Atlanta, GA…Tuesday, December 17, 2019…The Zucot Gallery, a black-owned art gallery located near Centennial Olympic Park, was buzzing with energy and excitement last Thursday evening, as Atlanta influencers gathered to celebrate those being honored in the first annual Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans commemorative edition, presented by the ABJ (Atlanta Business Journal) Digital Magazine. 

Over 200 people attended the celebration, which recognized 25 power brokers from Atlanta who are steadily making societal impact through their work as community influencers in business, government, entertainment, media, religion, education, law, etc.  Among the attendees were both local and nationally known film, television, and sports celebrities, including actor Louis Gossett, Jr., Josh Norman of the Washington Redskins and Reality TV Show Stars Lisa Nicole Cloud and Sabrina McKenzie.   

Hosted by Kevin C. Pride, co-publisher of the ABJ Digital and Founder of Influencer 365, a full service digital marketing company and Marc Parham, business partner and co-host of the Influencer 365 Discussions events,  the reception served as a power networking opportunity and honoree celebration and featured live entertainment by independent recording artists, Nella-Joi  and Q Coleman.

“At Influencer 365, we fully understand the power and opportunities present in being an influencer and we are very happy with how well our first Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans event was received,” shared Kevin C. Pride.  “Atlanta always has something going on every night of the week, so we are excited that so many Atlanta influencers wanted to be part of our event,” he said.

The new annual designation and accompanying commemorative issue, shares profiles  of  some outstanding Atlanta residents, who have exhibited excellence in their respective areas, and whose personal and professional efforts are contributing to the greater good of both the local and national community.

The ABJ Digital and the Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans Commemorative Edition, is the newest iteration of the Atlanta Business Journal Magazine, a quarterly business publication for African-American entrepreneurs and corporate executives, which began publishing over 20 years ago by renowned Atlanta Entrepreneur, Creed Pannell, who also produces the Georgia Minority Business Awards  and Gospel Choice Awards, and  who now partners with Pride on the ABJ Magazine and Georgia Minority Business Awards. 

In addition to a special history maker profile on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams, the Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans recognized in the commemorative edition, includes: Political Commentator and Media Personality, Rashad Richey; Civil, Human Rights and Climate Change Advocate, Dr. Gerald Durley; Rapper and Entrepreneur, Michael Render; President, Urban League Greater Atlanta, Nancy Flake-Johnson;  Legendary Actor, Louis Gossett; Business Mogul and Fashion Designer, Lisa Nicole Cloud;  President, Beulah Heights University, Dr. Benson Karanja; Executive Director/Southern Regional Operations for Kia, Percy Vaughn; Zsa Zsa Heard, CEO, City of LaGrange; Chief Magistrate Court Judge Cassandra Kirk; Director, Small Business Development for Invest Atlanta, Lonnie Saboor; Zucot Gallery Director and Partner, Onaje Henderson; Southeast Regional Vice President for Boys and Girls Club of America, Tony Orr; President/CEO Atlanta Airlines Terminal Company, Dr. Kofi Smith; Executive Director, Georgia International Convention Center, Mercedes Miller; Bishop Aaron B. Lackey, Sr.; Fulton County Solicitor General, Keith E. Gammage; Georgia State Representative, Derrick Jackson; Women and Children’s Rights Activist, Sabrina McKenzie; CEO, Goodwill of North Georgia, Keith T. Parker; Political Strategist, Principal of Hicks Evaluation Group, Fredrick Hicks; Iconic Business and Community Leader, Owner, Bussey Florists, Dr. Alice Bussey; Entrepreneur and Media Personality, Michelle Taylor Willis; Chief Executive Officer, DeKalb County, Michael Thurmond and Territory Sales Director for Dignity Memorial, Raymond Burr.

In addition to being featured in both the digital and printed commemorative issues, will each received a proclamation from the Georgia Secretary of State and are featured on a billboard in downtown Atlanta. A raffle for the opportunity to drive an Infiniti for a weekend helped raise some funds in support  of ABEL 2, a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to create opportunities for performing artists with disabilities to share their gifts on stage.

“Our first event was amazing and it was extremely gratifying to see and feel the excitement, energy and pride everyone attending brought to the event,” said Pride.  “We are looking forward to identifying the next round of exceptional business and community leaders and are already beginning to plan the next Top 25 Extraordinary Atlantans Edition for 2020,” he said.

For media inquiries, contact Norma Stanley at E.E.E. Marketing Group, 404/451-1811 or eeemarketinggroup@gmail.com

DETROIT, Oct. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire -- Global automotive industry stakeholders will gather in Detroit on October 31-November 1, 2019 for the 20th Annual Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Summit, an initiative of Citizenship Education Fund, at Motor City Casino Hotel and Conference Center. This year's Summit will commence with a breakfast conversation on Friday November 1, 2019, with Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., Rainbow PUSH Coalition, president and founder, and Barry Engle, General Motors, executive vice president and president of the Americas. Mark Stewart, FCA North America, chief operating officer, will join Rev. Jackson during the luncheon for a Fireside Chat on the "best practices" in diversity and inclusion. Engle and Stewart will share their thoughts with over 500 automotive executives, entrepreneurs, suppliers, dealers, manufacturers, consumers, government and elected officials.

This year's theme, "Expanding the African American Opportunity Pipeline," will illuminate the growing disparity in market growth for African American and other minorities suppliers, dealers and professionals.

​The ongoing mission of the Summit is to facilitate a dialogue with the OEMs and diverse companies, while delivering measurable outcomes. For two decades, Rainbow PUSH Automotive Project has been a catalyst in creating, strengthening and expanding opportunities for African American and other minorities in the auto industry.
"Over the last 20 years, Rainbow PUSH has built the socio-economic case for diversity and inclusion in the auto industry, "posits Reverend Jackson, adding: "We have changed the mindsets and culture of several automakers and the verdict is clear, inclusion and diversity must be intentional." The Rainbow PUSH will measure the goals and outcomes through its Rainbow PUSH Automotive Diversity Scorecard which will be released during the press conference at the Summit.

Other major highlights include an awards reception, scholarship awards and panel discussions featuring vice presidents of global purchasing, advertising and marketing, human resources, auto dealerships and other industry experts.

The community will celebrate Rev. Jackson's 78th birthday on October 31st at 6:00 p.m. during a reception at Motor City Conference and Hotel Center.

About Rainbow PUSH: The Rainbow PUSH Automotive Project encourages and engenders the full and equitable participation of minorities in the growth and well-being of the global automotive industry. By creating meaningful awareness, fostering knowledge and understanding, and facilitating functional partnerships and healthy collaborations, the Automotive Project enables minorities to participate fully in employment, procurement, marketing, advertising, dealer development and board membership opportunities in the industry.

For more information, please visit http://automotiveproject.org.

20th Annual Rainbow PUSH Global Automotive Summit
Event Highlights

Leadership Breakfast
Speakers:
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. – Founder and President, Rainbow PUSH
Barry Engle – Executive Vice President and President, The Americas, General Motors

Vice Presidents of Global Purchasing
Panelists:
Burt Jordan – Vice President, Global Vehicle Purchasing, Ford Motor Company
Steven Kiefer – Sr. Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, General Motors
Scott Thiele – Head of Purchasing, Head of Supply Chain, FCA – North America
Robert Young – Group Vice President, Purchasing, Supplier Engineering Development & Cost Planning, Toyota Motor North America

Business & Education Luncheon
Speakers:
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. – Founder and President, Rainbow PUSH
Mark Stewart – Chief Operating Officer, FCA – North America
Mike Duggan – Mayor, City of Detroit

Advertising and Marketing
Speakers:
Marc Bland – Chief Diversity Officer, IHS Markit
Cheryl Grace – Senior Vice President, U.S. Strategic Community Alliance & Consumer Engagement, Nielsen
Meliza Humphrey – Manager, National Advertising, American Honda Motor Company
Cynthia Tenhouse – Vice President, Vehicle Marketing and Communications, Toyota North America

Human Resources
Speakers:
Ken Barrett – Global Chief Diversity Officer, General Motors
Lori Costew – Chief Diversity Officer and Director of People Strategy, Ford Motor Company
Yvette Hunsicker – Vice President & Division Manager of the Human Resources and Office of Inclusion & Diversity, Honda North America, Inc.

Other panel discussions throughout the morning and afternoon include conversations around improving access to opportunities in African American ownership in dealerships and professional services. The event will also address the ways in which human resources departments can enhance hiring and promoting practices of African Americans.

The event culminates in an awards reception on Friday evening November 1, when Rainbow PUSH will acknowledge Living Legends and Emerging Leaders Awards Reception.

Press Release

Sheryl Underwood, Founder of Pack Rat Foundation For Education (PRFFE), is pleased to announce the addition of radio personality and motivational speaker Warren Ballentine to the team as a consultant to the foundation.

Pack Rat Foundation For Education, (a California 501(c)3 organization), founded by philanthropist and Emmy award winning entertainer Sheryl Underwood, raises awareness and funds for all 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and is focused on initiatives that support HBCUs.

Erna Foushee, Executive Director of PRFFE says, “It’s a pleasure to welcome someone as dynamic and talented as Warren Ballentine to the PRFFE team. Together, I believe we will make a tremendous impact on HBCUs all across the country.”

According to Underwood, “HBCUs have always provided access to the dream of a college education to underserved students. We all need to do our part to help these schools not only survive, but thrive, because there are young people that need what HBCUs offer, which is an excellent academic education in a culturally relevant environment.”

Ballentine says, “I’m so excited to be working with such a wonderful foundation! The vision of the foundation, and the genuine love we all have for its founder, is the same as mine. I look forward to all the work we will do and to helping and being a bridge to the foundation.” 

Warren Ballentine, a Chicago native, is an attorney, political activist and radio talk show host, who has used his platform as host of “The Warren Ballentine Show” and contributor to Sheryl Underwood Radio to be an advocate and champion for causes that impact African Americans. Ballentine is a thought-leader who has been featured in Ebony, JET magazine, The Atlanta Business Journal and the New York Times.

For more information on Pack Rat Foundation For Education call (818) 386-9485 or email: contactus@packratproductionsinc.com.

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About Sheryl Underwood

Sheryl Underwood, an Emmy-award winner for her role as co-host of THE TALK on CBS television, is viewed daily by nearly 3 million daytime viewers. With Sheryl at THE TALK table, the show garnered its first six Emmy nominations and a subsequent win for “Best Daytime Talk Show.” 

Sheryl has over 14 million listeners by the combined reach of the signals strength of 299 Sheryl Underwood Radio affiliates; has over 1 million social media followers and was voted one of the 10 most influential people on social media.

Underwood is CEO of Pack Rat Productions, Inc, a media and entertainment company; Founder and CEO of Pack Rat Foundation For Education, a California 501c3 organization focused on initiatives that support Historically Black Colleges and Universities and she is the 23rd International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a national Greek-letter organization that has a membership of over 100,000 engaged women. 

_____________________

Contact:

Rhue Still, Inc.

ATLANTA, July 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bounce will double the laughs by kicking off season three of its hit sitcom In The Cut starring Dorien Wilson and Kellita Smith with two new original episodes back-to-back 9:00-10:00 pm. (ET) on Tues. July 11. All-new In The Cut episodes will continue to premiere Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm (ET) through the summer.

​Bounce also announced today that Ed Gordon will host a star-packed special featuring interviews with the biggest African-American celebrities in movies, television and comedy today, including Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Strahan, Omari Hardwick and Cedric the Entertainer, which will world premiere on Mon. July 17 at 10:00 p.m. (ET).

Coming off its highly-rated second season, In The Cut stars Wilson (The Parkers, Dream On) as Jay Weaver, an accomplished entrepreneur and barbershop owner who is kept on his toes by Cheryl, played by Smith (The Bernie Mac Show, The First Family), the co-owner of the beauty salon next store and his love interest. Ken Lawson (The Parkers)returns as Jay's 32-year old illegitimate son from a short-lived fling now in on the family business as does John Marshall Jones (The Smart Guy) as fellow barber and pal Smitty. Among this season's storylines: Social media pressures, positive pregnancy tests, old grudges, evading the government, a special engagement and much more. Guest stars include Tamar Braxton, Ed Lover, DC Young Fly, Cocoa Brown, Nephue Tommy, Marques Houston and Earthquake.

In the celebrity-driven Ed Gordon special, the award-winning journalist interviews the stars of the upcoming summer comedy Girls Trip, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish, who discuss their careers and reflect on the contributions of black women in Hollywood today. Gordon profiles Super Bowl champion-turned broadcaster Michael Strahan and the very busy television talent discusses his life, his controversial departure from Live with Kelly and Michael and more. Power's Omari Hardwick talks with Gordon about his hit series and how he has handled fame in the social media era. Gordon also sits with Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley who discuss the state of comedy in the age of President Donald Trump and more.

​Visit BounceTV.com for information.