Simmons Lathan Media Group Announces Initiative To Support Urban Filmmaking

Simmons Lathan Media Group (SLMG), a leading producer and distributor of media content with an urban/hip-hop theme, and the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts today announced the creation of the Alumni Def Filmmaker Award, a competition for developing a narrative or documentary feature filmwith an urban/hip-hop theme. The contest, open to filmmakers from the Kanbar Institute who have graduated within the past five years, provides for production funding for up to $300,000 for a feature film project and up to $150,000 for a documentary project.

“In our continued effort to expand filmmaking opportunities for the most talented story-tellers in Hip Hop/Urban Culture, we are extremely pleased to be partnering with the Tisch School’s Kanbar Institute, which has educated some of the most talented and acclaimed filmmakers in the industry today,” said Will Griffin, president of SLMG.

“SLMG founders are pioneers in urban-themed film and television, and we are honored to have been chosen as a partner in the Def Filmmaker Award competition,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, dean of the Tisch School of the Arts. “While Kanbar filmmakers are some of the best emerging talents anywhere, making the transition from student to professional filmmaker is a difficult one. The early financial assistance provided by this Award will make building a filmmaking career considerably easier.”

Alumni Def Filmmaker Award Details
To be eligible, applicants must have graduated from the Tisch School of the Arts Kanbar Institute of Film and Television within five years of the call for submission date of December 1, 2004. Film projects must be in the
urban/hip-hop genre and submitted no later than February 15, 2005. Participants must submit the following materials: a screenplay (narrative category) or an outline (documentary category); a treatment of no more than 10 pages; personal statement of no more than 2-typed pages; comprehensive budget of up to $300,000 (narrative projects) or up to $150,000 (documentary projects); a visual statement pertaining to the film.

Twelve semi-finalist projects, to be chosen by the faculty of the Kanbar Institute, will be forwarded to SLMG’s offices. No later than March 15, 2005 a panel of judges from SLMG will choose three finalists, who will be required to prepare a storyboard for his or her project. No later than May 1, 2005 SLMG will select no fewer than one and no more than two winners to receive production funding of their project/s. SLMG will secure distribution for the winning project/s in home video, television and pay television outlets. For additional information or to apply, contact: Bradley Essex at 212.992.8461.

About The Kanbar Institute Of Film And Television
The Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at the Tisch School of the Arts provides an intensive and professional education in filmmaking. The program shared first place in recent U.S. News and World Report rankings of the nation’s film programs; since 1992, fifteen Student Academy Award gold medals have been presented to NYU student filmmakers by the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. At the 1998 Sundance Film Festival, NYU students and alumni walked away with an unprecedented seven awards in virtually every top-prize category.

And at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival NYU graduates and faculty won nine out of the 19 awards. Approximately 150 graduate and 1,050 undergraduate film students pursue degrees in film and television production, photography, cinema studies, dramatic writing, and interactive telecommunications. Distinguished alumni of the Tisch School of the Arts include Alec Baldwin, Joel Coen, Chris
Columbus, Billy Crystal, Martha Coolidge, Ernest Dickerson, Marcia Gay Harden, Amy Heckerling, Jim Jarmusch, Kristen Johnston, Ang Lee, Spike Lee, Camryn Manheim, Debra Messing, Brett Ratner, Nancy Savoca, Martin Scorsese, Susan Seidelman, Molly Shannon, and Oliver Stone, among many others.

About Simmons Lathan Media Group
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Simmons Lathan Media Group (SLMG) produces, acquires and distributes original urban/hip-hop themed media content, including: fiction and non-fiction film, television, radio, Internet, and theatrical productions. Founded by media entrepreneur Will Griffin, in partnership with hip hop mogul Russell Simmons and television pioneer Stan Lathan, the tandem who developed ground breaking shows like Def Comedy Jam and
the Tony Award winning Def Poetry on Broadway, SLMG is redefining the way urban media content is developed and distributed to the 45.3 million ethnically diverse urban consumer audience. For more information on SLMG visit: http://www.simmonslathan.com.

VH1 AIDS Summit Cocktail Reception

Singer Wyclef Jean, VH1 President Christina Norman, hip-hop artist Common, and MTV Networks International President Bill Roedy were a few of the personalities on hand for the VH1 AIDS Summit cocktail reception at the Azaza Restaurant on November 23, 2004 in New York City, New York.

Common is featured as a spokesperson in connection with the launch of a new set of public service advertisements (PSAs), which promotes HIV/AIDS testing.

The television, radio, and outdoor messages mark the second wave of the groundbreaking “Knowing is Beautiful” series that launched in June, which seeks to redefine how young people think about HIV testing and to eliminate the associated stigma.

Fantasia Barrino Launches New Shades With M*A*C

American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino launches two new M*A*C Lipglass shades at the M*A*C Harlem store November 22, 2004 in New York City.

The singer is also reportedly designing pieces for the Macy’s clothing line American Rag Cie.

Her debut CD, “Free Yourself”, features production by hitmakers Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, and Rodney Jerkins. Fantasia has a very unique vocal style and the album is expected to be a huge success not only because of the high end producers attached to the project. Other American Idol constestants such as Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, and Kelly Clarkson have each sold more than 1 million copies of their debut CDs.

(Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)

Royal Caribbean International Selects SpikeDDB as African American Agency of Record

Royal Caribbean International has named SpikeDDB its new agency of record for the line’s African-American integrated marketing communications business.

SpikeDDB was awarded the account after a lengthy review process that included two other finalists. The agency will handle all marketing communications targeting the African-American community for Royal Caribbean, including creative, media, interactive, public relations, and research.

“SpikeDDB’s ability to conceive and execute strategically based creative, coupled with its strong understanding of media consumption among African- American consumers, makes it the ideal partner for our brand,” said Dan Hanrahan, senior vice president, Marketing and Sales, for Royal Caribbean International. “We have built a reputation for both providing innovative and unexpected vacation experiences, and marketing them in the same manner. We know SpikeDDB will help us continue to reach consumers in fresh, creative and relevant ways.”

“We are delighted to be working with Royal Caribbean, a leading brand in the global cruise industry. We look forward to building the brand by showcasing the many attributes that appeal strongly to African-American travelers,” said Dana Wade, president of SpikeDDB.

SpikeDDB will help Royal Caribbean reach African-American travelers who are adventurous, who like to explore new places, and who want to do, see and experience more on their vacation. The integrated campaign effort is due to launch in early spring 2005 and will be in sync with the line’s award-winning “Get Out There” campaign, first launched in 2000.

SpikeDDB is a full-service advertising agency focused on building brands against urban-minded consumers. The agency is a partnership formed by famed film director Spike Lee and DDB Worldwide Communications Group.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 19 ships in service and two more under construction. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. For additional information about the cruise line, please visit the company’s Web site at http://www.royalcaribbean.com or call 800-327-6700.

Oprah Winfrey Debuts as First African-American On BusinessWeek’s Annual Ranking of ‘Americas Top Philanthropists’

Television talk-show host Oprah Winfrey debuts at No. 40 on BusinessWeek’s annual ranking of America’s top givers. Oprah’s $151 million in gifts and pledges to various charities earns her the distinction of being the first African-American on BusinessWeek’s list. Another notable newcomer this year is Veronica Atkins, the widow of Dr. Robert C. Atkins, who pledged her entire $500 million fortune to end the “di-obesity” — diabetes and obesity — epidemic made famous by her late husband.

In addition to Oprah, this year’s billion-dollar-club members include No. 1 givers Bill and Melinda Gates, the world’s largest international donors, who made history this year by giving their estimated $3 billion Microsoft Corp. dividend to their foundation. It’s one of the largest donations in history by a living donor. To put it into perspective, that one gift is three times bigger than the amount that America’s richest family, the descendants of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. founder Sam Walton, has given during their entire lifetimes, according to the BusinessWeek ranking.

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African American Cowboys Compete For Rodeo Championship

Billy Ray Thunder of Jonesboro, Georgia hangs on to a bull as he bolts out of the gate during the National Black Rodeo Finals on November 13, 2004 at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, Louisiana.

The event was the culmination of a multi-month tour that covered Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The Mighty Tiger Marching Band of Grambling University also stirred the crowd with one of their nationally regarded football half-time shows.

You can visit the official website for the “Real Cowboys” association to see winner photos, event coverage, and more:

On the Web:
http://www.realcowboyassociation.com

(Photo by Mario Villafuerte/Getty Images)

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$1,000 College Scholarships Available to Region’s Top African American and Latino Students

PHILADELPHIA, McDonald’s Restaurants of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Kent and New Castle Counties, Delaware are searching for qualified applicants to enter the following $1,000 scholarship competitions:

— Ronald McDonald House Charities/African American Future Achievers, which awards $1,000 to up to 20 African American high school seniors (deadline January 10, 2005)
— Ronald McDonald House Charities/Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources (RMHC/HACER), which awards $1,000 to up to 20 Latino high school seniors (deadline February 15, 2005)

Recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, community involvement and financial need. To be eligible, students must reside or attend school in the following counties in Pennsylvania: Berks, Bucks, Chester,
Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia; New Jersey: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Monroe, Salem; or Delaware: Kent and New Castle. Also eligible are high school students from Phillipsburg, New Jersey. To obtain an application, students should contact their high school guidance counselors; or call 215/790-4320.

“Partnering with the African American and Latino communities to support the academic goals of our youth is a source of great pride for both RMHC and McDonald’s,” said Mike Anton, President of the Greater Philadelphia Region RMHC Chapter. “We view these scholarship programs as an investment in the future of not only our individual winners, but also of their communities.”

RMHC/Future Achievers
In 2004, the RMHC/Future Achievers program awarded a total of $20,000 in college scholarships to 20 outstanding students who are now pursuing their academic dreams. McDonald’s also recognized the winners with an awards celebration during Black History Month (February) where the students were addressed by Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street and music legend Kenny Gamble, who was also honored by McDonald’s as the Anthony De Luz Black History Maker
of Today for his philanthropy and accomplishments in the field of music.

The mission of RMHC/Future Achievers is to impact the lives of young people in the African American community by recognizing their accomplishments, their potential and their commitment to serve the community. RMHC/Future Achievers is a national scholarship program, which was introduced to local RMHC chapters during the 2001-2002 academic year. Last year, RMHC awarded nearly $1.1 million in scholarships to students beginning college this fall.
In the Greater Philadelphia Region, $23,000 in scholarships has been awarded since the program’s inception in the 2002-2003 school year. Prior to offering the RMHC/Future Achievers scholarship, McDonald’s awarded 15, $1,000 scholarships to African American juniors through the Black History Makers of Tomorrow scholarship competition.

RMHC/HACER
In 2004, the RMHC/HACER program awarded a total of 20 scholarships to talented Latinos throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region. The winners were recognized at an awards celebration attended by their families, members of the McDonald’s community and key Latino leaders. The event featured live, cultural entertainment; dining; and award presentations.

The RMHC/HACER scholarship program was established in 1985 through the combined efforts of RMHC, McDonald’s Owner/Operators and McDonald’s Corporation to provide financial support to Latino students committed to pursuing higher education. Through the continued support of McDonald’s Owner/Operators and RMHC, RMHC/HACER has become nationally recognized as the United States’ largest Latino-focused high school-to-college scholarship program, operating in 45 cities in the United States. In the Greater
Philadelphia Region, $126,000 in scholarships has been awarded since 1995.

RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Greater Philadelphia Region is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the lives of children and families. In addition to the Future Achievers and HACER scholarship programs, Ronald McDonald House Charities “lifts children to a better tomorrow” by supporting the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses, as well as the St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children Ronald McDonald Care Mobile; and by making grants to non-profit children’s organizations.

McDonald’s is the world’s leading foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 McDonald’s restaurants serving 47 million customers each day in more than 120 countries. More than 70 percent of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and businesswomen.

There are more than 300 McDonald’s restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia Region, which includes Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Kent and New Castle counties in Delaware, that proudly support the RMHC/Future Achievers and RMHC/HACER scholarship programs.

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