinking, I was able to see the value of forming a new mindset
about the foods I ate, the amount of exercise I gave my body, and the importance of taking time out for
me. By focusing on
my innate power of self-renewal, I was able to realize significant and
lasting change in my life.
As a self-renewal advocate, my mission is to help women understand what
self-renewal is and why it
matters. When we are renewed, we feel good. When we feel good, we are more
likely to put in the extra
effort to take care of ourselves by eating right,exercising and maintaining
peace of mind.
We are the authors of our own lives. The wonderful thing about self-renewal
is that it puts you in the
drivers seat! I enthusiastically share what I have learned over the past
twelve years about the power of
self-renewal with women through the written and spoken word.
www.tonyamitchellpeele
Dr. Nicole Francis-Williams
Educator
President/CEO of Visionary Policy Institute, LLC
Dr. Nicole Francis-Williams is the President and CEO of Visionary Policy
Institute (VPI), LLC an education policy and program design organization
based in Baltimore, MD. The corporation provides services to school
districts and organizations for research and policy development, grant
writing and strategic planning. Dr. Francis-Williams is an educator and a
entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in grants management,
education and management.ement.
Currently, Dr. Francis-Williams is working with International Regenerative
Medicine, Inc. and a team of physicians that recognize stem cell research
and regenerative medicine as a means to save the lives of minorities,
particularly African Americans
Dr. Francis-Williams has served as the Interim National Education Director
and the Policy and Research Manager for the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Headquarters and has provided
leadership and training to elected officials, community leaders and
education committees. She has provided training at Capitol Hill briefings to
Congressional and Senatorial staffers on education legislation and
underserved populations. Overall, Dr Francis-Williams seeks to provide
advocacy, support and leadership to individuals who are a part of
underserved and misunderstood minority populations.
www.vpillc.com
Debra Shiveley Welch
Author Debra Shiveley Welch was born in Columbus, Ohio and has lived in the
Greater Columbus area all of her life. She now resides in Westerville with
her husband, Mark, and her adopted son, Christopher, also a published
author.
A third generation poet, Debra has been writing since age nine. In her early
twenties she had her own column in the Baltimore Eagle Gazette. Later, she
worked as editor for several newsletters, including as development editor
for Parent Talk for The League Against Child Abuse.
“The defining moment in my life is the day that I became a mother, and our
attorney placed my son in my arms. I drew him to me, breathed him in,
memorizing his unique scent, imprinting his essence into my very being. It
brought me full circle. I knew that this was a very special calling in my
life, to be with this soul, and to share my life with this child. To this
day, I revel in his unique perfume.”
Written while waiting to pick up her son from pre-school, A Very Special
Child was born. Debra wanted to tell the story in a spiritual way, and in
such a manner that would make a child proud to be adopted. She also felt
that it was important to reinforce the fact that he or she was loved from
the very beginning. These feelings, therefore, were her muse, and A Very
Special Child sprang from her heart, virtually complete with the first
writing.
www.debrashiveleywelch.net
April Sims
Talk Show Host/Poet
The Poetry Man
Talk Show Host/Poet
April Sims, Sims, affectionately known as 'Boss Lady' was born in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area where
she still resides today.
They say heavy is the head that wears the crown and April Sims wears many
crowns; Talent Manager,
Online Radio Personality, Spoken Word Artist,Photographer, Daughter, Sister;
and her greatest role
of all; Queen Mother of three beautiful daughters.
April Sims wears a variety of hats within the course of a day; and sometimes
wears more than one hat at the
same time. She is responsible not only for her own well being, and that of
her daughters; but she has
assembled a talented group of artists that look to her for guidance as well.
The blessing in all of this is the
capacity of her heart and mind to expand to meet the needs of so many.
April Sims is not just an artist; she's an icon!
www.aprilsims.com
www.myspace.com/aprilsims
Born on September 11th, his given name is Christopher L. Fields. Tapping into the ambient
energy of verbal expression; he assumed his true identity of The Poetry Man.
His style is a hybrid of the Church, the Classroom, and the Corner. Equally comfortable in the basement
or the penthouse, he bends words to penetrate and overcome all barriers to effective communication.
A native of Ohio, he now resides in the DC Metropolitan Area; where he addresses contemporary
issues with an old soul, and a profound understanding of self that engages the listener to the
point of being entranced. In terms of subject matter, he can go from one end of the spectrum to other in the
blink of an eye. The Poetry Man does not recite his work; he lives, breathes, and bleeds Poetry. His very
soul is manifest each time he delivers the word.
www.thepoetrymandc.com
Janis F. Kearney
Author/Personal Diarist for President Bill Clinton (Second Interview)
JFFF">Janis F. Kearney, writer, lecturer and literacy advocate, is one of 19
children born to Arkansas Delta Sharecroppers. She served as Personal
Diarist to President William Jefferson Clinton for five years and as
Director of the communications office of the U.S. Small Business
Administration for two years. Before working for the Clinton-Gore Campaign
in 1992, she published the award-winning Arkansas State Press
Newspaper - founded by Arkansas civil rights legends, Daisy and L.C. Bates.
In 2001, she began a two-year W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship at Harvard
University's Center for African
and African American Studies. In 2004, she began a two-year Humanities
Fellowship at Chicago's DePaul
University Center for the Humanities. Kearney founded Writing our World
Press in 2004, and published her
first book, Cotton Field of Dreams: A Memoir, in January, 2005. Her second
book, Conversations: William Jefferson Clinton from Hope to Harlem was
recently released. Conversations, is an oral biography centered around
conversations with
black Americans throughout the country about President Clinton's legacy.
Her speaking tour has taken her across the country, and to the UK, where she
lectures and discusses her
memoir, and her life journey. She has appeared on national and local
television, radio and print media outlets - including NPR, BBC, C-Span
Book-TV, the
Tavis Smiley Show, and local and regional ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox affiliates.
Cotton Field of Dreams was listed on Jet, Essence, Ebony and Crisis
Magazines'
Best Seller and Books of Note lists.
Janis was one of the first recipients of the Silas Hunt Legacy Award from
her alma mater, the University of Arkansas, in 2006. She was selected in
2003 as a
History Maker and her life story is now included in the Chicago-based
national African American archives. That same year, she received a PUSH for
Excellence award for communications from Operation PUSH, headed by the
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.
www.writingourworldpress.com
Gilbert Young
Artist/Activist
Nijel Binns
ArtiArtist
Gilbert Youngreator of the famous painting (He Ain't Heavy), returns
front and center into the midst of a monumental debate. Simply put, one of the
most significant artistic undertakings in history, the creation of the
centerpiece for the Martin Luther King memorial in Washington, DC, is going to a
non African American artist. Mr. Young returns with key information that should
be of interest to all who have been following his quest to bring awareness to
this situation. He will update us on his ongoing efforts. orts.
"A CHINESE MARTIN LUTHER KING?"
By Gilbert Young
One of the greatest men in history said if a man is not willing to die for
something he is not fit to live. I believe that to be true. In today's society,
standing up for a belief- especially if it seems politically incorrect- can be
the same as dying. As a professional who just turned sixty-five, I know that to
be true. Still, I'm willing to yell at the top of my lungs my disgust at the
decision made by the King Memorial Foundation to choose a Chinese artist to
sculpt the image of Martin Luther King Jr., for the first ever national memorial
to an African American man. Where are those who are supposed to protect the
ideals and champion the cause? Among those pretending to be in charge are
obviously too many who can not see the travesty of justice in having the
"national treasure of China," Lei Yixin- that's Communist China-sculpt the
center piece of the most important African American monument, in recognition of
the most important African American movement in the history of the United
States. A movement that never could have taken place in China. I am appalled.
For the complete essay, go to:
www.kingisours.com
Nijel Binns is an internationally recognized African American sculptor
specializing in bronze statues and monuments. Over the past 20 years, his 16
foot tall bronze Mother of Humanity TM monument, portrait sculptures of
music icon Michael Jackson, life-sized bronze of the legendary Shirley
Temple and dozens of other sculptures represent some of the finest bronze
portrait and figurative art of his generation.
Recently featured in the January/February 07 issue of UPSCALE magazine, the
artist Nijel represents a new breed of figurative sculptors in the tradition
of great African American sculptors such as Augusta Savage, Richmond Barthe,
Elizabeth Catlett and Edmonia Lewis, and Ed Dwight.
Nijel is busy with new commissions for his sculpting company Nijart
International. He has recently completed a bronze statue of Dr. Kwame
Nkrumah, first President of Ghana which was commissioned by Dr. Julius
Garvey, son of the legendary Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Another commission
involves a bronze monument to Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically
elected President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Nijel will introduce an new factor into the controversial decision to
outsource the MKL monument.
www.nijart.com
Mari Torres
Entrepreneur
Mari Torres is one of those rare individuals who has excitement
for everything she does. You may find Mari around the internet,
promoting her business and teaching people how to market their
own businesses via video. A former on-air personality Mari is
charismatic and has a way of captivating her audience. Whether
she is "The Video Fairy" Spreading messages of video
communications, lecturing on how to prospect for your business
or just entertaining viewers with her comical musical talent,
Mari knows how to keep her viewers watching. She has used her
voice and image to contribute in major radio and internet
marketing campaigns for clients such as: Tower Records, The
Credo Company, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Pet Vet, Hello World, VM
Direct, Boost Mobile, Rock Corps and many others. r>
Mari will be discussing Autism, an issue close to her heart.
Mari is the proud mother of Lucas, who is autistic. stic.
The bond between mother and son is evident in the video at this
link:
Mari and Lucas
Brian O'Neal
Musician
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Brian O'Neal first discovered his love for music at
the tender age of six, when he began taking drum lessons. Although Brian (known
to his friends as "Bean") learned to play many instruments including saxophone,
bass, and trombone, he aspired to be a professional drummer until his sophomore
year in high school, when his grandmother "Daisy" purchased his first piano at
age sixteen. Brian's excitement for piano developed from experimenting with
melodies and chords. His skills matured, developing him into a self-taught
Pianist. Brian has shared the stage with artists such as RJ's Latest Arrival,
Morris Day and the Time, Expose', UNV, Silk, Monica, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Magic
Johnson, Rachelle Ferrell, The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Alex
Bugnon, George Duke, Pieces of a Dream and Ruben Studdard.
He has produced music for Kathy Avalon, UNV, Kem Owens, and a host of other
up and coming talents alike. His recent CD compilation is titled "Mood Swings."
"Mood Swings" expresses soft and smooth flavors and much more. His next CD
project will pay tribute to his grandmother, who both influenced and nurtured
his musical endeavors, simply titled "Daisy."
As a writer, producer, composer, and performer, Brian has a keen natural
ability to create musical landmarks that bring out a variety of moods and
emotions. Brian is truly a remarkably talented musician who sees no limit to
music artistry.
Brian, the long time keyboardist for recording artist KEM, can be seen on
his current tour.(See Brian's myspace page for the schedule)
www.brianoneal.com
www.myspace.com/brianoneal
Joe Madison (Madison, The Black Eagle)
Radio Talk Show Host, Activist
Joe Madison has been recognized as a human and
civil rights activist, abolitionist against slavery in Africa , television
commentator, columnist, lecturer, labor and corporate spokesman, musician
and athlete. He is an ordinary citizen of the world with an extraordinary
commitment to the principles of human decency. >
At the age of 24, he became the Executive Director of the Detroit NAACP. Dr.
Benjamin Hooks, President and CEO of the NAACP, later appointed him director
of the national NAACP Political Action Department. tment.
During the nine years he directed the NAACP Political Action Department,
Madison organized national voter registration campaigns that produced one
million new voters. In the mid 1980’s Madison led four highly publicized
marches to register voters called the, “The Overground Railroad” in which he
and volunteers walked from Richmond, VA to Harlem, San Francisco to Los
Angeles, Louisville, KY to Detroit and finally a cross country march from
Los Angeles to Baltimore. NAACP Convention delegates elected him to the
national board of directors and re-elected him for the next 14 years. During
his tenure on the board he was appointed chairman of the NAACP Image Awards.
At the time the Image Awards program was $2.5 million in debt and
threatening to be cancelled. Under his leadership the Image Award regained
it’s national prominence, was nationally syndicated on Fox Network. The debt
was erased, and the NAACP Image Award netted over $1 million in profits
within two years.
During his civil rights activities, Madison began a career as a radio talk
show host. He combined his role as a civil rights activist and media
personality to impact public policy in the nation and around the world.
Talker Magazine the bible of the talk radio industry has selected Madison as
one of the ‘100 Most Influential Radio Talk Personalities in America’
Comedian and human rights activist Dick Gregory said, “You can’t pigeon hole
the Black Eagle. Madison is more than a radio talk show host, he is a radio
activist.” He is currently heard on the Radio One Talk Network and
nationally syndicated on XM Satellite One, The Power, the first 24-hour
African American talk radio network.
Joe Madison has been jailed and gone on hunger strikes opposing apartheid in
South Africa, slavery in Sudan, gangster rap lyrics, racial profiling and
police brutality and investigations into CIA/Contra/crack cocaine. He
traveled twice to war zones in southern Sudan where he participated in the
freeing of over 7,000 slaves. He returned to the United States and organized
the Sudan Campaign to end slavery and raised thousands of dollars to free
slaves in Sudan. He was also instrumental in preventing the deportation of
15,000 Liberians from the United States.
A partial list of his awards include:
-Ebony Magazine’s 50 Leaders of the Future
-Who’s Who in Black America
-Talker Magazine as one of the “100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in
America”
-1996 Recipient of the NAACP Image Award
www.joemadison.com
A'Lelia Bundles
Author, Former Network TV Executiv Great-Great Granddaughter of Madam CJ Walker
Chris Curtis CurtiInternet Business Professional
Aze="2">A’Lelia Bundles--author,
journalist and former network television news executive—currently is at work
on a biography of her great-grandmother and namesake, A’Lelia Walker, who
was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance.
Ms. Bundles’s critically-acclaimed, best-selling biography, ON HER OWN
GROUND: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker –the first truly
comprehensive biography of her great-great- grandmother—was named a 2002
Borders Books- Hurston/Wright Legacy Award finalist, a 2001 New York Times
Notable Book, a 2001 Washington Post Best Biography, the 2001 Letitia Woods
Brown Book Prize winner by the Association of Black Women Historians for the
best book on black women’s history and a 2002 Honor Book by the Black Caucus
of the American Library Association. ON HER OWN GROUND, the only accurate
account of Walker ’s life, is based on nearly three decades of Ms. Bundles’s
meticulous research in the libraries, historical societies, courthouses and
private homes of more than a dozen U. S. cities. Her young adult biography,
MADAM C. J. WALKER: ENTREPRENEUR [Chelsea House 1991] received an American
Book Award.
Ms. Bundles recently ended a thirty year career in network television news,
most recently as director of talent development for ABC News in Washington ,
D.C. and New York . Among her responsibilities were monitoring the
transition of new correspondents to the network, the creation and
coordination of a news division wide performance review process for more
than one thousand employees, establishing a management training program for
senior executives and seminars for junior staff, and overseeing various
career development and mentoring initiatives.
Ms. Bundles was deputy bureau chief of ABC News in Washington from 1996 to
1999, after twenty years as a network television producer with ABC and NBC
News. From 1989 until 1996 she was a producer with ABC’s “World News Tonight
with Peter Jennings” on many award-winning “American Agenda” segments. While
at NBC News from 1976 to 1989 in New York, Washington, Atlanta and Houston,
her assignments for “Nightly News,” “Today” and several primetime specials
and magazine broadcasts included Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign,
the 1984 Democratic Convention, the Atlanta youth murders and several
hurricanes.
Ms. Bundles graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College and Radcliffe
College and received a masters degree from the Columbia University Graduate
School of Journalism. She is a member of the Alpha Iota Chapter of Phi Beta
Kappa at Harvard College and received an honorary doctorate from Indiana
University in May 2003. She collects kaleidoscopes and African American
memorabilia and lives in Washington , DC .
www.madamcjwalker.com
Veteran Internet Business Professional, Chris Curtis,
enjoys her career helping small business owners doing business on the web
make educated decisions about internet business undertakings.
By trade, Chris is a self-taught triple-threat web developer (web design,
web programming, internet marketing) and an internet business consultant who
proactively seeks to assist. In addition to being a busy mother of three, Chris
runs her own successful internet consulting business at www.idylhands.com,
as well as the global initiative for Web Business Ownership. Having attended
Temple University as a Community Education major, Chris is using everything
she knows to bring education and technology into a much needed product. The
Web Business Ownership site is the essential internet business resource for
entrepreneurs and web business owners of all ages.
The Philadelphia-born chatterbox is also a talk show host on Philadelphia
radio station, 900AM WURD, On "Tech Talk Philly", Curtis' enthusiasm about
internet entrepreneurship is motivational and inspiring to many.
www.idylhands.com
Lenora Billings-Harris
President of the National Speakers Association,
Lecturer, Entrepreneur
Lenora Billings-Harris, is a Certified Speaking Professional
(CSP), diversity consultant and author of The Diversity Advantage: A Guide
to Making Diversity Work. With more than twenty five years of experience in
the public and private sectors, Lenora has developed a unique way of
presenting sensitive topics in a fun, thought-provoking and non- judgmental
way. Her interactive style, and immediately applicable "how to's" have
caused clients to invite her back again and again. She designs and delivers
presentations and helps facilitate diversity initiatives for Fortune 500
companies as well as professional associations and educational institutions.
Lenora is the 2006-2007 president of the National Speakers Association. She
served as an adjunct professor for Arizona State University, and is
currently on the adjunct faculty of the Bryan School of Business and
Economics, University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Lenora has presented to
audiences in South Africa, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico,
Canada, the Caribbean, Canada and the South Pacific as well as all across
the United States. Before founding Excel Development Systems, Inc. a full
service diversity consulting firm, in 1986, Lenora held several key
positions CIGNA, General Motors and the University of Michigan. ichigan.
www.lenoraspeaks.com
Linda Blackman
Motivational Speaker, Communications Expert
Linda Blackman, CSP, a motivator extraordinaire, helps CEO’s
deliver messages more powerfully to employees, stock-holders and the media.
Linda combines this expertise with her background as a coast-to-coast
television news anchor, reporter and talk show host – to show audiences how
to be brilliantly effective when presenting, handling the press and dealing
with a crisis. Linda began her career at WILX-TV in Lansing, Michigan as a
reporter and news anchor. Her expertise gained her positions at KCRA-
TV/Sacramento, WNAC-TV/Boston, KYW- TV/Philadelphia, and at Warner
Communications' QUBE CABLE/Pittsburgh. Linda's incisive consumer and
economic reporting in Philadelphia earned her the prestigious Mayoral Award
for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. Linda, who is recognized as a
communications expert and author, teaches the secrets of body language. She
was asked by ABC in Pittsburgh to analyze news footage of body language
ranging from prisoners of war to heads of state.of state.
She founded THE EXECUTIVE IMAGE in 1983 to utilize her
communications skills in a corporate environment. In addition to running THE
EXECUTIVE IMAGE, Linda is extremely active in the National Speakers
Association.
www.lindablackman.com
Mr. George C. Fraser
George C. Fraser is the
author of two books, including the critically acclaimed bestseller, Success
Runs In Our Race; The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the African
American Community. He is also the creator and publisher of the award
winning Success Guide Worldwide: The Networking Guide to Black Resources. A
13th edition (250,000 copies) will be published next year.y acclaimed
bestseller, Success Runs In Our Race; The Complete Guide to Effective
Networking in the African American Community. He is also the creator and
publisher of the award winning Success Guide Worldwide: The Networking Guide
to Black Resources. A 13th edition (250,000 copies) will be published next
year.
year. Many have called George
a new voice for African Americans. He is considered by many to be one of the
foremost authorities on networking and building effective relationships.
George Fraser is a frequent contributor to scholarly journals on a wide
range of topics to include networking, business ethics, valuing diversity
and economic development. He was recently featured in the New York Times
bestseller; Masters of Networking along with Colin Powell. His 2nd book Race
For Success; The Ten Best Business Opportunities for Blacks In America was
published by the William Morrow Company, and selected as one of the ten best
business books of the year by the Booklist.
Mr. Fraser is leading a national initiative to build an African American
Business Hall of Fame and Museum and a university-based Center for the
Advancement of African American Entrepreneurship. Currently 14 renowned
leaders sit on the Board of Directors. Four thousand people recently
attended its first annual Induction Ceremony/Dinner held in June 2002 in
Cleveland, Ohio. Robert Johnson of BET, Oprah Winfrey, Cathy Hughes of Radio
One, Clarence Smith and Edward Lewis of Essence Magazine and Berry Gordy of
Motown were inducted into the Business Hall of Fame in a nationally
televised (The Word Network) program and ceremony.
Mr. Fraser is the
founder and executive producer of an annual Power Networking Conference, one
of Black America’s largest gathering (17,000) of professionals, business
owners and community leaders. The Conference features numerous workshops on
networking and relationship skills building, top motivational speakers and a
Business Opportunity Exposition. It is extensively covered by the national
media to include; C-Span, The Word Network, New York Times, Ebony, Jet, and
Black Enterprise Magazine.
His words and ideas have been taped and televised. Over the last decade the
prestigious publication Vital Speeches of the Day has selected five of Mr.
Fraser’s speeches to be reprinted and distributed worldwide, a first for any
professional speaker in America. UPSCALE magazine name him one of the top 50
power brokers in Black America.
Black Enterprise
Magazine called him Black America’s #1 networker and featured him on its
cover.
Carolina Pfister
Film Maker, Entrepreneur
Darryl Aiken-Afam
Fitness Expert, Entrepren
Carolina Pfister, a Brazilian cultural documentarist and
outreach program designer, immigrated to the United States late 1999 to
pursue her Graduate studies. Born in Switzerland to Brazilian parents
fleeing dictatorship, she has worked with television, film and created
outreach curriculum for arts organizations both in Brazil and the USA. She
has been an art director for MTV Brazil, received an M.F.A. in the USA, was
awarded a Chicago Emmy for her short documentary television work, toured the
country with her bands, and is one of the first recipients of the Women in
Film / General Motors “Emerging Latina Filmmaker” grant. She has taught
innovative video workshops for inner city youth and is currently opening a
new cultural center called Boocoo. She is also working on her first feature
length documentary, Viva Viva. iva Viva.
www.carolinapfister.org
Hailing from New York City,
Darryl Aiken-Afam has over 20 years of experience in fitness and martial
arts. He began his training in Tae Kwon Do as a child. In later years he
began studying Shotokan Karate and Muay Thai kickboxing. He became an ACE
Certified Personal Trainer in 1997 and took up the study of Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu, Kali (stick fighting) and Capoeira. He also became a Shiatsu
practitioner, studying Holistic body work, and is the creator of Meridian
Touch, a special form of Japanese ‘Yoga’, based on Oriental Medicine, that
focuses on Ki energy and human touch. He has lectured at the University of
Illinois Chicago’s Kinesiology Department on Meridian Exercise theory, and
is the founder of ‘The Tombo Group’, a web-based network of “Wholistic”
trainers and instructors. He utilizes his eclectic skills to teach and train
both classes and clients in New York City, Chicago and Japan.
www.meridiantouch.com
Cheryl Catchings, PhD
Motivator, Youth and Community Advoc
Dr. Catchings established the 24-Hour Youth Hotline
“Speakout” for the states of Florida, Virginia, and Michigan; a Featured
speaker at the National Urban League’s Leadership Summit, International
Youth Crime Watch Convention. She’s received the BET Trailblazer of the
Decade Award, March of Dimes White Rose Award, LINKS Founder of the Year
Award and the Crystal Reel Award from Florida’s Motion Picture and
Television Association for her crime prevention videos; these are just a few
of the many professional accomplishments, of Dr. Catchings for her work in
the areas of youth and community issues. >
With a global career traversing over twenty-five years, Dr. Catchings has
created and introduced innovative programs and approaches to combating and
solving problems of young people and the community at large. In action with
the Salvation Army Corps, she developed a desperately needed Domestic
Violence Task Force Visitation Center, and served as liaison between judges,
law enforcement, attorneys, and clients. Employed as a Youth Program
Supervisor, she found time to host two weekly radio shows; Teen Talk, and A
Women’s Forum, further demonstrating her passion and tirelessness for
improving the conditions of the community. Hailing from Michigan, she gained
prominence for creating a unique after school tutor-mentoring program
coupling urban high risk youth with students from the University of
Michigan. She and her son after a brutal hate crime-gang attack established
the award winning 24 hour, toll free “Speakout” hotline recommended as the
school model to follow by school district superintendents’ nation wide for
its success in decreasing gang activity, weapons on campus, neighborhood
drugs and internet solicitation. citation.
Dr. Catchings often focuses speaking engagements, training sessions and
numerous articles on her coined phrase “layered prevention” which are
community education and prevention strategies designed to protect our
“village”. She created, directed and produced a number of award winning
crime prevention videos now seen in many schools, which was her proactive
response to violent crime by and against youth. Featured articles
highlighting her community advocacy have appeared in noted publications as
Newsweek, Emerge, Creative Youth, and Simply Living. She has been
interviewed on CNN’s “Talkback Live”, CNBC, BET and her story the
inspiration for NBC’s “How They Changed America” documentary.
CF Jackson
Motivator, Aut
C.F. Jackson is an authorpreneur, poet, and mentor, who
graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Criminal
Justice. Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, C.F. Jackson has resided
in Atlanta for ten years. The single life of the city has been a true
experience she can discuss and has written about, in her suspense novel
titled Won't Be Denied. >
The vision of this authorpreneur continues onto the path of "I can do more".
The seed of a suspense novel sprouted the enormous vision of cultivating and
encouraging thousands through the use of Won't Be Denied Apparel. Yes,
apparel. apparel.
Won't Be Denied, has established "what not to wear" and created apparel that
models your drive and passion. Fashion trend? Won't Be Denied is a lifestyle
toward success. Clothing fitted for women and men.
C.F. Jackson has been interviewed on Atlanta's WVEE, spotlighted on UPN 69,
a participant of the Georgia Literary Festival, and published in Find Your
Why & Fly written by multi-millionaire and motivation speaker John Di Lemme.
Melba Moore
Entertai
Melba Moore, continues on her remarkable journey with the
release of Jesus..., the brand new CD from the Tony Award
winning and inspiring vocalist. Her second recording in 12 years contains
the encouraging title track "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and also
contains moving songs such as "Call Me," and "Praise Yah".
This is the follow-up to her first gospel recording, I'm Still Here,
which was written and produced by Shirley Murdock and her husband Dale
Degrot, in addition to several top notch songwriters.
This awesome musical testimony of her trials and triumphant solidified her
return to the elite inner circle of the artistic elements of this universe.
"Sweet Songs of the Soul," her two act one-woman play with
music has been touted by critics as "Brilliant," "Authentic," "Inspiring,"
"Poignant," as well as proof that not only can she sing anything from
"Gospel" to "Opera," but that she is absolutely gifted as a storyteller;
literally mesmerizing her audiences!
She began her career in the ground breaking musical "Hair," where she
originated the role of Dionne. During her 18 months in the show, she
eventually replaced Dianne Keaton; becoming the first black actress to
replace a white actress is a lead role on Broadway. Tony Award winner Melba
Moore, who is currently co-starring in the national tour of Brooklyn, the
Musical.
Her credits include "The Melba Moore / Clifton Davis Show," the mini-series
"Ellis Island," R & B and Pop hits "This Is It," "You Stepped Into My Life,"
and her Grammy nominated signature song, "Lean On Me." Her 1990 recording of
"Lift Every Voice and Sing," was instrumental in having the song entered
into the Congressional Record as the official African American National
Anthem.
Directly on the heels of "Hair," came the role of Lutiebelle Gussiemae
Jenkins, the innocent southern domestic who falls in love with a
fast-talking preacher, in the long running musical, "Purlie," the role which
launched her successful TV and recording career. Her show-stopping
performance in "Purlie", won Melba the Tony Award for Best Supporting
Actress In A Musical, again making her the first black actress to do so. In
1996 history repeated itself the third time when Melba took over the role of
"Fantine" in the Broadway musical "Les Miserables." She wa |
