New program will form partnerships and develop new curriculum for students

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — On Thursday, August 25, 2011, The Alpha Phi Alpha Charitable Foundation, Inc. (APACF) announced a major donation of iPads® and educational support services to two local DC schools as part of the launch of the foundation’s new program. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Southeast DC and The Paul Public Charter School in Northwest DC will receive an equal share of iPads ® to be used for math and science classes.

The new APACF Technology Grant Program will partner these schools with Howard University, which will provide them with ongoing administrative and technical support. Additionally, the foundation is providing the schools with an e-curriculum specialist to help them develop a new integrated curriculum that will enhance the students’ learning experience using technological approaches and teaching methods. This program is a unique collaboration that will promote the academic preparation and success for students in a world that is rapidly evolving due to technology.

“When we reflect on our mission to develop leaders, we have to start by investing in the children in our community. We have to ensure that they are receiving the best education through an innovative and supportive environment,” said Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., Chairman of APACF. “This new program is only the beginning of our commitment to improving the lives of students at urban schools by preparing them for academic achievement and lifetime success.”

The overall goal of the program is to generate impactful results from the students’ learning experience and ultimately introduce the program in other urban schools. The Foundation plans to continue to invest grant resources and look for ways to help operate and improve the program. Additionally, APACF is seeking to expand it by promoting and encouraging more partnerships and collaboration with other academic and technology companies.

APACF’s investment in DC public schools was made possible because of a $100,000 donation from Alpha Brother former Senator Edward Brooke in 2008. Brooke, the first elected African-American Senator since Reconstruction, has been a strong advocate for education and the need for positive role models in the African American community for decades. His commitment to the cause has been unparalleled.

The iPad® investment coincides during the weeklong dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall.

Photocaption: L to R: Vincent Orange, DC Council Member at Large and Alpha Brother; Dennis Kemp, APACF Board Member and Alpha Brother; Student, Paul Public Charter School; Jami Dunham, Head Master, The Paul Public Charter School; Darryl R. Matthews, Sr., Chairman, Alpha Phi Alpha Charitable Foundation, Inc. (APACF); Students, The Paul Public Charter School; Mark S. Tillman, Alpha Brother; Brian Hill, Teacher, Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary and Alpha Brother. Photo Credit: Khalid Naji-Allah
About The Foundation
The Alpha Phi Alpha Charitable Foundation was created in 2008 to operate as a 501(C) 3 charitable organization. The mission of the Foundation is to promote scholarship and academic achievement, develop leaders, and provide resources, services and advocacy to our global community. Currently, efforts of the foundation are focused on urban school settings and the effort to grow resources and partnerships to aggressively attack the lack of innovation, achievement, preparation often found in these environments. Current programs include a new technology based effort to maximize the human capital found in our inner city school systems and prepare them for future academic and corporate success. The foundation is also developing a scholarship program for collegiate males who wish to enter the academic field and work in urban schools. The initial funding for this effort was provided by former Senator Edward Brooke

 Chicago, IL – The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), the world’s longest-running year-round presenter of American tap dance and contemporary percussive arts, opens its 22nd season with Global Rhythms, its annual community-building, shared-revenue performances that spotlight national and international artists. Performances are November 26 and 27 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

Global Rhythms artists

• The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago (Nov. 27 only) aims to perpetuate and showcase the splendor of Mexico’s traditional dance, music, dress and history, and to cultivate and promote public awareness and appreciation of this rich cultural heritage.

•  Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater (Nov. 26 only) shares the rich traditions of the dance, music, literature and culture of Spain in classical, folkloric and Flamenco styles.

•  Step Afrika! (Nov. 26 and 27), returning for the third year with all-new works, is the first professional company in the world dedicated to stepping, a unique dance tradition that grew out of the song and dance rituals practiced by historically African-American fraternities and sororities in the mid-1900s. Step Afrika! creates an “ocean of sound” with contemporary stepping and hip hop beside ancient Zulu dances, South African gumboot dancing and more.

Thanks 4 Giving

In conjunction with Global Rhythms and in the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, CHRP offers an opportunity to give back to Chicago nonprofits while increasing its exposure to new audiences through the Thanks 4 Giving program. When purchasing tickets, patrons receive a 10 percent discount by mentioning one of more than 50 participating Chicago-area nonprofit organizations, and CHRP shares 50 percent of the revenue from that sale with the selected organization. In previous years, Thanks 4 Giving has produced as much as $32,000 in revenue for Chicago-based nonprofits. Visit this link for a current list of 2011 participants to date. Nonprofits interested in participating should call the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, 773-281-1825.

Ticket information

Global Rhythms performances take place Saturday, November 26 at 8 p.m. (Step Afrika! and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater) and Sunday, November 27 at 7 p.m. (Step Afrika! and Mexical Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago) at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Tickets are $15-55 and are available by calling 312-334-7777 or visiting harristheaterchicago.org. All programming is subject to change. For information, visit chicagotap.org.

About Chicago Human Rhythm Project

CHRP’s 2011-12 season is supported by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Target, The Boeing Company, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The MacArthur Foundation for Arts & Culture at Prince, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, The Saints, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, The Jeanette & Jerome Cohen Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, The Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg Family Foundation, L&L Hardwood Flooring, The Service Club of Chicago, Arts Work Fund, Leo’s Dancewear, The Seneca Hotel and Suites and generous individual donors.

Founded in 1990, Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) builds community by presenting American tap dance and contemporary percussive arts in world-class and innovative performance, education and community outreach programs. The organization’s vision is to establish the first global center for American tap and percussive arts (The American Rhythm Center), which will create a complete ecosystem of education, performance, creation and community in a state-of-the-art facility uniting generations of diverse artists and the general public.

CHRP Founder/Director Lane Alexander served as the only member of Chicago’s dance community on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s transition team for Arts & Culture. And CHRP has raised more than $700,000 to support the establishment of the Collaborative Space for Sustainable Development (working title),which will serve as a shared, affordable and eventually self-sufficient education, rehearsal and administrative facility for several Chicago arts organizations.

Loretta Devine, Isaiah Washington, Stacey Dash, Jurnee Smollett, George Wallace, Romeo Miller, Jon Huertas attend the 21st NAACP Theatre Awards

Diahann Carroll-Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree

Hollywood, CA (BlackNews.com) — The Director’s Guild of America was filled with celebrities and smiles at the 21st Annual Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Theatre Awards on Monday night. The hostess Niecy Nash appeared beautifully as she opened the show with a dance number, which included MTV’s Video Music Award Nominee Jeffrey Page, Jason Samuels Smith and Chloe Arnold. Actress Jurnee Smollett and Romeo Miller presented Best Supporting Female and Male, which both categories are familiar to them. Youthful new comedian actor Brandon T. Jackson had the honor of introducing ‘Star Wars’ hero Wren T. Brown, who enjoyed the fact that he announced Obba Babatunde as this year’s Trailblazer honoree. Babatunde was also saluted by a tribute via “Chicago” The Musical Featuring “Razzle Dazzle”.

Keith Robinson announced his upcoming music single as he presented the winners from the pre-show Technical Awards which also featured actors Vik Sahay and Jaqueline Fleming. Further in the evening George Wallace brought down the house with laughter as he introduced some new jokes and then actress Diahann Caroll accepted her Lifetime Achievement Award from long time friend Billy Dee Williams. Behind the stage Isaiah Washington, Margaret Avery and Harry Lennix had conversations to catch up as long time peers. While on the stage, Orlando Jones and Stacey Dash got the audience excited as they presented Best Lead Female and Male.

Jill Marie Jones and Michole White reviewed the Theatre Festival highlights which also featured Babatunde’s salute to Sammy Davis Jr. European actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim introduced actress Loretta Devine who also was a nominee that evening for Best Musical Director. Devine presented the NAACP Theatre Spirit Award to young star Raven-Symone, who currently stars with Devine on ABC’s “State of Georgia”. Wendy Raquel Robinson got to present with old time friend and actor Dorien Wilson. Isaiah Washington presented the President’s Award to Pamela Browner White. The show continued with film stars Robinne Lee and Jon Huertas who are co-starring in “Miss Dial” together and the show closed with actors Brian White and Tatyana Ali, who both have a long standing history in theatre.

This year’s sponsors also included Southern California Edison, Nielsen, City of Los Angeles Eighth District Bernard C. Parks, Verizon, Moreno BHLV, Hollywood Weekly Magazine, Carol’s Daughter, Arlana’s Gourmet Cookies, Herradura Tequila, Brotherhood Crusade, George O’Niel, KJLH, The Kinsey Collection, Southwest Airlines and Rent A Center. The show is executive produced by Tia Boyd, was choreographed by Sakinah LeStage and musically directed by Gil Smith.

This year’s NAACP Theater Award Winners are:

Best Choreography – Equity
In The Heights – Andy

Best Choreography – Local
The Women of Brester Place, the Musical – Ameenah Kaplan

Best Costumes – Equity
Dreamgirls – William Ivey Long

Best Costumes – Local
Langston and Nicolas – Nancy Renee

Best Director – Equity
Take Me Out – Michael Matthews

Best Director – Local
The Ballad Of Emmett Till – Shirley Jo Finney

Best Director of a Musical – Equity
In The Heights – Thomas Kail

Best Director of a Musical – Local
The Women of Brewster Place, The Musical – Michael Matthews

Best Ensemble Cast – Equity
Ruined

Best Ensemble Cast – Local
Transitions

Best Lead Female – Equity
Dreamgirls – Moya Angela

Best Lead Female – Local
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf – Sonya Evans

Best Lead Male – Equity
The Whipping Man – Charlie Robinson

Best Lead Male – Local
A Soldiers Play – Obba Babatunde

Best Lighting – Equity
In The Heights – Howell Binkley

Best Lighting – Local
Pieces Of Me – Sammie Wayne

Best Music Director – Equity
In The Heights – Alex Lacamoire

Best Music Director – Local
Billie! Backstage with Lady Day – Lanny Hartley

Best One Person Show – Equity
Through the Night – Daniel Beaty

Best One Person Show – Local
Billie! Backstage with Lady Day – Synthia L. Hardy

Best Playwright – Equity
Ruined – Lynn Nottage

Best Playwright – Local
Transitions – Kellie Roberts

Best Producer – Equity
In The Heights – Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman Willis, Sander Jacobs, Goodman/Grossman, Peter Fine and Everett/Skipper

Best Producer – Local
The Reckoning – Ben Guillory and Robey Theatre Company in Assn. with Latino Theatre Company

Best Set Design – Equity
In The Heights – Anna Louizos

Best Set Design – Local
Three Sisters After Chekhov – Shaun Motley

Best Sound – Equity
In The Heights – Acme Sound Partners

Best Sound – Local
The Emperor’s Last Performance – Eric Butler

Best Supporting Female – Equity
Steel Magnolias – Baadja-Lyne

Best Supporting Female – Local
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf – Tiffany Snow

Best Supporting Male – Equity
Dreamgirls – Chester Gregory

Best Supporting Male – Local
The Emperor’s Last Performance – Robert Clements
For More Information NAACP Theatre Awards, visit:
www.bhwdnaacptheatreawards.com

For Pictures of the Show, visit:
www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=121356321#

Bookcover

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — Motivated by Passion, Held Back by Fear by Tchicaya Ellis Robertson, Ph.D. and Sheila Taylor-Downer, Certified Life Coach, inspires readers to break past the familiar boundaries of inertia and begin living with passion. Among the many valuable lessons they offer readers, the authors teach that by focusing on our passions, the money will follow, that we must cultivate our natural talents, that big dreams equal big rewards, and warns that if we do not choose our destinies, someone else will.

To help readers to achieve these goals and be successful in their quests to live their dreams, Robertson and Taylor-Downer provide the 10 Key Principles of Passion:

To live your passion:

* Trust that wealth will be the natural progression of focusing on what makes you happy.
* Be persistent and don’t quit.
* Have faith that God will give you the wisdom and the guidance to find your passion.
* Believe in yourself and in your ability to live your passion.
* Ignore the naysayers.
* Do something, no matter how small, every day that will move you toward living your passion.
* Set goals, make plans, follow those plans, and measure your progress.
* Take calculated risks.
* Develop your natural talent because the better you are at it, the better you will feel about it.
* Dream big or go home.
* Lead by Example.

The authors urge readers to reflect on their natural talents, as “Once you find it, you’ve found your passion.” Although you may have a natural gift, taking classes or lessons to excel in your chosen area may help you to hone your skills and give you more confidence in pursuing it professionally. Robertson and Taylor-Downer teach readers that “doing what makes you happy IS what will make you rich – rich spiritually, physically, mentally, and yes, financially.” Once you have removed the boredom and misery in your life to discover “richness and fulfillment,” the financial reward follows.

While big dreams reap big rewards, the authors urge readers to “reframe your dream as a goal” and then to “reduce that goal to a clear and measurable objective” and write a “vision statement” which is a statement about where someone sees themselves in the future. Although every pursued dream involves a degree of risk, it should be taken after it has been calculated and weighed.

Motivated by Passion, Held Back by Fear takes a practical approach to pursuing dreams that is equally inspirational and applicable. Robertson and Taylor-Downer help readers to unlock the potential that their lives hold in a calculated manner that is manageable and approachable, providing solid advice and helping readers to realize that the seemingly insurmountable is indeed within reach.

Living Your Passion Project
4300 Lincoln Highway
Matteson, IL 60443

Motivated by Passion, Held Back by Fear
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