PDA Entertainment Search Results

Name Description
Byllye Avery A dreamer, visionary, and grassroots realist, Ms. Avery combines activism and social responsibility by developing a national forum for the exploration of health issues of African-American women. By gathering and documenting African-American women's health experiences she is providing a supportive atmosphere for African-American women. Prior to her entry into the health care arena, Ms. Avery taught special education to emotionally disturbed students and consulted on learning disabilities in public schools and universities throughout the southeastern United States.
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.
The Real World Brooklyn Now you can bring The Real World experience to your campus. Cast members from The Real World Brooklyn are now available to come to your campus for your personal Reunion, where they discuss a variety of issues, including orientation, diversity, conflict resolution, volunteerism, multiculturalism, AIDS awareness, relationships and answer any personal questions audience members may have about them or the show. Every freshman has to deal with adjusting to a new living environment with people they hardly know. This program will be beneficial to students going through orientation. Likewise, graduating seniors will soon be entering the real real world and this program will help them to realize some of the issues they will be faced with. See what the cast members are up to these days in the real real world and choose from The Real World cast for a program that would work well at your school.
Chet Cannon Chet Cannon is 23 years old born and raised in Salt Lake City Utah but now residing in Manhattan. Chet Cannon comes across as very metrosexual and is chronically asking questions about many things on The Real World Brooklyn, but affirms he is straight. Chet was the first in line for The Real World casting call at nightclub Area 51 in Salt Lake City ironically fellow cast member Baya Voce was second. He has not drank alcohol or had premarital sex. Chet went to the University of Utah where he hosted a radio show called Chet Chat. He is two semesters short of graduating from U of Utah. Chet has 9 brothers and sisters. He aspires to be a TV host or work in finance. Chet has been casted for a pilot in an upcoming MTV comedy show. College Lecture Topics Safe Sex, Family Values, Diversity, Alcohol Awareness, & Healthy Living
Marilyn Crist An authority on the subject of abuse and on battered women, Marilyn Crist brings two perspectives to the subject of domestic violence: the objective analysis of the clinical therapist, and an authentic, subjective, gut-level awareness of the victim. As a child she experienced physical and emotional abuse from her parents, and as a wife, she endured over 10 years of battering by a sociopathic husband.
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
Judge Mablean Ephriam With over twenty years of experience behind her as a trial attorney and mediator, Mablean Ephriam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the bench of DIVORCE COURT, the half-hour, relationship-oriented courtroom show by Monet Lane Prods., Inc. and Twentieth Television. DIVORCE COURT features real-life couples, real conflicts and powerful human drama in a compelling true-life courtroom setting where litigants abide by Ms. Ephriam’s legally-binding decisions. Ms. Ephriam began her legal career in law enforcement as a correctional officer at the Women’s Division of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Terminal Island. Pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, Ms. Ephriam, while raising a family, accepted a job as a legal secretary. Simultaneously, she attended and completed Whittier College of Law. (Ms. Ephriam is divorced and the mother of four.) After five years as a Deputy City Attorney in Los Angeles, where she served as Domestic Violence Coordinator for spousal, parent and child abuse, Ms. Ephriam’s hard work and dedication paid off. In 1982, she went into private practice emphasizing family law, personal injury and probate. She also served as a Hearing Examiner for the City of Los Angeles, Civil Service Commission. Formerly a member of the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar and State Bar of California Family Law Sections, Ms. Ephriam is well known for her noteworthy contributions to the Los Angeles legal community. Additionally, her commitment and dedication to community service in the area of family law has earned her many prestigious awards throughout her career. In 1993, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles recognized Ms. Ephriam with the Distinguished Service Award for her numerous contributions as co-founder of the Harriet Buhai Center for Family Law, a legal assistance program that provides services to indigent persons in the areas of family law, guardianship and paternity. Ms. Ephriam also received the 1995 Woman of the Year Award -- California State Assembly -- 48th District. The following year, the Los Angeles County Bar Association bestowed Ms. Ephriam with the Spencer-Brandeis Award. The Harriet Buhai Family Law Center paid tribute to her with the Zephyr Ramsey Award for her many years of exceptional service to the community. In 1997, Whittier College of Law, Ms. Ephriam’s alma mater, named her Alumni of the Year.
Charlotte Fedders Domestic violence survivor and author of Shattered Dreams, a personal account of spousal abuse which was aired nationally as a made-for-television movie on the CBS-TV network.
Jean Harris Advocate of prison reform, education and women’s rights.
Naomi Judd Naomi Judd has always dared to do the impossible. A former nurse and single mother, she turned a musical pairing with daughter Wynonna into a six-time Grammy Award-winning country music phenomenon. She is the best-selling author of Love Can Build a Bridge, a moving story of the human spirit. Although she would modestly insist otherwise, there has never been anything simple or commonplace about Naomi Judd - not her vision, her life, her faith, nor the music she and her daughter, Wynonna, created as The Judds. She dreamed bigger, worked harder, took greater risks and triumphed more resoundingly than most people ever will. From the beginning of The Judds' meteoric rise, her "china doll" looks and magnetic personality paralleled the duo's music for the public's attention and appreciation. As their songs became #1 hits, their RCA albums went platinum and their concerts became sellouts. Their popularity kept them undefeated for eight consecutive years at all three major country award shows. They received six Grammys and a vast array of other awards and honors. Bringing values and insistence on integrity to every aspect of her public and personal life, Judd helped The Judds set new standards of excellence and ushered in the resurgence of country music's popularity. America fell in love with the self-proclaimed country girl from Ashland, Kentucky. From small town humble beginnings, this daughter of a gas station owner father and riverboat cook mother became a hope seller to the duo's legions of fans. The music industry labeled her the "Cinderella" of country music because of her real life rags-to-riches story. During the Judds' eight-year reign as superstars, she became infinitely more to the public than a singer, songwriter and engaging performer. She came to represent every woman. Having been an R.N., a secretary, waitress and clerk, the divorced, working mother stood for the modern American family, with all its defects and glories.
John Niland Dallas Cowboys football great and outspoken advocate against domestic violence.
Sarah Rice Sarah Rice is 22 years old while being born and raised in Orange County she now lives in San Francisco California. Sarah Rice acts as the knowledgeable counciler which provides support and advice to the other cast members on The Real World Brooklyn. Sarah went to The Real World casting call audition in San Francisco after hearing about it on the radio along her thinking she had nothing else to do. On the show she volunteered at The Gay and Lesbian Center in New York by initiating an art therapy program.Sarah previously only dated women but is now exclusive with her current boyfriend. She looks forward to competing in a future Real World Road Rules Challeneg. Her father, of whom she has distanced herself from due to sexual abuse, got the phone number of The Real World Brooklyn house by her aunt NOT production. College Lecture Topics Sexual Abuse, Diversity, & LGBT Issues
T. Rodgers Mr. T. Rodgers is a professional consultant, organizer and trainer specializing in violence prevention, human professions and cultural diversity. His mission is to actively promote harmonious and healthy communities that Are supported by principles of social justice. Knowledge and shard economic opportunity, respect for human rights, and a celebration of inclusion. Mr. Rodgers mother left the south side slums of 47th street in Chicago and moved to the west side of Los Angeles known as the jungle. Growing up in this densely populated village Mr. Rodgers admits it wasnt easy. As an adolescent he became embroiled in many gang-related conflicts and his leadership ability helped him develop a chapter of the almighty Black P. Stone Nation. They were500 members strong with five different parks under their control. At one point he was one of the TEN MOST WANTED gang leaders in south central Los Angeles. Mr. Rodgers gang activates caused him to be shot four times and stabbed twice, and the birth of his boy baby. These and other devastating experience forced him to take stock of himself. He began to look hard at how such self destructive and high risk behavior leads many youth to a life of incarceration, punishment, and high injury and death rates. Mr. Rodgers is now at the forefront of efforts to stop the violence and ease tension. He has taken a leadership role in negotiating truces and participating in a number of peace summits in cities across the country. His attempts to end gang violence rely heavily on promoting dialogue and understanding. Mr. Rodgers has poured his heart and soul into reaching out to troubled young men and women around the country, helping them redirect their behavior away from violence toward constructive solutions and actions. My Hope Is To Change The Person. As I Change Myself. This Change Helps Put Anger In Perspecective, And Move Away From Violence. To Support Individuals In Empowering Themselves To Utilize Their Natural Talents In A More Productive Manner To Challenge Many Underlying Factors That Have Created The Conditions That Exacerbate Their Anger he said. Through his work as executive vice president and national spokesperson for the American program Mr. Rodgers helped develop a comprehensive curriculum that is now used nationally. He has facilitated trainings and workshops for members of the California Correctional staff, Peace Officers, school personnel and other agencies in New York, Chicago, Miami, Denver, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Organ.
Esmeralda Santiago ESMERALDA SANTIAGO was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She came to the United States at thirteen, the eldest in a family that would eventually include eleven children. Ms. Santiago attended New York City’s Performing Arts High School, where she majored in drama and dance. After eight years of part-time study at community colleges, she transferred to Harvard University with a full scholarship. She graduated magna cum laude in 1976. In 1977, she and her husband, Frank Cantor, founded CANTOMEDIA, a film and media production company, which has won numerous awards for excellence in documentary filmmaking. Her writing career evolved from her work as a producer/writer of documentary and educational films. Her essays and opinion pieces have run in newspapers like the New York Times and the Boston Globe, in magazines like House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, and Sports Illustrated, and as guest commentary on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition. Upon publication of her first book, the memoir When I was Puerto Rican, Ms. Santiago was hailed as “…a welcome new voice, full of passion and authority,” by the Washington Post Book World. Her first novel, América's Dream, was published in six languages, and was an Alternate Selection of the Literary Guild. “Thrilling and page turning, the fabulous story of América Gonzalez…is laid out masterfully,” according to the Chicago Tribune. Her second memoir, Almost a Woman, received numerous “Best of Year” mentions, in addition to an Alex Award from the American Library Association. Her adaptation of the memoir into a film for PBS Masterpiece Theatre, was greeted with critical and audience acclaim and was awarded a George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. Her third memoir, The Turkish Lover, has received enthusiastic reviews as “an earthy, heartfelt tale of liberation, desperation, and the crippling grip of love.” (Booklist) It was selected a BookSense recommendation for September 2004 and appeared on several “Best of 2004” lists. With Joie Davidow, Ms. Santiago is co-editor of the anthologies, Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories and Las Mamis: Favorite Latino Authors Remember their Mothers both published by Knopf. She is also the author of the illustrated children’s book, A Doll for Navidades. In addition to her literary endeavors, Ms. Santiago is an active volunteer. She is a spokesperson on behalf of public libraries. She has designed and developed community-based programs for adolescents, and was one of the founders of a shelter for battered women and their children. She serves on the boards of organizations devoted to the arts and to literature, and speaks vehemently about the need to encourage and support the artistic development of young people. Her community activism was cited when she received a Girl Scouts of America National Woman of Distinction Award in March 2002 along with Alma Powell and Elizabeth Dole. Ms. Santiago has earned a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and Honorary Doctor of Letters from Trinity University, from Pace University and from Metropolitan College. The mother of two adult children, she lives in Westchester County, New York, with her husband, filmmaker Frank Cantor. She’s currently at work on a novel.
Devyn Simone Devyn Simone was born on February 6th in 1988 growing up in Kansas City Missouri but now. Devyn Simone was the sole African American and the most entertainment career driven cast member on The Real World Brooklyn. Devyn sent a video of herself online rather than going to an in person casting call after meeting previous Real World cast members hosting a party at her college, The University of South Florida in Tampa Bay. She is often stating, Its easier to get into Heaven than to get with Devyn! Devyn was Miss Missouri Teen 2004 and then won the national title of Miss American Teen 2005. She now has a tea cup yorkie named after her Real World season, Brooklyn. College Lecture Topics Domestic and Sexual Abuse, Female Empowerment, Bringing Your Dreams To Fruition
Marilyn Van Derbur Motivational speaker and former Miss America who lectures on child abuse and domestic violence.
Linda Villarosa Linda Villarosa is a freelance writer, an Essence Magazine editor-at-large and contributing writer to the New York Times. Formerly, she edited the health pages for the Times, where she redesigned and expanded health coverage for Science Times and for the newspaper at large. Linda was also the executive editor of Essence Magazine, where she wrote or edited a number of award-winning articles. Twenty years ago, Linda wrote what may be the first article to cover the topic of AIDS in an African-American publication when she wrote about women and children battling the disease for Essence. This year, two of her articles on African-Americans and HIV/AIDS appeared on the front page of the NY Times. In 1981, with her mother, Clara, Linda wrote Essence’s ground-breaking article, “Coming Out,” which received more mail than any other in the magazine’s history. Due to the overwhelming response, the two women followed up with an additional story several months later. Linda is the author of Body & Soul: The Black Women’s Guide to Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being. A Blackboard Bestseller, there are more than 200,000 copies in print. She is the coauthor of both Finding Our Way: The Teen Girls’ Survival Guide and The Black Parenting Book. As a lecturer, Linda has spoken to groups from Harvard, Wellesley, Dartmouth, Indian University, the University of California at Davis and Swarthmore, to name several. Shehas also provided testimony to the U.S. Congress and the National Institutes of Health and offered workshops for the Radcliffe Publishing Course, the American Society of Magazine Editors, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the National Press Association. This year she traveled to the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok to help train journalists from around the world to cover HIV.
Ken Wooden Child abuse and domestic violent expert and author of Weeping in the Playtime of Others.