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Name Description
Black Ice Black Ice was born Lamar Manson in Philadelphia, where he began perfecting his craft on the streets of North Philly. Russell Simmons discovered Black Ice at New York's Soul the pitch for HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry. The meeting led to Black Ice being the first spoken-word artist signed to Simmons' Def Jam Records. Performing spoken word since 1994, Black Ice has received standing ovations from audiences as diverse as those at the Hip-Hop Summit, the Black Congressional Caucus, the Source Youth Foundation and SHiNE. Black Ice's focus is in the sharing of messages that help nurture and build character among our young people. Black Ice was a cast member of the critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning show Def Poetry Jam on Broadway which traveled as far as Scotland for the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and he has appeared on all three seasons Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry on HBO.
Gabriel Iglesias Gabriel Iglesias is a Mexican-American standup comedian from San Ysidro, California. He is best known for making fun of his obesity and his ability for impressions. His opening joke is "The 5 kinds of fat": Big, Healthy, Husky, Fluffy (which he says he is) and "DAAAAAAAMN!" He has made several guest appearances on such television shows as The Tonight Show, My Wife and Kids and in his own half hour special on Comedy Central. He was a series regular for one season of All That on Nickelodeon where his most notable role was portraying Bill Clinton. Iglesias was a finalist in the fourth season of the reality television series, Last Comic Standing. In the July 11, 2006 episode, which depicted the series' regular roast segment, Iglesias was chosen as the roast subject. He was evicted before that episode's elimination round, however, after it was discovered that he had violated the terms of the contestants' contract several times, having not only broken curfew, but having violated the rules against unauthorized outside communication more than once. Whereas the contestants are allowed one phone call every two days on the residence's house phone, on which conversations are monitored by the producers, Iglesias was discovered having smuggled a BlackBerry into the contestants' residence, and then, after the BlackBerry was confiscated, having used a payphone to call his girlfriend at approximately 3 or 4am, during which he revealed some of the contents of the roast competition.
Immaculee Ilibagiza Immaculee Ilibagiza is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide and author of Left to Tell and Led by Faith. Immaculee is a living example of faith put into action. Immaculees life was transformed dramatically during the 1994 Rwandan genocide when she and seven other women spent 91 days hiding, huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastors house. She emerged to find that nearly her entire family had been brutally murdered. Immaculee found solace and peace in prayer and began to pray from the time she opened her eyes in the morning to the time she closed her eyes at night. Through prayer, she eventually found it possible, and in fact imperative, to forgive her tormentors and her familys murderers. This is a powerful presentation of faith and forgiveness.
Iman Popular high fashion model and actress, Iman is also a woman of conscience. As a native of Somalia, she is actively involved in the hunger crisis that is plaguing her country. An entrepreneur, she has developed a make-up and skin care product line.
Crime In America A dialogue between Joe Pistone, a former FBI agent who went underground as "Donnie Brosco" in the most celebrated infiltration of organized crime in history and Salvatore "Bill" Bonanno of the famous Mafia crime family. A very informative, enlightening and entertaining program.
In Process An a capella singing group composed of African American women from various professions and backgrounds sharing in the oral tradition of African American culture and a love of singing. Protegees of "Sweet Honey in the Rock," from whom they learned their craft, In Process has performed for Black History Month programs as well as programs dedicated to peace and non-violence.
Michael Isikoff Investigative correspondent for Newsweek magazine, news analyst for MSNBC and a frequent guest on NBC's "Meet The Press" and PBS's "Charlie Rose" show.
J. Ivy In the beginning there was the word, the foundation of all forms of art. And when it comes to the art of Poetry or new age Spoken Word, J. Ivy has truly served as a poetic pioneer. Not only was the Chicago bred poet one of the first to grace the stage of the Award Winning HBO Russell Simmons Def Poetry Series , but he was asked to return to the show for two encore performances, where he received standing ovations on each of his appearances. From there , J. Ivy has gone on to receive a Grammy for his participation on Kanye's West College Dropout album, where he followed Hip Hop legend Jay Z and the ingenious Mr. West, unleashing one of the most memorable and heart felt verses of our time on the classic song Never Let Me Down. But the poetic journey doesn't end there. J. Ivy has managed to allow his craft to drive him to many creative avenues. Whether it has been on camera work for networks such as ABC, NBC, VHI, B.E.T., FOX, MTV, and HBO , voiceovers for the sports world on shows like HBO's Costas Now, HBO Boxing, or MTVs Who's Got Game. His on-camera opening tease for 30million viewers during the "Fed Ex Orange Bowl," the NBA Finals, or the introduction of NFL superstar Mike Vick for "Monday Night Football." Whether it was thru photo shoots that were taken for national print ads for Mecca and LRG , concerts that were performed along side artists such Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bo Diddley , Patti Labelle, Dougie Fresh, Chuck D, El Debarge, Roy Ayers, The Last Poets, Bob Dylan, Erykah Badu, Carl Thomas, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Kanye West, John Legend and Tarrey Torae , who he has recently formed a music group with called J. Torae, which was introduced on the Emmy Award Winning Drama Series, ER . Or guest appearances on national albums for artist such as Kanye West, Miri Ben-Ari, Lil Mo , and John Legend , who J. Ivy nick-named, J . has truly served as a voice for the times taking poetry to places it hasn't quite gone before.