Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Jeezy Put ON for OBAMA!
Young Jeezy Put on The original video by Hype williams from trillali on Vimeo
If you fast forward to 3:15 of the video you will here how Jeezy exclaim Obama is his new mentor and why!
Video pulled from Straightfromthea.com
Michelle Obama! Your comments please!!!
We like to keep you in touch with the issues and people that play a key role in our government, entertainment, social life, and overall life itself!
With that said- just in case you missed it, check out Michelle Obama’s Democratic National Convention speech. History in the making! Is this woman top-notch or what!
And we would like to thank youtube.com for the video link.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
She is FABULOUS!!
Fabulosity Designed by Kimora Lee Simmons Launches Exclusively At JCPenney
Designer Kimora Lee Simmons Offers New Juniors Brand at No. 1 Department Store for Teens
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) and Kellwood Company today announced the launch of Fabulosity, a complete fashion sportswear line designed by Kimora Lee Simmons to be sold exclusively at JCPenney. The new collection, created for JCPenney’s Juniors customer, will debut in JCPenney stores and online at jcp.com in July, just in time for the Back-to-School season.
Inspired by the glamorous lifestyle of former runway model Kimora Lee Simmons, Fabulosity embodies a lifestyle of confidence, beauty and fashion sense, all at a smart price. Renowned for pioneering the introduction of glamour and feminine appeal to the urban brand category, Simmons has created a new line for JCPenney, which combines the two worlds she knows best -- high fashion and hip hop. Fabulosity will be merchandised at JCPenney as an urban lifestyle offering in Juniors with a complete sportswear line featuring tees, knit tops and sweaters, jeans, skirts and dresses, as well as hoodies, jackets and outerwear. The collection will be offered at JCPenney’s best pricing tier and will range from $29 to $108.
“As the No. 1 department store for teens, JCPenney has a proven track record of delivering a wide array of must-have styles and brands to some of our most discriminating customers: teen girls,” said Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer for JCPenney. “We continue to build on this leadership with the launch of Fabulosity, which brings Kimora's popular charismatic personality and flair for fashion to our Juniors department, expanding our offering and deepening our emotional connection with our younger customers through a truly authentic brand."
“I can’t wait to bring Fabulosity to the JCPenney Juniors customer! Young teen girls are fabulous and my new collection will further build their confidence as they head back-to-school. Fabulosity is all about celebrating who you are and your individual greatness - living your dream and being whatever you want to be. This is a great message for young teens -- and I am so proud to partner with JCPenney on this collection,” commented Simmons.
Bob Skinner, Kellwood chairman, president and chief executive officer added, “Kimora touches the heart and soul of teens and young women around the world. Her positive influence and confident fashion bravado sends a message of self-reliance and fearlessness to teens. Kimora’s new Fabulosity collection is certain to engage the JCPenney Juniors customer, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with JCPenney on this new initiative.”
The Fabulosity sportswear collection is produced under a licensing agreement by BP Clothing, LLC.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,074 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of approximately $19.9 billion in 2007 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's 155,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.
About Kimora Lee Simmons
Kimora Lee Simmons is president of Baby Phat and creative director of Phat Fashions’ Baby Phat, Phat Farm, and KLS Collection brands. Phat Fashions is a division of Kellwood Company. Over the years, Kimora has inspired a new generation of consumers with her glamorous, sexy, over-the-top style. Her influence in the world of fashion is undeniable while her savvy as a businesswoman has made this former runway model a worldwide brand phenomenon. Kimora is the only multiethnic woman to have a successful fashion and media branded empire. Quintessentially, she is the new establishment. As the instrumental force behind the brands’ creative designs, ad campaign strategies and marketing concepts, Kimora has taken her astute business acumen and passion for her work to spearhead numerous brand extension ventures with companies including Mattel, Motorola, Lancaster and Dan River which include dolls, bedding, home products, candles, fragrance and cosmetics.
About Kellwood Company
Kellwood is a $1.6 billion leading marketer of apparel and consumer soft goods. Specializing in branded products, the Company markets to all channels of distribution with products and brands tailored to each specific channel. Kellwood is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (“Sun Capital”), a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies. For more information, visit www.kellwood.com.
Designer Kimora Lee Simmons Offers New Juniors Brand at No. 1 Department Store for Teens
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) and Kellwood Company today announced the launch of Fabulosity, a complete fashion sportswear line designed by Kimora Lee Simmons to be sold exclusively at JCPenney. The new collection, created for JCPenney’s Juniors customer, will debut in JCPenney stores and online at jcp.com in July, just in time for the Back-to-School season.
Inspired by the glamorous lifestyle of former runway model Kimora Lee Simmons, Fabulosity embodies a lifestyle of confidence, beauty and fashion sense, all at a smart price. Renowned for pioneering the introduction of glamour and feminine appeal to the urban brand category, Simmons has created a new line for JCPenney, which combines the two worlds she knows best -- high fashion and hip hop. Fabulosity will be merchandised at JCPenney as an urban lifestyle offering in Juniors with a complete sportswear line featuring tees, knit tops and sweaters, jeans, skirts and dresses, as well as hoodies, jackets and outerwear. The collection will be offered at JCPenney’s best pricing tier and will range from $29 to $108.
“As the No. 1 department store for teens, JCPenney has a proven track record of delivering a wide array of must-have styles and brands to some of our most discriminating customers: teen girls,” said Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer for JCPenney. “We continue to build on this leadership with the launch of Fabulosity, which brings Kimora's popular charismatic personality and flair for fashion to our Juniors department, expanding our offering and deepening our emotional connection with our younger customers through a truly authentic brand."
“I can’t wait to bring Fabulosity to the JCPenney Juniors customer! Young teen girls are fabulous and my new collection will further build their confidence as they head back-to-school. Fabulosity is all about celebrating who you are and your individual greatness - living your dream and being whatever you want to be. This is a great message for young teens -- and I am so proud to partner with JCPenney on this collection,” commented Simmons.
Bob Skinner, Kellwood chairman, president and chief executive officer added, “Kimora touches the heart and soul of teens and young women around the world. Her positive influence and confident fashion bravado sends a message of self-reliance and fearlessness to teens. Kimora’s new Fabulosity collection is certain to engage the JCPenney Juniors customer, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with JCPenney on this new initiative.”
The Fabulosity sportswear collection is produced under a licensing agreement by BP Clothing, LLC.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,074 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of approximately $19.9 billion in 2007 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's 155,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.
About Kimora Lee Simmons
Kimora Lee Simmons is president of Baby Phat and creative director of Phat Fashions’ Baby Phat, Phat Farm, and KLS Collection brands. Phat Fashions is a division of Kellwood Company. Over the years, Kimora has inspired a new generation of consumers with her glamorous, sexy, over-the-top style. Her influence in the world of fashion is undeniable while her savvy as a businesswoman has made this former runway model a worldwide brand phenomenon. Kimora is the only multiethnic woman to have a successful fashion and media branded empire. Quintessentially, she is the new establishment. As the instrumental force behind the brands’ creative designs, ad campaign strategies and marketing concepts, Kimora has taken her astute business acumen and passion for her work to spearhead numerous brand extension ventures with companies including Mattel, Motorola, Lancaster and Dan River which include dolls, bedding, home products, candles, fragrance and cosmetics.
About Kellwood Company
Kellwood is a $1.6 billion leading marketer of apparel and consumer soft goods. Specializing in branded products, the Company markets to all channels of distribution with products and brands tailored to each specific channel. Kellwood is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (“Sun Capital”), a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies. For more information, visit www.kellwood.com.
Pleasure Principle Launches in Early 2009!
Janet’s latest lingerie line will be called Pleasure Principle and released in stores by the end of the year or early 2009. Co-designed with Australian lingerie designer Bruno Schiavi, they will come in a range of sizes: 32A to 44G.
The stores that will carry the line in the U.S. are yet to be revealed with plans for it to follow into European, Australian and Asian stores in the future.
There are also plans for Janet to expand into other clothing lines in the future.
Story pulled from The Cut
LL Cool J and Sears- Official Press Release
Statement From Irv Neger, Senior Vice President, Apparel, Sears
SEARS TO LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE APPAREL LINE BY LL COOL J
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Irv Neger, Senior Vice President, Sears Apparel, issued the following
statement:
As part of an ongoing commitment to increase our relevance in the
apparel industry, and bring fashions to our customers that are both
on-trend and affordable, Sears will be rolling out an exclusive LL Cool J
clothing collection in its fall assortment. The collaboration between LL
Cool J and Sears is the result of significant research on our part to
choose an aspirational label that can be accessible to all. Key
considerations in this selection included choosing a persona that had broad
demographic appeal, representing the true cross-section of the American
public that Sears embodies, and working with someone who would be committed
to making the good life attainable to our customers.
Not only is LL Cool J a pop culture phenomenon, his legitimacy and his
talent have stood the test of time. His career has spanned more than two
decades, culminating in 10 platinum albums, two Grammy awards and an NAACP
Image Award in recognition of his contributions. His staying power and his
wide appeal are evidenced in many upcoming endeavors that will include the
debut of his 13th album, a new television series, and film opportunities.
In essence, we wanted a brand that would resonate with an existing
customer who desired authentic streetwear, and LL Cool J wanted an American
icon retailer to which he could entrust his name and his vision.
Both LL Cool J and Sears have a history of being originators. As such,
LL Cool J's line will speak to that shared story as well as reflect his
artistry, his invention of an industry in addition to his longevity in
multimedia, and his commitment to his family. This synergy will bring
meaning to many facets of our marketing campaigns going forward as LL Cool
J becomes the face of a new, strengthened product portfolio at Sears. The
line will initially be carried in 450 stores with plans for increased
distribution by holiday. Clothing will first be offered in juniors', kids',
and young men's, with future plans for expansion to include accessories.
This rollout signals our belief in the offering as well as our recognition
of a need customers have to create an entire, authentic look. Apparel will
hit stores across the country during the second week of September.
LL Cool J issued the following comment:
"I see the LL Cool J brand bringing families closer together. It was a
priority for me to launch with a partner who connects with all of America
and Sears does it best. One of the happiest times I can remember was my
grandfather taking me to Sears every weekend when I was a child. I am
pleased to bring an authentic brand to Sears customers across the county
who represent those people and family members who influenced the person I
am today."
ABOUT SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings
Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing
merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of
home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more
than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and
Canada, which includes approximately 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty
stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and
services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears,
Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore,
Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred
brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home
services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more
information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at http://www.sears.com or
the Sears Holdings Corporation website at http://www.searsholdings.com.
SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Web site: http://www.sears.com
SEARS TO LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE APPAREL LINE BY LL COOL J
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Irv Neger, Senior Vice President, Sears Apparel, issued the following
statement:
As part of an ongoing commitment to increase our relevance in the
apparel industry, and bring fashions to our customers that are both
on-trend and affordable, Sears will be rolling out an exclusive LL Cool J
clothing collection in its fall assortment. The collaboration between LL
Cool J and Sears is the result of significant research on our part to
choose an aspirational label that can be accessible to all. Key
considerations in this selection included choosing a persona that had broad
demographic appeal, representing the true cross-section of the American
public that Sears embodies, and working with someone who would be committed
to making the good life attainable to our customers.
Not only is LL Cool J a pop culture phenomenon, his legitimacy and his
talent have stood the test of time. His career has spanned more than two
decades, culminating in 10 platinum albums, two Grammy awards and an NAACP
Image Award in recognition of his contributions. His staying power and his
wide appeal are evidenced in many upcoming endeavors that will include the
debut of his 13th album, a new television series, and film opportunities.
In essence, we wanted a brand that would resonate with an existing
customer who desired authentic streetwear, and LL Cool J wanted an American
icon retailer to which he could entrust his name and his vision.
Both LL Cool J and Sears have a history of being originators. As such,
LL Cool J's line will speak to that shared story as well as reflect his
artistry, his invention of an industry in addition to his longevity in
multimedia, and his commitment to his family. This synergy will bring
meaning to many facets of our marketing campaigns going forward as LL Cool
J becomes the face of a new, strengthened product portfolio at Sears. The
line will initially be carried in 450 stores with plans for increased
distribution by holiday. Clothing will first be offered in juniors', kids',
and young men's, with future plans for expansion to include accessories.
This rollout signals our belief in the offering as well as our recognition
of a need customers have to create an entire, authentic look. Apparel will
hit stores across the country during the second week of September.
LL Cool J issued the following comment:
"I see the LL Cool J brand bringing families closer together. It was a
priority for me to launch with a partner who connects with all of America
and Sears does it best. One of the happiest times I can remember was my
grandfather taking me to Sears every weekend when I was a child. I am
pleased to bring an authentic brand to Sears customers across the county
who represent those people and family members who influenced the person I
am today."
ABOUT SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings
Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing
merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of
home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more
than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and
Canada, which includes approximately 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty
stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and
services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears,
Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore,
Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred
brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home
services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more
information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at http://www.sears.com or
the Sears Holdings Corporation website at http://www.searsholdings.com.
SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Web site: http://www.sears.com
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
USHER and FOOTBALL!! ARE YOU READY?
Are you ready for football season? We know we are. But if your enthusiasm for the start of this year’s NFL season could use a little kick in the pants, check out the planned — and rumored — musical performances associated with the launch and conclusion of it.
The NFL has now confirmed that its 89th season will be ushered in by … well, none other than Usher.
The R&B star will perform during a special and (more importantly) free pregame event on September 4 at 3 p.m. in New York’s Columbus Circle. Country crooner Keith Urban will also take the stage, right before the defending Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants, face the Washington Redskins in this year’s season opener.
Article published by Chris Harris-Article pulled from MTV.com
The NFL has now confirmed that its 89th season will be ushered in by … well, none other than Usher.
The R&B star will perform during a special and (more importantly) free pregame event on September 4 at 3 p.m. in New York’s Columbus Circle. Country crooner Keith Urban will also take the stage, right before the defending Super Bowl champs, the New York Giants, face the Washington Redskins in this year’s season opener.
Article published by Chris Harris-Article pulled from MTV.com
Monday, August 18, 2008
STUFF THE BUS WITH THE CAROLINA PANTHERS!
Don't forget your homework...school supplies! The Carolina Panthers and Harris Teeter will hold their annual "Stuff the Bus" school supply collection before the team's game versus the Washington Redskins on Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium. Fans are encouraged to donate items that are in high demand to help equip underserved children for the new school year.
You are invited to share a memorable evening of gourmet food, fine wine and great entertainment at the inaugural Carolina Panthers Taste of the NFL!
You are invited to share a memorable evening of gourmet food, fine wine and great entertainment at the inaugural Carolina Panthers Taste of the NFL, presented by Harris Teeter, Kraft Foods and Frei Brothers Winery. The event will take place on Tuesday, November 11 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium.
Panthers fans and food connoisseurs will savor delicacies from top chefs, representing 15-20 of the best restaurants in North and South Carolina. Current and former Panthers players will be on hand to mingle with those in attendance. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., there will be a private VIP reception in Suite 87, where guests will enjoy an upgraded beverage selection, choose their restaurants before others arrive and take a tour of Bank of America Stadium.
The cost of the event is $150 per ticket or $250 per VIP ticket. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which serves hungry children and families in the Charlotte region.
Those wishing to attend should complete the registration form and return it with a check made payable to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. If you cannot download the registration form, please send your registration fee along with your name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address to: Taste of the NFL, 800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202. Upon receipt of registration and payment, participants will be mailed a confirmation letter and ticket(s).
The Taste of the NFL was born in 1992 at Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis as 28 of the finest chefs from around the country, one from each NFL city, served up their specialties alongside an alumni player from each of the NFL teams. Since then, the event has continued at each Super Bowl location and grown to several NFL cities. The mission of the Taste of the NFL is to address the needs of the hungry and homeless by raising awareness and money through special events and programs.
Panthers fans and food connoisseurs will savor delicacies from top chefs, representing 15-20 of the best restaurants in North and South Carolina. Current and former Panthers players will be on hand to mingle with those in attendance. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., there will be a private VIP reception in Suite 87, where guests will enjoy an upgraded beverage selection, choose their restaurants before others arrive and take a tour of Bank of America Stadium.
The cost of the event is $150 per ticket or $250 per VIP ticket. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which serves hungry children and families in the Charlotte region.
Those wishing to attend should complete the registration form and return it with a check made payable to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. If you cannot download the registration form, please send your registration fee along with your name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address to: Taste of the NFL, 800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202. Upon receipt of registration and payment, participants will be mailed a confirmation letter and ticket(s).
The Taste of the NFL was born in 1992 at Super Bowl XXVI in Minneapolis as 28 of the finest chefs from around the country, one from each NFL city, served up their specialties alongside an alumni player from each of the NFL teams. Since then, the event has continued at each Super Bowl location and grown to several NFL cities. The mission of the Taste of the NFL is to address the needs of the hungry and homeless by raising awareness and money through special events and programs.
12TH ANNUAL URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL
News Release Issued: August 18, 2008 10:00 AM EDT
Queen Latifah Announced as 2008 Honorary Chair of Urbanworld Film Festival
Presented by BET Networks
2008 Slate of Diverse Films Features Special Closing Night Screening of 'The
Secret Life Of Bees' Starring Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson,
Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo
Festival Sponsors Include HBO, Time Warner Cable, Grey Goose, WNBC, Black
Enterprise, ESSENCE, VIBE, Power 105.1, the Directors Guild of America, AMC
Theatres, Fox Searchlight Pictures and the Weinstein Company
NEW YORK, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Urbanworld Film Festival presented by
BET Networks, the largest international competitive festival of its kind,
today announced that Academy Award-nominated actress Queen Latifah will serve
as Honorary Chair of this year's festival. Dedicated to the exhibition of
independent and mainstream cinema by and about people of color, Urbanworld
also announced it will screen 85 films at this year's festival in New York
City from September 10-14. All festival screenings will be held at the AMC
Loews 34th Street Theaters.
This year's selection showcases New York-based films and filmmakers
celebrating local artists and communities, as well as a strong representation
of international filmmakers from around the world. The 2008 slate will
culminate in the special closing night screening of The Secret Life of Bees,
followed by a Q&A with talent from the film including Queen Latifah, Sophie
Okonedo ('Hotel Rwanda'), and screenwriter/director Gina Prince-Bythewood
('Love & Basketball').
"These are really exciting times for the festival," said Stacy Spikes,
founder of Urbanworld. "On display we have films of nearly every genre,
created by filmmakers of nearly every background. This robust selection of
cinema, together with our new partnership with BET Networks, promises to make
this the best Urbanworld yet."
"We're thrilled to have hip-hop's first lady Queen Latifah sign on as
honorary chair for this year's festivities," said Alvin Bowles, Senior Vice
President, Integrated Marketing, BET Networks. "The exciting lineup of
cinematic talent rounds out our mission to embrace and support the new wave
of filmmakers of color through our partnership with Urbanworld."
"I am thrilled to be the honorary chair of the Urbanworld Film Festival this
year," said Queen Latifah. "It is an important and exciting festival and the
perfect place to showcase my new film The Secret Life of Bees."
The five-day festival includes feature, documentary, and short film
screenings, as well as panel discussions, live staged screenplay readings and
the celebrated Actor's Spotlight, featuring Queen Latifah and to be aired on
BET, with previous honorees including Vondie Curtis Hall, Samuel L. Jackson,
Billy Dee Williams and Rosie Perez.
Urbanworld and BET Networks also announced this year's roster of marquee
sponsors. HBO returns for the 12th year as the founding sponsor of the
Urbanworld Film Festival. Time Warner Cable joins the festival as a Prestige
Sponsor. Grey Goose will serve as an Official Sponsor. Principal Sponsors
will include The Weinstein Company, WNBC, Black Enterprise, ESSENCE, VIBE,
and Power 105.1. The Directors Guild of America and AMC Theatres return as
Benefactor Sponsors. Sponsoring studios include Fox Searchlight and the
Weinstein Company. The Hilton Times Square will serve as the host hotel of
the festival, where registration and panels will take place.
Highlights and Notable Films of 2008 Urbanworld Film Festival Include:
The Secret Life Of Bees, the special closing night screening, written for the
screen and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Queen Latifah (the
Festival's Honorary Chair), Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and
Sophie Okonedo. A touching story about the need for love, family and
redemption, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES explores our undeniable desire for a
sense of belonging and the often daunting journeys that we must navigate to
achieve it. Set in South Carolina during the turbulent Civil Rights era, the
home of the intelligent and independent honey-making Boatwright sisters
(Latifah, Keys and Okonedo) is suddenly thrust into upheaval with the arrival
of fourteen year-old Lily Owens (Fanning) and her caretaker Rosaleen (Hudson).
Surrounded by the unexpected comforts, grace and deep rooted spirituality
Lily (Fanning) encounters in the Boatwright home, she forms a maternal bond
with each of these women whose unique and special gifts help reconcile the
loss of her mother. Lily ultimately comes to the realization that sometimes
you must leave home in order to find it. The film is scheduled for
nationwide release on October 17, 2008.
Wu: The Story Of The Wu Tang Clan, directed by Gerald Barclay, is a gritty
documentary that traces the history of the ever-popular Wu-Tang Clan. In the
summer of 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan emerged from the slums of Staten Island and
took the hip-hop world by storm. Their legacy spanned over a decade,
garnering fans worldwide and generating sales in excess of $50 million.
For more information about the 2008 Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET
Networks, please visit or http://www.urbanworld.org/ or
http://www.bet.com/urbanworld.
ABOUT THE 2008 URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL:
Beginning this year, BET Networks has signed on for a three-year strategic
partnership to present the Urbanworld Film Festival. The unique partnership,
strengthened by BET's position as the leading media and entertainment
provider for African Americans and consumers of Black culture, will further
establish the festival as one of the world's largest competitive film
festivals designed to redefine and enhance the roles of multicultural
constituents in contemporary cinema.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA)(NYSE: VIA.B), is the
nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public
affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary
BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media
Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the
dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business
extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment,
music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET
Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET
Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET
Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home
environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides
ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET
International, an extension of BET network programming for global
distribution.
ABOUT URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL:
Urbanworld launched in August 1997 and was founded by former executive at
Miramax Stacy Spikes. Over the past eleven years, Urbanworld has presented
approximately 700 features, shorts and documentaries, with estimated
attendance reaching 15,000+. Now in its twelfth year, the Urbanworld Film
Festival is the largest internationally competitive festival of its kind.
Urbanworld re-defines the competitive film festival landscape with its fresh
and necessary approach to spreading the voices of a multicultural world. The
Urbanworld Film Festival is an initiative produced by the Urbanworld
Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to implementing programs and
events that support the development and success of the urban filmmaking
community. Stacy Spikes serves as chairman emeritus. Gabrielle Glore serves
as executive producer.
12TH ANNUAL URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL
2008 ROSTER
Closing Night Film: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Spotlight Screenings Include:
WU: THE STORY OF THE WU-TANG CLAN directed by Gerald Barclay
TENNESSEE directed by Aaron Woodley
Narrative Features Include 16 Films:
BALL DON'T LIE directed by Brin Hill
BALLAST directed by Lance Hammer
CIGARETTES FOR BREAKFAST directed by Daniel Williams
I USED TO LOVE HER directed by Mark Harris
JAZZ IN THE DIAMOND DISTRICT directed by Lindsey Christian
PHANTOM PUNCH directed by Robert Townsend
SEAL TEAM VI directed by Mark Andrews
SECOND CHANCE directed by Iris Huey
SISTER'S KEEPER directed by Kent Faulcon
SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE directed by Leon Lozano
STREETBALLERS directed by Matt Krentz
THE HEART SPECIALIST directed by Dennis Cooper
THIS IS NOT A TEST directed by Christopher Angel
TRUTH HALL directed by Jade Dixon
UP WITH ME directed by Greg Takoudes
WHITE LIES BLACK SHEEP directed by James Spooner
Narrative Shorts Include 40 Films:
(MIS) LEADING MAN directed by Morocco Omari
3RD OF JULY directed by Ben Chace
A DAY'S WORK directed by Rajeev Dassani
A PRAYER directed by Louie P.
AFIA directed by Lacey Duke
AWILDA AND THE BEE directed by Lyndon McCray
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: THE MOVIE directed by Buttahman
CLASSIFIED directed by Sherman Payne
CRENSHAW NIGHTS directed by Pete D. Gelles
EXPECTATIONS OF A FATHER directed by Jerry E
HOLLYWOOD JEROME directed by Frey Hoffman
KUNG FU GRANNY directed by Myra Sito Velasquez
LARRY (THE ACTOR) directed by Eric Poydar
LIMPIANO SAPOS directed by Vero Shamo-Garcia
LINUS directed by Julius Onah
LO directed by Joe Kim
LOVE CONQUERS AL directed by Kamali Minter
NAPPY HEADS directed by Sabrina Moella
OVER DA RAINBOW directed by Jared Lapidus
PALM TREES DOWN 3RD STREET directed by Maria Judice
PAPICHULO directed by Marquis Smalls
PREMATURE directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green
SHY directed by April Rouveyrol
SIRI OKO FO directed by Heather Murphy
SOUTH CENTRAL DAZE directed by Marquise C.
THE DOLL directed by Dante James
THE PRINCE OF VENICE directed by Yaa Boaa Aning
THE SECOND COMING directed by Ya'ke Smith
THE SOUL SEARCHERS SERIES: GET THEE BEHIND ME directed by Jeffrey Wray
THE YOUNG AND EVIL directed by Julian Breece
UK SPOTLIGHT - BLANK SLATE SHORTS PROGRAM (8 FILMS)
URBAN GENESIS directed by Larry Bryant
VICTIM directed by Cesar Mazariegos
Documentary Features Include 19 Films:
ADJUST YOUR COLOR: THE TRUTH OF PETEY GREENE directed by Loren Mendell
ALL OF US directed by Emily Abt
ARUSI directed by Marjan Tehrani
BALLOU directed by Michael Patrei
BIGG SNOOP DOGG'S YOUTH AUTHORITY directed by Gabriel London
CALAVERA HIGHWAY directed by Renee Tajima-Pena
DIARY OF A TIRED BLACK MAN directed by Tim Alexander
FAMILIAR VOICES directed by Danny Mendoza
IN PRISON MY WHOLE LIFE directed by Marc Evans
LA AMERICANA directed by Nicholas Bruckman
MALCOLM'S ECHO: THE LEGACY OF MALCOLM X directed by Dami Akinnusi
NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET directed by James Dziura
ONE BAD CAT directed by Thomas G. Miller
SLINGSHOT HIP-HOP directed by Jackie Salloum
SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING directed by Robert Small
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WATER directed by Jeremy Robins
THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS directed by Brad Osborne
THIS IS THE LIFE directed by Ava DuVernay
TWO TURNTABLES AND A MICROPHONE directed by Guy Logan
Documentary Shorts Include 7 Films:
50 SHOTS directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green
EL PLAY directed by Pablo Medina
FRESH OF THE BOAT by Katrina Lucas
JUROR NUMBER SIX directed by Rachel Lyon
SEEN BUT NOT HEARD directed by Cyrille Phipps
THE 13TH AMENDMENT directed by Mike D.
URSULA RUCKER - POET directed by Michael J. Dennis
Queen Latifah Announced as 2008 Honorary Chair of Urbanworld Film Festival
Presented by BET Networks
2008 Slate of Diverse Films Features Special Closing Night Screening of 'The
Secret Life Of Bees' Starring Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson,
Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo
Festival Sponsors Include HBO, Time Warner Cable, Grey Goose, WNBC, Black
Enterprise, ESSENCE, VIBE, Power 105.1, the Directors Guild of America, AMC
Theatres, Fox Searchlight Pictures and the Weinstein Company
NEW YORK, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Urbanworld Film Festival presented by
BET Networks, the largest international competitive festival of its kind,
today announced that Academy Award-nominated actress Queen Latifah will serve
as Honorary Chair of this year's festival. Dedicated to the exhibition of
independent and mainstream cinema by and about people of color, Urbanworld
also announced it will screen 85 films at this year's festival in New York
City from September 10-14. All festival screenings will be held at the AMC
Loews 34th Street Theaters.
This year's selection showcases New York-based films and filmmakers
celebrating local artists and communities, as well as a strong representation
of international filmmakers from around the world. The 2008 slate will
culminate in the special closing night screening of The Secret Life of Bees,
followed by a Q&A with talent from the film including Queen Latifah, Sophie
Okonedo ('Hotel Rwanda'), and screenwriter/director Gina Prince-Bythewood
('Love & Basketball').
"These are really exciting times for the festival," said Stacy Spikes,
founder of Urbanworld. "On display we have films of nearly every genre,
created by filmmakers of nearly every background. This robust selection of
cinema, together with our new partnership with BET Networks, promises to make
this the best Urbanworld yet."
"We're thrilled to have hip-hop's first lady Queen Latifah sign on as
honorary chair for this year's festivities," said Alvin Bowles, Senior Vice
President, Integrated Marketing, BET Networks. "The exciting lineup of
cinematic talent rounds out our mission to embrace and support the new wave
of filmmakers of color through our partnership with Urbanworld."
"I am thrilled to be the honorary chair of the Urbanworld Film Festival this
year," said Queen Latifah. "It is an important and exciting festival and the
perfect place to showcase my new film The Secret Life of Bees."
The five-day festival includes feature, documentary, and short film
screenings, as well as panel discussions, live staged screenplay readings and
the celebrated Actor's Spotlight, featuring Queen Latifah and to be aired on
BET, with previous honorees including Vondie Curtis Hall, Samuel L. Jackson,
Billy Dee Williams and Rosie Perez.
Urbanworld and BET Networks also announced this year's roster of marquee
sponsors. HBO returns for the 12th year as the founding sponsor of the
Urbanworld Film Festival. Time Warner Cable joins the festival as a Prestige
Sponsor. Grey Goose will serve as an Official Sponsor. Principal Sponsors
will include The Weinstein Company, WNBC, Black Enterprise, ESSENCE, VIBE,
and Power 105.1. The Directors Guild of America and AMC Theatres return as
Benefactor Sponsors. Sponsoring studios include Fox Searchlight and the
Weinstein Company. The Hilton Times Square will serve as the host hotel of
the festival, where registration and panels will take place.
Highlights and Notable Films of 2008 Urbanworld Film Festival Include:
The Secret Life Of Bees, the special closing night screening, written for the
screen and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and stars Queen Latifah (the
Festival's Honorary Chair), Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and
Sophie Okonedo. A touching story about the need for love, family and
redemption, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES explores our undeniable desire for a
sense of belonging and the often daunting journeys that we must navigate to
achieve it. Set in South Carolina during the turbulent Civil Rights era, the
home of the intelligent and independent honey-making Boatwright sisters
(Latifah, Keys and Okonedo) is suddenly thrust into upheaval with the arrival
of fourteen year-old Lily Owens (Fanning) and her caretaker Rosaleen (Hudson).
Surrounded by the unexpected comforts, grace and deep rooted spirituality
Lily (Fanning) encounters in the Boatwright home, she forms a maternal bond
with each of these women whose unique and special gifts help reconcile the
loss of her mother. Lily ultimately comes to the realization that sometimes
you must leave home in order to find it. The film is scheduled for
nationwide release on October 17, 2008.
Wu: The Story Of The Wu Tang Clan, directed by Gerald Barclay, is a gritty
documentary that traces the history of the ever-popular Wu-Tang Clan. In the
summer of 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan emerged from the slums of Staten Island and
took the hip-hop world by storm. Their legacy spanned over a decade,
garnering fans worldwide and generating sales in excess of $50 million.
For more information about the 2008 Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET
Networks, please visit or http://www.urbanworld.org/ or
http://www.bet.com/urbanworld.
ABOUT THE 2008 URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL:
Beginning this year, BET Networks has signed on for a three-year strategic
partnership to present the Urbanworld Film Festival. The unique partnership,
strengthened by BET's position as the leading media and entertainment
provider for African Americans and consumers of Black culture, will further
establish the festival as one of the world's largest competitive film
festivals designed to redefine and enhance the roles of multicultural
constituents in contemporary cinema.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA)(NYSE: VIA.B), is the
nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public
affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary
BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media
Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the
dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business
extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment,
music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET
Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET
Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET
Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home
environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides
ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET
International, an extension of BET network programming for global
distribution.
ABOUT URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL:
Urbanworld launched in August 1997 and was founded by former executive at
Miramax Stacy Spikes. Over the past eleven years, Urbanworld has presented
approximately 700 features, shorts and documentaries, with estimated
attendance reaching 15,000+. Now in its twelfth year, the Urbanworld Film
Festival is the largest internationally competitive festival of its kind.
Urbanworld re-defines the competitive film festival landscape with its fresh
and necessary approach to spreading the voices of a multicultural world. The
Urbanworld Film Festival is an initiative produced by the Urbanworld
Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to implementing programs and
events that support the development and success of the urban filmmaking
community. Stacy Spikes serves as chairman emeritus. Gabrielle Glore serves
as executive producer.
12TH ANNUAL URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL
2008 ROSTER
Closing Night Film: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Spotlight Screenings Include:
WU: THE STORY OF THE WU-TANG CLAN directed by Gerald Barclay
TENNESSEE directed by Aaron Woodley
Narrative Features Include 16 Films:
BALL DON'T LIE directed by Brin Hill
BALLAST directed by Lance Hammer
CIGARETTES FOR BREAKFAST directed by Daniel Williams
I USED TO LOVE HER directed by Mark Harris
JAZZ IN THE DIAMOND DISTRICT directed by Lindsey Christian
PHANTOM PUNCH directed by Robert Townsend
SEAL TEAM VI directed by Mark Andrews
SECOND CHANCE directed by Iris Huey
SISTER'S KEEPER directed by Kent Faulcon
SOMETHING IS KILLING TATE directed by Leon Lozano
STREETBALLERS directed by Matt Krentz
THE HEART SPECIALIST directed by Dennis Cooper
THIS IS NOT A TEST directed by Christopher Angel
TRUTH HALL directed by Jade Dixon
UP WITH ME directed by Greg Takoudes
WHITE LIES BLACK SHEEP directed by James Spooner
Narrative Shorts Include 40 Films:
(MIS) LEADING MAN directed by Morocco Omari
3RD OF JULY directed by Ben Chace
A DAY'S WORK directed by Rajeev Dassani
A PRAYER directed by Louie P.
AFIA directed by Lacey Duke
AWILDA AND THE BEE directed by Lyndon McCray
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: THE MOVIE directed by Buttahman
CLASSIFIED directed by Sherman Payne
CRENSHAW NIGHTS directed by Pete D. Gelles
EXPECTATIONS OF A FATHER directed by Jerry E
HOLLYWOOD JEROME directed by Frey Hoffman
KUNG FU GRANNY directed by Myra Sito Velasquez
LARRY (THE ACTOR) directed by Eric Poydar
LIMPIANO SAPOS directed by Vero Shamo-Garcia
LINUS directed by Julius Onah
LO directed by Joe Kim
LOVE CONQUERS AL directed by Kamali Minter
NAPPY HEADS directed by Sabrina Moella
OVER DA RAINBOW directed by Jared Lapidus
PALM TREES DOWN 3RD STREET directed by Maria Judice
PAPICHULO directed by Marquis Smalls
PREMATURE directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green
SHY directed by April Rouveyrol
SIRI OKO FO directed by Heather Murphy
SOUTH CENTRAL DAZE directed by Marquise C.
THE DOLL directed by Dante James
THE PRINCE OF VENICE directed by Yaa Boaa Aning
THE SECOND COMING directed by Ya'ke Smith
THE SOUL SEARCHERS SERIES: GET THEE BEHIND ME directed by Jeffrey Wray
THE YOUNG AND EVIL directed by Julian Breece
UK SPOTLIGHT - BLANK SLATE SHORTS PROGRAM (8 FILMS)
URBAN GENESIS directed by Larry Bryant
VICTIM directed by Cesar Mazariegos
Documentary Features Include 19 Films:
ADJUST YOUR COLOR: THE TRUTH OF PETEY GREENE directed by Loren Mendell
ALL OF US directed by Emily Abt
ARUSI directed by Marjan Tehrani
BALLOU directed by Michael Patrei
BIGG SNOOP DOGG'S YOUTH AUTHORITY directed by Gabriel London
CALAVERA HIGHWAY directed by Renee Tajima-Pena
DIARY OF A TIRED BLACK MAN directed by Tim Alexander
FAMILIAR VOICES directed by Danny Mendoza
IN PRISON MY WHOLE LIFE directed by Marc Evans
LA AMERICANA directed by Nicholas Bruckman
MALCOLM'S ECHO: THE LEGACY OF MALCOLM X directed by Dami Akinnusi
NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET directed by James Dziura
ONE BAD CAT directed by Thomas G. Miller
SLINGSHOT HIP-HOP directed by Jackie Salloum
SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING directed by Robert Small
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WATER directed by Jeremy Robins
THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS directed by Brad Osborne
THIS IS THE LIFE directed by Ava DuVernay
TWO TURNTABLES AND A MICROPHONE directed by Guy Logan
Documentary Shorts Include 7 Films:
50 SHOTS directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green
EL PLAY directed by Pablo Medina
FRESH OF THE BOAT by Katrina Lucas
JUROR NUMBER SIX directed by Rachel Lyon
SEEN BUT NOT HEARD directed by Cyrille Phipps
THE 13TH AMENDMENT directed by Mike D.
URSULA RUCKER - POET directed by Michael J. Dennis
Reverend Run's Words of Wisdom
Good morning. Will-power and desire, when properly combined, make an irresistible pair. Be persistent!! The majority of people are ready to throw their aims and purposes overboard , and give up at the first sign of opposition or misfortune. ONLY A FEW carry on despite all opposition or misfortune. (HERE'S MY QUESTION????) Are you one of those few????? JOIN THE FEW!!! PERSIST!!!
God is Love
Rev Run
God is Love
Rev Run
Jackie Chan- UNICEF AMBASSADOR SINCE 2004
Action star Jackie Chan has received a special UNICEF award for his work with children.
Chan was a guest at a UNICEF reception held in China on August 9, where awards were presented to UNICEF supporting partners and goodwill ambassadors who have aided the organization’s efforts to help children all over the world. The event – called Champions for Children – served two purposes: to advocate for vulnerable children and to thank all of UNICEF’s partners, including the Chinese government, for their tireless work.
---Story pulled from Look to the Stars.
Chan was a guest at a UNICEF reception held in China on August 9, where awards were presented to UNICEF supporting partners and goodwill ambassadors who have aided the organization’s efforts to help children all over the world. The event – called Champions for Children – served two purposes: to advocate for vulnerable children and to thank all of UNICEF’s partners, including the Chinese government, for their tireless work.
---Story pulled from Look to the Stars.
Andre Aggassi Charitable Foundation
Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik will join James Taylor for a special VIP event to raise money for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.
Andre Agassi’s 2008 Grand Slam for Children will take place on October 11 at Wynn Las Vegas and feature a concert by Grammy-award winning singer Sheryl Crow, with other performers to be announced soon. However, the gala will be preceded the previous night – October 10 – by a special show featuring Ondrasik and Taylor for Gold and Diamond sponsors.
The Grand Slam shows will follow the charity’s annual A Night In The Hamptons event on August 16 at Ross School. The evening will be hosted by Agassi and will include dinner, a live auction and a special performance by Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas. Emcees for the evening will be Chevy Chase and Kelsey Grammar. The event is limited to 35 table sponsorships at $35,000 each, with 10 seats per table. Individual seats are also available at $3,500 each.
The Andre Agassi Foundation – which focuses on changing the lives of at-risk children through programs that provide educational and recreational opportunities and has raised over $70 million to support these programs in the last 14 years – hopes this will be a very intimate event where sponsors can hear directly from Andre Agassi how the Foundation is working to effect change in public education and at the same time, have a fantastic evening for a great cause.
Andre Agassi’s 2008 Grand Slam for Children will take place on October 11 at Wynn Las Vegas and feature a concert by Grammy-award winning singer Sheryl Crow, with other performers to be announced soon. However, the gala will be preceded the previous night – October 10 – by a special show featuring Ondrasik and Taylor for Gold and Diamond sponsors.
The Grand Slam shows will follow the charity’s annual A Night In The Hamptons event on August 16 at Ross School. The evening will be hosted by Agassi and will include dinner, a live auction and a special performance by Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas. Emcees for the evening will be Chevy Chase and Kelsey Grammar. The event is limited to 35 table sponsorships at $35,000 each, with 10 seats per table. Individual seats are also available at $3,500 each.
The Andre Agassi Foundation – which focuses on changing the lives of at-risk children through programs that provide educational and recreational opportunities and has raised over $70 million to support these programs in the last 14 years – hopes this will be a very intimate event where sponsors can hear directly from Andre Agassi how the Foundation is working to effect change in public education and at the same time, have a fantastic evening for a great cause.
HOUSTON'S MADD HATTA HELPS 100 KIDS GET FLY FOR 1ST DAY BACK AT SCHOOL - TEAMS WITH JAMES POSEY'S BACK 2 SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
HOUSTON'S MADD HATTA HELPS 100 KIDS GET FLY FOR 1ST DAY BACK AT SCHOOL - TEAMS WITH JAMES POSEY'S BACK 2 SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
Fact: The percentage of black men who have not graduated from high school has quadrupled over the past 60 years.
Fact: 60% of the black males who drop out of school will end up behind bars
Fact: Black males in the their early 30's are twice as likely to have prison records as bachelor's degrees
Fact: Only 3 out of 10 black males entering kindergarten will graduate from college
Houston, TX - Most of you will recall the night before the first day of school; laying out your new outfit and imagining all the compliments you would get when you saw all of your friends that day. While sitting in church a few Sundays ago, 97.9 The Box morning show host, Madd Hatta, heard his pastor tell his congregation that "children who did not have a new outfit on the first day of school, and were therefore not dressed for success, were far less likely to have a successful school year." That statement stuck in his head, along with the above statistics and he decided he wanted do something to help. Hatta called his good friends at local shopping mecca Suitmart and thus, Hatta's 100 was born.
Young males in Houston from grades 6 - 8 were encouraged to submit a 100 word essay on how they planned to 'keep it 100' in school and the winning 100 kids will be taken to Suitmart this coming Wednesday, August 20th where Hatta will buy them each a new outfit for their first day back in school. Additionally, upon hearing Hatta speak on the air about what he was doing for the kids, former Celtic, James Posey, who was already doing a back to school event as part of his Back 2 School Championship Weekend, invited Hatta's 100 to participate. Posey and 15 of his All Star buddies will be on hand at Grooves restaurant from 12PM - 3PM Saturday, August 23rd to meet with 500 kids, Hatta's 100 included, where they will receive not only some All Star Inspiration, but a backpack filled with school supplies.
"I heard what Hatta was trying to do for the kids and it occurred to me that kids who could not afford new clothes for the start of school were probably struggling with school supplies as well. I already had an event I was doing for 400 kids so we just added Hatta's 100 to that event." James Posey says.
"Often in life it's the small things that make a difference and it's up to each of us to find a way to be the catalyst for change. Because life is always about choices, I made the choice to help 100 male students from the 6th, 7th and 8th grades start their school year off the right way......dressed for success." Hatta states, and adds......"I would like to thank both my friends at Suitmart, and James Posey for seeing my vision and helping me to make these things possible."
Fact: The percentage of black men who have not graduated from high school has quadrupled over the past 60 years.
Fact: 60% of the black males who drop out of school will end up behind bars
Fact: Black males in the their early 30's are twice as likely to have prison records as bachelor's degrees
Fact: Only 3 out of 10 black males entering kindergarten will graduate from college
Houston, TX - Most of you will recall the night before the first day of school; laying out your new outfit and imagining all the compliments you would get when you saw all of your friends that day. While sitting in church a few Sundays ago, 97.9 The Box morning show host, Madd Hatta, heard his pastor tell his congregation that "children who did not have a new outfit on the first day of school, and were therefore not dressed for success, were far less likely to have a successful school year." That statement stuck in his head, along with the above statistics and he decided he wanted do something to help. Hatta called his good friends at local shopping mecca Suitmart and thus, Hatta's 100 was born.
Young males in Houston from grades 6 - 8 were encouraged to submit a 100 word essay on how they planned to 'keep it 100' in school and the winning 100 kids will be taken to Suitmart this coming Wednesday, August 20th where Hatta will buy them each a new outfit for their first day back in school. Additionally, upon hearing Hatta speak on the air about what he was doing for the kids, former Celtic, James Posey, who was already doing a back to school event as part of his Back 2 School Championship Weekend, invited Hatta's 100 to participate. Posey and 15 of his All Star buddies will be on hand at Grooves restaurant from 12PM - 3PM Saturday, August 23rd to meet with 500 kids, Hatta's 100 included, where they will receive not only some All Star Inspiration, but a backpack filled with school supplies.
"I heard what Hatta was trying to do for the kids and it occurred to me that kids who could not afford new clothes for the start of school were probably struggling with school supplies as well. I already had an event I was doing for 400 kids so we just added Hatta's 100 to that event." James Posey says.
"Often in life it's the small things that make a difference and it's up to each of us to find a way to be the catalyst for change. Because life is always about choices, I made the choice to help 100 male students from the 6th, 7th and 8th grades start their school year off the right way......dressed for success." Hatta states, and adds......"I would like to thank both my friends at Suitmart, and James Posey for seeing my vision and helping me to make these things possible."
P. Miller Makes History!
Better Black Television (BBTV) Set to Launch Worldwide in 2009
P. Miller Makes History as the First Hip-Hop Entrepreneur to Own a Television Network, Is the Youngest Chairman in the Game, and Takes His Fast-Paced, Growing Brand to Wall Street
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - August 15, 2008) - Percy Miller (formerly Master P) announces the launch of Better Black Television (BBTV) a family friendly network that will provide positive content for a black and brown culture that will appeal to all races with a goal to bring people of color a choice when turning on their television. The content on the channel will contain a wide arrangement from health and fitness, animation, financial planning, reality TV, sitcoms, dramas, movies, responsible hip-hop music and videos, politics, sports and entertainment news, educational children's shows as well as teen and family programming. Production has begun and will be based out of California, New York, Louisiana and Florida. In addition, BBTV is in the process of purchasing local cable channel affiliates across the country.
Born in Hollywood, Better Black Television is the brainchild and passion of some of the most diverse, powerful, celebrated entertainers, influentials and trendsetters from the Television, Film, Professional Sports, Corporate America and Music industries. These visionaries all share the common goal of enhancing the current television landscape for this highly coveted demographic currently monopolized by only a few significant providers, with fresh, innovative, uplifting and above all family-friendly entertainment. Envisioned and headed by its Founder, P. Miller, a legendary music, film, and television entertainer as well as world-renowned African-American entrepreneur and social activist, Better Black Television is guided, staffed and supported by a highly skilled, talented, and above all dedicated team of professionals that have been working for more than 5 years to make this dream a reality.
"Better Black Television has been a vision of mine for some years," said Miller, BBTV's Chairman & CEO. "I've done a lot to promote and change the way messages are relayed to our children and our families over the last few years. Promoting positive content and positive messages is so important to educate and preserve the next generation. Being exposed to positive content is what changed my life. I believe that there is a market in our community for a new diverse network that provides a new brand of superior programming that caters to all aspects of television from reality to original programming. In addition, I'm excited to be able to expose the urban community to a vast array of jobs in the entertainment community that they might not otherwise be privy to. I have a great relationship with BET and MTV and my son and I will continue to do work with them and support their networks. With BBTV, we're spearheading the initiative to meet consumer demand for family friendly hip-hop content."
The BBTV Advisory Board members consist of some of the most significant entertainers in Hollywood, professional athletes as well as movers and shakers in the community such as Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Denzel Washington; businessman and Academy Award nominee Will Smith; Vault Load Films President, entrepreneur and senior level business executive, Jim Finkl; NAACP Executive Director Vicangelo Bullock; Professional basketball player and businessman Derek Anderson (Charlotte Bobcats); an award winning, 20-year veteran of the cable television and film industry, Professor Sal Martino; businessman, community activist and founding father of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc; entrepreneur, businessman and animation specialist, Olatokunbo Betiku; and community activist, Board President of Nailah House Foster Family Agency, speaker and teacher at Trump University, real estate mogul Curtis Oakes.
Preliminary List of Better Black Television Programming:
-- Sunset and Vine -- Hosted by Vyshonn Miller and Brittany
Phillips -- This video show will showcase the top 8 at 8pm, the top
hip-hop and R&B acts as well as play classic videos and will feature
a section where you can vote on new indie unsigned artists who will
showcase their talent and the audience will have the option to place
them in the "You Pick It Video" section by voting for them online.
-- One Shot Comedy Show -- will consist of clean hilarious comedy and
will be hosted by Gary Johnson (a.k.a. G-Thing) and some of the
funniest comedians around. It will give upcoming comedians the
opportunity to hit the stage.
-- Gee Gee the Giraffe -- Children's educational show featuring Gee Gee
the Giraffe, a magical friend that takes kids on educational
adventures focused on reading and writing. (Will air on BBTV Kids
Saturday Morning Show).
-- Manage Your Money -- Featuring financially successful people lending
information to viewers to help promote financial literacy.
-- Close to the Starz -- A behind the scenes show that takes the viewers
up close and personal to their favorite celebrities.
-- Karma TV Show -- Bilingual soap opera with an African-American and
Latino cast.
-- What's Cooking TV Show -- Talk show that covers wide aspects of
entertainment and current events while cooking and enjoying a good
meal. The host and guests prepare healthy, budget-conscious meals.
-- The Black List Movies -- Family friendly content featuring or created
by top filmmakers and actors. From the classics of the past to the
biggest stars of today, from original BBTV productions to quality
independents, you'll find them on "The Black List."
-- Hip-Hop Garage Show -- Saturday show that will play nothing but the
hottest new and upcoming artists in their latest music videos and
interviews selected with content appropriate to BBTV's mission and
standards.
"We're extremely proud of our programming that will be airing on BBTV," said Miller. "It's extremely important to feed clean, quality, and positive subject matter to our families. We believe TV content can be positive and responsible and still have good ratings with great content. BBTV will offer all kinds of family friendly entertainment that everyone can enjoy. Our mission is to target the new generation of responsible African-American and multi-ethnic English speaking American and family oriented and responsible hip-hop consumers who are taking charge of their families and striving for a better tomorrow.
"I remember Bob Johnson, founder of BET, telling me back in the day that if you wanted to know real estate, you've got to hang out with real estate investors. If you wanted to know sports, you've got to hang out with athletes. I wanted to know TV, so I hung out with Bob and learned the TV game from one of the best in the business."
Better Black Television Mission Statement:
Better Black Television (BBTV) is committed to being a leading African-American multimedia entertainment company by establishing a distinct, valued, trusted, and socially responsible consumer brand within the African-American and multi-ethnic, English-speaking marketplace. We plan to accomplish this mission by delivering quality, family oriented entertainment and information to the quickly growing urban consumer base of our target audience through the use of television and Internet resources.
www.BETTERBLACKTV.com
P. Miller Makes History as the First Hip-Hop Entrepreneur to Own a Television Network, Is the Youngest Chairman in the Game, and Takes His Fast-Paced, Growing Brand to Wall Street
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - August 15, 2008) - Percy Miller (formerly Master P) announces the launch of Better Black Television (BBTV) a family friendly network that will provide positive content for a black and brown culture that will appeal to all races with a goal to bring people of color a choice when turning on their television. The content on the channel will contain a wide arrangement from health and fitness, animation, financial planning, reality TV, sitcoms, dramas, movies, responsible hip-hop music and videos, politics, sports and entertainment news, educational children's shows as well as teen and family programming. Production has begun and will be based out of California, New York, Louisiana and Florida. In addition, BBTV is in the process of purchasing local cable channel affiliates across the country.
Born in Hollywood, Better Black Television is the brainchild and passion of some of the most diverse, powerful, celebrated entertainers, influentials and trendsetters from the Television, Film, Professional Sports, Corporate America and Music industries. These visionaries all share the common goal of enhancing the current television landscape for this highly coveted demographic currently monopolized by only a few significant providers, with fresh, innovative, uplifting and above all family-friendly entertainment. Envisioned and headed by its Founder, P. Miller, a legendary music, film, and television entertainer as well as world-renowned African-American entrepreneur and social activist, Better Black Television is guided, staffed and supported by a highly skilled, talented, and above all dedicated team of professionals that have been working for more than 5 years to make this dream a reality.
"Better Black Television has been a vision of mine for some years," said Miller, BBTV's Chairman & CEO. "I've done a lot to promote and change the way messages are relayed to our children and our families over the last few years. Promoting positive content and positive messages is so important to educate and preserve the next generation. Being exposed to positive content is what changed my life. I believe that there is a market in our community for a new diverse network that provides a new brand of superior programming that caters to all aspects of television from reality to original programming. In addition, I'm excited to be able to expose the urban community to a vast array of jobs in the entertainment community that they might not otherwise be privy to. I have a great relationship with BET and MTV and my son and I will continue to do work with them and support their networks. With BBTV, we're spearheading the initiative to meet consumer demand for family friendly hip-hop content."
The BBTV Advisory Board members consist of some of the most significant entertainers in Hollywood, professional athletes as well as movers and shakers in the community such as Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Denzel Washington; businessman and Academy Award nominee Will Smith; Vault Load Films President, entrepreneur and senior level business executive, Jim Finkl; NAACP Executive Director Vicangelo Bullock; Professional basketball player and businessman Derek Anderson (Charlotte Bobcats); an award winning, 20-year veteran of the cable television and film industry, Professor Sal Martino; businessman, community activist and founding father of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc; entrepreneur, businessman and animation specialist, Olatokunbo Betiku; and community activist, Board President of Nailah House Foster Family Agency, speaker and teacher at Trump University, real estate mogul Curtis Oakes.
Preliminary List of Better Black Television Programming:
-- Sunset and Vine -- Hosted by Vyshonn Miller and Brittany
Phillips -- This video show will showcase the top 8 at 8pm, the top
hip-hop and R&B acts as well as play classic videos and will feature
a section where you can vote on new indie unsigned artists who will
showcase their talent and the audience will have the option to place
them in the "You Pick It Video" section by voting for them online.
-- One Shot Comedy Show -- will consist of clean hilarious comedy and
will be hosted by Gary Johnson (a.k.a. G-Thing) and some of the
funniest comedians around. It will give upcoming comedians the
opportunity to hit the stage.
-- Gee Gee the Giraffe -- Children's educational show featuring Gee Gee
the Giraffe, a magical friend that takes kids on educational
adventures focused on reading and writing. (Will air on BBTV Kids
Saturday Morning Show).
-- Manage Your Money -- Featuring financially successful people lending
information to viewers to help promote financial literacy.
-- Close to the Starz -- A behind the scenes show that takes the viewers
up close and personal to their favorite celebrities.
-- Karma TV Show -- Bilingual soap opera with an African-American and
Latino cast.
-- What's Cooking TV Show -- Talk show that covers wide aspects of
entertainment and current events while cooking and enjoying a good
meal. The host and guests prepare healthy, budget-conscious meals.
-- The Black List Movies -- Family friendly content featuring or created
by top filmmakers and actors. From the classics of the past to the
biggest stars of today, from original BBTV productions to quality
independents, you'll find them on "The Black List."
-- Hip-Hop Garage Show -- Saturday show that will play nothing but the
hottest new and upcoming artists in their latest music videos and
interviews selected with content appropriate to BBTV's mission and
standards.
"We're extremely proud of our programming that will be airing on BBTV," said Miller. "It's extremely important to feed clean, quality, and positive subject matter to our families. We believe TV content can be positive and responsible and still have good ratings with great content. BBTV will offer all kinds of family friendly entertainment that everyone can enjoy. Our mission is to target the new generation of responsible African-American and multi-ethnic English speaking American and family oriented and responsible hip-hop consumers who are taking charge of their families and striving for a better tomorrow.
"I remember Bob Johnson, founder of BET, telling me back in the day that if you wanted to know real estate, you've got to hang out with real estate investors. If you wanted to know sports, you've got to hang out with athletes. I wanted to know TV, so I hung out with Bob and learned the TV game from one of the best in the business."
Better Black Television Mission Statement:
Better Black Television (BBTV) is committed to being a leading African-American multimedia entertainment company by establishing a distinct, valued, trusted, and socially responsible consumer brand within the African-American and multi-ethnic, English-speaking marketplace. We plan to accomplish this mission by delivering quality, family oriented entertainment and information to the quickly growing urban consumer base of our target audience through the use of television and Internet resources.
www.BETTERBLACKTV.com
NIKE+ HUMAN RACE! KANYE PERFORMING!!
Kanye West Announced As Grand Finale Performance For The Nike+ Human Race - The World's Largest One Day Running Event
Moby Confirmed To Play London as Online Registration Opens Globally
Music takes center stage on the heels of the official registration opening for the Nike+ Human Race, the world's biggest one-day running event taking place on August 31, 2008. The race brings together the power of sport and music to inspire and connect runners from every corner of the planet. Participants in this unprecedented event will experience an exclusive music performance by some of today's top artists in each of the 25 designated race cities.
In Los Angeles, nine-time Grammy Award winning artist Kanye West will headline the run's post race concert for the grand finale of the 25-city Nike+ Human Race. Runners will take to the streets passing the city's most famous landmarks before ending at the LA Coliseum to see West take the stage.
"I'm hitting the stage in Los Angeles for the Nike+ Human Race, Nike's dopest 10k run ever. This race is bringing together hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to run and listen to some great music while serving a higher cause, and I'm excited to perform in L.A. as part of the grand finale."
West's performance will bring to a close, an unprecedented day of races and activities around the globe starting in Taipei , ending in LA and including cities across Europe, Asia and North and South America.
In London, runners will be treated to an exclusive performance by world-renowned American DJ, songwriter, musician and singer Moby in the city's famed Wembley Stadium. Other all-star artists confirmed to play at the Nike+ Human Race include chart-topping rock band All-American Rejects in NY; hometown favorite Fall Out Boy in Chicago; R&B songstress Kelly Rowland in Paris; dance-electro-pop duo The Pinker Tones in Madrid, Turkish pop sensation Kenan Dogulu in Istanbul; the Fantastic Four in Munich; Beijing-based singing duo Yu Quan in Shanghai and American rock band Boy Likes Girl in Singapore.
Beyond running and music, the Nike+ Human Race is also an opportunity to give back. Participants will be able to run for a worthy cause and support the three official Nike+ Human Race charitable partners: the Lance Armstrong Foundation – uniting people in the fight against cancer; WWF - the global conservation organization addressing the causes and impacts of climate change; and the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org campaign – bringing sport and education to refugee youth. Together, Nike and runners will raise funds to donate at least USD $3 million to the Nike+ Human Race charities. Money will be raised via givebacks from registration fees, a percentage of Nike+ Human Race t-shirt sales and a donation of USD $1 million from Nike.
The Nike+ Human Race will also feature an online pledge tool so individual runners can donate additional funds to the cause of their choice and invite friends and family to contribute on their behalf.
"As a committed runner and a cancer survivor, I'm proud to be participating in the Nike+ Human Race," Lance Armstrong said. "The race offers the best of both worlds by bringing together a global community to run together and support worthy causes like the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org and WWF in our combined efforts to have a positive impact on the world."
Other Nike athletes will also be joining the movement to run with the world and for a cause. Like Lance Armstrong, they will serve as honorary athlete ambassadors for the charities and join in Human Race activities. Six-time marathon winner and current NY Marathon Champion, Paula Radcliffe and middle distance runner Kara Goucher will be running to support WWF, while marathoner Meb Keflezighi will be representing ninemillion.org.
Nikeplus.com will be the official destination for the Nike+ Human Race and for all pre-race training needs. Here, runners can create a personal profile page or stay motivated by sampling and downloading the latest in Nike+ Sport Music offerings. Sport Music offers runners the best in original Training Run and Coaching Mixes designed specifically for treadmill and road runs. Beginning June 15, runners will also be able to visit Race City pages covering local race info and news, Training pages for information and links to in-city training runs, events with official race partners including 24Hour Fitness and Starbucks and Nike+ Coach training. Gear pages covering the latest in Nike performance training gear and Nike+ product will also be offered.
For more information on the Nike+ Human Race and a complete listing of race cities visit nikeplus.com.
Moby Confirmed To Play London as Online Registration Opens Globally
Music takes center stage on the heels of the official registration opening for the Nike+ Human Race, the world's biggest one-day running event taking place on August 31, 2008. The race brings together the power of sport and music to inspire and connect runners from every corner of the planet. Participants in this unprecedented event will experience an exclusive music performance by some of today's top artists in each of the 25 designated race cities.
In Los Angeles, nine-time Grammy Award winning artist Kanye West will headline the run's post race concert for the grand finale of the 25-city Nike+ Human Race. Runners will take to the streets passing the city's most famous landmarks before ending at the LA Coliseum to see West take the stage.
"I'm hitting the stage in Los Angeles for the Nike+ Human Race, Nike's dopest 10k run ever. This race is bringing together hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world to run and listen to some great music while serving a higher cause, and I'm excited to perform in L.A. as part of the grand finale."
West's performance will bring to a close, an unprecedented day of races and activities around the globe starting in Taipei , ending in LA and including cities across Europe, Asia and North and South America.
In London, runners will be treated to an exclusive performance by world-renowned American DJ, songwriter, musician and singer Moby in the city's famed Wembley Stadium. Other all-star artists confirmed to play at the Nike+ Human Race include chart-topping rock band All-American Rejects in NY; hometown favorite Fall Out Boy in Chicago; R&B songstress Kelly Rowland in Paris; dance-electro-pop duo The Pinker Tones in Madrid, Turkish pop sensation Kenan Dogulu in Istanbul; the Fantastic Four in Munich; Beijing-based singing duo Yu Quan in Shanghai and American rock band Boy Likes Girl in Singapore.
Beyond running and music, the Nike+ Human Race is also an opportunity to give back. Participants will be able to run for a worthy cause and support the three official Nike+ Human Race charitable partners: the Lance Armstrong Foundation – uniting people in the fight against cancer; WWF - the global conservation organization addressing the causes and impacts of climate change; and the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org campaign – bringing sport and education to refugee youth. Together, Nike and runners will raise funds to donate at least USD $3 million to the Nike+ Human Race charities. Money will be raised via givebacks from registration fees, a percentage of Nike+ Human Race t-shirt sales and a donation of USD $1 million from Nike.
The Nike+ Human Race will also feature an online pledge tool so individual runners can donate additional funds to the cause of their choice and invite friends and family to contribute on their behalf.
"As a committed runner and a cancer survivor, I'm proud to be participating in the Nike+ Human Race," Lance Armstrong said. "The race offers the best of both worlds by bringing together a global community to run together and support worthy causes like the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the UN refugee agency's ninemillion.org and WWF in our combined efforts to have a positive impact on the world."
Other Nike athletes will also be joining the movement to run with the world and for a cause. Like Lance Armstrong, they will serve as honorary athlete ambassadors for the charities and join in Human Race activities. Six-time marathon winner and current NY Marathon Champion, Paula Radcliffe and middle distance runner Kara Goucher will be running to support WWF, while marathoner Meb Keflezighi will be representing ninemillion.org.
Nikeplus.com will be the official destination for the Nike+ Human Race and for all pre-race training needs. Here, runners can create a personal profile page or stay motivated by sampling and downloading the latest in Nike+ Sport Music offerings. Sport Music offers runners the best in original Training Run and Coaching Mixes designed specifically for treadmill and road runs. Beginning June 15, runners will also be able to visit Race City pages covering local race info and news, Training pages for information and links to in-city training runs, events with official race partners including 24Hour Fitness and Starbucks and Nike+ Coach training. Gear pages covering the latest in Nike performance training gear and Nike+ product will also be offered.
For more information on the Nike+ Human Race and a complete listing of race cities visit nikeplus.com.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Feature Foundation: TJ DUCKETT's Foundation
Welcome to the TD Foundation
TJ Duckett has established a foundation to positively impact youth and families who have lost loved ones to cancer with providing assistance to those who are currently living with cancer. As a son of a cancer victim, TJ knows first-hand the challenges families face when treatment becomes necessary as employment. The TD Foundation wants to help patients focus on living with cancer instead of dying from it-- to turn cancer patients into cancer survivors.
As a member of the Detroit Lions , all players are encouraged to get involved in charitable organizations and to give back to the community. TJ has taken it one step further by establishing the TD Foundation. For many years TJ has actively supported cancer research and awareness projects but now he wants to personally provide resources and assistance that he feels would have made a significant difference to his family while they were struggling to live with his mother’s illness.
The American Cancer Society estimates in 2007 that there will be over 1.5 million new cases of cancer diagnosed and that 559,650 people are expected to die of cancer, more than 1500 a day. Cancer has a lasting impression on patients, friends and loved ones. Some have just been diagnosed or are going through treatment, while others no longer have active symptoms of cancer or are considered cured. Today, cure rates continue to improve as new medicines and treatments are discovered. Join Team Duckett as we strive to assist organizations in the fight to cure cancer.
‘Maddenpalooza’ Rocks Rose Bowl
For thousands of gaming enthusiasts, the big day had finally arrived. On Monday, avid players of the hit video game Madden NFL 09 swarmed into the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the most popular video gaming franchise in sports history.
But hard-core fans weren’t the only ones there.
“I used to be good at Madden back when you only needed three buttons to play,” retired NFL star Warren Sapp said.
While Sapp’s best Madden playing days may be behind him, the future is bright for EA Sports and its signature game. The launch of Madden, themed “Maddenpalooza,” gave fans the opportunity of a lifetime at this gaming and music-based festival/event—a first look at the highly anticipated Madden NFL 09.
The strong relationship between Electronic Arts and NFL PLAYERS, the marketing and licensing subsidiary of the NFLPA, was on display Monday as “Maddenpalooza” featured more than a dozen former NFL superstars including Marshall Faulk, Eric Dickerson, Warren Moon and Eddie George, the first Madden cover athlete. This unique interaction allowed fans to experience the launch of the franchise’s 20th iteration in grand style.
Peter Moore, President of EA Sports, said, “The launch of Madden NFL 09 is of a magnitude that only the Rose Bowl can accommodate.”
The fan-fest atmosphere offered a player autograph stage, more than 300 gaming kiosks, football long-toss competitions and free beverage tents. Kicking off the day, fans were treated to musical performances by Rev Theory and Airborne, two bands whose music has been featured on the game’s soundtracks.
“To have an event at an historical place like the Rose Bowl and to go outside and see the huge tarp of artwork draping the whole stadium is incredible. Madden has become synonymous with the NFL,” said ex-Chicago Bears wide receiver Willie Gault.
Fans flocked to the Rose Bowl, grabbing their place in long lines as early as 3 a.m. on Aug. 11, in order to guarantee themselves a chance to play and buy the first available copies of the game. One of those loyal fans, Pasadena resident Jonathan Martinez, could hardly contain his excitement.
“I came out today just to get Madden NFL 09,” he said. “I’ve been playing since 1989 and I’m really hoping to play against some former NFL players. I couldn’t miss this.”
Faulk, the cover athlete for the 2003 version of Madden, put into perspective the impact of the game on its fans. “They love this game, they want this game, they do everything for this game. If you drop this game on the field, and just gave one out to everyone, it would cause a riot,” Faulk said.
The pre-launch buildup ended with a bang as Good Charlotte and Busta Rhymes amped up the crowd just hours before the sale of the first game. In an adjacent Wal-Mart store made specifically for the event, the first fans to purchase a copy—Jessica Didway and Fernando Aragno from Hacienda Heights, Calif.—were showered in confetti and presented the first sale by former San Francisco 49ers great Roger Craig.
With millions of pre-ordered copies for this year’s game, the first 20 years of the Madden franchise has been a rousing success. And if the popularity of “Maddenpalooza” is an indication of things to come, it will only continue to get bigger.
History of Madden
Dating back to 1989, when it debuted on the Apple II, the Madden franchise has grown tremendously over its 20 years of existence. Despite the original game’s unchartered success, the sentiment from retailers and EA alike was to not move forward with a sequel. Undeterred, and with a change of heart, the game continued to evolve. EA made its biggest splash with its 1995 edition, the first game which featured an NFL PLAYERS (then PLAYERS INC) license, which granted the rights of all active NFL players for use in the game.
NFL PLAYERS COO Andy Feffer reinforced the enthusiasm of partnering with EA Sports over the past 14 years. “We are thrilled to be partners with the leaders in the video game industry,” Feffer said.
A Player’s Game, Too
As fans gave their feedback on the game, the group of former NFL players in attendance discussed a wide range of topics about Madden and showed that when it comes to video games, the real players are big fans, too.
Longtime Buffalo Bills great Andre Reed, who had his 12-year-old son with him, noticed that “kids are going crazy” over the game. Dickerson, he of the 2,000-rushing yard season, said, “I love to play. It’s just like playing real football.”
Meanwhile, Moon, also a fan of the game, offered one critique: “They need a bigger controller. These people don’t realize how many broken and jammed fingers I had in my career,” Moon said. And perhaps George summed it up best when he explained, “When you walk into a room, I’m not sure if it is a real NFL game on the television screen or Madden.”
But hard-core fans weren’t the only ones there.
“I used to be good at Madden back when you only needed three buttons to play,” retired NFL star Warren Sapp said.
While Sapp’s best Madden playing days may be behind him, the future is bright for EA Sports and its signature game. The launch of Madden, themed “Maddenpalooza,” gave fans the opportunity of a lifetime at this gaming and music-based festival/event—a first look at the highly anticipated Madden NFL 09.
The strong relationship between Electronic Arts and NFL PLAYERS, the marketing and licensing subsidiary of the NFLPA, was on display Monday as “Maddenpalooza” featured more than a dozen former NFL superstars including Marshall Faulk, Eric Dickerson, Warren Moon and Eddie George, the first Madden cover athlete. This unique interaction allowed fans to experience the launch of the franchise’s 20th iteration in grand style.
Peter Moore, President of EA Sports, said, “The launch of Madden NFL 09 is of a magnitude that only the Rose Bowl can accommodate.”
The fan-fest atmosphere offered a player autograph stage, more than 300 gaming kiosks, football long-toss competitions and free beverage tents. Kicking off the day, fans were treated to musical performances by Rev Theory and Airborne, two bands whose music has been featured on the game’s soundtracks.
“To have an event at an historical place like the Rose Bowl and to go outside and see the huge tarp of artwork draping the whole stadium is incredible. Madden has become synonymous with the NFL,” said ex-Chicago Bears wide receiver Willie Gault.
Fans flocked to the Rose Bowl, grabbing their place in long lines as early as 3 a.m. on Aug. 11, in order to guarantee themselves a chance to play and buy the first available copies of the game. One of those loyal fans, Pasadena resident Jonathan Martinez, could hardly contain his excitement.
“I came out today just to get Madden NFL 09,” he said. “I’ve been playing since 1989 and I’m really hoping to play against some former NFL players. I couldn’t miss this.”
Faulk, the cover athlete for the 2003 version of Madden, put into perspective the impact of the game on its fans. “They love this game, they want this game, they do everything for this game. If you drop this game on the field, and just gave one out to everyone, it would cause a riot,” Faulk said.
The pre-launch buildup ended with a bang as Good Charlotte and Busta Rhymes amped up the crowd just hours before the sale of the first game. In an adjacent Wal-Mart store made specifically for the event, the first fans to purchase a copy—Jessica Didway and Fernando Aragno from Hacienda Heights, Calif.—were showered in confetti and presented the first sale by former San Francisco 49ers great Roger Craig.
With millions of pre-ordered copies for this year’s game, the first 20 years of the Madden franchise has been a rousing success. And if the popularity of “Maddenpalooza” is an indication of things to come, it will only continue to get bigger.
History of Madden
Dating back to 1989, when it debuted on the Apple II, the Madden franchise has grown tremendously over its 20 years of existence. Despite the original game’s unchartered success, the sentiment from retailers and EA alike was to not move forward with a sequel. Undeterred, and with a change of heart, the game continued to evolve. EA made its biggest splash with its 1995 edition, the first game which featured an NFL PLAYERS (then PLAYERS INC) license, which granted the rights of all active NFL players for use in the game.
NFL PLAYERS COO Andy Feffer reinforced the enthusiasm of partnering with EA Sports over the past 14 years. “We are thrilled to be partners with the leaders in the video game industry,” Feffer said.
A Player’s Game, Too
As fans gave their feedback on the game, the group of former NFL players in attendance discussed a wide range of topics about Madden and showed that when it comes to video games, the real players are big fans, too.
Longtime Buffalo Bills great Andre Reed, who had his 12-year-old son with him, noticed that “kids are going crazy” over the game. Dickerson, he of the 2,000-rushing yard season, said, “I love to play. It’s just like playing real football.”
Meanwhile, Moon, also a fan of the game, offered one critique: “They need a bigger controller. These people don’t realize how many broken and jammed fingers I had in my career,” Moon said. And perhaps George summed it up best when he explained, “When you walk into a room, I’m not sure if it is a real NFL game on the television screen or Madden.”
Union Plus Provides Support for Education
The NFLPA’s involvement in the Union Plus program provides members with various opportunities available to them and their children, including scholarships.
“Students are eligible for various union-sponsored scholarships,” said NFLPA Union Privilege Liaison Christie Gagnon. “It’s a great way to help make continuing education more affordable.”
For more than a decade, the Union Plus Scholarship Program, offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, has supported working families pursuing post-secondary education. There are currently four types of scholarships offered, all of which target different needs: the Union Plus Scholarship, Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship, Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship, and Nationwide Scholarship Search. All are available to family members of dues-paying union members in good standing. The 2009 scholarship applications will be available through the Union Plus website in September 2008.
“In addition to our player development department, which offers career and continuing education guidance, the Union Plus scholarship opportunities and College Planning Center are excellent resources available through Union Plus,” said Gagnon. “These tools are available to our active and retired members and their children, and we hope to increase the awareness and use of these educational tools amongst our membership.”
The College Planning Center provides family members with career assessments as well as assistance with the completion of college admission forms. To help simplify the timeline of the college application process, the center breaks it up into several segments: discovering, selecting, deciding, preparing, applying and paying.
To take advantage of these scholarship and college assistance opportunities and more, login in the upper right corner of this page. If you do not yet have login account please contact our offices at 800-372-2000. Active players should ask for ext. 475 or 474 and retired members should ask for ext. 167. Once logged in, click on Membership Discount Programs to view all current offers, which are subject to change.
“Students are eligible for various union-sponsored scholarships,” said NFLPA Union Privilege Liaison Christie Gagnon. “It’s a great way to help make continuing education more affordable.”
For more than a decade, the Union Plus Scholarship Program, offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, has supported working families pursuing post-secondary education. There are currently four types of scholarships offered, all of which target different needs: the Union Plus Scholarship, Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship, Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship, and Nationwide Scholarship Search. All are available to family members of dues-paying union members in good standing. The 2009 scholarship applications will be available through the Union Plus website in September 2008.
“In addition to our player development department, which offers career and continuing education guidance, the Union Plus scholarship opportunities and College Planning Center are excellent resources available through Union Plus,” said Gagnon. “These tools are available to our active and retired members and their children, and we hope to increase the awareness and use of these educational tools amongst our membership.”
The College Planning Center provides family members with career assessments as well as assistance with the completion of college admission forms. To help simplify the timeline of the college application process, the center breaks it up into several segments: discovering, selecting, deciding, preparing, applying and paying.
To take advantage of these scholarship and college assistance opportunities and more, login in the upper right corner of this page. If you do not yet have login account please contact our offices at 800-372-2000. Active players should ask for ext. 475 or 474 and retired members should ask for ext. 167. Once logged in, click on Membership Discount Programs to view all current offers, which are subject to change.
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