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C E L E B R AT I N G HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Opportunity Grows for 30 YEAR

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By Ashley D. Bell Pioneering producers Stephen Rangel, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Jones, through their Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration to yourByrd localand SBAAlia district office for R. Donahue Peebles, Barbara company Front Row Production, more information on these summits Arnwine, Sabrina A new year bringsInez newBarron, opportunity. on amay Hotbe Tin Roof” nation and host Opportunity As private equity is and tobrought see what“Cat events Lamb, Dr. Rudy Crew, Stephen and “A Streetcar Named Desire” As we celebrate the 2nd year of the and Entrepreneurship Summits. coming up in your area in the near growing in relevance Byrd, Alia Jones, and the Central with a multi-ethnic cast to Tax Cuts Jobs Act, small businesses These events will help educate future. The local SBA district offices Park Five survivors of gross injustice to small business, Broadway. In 2016 they bring are well positioned to grow and entrepreneurs on the opportunities may be easily found by visiting www. on December 18 from 6:00pm – opportunity zones “Eclipsed” with Oscar Winner prosper. The yearatend-review that exist through investment into sba.gov.

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million jobs created since November outlet for small business equity is growing in relevance to Honorees, the 2020 is looking to beso-called a full, Central chosen for 2016, “Each and anhonoree unemployment rate small business, opportunity zones Park 5, are collectively and to grow, thrive & invest. prosperous year for small business has50 demonstrated at the recognition lowest rate in years, with individually heroes.

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Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond Committee, responsible for a New York City council memberdream of business ownership a Across women Thethe gala nation, starts at 6:00pm with a Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin consumer protection, food and a champion of education for reality. As the only go-to resource and especially minority cocktail hour to be followed by the Richardson, and Kharey Wise. safety, energy development, public our youth. and voice for small businesses dinner and awards entrepreneurs are ceremonies. starting There health, communications, the The Black Star News, which focuses Honoree Imhotep Gary Byrd is backed by the strength of the federal will be musical entertainment environment, and interstate and businesses locally and by on investigative journalism, has a legendary radio talk show host government, the SBA empowers opera singer Cassandra Douglas international commerce. been featured as a result of some if adding flavor to local main and executive producer, radio DJ,entrepreneurs and small business and from harmonica phenomenon its news scoops, on CNN, The New R. Donahue Peebles, honoree, is streets andGalison. takingDavid theirDinkins is poet, songwriter, music recordingowners with the resources and William York Daily News, The New York a leading developer and founder of artist and producer, rapper, writersupport they need to start, grow or business global. honored for Lifetime Achievement Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s The Peebles Co., the nation’s largest and community activist. He began — he was New York City’s first expand their businesses, Content magazine.or recover African American-owned real his career as a radio DJ in Buffalofrom a declared disaster. It delivers African American mayor and also estate firm with $3.5 billion worth Past Black Star News honorees at age 15. For over 30 years, he’s services To share some great newsMandela as we ring welcomed Nelson to the through an extensive of properties under development have included: Gil Noble (Like It been a talk show host at WBLS and city after 1990. in the new year,his in release the lastintwelve network of SBA field offices and or management — he was one Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad WLIB radio in New York City. Hepartnerships months, American with public and private Rep. Charlesworkers Rangel,have also honored of the pioneering developerswho O’Brien (CNN), Ms. Camille Cosby, also has a Friday night radio talk seen afor 3%Lifetime wage increase. Across organizations.

To learn more, Achievement, has helped turn around and revitalize Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), show on WBAI. the nation, women and especially served in Congress since 1971. He is visit www.sba.gov. the once-blighted Anacostia Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel minority entrepreneurs starting Honoree Sabrina Lamb, founder a recipient of Theare Bronze medal for neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Larrieux (Entertainer), Dr. William businesses locally adding flavor of World of Money, is a champion helping save and soldiers behind enemy A champion of African-American Pollard (Medgar Evers College), to localline main streets taking their of financial literacy for youth-- she during the and Korean War. economic empowerment Peebles’ is Herm Edwards (NY Jets), Nayaba teaches knowledge about handling business global. Today, businesses As we contemplating witness small business business to grow, thrive and invest. a possible run for NYC Rep. Yvette Clarke is a Democratic Arinde (Amsterdam News), La-Verna money, budgeting and planning. are taking advantage reform 2017. growthmayor acrossinthe nation, we want Upcoming summits are scheduled member of the of UStax House of Fountain (Columbia University), and the ability to deduct from up toNew 20 to helpHonoree entrepreneurs continue for Columbus, OH, Charlotte, NC, Dr. Rudy Crew, honoree, is one of Representatives Lillian Roberts (DC37), Desiree Dancy Barbara Arnwine, civil percent of their qualified business to growrights through investment Atlanta, GA, Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL. the nation’s leading educators.

He’s York whose 9th district covers (New York Times), Greg Floyd (Local lawyer, is a champion of income.

Throughout Phoenix, AZ, Philadelphia, PA and much of central Brooklyn. Before and diversification.

237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National president of Medgar Evers College protecting voting rights of ethnic have plans to tour the Las Vegas, NV. Please reach out entering Congress in 2007, she 2020 Iminority Action Network), and many others. of The City University of New groups — the emerging

INSIDE T HIS ISSUE: IS SUE : INSIDE THIS

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NE WS FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN Honored A room filled to the brim. Attendees teeming with reverence. A national icon getting the recognition she deserves from a community she spent her career fighting for.

This is what unfolded Tuesday, Dec. 5, when retired Florida Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, 93, was honored during the 30th Anniversary Commemoration of her namesake Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center.

People from all walks of life converged on the campus of the Liberty City institution to honor Meek, who has made history more than once in her life. First, she became the first Black woman elected to the Florida Senate, then she became the first Black person elected to Congress from Florida since Reconstruction. She was also instrumental in desegregating Miami Dade College.

Accompanied by loved ones – including her children Kendrick

Meek and Lucia Raiford and longtime friend Nancy Dawkins – Meek was the picture of humility.

After opening ceremonies and music by students from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, speakers recounted how Meek impacted their lives. “We’re so proud that our center bears the good name of Congresswoman Meek,” said Dr. Malou Harrison, president of MDC’s North and Padron Campuses.

“We’re so very honored and grateful to you because were it not for your vision and fortitude, we would not be commemorating here today.

Your heart and soul are in the very foundation of this center.”

“Thank you for all of your tireless efforts and dedication. You’ve touched thousands of lives,” said Miami Dade College’s Chief Information Officer Robert Parrondo.

“The Honorable Carrie P. Meek is one of the pioneers that led

As An

the initiative and Miami-Dade’s commitment to respond to the needs of the Liberty City community,” said Marcella Holness, executive director of the Meek Center. “If I may speak on behalf of the college and community, we want to say thank you Congresswoman Meek for your vision, passion and love for Liberty City.”

Other highlights of the program included an unveiling of a commemorative canvas to honor Meek and a $200,000 donation from William “Bill” D. Rohrer and his wife Toby B. Rohrer to the Miami Dade College Foundation to support students from Liberty City.

An extension of Miami Dade College (MDC), the Meek Center was founded in 1989 after Meek secured $2.3 million to have it built.

Originally called the Liberty City Entrepreneurial Educational Center at Miami Dade Community College, it is located at 6300 NW 7 Avenue.

Boasting a “specialized focus on entrepreneurship, and economic and community development,” the center offers: associate degree programs, college credit certificates, ACT/SAT prep, teacher endorsement courses, a GED program, etc.

Harrison described it as “a beacon of opportunity for the people of

Institution

Liberty City” that will continue to serve as an asset to residents for years to come.

Shanise Daley, 21, is one of those residents. The young mother is taking her prerequisite classes to earn her nursing degree and also tutors students in English.

“I live in the neighborhood and I would see the Meek Center when I passed by so one day, I just decided to check it out. I’ve been here for about a year and it’s been an amazing experience,” Daley said.

According to Harrison, over 80,000 students have taken classes at the Meek Center since its inception.

Kendrick Meek said it is just one of the ways his mother’s impact is felt both locally and worldwide.

“I’ve been in Europe and I’ve been in Africa and you hear world leaders saying, ‘How’s your mom,’” Meek said. “She’s definitely a national treasure and I want to thank you again for honoring her. She’s 93 years old and she’s here to witness this love and appreciation. It touches her at the bottom of her heart, and it touches us as a family that the community has not forgotten this great warrior and shero (who fought) on behalf of people and for goodwill in our community,” Kendrick Meek said.

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NEWS N A A C P P A R T N E R S W I T H B E T t o H O S T I M AG E AWA R D S Th e NA ACP a n d B E T N e t works

announced a broadcast partnership to air the 51st NAACP Image Awards.

The telecast will take place from Pasadena, California and will air on BET Networks for the first time ever.

The announcement was made today

by NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Leon W. Russell, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, President of BET Networks Scott Mills and Executive Vice-President, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy Connie Orlando. The NAACP

breadth of Black excellence in television, film, music, and literature, and to bring awareness to the social justice and economic empowerment work of the NAACP,” said Johnson.

“Through its diverse platforms, BET delivers culturally enriching and entertaining content to a wide and multigenerational audience. As we head into a critical 2020 election and Census, the collaboration with BET will be critical to reaching our shared communities.”

“The NAACP is vitally important,

cultural pillar to the communities we serve. We’re thrilled to welcome the NAACP Image Awards home to BET.” Karen Boykin-Towns, NAACP National Board of Directors Vice-Chairman is the newly appointed Chairman of the NAACP Image Awards Planning Committee and will provide strategic guidance and leadership. Eris Sims, Chief of Staff will oversee all NAACP Image Awards events and activities.

“We are excited that two storied organizations, NAACP and BET, are partnering to cultivate innovative

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws a crowd of the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years attendees include Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Steve Harvey, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Terry Crews, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Josh Gad, Loretta Devine, Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, Chadwick Boseman, and many more.

“It is our honor to partner with the NAACP as the exclusive broadcast partner of the Image Awards, one of the most influential Award Shows in the black community,” said Orlando.

Image Awards is the preeminent event celebrating the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.

“We’re proud to partner with BET Networks to showcase the incredible

and BET Networks shares the organization’s commitment to our community and social impact,” added Mills. “With the NAACP’s halfcentury of history acknowledging the achievements of African Americans across entertainment and activism, this partnership allows BET to further our mission to entertain, engage and empower our viewers by delivering this

approaches to our work and to deliver a transformative experience that inspires and empowers the Black community. This is a natural partnership and one which aligns with our strategic focus,” said BoykinTowns. “We are confident that the NAACP Image Awards will continue to grow in both impact and legacy.”

“We will celebrate and acknowledge the excellence and achievements of African-Americans in television, music, arts and give special recognition to the artists that have thrilled us and shaped the past the year in black culture. As we head into our 40th anniversary, it is only right to start off 2020 with this monumental partnership and bring the legacy of NAACP Image Awards to BET.”

U . S . P o s ta l S e r v i c e I s s u i n g G W E N I F I L L B l a c k H e r i ta g e F o r e v e r S ta m p The 43rd stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Gw e n I f i ll , one of the nation's most esteemed journalists.

The stamp art features a photo of Ifill taken in 2008 by photographer Robert Severi. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp. The Gwen Ifill stamp will be issued in panes of 20.

The stamp dedication ceremony is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #GwenIfillForever and #BlackHeritageStamps.

Wh o :

Ronald A. Stroman, Deputy Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Service and Dedicating Official Wh en :

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at 11 a.m. EST Wh ere :

Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church 1518 M Street NW Washington, DC 20005 R SV P:

Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/ gwenifillblackheritage.

Gwen Ifill was among the first African

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Americans to hold prominent positions in both broadcast and print journalism.

After graduating from college in 1977, Ifill worked at The Boston Herald American, The Baltimore Evening Sun, The Washington Post and The New York Times. In 1994, she took a broadcast job at NBC, where she covered politics in the DC bureau. Five years later, she joined PBS; she became the senior political correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" and moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" — the first woman and first African American to moderate a major television news-analysis show.

In 2013, she became co-anchor of the "PBS NewsHour," part of the first allfemale team to anchor a national nightly news program. Ifill died in 2016.

Among Ifill's honors were the Radio Television Digital News Foundation's Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award (2006), Harvard's Joan Shorenstein Center's Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism (2009) and induction into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame (2012). In 2015, she was awarded the Fourth Estate Award by

the National Press Club. She received numerous honorary degrees and served on the boards of the News Literacy Project and the Committee to Protect Journalists, which renamed its Press Freedom Award in her honor.

The 2016 John Chancellor Award was posthumously awarded to Ifill by the Columbia Journalism School. In 2017, the Washington Press Club Foundation and the "PBS NewsHour" created a journalism fellowship named for Ifill.

Her alma mater, Simmons University, opened the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities in 2018.

us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube channel, like us on Facebook and enjoy our Postal Posts blog. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps. com.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Please Note: For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow

December 26, 2019 - January 1, 2020

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POLITICS Legislator Invites Residents to Support ‘HOLIDAY OF GIVING’ Celebration Nassau County Legislator Kevan M. Abrahams (D – Freeport) and Glory House Recovery presents the 10th Annual Holiday of Giving celebration hosted by Uniondale High School on Saturday, Dec. 14. To make the season brighter for deserving families in the First Legislative District, Legislator Abrahams is asking residents to donate new and unwrapped toys for children of all ages.

“The incredible generosity of the sponsors and supporters of the Holiday of Giving celebration has made this event a truly impactful community tradition,” Legislator Abrahams said.

“Through your continued support, we can continue to fulfill our mission of spreading cheer to families and children throughout the First Legislative District during this holiday season.”

Legislator Abrahams and Glory House Recovery are grateful to for the Uniondale School District for assisting in the growth of the Holiday of Giving.

This year, they moved to a larger venue, Uniondale High School.

In addition to holiday gifts for children and photos with Santa, raffles and prizes, face painting, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, refreshments and more are planned as part of the Holiday of Giving event. There will also be vendors on hand with valuable information and free giveaways. You can send or drop off donations to Legislator Abrahams’ office at the Nassau County Legislature, 1550 Franklin Ave., Suite 140, Mineola, N.Y. 11501. For additional information, contact Legislator Abrahams’ office at 516-571-2455 or email www. nassaucountyny.gov/LD1

N A AC P BLASTS FACEBOOK NAACP President Derrick Johnson , along with several Civil Rights leaders, met with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other

company leaders to discuss concerns regarding Facebook’s policy on political ads. A letter was subsequently sent to Facebook to

ON

POLITICAL PROPAGANDA

document the issues discussed at the meeting.

Upon receiving Facebook’s response, NAACP, the nation’s foremost advocacy and civil rights organization, issued the following statement:

Despite the damage our democracy has suffered since 2016, Facebook remains unwilling to take meaningful and necessary action to remove political propaganda from its platform. It is clear that Facebook and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, are no longer simply negligent, but complacent in the spread of misinformation.

Such misinformation has and will upend the integrity of our

elections as we head into 2020.

We will not stand for this. While we recognize the value that Facebook provides in connecting people with one another, as well as its prominent usage within the Black community, we call into serious question a platform that profits from the suppression of Black votes and Black voices.

Facebook must reverse its woefully malignant policy of not censoring false political advertising. NAACP will continue to advocate for legislation that will hold companies like Facebook accountable, and we remain committed to advancing the rights and protections of the Black community, both online and offline.

Owner/Publisher Executive Editor Editor-In-Chief Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams

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BUSINE S S 

A N N U A L H A R L E M PAR A DE

The President and CEO of the 125th Street Business Improvement District, Barbara Askins, has officially kicked-off the countdown to the 26th annual Harlem Holiday Lights 2019 celebration. This year the highly anticipated holiday event, which is held in partnership with Manhattan Community Board #9 and #10, and dubbed, Harlem Light It Up 2019, will take place on November 20th (rain date/Nov. 25th), with activities planned throughout the day, leading up to the highlight – the Parade of Lights that will herald the lighting of the legendary 125th St. corridor beginning at Morningside Avenue and 125th St. and covering a 10-block stretch.

Over the years, the event has become a

prominent part of the city’s key holiday celebrations, attracting both public and media attention. Ms. Askins, who has been responsible for organizing and helping to make this event an annual tradition says, “We want to make it bigger and better every year. We want this holiday event in our community, to be something that everyone in the city will want to be a part of.”

This year’s three distinguished Grand Marshals are:  Laiona Michelle, an actor/singer/writer who made her Broadway debut in the 2015 hit musical Amazing Grace and recently broke box-office records at the George Street Playhouse with her performance as Nina Simone, in Little Girl Blue, a musical that she both wrote and headlined. Ms. Michelle is now the book writer on a new musical headed for Broadway in 2020, based on the life of Nelson Mandela.  Korey Wise, one of the Central Park Five, a public speaker and social justice activist, who has risen to prominence

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OF

L I G H TS

since the Five were acquitted and released from prison for a crime they did not commit. His story has been a key factor in the public and critical acclaim that the Netflix miniseries, directed by Ava Duvernay, “When They See Us,” has received.  Leah Abraham is an EthiopianAmerican entrepreneur who brings a dynamic multicultural foundation to everything she does, and who has elegantly traversed work-lifebalance to establish a successful business in the community. This amazing woman has found numerous ways to give back to the Harlem community through her passionate commitment to the business she has helped establish, Settepani Restaurant.

Perisi will once again set up free health screenings and will provide access to important information promoting a healthier lifestyle for the entire family. Blink Fitness will be hosting an invigorating early morning workout, and Zwanger, a premier radiology company that has joined the 125th Street BID District, will host an open house reception and tour of their newest uptown facility.

Included among the numerous planned activities surrounding the Harlem Holiday Lights 2019 event, is the return participation of Disney’s Marvel Superheroes; this year, Spiderman and Black Panther will be on hand for meet and greets, photo opportunities, and special appearances at various planned activities throughout the day. They will also be part of the big countdown to the Parade of Lights signaling the lighting of the 125th Street corridor.

woman. An ensemble of thirty plus-sized models in outfits inspired by, and looking much like the Radio City Rockettes, will be on hand for photos opps, meet and greets, and appearances at the various events. Also, joining the celebration for the first time this year will be the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage, United House of Prayer for All People, the Mali Music Festival, NYCHA Digital Education Van, Joshua Balloons, who will donate a Balloon Selfie Frame set up, and Carver Bank, the largest African-American operated bank in the United States.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, a big supporter of this event, will host her annual VIP Reception. Manhattan Community Board #9’s Children’s District will honor the 100th anniversary celebration of the Harlem Renaissance with featured guest, the Swing Dance Society, in addition they will have face painting, an appearance by the Snow Queen, and much more for the children. The Health & Fitness District, sponsored by Emblem Health, Blink Fitness, Ryan Health and Zwanger

Among the new participants this year – the Curvy District by Lov n My Curves will host a series of events including a fashion show featuring plus-size models and meet and greets sponsored by 125th Street retailers Ashley Stewart and Lane Bryant whose audience is primarily the plus-size

Property owners along the 125th Street location will add to the festive atmosphere by decorating their properties in appropriate holiday decor. The 125th Street corridor will be buzzing with both in-store and outdoor activities.

Broadway actress and singer Rema Webb will be the stage manager for the New York City Parks and Recreation Community Stage that will feature

December 26, 2019 - January 1, 2020



acts that include Classical Theater of Harlem, NYCHA, Michelle Sweeting, RAM, Tyrick, Evan Cole, Diva Nation, Funk Revolution Uptown Dance Academy, Jacqueline Constant, Rudeal Drears, Lady Meeka and much more.

This year’s Parade of Lights will have a caravan of 10 floats – each sponsored by a Harlem community organization, local political leaders, community boards, as well as members of the local businesses community. Each float will be festooned with lights and alive with the sound of music and merriment befitting the season. The three Grand Marshals will be the special guest on the BID float along with the Marvel Characters and the Rockettes inspired curvy models. Add to that 8 totally blinged-out Slingshot cars from the

Sling Kingz, and the Parade of Lights is complete.

As the floats move down 125th Street from Morningside heading east, the spectacular, well-orchestrated lighting of 125th Street will be activated.

“The participation this year has hit a new high,” says Ms. Askins. “We are thankful to all of the businesses and all of our community representatives and organizations that are helping us blow this event out. The historic community of Harlem deserves the kind of attention that is often relegated to the downtown communities,” she added.

The Harlem Holiday Lights/Light it Up 2019 activities will start on the morning of November 20th and will continue throughout the entire day along 125th Street. The parade route covers 10 blocks along the 125th Street corridor beginning at Morningside heading east and will circle back up 125th Street to Broadway, looping around to end up where it began.

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ENTER TAINMENT M AT T H E W K N O W L E S : E x e c u t i v e P r o d u c e r o f C a n c e r R e a l i t y S h o w, “ E I G H T D AY S ” M at t h e w Know le s , record executive

and talent manager, is best known as Beyoncé’s father and the manager of Destiny’s Child, is now the Executive Producer for the first ever Cancer TV reality show, Eight Days. Created by Charles Mattocks, an award-winning filmmaker and health advocate, Eight Days, a docuseries will air on A+E’s FYI channel, premiering on January 4, 2020.

diabetes, Charles Mattocks is taking on another disease that hits close to home. Mattocks is a Type 2 diabetic and following the loss of his father from lung cancer, Mattocks wanted to create another meaningful project that could both educate and inspire. “Eight Days”

to spend eight days with them at a beautiful beachside retreat in Cancun, Mexico as they learn to fight their disease through physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

takes viewers inside the lives of five individuals from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities all living with different types and stages of cancer. This innovative docuseries brings together a team of top health and cancer experts

lives of those living with cancer and not only bring awareness, but also to offer new ways to look at healing,” said Charles Mattocks, creator and executive producer. “With over 1.7 million cancer diagnoses documented

“I created ‘Eight Days’ to look into the

per year in the U.S. alone, this docuseries is more important than ever.” The series is set to premier on the innovative FYI Network who has generated such programming as: Duck Dynasty, Tiny House Nation, Married At First Sight and Scraps.

“We’re excited to team up with Matthew on this project, not only is he dealing with Cancer, but an excellent businessman and visionary”. Says, Charles Mattocks, created of Eight Days TV Docuseries.

Eight Days takes viewers inside individual cancer patients’ journey through their courageous treatment and their compelling stories. Through raw storytelling in an investigative format, this powerful series follows cancer patients as they push to defy the odds in the biggest fight imaginable – a fight for life!

Mattocks, one of the few minorities that has ownership of his television show. He built upon his work on the groundbreaking docuseries “Reversed,” that aired on Discovery Life Network and focused on real people living with

For more information, follow “Eight Days” on Facebook (@EightDaysTVShow) or visit the website: https://www. reversedyourhealth.com/reversed-eightdays-cancer

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ENTER THE ARTAINMENT TS SUPERFEST MIAMI LIVE ANNOUNCES PEPSI Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE today

announced that Pepsi is now the new title sponsor of the Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE Festival, which will be held Jan. 24 through Feb. 3, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Florida. The festival is a 10-day event featuring live music, mouth-watering culinary creations, interactive entertainment, family fun, fan zones, VIP parties and more. The festival will be held just blocks away from the Hard Rock Stadium in the week leading up to the Super Bowl game. More than 620,000 visitors are expected to attend the festival.

“We are proud to have Pepsi join as the new title sponsor of Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE,” said Ted Lucas, Executive Producer of Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE. “We look forward to working with Pepsi to connect with NFL fans during Super Bowl LIV. The Super Bowl gives Miami Gardens an opportunity to shine on the world stage. Our partnership with Pepsi will help Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE showcase South Florida’s vibrant energy and enhance the overall fan experience.”

Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE was created by Melvin Bratton, University of Miami Hurricane Football Great & Former NFL Football Player and

A music industry veteran and Juno award-winning producer, Ryan is the CEO of AfterTouch Music. Appealing to a broad array of audiences, he has masterfully constructed this eclectic compilation layered with a multiplicity of genres including jazz, pop, gospel, neo-classical and R&B. The AfterTouch Music collaboration, which consists of 20 all-time classics and favorites, features R&B and jazz artists:  Angela Brown singing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”  Nikki Conley singing “100 Christmas Kisses” and “Christmas Time is Here”  Kristina Wrenn singing “Born to Save the Day” also on her project Krisitna Wrenn Christmas

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TITLE SPONSOR

Ted Lucas, Slip n’ Slide Records President. Pepsi’s sponsorship will maximize opportunities for local businesses and residents, allowing fans from all walks of life to experience the festivities at an unrivaled, sport-centered, futuristic entertainment center. Additionally, the

place from Friday, Jan. 24 through Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. From A-list concerts, 35 acres of unrivaled, sprawling clear space in a prime game day location, amusement rides to themed on-site parties, other SuperFest Miami Live festivities include: virtual reality park, local

Instagram and Twitter.

partnership with Pepsi will provide Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE more opportunities to reach, engage and celebrate Super Bowl LIV with NFL fans, visitors and the South Florida community.

artist stage, panel discussions, popup shops, Latin and hip-hop clubs, celebrity cigar bar, cabana VIP beach club, and a luxury hotel village.

SuperFestMiami.com is the official website for SuperFest Miami Live with @SuperFestMiami serving as the social media handle for Facebook,

portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Pepsi SuperFest Miami LIVE will take

CHRISTMAS COMPILATION Inspires Hope Grammy and Dove Award nominee, Roger Ryan, has just released what promises to be one of the most in-demand Christmas compilations of the season!

Appropriately titled, “A Time for Hope,” the album is a celebration of family that invokes expressions of joy and merriment in a way that makes the world fall in love with Christmas all over again!

AS

This musical masterpiece, celebrating the spirit and love of the season, is available now on all streaming platforms.

AfterTouch Music is a boutique label, the brainchild of 20-year music industry veteran and Grammy and Dove Award nominated Roger Ryan.

A Juno award winning producer, he established the record label to recruit independent artists who aspire to develop and promote their music on national and international music platforms. To learn more, visit www. aftertouchmusic.com.

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than 1 billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $64 billion in net revenue in 2018, driven by a complementary food and beverage

Unbreakable Truths: THE KATRINA WALKER SHOW At a time when people are consumed by followers and likes, Katrina Walker wants people to redirect their attention to following their dreams and liking themselves more. It's been a long road for the mother of four who was once homeless and abused by her four husbands to becoming a self-made millionaire and finding true love. She now wants to help others find solutions to the problems that seem to be holding them back.

author of Boss Bride: The Powerful Woman's Playbook for Love & Success  KYM HAMPTON. WNBA legend, singer and motivational speaker  NANCY "MAMA" JONES. Personality from Keeping up with the Joneses, Love & Hip Hop: New York and Chrissy & Mr. Jones

She's doing that through her new talk show on YouTube, Unbreakable Truths: The Katrina Walker Show, where she invites guests to promote their projects and share their stories and strategies for success.

The show, which premiered September 2019, featured inspiring personalities, such as TV psychologist, Dr. Jeff Gardere; Chef Vanessa Cantave; Broadway star Brenda Braxton and Love & Hip Hop's Tara Wallace.

ALL NEW SHOWS AIR BEGINNING THIS WEEK AND FEATURE THE FOLLOWING GUESTS:  ROXANNE SHANTE. Rapper, radio host and executive producer of her Netflix biopic Roxanne Roxanne. She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor.  CHARREAH K. JACKSON. Former Essence editor, CEO of Studio Social and the

December 26, 2019 - January 1, 2020

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THE AR T S PROFILE  is an iconic actress, writer, director, producer, and web series creator. She first garnered attention for her work on the YouTube web series, Awkward Black Girl.

Rae is a graduate of Stanford University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in African and African-American Studies. As a college student, she made music videos, wrote and directed plays, and created a mock reality series entitled Dorm Diaries for fun.

At Stanford, Rae met Tracy Oliver, who helped produce Awkward Black Girl and starred on the show as Nina.

After college, Rae received a theater fellowship at The Public Theater in New York City. Oliver and Rae started taking classes together at the New York Film Academy. Rae worked odd jobs and at one point was struggling to decide between business school and law school, but eventually abandoned both ideas when Awkward Black Girl started taking off in 2011.

| Actress  Writer  Director Entertainment Weekly’s “Breaking Big” lists, Issa’s hit series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl was the recipient of the coveted Shorty Award for Best Web Show. Issa’s first book, a collection of essays, is a New

York Times Best Seller and her latest project, Insecure, a half-hour comedy show for HBO, premiered in the fall to rave reviews and earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Issa has received national attention with major media

outlets including The New York Times, CNN, ELLE, Seventeen, Rolling Stone, BuzzFeed, Fast Company, MSNBC, Essence, Fader, Variety and more.

Issa Rae is signed with UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment.

With her own unique flare and infectious sense of humor, Issa Rae’s content has garnered over 23 million views and over 200,000 YouTube subscribers (and counting). In addition to making Glamour Magazine’s “35 Under 35”, Forbes’ “30 Under 30” and

A R T S F O U N D AT I O N S p o n s o r s S L A M P O E T R Y F E ST I VA L Calling all writers who enjoy cash prizes, a beach party, happy hour, and vendors!

Coming up on your calendar, Pompano Beach Arts Foundation will be holding the 4-day poetry slam competition, Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival, with up to $2500 in cash prizes. This event hosts some of the best poets in the country ready to slam! Now you may ask what Slam Poetry is. Slam poetry is a playground. It's an opportunity. It’s freedom to rein your awesomeness and fly any flag you wish to wave without scrutiny.

It's the Planet Fitness of the poetry world - judgement free. What that means is slam poetry is open to anyone and everyone who wishes to put some power behind their opinion and voice their thoughts and views.

Slam poetry is never "bad". It’s an expression of someone's feelings.

Those feelings can't be wrong - they can only be evaluated based on your own opinion. That evaluation is what makes slam poetry enjoyable, exciting and even controversial. Here's the kicker: Slam poetry is about feelings, emotions and stories, but: it’s mixed with personal style and it displays intimate characteristics. ​That style has to be your own and those characteristics must be innate - and that's what makes poetry slam poetry.

Once you nail that concept, you're ready to impart your wonder to the world.

Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival is a

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four-day festival founded by spoken word artist and cultural programmer, Sharonda “Eccentrich” Richardson in 2018. Eccentrich, who is a Pompano Beach native, recognized an opportunity to celebrate her love for her craft and her city while creating an opportunity for the spoken word community to soak

facilitated by visiting. After a successful inaugural competition in which, one artist representing the state of California walked away with the grand prize of $2,000 the festival was acquired by the City of Pompano Beach’s Cultural Affairs Department and will benefit from increased financial and physical resources while upholding a commitment to the spoken word tradition.

The Ci t y

The City of Pompano Beach is a a city in Broward County, Florida, United States, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean just to the north of Fort Lauderdale. As of the 2010 census the city’s population was 99,845. The City is located off of Exit 36 on I-95 which was the inspiration for the festival’s name.

up South Florida’s warm climate and experience Florida’s Warmest Welcome in the City of Pompano Beach!

In addition to being the only poetry festival in the Southern United States to be held during the winter season, the Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival strives to nurture, support and showcase regional, national and international writers and poets while providing the local community with arts experiences

The City’s Cultural Affairs Department works to support the City’s growth as a cultural arts destination and currently includes four cultural facilities offering a mix of innovative arts programming across all cultural disciplines for the enjoyment and enrichment of residents and visitors.

The Pompano Beach Cultural Center, adjacent to City Hall is located in revitalized downtown Pompano Beach and headquarters the City’s Cultural Affairs Department. Through this cultural venue, the City offers cultural opportunities in many artistic disciplines

December 26, 2019 - January 1, 2020

while providing the public access to world –renowned music, dance, theater performances and art exhibitions.

The Historic Ali Cultural Arts Center is the steward for the history of the Northwest district of Pompano Beach and is the nexus for musicians, visual artists, dancers and spoken word poets that have been influenced or inspired by black culture.

Located in the heart of Pompano Beach’s new Creative Arts District, Bailey Contemporary Arts (BaCA) houses a dozen art studios and also features large galleries that serve as exhibition and education spaces, and an open social area for artistic dialogue.

BaCA offers studio space for visual artists, and is occupied with painters, ceramicists, photographers and interdisciplinary artists. Here we provide the opportunity for residents to explore their creative side with workshops, events, studio visits and monthly exhibitions.

The Blanche Ely House celebrates the professional and personal accomplishments of educational pioneers and community activists Blanche and Joseph Ely. The museum offers an abbreviated glimpse into the couple’s extensive collection of photographs, letters and artifacts, through exhibitions and creative and cultural programming.

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MOVIE S & MEDIA STOLEN BY MY MOTHER: THE KAMIYAH MOBLEY STORY Lifetime has released the first trailer for its upcoming Ripped from the Headlines feature, Robin Roberts Presents: Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story, premiering January 18 at 8pm ET/ PT. Executive produced by the award-winning journalist, the film stars Niecy Nash (When They See Us, Claws), Rayven Ferrell (The Hate U Give) and Ta’Rhonda Jones (Empire), in the true story of a young woman who discovers at age 18, she was abducted as a baby and the family she knew to be hers, wasn’t hers at all. In the summer of 1998, Gloria Williams (Niecy Nash), reeling from a recent miscarriage, drove from her home in South Carolina and walked into a Jacksonville, Florida hospital posing as a nurse and took newborn Kamiyah Mobley (Rayven Ferrell) out of her mother Shanara Mobley's (Ta’Rhonda Jones) arms. By the time police were alerted, Gloria was long gone. Renaming the baby Alexis, Gloria raised her as her own, providing her with unconditional love and nurturing. It wasn’t until years later, when Alexis applied for her first job and couldn’t provide a social security card or a birth certificate, that she realized something was wrong. As questions mounted, Gloria was forced to tell Alexis the truth, that she was really Kamiyah Mobley and abducted as a baby.

Despite discovering the mother she knew was really her kidnapper, Alexis kept the secret as long as

she could, until an anonymous tip soon led to Gloria's arrest and their world came tumbling down. From Rock’n Robin and Lincoln Square Productions, Robin Roberts Presents: Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story is executive produced

by Roberts, Linda Berman, Michele Samit, Richard Kletter and Gary Randall. Jeffrey Byrd directs from a script written by Samit and Kletter.

Robin Roberts Presents: Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story kicks off Lifetime's Winter

2020 Ripped from The Headlines slate, which includes the premieres of Chris Watts: Confessions Of A Killer on January 25, Poisoned Love: The Stacey Castor Story on February 1, The Neighbor In The Window on February 8, and You Can't Take My Daughter on February 15, all at 8pm ET/PT. Celebrating 35 years of entertaining audiences, Lifetime is a premier entertainment destination for women dedicated to offering the highest quality original programming spanning awardwinning movies, high-quality scripted

series and breakout non-fiction series.

Lifetime has an impressive legacy in public affairs, bringing attention to social issues that women care about with initiatives such as the long running Stop Breast Cancer for Life now in its 25th year, Stop Violence Against Women which relaunched in 2018, and Broader Focus, a major global initiative dedicated to supporting and hiring female directors, writers and producers, including women of color, to make its content.

MICHAEL B. JORDAN’S OUTLIER SOCIET Y & WARNER BROS Acquire ‘KINGDOM OF SOULS’ In an exciting deal for a debut author, Michael B. Jordan and Warner Bros. have just acquired Kingdom of Souls, the first installment of a fantasy novel trilogy by Rena Barron, in which a young woman must give up her own life, bit by bit, in a magical bargain to save her village--and the world. Outlier Society's Michael B. Jordan and Alana Mayo are producing with Pouya Shahbazian.

Misan Sagay is attached to write the screenplay.

Lush worldbuilding and compelling characters garner Kingdom of Souls comparisons to Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, and splashy adaptation deals for these and others suggest a wave of YA fantasy is upon us. Like Adeyemi, Barron spins a darkly magical tale that was blends tales of folk magic, voodoo, and Orisha from her own community. Kingdom of Souls centers on Arrah, a young woman born into a family of powerful witchdoctors and she yearns for magic of her own. But each year she fails to call forth her ancestral powers, while her ambitious mother watches with growing disapproval. When

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children begin disappearing, including a boy she'd befriended, Arrah is desperate to find the culprit. She tries a deadly last resort to cast the spell that will find the children: she trades years of her own life for scraps of magic. But she uncovers something worse. The long-imprisoned Demon King is stirring. And if he rises, his hunger for souls will bring the world to its knees… unless Arrah pays the price for the magic to stop him.

Barron grew up in small-town Alabama, where stories of magic and adventure sparked her imagination. Before HarperTeen acquired her young adult epic fantasy, Barron spent 10 years writing across multiple genres and age groups in the pursuit of publication.

In 2017, she entered Pitch Wars, a popular and highly sought-after online mentorship program that included an agent showcase round. Barron’s entry (then titled “The Last Witchdoctor”) received more requests than any novel in Pitch Wars history. In addition to the Kingdom of Souls trilogy, Barron also has written a middle grade series.

The first book titled Maya and The Rising Dark debuts in May 2020.

December 26, 2019 - January 1, 2020

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ENDNO TE S “ Make Mu s i c W i nt e r ” R e t u r n s t o N Y C Make Music Winter , a free, outdoor

music-making celebration on the winter solstice that brings communities together and warms the spirit, returns this year on Saturday, Dec. 21 with more than 10 participatory musical parades across New York City. The daylong musical celebration on the shortest day of the year brings together New Yorkers of all ages, backgrounds, musical abilities and styles to sing, play, march and dance their way across streets, parks, plazas and other public spaces. Make Music Winter, which is being held in over 30 cities nationwide, is the cold-weather version of Make Music Day, the annual global celebration of music occurring on June 21, the summer solstice.

From ukulele caroling and a percussive Puerto Rican parranda to an Appalachiathemed hootenanny and a choir of medieval singers, Make Music Winter parades have been enchanting audiences since Make Music Winter first launched in 2011 in NYC. Make Music Winter in NYC is presented by The NAMM Foundation and produced by Make Music New York.

Highlights of Make Music Winter 2019 will include:  Bell by Bell (Astor Place Plaza and through the East Village) – Artist Tom Peyton will hand out to revelers colorcoded bells that play different notes, give a crash course in hand bell basics, and then lead a musical parade through the East Village neighborhood. The parade will make stops at designated landmarks where a team of conductors will wave colored flags, prompting participants to collectively contribute to soundscapes that intensify as the group learns to play together.  [B] MERRY Music Parade (Brownsville, Brooklyn) – Hosted by the Brownsville Community Justice Center, the parade will engage residents in the local arts and culture with music selections performed by local youth bands and dancers, as well as music from the Sound of Brownsville record label. The parade will connect Brownsville residents from Pitkin Avenue down Rockaway Avenue, parading past historic Belmont Avenue down to Livonia Avenue, stopping at the Marcus Garvey Youth Clubhouse.  Flatfoot Flatbush (Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue) – Dancers, fiddlers and pickers will parade down Flatbush Avenue playing old-time times while flat footing, a form of percussive dancing from Appalachia.

Participants will learn the fundamental steps of this rhythmic dance form and have a chance to participate with the Flatfoot Flatbush String Band. The parade will traverse Prospect Heights Brooklyn, along vibrant Flatbush Avenue, with dozens of stops along the way to play, dance and sing. The fun will continue at an after-party featuring music and dance sets by City Stompers and the Flatfoot Flatbush Band.

The program is produced by Nick Horner and Theo Boguszewski in association with the North Flatbush Business Improvement District, and made possible with support from M&T Bank and Con Edison.  The Gaits: A High Line Soundwalk (The High Line, Gansevoort Street entrance) – The Gaits is an immersive, site-specific parade featuring commissioned compositions in

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which the wonders of everyday technology transform participants’ movements into musical improvisations. Participants will attach their smart phones to small, wearable speakers and use a free app that captures the GPS coordinates and velocities of their movements to trigger a variety of twinkling metallic sounds, electric guitar chord, dulcimer notes, water splashes, car horns and applause – empowering marchers to effortlessly make music while interacting with their environment and each other. The program is produced in partnership with Friends of the High Line.

route to Santiago de Compostela. Singers of all skills levels are invited to join, from beginners to early music specialists.  Renegade Parade by HONK NYC (St. George neighborhood of Staten Island) – The team behind HONK NYC, which brings street band music and spectacle to audiences citywide, will lead a pop-up parade as it moves from location to location, switching bands, instruments, transportation

methods and vibes along the way. The parade will begin in Queens and end in Staten Island’s St. George neighborhood.  Ukulele Caroling (Washington Square Park/Greenwich Village neighborhood) – Calling all ukes! Players of all skill levels are welcomed to participate in this parade, which will feature classic holiday and repertoire tunes for the ukulele.

 Harmonica Parade (Battery Park City) – Harmonica virtuoso Jia-Yi He, who was featured on “America’s Got Talent,” will lead this parade in performing holiday classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Silent Night,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Ode to Joy,” “Edelweiss” and “Amazing Grace.” Players of all levels are welcome. Bring a harmonica or a small percussive instrument with you if you have one. If not, harmonicas will be distributed on a first-come basis.  The Mobile Hallelujah (multiple Manhattan locations to be announced)– In this participatory program, producer Melissa Gerstein and conductor Douglas Anderson team up again to bring Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” – from his Messiah oratorio, the oldest continuously performed piece of classical music – out of the concert hall and onto the city streets. Prior to Dec. 21, participants can access a free, specially crafted sound file to download (for practice) at MakeMusicNY.org. Then, on the day of the parade, singers will descend on various popular locations across Manhattan and gather into vocal groups (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). Singers and their conductor will then synchronize their performance with the sound file played on a portable speaker, and make their way among the crowds. To the surprise of bystanders, a seemingly spontaneous outburst of the famous choral piece will unfold in their midst, while performers revel in the joy of creating a unique, full-throated version of the choral masterwork.  Melrose Parranda (Melrose section of The Bronx) – The Bronx Music Heritage Center (BMHC) will hold their annual parranda – the Puerto Rico tradition involving processions of carolers – throughout the Bronx’s historic Melrose neighborhood.

Based on the music of plena, and other holiday songs from Puerto Rico, the parade will make stops at different casitas – the little houses that evoke those on the Puerto Rican countryside – and finish at the casita renowned for its musical legacy, Rincón Criollo Centro Cultural, also known as “La Casita de Chema.” The program is produced in partnership with the Bronx Music Heritage Center, We Stay/Nos Quedamos Committee, Inc., Asociación Huerto y Cultura, and the Bronx Culture Collective.  Pilgrimage (Riverside Park, Upper West Side) – Led by conductor James John, artistic director of the Cerddorion Vocal Ensemble, headlamp-clad singers will walk a route along Riverside Park making stops along the way to sing medieval melodies once sung on the pilgrimage

December 26, 2019 - January 1, 2020

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