Bill Duke, "BLACK DIAMONDS" The Evolution Of Blacks In Baseball and D. Channsin Berry, "BOXING DIARIES" One Ring Six Men.
Tune in Sunday, March 28, 2010 (5a-6a PST) to the Southern California Experience with LaFern Cusack or listen live online HERE http://bit.ly/aABxWF
Bill Duke: With a wide range of credits to his name in almost every film discipline, including directing, producing, acting and writing, Bill Duke has founded Duke Media, formerly Yagya Productions, which has been in existence for approximately twenty years.
For three years, Mr. Duke served as the Time Warner Endowed Chair in the Department of Radio Television and Film at Howard University in Washington, DC. He was then appointed to the National Endowment of the Humanities by former president Bill Clinton. Mr. Duke has also been appointed to the California State Film Commission Board by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. Duke now serves on the Board of Trustees at the American Film Institute.
Bill Duke has also directed several award-winning, high-profile dramas and two teleplays for PBS, which received an NAACP Image Award nomination: "The Meeting" and "A Raisin in the Sun," which also earned Duke an Emmy nomination. His direction of The Killing Floor for American Playhouse garnered a total of 10 awards from film festivals across the globe and was chosen to compete in the Critic's Week of Judging (Director's Fortnight) at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival. Although Mr. Duke's work behind the camera has expanded into every conceivable genre, he has continued to be a presence in front of the camera. Duke has been seen in memorable roles, including American Gigolo opposite Richard Gere, Predator and Commando, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bird on a Wire opposite Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn. He received an NAACP Image Award nomination for his role in Action Jackson and had a starring role in the highly praised Alex Haley television series "Palmerstown, USA."
Duke has since continued to divide his time between appearing both in front of the camera and behind it, and remains a dynamic, stimulating and creative talent in Hollywood. Bill Duke is now producing and directing independent projects and content for multiple platforms. These projects serve to focus on morality and redemption and emphasize cultural history and family values. In addition to acting and directing for both film and television, Bill Duke is committed to making time for the mentoring of young African-Americans aspiring to work in the performance arts. "Black Diamonds."
Mr. Berry started his career in New York radio at WBLS (FM) (under the leadership of mentor and friend Frankie CrockerChaka Khan and Dionne Warwick to name a few. Mr.Berry also directed the PRAME Awards (Blacks in Advertising).
Mr. Berry, then used his music talent to write songs for Pop/R&B Diva Chaka Khan, Jazz vocalist Mary Stallings, Prince/Rosie Gaines, and Jazz Legend Nancy Wilson (2006 Grammy Award Winning CD "Turned to Blue").
In between his music endeavors, he worked in television as an Executive Producer/Director and sometimes hosts for various shows such as BET's, NY/LA Entertainment magazine, All The People (talk show Fox-Bay Area), Shaq Jam (Hip Hop concert, Direct TV/Fox), Remixed (BET) and the Fox entertainment show "Poker Dome." Mr.Berry, moved on to direct independent films and documentaries such as "A Different Shade of Love," "My Father's Music&Jazz" (Documentary PBS/Cable) and "The Black Line&" (A Profile of the Black Male...Parts 1, 2 and 3).
He is currently working on several Film and TV projects for Urban Winter Entertainment with business partner Mark Cohen. Mr. Berry is also the founder of the D.Channsin Berry Foundation (which raises money for LUPUS awareness). http://www.urbanwinter.com/
Also airing on The SoCal Experience:
Enrique C. Zaldivar, Director and Salvador Miranda, Division Mgr, Bureau of Sanitation City of Los Angeles.
The City collects refuse, recyclables, yard trimmings, and bulky items from more than 750,000 homes. That's an average of 6,652 tons per day. The City of Los Angeles provides residents, including those who live in apartments, townhomes, condominiums & other multi-family homes, with FREE bulky item pickup. Bulky items are discarded items that are too large to fit into a regular trash container.
They include furniture such as mattresses, sofas, cabinets; blinds, carpets, toilets, bundled wood, refrigerators, BBQs, stoves, microwaves, washers/dryers, water heaters, computers, computer monitors, laptops, stereos, TV sets, etc. It is illegal to abandon bulky items on the sidewalk, street or other public property. The fine for illegal dumping is $1,000. Anyone can call to report abandoned bulky items in the neighborhood. For more ways you can help log on to: http://www.lacitysan.org/
Airing on Radio Disney AM1110 - 6:30am-7am (PST)
No Limits, Richard Martinez, Director of Development
No Limits is to meet the auditory, speech and language needs of deaf children and enhance their confidence through the theatrical arts and individual therapy as well as provide family support and community awareness on the needs and talents of deaf children who are learning to speak.
In 1996, Michelle Christie-Adams, M.S. ED, a teacher for the deaf with over 18 years experience in the entertainment industry, founded No Limits. Ms. Christie- Adams recognized the lack of opportunities for oral deaf children to improve their speaking abilities in a fun and non-academic setting. Knowing these children can often be lost in the shuffle of the hearing world, Ms. Christie-Adams designed an after-school theater program to help develop communication skills, expand vocabulary and grammar, and understand character development. Through role- playing, cultivating creativity and developing public speaking skills No Limits children began to confidently move in to the hearing world.
After witnessing dramatic improvements in the children No Limits expanded to become a national program. Shows have included oral deaf children in over 10 states with 49 original productions and 30,000 people witnessing the accomplishments and talents of these inspiring children.
With No Limits growing success rates, the program was extended beyond the theatrical arts. In 2002, No Limits began to provide free auditory, speech and language training year-round. Donated by JP Morgan Chase, formerly Washington Mutual, the No Limits Educational Center provides free services to lower-income deaf children in the greater Los Angeles area. As a result of its comprehensive program, oral deaf children are learning essential skills that will allow them to attend college and become productive citizens of society.
The future of No Limits is focused on reaching out to more children across the country and providing services to all in need. In order to continue expansion No Limits would like to thank their generous donors and encourage you to invest in a child's life. http://www.kidswithnolimits.org/
Hemophilia Foundation Southern California Tours ESPN Radio with LaFern Cusack
Each year families affected by Hemophilia are invited to a day packed full of training, medical updates, product seminars, workshops, and peer support groups specifically geared towards meeting the current needs of the hemophilia community. Past sessions have included topics such as updates in medical treatment, gene therapy, Hepatitis, Creuzfeldt-Jacob disease, and HIV, Stress Management, Blood Safety, Insurance Reimbursement / Policies, and the importance of exercise and fitness. LaFern Cusack gave the future broadcasters a behind the scene look at what it takes to be in radio and Steve Pailet provided useful editing and board tips. The group was also given the opportunity to express their vocal talents on-air! The Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California has been serving the community for fifty years providing quality programs and services to individuals affected by Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
Their mission is to improve the quality of life and build community for families and individuals living with hemophilia or other bleeding disorders by offering a variety of programs and services that educate, advocate and support the needs of the bleeding disorders community in Southern California. October 9, 2010 is the Hemophilia Walk in Southern California at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. For more information: Hemophilia Walk Hemophilia is an inherited blood clotting disorder, occurring primarily in males, in which one or more of the 15 vital clotting proteins, called clotting factors, are either deficient or inactive.
Many believe that an individual with hemophilia will bleed harder or faster than normal, or that they can bleed to death from a small cut. THIS IS NOT TRUE! However, individuals with hemophilia, because of their inability to form a blood clot, will bleed longer. Small surface cuts and bruises are usually not a problem and normally clot on their own. Internal bleeding into a muscle, joint, organ, or head is more serious and typically requires treatment. Head injuries resulting in brain hemorrhage can also be life threatening. (more)
The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation
The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation's goal is to assist nonprofit community organizations based on need. With the Foundation's focus on the use of sports to promote education, teamwork and self-esteem among Los Angeles area youth, our fundraising directly supports these initiatives by providing financial assistance to children and local youth programs. Please Note: Raffle open only to residents of Los Angeles, Orange Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura Counties, who are eitheen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry and have a tax identification number.For More Info Contact:
Roberta Mariani
Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation
555.N.Nash St.
El.Segundo,CA 90245
Ann Cusack to Present Tracey Miller Merit Award to LaFern Cusack at the American Women in Radio & Television Southern California 2010 GENII AWARDS
Ann Cusack has been in films such as The Informant with Matt Damon, Accepted with Justin Long, Sensation of Sight starring David Straihairn, Ace Ventura Pet Detective Jr. HBO’s Earth to the Moon as Jan Armstrong, Tank Girl starring Lory Petty and Niami Watts, Multiplicity with Michael Keaton and Andie McDowell, and What Planet are You From opposite Annette Benning and Gary Shandling for director Mike Nichols. She has worked with her siblings John and Joan in Gross Pointe Blank, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Americas Sweetheart. She can also be remembered in Birdcage, Renaissance Man, Cannes Man, and Stigmata starring Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Bryne to name of few. On television a few of her credits include Criminal Minds, Trauma, Private Practice, The Unit, Boston Legal, HBO’s Little Britain, Greek, Brothers and Sister, Army Wives, Grey’s Anatomy, The Ghost Whisperer, t ABC’s movie of the week, Fatal Contact, Six Feet Under, Ally McBeal, Fraiser, Star Trek Enterprise, Charmed, and One Tree Hill. She has also starred in Lifetime’s Maggie, NBC’s The Jeff Foxworthy Show and the critical acclaimed David E. Kelly’s The Brotherhood of Poland New Hampshire as Chris Penn’s wife.
LaFern Cusack serves as the Director of Community Affairs for the Southern California Broadcasters Association. She works closely with local community groups, acting as the liaison between the broadcasting stations and these organizations in order to better serve the community at large.
LaFern Cusack also produces and hosts 710 ESPN's "Southern California Experience" (Sun. 5a-6a) and Radio Disney AM1110 "Community Playground" (Sun 6:30a-7a). With these shows LaFern delivers an inspiring, dynamic and insightful experience to listeners. She brings her humor, warmth and talent for tackling topical community issues with her unique style connecting with every aspect of the show.
As an AWRT SoCal board member, LaFern served as Job Bank Director, Newsletter Director, Corresponding Secretary and President. She was awarded with the AWRT National Rising Star BELL Award for Excellence in 2004 and produced the 2006 Genii Awards which was awarded the BELL Award for Outstanding Fundraising- Financial. LaFern Cusack organized and facilitated fundraising events, diversity educational workshops, mixers, and various Radio and Television educational panels.
Cusack serves on the Board of Directors for Print Interactive Radio and Television Educational Society (P.I.R.A.T.E.S), Advisory Board for American Women in Radio and Television Southern California Chapter, LA36 Public Access Committee and the Mayor's Office of Census 2010 Communications Steering Committee. LaFern is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Actors Equity Association.
The Tracey Miller Award honors an AWRT Southern California Chapter member who has shown an outstanding commitment to AWRT, the Southern California Chapter of AWRT, and who has made positive contributions to the industry.
Known for her rich contralto voice and quick wit, Miller, four-time Los Angeles Press Club Golden Mike Award winner, was among the first female hosts in Los Angeles, helping KFI establish itself as a drivetime leader with the popular "TNT in the Morning." Due to her countless contributions to the broadcasting industry, in June of 2005, the Southern California Chapter of AWRT established a Genii Merit Award in her name.
American Women in Radio and Television, Southern California
2010 Genii Awards, hosted by Sam Rubin
AWARD WINNERS BEING HONORED:
Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting
Betty White, Actress "The Golden Girls", "Boston Legal", "The Proposal"
Excellence in Television On Air Award
Mary Hart, Host for "Entertainment Tonight"
Excellence in Documentary Award
In honor of her work with Farrah Fawcett
Alana Stewart, Producer, "Farrah's Story"
Excellence in Sports Reporting Award
Lindsay Soto, Reporter and Host, NFL Network
Excellence in Radio On Air Award
Lisa Foxx, On Air for Clear Channel Radio, 104.3MYfm Los Angeles, Star 101.3 San Francisco, and Star 94.1 San Diego
Excellence in Radio Management Award
Rosemary Hernandez, General Sales Manager at CBSNewsRadioLA, KNX1070 NEWSRADIO, and KFWB NEWS TALK 980
Excellence in Advertising Award
Karla Keller, Senior Account Executive for Anheuser Busch
Tracey Miller Merit Award
LaFern Cusack, AWRT SoCal Past President and Director of Community Affairs for Southern California Broadcasters Association, 710 ESPN, and Radio Disney AM 1110
Inspiration Award
The Good News Foundation
Wendy Burch, Founder/Chairperson; and Reporter, KTLA
Pat Harvey, Co-Chair; and Main Anchor, KCAL
Christine Devine, Co-Chair; and Main Anchor, KTTV Fox 11
Dorothy Lucey, Secretary; and Host, "Good Day LA", KTTV Fox 11
Ana Garcia, Board Member; and Anchor/Investigative Reporter, KNBC-TV
WHEN:
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction
7:00 - 9:00p.m. Dinner and Awards Ceremony
WHERE:
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles,CA 90049
TICKETS:
http://www.awrtsocal.org/
Click Here for more information.
