5WPR NAMED FINALIST FOR PR AGENCY OF YEAR IN 2013 AMERICAN BUSINESS AWARDS & RONN TOROSSIAN NAMED FINALIST FOR PR EXECUTIVE OF YEAR

5WPR has been named a finalist in the Public Relations Agency of the Year category in The 2013 American Business Awards. Additionally, Ronn Torossian, the founder & CEO of 5WPR was named a finalist in the Communications, Investor Relations, and PR Executive of the Year category. In both categories, 5WPR, and Torossian will ultimately be a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Stevie® Award winner in the program.

 

The American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program. More than 3,200 nominations from organizations of all sizes were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Most Innovative Company of the Year, Management Team of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, among others. Finalists were chosen by more than 140 business professionals nationwide during judging and will be announced at The American Business Awards banquet on June 17 in Chicago.

 

“We are thrilled to be named finalists for the 2013 American Business Awards. Our entire team works incredibly hard and deserve this recognition and  appreciation for all of our accomplishments. We also thank our client partners for helping us reach this milestone. We are committed to doing great work every day, and are proud that the judges recognized the achievements of our hard-working staff,” said Ronn Torossian, CEO of 5WPR.

 

BISHOP LARRY TROTTER ANNOUNCES HE HAS PROSTATE CANCER

Chicago, IL (Tuesday, April 30, 2013) —Bishop Larry D. Trotter- Senior Pastor of the Sweet Holy Spirit Church of Chicago- recently announced to his congregation and associate churches that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo surgery on May 22nd. The initial diagnosis came during Bishop Trotter’s annual physical in March of 2013 and was confirmed by tests. Doctors have informed Bishop Trotter that the cancer is in its earliest stages and that his prognosis is good. “Thanks to routine screening this was diagnosed early and I expect a full and speedy recovery,” says Bishop Trotter. Trotter adds, “After reviewing all the options with multiple physicians, I decided to take a proactive approach and have surgery.” “Additionally, I am encouraged that God will heal me of this as he has done other illnesses in the past. Sweet Holy Spirit Church and friends are fighting with and for me…I KNOW A MAN”.

In Tearful Speech, Michelle Obama Recognizes Her Own Life in Hadiya Pendleton’s

http://mybrownbaby.com/2013/04/in-tearful-speech-michelle-obama-recognizes-her-own-life-in-hadiya-pendletons/

By NICK CHILES

Sometimes it feels like the rest of us operate in a separate world than our lawmakers in Washington. I’ve been getting that feeling a lot lately watching the contortions they have been going through to prevent gun control legislation from even making it onto the floor of the Senate for a vote—never mind actually passing legislation expanding background checks, which is a measure supported by 90 percent of the country.

I also got that feeling listening to the incredibly moving and personal speech First Lady Michelle Obama gave in Chicago on Tuesday about Hadiya Pendleton and the challenges being faced by young people in her city. While the First Lady supposedly breathes the same suffocating air as the Washington lawmakers, she clearly is not from the same world. While they worry about how taking a stand against gun violence might upset the NRA and endanger their reelection, Michelle understands deep down in her gut the world that young people in our country like Hadiya Pendleton inhabit. Because it used to be her world. And when she spoke at a luncheon in Chicago, the first lady brought all the power and emotion of her life experiences to bear.

In the midst of her speech, the first lady delivered one of those shocking lines that remind us how different it feels to African Americans when the occupants of the White House look like us. It was the same shock we got when the president said that Trayvon Martin could have been his son.

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS and TONI BRAXTON JOIN WVON AM 1690 TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF IMPACT

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS SET TO HOST WVON’S IMPACT 50 GALA, FEATURING A PERFORMANCE BY SIX TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNING RECORDING ARTIST, TONI BRAXTON

Hosting a weekend of festivities, one of the only African-American owned radio stations in the country, pauses to commemorate five decades of representing the Voice of the Negro and a Nation.

Chicago, IL  (March 14, 2013) – On April 6, 2013, WVON will celebrate 50 successful years of unwavering airtime and historical commentating that will take place at The Chicago Theatre at 7:00pm. From 1963 to 2013, WVON has evolved from the Voice of the Negro to the Voice of a Nation. Lead by the efforts of President & Chairman, Melody Spann Cooper, WVON has planned a historic weekend that will showcase how they have IMPACTED the nation. The weekend festivities will begin on Friday, April 5th, with a kickoff party and a performance by legendary artist, Roy Ayers at Alhambra Palace. Saturday, April 6th, WVON will host their “IMPACT 50” Grand Gala, gold carpet event, which will commence with a VIP pre-reception for special invited guests.

Hadiya Pendleton: Chicago Gun Violence Takes Star Teen From Inauguration To the Mortuary

http://mybrownbaby.com/2013/01/hadiya-pendleton-chicago-gun-violence-takes-star-teen-from-inauguration-to-the-mortuary/

by Denene Millner

Her name was Hadiya Pendleton, and she was only 15 years old. The dimples in her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes—each of these tell the story. She was an honor student, a volley ball player and a majorette, nice enough with her studies and her drill team routines that she got the chance to perform with her school’s marching band during President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade in Washington, just days ago. Her pictures belie all that her friends remember of her: Hadiya was smart. Kind. Sweet. Full of light. With a potential that was limitless.

But now, Hadiya is gone from here. On Tuesday afternoon, she became the 42^nd person to be killed in Chicago this month, the deadliest January in that city in more than a decade. This was not a case of Hadiya being in the wrong place at the wrong time; this child, having been released early from King College Prep High School after taking final exams, was with her friends in a park near her school, taking shelter from the rain under a canopy of trees when some coward with a gun hopped a fence and shot into the crowd of teens. Hadiya was shot in the back; she collapsed a few blocks away in front of a row of upscale condos, not too far from President Obama’s family home, and died an hour later. Another boy, too, was shot and is in serious condition at an area hospital.

Update: Oxygen Officially Cancels Shawty Lo’s Show; “Amen” to Power of the People

http://mybrownbaby.com/2013/01/as-oxygen-reportedly-cancels-shawty-los-show-amen-to-power-of-the-people/

By NICK CHILES

UPDATE: Oxygen officially announced it has cancelled Shawty Lo’s “All My Babies’ Mamas,” a reality show that was to chronicle the relationship between the rapper and the 10 mothers of his 11 children. Oxygen’s official statement is at the end of this post.

Let’s all say a big “Amen” to the power of the people.

With word that Oxygen has come to its senses and decided to cancel the almost-aired Shawty Lo debacle “All My Babies’ Mamas,” as reported by Allison Samuels on the Daily Beast, let us acknowledge that the final word, the ultimate authority, in our consumer-driven culture is, blessedly, the consumer.

It is fitting that in the week we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and give thanks for the changes that he wrought in this nation with his singular vision and courage, we should see evidence once again that when we marshal our voices and demand change, the powers-that-be have no choice but to fall back.

red, black & GREEN: a blues debuts in NYC at BAM’s 30th Next Wave Festival

red, black & GREEN: a bluesdebuts in NYC at BAM’s 30th Next Wave Festival New York, NY – October 23, 2012- Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s red, black & GREEN: a blues (rbGb) is an interactive installation and performance that blends spoken word, music, film and contemporary and hip-hop dance to re-imagine a green movement that is inclusive of black and brown voices, and posits that valuing LIFE is the first step to valuing the planet. The critically acclaimed theatrical piece will make its New York debut during BAM’s 30th Next Wave Festival from October 31 – November 4, 2012.

Cash Money Set to Relelase Latest from Cash Money Content

 

On October 2, 2012 Cash Money Content, the book publishing arm of the iconic record label Cash Money Records, home to multi-platinum artists Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Drake, will release the street novel, ANIMAL from the 2008 Black Press “Author of the Year” K’wan Foye. A complex and bloody tale from one of this generation’s most talented and gritty writers, the story follows Animal, the infamous fugitive from K’wan’s well-known Hood Rat Series, on a tragic trail of revenge. The novel takes the reader through the rugged streets of Puerto Rico to the scene of the original crime, Harlem, NY, following the footsteps of a ruthless murderer.

 

Animal survived both unfathomable abuse from his family and the unforgiving streets, but stilled learned to love. Infamous for turning at any moment into a cold-blooded killer, Animal is the product of the world we all live in. There but for the grace of God go . . . any of us.

3rd Annual Halloween Baller’s Ball At Maison! Featuring Mannie Fresh, Earphunk, Hood Internet, Nikki Da B, Lemonhead and special surprise guests

This year the Baller’s Ball promises to be the best one yet!  An all-night, musical extravaganza, featuring amazing performances, headlined by none other than, Mannie Fresh.  If the Zombie Apocalypse is coming you might as well spend it at the best party on earth.  Every year the Halloween block party on Frenchmen Street gets bigger and better and this year everything is going to be more balling!  Maison is located at 508 Frenchmen Street, Mannie Fresh is kicking off the party on Saturday, Oct. 27th, from 10:00 PM-4:00 AM.  As Mannie Fresh works his multiplatinum magic on the mic and turntables, he will be joined by, The Hood Internet, a Chicago based band specializing in hip hop, indie rock, mash-ups.  Earphunk, a local band with a truly, funky sound that always turns the party out.  Lemonhead, an incredible DJ on the forefront of the local electronic scene, mixes it up with all genres of music; dance, dubstep, hip hop, etc.  Nikki Da B, a bounce rapper has been busy; currently making noise all across the world, in heavy rotation on MTV and featured on Diplo’s smash hit, “Express Yourself.”

Charles Jenkins Aims for the Best of Both Worlds: Music That Inspires People…

 

Pastor Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago have had an “Awesome” summer, and it looks like the fall will be just as uplifting. The Inspired People/EMI Gospel recording artists released their new album, The Best of Both Worlds, in June, 2012, to critical acclaim and extraordinary fan support. The album was number one on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart for three consecutive weeks when it was released, and is currently in the Top 10. “Awesome,” the first single from the album, has resonated with choirs, gospel lovers and consumers all over the world. Radio, retail, media and pastors have been huge champions of the recording, which was penned by Jenkins, a GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter.  “Awesome” has held at number one for 12 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs Chart.

Charles Jenkins + Fellowship Chicago Made a Smash Performance at Made in America

Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago Made a Smash Perfrmance at Jay-Z’s Made In America Music Festival During the Labor Day Weekend

 

Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago Were the Only Gospel Artists Scheduled for the Two-day Festival

 

(Chicago, IL – September 3, 2012) – During the Labor Day Weekend, Inspired People/EMI Gospel recording artists Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago made a smash performance at Jay-Z’s Made In America Music Festival in downtown Philadelphia on Sunday, September 2.  At the outdoor venue, Park Stage, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, in front of a devoted and committed audience, Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago opened the festival with an hour concert—bringing the spirit and singing gospel songs from their current album, The Best of Both Worlds, currently #5 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart. One of the highlights of the concert was their performance of their #1 praise and worship anthem “Awesome,” currently #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart for 12 weeks.  The single is also #1 in listening audience at gospel radio.

5 Questions With….. Dallas Penn

1. How has the internet changed the thinking of companies, artists and just the world in general?

The internet hasn’t changed the thinking of companies or artists.

Companies still want to make money off consumers and the internet gives companies access to learning what people want in their deepest dreams.

Artists still want to present their art to the most people who might find a connection (relationship) with the content the artists create and the internet gives these artists a more focused reach to the world.

The end result for companies and artists remains the same.  Artists still create.  Companies still exploit.

2. What prompted you to take your talents to the internets when you did so? And also tell us how long you’ve been in this space as well.

Young Rap Sensation Opens Up on #1 Girls Tour

 

 

RAP SENSATION YOUNG MARQUS OPENS UP FOR MINDLESS BEHAVIOR ON #1 GIRL TOUR

Young Marqus

Houston, TX(BlackNews.com) — The #HTownSponsor himself, Young Marqus (YM) is taking his personal brand of Hip Hop to the next level this week by jumping on the road with Interscope Records artists, Mindless Behavior on their #1 Girl Tour. The opportunity comes as no surprise for the young rapper who last year, saw himself opening up for Lupe Fiasco on the “Generation LASERS” Tour. With more amazing fetes in the works for this 12 years old artist, YM is easily proving to everyone that he’s definitely poised to be the next face of Hip Hop.

Karmin Heads Out on Tour with Flo-Rida & CeeLo + “Brokenhearted” Goes Platinum!

For Immediate Release

June 21, 2012

KARMIN’S ”BROKENHEARTED” CERTIFIED PLATNIUM; #1 ON BILLBOARD’S DANCE CLUB PLAY CHARTS; TOP 10 AT U.S. RADIO

TOURING THIS SUMMER WITH FLO RIDA AND CEE-LO GREEN

NOMINATED FOR TWO TEEN CHOICE AWARDS

Sweet Diezel Jenkins Got It!

For the perfect musical cocktail mix together  1 part soul, 2 parts funk, 3 shots of high power energy, shake it all up with some classic hip hop and you have the recipe for Sweet Diezel Jenkins.  As the brain child of Greg Fulton, Sweet Diezel Jenkins is the future of live music.  Greg explains how he came up with the idea “as an homage to some of my favorite hip hop.  I always wanted to do the R&B, soul music thing but I wanted to do it in my own way.”  Thus the creation of his latest project, the self- titled EP that showcases his expertise as a musician, taking familiar tracks and giving them a little twist. 

King Drummer Boy Is Ready To Claim His Throne

The 14 year old sensation known to the world as King Drummer Boy has already accomplished more in a few years than most people have tried to do their whole lifetime.  This amazing young man is part owner of his own record label, he can play 5 different instruments and he wrote and produced songs on his debut album.  He is proving that just because you are young it’s never too early to start pursuing your dreams.  Born, Thomas Harris Jr. he is focused on being a positive role model and making a difference in the world with his music.  In a time when our children are being killed, abused and facing a laundry list of challenges that age them beyond their years, it’s refreshing to see an artist that is making age appropriate music while investing in his future and contributing to the music world.

Police Officer Sprays Arkansas Students With Pepper Spray to Clear the Halls

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/04/police-officer-sprays-arkansas-students-with-pepper-spray-to-clear-the-halls/

By Denene Millner

Students at an Arkansas junior high school this week were clearing the hall too slowly in the opinion of a police officer assigned to the school, so he did something mind-numbingly dumb: he pulled out his pepper spray and squirted it into the air. The result? Pandemonium, as screaming, gagging and vomiting students ran down the halls and out of the school. Three students were rushed to the emergency room and more than a dozen others were picked up by their parents because of difficulty breathing.

Clearly this officer is not the brightest porch light on the block, but the entire episode brings up something we’ve written about on MyBrownBaby on more than one occasion: Police officers and kids just do not go together. It’s simply asking for way more trouble than it’s worth.

White Teacher Should Not Be Suspended for Using the N-Word

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/02/white-teacher-should-not-be-suspended-for-using-the-n-word/

By NICK CHILES

In Chicago, where a white teacher got suspended because he tried to have a classroom discussion about the n-word, it appears that all common sense has flown out the window. I know that the n-word is still the third rail of public discourse, but that doesn’t mean we should get all goofy and silly whenever that word creeps into a cross-racial conversation.

It’s clear that the Chicago teacher, Lincoln Brown, was seizing what we call a “teachable moment” and using it as an opportunity to break down the history and etymology of this horrific word to his predominantly black sixth-grade class. Any parent should be quite familiar with the idea of the teachable moment because they come up all the time when we are with our children—if we’re willing to acknowledge them.

A Middle Schooler Strip Searched in Front of Classmates? This Needs to Stop

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/02/a-middle-schooler-strip-searched-in-front-of-classmates-this-needs-to-stop/

By NICK CHILES

The family of a middle school student in Georgia has filed a lawsuit against the school district because administrators, suspecting that the 7^th grader was in possession of marijuana, forced the youngster to strip down to his underwear in front of classmates. The boy had no drugs—but he was wearing Superman underwear. In the year since the traumatic incident occurred, the boy has acquired a new nickname throughout the school. You guessed it—Superman. His mother said his interest and commitment to school has suffered a severe blow.

Keith Sweat Announces 2012 Tour Dates and 2nd Single

KEITH SWEAT CONTINUES TO MAKE IT LAST
R&B Soul Singer announces second single alongside new tour for 2012

(New York) – Keith Sweat announces 30+ new tour dates as he continues to promote his 11th studio album, “Til The Morning.”  Additionally, his new single, “One on One,” hits radio this week.  The first single from his independently released album “Til The Morning,” the sultry “Make You Say Ooh” peaked at #8 on the Urban AC BDS Charts. Below is a complete list of venues, cities and dates:

United Airlines, First Black Chief Pilot

ORGANIZATION OF BLACK AEROSPACE PROFESSIONALS BOARD MEMBER NAMED FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CHIEF PILOT AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST AIRLINE – UNITED AIRLINES

Captain James Simons, Jr.

Chicago, IL(BlackNews.com) –United Airlines, the world’s largest airline, has named an African American chief pilot of one its five U.S. regions. Captain James Simons, Jr., a United Airlines pilot for 22 years, will manage 1,450 pilots for the Chicago-based airline’s Northeast Region, which is headquartered at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va. He is a member of the board of directors of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP).

Dr. Boyce: Teacher Arrested for Arranging for Teen to be Beaten

http://africanamericannews.blogspot.com/2011/10/dr-boyce-teacher-arrested-for-arranging.html

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World

A football coach in Chicago has been arrested for arranging the beating of a student.  Cassius Chambers of Fenger High School has turned himself in to police and been charged with simple assault.  The charges were brought forth after Chambers allegedly helped over 20 football players come to the home of 16-year old Darion Jones, where they proceeded to beat him mercilessly right in front of his mother.

Jones had been accused of stealing Nike flip flops, and another assistant coach for the team watched  it all go down without doing anything to intervene.   In the fight, Jones’ prosthetic eye was damaged and his tooth was knocked out.  Fenger High School is also notorious for the beating death of 16-year old Derrion Albert in 2009.

When I read about this beating, my stomach turned.  I’m not sure if Darion stole the flip flops or not, but the idea that this kind of vigilante justice was endorsed by members of the coaching staff is beyond shameful.  The incident speaks to the fact that Fenger, as well as other schools around the country, are unable to provide adequate protection for young black children who are regular targets of this form of bullying.

Chicago Author Winkk Debuts Third Novel

CHICAGO AUTHOR WINKK DEBUTS THIRD NOVEL, “MISLEADING”

– Acclaimed “Tour Secrets” series author teaches a lesson in karma through new, shady characters –

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — After successfully addicting readers with the twists, turns and mysterious characters in her wildly popular and critically acclaimed “Tour Secrets” series, Chicago-based model and dancer-turned-author Winkk is back with “Misleading.”

Winkk’s third foray into fiction draws us into the glittery, but gritty realm of Jarvis Denttin a self-absorbed club owner who gets on a first-name basis with betrayal while expanding his successful business in Chicago.

Dr. Boyce: Why Is R. Kelly the Grand Marshall of a Parade for Children?

http://yourblackworld.com/2011/08/16/dr-boyce-why-is-r-kelly-the-grand-marshall-of-a-parade-for-children/

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World

In one of the oddest events we’ve seen in a while, R. Kelley, the man who was accused of molesting a young girl, was asked to be the grand marshall of a children’s back-to-school parade.  The parade was the 82nd annual Bud Billiken Parade,  held in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.   It is the largest and oldest African American parade in the country.

R. Kelly (aka. Robert Sylvester Kelly) was first known to have a penchant for underage women when he married 15-year old singer Aaliyah.  This was right after he wrote the song,  ”Age Ain’t Nothin’ But a Number.”

There is also the famous sex tape showing R. Kelly having sex with an underage girl (sorry, I meant to say “allegedly”).  He says it’s not him, but millions who have seen the tape would dare to disagree.  I’m sure his fans know what he looks like.