FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND SPONSORS THIRD ANNUAL GRAMMY IN THE SCHOOLS® LIVE! CONCERT

 SHOW FEATURES GRAMMY WINNING  R&B SINGER ANTHONY HAMILTON AND YOUTH ARTISTS
Ford's Grants Drive Expanded Educational Programs in Anchorage, Portland, and Billings

LOS ANGELES, CA. January 30, 2012 - As part of its long term commitment to supporting innovative educational programs across the country, Ford Motor Company Fund has awarded grants to the GRAMMY Foundation® that will support an expansion of its GRAMMY In The Schools® programs into the target cities of Anchorage, AL, Portland, OR and Billings, MT.

Ford sponsorship includes the Third annual GRAMMY In The Schools® Live! - A Celebration Of Music & Education.  Members of the GRAMMY Camp - Jazz Session, along with student alumni from GRAMMY Camp® and GRAMMY Signature Schools, with a special guest performance by GRAMMY® winning artist Anthony Hamilton and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington on Feb. 8, 2012, at University of Southern California, Grand Ballroom in Los Angeles, CA.

The support from the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company will go toward three GRAMMY in the Schools® programs: GRAMMY Signature Schools, which helps financially challenged schools offer music programs for students; GRAMMY Camp - Basic Training, which helps high school students gain insights into music industry careers; and GRAMMY In The Schools Live, a celebration of music and education during GRAMMY Week.

As part of its support of GRAMMY Foundation programs, Ford Fund is awarding $5,500 to schools in Anchorage, AL, Portland, OR and Billings, MT that win needs-based "Enterprise" awards under GRAMMY's Signature Schools program.

"Ford Motor Company Fund is proud to partner with the GRAMMY Foundation to continue our century-long commitment to education", said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.  "Schools with music programs have higher test scores and graduation rates.  Supporting music programs in schools is just another way Ford seeks to enhance and expand opportunities for young people throughout the U.S."

"Our GRAMMY in the Schools programs are designed to provide young people with access to the power of music," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation. "Whether they are attending our GRAMMY In The Schools Live Concert or GRAMMY Camp - Basic Training to gain insight into industry careers directly from outstanding artists and music industry professionals or they are a student in a high school music program strengthened by a GRAMMY Signature Schools award, our GRAMMY Foundation programs give students significant opportunities to enrich their musical lives. That's why we are proud to work with an organization that is committed to music education like the Ford Fund."

           Under the banner of GRAMMY in the Schools, the GRAMMY Foundation achieves its goals in music education by:         
                    1) Drawing public attention to the critical importance of maintaining music education as a core element of school curricula,
                  2) Bringing students together with working professionals for a “real life” exchange of information, insight and inspiration and
                  3) Recognizing excellence in musical achievement nationwide - both among individual students and school music programs.

For more information on the Ford Motor Company Fund and the GRAMMY Foundation visit
www.community.ford.com and www.grammyintheschools.com

ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. For more than 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has operated with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and dealers work on projects each year that better their communities in more than 40 countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

ABOUT THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION
The GRAMMY Foundation® was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture - from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy®, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. Campbell's Labels For Education program is proud to be the official education partner of the GRAMMY In The Schools programs. For more information, please visit www.grammyfoundation.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like "GRAMMY in the Schools" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grammyintheschools.

NICKELODEON PREMIERES NEW LIVE-ACTION COMEDY SERIES HOW TO ROCK

SHOW STARS MULTI-TALENTED MUSIC ARTIST CYMPHONIQUE MILLER SET TO AIR SAT., FEB. 4  8:30 P.M. (ET/PT)  First-Ever Nick Series to Debut on iTunes and Nick.com Prior to Network Premiere The battle of the bands is on as Nickelodeon premieres its brand-new live-action comedy series, How to Rock (http://www.nick.com/shows/how-to-rock) on Saturday, Feb. 4 with back-to-back episodes airing at 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT).   The series, featuring original music performed by Cymphonique Miller (http://www.nick.com/celebrity/cymphonique-miller.html), centers on Kacey Simon, a talented teenager who takes her rhythmic pop band to new heights as their lead singer, while navigating the shark-infested social waters of high school. The network will also, for the first time ever, debut the series on iTunes and on Nick.com in January prior to its television premiere. The series theme song, “Only You Can Be You,” performed by Miller, is currently available on iTunes. How to Rock, produced by Nickelodeon in association with Alloy Entertainment,will air regularly on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT) following all-new episodes of Victorious at 8:00 p.m (ET/PT). “How to Rock shows our audience that everyone holds an inner-coolness, regardless of appearance or social circle,” said Marjorie Cohn, Nickelodeon’s President, Development and Original Programming.  “Although Kacey is forced to fall out of the ‘in-crowd,’ she rocks her true self and soon proves that being ‘perfect’ is no longer cool.”  How to Rock follows the journey of Kacey Simon (Miller), a once perfect “mean girl” who falls out of favor with the “in-crowd” after she has to get glasses and braces, but discovers that hanging with a new group of friends may not be as bad as it first seemed.  In the premiere episode, entitled “How to Rock Braces and Glasses,” after her fall from grace from “The Perfs,” Kacey forges unlikely friendships with the members of the band Gravity 5 featuring Stevie (Lulu Antariksa), Zander (Max Schneider), Kevin (Christopher O’Neal) and Nelson (Noah Crawford). As lead singer, Kacey takes Gravity 5’s musical success to new heights while igniting a musical rivalry with The Perfs featuring her former best friends and fellow performers, Molly (Samantha Boscarino) and Grace (Halston Sage). The season will follow Kaceyas she navigates through high school social circles, real and fake friendships and learning how to rock her “real” self. Leading up to the premiere, the Cymphonique:  Ready to Rock! collection of promotional web videos —which originally debuted in December — will continue to roll out on Nick.com (http://www.nick.com/shows/how-to-rock), Nick’s mobile websites,  Nick’s Facebook page and iTunes.  Cymphonique:  Ready to Rock!, which is presented in documentary style, introduces Cymphonique to viewers who get a peek into her everyday life as she amps up for the launch of How to Rock.  Additionally, kids will have the opportunity to get to know all the characters on the show and see previews of the How to Rock music video. Based on a pilot script by Jim O’Doherty (Grounded for Life, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Tracy Morgan Show) and the proposal for the Alloy Entertainment book How to Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston, How to Rock will be helmed by executive producer David M. Israel (Grounded for Life, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Tracy Morgan Show), who is also a contributing writer on the project.  Leslie Morgenstein (Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries) and Gina Girolamo (The Lying Game, The Secret Circle) will also executive produce under the Alloy Entertainment production banner. A singer/writer/actress and daughter of hip-hop mogul/entrepreneur and philanthropist Percy Miller (also known as Master P.), Cymphonique has performed with various artists including her brother Romeo, JoJo, Wonder Girls, Raven-Simone, Ashley Tisdale and the College Boyys.  She has guest starred in Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush, True Jackson, VP, The Troop and Just Jordan. She provides the voices of Nova and Krystal on the animation series, Winx Club, and sings the show’s theme song. In film, Miller landed the leading role as Molly in the 2007 short film Scarecrow Joe and appeared in the feature film Opposite Day.  Adding to her resume, Miller has also appeared in numerous national commercials and public service announcements.    Alloy Entertainment (AE) develops and produces original books, television shows, web series and feature films. Alloy’s television division is currently in production on the CW series Gossip Girl, in is fifth sesaon, and the third season of The Vampire Diaries, the network's highest rated program. Additionally, Pretty Little Liars, which performs to network-high ratings for ABC Family, is currently in its second season on ABC Family. In Fall 2011, Alloy launched two new series The Lying Game, for ABC Family, and The Secret Circle on the CW, both of which were picked-up for a full season. Adding Nickelodeon's How to Rock to its slate, AE will have an impressive six series on air.   Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

Female Creator of Urban Hip-Hop Model Movement Takes On Negative Images of Women in Hip-Hop

Miami, FL - For years, women advancement groups have blamed rappers, hip-hop and MEN for the exploitation of women in hip-hop music videos. Recently, the founder and creator of Ethnicity Model, LaShawnna Stanley, accepted and admitted to her role in how urban models were negatively viewed. 

LaShawnna Stanley

For more than 10 years, Ms. Stanley creator of Ethnicity Models has been responsible for the popularity of models, better known as “video vixens” like Melyssa Ford, Nicole Ricca, Tae Heckard, Esther Baxter and dozens more. Her company quickly became the source for top hip-hop video directors, music artists, and executives. Embraced by the hip-hop industry for setting standards for the models, exposing a broad spectrum of beauty in the media and creating opportunities for beautiful ethnic girls, Quite the opposite was the opinion of the general public, Stanley’s company was often blamed and ridiculed when media outlets such as BET’s UNCUT became the #1 source of exposure for aspiring urban models.

“For years, I’ve been blamed for contributing to the negative imagery of women in Hip-Hop, but never felt the need to take the blame until now. It’s always been my goal to provide positive opportunities for urban models of all ethnicities that European agencies overlooked”.  Although I set high standards for Ethnicity Models and did not participate in the distasteful music videos, it was clear that the public did not know the difference and placed all models in the same negative category.

On recent episodes of Love & Hip-Hop, the argument about model vs. video vixen became a popular topic. Models Kimbella & Erica Mena both have two different perceptions of their modeling careers. However, if the decision were left up to Ms. Stanley, she would let them know that their careers are on an equal level because they both have allowed themselves to become a negative stereotype with several men in the music industry.                                 

Nearly two years ago, Ms. Stanley expanded her offices to Atlanta aka “the new black Hollywood” and  launched a new era of Ethnicity Models. Commercials, Film, Television and The Ethnicity Modeling/Acting Academy www.ethnicitymodels.com/academy  in conjunction with Paragonn Hair & Makeup Artists owned by Tiffany Martin.  The program  travels to cities across the country providing an intensive weekend hands on training helping  girls build self-esteem and confidence,  heal from past childhood  issues & forcing them to take accountability for their  actions.  Ms. Stanley's curriculum implements positive teachings in self-awareness, self-love, & self-forgiveness so these women dying to get into the industry do not sell themselves short. Ms. Stanley has been working endlessly to wean her company away from solely being known for booking video models, and she has branched out to more commercial & film roles for the same urban models people once viewed negatively including roles in Tyler Perry's plays, BET's "The Game" and major commercial campaigns. 

“I’m obsessed with empowering women, teaching them how to look and feel beautiful from the inside out and how to reclaim their God given personal power.”, says LaShawnna. 

TIFFANY MARTIN

Ethnicity Models and Talent specializes in ethnic models of all nationalities for videos, films, commercials, urban clothing lines and marketing campaigns. The company is also promotes sisterhood and solidarity. Owner LaShawnna has become a women’s empowerment advocate and life coach for teen moms and motivated entrepreneurs. Get inspired at www.ethnicitymodels.com

Paragonn Artists is a full-service agency dedicated to providing quality hair and makeup services for all types of productions in South Florida.  Paragonn Artists consists of a highly talented team of Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists and Wardrobe Stylists that helps to create the client's ultimate look consistent with their motto; "Experience Excellence". For more information on the modeling academy visit http://www.ethnicitymodels.com/academy

UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS®, PRESENTED BY TARGET, CELEBRATES THE POWER OF EDUCATION

Performances and Appearances by a number or celebrities, including: Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Ledisi, Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle, Miguel, Musiq Soulchild, Tatyana Ali, Pooch Hall, Jill Marie Jones, 

Brian White, Terrence J, David Banner and Many More!

Viewers Can Text To Donate To Help “Educate Our Future”

 UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will broadcast UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS® Presented by Target nationally in major markets on Saturday, January  28th  and January 29th  and on BET Networks at 11 p.m. EST/PST and 10 p.m. CST on Sunday, January 29th.

For a complete list of stations and additional information, visit www.AnEvening ofStars.org.

The combination of headliners like legendary songstress Patti LaBelle, singer Erykah Badu, singer-songwriter Anthony Hamilton and R&B star Ledisi with star students whose education has been made possible by UNCF makes the program a high-voltage celebration of the best in music and the best in education.  Patti LaBelle’s powerhouse performance of “When You’ve Been Blessed”; Estelle’s heartfelt rendition of “Break My Heart”; Anthony Hamilton’s soul-stirring performance of “Fine Again” and Miguel’s eclectic sound on “Sure Thing” bring the audience to its feet.  And UNCF student success stories celebrate the power of education—like the story of the junior who served in Iraq before returning to college, the senior whose undergraduate record won her a coveted slot in Teach For America, and the Florida college graduate who became the youngest person to fly solo around the world—make the capacity Pasadena Civic Auditorium crowd proud of both the students and the organization.

 “This year’s UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS® is filled with high energy performances, combining the hottest talent with inspirational stories of young students who are beating the odds because they can receive a good education,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO.  “We are grateful for the support of all our celebrities, sponsors and contributors, who understand the importance of ‘Educating our Future’ and giving students the opportunity to earn college degrees that will enable them to lead successful and fulfilling lives.”

Additional highlights of the evening’s 10 performances include:  Marsha Ambrosius’ sultry sound of “Far Away”; Jill Scott’s soulful rendition of her hit “So Blessed”; Musiq Soulchild’s blazing performance on his hit single “Yes”; a crowd-amping group number of “Shining Star”; and BET’s “106 & Park” host Terrence J sharing his inspiring testimony on how UNCF helped start his professional career after receiving a scholarship which included an internship at a radio station. 

In addition to performers, this year’s UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS® Presented by Target include special appearances by Tatyana Ali (“Fresh Prince of Bel Air”), Pooch Hall (BET’s “The Game”), Jill Marie Jones (CW’s “Girlfriends”), Coby Bell (BET’s “The Game”), David Banner (Stomp The Yard 2), Sean Patrick Thomas (Save The Last Dance), Lance Gross (TBS’s “House Of Payne”), Sheryl Underwood (CBS’s “The Talk”), Terrence J (BET’s “106 & Park”), Monique Jackson and Kita Williams (VH1’s “The TO Show”), Shaun Robinson (“Access Hollywood”), Kenny Smith (TNT’s “Inside the NBA”), Brian White (TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age”) and the national presidents of the Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

The stars on the UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS®  stage not only shared their hottest hits but made special appeals to help UNCF students who are committed to getting to and through college. From the stage, celebrities asked the show audience and television viewers to text “UNCF” to 50555 on their cell phones to donate $10 to help students secure their education and their future. Viewers are also encouraged to visit www.UNCF.org to make larger donations to help young men and women get their college degrees.

This year’s show is made possible by Target, Presenting Sponsor of UNCF AN EVENING OF STARS®, and National Sponsors McDonald’s and AT&T. Official and Major Sponsors include American Airlines, Wells Fargo, BET Networks, Buick and the U.S Army.

For more information, please visit www.uncf.org and www.bet.com/uncf. Also, follow UNCF on Twitter: @UNCF (#EveningOfStars).

*All times are ET/PT.

About UNCF An Evening of Stars®
UNCF An Evening of Stars®, formerly the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars®, first aired in 1979, and since that time has become one of the longest running and most successful televised events in U.S. history. UNCF An Evening of Stars® has raised more than $200 million that has helped hundreds of thousands of students attend college and graduate.  In recent years, UNCF An Evening Of Stars® has featured a Who's Who of remarkable talent, including Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Chaka Khan, Ne-Yo, Nancy Wilson, Beyoncé, Anita Baker, Jill Scott, Whoopi Goldberg, Fantasia, Joss Stone, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Bolton, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Hall and Oates, Ziggy Marley, Maroon 5, and scores of others. UNCF An Evening of Stars® received NAACP Image Awards for its 2006 tribute to Stevie Wonder, its 2008 tribute to Smokey Robinson and its 2010 tribute to Lionel Richie. Learn more about UNCF An Evening of Stars® at www.UNCF.org.

About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization.  To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF supports education through scholarships and other programs, by supporting its 38 member colleges and universities, and by advocating for the importance of minority education.  UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs.  UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees.  The UNCF logo features the torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.UNCF.org.

DEE REES' DRAMA, 'PARIAH,' SPEAKS TO A TEENAGE GIRL'S SEXUAL IDENTITY

The Oscar nominations came out this week and a number of ethnic media outlets are pointing out the absence of a nod to the drama, Pariah (Focus Films), which was a huge success at the 2011 Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals. The movie was formerly an award-winning 2007 short film. 

The movie, written and directed by Dee Rees, focuses on the life of a teenager girl who is trying to deal with her own sexuality. The movie, executive produced by Spike Lee, stars Kim Wayans, Charles Parnell, Sahra Mellesse and Adepero Oduye.

KIM WAYANS

Oduye portrays Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents Audrey and Arthur (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the support of her best friend, out lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker), Alike is especially eager to find a girlfriend. At home, her parents’ marriage is strained and there is further tension in the household whenever Alike’s development becomes a topic of discussion. Wondering how much she can confide in her family, Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace and humor.

KIM WAYANS and ADEPERO ODUYE

I caught up with Adepero Oduye to discuss the film.

DD: You are a grown woman playing a teenager trying to come to grips with her lesbianism. What was your own experience growing up?

AO: People ask me about that all the time. I don’t know what I did. I remember being super awkward and trying to figure out the decision I wanted to make.

DD: Talk about getting the parent/daughter relationship just right in the movie.

AO: We didn’t have much rehearsal. We did some mock therapy sessions. That was the first day. I met the cast in the mock session, which was good. So much stuff came out.

DD: Were you a daddy’s girl like the character in the movie?

AO: I wouldn’t say that. I was the responsible one. I wasn’t a daddy’s girl. My sister was.

DD: Could you relate to your character at all?

AO: I related to the feeling of not feeling free and feeling like I didn’t belong.

DD: This movie was a short film first and now it’s a full length feature film. Was there any difficulty making the transition?

AO: When I did the short, I had no expectations. With the feature, I had to live up to the expectations. It was exciting to see how her story was expanded.  I’ve been working on this character for three years. So, I felt more grounded.

DD: Talk about transforming yourself physically.

AO:  What she wears determines the box she is in. It can transform you. It’s visceral. My body is going to be different wearing a princess shirt or when I throw on a hoodie and jeans.

DD: What have people been saying to you?

AO: It’s been overwhelming. People share their coming out stories. Some haven’t come out yet. But they tell me – a stranger. I don’t know how to put words to it. We’re all a lot more similar that we are different. It’s a journey to figure out who you want to be.

DD: Some people are calling this a gay movie.

AO: You can’t judge a book by its cover. You can’t look and say, ‘I know what that’s going to be about.’  It’s just about identity. On so many different levels you can relate to the story. It’s great to be a part of it.

DD: What’s up next for you?

AO:  I’m reading a lot of scripts. I’ve assembled a lot of people who are in line with my vision.

DD: What is your vision?

AO: I just want to do movies with amazing, well-rounded stories with authentic characters. I want a body of work where I play diverse characters. Then, I’d die happy.

Pariah, which is MPAA-rated R (for sexual content and language), has a running time of 86 minutes. It is currently in theaters.

VETERAN ACTRESS LORETTA DEVINE TO RECEIVE PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL’S LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARD

Award-winning Actress Will Be Feted at the Night of Tribute

and Televised on the Africa Channel

The Pan African Film Festival will honor award-winning actress Loretta Devine with its highest honor, a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work on stage, television and film. The award will be presented during the Night of Tribute at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2012 at the Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15 at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

After more than 30 years in the business, Devine nabbed an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Dramatic Role for her work on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” last year. She received an Independent Spirit Award nod for Best Supporting Female for her role in “Women Thou Art Loosed.” And she has been nominated for a slew of NAACP Image Awards in television and film, grabbing two awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her roles in “Waiting to Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife,” respectively.  She picked up three more NAACP Image Awards for her work on David E. Kelly’s Fox series, “Boston Public.”

Still, it was her breakout role on the stage that brought her to national attention. In the role of Lorrell, the Houston native was one of the three original “Dreamgirls” in Michael Bennett’s classic, award-winning Broadway musical of the same name. She followed that performance with a fiery portrayal of Lillian in Bob Fosse’s critically-acclaimed stage production, “Big Deal.” Other performances, including George C. Wolfe’s “Colored Museum” and “Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill,” which cemented Devine’s status as one of the most talented and versatile stage actresses.

Soon, film roles followed, and she’s appeared in some of audience’s most beloved movies, including ”Jumping the Brown,” “This Christmas,” Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls” and “Madea’s Big Happy Family, and of course, “Waiting to Exhale.” Other film credits include the Academy award-winning film, “Crash,” “I Am San,” “What Women Want” and “Stanley and Iris.”

On the small screen, Devine can be seen regularly in her Emmy-winning role as “Adele,” on ABC’s hit medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” Just announced, she’s set to co-star with Jennifer Love Hewitt in Lifetime’s new series, “The Client List.”

“Ms. Devine is probably one of the hardest working women in show business,” said Ayuko Babu, founder and executive director of the Pan African Film Festival with a chuckle. “She is an extremely gifted and versatile actress, creating soulful characters in some of our favorite televisions shows and films.” He added, “Through her craft, she is an amazing storyteller, delivering memorable performances and portraying characters with a richness and vulnerability that connects with audience on many different levels.”

Produced by the Africa Channel, the Night of Tribute honors world-renowned actors, filmmakers, community leaders and fine artists for their contributions on stage, television, film, the arts and the community. Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr,, Tony award-winner Phylicia Rashad, Emmy award-winning actor Glynn Turman, the honorable Ambassador Andrew Young as well as award winning actresses Marla Gibbs and Dr. Della Reese -- just to name a few. The ceremony will be recorded and televised by the Africa Channel, which is broadcast in major markets across the United States and the Caribbean. Visit www.TheAfricaChannel.com

Other honorees include:

• Meagan Good | Beah Richards Rising Star Actress Award – a rising star in television and film. She rose to fame in the family drama, “Eve’s Bayou” with Samuel L. Jackson. Today, she’s one of the most sought after actresses with a string of film credits, including “Jumping the Broom,” “The Unborn,” “The Love Guru,” “35 & Ticking,” “Video Girl” as well as  fan favorites, “Stomp the Yard”  and “You Got Served.” Good will appear in the film adaptation of “Think Like a Man,” based on radio host Steve Harvey’s best-selling book. *

*Programming note:  The comedy, “Think Like a Man” will  premiere as the festival’s opener on February 9. The movie is schedule for theatrical release on March 9, 2012.

·         David Oyelowo | Canada Lee Rising Star Actor Award – named by the Los Angeles Times as one of the ”Faces to Watch in 2012.” Oyelowo’s credits include, “The Help,”  “The Rise of the Planet of Apes,” and the indie, “96 Minutes.”  Currently, he can be seen as one of the Tuskegee Airmen in George Lucas’ bio-pic, “Red Tails” currently in theatres.*

*Programming note:  The film, “96 Minutes,” will be screened during the festival. Visit www.paff.org for screening times.

• Mr. Leon Garr | Community Treasure Award – an entrepreneur and philanthropist.  Garr launched Garr Construction, contributing to the architectural fiber of Southern California. While semi-retired, at the age of 76, Garr purchased the failing Founders Savings and Loan, and transformed it into Founders National Bank – i.e. the only African American-owned commercial bank in Southern California.  Today, he’s 88.*

*Programming note:  Leon Garr’s life story will be told in the film, “This Life of Mine,” directed by Antwone Fisher, during the festival. Visit www.paff.org for screening times.

• Jewel Thais-Williams | Community Service Award –  a club owner and health care practitioner. Williams is celebrating 39 years of business with her night club, Jewel’s Catch One Night Club, affectionately known as “The Catch.” She founded the Village Health Foundation to offer health and hope to the un- and under-insured. But more courageously, she befriended the LGBT community -- initially hit with HIV/AIDS pandemic – providing a safe haven for those stricken with the deadly disease.
  

·         Van Vicker | The Africa Channel Creative Achievement Award – one of Africa’s hottest movie stars, he’s one of the most sought-after Nollywood actors.  The award-winning actor has appeared in more than 100 movies, including “Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark,” “Royal War,” “Broken Tears,” “Return of Beyonce” and “Princess Tyra.” He’s been nominated twice for an African Movie Academy Award.*

*Programming note:  The film, “Paparazzi: Eye in the Dark,” starring Van Vicker will be screened during the festival. Visit www.paff.org for screening times

·         Jimmy Jean-Louis | The Africa Channel Diasporan Award – one of the most popular and recognizable actors in Africa and making his mark in television and film in Hollywood. The Haitian actor is best known to American audiences from his stint on NBC’s “Heroes” and as the romantic lead in “Phat Girlz” with Oscar-winner Mo’Nique.  His Nollywood credits include “Toussant Louverture,” “Sinking Sands,” and  “I Sing of a Well.”

*Programming note:  The film “”Toussant Louverture” starring Jimmy Jean-Louis will be screened during the festival. Visit www.paff.org for screening times.

·         Eric Kabera and the Rwanda Cinema Centre  | The Africa Channel Visionary Award -- an acclaimed Rwandan filmmake and documentarian. His credits include  “Africa United,” “Through My Eyes,” “Keepers of Memory,” and “Kist Towards a Brighter Future.” Kabera founded the Rwanda Cinema Center, which trains young filmmakers and promotes the art of movie making in Rwanda. He is the founder of the Rwanda  International Film Festival, which is organized by the Rwanda Cinema Center. *

*Programming note:  The film “Africa United” produced by Eric Kabera will be screened during the festival. Visit www.paff.org for screening times.

PAFF, America's largest and most prestigious international Black film festival, will take place February 9-20, 2012 at the new Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15 at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The theatre is situated on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Marlton Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard)

It has selected a total of 160 films, representing 30 countries, 91 feature length films (narrative and documentaries) and 67 short films. The festival will hand out prizes for Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Narrative Short, Best Narrative Feature, and Best First Feature Film, as well as audience favorite awards  at the close of the festival. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, please visit www.paff.org or call (310) 337-4737.

About the Pan African Film Festival

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), America's largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, is gearing up for its 20th year of screening more than 150 films made by and/or about people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Europe and Canada. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country.

PAFF was founded in 1992  by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon” movie franchise), Emmy Award-winning actress Ja’Net DuBois (best known for her role as  the busybody neighbor Willona  in the tv series, “Good Times”) and executive director, Ayuko Babu, an  international legal, cultural and political consultant who specializes in African Affairs.  PAFF is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art and creative expression.

The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival is an official event of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's Celebration of African American Heritage Month. PAFF is sponsored by Macy's; Wells Fargo Bank; AIDS Healthcare Foundation; City of Los Angeles; Los Angeles County Arts Commission; as well as Los Angeles Council members Bernard C. Parks (District 8), Jan Perry (District 9), and Herb J. Wesson Jr. (District 10); Sony Pictures Entertainment; The Brotherhood Crusade; The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, The Africa Channel; South African Airways; The Directors Guild of America; and The Water Replenishment District of Southern California.

The 84th Annual Academy Awards Nominations Announced

It's that time of year again. Awards season!  Well, the biggest awards show of all, The 84th Annual Academy Awards announced its nominations today.  "The Help" was nominated for Best Picture.  There are a total of nine nominations for Best Picture. "The Help" also garnered nods for Viola Davis (Best Actress) and Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain for (Best Supporting Actress). George Clooney and his friend, Brad Pitt garnered Best Actor nominations for "The Descendants" and "Moneyball," respectively. Kudos to Melissa McCarthy for her Best Supporting actress nod (BridesMaids), Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs) and Meryl Streep (Iron Lady) for Best Actress. There are a couple of surprises like Rooney Mara "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" (Best Actress), Jonah Hill for "Moneyball" and Nick Nolte for "Warrior," both for (Best Supporting Actor). 

Following is a list of nominees for the 84th annual Academy Awards, which will be hosted by Billy Crystal.  The show airs on ABC on Feb. 26.

BEST PICTURE
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"
BEST ACTOR
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"
BEST ACTRESS
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"

VIOLA DAVIS (standing) in "THE HELP"

Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"

(l-r) Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis in "The Help"

Octavia Spencer, "The Help"
BEST DIRECTOR
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, Stan Chevren "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"
BEST FOREIGN FEATURE
"Bullhead"
"Footnote"
"In Darkness"
"Monsier Lazhar"
"A Separation"
BEST ART DIRECTION
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

Best Costume Design
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."
Best Directing
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Tree of Life"
Best Documentary (Feature)
"Hell and Back Again"
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front"
"Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
"Pina"
"Undefeated"
Best Documentary (Short Subject)
"The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement"
"God Is the Bigger Elvis"
"Incident in New Baghdad"
"Saving Face"
"The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom"
Best Film Editing
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
Best Foreign Language Film
"Bullhead"
"Footnote"
"In Darkness"
"Monsieur Lazhar"
"A Separation"
Best Makeup
"Albert Nobbs"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"The Iron Lady"
Best Music (Original Score)
"The Adventures of Tintin"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
"War Horse"
Best Music (Original Song)
"Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets"
"Real in Rio" from "Rio"
Best Picture
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"Moneyball"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"
Best Short Film (Animated)
"Dimanche/Sunday"
"The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore"
"La Luna"
"A Morning Stroll"
"Wild Life"
Best Short Film (Live Action)
"Pentecost"
"Raju"
"The Shore"
"Time Freak"
"Tuba Atlantic"
Best Sound Editing
"Drive"
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"
Best Sound Mixing
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"
Best Visual Effects
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Real Steel"
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
"The Descendants"
"Hugo"
"The Ides of March"
"Moneyball"
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Writing (Original Screenplay)
"The Artist"
"Bridesmaids"
"Margin Call"
"Midnight in Paris"
"A Separation"

43RD NAACP Image Awards Nominations Announced

The 43rd NAACP Image Awards nominations were announced Thursday morning with no real surprises.  The DreamWorks drama, "The Help" scored eight nominations.

CRAIG ROBINSON, VANESSA WILLIAMS,
COREY REYNOLDS & TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

Celebrities Vanessa Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Craig Robinson and Corey Reynolds announced the nominations.

The 43rd NAACP Image Awards airs live on Fri., Feb. 17, 8-10 p.m. on NBC.


Following is a complete list of the nominations.


TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Outstanding Comedy Series
• "Love That Girl!" (TV One)
• "Modern Family" (ABC)
• "Reed Between the Lines" (BET)
• "The Game" (BET)
• "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
• Dulé Hill - "Psych" (USA Network)

MALCOLM-JAMAL WARNER

• Malcolm-Jamal Warner - "Reed Between the Lines" (BET)
• Phil Morris - "Love That Girl!" (TV One)
• Pooch Hall - "The Game" (BET)
• Terry Crews - "Are We There Yet?" (TBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
• Tatyana Ali - "Love That Girl!" (TV One)
• Tia Mowry-Hardrict - "The Game" (BET)

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

• Tracee Ellis Ross - "Reed Between the Lines" (BET)
• Vanessa Williams - "Desperate Housewives" (ABC)
• Wendy Raquel Robinson - "The Game" (BET)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

 CRAIG ROBINSON

• Craig Robinson - "The Office" (NBC)
• Damon Wayans, Jr. - "Happy Endings" (ABC)

 J.B. SMOOVE

• J.B. Smoove - "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO)
• Nick Cannon - "Up All Night" (NBC)
• Tracy Morgan - "30 Rock" (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
• Amber Riley - "Glee" (FOX)
• Gabourey Sidibe - "The Big C" (Showtime)
• Keshia Knight Pulliam - "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS)
• Maya Rudolph - "Up All Night" (NBC)
• Sofia Vergara - "Modern Family" (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series
• "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO)
• "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
• "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC)
• "The Good Wife" (CBS)
• "Treme" (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
• Andre Braugher - "Men of A Certain Age" (TNT)

 HILL HARPER

• Hill Harper - "CSI: NY" (CBS)
• L.L. Cool J - "NCIS: Los Angeles" (CBS)
• Taye Diggs - "Private Practice" (ABC)
• Wendell Pierce - "Treme" (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
• Chandra Wilson - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
• Khandi Alexander - "Treme" (HBO)
• Regina King - "SouthLAnd" (TNT)

• Sandra Oh - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)

• Taraji P. Henson - "Person of Interest" (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
• Corey Reynolds - "The Closer" (TNT)
• Ice T - "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC)
• James Pickens, Jr. - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
• Nelsan Ellis - "True Blood" (HBO)
• Omar Epps - "House M.D." (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
• Alfre Woodard - "Memphis Beat" (TNT)
• Anika Noni Rose - "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC)
• Archie Panjabi - "The Good Wife" (CBS)
• Diahann Carroll - "White Collar" (USA Network)
• Loretta Devine - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)
• "Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith" (ABC)
• "Luther" (BBC America)
• "The Least Among You" (Showtime)
• "Thurgood" (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• Esai Morales - "We Have Your Husband" (Lifetime)

IDRIS ELBA

• Idris Elba - "Luther" (BBC America)
• Laurence Fishburne - "Thurgood" (HBO)
• Louis Gossett, Jr. - "The Least Among You" (Showtime)
• Samuel L. Jackson - "The Sunset Limited " (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• Anika Noni Rose - "Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith" (ABC)

 JENIFER LEWIS

• Jenifer Lewis - "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)
• Rosario Dawson - "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)
• Taraji P. Henson - "Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story" (Lifetime)
• Tracee Ellis Ross - "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
• Aaron D. Spears - "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS)
• Bryton James - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Emerson Brooks - "All My Children" (ABC)

 

JAMES REYNOLDS

• James Reynolds - "Days of Our Lives" (NBC)
• Texas Battle - "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
• Christel Khalil - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Julia Pace Mitchell - "The Young & the Restless" (CBS)
• Tatyana Ali - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Tonya Lee Williams - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Yvette Freeman - "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS)

Outstanding News/ Information - (Series or Special)
• "BET News Exclusive: The President Answers Black America" (BET)
• "Judge Mathis" (Syndicated)
• "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" (HBO)
• "Unsung" (TV One)
• "Washington Watch with Roland Martin" (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series
• "Anderson" (Syndicated)
• "Oprah's Lifeclass" (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• "The Doctors" (Syndicated)
• "The View" (ABC)
• "The Wendy Williams Show" (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Series
• "All-American Muslim" (TLC)
• "American Idol" (FOX)
• "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC)
• "Sunday Best" (BET)
• "Tia & Tamera" (Style Network)

Outstanding Variety Series or Special
• "2011 BET Awards" (BET)
• "Black Girls Rock!" (BET)
• "Oprah Presents: Master Class" (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• "Prince! Behind the Symbol" (The Africa Channel)
• "UNCF An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan" (BET)

Outstanding Children’s Program
• "A.N.T. Farm" (Disney Channel)
• "Dora The Explorer" (Nickelodeon)
• "Go, Diego! Go!" (Nickelodeon)
• "I Can Be President: A Kid’s-Eye View" (HBO)
• "My Family Tree" (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Performance in a Youth/ Children’s Program - (Series or Special)
• China Anne McClain - "A.N.T. Farm" (Disney Channel)
• Keke Palmer - "True Jackson, VP" (Nickelodeon)
• Lance Robertson - "Yo Gabba Gabba" (Nickelodeon)
• Leon Thomas III - "Victorious" (Nickelodeon)
• Zendaya Coleman - "Shake It Up" (Disney Channel)

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Outstanding New Artist
• Committed (Epic)
• Diggy Simmons (Atlantic Records)
• Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. (Columbia Records)
• Mindless Behavior (Streamline/Conjunction/Interscope Records)
• Wynter Gordon (Big Beat/Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Male Artist
• Anthony Hamilton (RCA Records)
• Bruno Mars (Elektra Records)
• Cee Lo Green (Elektra Records)
• Chris Brown (Jive Records)
• Common (Warner Bros. Records)

Outstanding Female Artist
• Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• Jennifer Hudson (Arista Records)
• Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)

 LEDISI

• Ledisi (Verve Forecast)
• Mary J. Blige (Geffen)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
• Boyz II Men (Benchmark Entertainment/MSM Music Group)
• Cee Lo Green feat. Melanie Fiona (Elektra Records)
• Mary J. Blige feat. Drake (Geffen)
• Sounds of Blackness (Malaco Music Group)
• The Roots (Island Def Jam Music Group)

Outstanding Jazz Album
• "Chano y Dizzy" - Terence Blanchard and Poncho Sanchez (Concord Music Group Inc.)
• "Friends" - Stanley Jordan (Mack Avenue Records)
• "Guitar Man" - George Benson (Concord Jazz)
• "Legacy" - Gerald Wilson (Mack Avenue Records)

 SONNY ROLLINS

• "Road Show Vol. 2" - Sonny Rollins (Emarcy)

Outstanding Gospel Album - (Traditional or Contemporary)
• "Becoming" - Yolanda Adams (N House Music Group)
• "Church on the Moon" - Deitrick Haddon (Verity Gospel Music Group)
• "Hello Fear" - Kirk Franklin (Verity Gospel Music Group)
• "Something Big" - Mary Mary (Columbia Records)
• "The Journey" - Andraé Crouch (RiverPhlo Entertainment)

Outstanding World Music Album
• "Afrodiaspora" - Susana Baca (Luaka Bop)
• "Carnival Fever" - Brother B (King Chero Records)
• "Live at 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival" - Boukman Eksperyans (MunckMix,
Inc.)
• "Sounds of Blackness" - Sounds of Blackness (Malaco Music Group)
• "The First Grader" - Alex Heffes (Varese Sarabande)

Outstanding Music Video
• "25/8" - Mary J. Blige (Geffen)

 JILL SCOTT

• "Hear My Call" - Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)
• "I Was Here" - Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• "Someone Like You" - Adele (Columbia Records)
• "Where You At" - Jennifer Hudson (Arista Records)

Outstanding Song
• "Best Thing I Never Had" - Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• "Fool for You feat. Melanie Fiona" - Cee Lo Green (Elektra Records)
• "I Smile" - Kirk Franklin (Verity Gospel Music Group)
• "So In Love feat. Anthony Hamilton" - Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)
• "Someone Like You" - Adele (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Album
• "4" - Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• "F.A.M.E" - Chris Brown (Jive Records)
• "I Remember Me" - Jennifer Hudson (Arista Records)
• "Lasers" - Lupe Fiasco (1st & 15th/Atlantic Records)
• "The Light of the Sun" - Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)

LITERATURE CATEGORIES
Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction
• "A Silken Thread" - Brenda Jackson (Harlequin Kimani Press)
• "Boundaries" - Elizabeth Nunez (Akashic Books)
• "Say Amen, Again" - Reshonda Tate Billingsley (Gallery Books)
• "Silver Sparrow" - Tayari Jones (Algonquin Books)
• "The Plot Against Hip Hop: A Novel" - Nelson George (Akashic Books)

Outstanding Literary Work - Non-Fiction
• "Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America" - Melissa Harris-Perry (Yale University Press)
• "Super Rich" - Russell Simmons (Gotham Books)
• "The Cosmopolitan Canopy" - Elijah Anderson (W. W. Norton & Company)
• "The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place" - Hill Harper (Gotham Books)
• "Who's Afraid of Post- Blackness?: What It Means to Be Black Now" - Toure (Free Press)

Outstanding Literary Work - Debut Author
• "2Grieve 2Gether: A Journal from the Heart Helping Survivors & Supporters Navigate the Healing Process" - Denise Hall Brown (2Lift 1Up Publishing)
• "A Defining Moment" - Patricia Duncan (IJABA Publishing Inc.)
• "The Loom" - Shella Gillus (Guideposts Books)
• "The Strawberry Letter" - Lyah Le Flore (Ballantine/Random House)
• "We the Animals" - Justin Torres (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Outstanding Literary Work - Biography/Auto-Biography
• "A Singular Woman: The Untold Story of Barack Obama's Mother" - Janny Scott (Riverhead Books)
• "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention" - Manning Marable (Penguin Group (USA)-Viking)
• "My Song" - Harry Belafonte (Knopf)
• "No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington" - Condoleezza Rice (Crown
Publishers)
• "The John Carlos Story" - John Carlos, Dave Zirin (Haymarket Books)

Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional
• "A Year to Wellness and Other Weight Loss Secrets" - Bertice Berry (Freeman House
Publishing)
• "Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing" - Synthia Saint James (Create Space)
• "Our Difficult Sunlight: A Guide to Poetry, Literacy, & Social Justice in Classroom &
Community" - Quraysh Ali Lansana (Teachers & Writers Collaborative)
• "The T.D. Jakes Relationship Bible: Life Lessons on Relationships from the Inspired Word of God " - T.D. Jakes (Atria Books)

 TAVIS SMILEY

• "Too Important to Fail: Saving America's Boys" - Tavis Smiley (Author), Juan Roberts,
(Illustrator) (SmileyBooks)

Outstanding Literary Work - Poetry
• "Afro Clouds & Nappy Rain: The Curtis Brown Poems" - James Golden (iUniverse)
• "Head Off & Split" - Nikky Finney (TriQuarterly Books / Northwestern University Press)
• "Honoring Genius: The Narrative of Craft, Art, Kindness and Justice" - Haki Madhubuti
(Third World Press)
• "Intimate Thoughts" - Darrin Henson (Author), Anna Saunders (Illustrator) (Godzchild
Publishing)
• "Last Seen" - Jacqueline Jones Lamon (University of Wisconsin Press)

Outstanding Literary Work - Children
• "Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band" - Kwame Alexander (Author), Tim Bowers
(Illustrator) (Sleeping Bear Press)
• "Before There Was Mozart" - Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author), James Ransome (Illustrator) (Schwartz & Wade Books / Random House Children's Books)
• "Heart and Soul" - Kadir Nelson (Author/Illustrator) (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of
HarperCollins Children's Books)
• "White Water" - Michael S. Bandy (Author), Shadra Strickland (Illustrator) (Candlewick
Press)
• "You Can Be A Friend" - Tony Dungy (Author), Ron Mazellan (Illustrator) (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Little Simon)

Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens
• "Camo Girl" - Kekla Magoon (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Aladdin)
• "Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary" - Jerdine Nolan (Author), Sadra
Strickland (Illustrator) (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Paula Wiseman Books)
• "Jesse Owens: "I Always Loved Running"" - Jeff Burlingame (Enslow Publishers, Inc.)
• "Kick" - Walter Dean (HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books)
• "Planet Middle School" - Nikki Grimes (Bloomsbury Children's Books)

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Motion Picture
• "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)

• "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)
• "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• "Tower Heist" (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
• Eddie Murphy - "Tower Heist" (Universal Pictures)
• Laurence Fishburne - "Contagion" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

 LAZ ALONSO & PAULA PATTON

"JUMPING THE BROOM"

• Laz Alonso - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• Oliver Litondo - "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)
• Vin Diesel - "Fast Five" (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
• Adepero Oduye - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Emma Stone - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• Paula Patton - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)

 VIOLA DAVIS (standing) in "THE HELP"

• Viola Davis - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• Zoë Saldana - "Colombiana" (TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
• Anthony Mackie - "The Adjustment Bureau" (Universal Pictures)
• Charles Parnell - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Don Cheadle - "The Guard" (Sony Pictures Classics)

• Jeffrey Wright - "The Ides of March" (Columbia Pictures)

• Mike Epps - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
• Bryce Dallas Howard - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone
Pictures)
• Cicely Tyson - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• Kim Wayans - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Maya Rudolph - "Bridesmaids" (Universal Pictures)
• Octavia Spencer - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
• "I Will Follow" (AFFRM)
• "Kinyarwanda" (AFFRM)

 MOOZ-lum

• "MOOZ-lum" (AFFRM)
• "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)

Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture
• "A Separation" (Sony Pictures Classics)
• "Attack the Block" (Screen Gems)
• "In the Land of Blood and Honey" (FilmDistrict)
• "Le Havre" (Janus Films)
• "Life, Above All" (Sony Pictures Classics)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary - (Theatrical or Television)
• "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest" (Sony Pictures Classics)
• "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey" (Submarine Deluxe)
• "Sing Your Song" (HBO Documentary Films)
• "The Rescuers" (Michael King Productions)

THUNDER SOUL

• "Thunder Soul" (Roadside Attractions)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
• Arthur Harris - "Reed Between the Lines" - Let's Talk About Ms. Helen's Son Part 1 (BET)
• Prentice Penny - "Happy Endings" - The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
• Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil - "The Game" - Parachutes....Beach Chairs (BET)
• Vali Chandrasekaran - "30 Rock" - It's Never Too Late For Now (NBC)
• Vince Cheung, Ben Montanio - "Wizards of Waverly Place" - Wizards vs. Angels (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
• Cheo Hodari Coker - "SouthLAnd" - Punching Water (TNT)
• Janine Sherman Barrois - "Criminal Minds" - The Bittersweet Science (CBS)
• Lolis Eric Elie - "Treme" - Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues? (HBO)
• Pam Veasey - "Ringer" - Oh Gawd, There's Two of Them? (The CW)
• Zoanne Clack - "Grey's Anatomy" - I Will Survive (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture - (Theatrical or Television)
• Alrick Brown - "Kinyarwanda" (AFFRM)
• Ann Peacock - "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)
• Dee Rees - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Elizabeth Hunter, Arlene Gibbs - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• Tate Taylor - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
• Jay Chandrasekhar - "Happy Endings" - The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
• Kevin Hooks - "Drop Dead Diva" - Mother's Day (Lifetime)
• Leonard R. Garner Jr. - "Rules of Engagement" - The Set Up (CBS)
• Miguel Arteta - "How to Make It in America" - Mofongo (HBO)
• Salim Akil - "The Game" - Parachutes/Beach Chairs (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
• Ernest Dickerson - "Treme" - Do Watcha Wanna (HBO)
• Ken Whittingham - "Parenthood" - Opening Night (NBC)
• Kevin Sullivan - "NCIS" - Tell-All (CBS)
• Paris Barclay - "Sons of Anarchy" - Out (FX Network)
• Seith Mann - "Dexter" - Get Gellar (Showtime)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture - (Theatrical or Television)
• Alrick Brown - "Kinyarwanda" (AFFRM)
• Angelina Jolie - "In the Land of Blood and Honey" (FilmDistrict)
• Dee Rees - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Salim Akil - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• Tate Taylor - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)