Booker T. Washington Economic Development Summit In September

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY NETWORKING EVENT FACILITATED BY VISIONS TV AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 15-17

Conference provides connections with local, regional and national procurement deal-makers

Tuskegee, AL (BlackNews.com) -- Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program will host the 15th Annual Booker T. Washington Economic Development Development Summit on September 15-17, 2010. Held at the TU Kellogg Conference Center the conference theme is: "Revitalizing Entrepreneurship and Procurement Opportunities in Small Towns and Rural Communities".

Key speakers include: George Curry, Renowned Speaker, Author and Moderator and Maggie Anderson, CEO, The Empowerment Experiment (www.EEforTomorrow.com)

The conference is designed to promote economic development through private enterprise with emphasis upon procurement opportunities for business owners, contractors, community-based organizations, small business development programs and HBCU's involved with community development.

Procurement officers will be on hand to actively engage and verbally exchange with conference attendees in areas that revolve around the creation of business initiatives with their respective corporate entity. Corporate organizations that have confirmed to have procurement representatives include: Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Johnson Controls, Gunter AFB Small Business Programs, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Veterans Administration Tuskegee AL, Tuskegee Utilities Board, South Region Minority Supplier Development Council, Small Business Administration 8A Development.

"My family is honored that the Cooperative Extension Program has enabled us to share our journey living off Black business with the Tuskegee University family. The Booker T. Washington Economic Development Summit is a homecoming for The Empowerment Experiment. Our stand is a testament to his messages of pride, honor, faith, intelligence and accountability," said Maggie Anderson, CEO and Founder, The Empowerment Experiment

The conference will highlight success stories of businesses, business programs and legislative initiatives that have been necessary for successful economic development.

Workshops in the area of business technical training will be available along with sessions that instruct attendees on how to pursue and engage funding opportunities. The BTW Entrepreneurial and Leadership Awards Banquet and the public policy breakfast are also key highlights. The conference is designed to inform, inspire and empower each small business and individual who attends.

"We believe that the BTW Economic Summit at Tuskegee University is an excellent venue to equip, enlighten, empower, and energize MBEs to position themselves to provide greater savings and higher quality goods and services to major corporations, educational institutions and governmental agencies," said Gloria Vail, Interim President/Certification Director, South Region Minority Supplier Minority Supplier Council.

Networking sessions facilitated by Visions TV Host Cedric Varner are designed to be interactive and build winning relationships which lead to new contacts and new contracts. "This conference will be exciting because it will provide one-on-one dialogue with decision makers to help our businesses. It is important what you know and who you know but also who knows you," said Varner

Visions Television is a media partner with the conference and is a business and community affairs program airing on WSFA-TV NBC 12.2 whose station is based in Montgomery, AL.

Conference cost: $50
Registration: www.tuskegee.edu/btwsummit
Phone: 334-725-8496
Lodging: Tuskegee University Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Hotel Phone: 334-727-3000

"The individual who can do something that the world wants done will, in the end, make his way regardless of race." -- Booker T. Washington

JAZZY Announces Northeast Tour Dates: August 13th-18th

Singer/Songwriter Jazmine "JAZZY" Bailey confirms summer show dates, providing fans in the northeast with the long-awaited JAZZY experience they've been waiting for. The recent success of her latest release, Beauty And The Beat has drawn national demand from r&b fans, producers and songwriters alike. Not only has JAZZY emerged as a songwriter but she's also evolved into a performing artist and is excited to bring her talent to the Northeast for the first time. A force to be reckoned with, it's clear that JAZZY will be around writing for a-list artists for a long time to come.

Beauty And The Beat, is a 13-song compilation that was released for FREE download on May 5th 2010. The compilation has been downloaded over 20,000 times to date and features production from Rob Holladay (Diddy-Dirty Money, Love Come Down) Grammy Nominated producer St. Nick (Mario, TLC), Wow Jones (Teedra Moses) J.Doe (Busta Rhymes) and features appearances/co-signs from Grammy Nominated artists Melanie Fiona and Eric Roberson as well as Grammy Award Winner & Reality TV Star, Kandi Burruss.

TOUR DATES:

8.13

Skyroom - New Bedford, MA 8pm

8.17

Teavolve (Gypsy Soul) - Baltimore, MD 7pm

8.17

The Blockley - Philadelphia, PA 10pm

8.18

SOB's (Sol Village) w/ Eric Roberson - New York, NY 7pm

*9.22

Little Temple w/ Tha Boogie - Los Angeles, CA 9pm

INTERVIEW REQUESTS (NYC):

JAZZY will be available for interviews in New York City August 15th-18th. To schedule an in-person interview, please respond back to this email with publication details.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAT (Download Link):

www.IamJazzy.com/music/beautyandthebeat.zip

ABOUT JAZZY

(http://www.youtube.com/thatrnbchick#p/u/4/MvsOFT9fvpw)

It’s not hard to divide the world of R&B/Pop artists into categories. In fact, there are really only two—there is JAZZY and then there’s everybody else. Still, one must choose their words carefully when describing JAZZY. Talented? Beautiful? Captivating? Without a doubt. However; all of these words fail to capture the many different sides of JAZZY which is why she poured her entire self into BEAUTY AND THE BEAT, a compilation of her latest songs set for release May 5th 2010.

Coming off Kanye West’s GLOW IN THE DARK European tour where she assisted Melanie Fiona with background vocals, JAZZY has since created an international fan base with her distinctive R&B sound and her unique soulful style.



As if her voice isn't seductive enough, JAZZY is also a successful songwriter working with longtime collaborator Bobbie-Cheri Gobert. Together they are known as the highly talented and sought after writing team "The Write Chix". In 2007 “The Write Chix” received their biggest break when a mutual friend of theirs and R&B superstar Chris Brown introduced JAZZY’S music to Brown while on tour. He immediately recognized her talent and quickly arranged a meeting with his manager Tina Davis while in Los Angeles. A lifelong friend of Ms. Davis and veteran music publisher, LaRonda Sutton sat in on the meeting. Soon thereafter, The Write Chix were the first songwriters signed to Foxx/King Music, Jamie Foxx’s Publishing Company.



www.twitter.com/OhJazzy

www.IamJazzy.com

www.myspace.com/jazzjeff

URBAN SUPERMODEL ESTHER BAXTER SUPPORTS WOOD HARRIS OF THE WIRE IN IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT FILM RELEASE “JUST ANOTHER DAY”

Urban model turned actress ESTHER BAXTER co-stars in "Just Another Day," the Image Entertainment distributed film released July 20th on DVD. Set in Miami, FL it brings a compelling, true-to-life look at the brutal ups and downs of the cutthroat hip-hop business. In her second film this summer, ESTHER plays an eager young professional hoping to climb the corporate entertainment business ladder by landing a new client. Jamie Hector (The Wire, Heroes) is cast as “Young Eastie,” a struggling rapper who dreams of getting a record deal through the legendary “A-Maze” played by Wood Harris (The Wire, Remember the Titans). Academy Award-nominated director Peter Spirer, known for his insightful and authentic documentaries on Tupac Shakur, Notorious BIG, and the Beef series, produces with Inny Clemons known for the recent box office success “Next Day Air.” The film also features rappers Trick Daddy, Lil Scrappy, Ja Rule and Petey Pablo.

With her exotic beauty, on-screen charisma, and business savvy, this multi-racial Miami native of African American, Indian, Cuban, Norwegian, Italian and Puerto Rican descent has appeared as a lead model and actress in over 25 of the most popular music videos for multi-platinum artists like Kanye West, Ludacris, Will Smith, The Roots, and Nelly. Attracting an avid fan base and following, ESTHER became well-known from her numerous magazine covers, spreads, tribute issues, and calendars including VIBE, KING, Smooth, The Source, XXL, and Today's Black Woman. By popular demand, BlackMen Magazine also released two full 50-page tribute issues of ESTHER BAXTER photos as Collector's Editions. Additionally, ESTHER was recognized with the "Video Goddess Award" at the annual VIBE Awards for her memorable character in the award-winning Austin Powers-themed video for Ludacris' hit single "Number One Spot," which also received the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video. Most recently ESTHER was featured in Complex Magazine and graced the cover of J’Adore Magazine Anniversary Issue.

After several years dominating the urban model scene, ESTHER chose to redirect her focus to acting and is already making her presence known. Earlier this year ESTHER made her big screen acting debut in the romantic comedy feature film “Speed Dating” starring Wesley Jonathan (Roll Bounce, What I Like About You), Chico Benymon (Half & Half), Vanessa Simmons (Run's House, Daddy's Girls) and Holly Robinson Peete which won a 2010 Pan African Film and Arts Festival award for Audience Favorite and is currently in select theatres. ESTHER has also appeared on television as a guest star on Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns in an episode directed by Kim Fields. As an on-camera personality, ESTHER has appeared as a celebrity guest on hit MTV reality series "From Gs to Gents" created by Jamie Foxx and hosted by Fonzworth Bentley and "Who's That Girl" for BET's Rap City. She has also hosted segments on Fuse TV and BlackHollywood.tv.

Her upcoming film roles include a comical supporting role in “Video Girl” starring Meagan Good and Haylie Duff to be released later this year. ESTHER also initiated a PSA to support the Gulf Aid Relief efforts caused by the BP oil spill and will continue to be active in these efforts through her non-profit foundation.

Black Youth Org Founder Wins Chess Competition

BLACK YOUTH ORGANIZATION FOUNDER WINS WORLD OPEN SPEED CHESS COMPETITION

Orrin Hudson, founder of Be Someone

Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) -- Orrin Hudson, founder of Be Someone, celebrated Independence Day by taking first place in the 5-Minute Blitz Chess Championship at the 38th Annual World Open International Chess Tournament in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Hudson, the creator of the award winning leadership chess program for kids and parents, also finished first place last year in the 10-Minute Blitz. These important wins prove Hudson's message is correct when he tells his students, "Nature is neutral. If you make the right moves you get the right results." Be Someone is a nationally acclaimed crime prevention program that uses chess to teach at-risk youth self-esteem, as well as responsibility and analytical thinking.

"Winning two consecutive years in a row where the best in the world compete is the greatest feeling in the world. I am living my dream. If I can do it, anyone can. It was exciting to win in both the 10-minute and 5-minute speed categories. These high-profile victories enable me to show the youth of America that making the right choices can make you a champion at life and at chess," said Hudson. "I've devoted more than a decade of my life to teaching children to play the game of chess and apply the same rules to the game of life."

Hudson uses similar quick-response techniques when he teaches chess to large audiences of kids, often in at-risk communities. Repeating catchy phrases such as, "Think it out, don't shoot it out" and "Push pawns, not drugs", Hudson teaches kids that the game is a metaphor for making good decisions and taking charge of their education and lives. Through Be Someone, he inspires communities to start their own chess programs to give young students a stimulating and healthy after-school activity.

A former state trooper and Air Force veteran, Hudson turned his focus from detention to prevention. He started using the game of chess as an educational tool after he learned of an incident in which seven Wendy's employees were shot - five of whom died - for a mere $2,400. This tragic incident compelled Hudson to start his organization called Be Someone to help children understand that "the life we save is our own".

Be Someone also offers inspirational programs for corporations and parents, designed to foster teamwork and encourage participation in the lives of children.

Today, Hudson is an internationally recognized speaker and advocate for helping at-risk youth. He travels the globe teaching children to value KASH - Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits - over cash. Since its founding, Be Someone has touched the lives of over 20,000 students internationally. Hudson's mission is to positively impact the lives of one million young people.

Visit www.besomeone.org to volunteer, donate, or learn more. Interested one may also register online for Be Someone's Think like a Champion Leadership Chess Camp, July 19-23, 2010.

Must see video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLFENGymr34

About Be Someone
Founded in 2001, Be Someone is a non-profit crime prevention program aimed at the youth of America. Be Someone teaches self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk youth through numerous tools, including the game of chess. Be Someone also offers inspirational programs for corporations and parents, designed to foster teamwork and encourage participation in the lives of children. If interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about Be Someone, please visit www.besomeone.org

AGAIN: Freedom Of Speech Challenged

Bad 40 known by the Court of Law as Lawrence White aka 40 Glocc is in an active case to defend himself. “They are using my songs against me. I thought the Constitution of the United States of America which is where I live grants me the first amendment which is freedom speech, I mean that’s what I read,” says Big Bad 40. Last month the San Bernardino Count District Attorney’s office said they have supporting evidence showing the rappers’ top status in a gang.

There is no proof of any illegal activity made by Big Bad 40. Although the District Attorney said the rapper was seen selling drugs via surveillance cameras; officers that testified under oath said that he was not. No evidence including surveillance cameras, have proven the rapper guilty of gang crimes. Cameras place him onsite of gang affiliated areas such as the Rancho Avenue and Mill Street an area dubbed as “The Zoo.” Although these areas were known as gang havens years ago, the past three to four years have proven safe. Bottomline, there is no proof of him shooting, stealing or committing any crimes ever.

In 1996, Big Bad 40 was suspected of participating in an incident involving a gun battle but he was never charged. The rapper was reported to have a tattoo on his chest with C.C.C. standing for Colton City Crips. A recent article released on July 4, 2010 stirred up Big Bad 40 who feels like the system is using the newspaper to trick the people by implying certain things and telling half of the stories told in court.

My rights are being violated and somebody is lying on me. I don’t have any tattoos on my chest and whoever is putting out this wrong information can come over here and take a picture. They make things up when I boast and brag and tease them in my music they find ways to punish me for not allowing them to dictate what I can and cannot do for my income and entertainment purposes,” says the rapper.

The First Amendment guarantees the right to speak freely and in this case; Big Bad 40 references the Colton City Crips, his upbringing and beliefs. “Under the Amendment the rapper has the right speak without subjecting himself to the government-imposed restraints of a gang abatement injunction,” says Attorney Thomas Brackley.

In the midst of this governmental warfare, Big Bad 40 continues to release hot new music. This week the highly anticipated video “Damn” featuring the reality show TV’s boy wonder, Ray J will take of the internet, stay tuned in.

Young Adult Novel Addresses Use of Ebonics

YOUNG ADULT NOVEL ADDRESSES AND EXPLAINS THE USE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN VERNACULAR ENGLISH

Bookcover

Detroit, MI (BlackNews.com) –- The young adult novel, The Magic Pencil, explores the nuances of language many African Americans may use when communicating within varying situations. This practice -- known as code-switching -- is not unique to African Americans but it has attracted much attention and discussion in the academic world of late.

Karen E. Dabney has taken this subject and crafted a compelling and entertaining story revolving around an inquisitive boy, a mysterious girl and a magic pencil.

In the story the children speak naturally to one another using Standard English, when necessary or desired, while demonstrating their ability to switch back and forth with little effort. The result is a gentle education for those who have preconceived notions regarding the users of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), also known as "Ebonics".

AAVE has a long history that began when the first enslaved Africans were brought to the United States. They had to develop ways to communicate verbally with each other due to speaking differing dialects and languages. This task, coupled with learning how to communicate with the white slave owners, required skill and patience. The result of the style with which the average enslaved person spoke displayed a new language complete with its own rules and consistencies.

The AAVE one hears today around the country is basically the same as its roots.

Readers of The Magic Pencil will come to understand that the characters who continually use AAVE are not any less intelligent than those who speak Standard English. This discovery is important in that it lifts the self-esteem of youth who may struggle with the latter's correct usage.

They will find vindication while reading about others who live full lives and verbally share their feelings in what may be the reader's home/first language.

Important lessons are also to be found in The Magic Pencil. The story imparts means and methods youth may employ to successfully navigate through the pitfalls they may encounter in life. Self-determination and reliance are fostered. The attainment of knowledge is lauded.

Ms. Dabney has created an important and magnetically didactic read!

For more information visit www.dabsandcompany.com