Entertainment
Another Successful Year For WBLS Circle of Sisters
This past weekend, the biggest names in entertainment, finance, politics, business and more converged upon the Jacob Javits Center for Circle of Sisters,
This past weekend, the biggest names in entertainment, finance, politics, business and more converged upon the Jacob Javits Center for Circle of Sisters, the largest EXPO in New York City uniting, motivating and celebrating women of color.
Hosted by WBLS 107.5 FM, and WQHT HOT 97 FM, the #1 station for Hip Hop in the world, Circle of Sisters is the premier EXPO in New York celebrating women of color with over 250 upcoming & established vendors, panels & breakout sessions, and live broadcast & performances stages.
“There is no event out there like Circle of Sisters, whether you look at it from its size, its activations, or its star-power,” states Deon Levingston, General Manager of Emmis NY. “This year’s event was incredible! We had over 250 vendors participate, the most we’ve ever had, and more than 55,000 attendees stop by the EXPO over the course of the weekend. The biggest names in entertainment came through, including a surprise appearance from 50 Cent and an intimate discussion with Bobby Brown, and we produced two solid concerts, providing live performances for every kind of music-lover. We continually look at ways to expand the event to fit our consumers’ wants, such as the Man Cave, for a relaxing break from the crowds, and the merchandise booth, where attendees were able to purchase event souvenirs including the Circle of Sisters t-shirt and bag. And it doesn’t stop there: we’re already planning how to make the event bigger and better for 2016!”
Attendees experienced exclusive, intimate discussions with Bobby Brown, Jennifer Hudson and the Cast of The Color Purple, the men of BET’s Being Mary Jane, and more. The panels and breakout discussions offered something for everyone, from the stars of Starz’s hit show, Power, discussing the viewer’s shift from reality TV to drama series, to some of the most powerful women in corporate America discussing their climb to the top.
The HealthFirst Cooking Pavilion featured a wide variety of delicious demonstrations from celebrity chefs including Bobby Brown, Pat Neely, Jeff Vaden, and host, Nikki Shaw. On Saturday night, concert goers danced the night away at Circle of Sisters R&B Live, presented by MajorWorld, with performances by the legendary Chaka Khan, alongside R&B superstars Avant and Jaheim. Sunday morning, WLIB’s Bishop Hezekiah Walker led attendees in an uplifting, spiritual service before the panels, performances, and vendor floor continued for the second day.
The entire EXPO closed out with the MetroPCS Gospel Explosion, where Brian Courtney Wilson, Tasha Cobbs, Tina Campbell, Pastor Charles Jenkins, Anthony Brown & group therAPy and more brought the crowd to their feet with their soulful, inspirational voices.
Black Excellence
Inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards
Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
Get a look inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.
Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
About ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honors women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.
Honorees
This year’s honorees and entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy nominated singer and leading-actress Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby.
Check out some photo highlights inside the 17th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
For more, please visit http://www.essence.com/bwih2024
Culture
U.S. Virgin Islands Announces the Performance Line-up for St. Thomas Carnival Village Featuring Shaggy, Sizzla, Patrice Roberts, and Machel Montano
The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and Division of Festivals has announced the performance line-up for the 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village.
72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village
The Village will be headlined by Caribbean superstars Shaggy, Patrice Roberts, Sizzla Kalonji, Kes, and Machel Montano, who will kick off the six-night free Village concerts on Monday, April 29.
“The anticipation around this year’s St. Thomas Carnival is at an all-time high, and the Village night performers reflect the continued influence and growth of our territory’s three carnivals,” exclaims USVI Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.
Center Stage
Adam O, Rudy Live, Temisha, Karnage, Blind Earz, VIO International, and Spectrum Band are among the performers who will take center stage to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Every year, our goal is to pay homage to the vast Virgin Islands and Caribbean culture that is at the cornerstone of these annual celebrations for natives and visitors alike,” added USVI Division of Festivals Director Ian Turnbull.
Haitian kompa band VAYB and Dominican salsa orchestra Chiquito Team Band will provide a cross-cultural immersion of sound, highlighting the diverse musical interests of Virgin Islands residents.
First-time performers
Rounding out the village are a few first-time performers in the territory, including TeeJay, Jada Kingdom, and Kollision Band, and returning favorites Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, and Grandmasters.
Kids Night Out Village Night
This year, the Division of Festivals will host its first Kids Night Out Village Night, with activities including the Toddlers Derby, Best Dressed Doll, and performances by TMK and OTB.
More information on 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival Village
For up-to-date information about the 72nd Annual St. Thomas Carnival, visit https://www.instagram.com/usvifestivals/.
Culture
Online romances get a dose of reality in OWN’S all-new love & relationship series ‘The Never Ever Mets’
Hosted by Ta’Rhonda Jones, this 10-episode series features seven couples who have been virtually dating for some time and believe they may have found lasting love – only they have never met each other in person.
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced an all-new relationship series that takes online dating into the real world, The Never Ever Mets.
About The Never Ever Mets Series
Hosted by Ta’Rhonda Jones, this 10-episode series features seven couples who have been virtually dating for some time and believe they may have found lasting love – only they have never met each other in person! Now, they’re meeting face-to-face for the very first time and sharing a house together for three weeks to see if their internet love can survive off the screen and in real life.
Synopsis
As all seven couples convene under the same roof, dating in person rather than through their computers or phones quickly proves to be the biggest challenge yet.
While many couples have been years in the making, some quickly find the in-person relationship is not what they anticipated.
To test the strength of their love connections, the group participates in a series of fun and flirty relationship activities, couples therapy and for some, a trip to the “boom boom room.” But visits from discerning loved ones, meddling opinions and tension from others in the house challenge their bonds even further. At the end of their stay, some will go home together…and some will be signing off for good.
Premiere
The series premieres on Friday, April 19 at 8pm ET/PT, on the OWN Network.
Check out the trailer below:
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