PDA Entertainment Search Results

Name Description
Judge Judy Smart, savvy and opinionated, the irrepressible Judge Judy Sheindlin holds court as presiding judge over real-life cases on the syndicated reality courtroom show, "Judge Judy." Having made a name for herself as a tough but fair judge in New York's Family Court, Judge Judy retired from the bench in 1996 and segued to television to host the successful series. Judge Judy brings her trademark wit and wisdom to the only half-hour series currently on the air that takes viewers inside an actual courtroom where justice is dispensed at lightning speed.
Tyrese Recording artist, actor, motivational speaker and model, Tyrese is the host of the cutting edge musical program, "MTV Jams."Gibson's latest film is Waist Deep, in which he plays a man fighting to rescue his son from kidnappers; his co-stars in the film, Meagan Good and Larenz Tate, are personal friends of Gibson's in real life. Like several of his previous roles, the film is set in an urban environment, but Gibson has said that he does not view the role as a "step back", rather seeing the film as taking "another direction" due to some of its themes and action sequences. Waist Deep was released on June 23, 2006. Gibson prefers his music career to acting, but will focus on both areas. His next album will be called Alter Ego, and will feature both R&B and hip hop songs. He will use an alias, "Black Ty", for the rap tracks. His next film role will be in the big-budget action movie, Transformers, which is currently filming and is scheduled for a release in July of 2007; the film's director, Michael Bay, had Gibson in mind for the role before he was cast, and thus Gibson did not have to audition for the part. Gibson may also star in a film version of the superhero Luke Cage; the script is currently being re-formatted.
The Dating Doctor David Coleman, best known nationwide as "The Dating Doctor," is one of the top ranked speakers in America. His weekly column on relationships was the springboard to his first book, 101 Great Dates and his most recent book, Date Smart! Stop Revolving and Start Evolving in Relationships. An entertaining and informative presentation.
Ice T Ice-T (born Tracy Morrow) has proven to be one of hip-hop's most articulate and intelligent stars, as well as one of its most frustrating. At his best, the rapper has written some of the best portraits of ghetto life and gangsters, as well as some of the best social commentary that hip-hop has produced. He has become an influential spokesman for America’s youth, regardless of color. He also joined the cast of TV's "Law & Order SVU" (consistently a number-one Friday night show) as a series regular playing the part of Detective Finn. Additionally, Ice T has been the keynote speaker at a number of Internet conventions including the 1999 College Music Journal Conference in New York, and in 2000, the New York Music & Internet Expo, Rotterdam Film Festival, and Canadian Music Week.
Beyond Beats and Rhymes: The Sundance Film Festival selected Beyond Beats and Rhymes for this year's festival in Park City, Utah, January 19-29, 2006. This news came on the heels of receiving word that the Emmy award-winning PBS series Independent Lens (www.independentlens.org) had also selected Beyond Beats and Rhymes for a 2007 national television broadcast. Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs in on Manhood in Hip-Hop Culture is a riveting documentary that examines representations of gender roles in hip-hop and rap music through the lens of filmmaker Byron Hurt, a former college quarterback turned activist. Conceived as a "loving critique" from a self-proclaimed "hip-hop head," Hurt tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today's hip-hop culture.
Coach Carter Coach Carter is a coach, author, educator and inspiration for the movie Coach Carter, featuring Samuel L. Jackson. The movie recounts Carter’s decision to literally lock his undefeated, state play-off bound basketball team out of the gym and force them to hit the books. Coach Carter is an advocate for Richmond's youth and is active in his community. He is diligent in providing them with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their peers and caring adults, and recognizes the advantages inherent in a sound sports program. In October, 2000 he announced his plans to travel from Richmond High School to the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Using only a kick scooter, Carter traveled for 3 days to Sacramento hoping to draw awareness to the deteriorating state of our schools and the need for students, parents, teachers, and school board officials to commit to making a difference. His efforts proved successful, and subsequently Richmond High received building enhancements and computers from the Office of the Secretary of Education. Under the direction and guidance of Coach Carter, in December of 2000, 11 students from Australia arrived in the U.S. to promote peace and to learn first hand what it takes to be an American high school basketball player. Coach Carter found a way to bring something positive to the lives of Richmond High students, where heroes and positive role models are few and far between. Using basketball as the common bond, the intention of the visit was to offer these students an opportunity to meet each other, gain awareness about each others' culture and communities, and to learn hands-on about what it takes to be a top-notch American athletic. Carter feels that exchanges such as these are needed to promote a more just and peaceful place for us all to live in.
One-Man Star Wars Best known as the mastermind behind the in famous One Man Star Wars Trilogy and One Man Lord of the Rings. Word of Ross's one of a kind talent has spread across North America, from Toronto, Orlando, Atlanta, and Boston, to Chicago, San Diego, and Vancouver. To mark the release of Star Wars: Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, Charles was honoredto perform at Lucasfilm's official movie release convention, Celebration 3. Even the likes of Vin Diesel and Sir Ian McKellan have taken in his performances with ravereviews.
Dr. Jennifer & Dr. Laura Berman Experts on human sexuality and authors of For Women Only :A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. Jennifer Berman, M.D., one of the few women urologists in the country, and Laura Berman, Ph.D., a sex therapist, are formerly the co-directors of the Women's Sexual Health Clinic at BostonUniversity Medical Center, and currently co-directors of The Network for Excellence in Women's Sexual Health (NEWSHE) and the Center for Pelvic Medicineat UCLA. They appear regularly on "Good Morning America" and have appeared on"48 Hours", "Larry King Live", and "NBC Nightly News." They have been featured in cover stories in The New York Times Magazine and Newsweek,as well as in Redbook, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar. They also host a television show, "Bermanand Berman: For Women Only" on the Discovery Health Channel.
Apollo vs. Dionysus: A Philosophy to Increase College Success by 85% In the 3700 institutions of higher learning in America, no more than 50% of students who start school leave with a degree. The figure is smaller for minorities. In this Freshman Orientation Seminar of six hours (two days of three hours per day), Professor Henry Parker and Marilyn Crist show participants how to increase their chance of graduating by 85%. The content of their presentation is based on a program they created and directed at the University of Tennessee which resulted in an 85% retention rate for all participants, irrespective of race, gender, or academic standing when they entered college. Ms. Crist also discusses a program she created which resulted in a success rate of 77% for probation students, the highest risk group of all. This seminar is a must for schools who know the value of retaining the freshmen they recruit. Topics included in the seminar are sexual relations, time management, reading comprehension, critical thinking, etc
Paper Clips Paper Clips is an inspiring 2004 documentary about a consciousness-raising project that blossomed into something beautiful at a rural Tennessee school. When the principal of Whitwell Middle School sought a program that would teach diversity to a predominantly white, Protestant student body, the notion of focusing on the Holocaust--specifically Hitler's extermination of six million Jews--seemed like an obvious way to go. But understanding what "six million" looks like became a challenge. Thus was born the idea of collecting that number of paper clips at Whitwell as a visual reference. But then it turned out paper clips actually have, in historical terms, symbolic value where the Holocaust is concerned. In this moving film, one sees Whitwell students dig into research on Germany's genocidal campaign, solicit clips from a variety of leaders and celebrities, and make a name for themselves on the national news. In time, the world comes to Whitwell's doorstep, via unsolicited donations of clips from people around the world, and in a tearful meeting of students and Holocaust survivors. The dimensions of the project, the lessons about prejudice and intolerance, are stunning to watch grow beyond anyone's wildest expectations. This is a great film for families and classrooms to watch together. --Tom Keogh
Judge Alex Former police officer, attorney and Florida Circuit Court Judge Alex E. Ferrer hosts "Judge Alex," the new court room strip from Twentieth Television that will make its launch in first-run national syndication on September 12, 2005. The first new court show in four years, the half-hour strip features Judge Alex, the only television judge with extensive police, legal and judicial experience, presiding over a wide array of cases, resolving complicated issues with his straight forward approach and cogent rulings. Most recently, Judge Alex served as the Associate Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division of Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which services Miami-Dade County, the largest trial court in the state and fourth largest in the United States. Born in Havana, Cuba, Judge Alex and his family escaped from Fidel Castro’s Communist regime to America when he was one year old. Growing up in Miami with a passionate interest in law enforcement, at 19 he joined the Coral Gables Police Department, making him one of the youngest officers in the state. While on the police force, he served as a patrolman, detective and in an undercover capacity. He was also trained to be on the department’s SWAT force. Intent on building a career in the legal profession, Judge Alex performed his duties as a police officer while attending both college and law school.
Judge Marilyn Milian Judge Milian is probably the most popular judge on television. In her courtroom justice is fast, fair, and often fierce. She provides a compassionate voice for victims while verbally beating the bad guys. With humor, compassion, and a temper that can make grown men tremble, there is no doubt that Judge Milian owns the courtroom. I've been to two tapings and can tell you the show is run like a regular courtroom. You hear Curt Chaplin speaking as each litigant enters. Douglas swears them in and then asks the audience to rise and Judge Milian enters. The cases begin, and if it weren't for the cameras you would think you were in a regular courtroom. It's case after case until lunch break. Before going to lunch, the judge comes out and greets the audience, answering questions and posing for photos with fans. This is repeated after the last case of the day.
Sasha Frere Jones Sasha Frere-Jones is a musician and the pop-music critic of The New Yorker. He is a former member of the band Ui. He maintains a blog.
Jay T. Hairston He can facilitate a 3 to 5 day workshop that incorporates original material, classes on vocal techniques, history of gospel music and more, all designed to give hands-on experience for those who participate. He is a gifted songwriter, singer, musician, teacher and producer who believes in sharing the ministry and message of gospel music. Jay T. believes that "gospel music is not just something to listen to, it is an experience. Once you've experienced good, anointed gospel music, you will never be the same again!"
Dr. Keith Ablow Keith Ablow is a psychiatrist, writer and television personality who treats men and women across the country, in Europe and in Asia who come from every corner of society—college students, married couples, Fortune 500 executives, the homeless, mental health professionals and high-ranking government officials. In addition to Dr. Ablow’s ongoing work with patients, he has testified as an expert witness on forensic psychiatry in some of America’s most highly-publicized trials. The root of Ablow’s unique ability to "reach" patients and the foundation of his writing is that all of us suffer, that none of us is born evil, and that we must be helped to confront the truth about our lives. Ablow graduated Brown University and the Johns Hopkins Medical School. While a medical student, he worked as a reporter for Newsweek magazine and a freelancer for the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun, as well as a medical editor and producer for Lifetime Medical Television in New York and Los Angeles. He also wrote his first book, a guide to gaining admission to medical school and preserving one’s humanity during the four grueling years that follow. Following his studies, Ablow entered a psychiatry residency at Tufts/New England Medical Center hospitals (where he is now an assistant professor). He continued to write about psychiatry and social issues for publications such as U.S. News and World Report and USA Today. He also wrote three more books: How to Cope with Depression, To Wrestle with Demons, and Anatomy of a Psychiatric Illness. In 1990, Dr. Ablow’s close friend and fellow psychiatry resident was murdered. This tragedy prompted him to write Without Mercy, a true crime book examining the killer’s life and the use of the insanity defense at his trial. After residency, Ablow served as medical director of the Tri-City Mental Health Centers, one of the country’s oldest networks of community psychiatry clinics. He also was medical director of Heritage Health Systems, a state-wide spectrum of medical, psychiatric and addiction facilities. Today, Ablow is busier than ever. His USA Today bestselling psychiatric thrillers featuring Dr. Frank Clevenger include Denial, Projection, Compulsion, Psychopath, Murder Suicide and The Architect. His true crime book, Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson, hit the New York Times Bestseller list this year. He is a contributing editor to Good Housekeeping magazine, and his columns have appeared there, as well as in The New York Times and Cosmopolitan. He is also a frequent guest on programs including Oprah, Tyra, Good Morning America, Good Day NY, Catherine Crier Live and many others. Dr. Ablow is now at work on a self-help book (Little, Brown, April, 2007) that will make his healing philosophy and techniques available to readers everywhere. His syndicated talk show, Dr. Keith Ablow, produced by Telepictures and LMNO TV, will begin airing across the nation in September.
Step Afrika Step Afrika! is a powerful collaborative project between young artists from the United States and the South Africa based Soweto Dance Theatre. The project highlights the African American fraternity and sorority art form of steping and it's link to traditonal South African dance. Recently performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., reviewers describe Step Afrika!'s perfromance as " a dance genre considered by some to be one of the most exciting created by Americans in the 21st century." Step Afrika! displays the roots of stepping in South Africa's gumboot dance and declares it's relationship with tap dance and hoofing
Ruthie Alcaide In Real World Hawaii, Ruthie Alcaide proved to be one of the most interesting characters ever to appear on MTV’s Real World series. Openly bisexual, a native Hawaiian, Ruthie was born one of triplets and raised by a strict Filipino foster family. She joined a group of cast members from the mainland for the show and stirred things up with her carefree, independent, and often controversial lifestyle. Her presentation not only embodies these elements, but also the more serious side of her, having been shipped by the cast to rehab during filming. Ruthie courageously takes head on the issues of sexuality, addiction, and also just plain enjoying life, which explains her ongoing popularity and appeal to audiences around the country.
Chris Angel Angel has been doing his Mindfreak performances since 2001; his television show debuted on July 20, 2005. Yet, his skills showcased on TV were developed through stage magic and conjuring in clubs. He also did a television special in 2003 called Supernatural. His brothers and mother are also regulars on the Mindfreak television series. Among the stunts Angel has performed for television audiences are: Being towed 80 feet into the air while handcuffed inside a barrel filled with water. The barrel was then released after Angel had taken off the handcuffs and tied himself to a safety rope. He often levitates himself and strangers off the street. Also he has been hung from fish hooks in his back and dangled from a helicopter. He has been filmed performing the illusion of walking on water. He has also lit and levitated a light bulb without electricity. Angel won the Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society in 2001, 2004 and now in 2005; he is the only two-time, and three-time winner of that award. He was named 2005 Magician of the Year by The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) at a press event at Hollywoods Magic Castle. Criss Angel is currently starring in the second season of Mindfreak which is filmed at the Aladdin Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some allege that Angel uses camera special effects, forced viewing angles and assistants acting as amazed spectators for the tv audience, and this has caused controversy among fellow magicians. Many magicians who perform magic without camera tricks resent these methods while others simply see them as modern tools of magic on televison . Criss Angel himself claims he does not use camera trickery.
Michael C. Anthony Michael C. Anthony is recognized as one of the most successful stage hypnotists in the world today. Most recently he was named Campus Male Performer of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine. An every day performer he is not. His show is an avant-garde blend of the human psyche and eye-popping theater. Imagine a world where volunteers fall asleep at the snap of his finger and will obey the most hilarious and ridiculous hypnotic suggestions. Having hypnotized over 15,000 people, Michael C. Anthony has filled theaters throughout the United States and Internationally and continues to be one of the most sought after hypnotists in the world. Imagine you're sitting in the front row and several of your good friends are up on stage to volunteer for Michael C. Anthony's performance. Michael utters a few words, snaps his fingers, and you see your friends, one by one, drop to the floor sound asleep. Michael then works his "magic" and upon awakening, one of your friends suddenly jumps to her feet, grabs the microphone, and starts singing because she believes she is Madonna. Another friend has a horrified look on his face because he can't remember his name no matter how hard he tries. Somebody else is frantically scratching all over her body from imaginary insects. All along your most intelligent friend has been rolling all over the stage in combat, shooting invisible aliens with his shoe! This is a show you will never forget!!!
Lance Bass Lance Bass Singer (*NSYNC), Producer, Writer, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist Program Title: In Sync With Lance Bass At sixteen, Lance Bass received a phone call from Justin Timberlake that would change his life forever. Soon after, he left his small-town in Clinton, Mississippi to join an emerging musical group called *NSYNC. Two years later *NSYNC was inspiring Beatles-esque mania around the world, becoming the new face of the MTV generation. And now this inspiring entertainer is taking on a new role for a very special limited time only: Guest Speaker. Lance speaks candidly about his childhood, his astonishing experiences growing up in one of the biggest bands in the world, his shock and frustration at the band's eventual dissolution, and his subsequent career, including his four months in Russia, training to become a cosmonaut. Lance frankly discusses life as a gay man --his struggle keeping his sexuality hidden from fans in case it jeopardized *NSYNC's success, and the true circumstances that led to his decision to publicly come out. Lance's program is full of fascinating behind-the-scenes lore and revealing insights that makes for an evening not to be missed! Lance Bass is the ultimate multi-hyphenate: Singer-Actor-Producer-Writer-Entrepreneur- Philanthropist who has sold some 25 million records worldwide as a member of *NSYNC. The group holds the all time record for most album sales in a single day (over 1 million) and in a single week (2.4 million) for its 2000 album No Strings Attached, which ultimately became a rare “Diamond” album, with over 10 million records sold. In addition, the albums *NSYNC, Celebrity, and Home for Christmas all went multi-platinum. As a member of *NSYNC, Lance has won a number of awards, including People’s Choice, American Music Awards, MTV Video Awards, Kid’s Choice, and a host of Grammy nominations. The groups’ several worldwide tours have been among the highest grossing and most well attended in history and have played well on HBO and IMAX screens. Aside from *NSYNC, Lance Bass also made a name for himself in a variety of other endeavors. He executive produced and starred in the Miramax film On the Line that received the coveted Movieguide® award for excellence in family-oriented programming. Lance Bass also received the Golden Apple Award® as Male Film Discovery of 2001. In addition, Lance has made guest appearances in the film Zoolander and the television shows 7th Heaven, The Simpsons, Star Search, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, NBC’s hit series America's Most Talented Kid, co-host for the American Music Award’s Red Carpet Party.
Ishmael Beah Former Child Soldier, Human Rights Activist and Best Selling Author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Program Title: A Long Way Gone Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone on November 23, 1980. When he was eleven, Ishmael Beah's life, along with the lives of millions of other Sierra Leoneans, was derailed by the outbreak of a brutal civil war. After Ishmael Beah's parents and two brothers were killed, Ishmael was recruited to fight as a child soldier. He was thirteen. Ishmael Beah fought for over two years before Ishmael Beah was removed from the army by UNICEF and placed in a rehabilitation home in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. After completing rehabilitation in late 1996, Ishmael Beah won a competition to attend a conference at the United Nations to talk about the devastating effects of war on children in his country. It was there that he met his new mother, Laura Simms, a professional storyteller who lives in New York. Ishmael Beah returned to Sierra Leone and continued speaking about his experiences to help bring international attention to the issue of child soldiering and war affected children. In 1998 Ishmael Beah came to live with his American family in New York City. He completed high school at the United Nations International School, and subsequently went on to Oberlin College in Ohio. Throughout Ishmael Beah's high school and undergraduate education, Ishmael Beah continued his advocacy work to bring attention to the plight of child soldiers and children affected by war around the world, speaking on numerous occasions on behalf of Unicef, Human Rights Watch, United Nations Secretary General’s Office for Children and Armed Conflict, at the United Nations General Assembly, serving on a UN panel with Secretary General Kofi Annan and discussing the issue with dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton. Ishmael Beah is a member of the Human Rights Watch Children’s Rights Division Committee. In A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah, now twenty-six years old, tells a riveting story. At the age of twelve, Ishmael Beah fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, Ishmael Beah had been picked up by the government army, and Ishmael Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. Eventually released by the army and sent to a UNICEF rehabilitation center, Ishmael Beah struggled to regain his humanity and to reenter the world of civilians, who viewed him with fear and suspicion. This is, at last, a story of redemption and hope.
Chris Beckman Chris Beckman was bucking for a promotion at a now defunct dot-com in Boston when his friends at his gym persuaded him to audition for MTV's The Real World. Chris ended up as a cast member for the Chicago episodes. Many of that season's episodes explored deeper into Chris's recovery from alcoholism to a burgeoning relationship. Chris has since been the recipient of the Congressman Gerry E. Studs Visibility Award for being a positive role model in the gay community. He is now on the lecture circuit and studying to be an actor. Chris says "I have a responsibility to talk about where my life was and where it is today."
Mohammed Bilal Mohammed Bilal, former cast member of MTV's highest-rated show, "The Real World" San Francisco. Bilal shared his life with over 1.5 million people every week, as one of the seven cast members of "The Real World." He is currently a member of Midnight Voices, a hip-hop band that has been nominated for numerous urban contemporary band awards. Bilal is a musician, poet and writer who educates audiences about some of today?s social ills. He will soon be publishing his first book that explores issues from image manipulation to anti-Semitism. Bilal will speak on the topics of diversity, AIDS awareness and personal responsibility. His lecture will be based on the negative effects that racism, drug abuse, AIDS and violence have had on young people. Through a high energy, poetic, hip-hop storytelling format, Bilal will encourage his audience to accept personal accountability for one's actions, with the hope of building a responsible society.
Jason Carney Jason Carney is a former skinhead who now uses poetry to continue to reform himself and heal others. As a young man, Jason was sent to a juvenile detention center after several violent incidents involving gay bashing and racial intolerance. While in the detention center, Jason was roomed with a young gay male who was HIV positive. A friendship formed from what could have been a volatile situation. The experience changed the way Jason saw people that were different from him. After Jason was released, he tried to look up his new friend only to find that he had lost his battle with the disease. Jason has made it his life work to heal and help eliminate intolerance. Carney is both author of the book, Flesh is the Only Lucid Language and a nationally recognized performer at colleges, youth centers, and high schools, but most memorable has been his appearance on HBO’s Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry. Tolerance, respect, and acceptance for all of the human race are the lessons within Carney’s workshops and poetry. His performances are both stunning and consciousness-raising.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis When Russell Simmons established the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) to empower the Hip-Hop community to utilize their commanding cultural influence for freedom, justice and equality, he needed someone with a strong mind and commitment to youth, national civil rights experience, political skills, vast spiritual knowledge and an adept human touch to head up the organization. That man was Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, also known as Minister Benjamin Muhammad, who had already proved his mettle by organizing the historic New York Hip-Hop Summit in 2001. That two-day event an unprecedented meeting, according to the Los Angeles Times found Chavis and Simmons guiding industry hip-hop leaders, artists, and civil rights and political organizations towards an agreement on a series of initiatives and commitments that will affect the artistic and social landscape of American society and the global community, as a whole. One month later, the HSAN was born and Dr. Chavis was named President and CEO. Chavis comes to the HSAN with a professional history of solid principles, demonstrated courage and immense diversity. A native of Oxford, North Carolina, he holds a number of prestigious degrees: He received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from University of North Carolina; a Master of Divinity, M.Div., magna cum laude, from Duke University; a Doctor of Ministry, D.Min., from Howard University; and completed course requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, from Union Theological Seminary.
Rosa Clemente Rosa Clemente Hip-Hop Activist Hip Hop journalist, activist. As a Black Puerto Rican she is dedicated to scholar-activism. It was her experiences at the University of Albany and Cornell University that led her to become a leading progressive voice for her generation. Rosa’s academic work has been dedicated to researching national liberation struggles inside the United States, with a specific focus on the Young Lords Party and the Black Liberation Army. Rosa has written for Clamor Magazine, The Ave. magazine, The Black World Today, The Final Call and numerous websites. She has been the subject of articles in the Village Voice, The New York Times, Urban Latino, and The Source magazines. She has appeared on CNN, C-Span, Democracy Now and Street Soldiers. In 2001 she was a youth representative at the United Nations World Conference against Xenophobia, Racism and Related Intolerance in South Africa and in 2002 was named by Red Eye Magazine as one of the top 50 Hip Hop Activists to look out for. In 2003 Rosa helped formed and coordinate of the National Hip Hop Political Convention that drew over 3000 activists brought together to create a national political agenda for the Hip Hop generation. Currently she is a radio host and producer with WBAI’s (99.5 FM/NYC), an organizer with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, a Malcolm X Fellow with the Institute of the Black World, coordinator of the State of the Black world forums and the national spokesperson for the R.E.A.C.H. Hip Hop Coalition. She is a board member for the NYC based Brecht forum and is committees In 1995 she developed Know Thy Self Media Messengers, seeing a need for young people, particularly young people of color to be heard and taken seriously she began presenting workshops and lectures at colleges, universities, high schools, and prisons. In the past ten years she has presented at over 200 colleges, conferences and community centers on topics such as; African-American and Latino/a Intercultural Relations, Hip-Hop Activism, The History of the Young Lords Party, and Women, Feminism and Hip Hop. KTSP now includes an expanded college speakers bureau which has produced three major Hip Hop activism tours, Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win with M1 of dead prez and Fred Hampton Jr.; The ACLU College Freedom Tour with dead prez, DJ Kuttin Kandi, Mystic and comedian Dave Chapelle; and the Speak Truth to Power Tour a collaborative tour of award winning youth activists. Beginning August 14th 2006, she will become a contributor to Air Americas, On The Real, hosted by Chuck D and Gia Gareal.Currently she is a producer with WBAI’s (99.5 FM/NYC), an organizer with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, spokesperson for the National Hip Hop Assembly.
David Coleman Real-life date coach David Coleman sees plenty of parallels between Will Smith's character in the new movie Hitch and his own career helping others find love. Coleman says he has called himself The Dating Doctor since 1985. ... Meet a real-life 'Hitch' is known nationwide as The Dating Doctor and "America's Real-Life Hitch." He has been named the National Speaker of the Year on 10 separate occasions - 7 times by Campus Activities Magazine and 3 times by The National Association for Campus Activities. He recently won again for 2006! He is a highly sought after speaker, entertainer, and retreat facilitator. David received his Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology ('83) and his Master of Arts Degree in College Student Personnel Administration ('85) from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. His second book, Date Smart! How to Stop Revolving and Start Evolving in Relationships has remained a top seller. His third and fourth books, Let Your Leadership Speak and Leadership's Greatest Hits (both co-authored), offer experiences, strategies and ideas to expand your leadership potential. His most recent work, Making Relationships Matter, is an honest look at how to live a life with no regrets while getting the most from every day and every relationship in a post 9/11 world. David has been featured in such fine publications as Us Magazine, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Cosmopolitan, USA Today, Celebrity Living, The Wall Street Journal, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Washington Post and The New York Times. David has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, WGN, Fox and CNN as well as hundreds of radio and television stations nationwide. He is a regular guest on Star 105.7 in Grand Rapids, Star 94 in Atlanta, MIX 105.1 in Orlando, KLITE in Bakersfield and The Big One, 700 WLW, in Cincinnati and has worked closely with MSN to promote their Streets and Trips software release and their Shopping.MSN.com website. From his appearances on radio, TV, live and in print, David has impacted more than 10,000,000 people worldwide. Audience members at more than 2,500 college campuses, conferences, single's organizations, churches, corporations and marriage encounter groups have experienced his energetic and entertaining programs.
Anderson Cooper Anderson Cooper is the leading voice of a new generation of journalists who are covering news stories in a fresh and meaningful way. He is the host of CNNs popular Anderson Cooper 360, an unconventional, wide-ranging news program, and the newest contributor to 60 Minutes. Since joining CNN, Anderson has anchored many of the decade's major news stories: he traveled to Sri Lanka to cover the tsunami, and was in Baghdad for the Iraqi elections. He also anchored much of CNNs live coverage of the funeral of Pope John Paul II in the Vatican City, as well as the Terri Schiavo story in Florida. For "America Votes 2004," he moderated a Democratic presidential candidates forum co-sponsored with Rock the Vote. But the reporting that made him a household name winning him the admiration of his peers and the respect of the American people was his nearly non-stop live coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Prior to joining CNN, Anderson worked for ABC News, as a contributor to World News Tonight and 20/20, and as the anchor of ABC's live, interactive, overnight news program, World News Now. His work on their coverage of Princess Diana's funeral won him an Emmy. Other awards he has received include: a Silver Plaque from the Chicago International Film Festival for his report from Sarajevo on the Bosnian civil war; a Bronze Telly for his coverage of famine in Somalia; a Bronze Award from the National Educational Film and Video Festival for a report on political Islam; and a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Journalism for his 20/20 Downtown report on gay high school athlete Corey Johnson. In May 2006, Anderson became the newest contributor to CBSs venerable news institution, 60 Minutes. That same month, he released his acclaimed memoir, Dispatches from The Edge. In it, he discusses seeing death and destruction while covering stories in far-flung corners of the world, even as he tries to find meaning in the death of his father when he was only 10, and the suicide of his brother. Inspired by his time in New Orleans during the Hurricane, he says, "I'd been sort of writing it in my head for the last 15 years." What does Anderson Cooper talk about? Today's Headlines with Anderson Cooper Anderson Cooper brings a common touch and deep cultural awareness to his work, and it is these same qualities that are on display in his speeches. He explores major political, cultural, and social issues of the day, giving audiences insights into the stories behind the headlines. From a major keynote before an audience of several thousand, to a meeting with a small group of journalism students, Anderson's appearances create a buzz and generate discussion and debate long after the event is over.
Chuck D As leader and co-founder of legendary rap group Public Enemy, Chuck D redefined rap music and hip hop culture with the release of PE's explosive debut album, Yo Bum Rush The Show, in 1987. His messages addressed weighty issues about race, rage and inequality with a jolting combination of intelligence and eloquence never seen before. Chuck D and Public Enemy were celebrated in the May 2004 issue of Rolling Stone magazine as one of the "fifty most important performers in rock & roll history." Chuck D is also a national spokesperson for Rock the Vote, the National Urban League, and the National Alliance for African American Athletes. He has appeared in numerous public service announcements for national peace and the Partnership for a Drug Free America. As he continues to work on commentary, music, and writing on rap, race, and reality, it is clear that there are few who have transcended music and have made an impact as loud of Chuck D.
Lisa D'Amato Recording artist, fashion model and television personality from Los Angeles, California. She got her start in the public arena as a participant on the 5th cycle of the then UPN reality TV series America's Next Top Model and Celebrity Rehab on VH1.
Kate Dillon Plus-size model Kate Dillon talks about body acceptance and the necessity of having self-esteem- no matter what your size. Named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," she is also the founder of Echo, a nonprofit organization that develops programs in the arts for children. Kate Dillon started modeling and walking the Paris runways at age 16, landing such major campaigns as L'Oreal, Christian Dior and Missoni. Pegged to be the "New Cindy Crawford," she was, however, anorexic and run-down from years of starving herself. Finally, she began eating normally and gaining weight- against the advice of clients and her manager, who wanted her 5'11" figure to stay a bony size six. At first, she tried to lose the pounds again, but then had a revelation that she was free to look however she wanted and did not have to conform to the modeling business' standard of beauty. Now a natural, healthy size 14, Dillon is taking the full-figure market by storm and not limiting beauty to what the scale says. One of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," she was named the 1998 "Model of the Year" by Mode magazine and has been featured on a Times Square billboard. Called the "Curvy Comeback Kid" by Glamour magazine, she has appeared on several television spots, including The Maureen Boyle Show and Today, and has graced ads for Liz Claiborne, Gucci and Lane Bryant. Dillon is also the founder of Echo, a nonprofit organization benefiting arts programs for children. "We don't have enough role models who used to be skinny but gained weight and said, 'That's okay.' We're all different; we all have different bodies - so let's stop trying to make them all alike." -Kate Dillon
Aneesa Ferreira neesa Ferreira says "I'm gay, black and Jewish. What else is there? People say an awful lot more for this former cast member of MTV's Real World Chicago. Being a lesbian and the child of an interracial marriage, her father is black and her mother is Jewish, Aneesa presentation stresses finding a place in a world that strives to be different. With brutal honesty and candor she discusses everything from her former roommates to setting goals and aspirations. As evidenced by memorable moments from the Real World, Aneesa has the tough personality to rise above difficult situations and at the same time show a remarkable sensitivity and compassion for people and the world around her.
Bruce George Co-Founder of the critically acclaimed award winning Russell Simmonss Def Poetry Jam. Bruce is Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam and visionary, executive producer, writer, poet and activist. He was born and raised in New York City. He has written poetry/prose & articles for over 37 years. His work has been published in major magazines, anthologies, and literary publications. He has written testimonials from the likes of Essence Magazine, Emerge Magazine, Class Magazine, Harlem River Press etc Bruce has won multiple poetry & talent contests. He has won several awards such as a Peabody Award for Russell Simmons Presents, Def Poetry (HBO), a Miky Award for Russell Simmons Presents, Def Poetry Jam (HBO), an Upscale Showcase Award, a Trail Blazer Award etc for his outstanding vision, production, writing and performance. Bruce is the Co-Founder of the critically acclaimed award winning Russell Simmonss Def Poetry Jam. Hes also the Founder/Managing Editor of The Bandana Republic, an Anthology of Poetry & Prose by Gang Members & Their Affiliates. Bruce is the Founder/Executive Producer of a spoken word documentary entitled: Bone Bristle, A Spoken Word Documentary which is in post-production. The film features critically acclaimed writers, poets & spoken word artists. As an activist Bruce has been and currently is associated with major grassroots organizations that fosters and uplifts people in struggle. Bruce has served on numerous panels (Hampton, Harvard, The New School, Fordham University, Medgar Evers, Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture etc) and judged hundreds of poetry/spoken word competitions.
Marcia Ann Gillespie Marcia Ann Gillespie has been a trailblazer in the publishing world for more than two decades. As former Editor in Chief of Essence, she transformed the then-fledgling publication into one of the fastest-growing women's magazines in the United States. Time magazine named her "One of the Fifty Faces for America's Future." She was voted the March of Dimes' "Outstanding Woman in Publishing" for her efforts in inspiring all humankind to combat hatred and violence. She has written extensively on issues of gender and race. Under Gillespie's leadership, Ms. magazine has attracted increasing numbers of younger women to the magazine's fold. Marcia Ann Gillespie is a trailblazer in the magazine industry, a leader in the women's movement, a champion of gender of racial justice. A provocative writer and thinker, hers has been a consistent eloquent voice affirming the human potential for good, challenging inequality, pushing herself and others to hope, dare and strive for a better world. She has been a driving force behind two of this nation's most important women's magazines, as the editor in chief of Essence from 1971-1980 and most recently as the editor in chief of Ms. from 1993-2001. Named the Editor in Chief of Essence at the age of 26, Gillespie quickly proved her mettle by rapidly transforming the then fledgling publication into one of the fastest growing women's magazines in the United States. During her tenure (1971-1980), Essence became a trusted source of inspiration, information and affirmation for millions of African American women and won a National Magazine Award the industry's most prestigious honor. A vice-president of Essence Communications, Inc. and a member of the board of directors, Gillespie was named "One of the Fifty Faces for America's Future" by Time magazine. Gillespie's association with Ms. magazine dates back to 1980 when she became a contributing editor. She then went on to become a featured columnist and the executive editor of Ms. before being named the top editor in 1993. At Ms. her mission was "moving the discussion of feminism forward" and making the magazine a "welcome table" for a range of voices and views. Under her leadership the magazine reached an ever more diverse readership, attracting increasing numbers of younger women to the fold. In addition to her role as editor in chief, Gillespie was named the President of Liberty Media for Women, a limited liability corporation comprised of women investors that purchased the magazine in November 1998 and successfully relaunched the publication in March 1999. To further secure the publication's future, Gillespie negotiated the magazine's transfer to the Feminist Majority Foundation in December 2000 and officially turned the reins over in February 2001. Gillespie's extensive knowledge about the national and international women's movements, issues of racial and gender justice, the media and business, and her keen interest in history and observations about current events and the changes and challenges confronting the American society, and her deep faith in our ability to rise informs her life and her work. A rousing, eloquent and in-demand public speaker, who brings both wit and wisdom to her talks, Gillespie regularly appears on university and college campuses and as a keynoter at conferences and events in the United States and abroad. In addition to her numerous public appearances, she maintains a thriving consultancy advising corporate and other clients on issues ranging from diversity to communications. An award winning writer, Gillespie has also received a number of awards from professional and civic organizations including the Matrix award from New York Women in Communication, the Mary MacLeod Bethune award from the National Council of Negro Women. Awarded a Doctor of Letters by her alma mater, Lake Forest University, she is also a recipient of the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism, from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Gillespie also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, the Violence Policy Center and the Global Fund for Women.
Chris Graebe Chris Graebe is one of the bright stars of MTV’s top rated extreme sports reality programs, Road Rules: South Pacific & Battle of the Sexes 2. Chris will also be finished filming & hosting a new reality series entitled “Reality Trip”, which should premier nationwide in the fall. With the platform of MTV and his unique stance of being a positive role model on shows that typically depict everything but a positive example, Chris is clearly a light in a very dark place. Being blessed as a cast member on these highly popular shows, Chris has had the opportunity to become a highly established and national recognized public speaker. His purpose is to inspire today’s youth with positive messages of sexual abstinence, drug & alcohol awareness and his love of Jesus Christ. Chris has spoken at many events from high school assemblies at our nation’s capitol to college rallies, youth conventions and at numerous churches across the United States. Chris brought an element of reason and stability to Road Rules and Battle of the Sexes 2 and was often the peace keeper and arbitrator among the cast. This unique ability, coupled with his unfailing sense of humor, enables him to ingratiate himself to his audience quickly. Chris’s passion is to strengthen youth by encouraging them to grasp and believe the idea that they do not have to partake in drugs and alcohol to fit in or be cool. Ask anyone who has witnessed one of his speaking appearances and they will attest that his pop culture celebrity keeps the youthful crowds tuned in to his every word. MORE ABOUT ROAD RULES & BATTLE OF THE SEXES 2: The MTV television shows, Road Rules and Battle of the Sexes 2 is broadcast to over 70 million households in the United States reaching 71% of the nation’s population with the main demographic audience being 18-34 year olds. Internationally, MTV is broadcast to over 336.8 million households on MTV Europe, MTV Latino, MTV Australia and MTV Asia.
Amy Grant At 16, Amy Grant made her self-titled debut album of Christian contemporary music for the Myrrh imprint. Two years later, she married singer-songwriter Gary Chapman and has recording several more popular albums. In 1982, she became a star when her record, "Age to Age," became the first platinum-selling Christian pop album and won the Grammy for Best Female Gospel Performance. The following year, her Christmas Album became another smash hit. In 1985, the album, "Unguarded," spawned the top-20 crossover hit, "Find a Way," and won another Grammy, leading to a deal with A&M. Following her 1989 hit "Lead Me On," Amy toned down her religious message and shifted toward standard, sexy pop music for 1991's "Heart in Motion," which became an adult contemporary and pop success, spawned the number-one hit "Baby Baby" and eventually went quadruple platinum. Other albums include the seasonal "Home for Christmas" in 1993 and the big-selling mainstream pop record, "House of Love," in 1994. Her "Behind the Eyes" release immediately went to number eight on the pop charts in September 1997.
Bridget Gray At age 15 Bridget Gray entered a poetry contest with a vunerable poem about the father she has never met. The piece took top honors and was published. This was just small glimpse of what was to come. After persuing a degree in theatre and dance at Northern Illinois University Bridget decided to take her chances in Los Angeles. With little more than her ambition she left the mid-west to follow her dream of being an actress and a writer. Persitance paid off and she has had several film and television apperances including a cameo in "Austin Powers 2", guest starring roles on CBS' "The District", UPN's "The Hughley's", Disney's " The Magic Jersey and a feature in Madonna's "Music" video. Although she was working as an actress, Bridget's passion for writing had not been forgotten. In 1998 she combined both her loves- performance and poetry. In 1999 she won the first competitive poetry slam she ever entered. Soon after that she started rocking mics at hip-hop spots all over Soutern California. Bridget hasn't stopped trailblazing on the spokenword scene since. She continued to win various slams across the country including HBO's Soul Poetry Slam, The Battle of L.A. and The Nuyorican in N.Y. Bridget is the only female to become a two time Grand Slam Champion back to back in L.A. and Hollywood, securing her a spot on both perspective slam teams which she represented for in 3 National Poetry Competitions. In 2003 Bridget was chosen from over 400 poets/MC's across the country to become the voice and face for Nissan's "Electric Moyo" campaign. She took on the alias Sypher1 and hit the road for a 3 month nation wide tour. She made stops 10 major cities across the country, hosting some the hottest events and opening for name acts such as The Black Eyed Peas, Joss Stone and Eryakah Badu just to name a few. Along the way she interviewed local artists and celebrities inside a customized sedan that had been turned into a mobile broadcasting station that allowed her to pirate into 66 national Nissan radio advertisements. The spots were so cutting edge the Ad Age magazine ranked Electric Moyo #4 in the top 10 Non-Traditional Campaigns in 2003, listing Sypher1 [bridget gray] as the poetess running the show. In 2004 the success of this campaign lead Bridget to become the host of a nationally syndicated radio program airing in the same 10 cities she toured. Main stream Radio One stations including L.A.'s 100.3, Chicago's 92.3, and N.Y. 107.5 got a dose of spokenword and interviews with Bridget in the driver seat. Guests on her show included Alicia Keys, Ice Cube, Issac Hayes, Kelis and many more. Currently, 2005 marks the long awaited release of Bridget's 2nd cd "Self Love" with tracks produced by Grammy nominated Spontaneous, and industry vetran Rochad Holiday. She still volunteers with youth and regularly performs at L.A hot spots as well as special engagements through out the country
Jon Haggins Motivational speaker who inspires people to get up and go, that anything is possible. My background includes fashion, travel, interior and food. I have been featured in and have written for numerous publications. I have also been a spokesperson for Procter and Gamble's Ultra Detergents. The Museum of the City of New York is presently exhibiting a retrospective of my fashion designs. And the Schomburg Library has acquired my fashion archive of photographs and editorials. I am the producer and host of GlobeTrotter Jon Haggins TV; a half-hour weekly travel show that's available in 2 million Time Warner subscriber homes in New York City and streamed over the Internet. In addition, I have contributed travel segments to NPR Radio. NPR has a listening audience of 25 million. GlobeTrotter Jon Haggins TV is a fun, informative and entertaining program that features destinations, foodies and guests from around the world. The main goal is to expand our audience horizon beyond their couch and allow them to discover many dreamy far away places where they can reach for the stars. I have written The African American Travel Guide, which is an informative book, that offers advise on where to get a passport, where to exchange money, security precautions, bartering in the markets and what to pack etc. I also share narratives of my travel experiences. In addition to my book, I have contributed short stories to Eric Copage's -Soul Food Book. I was an invited speaker at the Smithsonian Museum in DC and have appeared on numerous radio and TV shows such as: CNN-Daybreak, Joan Hamburg-WOR Radio, Sunday Classics with Hal Jackson WBLS Radio, Sean Cort-Breakfast Cort and the Bob Law show on WWRL Radio, Geraldo, Regis & Kathie Lee, Saturday Morning Tribune, Midday Live, Evening Magazine and The McCreary Report, just to name a few. And let me not forget that I was a voice for FOX-TV's public service announcement, "It's Ten PM. Do you know where your children are?" My fashions have graced seven Cosmopolitan Magazine covers and eighty-five inside pages. They have also appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Essence, New York Magazine, Town and Country, New York Times etc. Celebrities such as Diana Ross, Helen Gurley Brown, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Debbie Allen, Felicia Rashad, Racquel Welch, Diahann Carroll, Lynn Redgrave have worn my fashions. Cornel University honored me with a month long exhibition of my designs in the Johnson Museum. I have also designed costumes for several Off-Broadway shows and several Soap Operas and TV shows, such as: The Debbie Allen Special, As the World turns, One Life to Live, Love boat, Star Search and Good Day-New York. And special projects for Clairol, Matrix, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Seagram, Procter & Gamble and Chesebrough Ponds.
Mia Hamm Mia is widely recognized as the world's best all-around women's soccer player. In Atlanta at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games she proved it by leading her team to Team Gold in front of 80,000 screaming fans in Athens, Georgia. Never in history had so many spectators come out to watch a women's sporting event. The Games highlighted female athletes like no other time in modern history and Mia emerged as one of the Game's true examples for people of all ages who have a dream and go for it. The 1999 Women's World Cup, where the USA took home the championship in front of 40 million viewers in this country alone, sold over 650,000 tickets, including sellouts at Giants Stadium and the Rose Bowl. There is no stopping women's soccer and Mia's enormous impact, both on and off the field. Having played collegiately at UNC and leading her team to four consecutive NCAA championships, she inherited the nickname "Jordan" (after a basketball player at NC named Michael!) because of her athletic ability on the field and sportsmanship, determination and commitment off it. Her awards and accomplishments only tell part of the story of this remarkable athlete; she gives much of her precious free time to charitable causes and strives, in anything she does, to promote women's athletics, the sport of soccer, and a feeling of confidence and sense of purpose in young people (male or female). Mia was the youngest player ever to play for our National Team (age 15) and has been a member ever since (the team won the World Championships in 1991, Mia's second time on the team). Her records in appearances and goals, MVP awards and overall performance put her at the top of the sport as she looks forward to the 2004 Olympics (she has been US Soccer's Female Athlete of the year five consecutive years). As Phil Knight, Chairman of Nike says "I think we've had three athletes who just played at a level that added a new dimension to their games. That's been Michael Jordan, in basketball, and in some ways Mia Hamm in women's soccer and Tiger Woods in golf." In April of 1999, Nike named the largest building on its corporate campus after Mia. Having seen the enormous support her and her teammates received at the '96 and '00 Games, Mia became a founding member of the Women's United Soccer Association and led the Washington Freedom to the Founder's Cup. Poised, articulate and honest, Mia is a pioneer in her sport and a role model for athletes and fans alike who believe in equal opportunity, Title IX legislation, and the love of the game.
Quay Hanna Authentic is one of the best ways to describe Quay Hanna. When he began his career as a speaker, he didn't get paid for any engagements for the first 3 years. In fact, he would take time off from his construction job to visit the schools that were in need. He is truly dedicated to the cause of getting teenagers to respect one another, regardless of differences they may have. His interaction with students has been shown to effectively change attitudes of young people and the entire school environment. Not only do students begin to break through the labels they are given, but they also begin to look at others very differently. In 1993, Quay set out on a mission. After graduating from college with a B.A. in English, he left his small town of Strasburg, PA to see America. He hopped on a Greyhound bus and began traversing the country. Nine weeks, thirty-seven states, and twelve-thousand miles later, he got more than an incredible journey and hundreds of stories to tell. As he traveled he was forced to confront his own racist and prejudiced beliefs, causing him to realize that life had more to offer than his lifelong hatred of others. Upon his return to Strasburg, he had a new objective: to reach out to his subculture- rural, white America – and to challenge racist beliefs as his were challenged on the trip. Quay published a book about his life-changing experience entitled, Bus America: Revelation of a Redneck and began telling his story to audiences around the country in 1997. Nine years and hundreds of schools later, he is still entertaining and educating students on a daily basis. He is not your "bells-and-whistles" type of speaker. It is only a man in his t-shirt and jeans with a microphone. No multimedia. No magic tricks. No stand-up routine. Quay presents in a simple and honest way that has caused hundreds of thousands of students to take an introspective look at their lives. Quay's programs are extremely effective in schools that are looking to act in a proactive way towards student relations, or for schools that are currently struggling with racial and prejudicial issues. In addition to his assembly speaking, he also offers consultation to school officials and communities dealing with hatred and violence, along with private consultation for individuals or groups that are showing interest or are involved in hate-filled beliefs and activities. Rest assured, Quay's participation in your school will help put it on the path to reconciliation and peace.
Leslie Harris One of today's youngest and hottest filmmakers, Leslie Harris made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed movie, "Just Another Girl on the IRT."
John Hennessy The founder of MIPS Computer Systems Inc., is currently serving as the 10th President of Stanford University. He earned his Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Villanova University, and his Master's degree and Ph.D. in computer science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Hennessy became a Stanford faculty member in 1977. In 1984, he used his sabbatical year to found MIPS Computer Systems Inc. to commercialize his research in RISC processors. In 1987, he became the Willard and Inez Kerr Bell Endowed Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Hennessy served as director of Stanford's Computer System Laboratory (1989-1993), a research center run by Stanford's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments. He was chair of the Department of Computer Science (1994-1996) and Dean of the School of Engineering (1996-1999). Hennessy and David A. Patterson have written two well-known books about computer architecture, Computer Organization and Design: the Hardware/Software Interface (2 editions; latest is ISBN 1558604286) and Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (3 editions, latest is ISBN 1558603298). They have been widely used as textbooks for graduate and undergraduate courses since 1990.
David Hilliard Former Chief of Staff of the Black Panther party. He was active throughout every major event in the Panther's history and speaks about the FBI's secret war against them that resulted in false imprisonment and murder. Hilliard is author of This Side of Glory: An Autobiography and History of the Black Panther Party and Active and Dangerous: The U.S. War Against the Black Panthers. Hilliard currently serves as the Executive Director of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation.
Perez Hilton He is the Internet’s most devilish gossip columnist. He currently resides in Manhattan with his pet poodle Mariel. His signature colors are blush and bashful. His favorite drink is a Viagra Martini, and his motto is “I’m gay, but I’m not as big a slut as Paris.” He loves animals, enemas and animus.
Rashida Jolley Rashida Jolley, Miss District of Columbia 2000, utilizes both music and powerful storytelling to communicate the benefits of making the right choices in life. Rashida was raised in Washington DC, the product of a great family-line of musicians and motivational speakers. She has a very diverse background speaking and performing at Juvenile Detention Centers, High school and Middle School assemblies, National Embassies, and The United States Congress. Rashida has appeared on MTV and BET. She has been featured in the Washington Times, US Weekly Magazine, Washington Post, and Eagle Forum. She was the youngest member appointed by the President to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Rashida has partnered with, and served, numerous community and health organizations around the country including Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Florida Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Health, Congressional Black Caucus, Best Friends for Girls Foundation, National Abstinence Clearinghouse, and Project Reality. Rashida combines her vast knowledge of pop culture with entertaining renditions of Top-40 music to expose the lies of our media-saturated times. Her presentation includes her personal experience of making a decision at a young age to remain sexually abstinent until marriage, STD Statistics, media influences, and lifestyle tips for healthy relationships.
Karl Kani Leading African-American fashion designer who is known as the originator of urban fashion in America, Karl Kani has quickly became on e of the most respected and renowned leaders in the fashion industry today. As a designer innovator, entrepreneur and educator, founder of Karl Kani Infinity, he has built an empire that 12 years later has quadrupled in size. In 2001, Kani founded his own record label called Kani Life. Karl has also pioneered an entrepreneurial program that educates children and teaches them how to run their own business.
Thom King Relationship expert and author of Good Girls Guide to Great Sex; Sex, Intimacy and Lying about Love plus three other new books on love, romance and relationships. His presentation of An Evening of Foreplay is an adventure in human desire, sexuality and relationships.
Chuck Klosterman CHUCK KLOSTERMAN More than anyone else in his generation, Chuck Klosterman captures what it feels like to live in—and express ourselves through—our Pop-obsessed, media-saturated culture. One of the most talked-about writers today, he shows us why Pop is a conversation anyone can join in on, and why it's worth talking about in the first place. "Writing about pop culture doesn't get any better than this, or any funnier." That's Stephen King talking about Chuck Klosterman's brilliant debut, Fargo Rock City. Though ostensibly about Heavy Metal, the book uses the genre as a framework to discuss larger topics, such as the effects of popular music on shaping a young person's identity. This strategy—to discuss culture at large and reveal greater truths by focusing on seemingly insignificant, often discounted subject matter—has made Klosterman (pronounced Close-ter-man) one of the most influential and controversial journalists of our time. In Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, he draws in all corners of the Pop culture universe and, with deceptively simple and often hilarious writing, he shows us how Pop intermingles and ultimately becomes inextricably linked with our memories and our lives. He asks what our cultural choices—the songs we love, the movies we pay to see, the television we can't stop watching—say about us, as individuals and as a society. The Onion calls Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, a New York Times bestseller, "one of the brightest pieces of pop analysis to appear this century." Klosterman has written two other bestsellers. In fact, he is in that top rank of writers who have had two titles simultaneously on the hardcover and paperback lists. In Killing Yourself to Live, he takes a road-trip across America, in the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson and Jack Kerouac. His latest book, Chuck Klosterman 4: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas, is a collection of his best interviews and most infamous magazine columns. He pens a popular column for Esquire, "Chuck Klosterman's America," and is a regular contributor to ESPN.com. Klosterman lives in New York, and is currently working on his first novel.
Ananda Lewis Award-Winning Host of “The Ananda Lewis Show” A combination of deep compassion, true intelligence, striking beauty and a big mouth has helped award winning television host Ananda Lewis reach new heights. Her talents have garnered a wealth of achievements, yet she has only just begun! Ananda, Sanskrit for "bliss", has been touching lives on and off screen since the age of 13. The San Diego, California native was a Head Start volunteer while a student at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. For nine years (4th through 12th grades) Ananda studied theater, vocal music, photography, and dance at the prestigious school that she credits with giving her the ability to maintain a free spirit and cultivate her confidence. "The teachers I had at SDSCPA and the supportive, nurturing environment of the campus in general are probably the #1 reason I am seeing success now," she says. After graduating from high school, Ananda left San Diego to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. For three seasons Ananda served as Host of BET’s Teen Summit, one of the station’s top rated shows which reached 42 million household’s LIVE each week. Her gift for affecting the lives of young people beamed out at us through the screen and her natural and obviously genuine relationship with co-host DaJour, had a lot of us thinking they were siblings. "Everybody would ask if Dajour, was my brother. I guess in a way he was - through talking about our lives, families and how to improve ourselves and our show." The teamwork obviously served them well. Teen Summit’s "It Takes a Village" show earned them a 1997 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Youth Series in large part because of Ananda’s interview with Hillary Rodham-Clinton. Teen Summit was also nominated for 1996 Cable Ace Award for its special on "homeless teens". During the summer of 1997, Ananda faced another life-changing decision when an opportunity at another television network arose. MTV had come knocking and Ananda was not sure about opening the door. "Up until that time I had been doing a show that meant great deal to not only me, but our viewers and the continued progress and healing of everyone it touched. I knew that I would not readily have access to doing a show like this again for a very long time and I had a real problem with that. For years it had been clear to me that I came to this planet to impact people’s lives, change things and help people heal by increasing their personal power and rejecting the lies we’ve all been taught since birth about ourselves and our potential. Yet I understood that in order to do that effectively, I would need the attention of the masses, not just my own people. I saw MTV not only as access to the masses, but also as an opportunity to be more of the woman I am and cultivate my ability to have fun, my social skills and whatever else the Creator had in store for me with this new opportunity."
Helena D. Lewis A poetic powerhouse, HELENA D. LEWIS is a passionate performer gifted with keen insight. Lewis graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Biology and is a former member of the poetic trio, 2 Dogs & A Cat, Nubian Expressions, Uninhibited Theater Company, and the undefeated New Jersey First Wave Slam Team. Lewis was a member of the Nuyorican Poets Café 2000 National Slam Team which placed third at the National Poetry Slam in Providence, Rhode Island. Lewis, a Soul Café 2001 finalist, and Hottest Poets MTV Networks 2002 finalist was featured on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam III.
Maestro Keith Lockhart Maestro Keith Lockhart is only the third conductor to lead the Boston Pops since 1930. He succeeded John Williams with style. He has been a featured speaker at the National Press Club, broadcast live on National Public Radio. Lockhart is a warm and engaging personality who speaks passionately about his craft. He fascinates and entertains audiences with an up-close and personal time-line of our country's distinct musical style. Lockhart's presentation is "A Musical Slice of America," featuring the Beacon Brass Quintet. In February 1995 Keith Lockhart was named twentieth Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra since it's founding in 1885. Entering his eighth season as Pops Conductor, Lockhart has conducted more than 500 concerts; made more than forty-four television shows; appeared twice with the Boston Pops Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, most recently in April 2000; and led fourteen national tours with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, as well as three overseas tours to Japan and Korea. Since 1996 Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra have released multiple albums under an exclusive contract with RCA Victor. Their seventh recording, The Latin Album, released in September 2000, was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award. Lockhart's first six RCA Victor albums with the Boston Pops Orchestra-Runnin' Wild, The Boston Pops Play Glenn Miller, American Visions, the Grammy-nominated The Celtic Album, Holiday Pops and A Splash of Pops-- all received critical and popular acclaim. A compilation album entitled Encore! features tracks from those recordings. The orchestra's latest recording, My Favorite Things: A Richard Rodgers Celebration was released in April 2002, in conjunction with the worldwide celebration of that composer's birth. Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1959, Lockhart holds degrees from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He held positions in Pittsburgh and Akron before becoming a Conducting Fellow of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute in 1989. The following year he moved to Cincinnati as Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, later serving as Associate Conductor of both the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops orchestras, while also becoming Music Director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, a title he held through the 1998-99 season. Beginning his fourth year as Music Director of the Utah Symphony in Salt Lake City, Mr. Lockhart succeeded Maurice Abravanel and Joseph Silverstein in that post. He studied piano with John Noel Roberts, Gwendolyn Stevens, and Maria-Regina Seidlhofer of the Vienna Hochschule. His training as a conductor includes study with Istvan Jaray, Otto-Werner Mueller, Harold Farberman and Werner Torkanowsky. As a guest artist, Lockhart has conducted the major symphony orchestras of Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Singapore, Toronto and Vancouver. In addition, he has led the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the National Arts Center Orchestra of Ottawa, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. In 1997 he led his first major opera production, Douglas Moore's The Ballad of Baby Doe, with the Washington (D.C.) Opera. In addition to his ongoing work with the Utah Symphony, recent activities include debuts with the New York Chamber Symphony, the Houston Symphony, and the New Japan Philharmonic, and re-engagements with the Vancouver Symphony, the Montreal Symphony, and the Colorado Symphony. Lockhart holds both the Julian and Eunice Cohen Boston Pops Conductor's Chair and the Germeshausen Family Boston Symphony Youth Concerts Conductor's Chair. In addition, he serves as a "godparent" for the John D. Philbrick Elementary School in Roslindale as part of the Boston Music Education Collaborative. He has been awarded honorary doctorates from the Boston Conservatory, Northeastern University, and his alma mater, Furman University.
Judge Greg Mathis Popular television judge who is featured on the nationally syndicated TV show "Judge Mathis". The youngest judge in Michigan history, Greg Mathis was a Michigan Superior Court Judge before the start of his television series. Mathis worked hard to win the judgeship in the city of Detroit. He had many obstacles to overcome. He had failed the Michigan bar exam once, and had been denied a license to practice law for several years after graduating from law school because of his criminal past. He had not accrued an extensive portfolio of legal work, and he was seen by the establishment as someone who lacked the necessary experience and insight to handle the hectic and heavy docket. Yet in 1995, he was elected a superior court judge for Michigan's 36th District, making him the youngest man in the state to hold the post. During the five years he was on the bench, he was rated in the top five of all judges in the 36th District; there are about thirty judges each year. He was trying to have a movie made about his youth when a partner was contacted by Blackpearl Productions about starting a television show. He has been hosting a television series, Judge Mathis, since 1999, in which he mediates disputes much like a real courtroom. In 2001, Mathis appeared in "1st Annual BET Awards" as himself. He also was a guest star as himself in the Steve Harvey show episode "Here Comes the Judge". Mathis has been parodied on Saturday Night Live by Tracy Morgan in the "Judge Horace" persona. At a rally commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Mathis said, "They (the Bush administration) all need to be locked up because they are all criminals and they are all thieves. It is indeed criminal to steal an election and within two years run up a federal deficit of half-a-trillion dollars, send our young people over to Iraq to die for an unjust war. What they are doing is criminal."
Bernie McGrenahan Bernie McGrenahan’s ‘Happy Hour’ Hailed by the Los Angeles Daily News “the most important comedian in the country today” , Bernie McGrenahan’s ‘Happy Hour’ tour is impacting high school and college students across America. ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS cover this powerful speaker’s tour which addresses the number one substance abuse problem on college campuses today, high-risk drinking.After opening Happy Hour with his hilarious stand-up comedy show, Bernie shares the facts of how his college party got ‘out of control’. He reveals how his”social drinking” escalated to “high-risk” drinking rapidly, and the consequences that followed.He encourages students to avoid excessive consumption, motivating them to follow a more healthy and productive way of life. Bernie addresses the social norm of how much alcohol students actually drink, acknowledging that most students of legal drinking age do consume alcohol moderately and responsibly. Happy Hour is comedy…with a message. It inspires students to achieve their dreams by dealing with life’s obstacles in a positive way. Happy Hour brings a motivating, uplifting and poignant message not only to students, but also to individuals of the community.This website is full of televsion stories, newspaper articles, and letters of praise that all focus on Happy Hour Comedy and how powerful the program is.
SuChin Pak Born in Korea, SuChin Pak joined the MTV news team as a correspondent in 2001. A political science major at U.C. Berkeley, she has become a role model for many bi-cultural Asian-American teens.Suchin Pak, MTV News team member, has cover world entertainment to 9/11 news, and had presentation such as Growing Up Asian and Pak Attack: Suchin Rolls onto MTV.
Adam Pascal Adam Pascal The performer, singer, and songwriter, best known for the hit Broadway musical "Rent" as well as the movie.
Randal Pinkett Randal is the first African American candidate to be hired on national television through the US version of The Apprentice, a television reality show starring Donald Trump. (There have been black candidates hired in the South African and British versions of the programme before Pinkett was hired.) Pinkett was hired on national television during the season finale of season four. Pinkett is the President and CEO of BCT Partners [1], a management, technology and policy consulting services firm. Over the course of the season, Pinkett had the best record as project manager, with an undefeated 3-0 record. Pinkett's competitor in the finale was Rebecca Jarvis, a journalist from Chicago. For his final task, Pinkett met with Outback Steakhouse executives and the CEO of Autism Speaks in order to coordinate his most difficult task of the entire series, a charity fundraiser for Autism Speaks. Pinkett planned a celebrity softball game, but the game was rained out. Pinkett was criticized by Trump's associate Carolyn Kepcher for lack of a detailed back-up plan and for failing to monitor the weather after an early forecast put the chances of rain at 30%. Pinkett arranged a last-minute auction in an undecorated white room, which raised nearly $11,000. Trump criticized Pinkett for not spotlighting the celebrities in attendance, who intermingled with the auction crowd. In an unusual twist, when Pinkett was hired by Trump, Trump asked Pinkett if he should also hire Jarvis. Pinkett replied, "I firmly believe this is 'The Apprentice,'" and that "there is one, and only one 'Apprentice' and if you're going to hire someone tonight, it should be one." He added that the show was called "The Apprentice" and not "The Apprenti" Trump said he "could have been convinced," but opted to agree with Pinkett and "leave it at that." Trump then dropped the subject, but many viewers were left with the impression that he had hoped to hire both Pinkett and Jarvis. (The fourth season of The Apprentice regularly saw Trump playing havoc with established procedures, including multiple firings.) Pinkett firmly stood by his decision, which was subsequently both praised and panned and sparked debate well after the finale aired. Pinkett later gave his version of the events in an interview with blackenterprise.com. He stated, "I'm satisfied with the decision I made and I'm pleased with the arguments I presented. As I said last night, 'in a competition there is only one winner.' You wouldn't ask the gold medalist in the Olympics to share with the silver medalist. Unfortunately for those that wanted to see a double hiring or see Rebecca win, I ended up being the bearer of bad news. However, at the end of day all I did was give Mr. Trump my recommendation. It was ultimately his decision to not hire Rebecca."
Dr. Drew Pinsky A trusted source of information and advice for millions of young adults, Dr. Drew Pinsky has been co-host on the nationally syndicated call-in radio show Loveline for 18 years. Loveline evolved when Dr. Drew, then a medical student, volunteered to answer a few questions on the radio. The show is now heard on more than 50 radio stations across the country. In 1996, he and his co-host Adam Carolla took their show to MTV, which had a successful five-year run. In 1998 Dr. Drew and Adam Corolla released a book from Dell Publishing entitled The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide to Life and Love. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his M.D. from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, Dr. Drew continued at USC for his residency. He then became chief resident at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. He is a board-certified internist and a board-certified addictionologist. Dr. Drew is the Medical Director for the Department of Chemical Dependency Services and the Chief of Service in the Department of Medicine at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena. He continues to run a private clinical medicine practice and was recently named Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Los Angeles Children's Hospital. A regular on Politically Incorrect and The View, Dr. Drew has been a guest on numerous national television outlets, including Larry King Live. He is a regular contributor to USA Weekend, writing extensively on a variety of topics related to addiction, adolescent health, intimacy, and relationships. Dr. Drew has been profiled in Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and other national media. A popular guest at college campuses across the country, Dr. Drew speaks to sold-out crowds at over 30 colleges per year. Dedicated to helping young people, Drew has been a spokesperson for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and has participated in AIDS charity events such as Macy's Passport with Michael Jordan, and drDrew.com, a lifestyle online community for 14- to 24-year-olds was launched in 1999. The Internet is the logical medium for Dr. Drew to communicate with young adults. The site is rich with content, chat rooms, forums, exclusive celebrity interviews, home pages, user polls, and great information on relationships, sex, and health issues.
Kevin Powell Kevin Powell is widely considered one of Americas most important voices in these early years of the 21st century. Legendary feminist icon Gloria Steinem proclaimed that "as a charismatic speaker, leader, and a very good writer, Kevin Powell has the courage...to be fully human, and this will bring the deepest revolution of all." Famed scholar and social critic Dr. Michael Eric Dyson has called Powell "a mighty wind of fresh air." Kevin Powell is an activist, poet, journalist, essayist, editor, cultural curator, hiphop historian, songwriter, music producer, public speaker, political consultant and fundraiser, and businessman. A product of extreme poverty, welfare, fatherlessness, and a single mother-led household, he is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey and was educated at New Jerseys Rutgers University. Kevin Powell is a longtime resident of Brooklyn, New York, and it is from his base in New York City that Powell has published six books, including his current title, Whos Gonna Take The Weight? Manhood, Race, and Power in America, which is an Essence magazine bestseller. His next project, Someday Will All Be Free, will hit in 2006 and will feature essays on the 2004 presidential election, September 11th, and Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Coast tragedy. Powell is also at work on his childhood memoir, homeboy alone, slated for 2008. Additionally, Powell is compiling his second volume of poetry, My Own Private Ghetto, and The Kevin Powell Reader, which will highlight the first twenty years of his literary career. Indeed, he has written numerous essays, articles, and reviews over the past two decades for publications such as Newsweek, The Washington Post, Essence, Code, Rolling Stone, The Amsterdam News, and Vibe, where he was a founding staff member and served as a senior writer. It was at Vibe that Powell interviewed and profiled a number of hiphop icons including, most famously, the late Tupac Shakur on several occasions.
Busta Rhymes The most idiosyncratic personality in rap and possessor of its most recognizable delivery, a halting, ragga-inspired style with incredible complexity, inventiveness, and humor, Busta Rhymes formed Leaders of the New School in 1990 and released two albums with the group before breaking out with a 1996 solo hit single, "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check." Born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, in 1972 of Jamaican heritage (a definite influence on his rapping style), Busta moved to Long Island in 1983 and, at Uniondale High School, met up with MCs Charlie Brown, Dinco D., and Cut Monitor Milo. Inspired by fellow Long Islanders Public Enemy and Eric B. & Rakim, the foursome united as Leaders of the New School and signed a deal with Elektra Records right out of the gate, when Busta was only 17 years old. Much respected in the hip-hop underground for their Afrocentric philosophy and tough rapping styles, Leaders of the New School debuted in 1991 with Future Without a Past but released only one more album, 1993's T.I.M.E., before breaking up the following year. Out on his own for the first time, Busta called on some friends, appearing on A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario," the incredible remix of Craig Mack's "Flava in Ya Ear" (also featuring Notorious B.I.G. and LL Cool J), as well as other projects with Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, and TLC. He also appeared in the 1995 John Singleton film Higher Learning and earned a solo contract with Elektra. Busta's first album, The Coming, proved a huge hit; the single "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check" hit the Top Ten and pushed the album into gold-record territory. His second album, When Disaster Strikes, debuted at number three in September 1997. Extinction Level Event followed a year later, and in mid-2000, Busta released Anarchy while appearing on the silver screen in a remake of the blaxploitation classic Shaft. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Danny Roberts Danny Roberts MTV Real World New Orleans Danny Roberts is one of the most recognizable faces in America. Best known for his role in the hit MTV series, Real World - New Orleans, Danny was catapulted from college-coed to celebrity overnight. He is considered one of the most popular MTV personalities in the history of the Real World franchise, and has successfully transitioned into a career of acting, modeling, and public speaking. After growing up in a small town in Northwest Georgia, Danny attended and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1999. Studying French and International Relations in college, Danny has always looked towards the bigger picture, and eagerly traveled whenever possible. He is a true adventurer at heart, always embracing risk. Throughout his season on Real World, Danny was open about his sexuality, and his controversial relationship with a young officer in the US Army. Through no agenda of his own, the viewership of the show and the likeability of Danny brought much needed attention to the issue of "gays in the military." With Danny, a generation of young Americans could finally put a face with the hot topic; minds opened and opinions swayed. Since leaving the show, Roberts continues to receive attention from the Gen X and Gen Y audience. The Advocate dubbed him "The Accidental Activist," a role he has embraced by setting a positive example for others to follow. He speaks regularly on college campuses, and started a hip web site to encourage open communication and support for young gay people throughout the country. Recently, Danny appeared on Dawson's Creek and The Real World/Road Rules Challenge, and has committed to several independent film projects. He is currently looking at numerous television projects that afford him the opportunity to positively influence the young gay community.
Mr. Belding From Saved By The Bell Dennis Haskins actor best known for his role as principal Richard Belding in the teen sitcom Saved by the Bell, which ran from 1989 to 1993 on NBC. Before his foray into acting, Haskins briefly worked as a concert promoter, associating with the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire and Tom Jones. After the end of the original series, Haskins would continue his role with the spinoff "Saved by the Bell: The New Class", until its cancellation in 2000. He has also made guest appearances on a variety of TV series, including The Dukes of Hazzard, 7th Heaven and JAG. Most recently, he appeared in an episode of FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. On the E! True Hollywood Story special on Saved by the Bell, Haskins mentioned his difficulty of obtaining parts, as he is now typecast as Mr. Belding. Haskins grew a moustache to distance himself from the character.
Stuart Scott Stuart Scott is one of ESPNs most recognizable and quotable personalities. Hes taken broadcast journalism by storm with his delivery of hardcore sports in formation and insights packaged with urban/hip-hop flavor. The result is his highly entertaining presence on ESPNs Sports Center where he anchors their flagship 11 P.M. broadcast. Additionally, Stuart hosts ESPN Monday Night NFL Countdown, NBA Wednesday and ESPNs reality series Dream Job. Stuart has also been featured in various commercials, music videos and major motion pictures further adding to his cultural iconic status. His speaking engagements are filled with the intellect, charisma and humor that are evident when over a million people watch him every night.
Break Show A distinctive American art form with hazy African roots that run deep through the streets of inner cities, Hip Hop defies easy definition. Comprised of five elements - Dance, MC (or rap), DJ, Graffiti, and Fashion - each component is improvised and recombined in a myriad of rhythms and styles so that Hip Hop reinvents itself continually. Though the exact origins of Hip Hop are unclear, dance elements hearken back to an African tradition, involving a variety of footwork patterns, spinning and gymnastic type moves, Hip Hop dancing has been heavily influenced by a number of sources. Some consider James Brown and his 1969 hit: "Get on the Good Foot", one of the starting points. Inspired by his energetic, almost acrobatic dance on stage, many people began dancing on the "Good Foot," often incorporating moves that involved dramatic drops and spins. Martial-arts films, which were extremely popular in the 1970s, contributed some of the more spectacularly muscular and acrobatic elements to this burgeoning urban dance phenomena. The term, "Breakdancing" actually arose with the growing recognition of this art form by the media. The early 80's "battles" between dance crews, attracted the attention of the public and "Breaking" "B-Boy-ing" or "Breakdancing" became associated with other street dance styles such as "Locking" and "Popping". BREAK! The Urban Funk Spectacular traces the history of Hip Hop Dancing over the last thirty years. It is a tribute to this American urban art form. Cast members are supremely talented artists from the world of "Breakdancing", "Locking", "Electric Boogaloo" or "Popping," Power Tumbling, as well as DJ-ing and Bucket Drumming. Many have been featured soloists in performances with such show-business legends as Madonna, Janet Jackson, B2K, 50 Cents, Ringo Star, Whitney Houston, Puff Daddy and Luther Vandross. BREAK! - based in New York City - has received standing ovations across five continents for its sensational show.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler Jamie-Lynn Sigler Star of HBO's smash hit "The Soprano's" As Meadow Soprano on HBO?s blockbuster series The Sopranos, Jamie-Lynn Sigler portrays a smart but emotionally frustrated mob princess. In real life, there is much more to this Jewish Cuban American starlet, and she?s not afraid to communicate her feelings on issues that are important to her. Shortly after being cast in The Sopranos, Sigler began battling an eating disorder that turned her into a shadow of her former self. Jamie?s recovery inspired her to go public in an effort ?to reach young girls and let them know that there is a way out; there is help available.? She is now a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association. Sigler's revealing autobiography, Wise Girl, illustrates both the perks and pressures that have come with overnight fame, and how uncertain times have made her stronger, more confident and able to face life?s challenges. She describes the emotional and physical toll from a vicious bout with Lyme disease, an obsession with her weight that nearly destroyed her career, and the darker side of instant fame. At the podium, Sigler speaks from the heart in a fun, engaging, and illuminating presentation. Her surprising and inspirational story demonstrates that the key to success isn?t just what?s on the outside ? it?s using your brains, going with your gut, and learning from your experiences every day. Sigler's optimistic philosophy is, ?What matters is that you make your life matter. Follow your dreams, challenge the odds, defy your critics, champion a cause, sing out until your voice is heard!? Born with a passion to perform, Long Island native DiScala has been acting and singing since the age of seven. She got her start in New York regional theater, and has since starred in over two dozen theatrical productions. Recently she starred in the touring production of Rodger?s and Hammerstein?s Cinderella, playing the lead opposite Eartha Kitt as her fairy godmother. She is currently making her Broadway debut as Belle in Disney?s Beauty and the Beast. For her work on The Sopranos, Sigler received the 1999 and 2000 Young Star Award for Best Young Actress in a Dramatic Television Series. She lives in New York City
Kemba Smith Remarkable story of triumph and determination. Smith who was sentenced in 1994 to more than two decades in federal prison on a first-time drug conviction is a single mother, advocate, public speaker, law student and author. When a judge sentenced Smith to prison for alleged involvement in a crack cocaine ring, she was a young college student at Hampton University in Virginia. She fell in with the wrong crowd and became involved with a major figure in a $4 million drug ring. Enduring years of physical and emotional abuse, Smith ended the relationship. But she was sentenced to prison for being closely involved with the man. After serving 6 1/2 years, Smith regained her freedom after President Clinton granted her clemency in December of 2000. Her predicament forced the nation to focus on drug enforcement policies and mandatory sentencing for drug offenses. Smith has since graduated from Virginia Union University and attends law school at Howard University. She started the Kemba Smith Foundation that works to inspire and uplift young people as well as educate them about injustices within the criminal justice system. Smith has spoken at more than 30 colleges and universities. Having already received numerous honors and awards for her activism, she continues to speak on topics that she feels are important to the nation.
Hal Sparks A native of Peak's Mill, Kentucky, Hal Sparks began his professional career as a member of the famed Second City Troupe. His quick wit and affable personality earned him the title of "Funniest Teenager In Chicago" by the Chicago Sun Times in 1987. After a successful run with Second City, Sparks moved to Los Angeles and immediately began performing at numerous comedy clubs including The Improv, The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory and The Ice House, as well as at Comic Relief's American Comedy Festival. Sparks was the host of the Emmy-award winning "Talk Soup" on E! Entertainment Television. For five seasons, Sparks co-starred as Michael on the hit Showtime series "Queer As Folk," based on the controversial and critically acclaimed British series. In 2006, Sparks hosted the WB reality series "Survival Of the Richest," and is one of the stars of the VH1 hit pop culture series "I Love The 90's," "I Love The 80's," "The 80's Strike Back" and "I Love The 70's." He also co-starred in the Showtime Original feature "Bleacher Bums," adapted from the critically acclaimed play of the same name. In 2004 Sparks appeared in the box office hit "Spiderman 2." He also co-starred in the 20th Century Fox comedy, "Dude, Where's My Car?," "Dickie Roberts, Former Child Star" and "Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town" with Billy Bob Thorton. Sparks also provided the voices for two animal characters, a bee and a fish, in the 20th Century Fox film "Dr. Dolittle 2." His numerous television appearances include "The Tonight Show," "Larry King Live," "Charlie Rose," "Good Morning America," "The View," "Politically Incorrect," MTV, "The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn," and "Hollywood Squares." Hal is an accomplished singer/songwriter and an expert in the martial arts with 20 years experience in Shaolin kung fu, Wushu and Karate.
Henry Rollins... Spoken Word For almost two decades, Henry Rollins has been doing talking/stand-up shows internationally. He tours with his hard-rock group, Rollins Band, and is a Grammy Award-winner for Best Spoken Word Performance. The former frontman of legendary Californian band Black Flag, he is the author of Smile You're Traveling (Black Coffee Blues Part 3). Rollins has written articles for Spin and Details; published numerous books under his own imprint, 2-13-61 Publications; and done EPKs for Black Sabbath, Wayne Kramer and Jerry Lee Lewis. Singer, songwriter, MTV darling, actor, monologist and writer, Henry Rollins has been making edgy, humorous observations on a variety of topics for almost two decades at his international talking/stand-up shows. He also tours with his hard-rock group, Rollins Band, whose albums include Weight (which went Gold and featured the hit single "Liar") and Get Some Go Again. A Grammy Award-winner for Best Spoken Word Performance for his album Get in the Van, he is the former frontman of legendary Californian band Black Flag and has written articles for Spin and Details. A real Renaissance man, he has done EPKs for Black Sabbath, Wayne Kramer and Jerry Lee Lewis; is the host of the Fox TV suspense series Night Visions, which features stars such as Bridget Fonda and Brian Dennehy; played at Woodstock '94; and has hosted VH1's The List. A culture icon in all facets of media, he acted in the movies Heat with Al Pacino, Frost with Michael Keaton, Lost Highway, The Chase with Charlie Sheen and Johnny Mnemonic with Keanu Reeves. Rollins has appeared in ads for Macintosh, General Motors, Partnership for a Drug Free America, The Gap and anti-gun promotional spots. He has also been a guest on Dennis Miller, The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien and Politically Incorrect. Rollins has published numerous books under his own imprint, 2-13-61 Publications, and is the author of Smile, You're Traveling (Black Coffee Blues Part 3), Eye Scream, Get in the Van: On the Road with Black Flag and The Portable Henry Rollins. The king of the spoken word show, he relishes going on stage and talking to college students. His observations never fail to touch a nerve with audiences. He has said, "Those 20 kids that stick around after a show- that is my family, That's why I'm never nervous before I go on stage. That's why I talk for three hours. I wanna take 'em all home. They're the only people I need."
Raven Symone Talented and precocious, child star Raven Symone has been in the spotlight for almost as long as she has been alive.Symone auditioned for a part in Ghost Dad, starring Bill Cosby, and though too young for the part, Symone impressed the casting director, who then introduced her to the movies star. Cosby was also impressed, both with her personality and her ability to remember lines, and wanted her to be on his show, The Cosby Show.Symone made her television debut on Cosbs show in 1989 as Olivia Kendall, thus starting an impressive showbiz career. Next Symone got her own show on The Disney Channel, Thats So Raven 2002, where she played an eccentric teenager with a gift for seeing into the future. That series proved enormously popular with its young audience, adding further heat to Symone's career, resulting in further big screen roles including playing Asana, the musically gifted friend of Princess Mia (Anen Hathaway) in the popular sequel "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" (2004), a role that allowed her to sing the rousing "Your Crowning Glory" opposite screen musical legend Julie Andrews
Allan Tannenbaum Allan Tannenbaum's first real break into the photography business was a five-dollar assignment for the Soho News, a downtown New York City weekly. At the time, Tannenbaum was one year shy of a personal deadline: find a steady job or quit the profession. Until that day in 1974, the self-taught photographer had done freelance work in San Francisco, taught photography and filmmaking at Rutgers University in New Jersey and schlepped around the city with a portfolio, trying (in vain) to pick up assignments from major news magazines. While the Soho News weekly $40 salary was hardly enough to live on, the paper did provide Tannenbaum with the legitimacy and training he needed. "Initially I was very shy," says Tannenbaum. "At the Soho News I learned how to be better at telling people how to pose, at getting into places and pushing and shoving if necessary." In his post-Soho years, Tannenbaum has focused on international news. Here he is covering Desert Storm. Tannenbaum quickly made a name for himself with his shots of New York night life, celebrities, and political events. He earned the respect of prominent New Yorkers and eventually landed an exclusive photo session with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, one week before the Beatle was killed. Those photos drew world-wide attention for Tannenbaum, who, according to an early agreement with the Soho News, maintained complete copyright on all his photos. Despite the low pay and his dwindling interest in covering the decadent New York scene, Tannenbaum stuck with the weekly until it closed in March 1982. He then signed up with the photo agency Sygma and pursued his true passion -- international news photography. He traveled to South Africa for Nelson Mandela's release from prison, to Colombia in order to document the volcanic disaster that left over 20,000 people dead, to Berlin to cover the reunification of Germany and to the Gulf to shoot the aftermath of the war. His photos of the Arab-Israeli conflict won him First Prize for Spot News from the World Press Association. Despite the excitement and significance of his recent work, Tannenbaum still credits his decade at the Soho News as being a crucial period in his career. He is now working on a book, Soho Blues, about his time with the weekly.
Aerle Taree She has been characterized as a modern-day Renaissance Woman: Poet, songwriter, vocalist, producer, stylist, public speaker, and entrepreneur all describe the multi-talented, 25-year-old Atlanta-based Aerle Taree. Now, with her most recent venture as the president and founder of Reality Writings, Inc., Taree’s fans can add publisher to that list of accomplishments. Using her own experience as a successful recording artist, Taree is now on the other side of the microphone: as an advocate, coach, and publisher for promising talent in Atlanta.Born in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1973, Taree was inspired through the admiration of her mother, a civil rights attorney and poet/writer, and her father, an editorial writer for the city’s newspaper. Their guidance led Taree to an appreciation for intellectual thought, creativity and education, and she spent most of her childhood writing and composing (anything from restaurant jingles to award-winning poetry). She continued her poetic quest while attending Cornell University in New York, where she studied fashion and apparel design. Her writing talent culminated in 1989 when she joined the Grammy award-winning group Arrested Development.It was as a member of that Atlanta-based group that Taree’s writing blossomed, co-writing the hit songs Tennessee and Revolution, (at the request of Spike Lee for Malcolm X: The Movie). During this time, Taree continued her studies at Clark Atlanta University; by the age of 21, she had won two Grammy Awards and a BMI .Taree’s career with Arrested Development gained her nationwide recognition and awards, including MTV Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, and Rolling Stone Critic Poll’s Band of the Year. During this time, Taree also made several feature appearances in magazines videos, albums and television, including Arsenio, BET Teen Summit, and Yo! MTV Raps. She also toured with pop group EnVogue, the Black College Tour, and the Lollapalooza Tour.Following her departure from Arrested Development, Taree continued to grow artistically. She has also started her own multifaceted entertainment company in Atlanta called Reality Writings, Inc., one of the newest members of the MCA Music Publishing family: “I really want to be seen as an artist and as a writer of pop poetry,” she says. “A modern-day Princess of Poetry.”Taree has written her own book of narrative poems entitled PoeTaree: The Jurisprudence of Life, which details an evening in the lives of college students from different social, racial, and class backgrounds. Writer Zona Neale Hurston, activist Angela Davis, and poet Gil Scott Heron have largely influenced her work.Taree has a keen interest in African-American communities; she continues to stay focused with what’s going on and the changes she can make through public speaking and panel appearances. She has spoken at the Athlete’s Village during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the 1997 National Black Arts Fest, the IAAM Conference in Washington, DC, the North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus, as well as at other colleges and universities across the country. She also participated in the Vibe Magazine Music Conference in 1996 and the Jack the Rapper panel that same year.Today, Taree is involved in The PhD Project (phdproject.com). The organization aims to improve workforce diversity by diversifying business school faculties, and helping those pursuing a business PhD. Taree remains devoted to her personal commitment to promote change and progress in the community through writing and speaking.
Mikki Taylor Popular journalist and motivational speaker, Mikki Taylor is the Beauty Director and Cover Editor of Essence magazine. To think of Mikki Taylor as merely another beauty editor would be as classifying the late Louis Armstrong as just another guy who blew a horn. Her contribution to Essence magazine, the African-American community and the beauty industry is immeasurable. As beauty and cover editor of the nation's premier lifestyle publication targeted to Black women, she has the enormous responsibility of not only reflecting the culture's definition of "beauty" but also of shaping it. Some of Mikki's topics are: Positioning Yourself to Succeed Through the Power of Affirmation; What is This Thing Called Endurance; and Increasing Your Personal Power.
James Top For over 30 years,TOP has been recognized as; one of the most legendary subway graffiti crews in NYC. This crew has taken their subway beginnings and transcended in to; Television, Fine art gallery shows, Community art inspired activism, Fashion, and Web based commerce. The most popular Graffiti Artist today in New York City. The Daily News describes him as "The Spray King" His works was crucial in the success of Graffiti's most prestigious group shows. Graffiti 2005 and History in the Making Part 3. This self taught artist began his career in the East New York section of Brooklyn as a founding member of "The Odd Partners" (TOP) would make history by dominating the IND and the BMT subway lines during the mid to late 1970's. Today James is the founder of Graffiti Artist for a Positive Cause. This organization help charitable, political and community organizations through art. They also beautify neighborhoods with murals and productions. JamesTop also is producer and host of "Graffiti NYC" a weekly cable TV show that is shown on Sunday 1:30 AM on channel 67 in NYC and 12:30 AM Friday in Brooklyn. The outdoor mural project "The Peoples Wall" located at 147th street between 7th & 8th avenues in Harlem. Coming soon JamesTop autobiography "My Life as an Odd Partner". Artist Statement: “I take great pride in capturing what I feel is the African American experience in America” JamesTop is currently resides in Harlem, an is an art instructor.
John Walsh A tireless advocate for victims’ rights and missing children, John Walsh has turned his passion for justice into the nation's number-one crime-fighting show, FOX’s America's Most Wanted. Then, from 2002 to February, 2004, NBC daytime aired The John Walsh Show; a new platform for Walsh to comment on current events and issues that are of concern to him. Walsh is no stranger to violent crime; in fact, his incredibly successful career as a host of a nationally televised program, and as an advocate for victims’ rights, was a career Walsh never anticipated. In the summer of 1981, Walsh was a partner in a hotel management company in Hollywood, Florida. He was living the American dream. He and his wife, Revé, had a beautiful six-year-old son, Adam, the joy of their lives. They never thought crime could touch them. But that joy was shattered on July 27th, 1981, when Adam was abducted and later found murdered. The Walshes have never received the closure that America's Most Wanted has brought the lives of so many crime victims. The prime suspect in Adam's murder, Ottis Toole, was never charged in the Adam Walsh case; he died in prison while serving life for other crimes, taking the truth to the grave with him. The story of the Walsh family's tragedy has been dramatized in the 1983 NBC television movie, Adam, and a 1986 sequel, Adam: His Song Continues. Following the airing of the broadcasts, a roll of missing children was featured, leading to the recovery of 65 youngsters. It wasn't long after Adam's death that the Walshes turned their grief into positive energy to help missing and exploited children. Battling bureaucratic resistance and legislative nightmares, John and Revé's work led to the passage of the Missing Children Act of 1982 and the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984. The latter Bill founded the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which maintains a toll-free hotline number (1-800-THE-LOST) to report a missing child or the sighting of one. In their son's memory, they also founded the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to legislative reform. Recently, the centers, originally located in West Palm Beach, Florida, Columbia, South Carolina, Orange County, California, and Rochester, New York, merged with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Walsh serves on the board of directors of the National Center. Back in 1984, Esquire Magazine voted John Walsh "one of the best of the new generation." Since then, Walsh's endless quest for justice has been trumpeted across the pages of newspapers and magazines around the nation including The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and People Magazine, where Walsh was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People for 1996. And CBS portraits named him one of the 100 Americans Who Changed History. Walsh’s life has also been chronicled on A & E’s Biography program as well as on MSNBC’s Headliners and Legends with Matt Lauer. Law Enforcement officials around the nation have also honored Walsh for his efforts. In 1988 he was named the U.S. Marshals Man Of The Year, and two years later received the same honor from the FBI " the Bureau's highest civilian award. The U.S. Marshals also made Walsh an Honorary US Marshal in 2003 – an honor only bestowed upon seven other people in the agency’s history. Walsh has received hundreds of other honors, including the 1984 Father of the Year Award from the National Father's Day Committee. Walsh is the only private citizen to receive a Special Recognition Award by a U.S. Attorney General, and he's been honored in the Rose Garden four times by three presidents: Clinton, Bush (Sr.), and Reagan (twice). Today, Walsh continues his lobbying efforts, testifying before Congress and state legislatures on crime, missing children and victims' issues. His latest efforts include lobbying for a Constitutional Amendment for victims' rights.
Cornel West One of Americas most gifted and provocative public intellectuals, Dr. Cornel West's writing, speaking, and teaching weaves together the American traditions of the Black Baptist Church, progressive politics, and jazz. Dr. West graduated from Harvard in three years, magna cum laude, and Martin Kilson, one of Dr. West?s professors, recalls him as the most intellectually aggressive and highly cerebral student I have taught in my 30 years here.? He has published 17 books and edited 13 text. In his major bestseller, Race Matters, philosopher Dr. Cornel West burst onto the national scene with his searing analysis of the scars of racism in American democracy. Race Matters has become a contemporary classic, having sold more than 400,000 copies. Praised by The New York Times for his ?ferocious moral vision,? Dr. West speaks with an utterly distinctive voice about the thorniest social and political issues of our day and bridges the gap between black and white opinion. In Democracy Matters, Dr. West returns to the analysis of the arrested development of democracy?both in America and in the crisis-ridden Middle East. In a strikingly original diagnosis, he argues that if America is to become a better steward of democratization around the world, we must first wake up to the long history of imperialist corruption that has plagued our own democracy. Dr. West is Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University. He has held previous positions at Union Theological Seminary, Yale University, Harvard University and the University of Paris. Dr. West was an influential force in developing the storyline for the popular Matrix trilogy. Not only is he the spokesperson for this box-office hit series, Dr. West also had recurring roles in the final two volumes. Speech Topics: *The African American Century: What Next? *Reflections on Hip-Hop: The Role of Black *Music in American Culture *Democracy Matters *Heart of American Darkness *Race Matters
Kate White Kate White is the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, the largest-selling women's magazine in the world. Under her editorship, guaranteed circulation has increased by over 500,000 and Cosmo now sells two million copies a month on newsstands alone. She also oversees Cosmo Style magazine, Cosmo radio and Cosmo books. White began her career in the magazine business by winning Glamour Magazine's Top Ten College contest and appearing on the cover. She was a neditorial assistant at Glamour and laterbecameafeature writerand columnist for the magazine.She went onto holdkey job satseveralnational magazines,andeventually was named editor-in-chief of Child and then later Working Woman and McCall's. Before joining Cosmo, she served as editor-in-chief of Redbook for four years. In addition to editing Cosmo, White is the New York Times best-selling author of the Bailey Weggins murder mystery series for Warner Books, including If Looks Could Kill, and most recently, Over Her Dead Body. She is also the author of the bestselling career book, Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. Her newest book, How to Set His Thighs on fire, 86 Lessons on Love, Men, Life and (Especially) Sex, will be published in June.
Saul Williams By 1995 he had become a talented open mic poet and in 1996 he won the title of Nuyorican Poets Cafe's Grand Slam Champion. Fame on the spoken-word circuit led him to the lead role in the 1998 feature film, Slam, which won both the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and the Cannes Camera D'Or, introducing Williams to international audiences. Williams was at this time breaking into music. He had performed with such artists as renowned hip-hop artists The Fugees, Blackalicious, Erykah Badu, KRS-One, De La Soul, DJ Krust, as well as legendary poets Allen Ginsberg and Sonia Sanchez. After releasing a string of EPs, in 2001 he released the much-hyped Amethyst Rock Star with producer Rick Rubin and in September 2004 his self-titled album to much acclaim. He played several shows supporting Nine Inch Nails on their European tour in summer 2005, and has also supported The Mars Volta. Williams was also invited to the Lollapalooza music festival in Summer 2005. The Chicago stage allowed Williams to attract a wider audience. He also supported NIN on their 2006 North American tour, during which he announced that Trent Reznor would co-produce his next album. [2] As a writer, Williams has been published in The New York Times, Esquire, Bomb Magazine and African Voices, as well as having released four collections of poetry. He has toured and lectured across the world, appearing at many universities and colleges. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.