Vienna, Austria – July 20, 2010 – Today’s announcement about a breakthrough in microbicide development is reason to celebrate. While it is too early to declare mission accomplished– we are still years away from actually having an effective microbicide- a few hugs and kisses with a little patting of the back might very well be called for.
While this might be the single most important science story of this 18th International AIDS conference, it is also a story about redemption, tenacity and hope. Two years ago South Africa, with the worst AIDS epidemic on the planet and an AIDS denialist for a president, was the pariah of the AIDS world. But with new leadership, a national HIV prevention and treatment plan, and new a monumental scientific breakthrough, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, South Africa is a leader in the fight to eradicate HIV from the planet.
The last time this meeting was convened in 2008, microbicide research was basically dead in the water. Salim Abdool, Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, the principal investigators on this current microbicide study worked on seven microbicide trials before coming up with this winning strategy. During this string of failure after failure, I’m sure that there were days when they asked themselves, why are we doing this. “It took us 20 years,” says Quarraisha. “We’ve been through the difficult days when we organized the Durban AIDS conference. That was a very difficult time for all of us,” said Salim. “We were having to deal with trying to grapple with this problem and how we were going to move forward…and at the same time we had essentially an obstructionist toward anything in trying to move forward…especially anything having to do with antiretrovirals. God forbid.” But their dogged determination and willingness to stick with what they believed in and their commitment to help save women’s lives caused them to stay their course.
But most importantly, this is a story about hope. “The women asked us, what can we do to protect ourselves? We had nothing to offer them.” said Quarraisha. “Today although we don’t have a microbicide, the results signal hope for women. That they have something that’s 39 percent more effective than nothing.”
These lessons would serve Black America well. Perhaps this example of a husband and wife team in rural South Africa with nothing but hope and an unwavering commitment to help save women’s lives to will provide us with hope–hope for women who have been disproportionately affected by AIDS and for communities being decimated by the epidemic. For like the former government of South Africa, many of us have been living in denial, as the virus has invaded our community, now causing many of our neighborhoods–from Manhattan, where almost 20 percent of Black men are testing positive, to our nation’s capitol, where in Southeast D.C., where roughly 1 in 20 residents has been diagnosed with HIV–to exhibit AIDS rates as high as many nations on the African Continent. But maybe we, too, can flip the script on our attitudes and beliefs, taking charge and changing the course of America’s AIDS epidemic.
We now have a National AIDS Strategy that places the wellbeing of Black people front and center; we have health-insurance reform that provides care to the least among us; and now we have the building blocks of a microbicide gel that can reduce Black women’s risk of becoming infected.
Contact info:
Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, is available for interviews and press inquiries. Contact Mondella Jones at Mondellaj@blackAIDS.orgor (323) 681-4297. In Vienna call 0681-2048-3398.www.BlackAIDS.org
JE Jones releases debut gospel album “Fire” July 20, 2010 on Ultimate Entertainment Records.
Atlanta, GA – Back in the ’90s, J.E. Jones was one of Russell Simmons’ key Vice Presidents at Def Jam Records where he was A&R Executive on projects featuring R&B superstars ranging from Mary J. Blige and Montell Jordan to rapper Heavy D. Now, J.E. has stepped from the wings to center stage by releasing his debut solo gospel album entitled Fire, a blend of Hip Hop and R&B flavored gospel beats through his very own label, Ultimate Entertainment Records.
Fire features 11 tracks inspired by J.E.’s personal struggles which touch on a message of hope for a lost generation. The project boasts songs such as “It’s Your Life,” “No More Fighting In Me” and the first radio single “The Turnaround.” Not only is the project a reflection of J.E.’s life, but also an extension of his ministry. It’s important that we reach everyone we can,” he says. “I think you can touch so many more people outside of the pulpit through music. Music travels so far. It’s our job to move beyond the podium and try to reach not just the saved but the unsaved.”
J.E. Jones began his career as an intern at Uptown Records where he was mentored by Uptown founder Andre Harrell and Uptown colleague, Sean “Puffy” Combs. He swiftly moved from the basement to the boardroom as an A&R Vice President, and also made his mark in the broader entertainment world serving as Executive Producer on the Motion Picture soundtracks for The Nutty Professor and Rush Hour. Despite appearing to have it all — cars, a beautiful house and a great career, J.E. felt a huge void. Desperate to fill that emptiness, J.E. accepted his aunt’s invitation to attend church with her. He felt the Lord had been dealing with his heart for some time, and from that day forward he became a Christian. “When I got saved I became serious about ministry,” says J.E. “I kept writing and producing and serving as a music industry consultant, but ministry became my focus.” While gradually transitioning away from his work at Def Jam, J.E. became a minister, training for the role of elder in his church organization, and eventually accepting the call to pastor.
Following that direction, J.E. Jones founded Ultimate Entertainment, a record label that combines his love of music with his passion for the Gospel. It is the goal of the label to reach an unchurched generation with the revelation of a true relationship with the Lord. The debut release from Ultimate Entertainment was a top-selling project from Bishop Eddie Long & Friends, The Kingdom Vol. 1. In addition to marking the label’s first success, the project gave J.E. the opportunity to use his skills as a songwriter/producer by working with some of the biggest names in gospel, including Juanita Bynum and her newest EP “Soul Cry (Oh, Oh, Oh).” J.E. Jones has also worked with Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Dorinda Clark Cole and Kierra “Kiki” Sheard. “I believe the people we are called to reach are being introduced to God differently than the last generation,” J.E. says. “This generation doesn’t know anything about church politics. They just want to get to know Jesus.”
Fire is released today, July 20, 2010 on Ultimate Entertainment Records distributed by RED Music.
J.E. Jones Tour Dates/Appearances:
July 24-30 | GAG and GMWA | Cincinnati, OH
Aug. 6-7 | Ensound Music Conference | Houston, TX
Aug. 14 | Emancipation Celebration (The Light) | Clarksville, TN
Oct. 14-15 | GAG | Chicago, IL
Honorees represent environmental and human rights, civil rights and social change and philanthropy and humanitarian work. Click HERE for flyer with full details.
MEMPHIS, TN, July 13, 2010 (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The 2010 Freedom Awards by the National Civil Rights Museum will be presented to Dr. Wangari Maathi of Kenya for environmental and human rights, Dr. Dorothy Cotton for civil rights and social change and Eva Longoria Parker for philanthropy and humanitarianism.
Dr. Wangari Maathi, International Freedom Award honoree, founded the Green Belt Movement which has assisted planting more than 40 million trees on community lands including farms, schools and church compounds.
The Green Belt Movement carried out pro-democracy activities such as registering voters for the election and pressing for constitutional reform and freedom of expression. Her name became universal and her mission of freedom and democracy gained worldwide support.
Dr. Maathi became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Once a target for assassination, Maathi was elected to parliament in the 2002 elections and defeated the ruling party Kenya African National Union.
In all she has been recognized and received over 23 national and international awards, including:
2005– Time Magazine as one of 100 most influential people in the world, and by Forbes Magazine as one of 100 most powerful women in the world
2007– Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights
Dr. Dorothy Cotton, National Freedom Award honoree, was one of the highest ranking women in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Cotton served as Education Director and worked closely with Dr. King during the civil rights movement and was in Memphis, TN on April 4, 1968 the day King was assassinated. Dr. Cotton later served as the Vice President for Field Operations for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia where she was a leader and senior trainer for the Center in areas nonviolence and empowerment for leadership.
Under the Carter Administration, she served as the Southeastern Regional Director of ACTION, the Federal Government’s agency for volunteer programs from 1978 to 1981.
From 1982 to May 1991, she was the Director of Student Activities at Cornell University. Dr. Cotton has designed and conducted training programs for corporations, schools, universities, government agencies and nonprofit organizations working with well over 100,000 participants. She serves as a valuable resource to organizations on diverse topics addressing race relations, multiculturalism/diversity, communication, personal development, spiritual growth, human relations, citizenship education, civic organizing for the 21st century and nonviolence education.
Eva Longoria Parker, Legacy Freedom Award honoree, is a Golden Globe nominee, Screen Actors Guild Award winner, People’s Choice Award winner, and ALMA (American Latino Media Arts Award) winner. She stars as ‘Gabrielle Solis’ on the ABC mega-hit “Desperate Housewives,” but the actress’ most important role is the one she plays off screen in her altruistic endeavors within the Hispanic and charitable communities.
She received the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts‘ Horizon Award, presented each year to the individual or organization whose work most advances the presence of Latinos in television and/or film. At the 21st National Hispanic Women’s Conference, the Hispanic Women’s Corporation awarded her the “Latina Visionary and Community Empowerment Award” for her contributions to the Latin community.
Longoria Parker received The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 2010 Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service and was named philanthropist of the year in 2009 by the Hollywood Reporter.
She founded the non-profit organization ‘Eva’s Heroes’, which provides an after school program with an inclusive setting for individuals with developmental disabilities to interact, play, and grow with their typically-developing peers.
Andrew “Rube” Foster, father of Negro Leagues Baseball also honored.
KANSAS CITY, MO, July 17, 2010 (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The baseball league that helped spark integration of American professional sports is being honored today on a 44-cent U.S. postage stamp being issued at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
The Negro Leagues Baseball stamps pay tribute to the all-black professional baseball leagues that operated from 1920 to about 1960. A second commemorative stamp features the league’s founder, Andrew “Rube” Foster, who is considered the “father” of Negro Leagues Baseball. In 1981, Foster was honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the “foremost manager and executive” of Negro Leagues baseball.
“The United States Postal Service is honored to be dedicating two stamps today in commemoration of Negro Leagues Baseball,” said Thurgood Marshall Jr., the Postal Service’s Board of Governors vice chairman. “In 1920, the first of several black leagues of the modern era was formed right here in Kansas City. It was called the Negro National League,” Marshall noted. “With the issuance of these stamps, the rich legacy of the Negro Leagues will travel far and wide, throughout this nation.”
Vice Chairman Marshall’s remarks highlighted the legendary baseball giants who played in the Negro Leagues, including Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, James “Cool Papa” Bell and Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 and opened doors for former Negro League players and Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Larry Doby and many others.
Marshall also gave a special salute to Birmingham, AL, postal employee Cleophus Brown, who played in the Negro Leagues for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Louisville Clippers. Brown, 76, has been a motor vehicle driver for the Postal Service for the past 30 years.
Joining Marshall and Brown to unveil the stamps were Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Gregory Baker, Stamp Artist Kadir Nelson, who designed the stamps, and former Negro leagues player Mamie “Peanut” Johnson.
“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, we are thrilled that the U.S. Postal Service has chosen to recognize and honor the men and women of the Negro Leagues who set aside the challenges of their time and empowered themselves to become the most positive examples of leadership, character, creativity and determination ever imagined in our modern day,” said Greg Baker, president, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. “In turn, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has nominated the U.S. Postal Service for a United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award to honor them for celebrating the league’s legacy.”
Working in conjunction with non-government organizations within the United Nations, and viewed as a 21st century peace prize, these awards recognize companies that are making a difference in the world through their support of local, national and international nonprofit organizations.
The stamps go on sale nationwide today in Post Offices or may be purchased at the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop and by calling 800-STAMP-24.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Ordering the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office facility, at The Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
Negro Leagues Baseball Stamp
Postmaster
300 W. Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by Sept. 15, 2010.
Ordering First-Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic Catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
With this commemorative folio, the U.S. Postal Service honors Negro Leagues Baseball, which from 1920 to about 1960 drew some of the most remarkable athletes ever to play baseball and ultimately sparked the integration of American sports. This colorful folio pays tribute to the Negro leagues and their “father”, Andrew “Rube” Foster.
The folio includes illustrations by stamp artist Kadir Nelson, a historical timeline of the Negro leagues, plus a list of its “all star” players, and a pane of 20 Negro Leagues Baseball stamps (Item 465274, $16.95).
This special package from the U.S. Postal Service includes We Are the Ship, an 88-page hardcover book by Kadir Nelson, plus a pane of 20 Negro Leagues Baseball stamps (Item 465273, $18.95).
There are five other philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
465263, First-Day Cover Set of 2, $1.64.
465268, Digital Color Postmark Set of 2, $3.00.
465276, Cultural Diary Page, $12.95.
465291, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
465299, Digital Color Postmark w/Full-Pane Keepsake, $11.95.
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency six consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.
About NLMB
Through the inspiration of Horace M. Peterson III (1945-1992), founder of the Black Archives of Mid-America, a group of local historians, business leaders, and former baseball players came together to create the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in the early 1990s. The museum has also welcomed several thousand visitors and dignitaries, including Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, General (Ret.) Colin Powell, Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou, Judith Jamison, Mike Dukakis, Walter Cronkite, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Barry Bonds, Tony Larussa, Isaac Hayes, Ossie Davis, Sinbad, and many, many others. For more information, visit www.nlbm.com.
About Kadir Nelson
Illustrator of the award-winning book about the Negro Leagues, “We Are the Ship,” and “Testing the Ice: A True Story about Jackie Robinson,” Kadir Nelson previously illustrated stamps celebrating activist Anna Julia Cooper and author Richard Wright. Many of Nelson’s paintings are found in the collections of notable institutions and museums, including the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the U.S. House of Representatives; as well as in the collections of Hollywood and sports legends. Nelson’s works are instantly recognizable by the emotion and strength of his varied subject matter. “My focus is to create images of people who demonstrate a sense of hope and nobility. I want to show the strength and integrity of the human being and the human spirit.”
Current TV has a weekly documentary series hosted by Adam Yamaguchi, Mariana Van Zeller, Kaj Larsen, and Christof Putzel entitled “Vanguard” that airs on Wednesdays at 10:00 PM/9:00 PM central. Tonight, they will be rebroadcasting “Missionaries of Hate” with correspondent Mariana van Zeller. She explores the growing anti-gay sentiment in Uganda and its potential fueling by American religious groups working in Uganda. No matter your position on the issue, this is a piece that you do not want to miss.
Back in May 2010, I published information about “The Lipstick Portraits: Artists and celebrities take on modern day slavery” whose purpose was to bring about awareness about modern day slavery- women and child trafficking worldwide- through a series of portraits where the subject wore red lipstick.
Having published info about the Lipstick Portraits, I received some information about another project called “See Where The Good Goes” put forth by the Ad Council and Save the Children. The purpose of “See Where The Good Goes” is to raise awareness about the importance of local health workers in developing countries. There are a variety of ways that you can read more and support this initiative, and I have listed them below:
Watch the video about See Where the Good Goes below:
Take a moment to check out this project and spread the word. From their Facebook page:
Save the Children and the Ad Council are working together to mobilize citizen action in the U.S. to help local health workers help save more children worldwide.
Frontline local health workers help children all over the world survive threats like newborn complications, pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and malnutrition. But global estimates suggest we need 4.2 million more health workers in developing countries. Sadly, one child dies every 3 seconds largely from preventable and treatable causes due to the lack of basic health care.
Help local health workers bring the good to the children who need it most.
Of the children under the age of 5 who die each year, almost 2/3 could be saved with the simple low-cost interventions delivered by health workers in clinics and in their communities. With attention from developing country governments and donor nations, we can help them bring lifesaving care to more hard-to-reach communities and make the survival of children a reality worldwide.
You are one step away from helping children around the world survive.
A special thank you to GoodGoes.org for sending me a pedometer so I can measure my own steps and stay healthy. Thousands of local health workers walk miles each week to check on newborns and treat children with life threatening illnesses. The pedometer I’m being given also serves as reminder that I am just one step away from supporting local health workers. Thanks again! ~Affrodite
2010 Heroes and new date for gala concert and awards presentation.
June 9, 2010 — The Magic Johnson Foundation/Black AIDS Institute HIV/AIDS partnership is pleased to announce the 2010 inductees into the Heroes in the Struggle AIDS exhibition. Since 2001, Heroes in the Struggle has celebrated the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made heroic contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Black communities. This year’s heroes include: President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the 42nd President of the United States (accepting via video), award-winning actor Blair Underwood, Academy Award winning producer and director Lee Daniels, award winning CNN correspondent and producer Soledad O’Brien, AIDS activist Marvelyn Brown, and HIV/AIDS trailblazer Frank Oldham.
Heroes In The Struggle is a photographic tribute to Black people who have made heroic contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Since it’s debut on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 2001, The Heroes In The Struggle exhibit has traveled around the world, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, challenging individuals and institutions to get involved in their communities, and generating critical conversations about HIV testing, prevention, research, and treatment.
Each year, new Heroes are added into the exhibit. Portraits of this year’s heroes will be unveiled at a Gala 10th anniversary concert and awards presentation hosted by Cookie and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The theme of this year’s Gala is “We are Greater than AIDS.” Black people have been greater than any challenge we have confronted in the past. We were greater than the Middle Passage. We were greater than slavery. We were greater than Reconstruction. We were greater than Jim Crow. And, we are greater than AIDS as well. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the new Magic Johnson Foundation/Black AIDS Institute HIV/AIDS partnership.
The Magic Johnson Foundation/Black AIDS Institute HIV/AIDS partnership is a new long-term collaboration between the Magic Johnson Foundation and the Black AIDS Institute to fight HIV/AIDS in Black communities. The new partnership will focus on advocacy efforts related to the National AIDS Strategy, expansion of HIV awareness under the “Greater Than AIDS” campaign, expansion of HIV testing thru the Test 1 Million campaign, collaborative fundraising opportunities, and joint programming activities in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of HIV/AIDS in 2011.
“The Institute is proud to partner with MJF. We are at a critical crossroad in the history of the AIDS epidemic in this country. If we are to be serious about ending the AIDS epidemic in our communities, we have to come together, leverage our skills and talents, and maximize our resources. That is what this new partnership between MJF and the Institute is all about. I can’t think of a better way to launch our joint venture than celebrating 10 years of Black Heroes in the Struggle,” said Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute.
On behalf of the Magic Johnson Foundation, we are excited to work more closely with the Black AIDS Institute – an organization that continues to be on the cutting edge in the fight against AIDS,” said Towalame Austin, President of the Magic Johnson Foundation. “HIV/AIDS is detectible, preventable, and treatable. Together, we bring 30 years of training and capacity building, advocacy and mobilization, awareness and education, and philanthropic experience in fighting HIV/AIDS in Black communities to this battle. The bottom-line is together, the Institute and MJF are stronger, better and more effective at ending AIDS in our community. That is what Heroes in the Struggle is about and that is what this partnership is all about.”
The Magic Johnson Foundation was established in 1991 as a single-disease organization that worked to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. The Foundation has since expanded the mission to focus on developing programs and supporting community-based organizations that address broader educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Learn more at: www.magicjohnson.org.
About the Black AIDS Institute
Founded in May of 1999, the Black AIDS Institute is the only national HIV/AIDS think tank focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute’s Mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing traditional Black leaders, institutions, and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, offers technical assistance, disseminates information and provides advocacy and mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.
The development of the Gulf Oil Spill narrative is important to track since he who wins control of the narrative, controls the story in terms of political capital – for good or ill.
Austin, TX, June 02, 2010 (PressReleasePoint) — In an exclusive analysis by The Global Language Monitor’s NarrativeTracker™, there are now several differing story lines emerging from the Gulf Oil Spill.
The ‘narrative’ refers to the stream of public opinion captured by blogs and other social media outlets on the Internet, as well as the leading print and electronic databases.
The Narratives emerging from this on-going (and slow-moving) disaster include:
Obama was Slow to Respond – 95% of the social media conversations characterize the President Obama as ‘slow to respond’.
Obama vs. BP: who’s in charge? — 52% see BP in charge of the spill. This may or may not be a political liability. Democrats need the blame assigned to BP; at the same time, Obama needs to be seen as in overall control of the disaster
Worst environmental disaster ever – 42% see the current spill the worst environmental disaster ever.
Federal Response — 57% see the Federal response using ‘poor’ or related keywords. Not a good month for the Feds; come to think of it, not a good year for the Feds.
Katrina vs. Exxon Valdez – 61% make the comparison to the Exxon Valdez; about 39% compare the ongoing spill to the inundation of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Biblical Prophecies Abound Once More — About 61% of all references involve the Bible. (Even Ted Turner has a theory how the oil spill might be a warning from God.) These are markedly different in tone than those used with Katrina where the references focused on apocalyptic imagery, End-of-the-World scenarios and doom.
The Obama Style of Leadership – This is a close one 52% see Obama as ‘hand’s on’ leadership, 48% see ‘hand’s off’. Again, this is either positive or negative depending on your political bias. Ronald Reagan was seen as a ‘hand’s off’ president and that was considered good. Jimmy Carter was a ‘hand’s on’ type president and that was considered bad.
“The development of the Gulf Oil Spill narrative is important to track since he who wins control of the narrative, controls the story in terms of political capital – for good or ill,” said Paul JJ Payack, president and chief word analyst of GLM. “With the mid-term elections just five months away, and the prospect of the Gulf Oil Spill continuing unabated for months, control of the narrative is more important than ever.”
The rise of the narrative can render positions on the issues almost meaningless, since positions now matter less than how they fit into a particular narrative. The NarrativeTracker is more effective in capturing the true opinion of the public because it tracks unfiltered keywords in Social Media and other sources, rather than how that opinion is interpreted by the news media or by pollsters.
The term ‘narrative’ in this sense is now appearing thousands of times in the global media on the Internet and blogosphere as well as throughout the world of social media, meaning the main streams of public opinion running in the media that needs to be fed, encouraged, diverted or influenced by any means possible.
GLM recently announced The Healthcare NarrativeTracker Index™ (NTI™), in partnership with OpenConnect Systems of Dallas. The Healthcare NTI is the first product specifically designed to use social media-based monitoring to better understand the issues driving healthcare reform, providing a real-time, accurate picture of what the public is saying about any topic related to healthcare, at any point in time.
The NarrativeTracker is based on the GLM’s Predictive Quantities Indicator™ (PQI™). The PQI tracks the frequency of words and phrases in global print and electronic media on the Internet, throughout the Blogosphere and other social media outlets as well as accessing proprietary databases. The PQI is a weighted index that factors in long-term trends, short-term changes, momentum, and velocity.
About the Global Language Monitor
Austin-Texas-based Global Language Monitor analyzes and catalogs the latest trends in word usage and word choices, and their impact on the various aspects of culture, with a particular emphasis upon Global English. For more information, call 1.925.367.7557, send email to pjjp@post.harvard.edu, or visit www.LanguageMonitor.com.
Video of R. Dwayne Betts featured on CNN’s “What Matters”
At the young age of 16, R. Dwayne Betts (link to bio)– an honor student – attempted a carjacking in Virginia with a friend. Despite the fact that he had never held a gun before that day, he was arrested, charged as an adult, and sentences to nine years in prison.
Dwayne was determined not to become another “statistic” and decided to shape his life into something he could be proud of. Dwayne spent his incarcerated years reading, writing, teaching himself Spanish, working as an educational aide, a librarian, a law clerk, and a GED tutor. He read books and wrote poems constantly. Dwayne confronted profound questions about violence, freedom, crime, race, and the American justice system. Five years after his release from prison, he wrote an eye-opening memoir about his situation, “A Question of Freedom,” which received the 2010 NAACP Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author in hardcover.
A QUESTION OF FREEDOM was released on paperback on May 4, 2010, at a time where the issue of sentencing children as adults could not be more prevalent – Jordon Brown, a 12 year-old boy, is the youngest murder defendant to be tried as an adult. In A QUESTION OF FREEDOM Dwayne gives readers an illuminating and harrowing look into the life of a kid growing up in an adult prison. His story is absolutely essential for a society that is ready to close the door on a child’s life, he is a proven fact that people can change…you cannot just write someone off a statistic. After getting out of prison, Dwayne graduated from a community college with honors and received a full academic scholarship to the University of Maryland.
A QUESTION OF FREEDOM is a memoir, political statement, social commentary, and work of art rolled into one book. Dwayne’s message of hope “that there can be more moments when people have scarred themselves, their families and society can be given the space to redeem themselves, even if others before them have failed when given the same opportunity.” Redeem himself he has.
**Now Accepting High School Basketball Team Submissions**
Tournament Begins Friday, June 4, 2010 at Rucker Park in Harlem
New York, NY, May 28, 2010 – The Entertainer’s Basketball Classic (EBC) announces the launch of their first annual Norman Ostrin High School Invitational tournament, a Tri-State basketball competition between invited elite High School-aged traveling teams from across New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey. These elite High School-aged traveling teams will play against each other for the bragging rights that they are the best in their area and the opportunity to represent their Borough/Area in the 2010 Entertainer’s Basketball Classic this summer.
The Norman Ostrin Invitational will begin Friday, June 4th at 5:30pm. Unlike most High School tournaments, all games will be played outside and most will be played under the lights. If you have an elite High School-aged Team and are interested in entering them into the selection process please call 646.328.2528 or email the EBC at info@ebchighschool.com.
“We want only the best High School-aged traveling teams to play in the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic,” said Greg Marius, CEO and creator of the EBC. “We created this High School Invitational where the top 8 teams from Brooklyn would play each other to see who was the best in Brooklyn. Then that team would represent Brooklyn this summer in the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic. The same will be true for each of the Tri-State areas.”
The Norman Ostrin Invitational will be played at New York’s famed Rucker Park, the mecca of street basketball, where many an NBA Player played while they were still in High School including Rafer Alston, Sebastian Telfair, OJ Mayo, Michael Beasley, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Love, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday and NBA-bound Lance Stephenson, Derrick Favors and John Wall.
2010 sponsors for the Norman Ostrin High School Invitational include African American College Alliance, Quiznos of Harlem, and FUBU.
About Norman Ostrin
2005 Brooklyn Basketball Man of the Year, Norman Ostrin, first developed a love for the game growing up in Coney Island before becoming co-captain of his High School’s basketball team. After a career spanning 43 years in the garment industry, Ostrin devoted himself to the advancement of student athletes by serving as an advisor and mentor to countless teenagers to help improve their lives and better their prospects for the future. Prior to his death in 2009, Ostrin touched the lives of notable sportsmen including Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls), Royal Ivey (Milwaukee Bucks), Chris Taft (Golden State Warriors), Sebastian Telfair (Cleveland Cavaliers), Julius Hodge (Denver Nuggets) and Gavin Grant (North Carolina State), among many others.
About the EBC
The Entertainer’s Basketball Classic was founded by Greg Marius in 1980 in Harlem, NY and is one of the most recognizable Streetball tournaments in the world. The EBC Tournament features a Men’s and Women’s division, as well as AAU Youth divisions. The Men’s division is one of only a few tournaments in New York to be sanctioned by the NBA and the NCAA. The EBC has played host to a lineup of A-list celebrities, athletes and politicians, including former President Bill Clinton, NBA Commissioner David Stern, Denzel Washington, Jay-Z, and Mary J. Blige, among others. The world-renowned Rucker Park has also been the starting point for numerous NBA athletes, including New Jersey Nets’ Rafer Alston, and many other current players have gotten in on the action, with Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Al Harrington, Ray Allen, Ron Artest, Brandon Jennings, and more making appearances.
Herbie Hancock’s “The Imagine Project” is an unprecedented international recording and video project featuring collaborations with over a dozen superstars from every region of the planet. Utilizing the universal language of music to express its central themes of peace and global responsibility, the musical collaborations combine Hancock’s genre-defying musical vision with the “local” musical identity of cultures from around the world. Footage from each recording session has been shot in each locale to be included in a documentary piece. “The Imagine Project” is set for release June 22, 2010 via Hancock Records/RED (tracklisting below). There will also be a deluxe package released with the CD, DVD, 60-page color photo book, and “The Imagine Project” sheet music.
Birthday tribute concerts will take place on June 24 at Carnegie Hall and September 1 at the Hollywood Bowl. Tour dates for “The Imagine Project” will be announced for the Fall.
“The Imagine Project” is the next step in Hancock’s extraordinary ground-breaking career, and builds upon his recent successes and recognition. (2007 Grammy for Album of the Year – “River/The Joni Letters”, Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, multiple award-winning album/film, “Possibilities”, Jazz Chair for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, amongst many others). Award-winning producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Madeline Peyroux, Luciana Souza, Tracy Chapman, Melody Gardot and Hancock’s collaborator on “River”) has served as producer on a number of the album’s tracks.
“Music truly is the universal language,” says Hancock, “The Imagine Project will explore that concept across the globe, uniting a myriad of cultures through song and positive creative expression. My hope is that the music will serve as a metaphor for the actions taken by the inhabitants of this wonderful planet as a call for world harmony on all levels.”
Tracklisting
1. “Imagine” featuring India Arie, Jeff Beck, Pink & Seal
2. “Don’t Give Up” featuring Pink and John Legend
3. “Tempo De Amor” featuring Céu
4. “Space Captain” featuring Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks
5. “The Times, They Are A’ Changin” featuring The Chieftans and Lisa Hannigan
6. “La Tierra” featuring Juanes
7. “Tamitant Tilay/Exodus” featuring K’Naan, Los Lobos and Tinariwen
8. “Tomorrow Never Knows” featuring Dave Matthews
9. “A Change is Gonna Come” featuring James Morrison
10.”The Songs Goes On” featuring Chaka Kahn, Anoushka Shankar and Wayne Shorter
First ever special issue dedicated to the unique relationship African-American women have with their hair.
Digital Extensions on Essence.com to offer readers a more interactive experience with iPhone apps, 2D bar codes, and more.
NEW YORK, May 17 /PRNewswire/ — ESSENCE, the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women for the past 40 years, has served as the definitive beauty bible for its audience of more than 8 million. Continuing in this role, ESSENCE will highlight the unique relationship between African-American women and their hair with the launch of “Hot Hair” — a cross-platform, interactive experience covering all things hair, from root to tip, for African-American women. The “Hot Hair” special issue, which hits newsstands on October 8th, will cover all of the beauty needs, questions, concerns and triumphs of African-American hair care and style. The cover price will be $4.99.
The Hot Hair issue will include features on the best beauty salons and a “40 Years of Hair” retrospective — in honor of the magazine’s 40th anniversary. In addition, the issue will feature the latest in coloring, styling, hair accessories, healthy hair rituals, money-saving tips, and so much more.
“ESSENCE understands the special relationship African-American women have with their hair. We know that she will travel to the far corners of the globe for the perfect product and hairstyle,” said ESSENCE Beauty Director Corynne Corbett. “It is our goal to have Hot Hair to serve as a one-stop resource for African-American women to help her find timeless tips on keeping her hair healthy and gorgeous.”
Hair enthusiasts will be able to further enhance their hair experience by immersing themselves within a variety of engaging, informative, trend-focused experiences on ESSENCE.com via its Hot Hair Destination page — which will feature look books, hair tips, shopping lists, a “try on” tool where readers can experiment with new looks at no cost and other insights into African-American hair.
Hot Hair’s digital extension speaks to ESSENCE.com‘s track record of leading the way in technology innovation for the African-American audience. The web site will offer a robust digital platform to enhance both consumers and advertisers buying into the issue. The pillars of the digital program will include an application for the iPad/iPhone, 2D bar codes, and a Hot Hair database launching in Beta in June. The paid application will allow women to try on hairstyles featured in the special with subsequent themed updates available for seasons or special occasions (including summer hair, wedding hair, etc.) These styles can also be activated using 2D barcodes by either launching the application — which will allow you to purchase the application — or by accessing additional content such as video or text tips on how getting and maintaining a particular hairstyle. Hot Hair will also leverage ESSENCE’s extensive Facebook and Twitter presence to promote and allow for engagement where ever our audience is.
According to MRI Spring 2009, African-American women over-index in hair care product purchases — including home perms and relaxers, shampoos/conditioners and hair coloring products — as compared to their counterparts in the general market.
“African-Americans spend $1.7 billion on their hair annually, and African-American women are leading the way when it comes to these purchases — which account for 30% of all hair products sold in the United States,” said Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications Inc. “ESSENCE knows that African-American women are leading consumers in this market, and that is why we are committed to creating this richer, deeper interactive experience to feed her passion when it comes to her hair. We are also excited about joining with our marketing partners to give our audience a more personalized experience for our audience.”
For more details on ESSENCE’s “Hot Hair” issue, visit www.essence.com.
About Essence Communications Inc.
Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the number one media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is “Where African-American Women Come First”. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, ESSENCE African-American Women in Hollywood, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 40 years, ESSENCE, which has a brand reach of over 8 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at essence.com.
I’m confused. A while back, I posted a press release stating that the song by Roger Campo called “All Around the World” was the official 2010 FIFA World Cup song. Then, I read that Shakira and Freshlyground wrote the official song called “Waka Waka- Time for Africa.” Now, this song “Sign of a Victory” by R. Kelly and the Soweto Spiritual Singers is being named as the official World Cup song. So which is it? Who decides? Maybe they’re all part of the cd mentioned in the press release below- Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album- at least Shakira’s seems to be on the track listing.
Read all of my blog posts about the 2010 FIFA World Cup by CLICKING HERE.
~Affrodite
The uplifting original song penned by Kelly is selected to be the official World Cup Anthem.
NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire/ — FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment announced today that “Sign Of A Victory” written and produced by R&B superstar R. Kelly has been selected as the official anthem of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. One of three official songs for the event, the soaring ballad reflects the spirit of giving and will highlight the charitable aspect of the World Cup. R. Kelly and the Soweto Spiritual Singers will perform “Sign Of A Victory” (<– click on link to listen) together at the opening ceremony on June 11th at the Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium. All proceeds from the song will benefit African charities including the official campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup “20 Centers for 2010.”
“I feel blessed that ‘Sign Of A Victory‘ was selected to be part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Mr. Kelly. “The FIFA World Cup is an event that brings the world together and inspires us to be and do the best we can. It’s this uplifting feeling that I tried to capture in the song.”
“It’s also a great honor to perform with the Soweto Spiritual Singers,” he added. “They represent the best of South Africa and I’m proud to work with such a talented group.” The Jive Records recording artist received a warm welcome to Africa last June, when he performed a sold-out six-concert tour in South Africa and Nigeria. The multi-Grammy-award winning star spent time with South African luminaries and was “overwhelmed by the beautiful continent.”
The Soweto Spiritual Singers commented, “we share our exhilaration in working with R. Kelly on ‘Sign of A Victory.’ It is a testament to the talent and artistry we possess as South African artists that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow international musicians. Our experience has been overwhelming and we are highly honoured to work with R. Kelly.”
The rousing song is an uplifting message of triumph and victory, combining Mr. Kelly’s soulful delivery with the sweet urgency of the Soweto Spiritual Singers choir. “Sign Of A Victory” blends American R&B/Pop with African musical influences and choral chants in Zulu. The anthem is as powerful and poignant as Kelly’s three-time Grammy winning classic song “I Believe I Can Fly.”
The Soweto Spiritual Singers is a versatile 27-member vocal ensemble comprised of indigenous talent from Soweto. Their repertoire consists of all forms of gospel genres and traditions.
“Sign Of A Victory” will be included on Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album set for release on May 31/June 1 by Sony Music Entertainment. Proceeds from the album will benefit FIFA’s “20 Centers for 2010″ initiative, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building twenty Football for Hope centers for public health, education and football across Africa, and other African charities.
About R. Kelly
R. Kelly‘s remarkable career spans two decades filled with accomplishments and achievements including earning 19 Grammy nominations. The Chicago native has released fourteen albums total (including compilations and collaborations) and nine platinum-certified solo albums. He has sold over 34 millions records worldwide, released seven No. 1 albums, twelve platinum-plus selling albums and had eleven No. 1 singles. Most recently, R. Kelly made history when he obtained his 35th Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, surpassing Nat “King” Cole’s record of having the most Top 10 hits on that chart.
He has collaborated and written songs for musical icons from all genres including: Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Pussycat Dolls, Usher and Celine Dion. After 18 years of stardom, Kelly continues to wear the crown as the King of R&B.
About Jive Records
Jive Records is a record label within the JIVE Label Group. The label represents a varied group of internationally renowned artists representing all genres of music including Justin Timberlake, R. Kelly, Usher (LaFace), Tool (Volcano), Ciara (LaFace), P!nk, Britney Spears, OutKast (LaFace), Kirk Franklin (Verity), Three Days Grace, T-Pain, Marvin Sapp (Verity) Jordin Sparks, JLS, Bullet For My Valentine, Buddy Guy, Anthony Hamilton and more. JIVE Label Group is a unit of Sony Music Entertainment.
About Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company boasts a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. It is home to premier record labels representing music from every genre, including American Recordings, Arista Nashville, Arista Records, Aware, Battery Records, Beach Street Records, Black Seal, BNA Records, Cinematic, Columbia Nashville, Columbia Records, Epic Records, Essential Records, Flicker Records, Fo-Yo Soul, GospoCentric, Hitz Committee Entertainment, J Records, Jive Records, LaFace Records, Legacy Recordings, Masterworks, Polo Grounds, RCA Records, RCA Nashville, RCA Red Seal, RCA Victor, Reunion Records, Slightly Dangerous, Sony Classical, Sony Music Latin, Star Time International, Verity Records, and Volcano Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corp., an Official Partner of FIFA and of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $79 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/
Sony is also the industry leader in 3D innovation and implementation. With a wide range of consumer and professional products; content creation, editing and distribution; and 3D display solutions for the theater and the home, Sony is the only company with expertise in every part of the 3D environment.
About FIFA
The Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world governing body of football, comprising 208 football associations grouped into six confederations. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA’s activities extend far beyond its broad spectrum of international competitions headed by the FIFA World Cup™. FIFA provides material, financial and promotional means to develop the game around the world, and offers underprivileged communities support through the Football for Hope movement. For the Game. For the World.
For more information on FIFA and its competitions, especially the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, please visit the official website at www.FIFA.com.
LOS ANGELES, May 18 /PRNewswire/ — Changing the world. While all the glitz and glamour is happening in the South of France for the Cannes Film Festival, in Los Angeles a small film festival is setting out to have four days full of meaningful feature films and eye-opening documentaries: minus the yachts, starlets and fanfare. The stars of The Awareness Festival are the stories of strength and courage, revealing tales of corporate greed and our shrinking resources, consequences of today’s technology and trials of the body, mind and soul.
The Awareness Festival, focusing on films that make a statement, is being held in 3 venues around Los Angeles, May 20-23rd 2010. There are over 90 films playing from around the world. There are free screenings of “Fuel,” “Food Matters,” “Simply Raw” plus others. Their main venue is the beautifully restored art deco Regent Showcase Theater in Hollywood. The founder, Skye Kelly, is the executive director of Heal One World, a non-profit organization she formed last year to provide preventative health care to those in need and provide awareness through films. While studying filmmaking, the former realtor found herself mainly interested in making films that had a message and brought awareness to pressing issues of today. That made a statement and inspired change. She started a call for entries and was amazed by the high quality of films she received. There were over 250 entries from around the world. She knew the festival had to be big enough to showcase these amazing films, and so was born The Awareness Festival.
Bringing narrative and documentary films, features and shorts, as well as having live musical performances and a wellness fair, the festival is approaching rapidly. The amazing all volunteer team has been going non-stop to spread the word.
Some stand outs are “Bilal’s Stand,” from Sundance 2010, “Zero Bridge,” “Horse Boy,” “urFRENZ” and “How I Got Lost” are all award-winning festival films. “May I Be Frank” is a LA festival premiere. As is “2012: Time for Change,” featuring Sting & others speaking of how to make conscious change for today and the future, made its way as the closing film. Most filmmakers & stars will be in attendance. Confirmed are filmmakers from “Fuel,” “Bilal’s Stand,” “The Next 7 Generations” and also with casts for “One Hour Fantasy Girl,” “urFRENZ,” “How I Got Lost” and “May I Be Frank.”
There is a forum with the filmmakers, speaking of making films that inspire change and awareness in addition to the Q&A after the film.
Marty Dread from Maui will provide reggae, plus other conscious musicians playing each evening.
A wellness event corresponding with documentaries on health will be at Heaven on Earth, just blocks away from the main venue. The Santa Monica venue will showcase shorts and smaller features.
A Discount is available for your readers or listeners: coupon Code 20OFFAF10
May 18, 2010 will mark HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD), an annual observance day that recognizes the thousands of volunteers, community leaders, health professionals, and scientists that work to develop a safe and effective preventive HIV vaccine. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) – the Federal sponsor for HVAD – hopes the day will encourage communities to learn more about HIV vaccine research and support those who are currently volunteering in clinical vaccination trials. (read the rest on Blog.AIDS.gov)
50% of your donation (less Pay Pal fees) will go to Emerge Global charity (http://emergeglobal.org/). The other 50% funds the sweat equity I put into my work for your enjoyment. My hope is that one day I will be able to donate 100% to charity.
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