CNN HEROES AIRS ON THANKSGIVING…HONORING EVERYDAY PEOPLE THAT DO EXTRAORDINARY WORK.

CNN anchor Anderson Cooper hosted the Kodak Theatre ceremony that was attended by about 4,000 people and will air on CNN at 9 p.m. EST Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, and on CNN International and CNN en Espanol.

Leona Lewis, Carrie Underwood and Maxwell performed, and other presenters included Nicole Kidman and George Lopez.

The awards show, which is unusual for a TV news network, was created in 2007 after CNN producers and correspondents talked about meeting many unsung heroes, said Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide.

“We do something that’s not done — shine a light on everyday people that do extraordinary work,” Walton said before the event.

The 10 finalists were selected from more than 9,000 submissions by a panel that included former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Turner. The winner was chosen online by the public, with nearly 3 million votes cast.

Braylon Edwards Foundation hosts Women Moving Forwards and Reaching Back Brunch in Detroit

 

As part of the Braylon Edwards Charity Weekend there is yet another event that you don’t want to miss. Women Moving Forward and Reaching Back will honor Detroit women and their positive contributions in various fields. Please see info below for more details.

The Women Moving Forward and Reaching Back Brunch is an event hosted by NFL Pro-Bowler and philanthropist, Braylon Edwards and his mother, Malesa Plater, President of the Braylon Edwards Foundation. The event was created to honor women who have made an impact in the areas of education, health, and philanthropy. The brunch is designed to educate, encourage and empower women of all backgrounds to reach their dreams, share their stories and help others along the journey. The event serves as an initiative to raise awareness and funding for the arts and education.

This year’s guest speaker will be Dr. Ian Smith of the 50 Million Pound Challenge and VH1’s highly-rated, “Celebrity Fit Club.” The women being honored at this year’s brunch are: Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General, Carol Goss, President & CEO of the Skillman Foundation, and Danialle Karmanos, philanthropist and Executive Director of Work it Out! The brunch will take place the afternoon of June 27, 2009 at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and will feature more than 200 of Metro Detroit’s established, professional women, who have an appreciation for fine arts, dining, fashion and philanthropy. These women are also health, mind, body & soul conscious, and provide for themselves and their families.

For more info please go to: Braylonedwardsfoundation.org

NFL Pro Braylon Edwards hosts Arts & Stars Charity Event in Detroit

The Arts & Stars Gala will feature more than 1,000 of Metro-Detroit’s upscale professionals, who support philanthropy and like to “party for a cause.” These affluent individuals drink top-shelf liquor, wear designer clothes, and like to be seen at the hot spots and exclusive events.

The Max M. Fisher Music Center will serve as the backdrop for the star-studded event featuring exquisite cuisine by Metro-Detroit’s premier restaurants, open bar, ice sculptures, VIP rooms with top-shelf liquor, cabanas overlooking the dance floor. The red carpet soiree will also feature a performance by a popular recording artist.

A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Music Hall, The Detroit School of Arts (DSA) and the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. The Arts & Stars Gala’s media sponsor is Six Degrees Magazine.

NBA Pro Jalen Rose honored with Community Champion Award at Annual Black Enterprise Magazine Business Conference

 

Jalen Rose, Detroit native, ESPN analyst and one of the legendary “Fab Five” basketball phenoms at the University of Michigan in the early ’90s, will be presented with the Community Champion Award at the 2009 Black Enterprise  Small Business Awards Luncheon, hosted by Ariel Investments at the Black Enterprise Conference hosted by General Motors and ExxonMobil, held May 17-20, 2009 at the Detroit Marriott at Renaissance Center in Detroit, Mich.

Jalen Rose, a noted philanthropist and a broadcaster and analyst for ESPN/ABC, is being recognized for positive contributions to the Detroit community through The Jalen Rose Foundation, which Rose founded in 2000, the same year he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award and helped lead the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals. In 2007, The Jalen Rose Foundation passed the $1 million mark in charitable contributions, when it contributed $240,000 to help fund the Jalen Rose Endowed Scholarship at his alma mater, the University of Michigan. In addition to creating higher education opportunities for inner city students, the foundation has help to support the development of a children’s hospital in Congo, Africa, and victims assistance programs for those affected by Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 tsunami disaster in Asia. Highlights of Rose’s 13-year NBA career included being part of the Indiana Pacers team that went to three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, winning the East in 2000 and facing and ultimately falling to the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA Championship. Rose concluded his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns, which made it to the Western Conference semi-finals in 2007. Since retiring from the NBA, Rose–a mass communications major at University of Michigan who ultimately earned his bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland University College–has aggressively and successfully built a career as a sports broadcaster and studio analyst, while pursuing interests ranging from fashion and music to film and politics.

Atlanta Y.U.P. Tanya Ski and her message of GIVING at the Women of FIRE Awards Ceremony.

Tanya Ski, President of the Frank Ski Kids Foundation was the special guest speaker at The Women of F.I.R.E. Empowerment Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 4. Her message, “Give Back.”

With the highlight of the night honoring dynamic women leaders like Woman of The Year 2009 received by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Mrs. Vida Barrett receiving the Woman Of Vision award, the Excellence In Religious Leadership award going to Mrs. Sadia Kennedy, Inspiration award to Ms. Maimah Karmo and Rising Star Award to Ms. Rosetta Reeves, Mrs. Tanya Ski gave a speech that encouraged the spirit of giving and shared her story of why her and her husband, founder of the Frank Ski Kids Foundation and V103 radio Host, Frank Ski, started their own non-profit kids foundation in the year 2000.

Performances for the night included a musical performance by the Gailor Boys, a solo performances by Lawdia Kennedy and Linda-Mae McLemore.

CLICK HERE to see the photos from the event.

The Women of F.I.R.E. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to empower women and girls.

For more information log on to www.thewomenoffire.org

**F.I.R.E. is an acronym for Friends Integrated for Remarkable Excellence
For more info please check out frankskikids.org

Ludacris Foundation hosts event honoring Great Philanthropists Jane Fonda and Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin

LIMITED SEATING STILL AVAILABLE FOR BOTH EVENTS.
STRAITS Restaurant Atlanta Celebrates Opening Doors & Creating Legacies with two special events:

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009
Join us for our first anniversary as we celebrate a successful year by sharing the STRAITS exerience in the Atlanta community. We open our doors and welcome you to join us in a happy hour celebration with complimentary cocktails and appetizers.

7PM – 10PM @ STRAITS

LIVE MUSIC BY FISHHAWK

http://www.fishhawkmusic.com

RSVP online at http://straitsatl.com/rsvp/index.php
SPACE IS LIMITED
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FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009
Chris “Ludacris” Bridges will host an elegant dining experience at STRAITS Restaurant where Jane Fonda and Mayor Shirley Franklin will be honored by The Ludacris Foundation for their outstanding philanthropic efforts.

Tickets are available at $50 per person.
SPACE IS LIMITED

6PM – 7PM – Reception
7PM – 10PM – Dinner
4-course dinner with wine pairing
Dress code: Casual

RSVP + Purchase tickets online at http://straitsatl.com/rsvp/dinner.php
…………………………………………………………..

STRAITS Restaurant Atlanta
793 Juniper Street, Atlanta GA 30308

DESHAWN SNOW FOUNDATION: COLLEGE FAIR

FEATURED .ORG OF THE MONTH: Detroit Chapter Jack and Jill

DETROIT JACK AND JILL

The Detroit Chapter of Jack & Jill, Inc. was founded in January 1953 with a group of 15 mothers. The first president of the Detroit chapter was Frances Polk.  Interest in membership to the newly founded Detroit chapter was electric. At the installation of new members in September 1953, 42 mothers were installed. In 1953, the national organization increased the age of children who could participate to 19.  The Detroit chapter stood fast and decided not to include teens. Initially, there were only two groups of children, ages 2 to 5 and 6 to 12 in Detroit’s chapter. By 1956, with the continued annual installation of new members, Detroit expanded their age groups to five with a maximum of 20 children in each age group, which now included a teen group.

In 1956, Detroit was one of 16 chapters nationwide. In the early years, the monthly mother’s meetings rotated among the homes of members. Civic activities were an integral part of the mission for the Detroit chapter. For example, in the 50’s with the rise of polio the Detroit chapter along with the other nationwide chapters donated $10, 000 to the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

The National Teen convention was first held in 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio. In those days, before the civil rights movement opened up housing accommodations, the teens that participated in the conventions resided in the homes of hosting chapters. Activities during conventions were held at local schools or churches. By the late sixties, the growth of the teen convention resulted in the hosting chapter also utilizing dorm rooks at local universities to house the participants and their chaperones for the three-day event.  Today, most teen conventions are held in hotels and convention facilities. There has always been a friendly rivalry between the teens from the different chapters as they compete for various awards. When the graduating seniors move on to college, they frequently meet other students who were also in Jack & Jill and discover valuable mentors and forge instant friendships.

As of 2007, the Detroit Chapter now boasts a membership of 78 mothers and 126 children. We are proud to be among the oldest of the chapters throughout the USA, Europe, and Africa. The Detroit Chapter of Jack & Jill, like all of the other chapters of this respected organization has attracted to their membership, a variety of outstanding professional and prominent people. It’s the dedication of these mothers to enriching the lives of their children and the creation of lifelong friendships that has been the ties that bind us. For this reason, legacies return, new members join and the Detroit Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc.

New Big Brother Big Sisters Campaign Calls for More Men to Mentor.

ATTENTION MALE Y.U.P.S. MEMBERS::

Big Brothers Big Sisters is launching Phase II of its Campaign for Men to recruit more male mentors in communities across the United States. 

Funded in part by a generous grant from the Arby’s Foundation and introduced last year, the campaign is aimed at attracting more male volunteers, particularly African-American and Hispanic men.  More than 70 percent of the children waiting for mentors are boys, but only three out of every 10 inquiries about volunteering come from men.

Phase II of the campaign launches this month and will provide Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country with targeted marketing materials to recruit African-American men.  While more than a third of the Little Brothers served by the Big Brothers Big Sisters network are African-American, only 15 percent of the nonprofit organization’s male mentors are.  Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies will receive African-American male recruiting videos, web, print and bus shelter ads and other outdoor media to run in their local markets.  Agencies will also receive “100 Men in 100 Days” recruitment kits, developed and implemented successfully last year by Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Detroit agency.

In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies will receive African- American male recruiting videos. While more than a third of the Little Brothers served by the Big Brothers Big Sisters network are African-American, only 15 percent of the nonprofit organization’s male mentors are.Snippets from Big Brothers Big Sister website, bbbs.org, please visit their website for more info.

FEATURED PHILANTHROPIST:Atlanta Radio Personality, Rashan Ali, Hosts Fundraiser to benefit her charitable organization…Sporty Girls.

 

 

Sporty Girls will host an Art & Wine Tasting for its annual spring fundraiser.  The event will feature a collection of art, wine and live music by Q of 112. Come learn about how to invest in art and how to select the perfect bottle of wine.  Join us on May 21, 2009 at 7 pm at the Loft @ Castleberry Hill located at 170 Northside Drive, SW in Atlanta. Advanced donations are $35 or $40 when you arrive.  All proceeds from the event will benefit Camp Elite and are fully tax deductible. Click here for tickets. 

 ABOUT SPORTY GIRLS.

In 2006, local radio personality Rashan Ali founded Sporty Girls Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia to provide young African-American girls the opportunity to participate in non traditional sports – those not popular in the African American community.  A life-long competitive swimmer and recipient of a four-year swimming scholarship at Florida A & M University, Rashan knew that one day she would want that same opportunity for other girls like her.  Not only did she want young girls to swim, but also learn to play, soccer, golf and tennis. Through Sporty Girls she has been afforded the opportunity to introduce young African American girls to an unconventional way to participate in non-traditional sports.     

In 2008 Sporty Girls, Inc. successfully completed its first  program which was made possible through our generous donors and grants.  With the “It’s A Girl Thing” program, Sporty Girls was able to serve over 30 girls from the metro Atlanta area.  This year, we hope to take Sporty Girls, Inc. to newer and greater heights with the implementation of Sporty Girls Camp Elite.

Event Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm EST

RSVP Start Date: April 30th, 2009

RSVP End Date: May 21st, 2009 @ 4 pm EST

Maximum Number of People Allowed to RSVP: 50

Dress Code: Trendy

Age Restrictions: 21+

Contact Email: sportygirlsinc.org@gmail.com

Description:
Sporty Girls seeks to encourage African-American girls age 8 – 18 to participate and achieve success in non-traditional sports.

Website: http://www.sportygirlsinc.org

Contact Number: 678-778-2807