Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Host 35th Annual Derby Brunch
May 6, 2015Hortense B. Perry Foundation ETA Omega Chapter- Louisville, Kentucky – 35th Annual Derby Brunch – May 2, 2015 – Ramada Plaza Hotel
Posted in Photos | 1 Comment141st Kentucky Derby – All About the Hats, Horse Racing & American Pharoah
May 6, 2015American Pharoah was the big winner at the 141st Running of the Kentucky Derby, which brought excitement, fashion and horse-race hoopla amongst a record-breaking crowd of 170,00 attendees to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky May 2. Although I had hoped to travel to Louisville early – to witness the Oaks the day before the Kentucky Derby – I was only able to make it to the host city of “the most exciting two minutes in sports” (The Kentucky Derby) on Derby Day. But experiencing one day at the Kentucky Derby was like experiencing Christmas in May! I woke up excited that I had obtained press credentials for Sonya’s Spotlight Web Magazine, granting me access to the Red Carpet and Green Room, Dining Rooms, Millionaires Row, Skye Terraces and the Media Center. Of course I couldn’t be everywhere, so my assistant, Carla Johnson, and I mostly floated around Millionaires Row – mingling, betting on horses and taking a ton of photos. We chatted it up with attendees from Ohio, North Carolina, California and beyond. Since I’m no neophyte when it comes to attending The Kentucky Derby (I’ve attended six times), I knew that having the right chapeaux would make me a winner, even if the horse I bet on did not win. With Derby fun and fashion in mind, I met with Vernell “Grand Diva” Washington, Global Representative for Grace’s Hats and CEO of Grand Diva Enterprises (www.granddivaenterprises.com), a few days prior to the Derby. I told her I wanted a hat that was big and colorful, so she helped me choose a darling orange chapeaux from her myriad of colorful Nigerian imported hats. The flowers and feathers on top of the hat set it off and made me feel like a flower in bloom myself. My chapeaux was indeed, a winner. I couldn’t help but don it at the airport, after getting off my flight, where I got handclaps as I “Derby walked” down the concourse. Yes, there …
Posted in Movie News, Photos | Leave a commentThe Alphas Of Atlanta, Inc. Host Inaugural KENTUCKY DERBY Themed Day Event
May 6, 2015THE ALPHAS OF ATLANTA, INC SERVED AS HOSTS FOR THEIR INAUGURAL KENTUCKY DERBY THEMED DAY EVENT TO RAISE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SEVEN METRO-AREA NONPROFITS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY. On May 2, 2015, the Alphas of Atlanta, Inc., a collective of the metro-Atlanta alumni chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., hosted their inaugural Alpha Derby Day Party. The event, which carried a Kentucky Derby centered theme, took place at The City Club of Buckhead from 3-8pm, located in the heart of the Buckhead District. Through the efforts of the partner chapters located in Morrow/Clayton County, Duluth/Gwinnett County, Atlanta/Fulton County, Decatur/DeKalb County, Stockbridge/Henry County, Loganville-Conyers/Walton County, and Marietta/Cobb County, along with The LEAD Foundation, a total of seven (7) metro-Atlanta nonprofits were supported through this event. The event is drew a capacity audience of 700 of the metro area’s upwardly mobile professionals, along with corporate support from business sponsors such as Clorox, UPS, Sandtown Family Dentistry, Konstrux Designs, and others. The Alphas of Atlanta, Inc., held their kickoff mixer the evening of May 1, 2015 at the W Hotel in Buckhead at the rooftop venue Whiskey Blue. As the oldest intercollegiate fraternity established for African-American men established on the campus of Cornell University (in Ithaca, NY) on December, 4, 1906, the fraternity boasts members past and present such as (but not limited to) Martin Luther King, Jr, along with contemporary figures including Andrew Young, Dr. Walter Kimbrough (President of Dillard University), Lionel Ritchie, Omari Hardwick, Rob Hardy, and Hill Harper (among others). #AlphaDerbyParty. Web: www.AlphaDerbyParty.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/1565232000375579/
Posted in Movie News | 1 CommentAtlanta Jazz Festival Announces Schedule in Piedmont Park Memorial Day Weekend
April 29, 2015Atlanta Jazz Festival Announces Schedule in Piedmont Park for Memorial Day Weekend: May 22-24 Free festival offers Contemporary, Traditional, Swing & Latin Jaz Atlanta, GA — “We have an incredible roster of musicians coming to Atlanta from around the world to perform at the 38th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival over Memorial Day Weekend,” says Camille Russell Love, Executive Director of the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. “And with three stages to enjoy, you’ll have lots of fabulous choices. Whether you like instrumentals or sultry vocalists, contemporary, traditional, swing or Latin Jazz, we will have something for every jazz lover. Visit our web site at www.atlantafestivals.com to learn more about the artists who are performing at this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival.” The Atlanta Jazz Festival is FREE and open to the public. Here’s the schedule in Piedmont Park: Friday, May 22 Main Stage: 7:00 pm Mad Satta 9:00 pm Thundercat Saturday, May 23 Local Stage: 12:30 pm Tri-Cities High School Jazz Band 2:30 pm Jessie Davis & the Nebraska Jones Experiment 4:30 pm Kenosha Kid 6:30 pm Wolfpack ATL International Stage: 1:30 pm North Atlanta Center for the Arts Jazz Band 3:30 pm Dida 5:30 pm Banda Magda 7:30 pm Alfredo Rodriguez Trio Main Stage: 1:00 pm Contemporary Violinist Daniel D. 3:00 pm The Rad Trads 5:00 pm Marcus Strickland Twi-Life 7:00 pm Otis Brown III 9:00 pm Derrick Hodge Sunday, May 24 Local Stage: 12:30 pm Joe Gransden and his Big Band 2:30 pm Mastery 4:30 pm Jeff Sparks 6:30 pm Tony Hightower International Stage: 1:30 pm Fernanda Noronha 3:30 pm Strings from Haiti 5:30 pm Emrah Kotan 7:30 pm …
Posted in Fitness | Leave a commentBrotherly Love in theaters April 24
April 23, 2015Brotherly Love Synopsis: KeKe Palmer, Cory Hardrict and Quincy Brown lead the cast for first time writer/director Jamal Hill in a complicated love story that will grip your heart and awaken your belief in family. Set in West Philadelphia, born-and-raised basketball star Sergio Taylor (Eric D. Hill Jr.) deals with the early pressures of fame. Alongside older brother June (Cory Hardrict), who lost his own hoop dreams to the streets to provide for the family after their father¹s death, and sister Jackie (KeKe Palmer), whose own musical ambitions are sidetracked by love, Sergio faces life-altering decisions on the streets of Philly. #BrotherlyLove
Posted in TV | Leave a commentPAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 in theaters April 17
April 10, 2015In this sequel, in which Kevin James reprises the role of Paul Blart, the security guard is headed to Las Vegas to attend a Security Guard Expo with his teenage daughter Maya (Raini Rodriguez) before she departs for college. While at the convention, he inadvertently discovers a heist – and it’s up to Blart to apprehend the criminals. Genre: Comedy Cast: Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Eduardo Verástegui, Daniella Alonso, Neal McDonough, David Henrie Director: Andy Fickman Writers: Nick Bakay, Kevin James Blart Rides Again! Follow us for updates: www.facebook.com/PaulBlartMovie www.twitter.com/PaulBlartMovie Sonya’s Spotlight Giveaway Items: Fanny packs Adult t-shirt Youth t-shirt Security badge sticker Mini poster Full size poster For a Friday Treat (4/10/15), Sonya’s Spotlight Web Mag is hosting a promotional Giveaway for the film Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, which will be in theaters next Friday, April 17th! The first person to answer the following questions via my social media pages (Sonya Jenkins on Facebook or SonyasSpotlight via Instagram) or in a comment below will WIN the prizes listed below!! Also post #BlartRidesAgain. Prize # 1 – Paul Blart:Mall Cop 2 Fanny Pack. Question: In the Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 trailer, complete this sentence: Paul Bart is finally getting a __________. Prize #2 – Paul Blart:Mall Cop 2 Adult T-Shirt. Question: What is Paul Blart headed to Vegas to attend? Prize #3 – Paul Blart:Mall Cop 2 Youth T-Shirt & Mini Poster. Question: From the trailer, complete this sentence – “A Hero Is Never ________ ________.” Prize #4 – Paul Blart:Mall Cop 2 Security Badge Sticker & Full Size Poster Question: Choose answer A, B or C. From the trailer, when Paul Bart approaches the female police officer on …
Posted in TV | Leave a commentDuke claims fifth NCAA men’s basketball crown
April 7, 2015(CNN) Four fabulous freshmen led Duke and Coach K to a fifth national title. The Blue Devils won the NCAA men’s basketball championship in a thrilling title contest on Monday in Indianapolis, defeating a tough Wisconsin team 68-63. Duke freshmen guards Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen led the Blue Devils with 23 and 16 points, respectively. National freshman of the year Jahlil Okafor had 10 points despite spending most of the second half on the bench. Duke’s fourth prized freshman Justise Winslow scored 11 points. “My team had great grit and determination. Our defense down the stretch was magnificent.,” said Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “I don’t know how you can be any better than we were down the stretch.” Jones had 19 points in the second half as the Blue Devil guards got more aggressive in driving to the basket. Duke ended up with 10 more points from the free throw line even after Wisconsin only committed two fouls in the first half. With the Duke guards dribbling hard into the lane more, the Badgers had 13 second-half fouls. “We just didn’t get it done offensively,” Wisconsin’s Josh Gasser said. “We fouled too much the second half. They were just driving it hard.” The national title is the fifth for Krzyzewski, moving him ahead of the late Adolph Rupp into second place among Division I men’s coaches. It is also the fifth for the Duke program, tying it with Indiana and North Carolina for third most NCAA championships. Wisconsin was sparked by national player of the year Frank Kaminsky, who scored 21 points and had 12 rebounds. Nigel Hayes chipped in 13 points while Sam Dekker added 12, but shot poorly from the field. “He just was off with his outside shot,” Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan said …
Posted in Fashion | Leave a commentU.S. Congressman John Lewis Celebrates 75th Birthday
April 1, 2015U.S. Congressman and Civil Rights Icon John Lewis celebrated his 75th birthday with family, friends and hundreds of guests from around the world during a star-studded gala at the Tabernacle Atlanta, March 28. Lewis sat back and enjoyed performances and appearances by actress Alfre Woodard, singer Dionne Warwick, singer Jennifer Holliday, actor Dule Hill, actress Terri J. Vaughn, actress Kim Fields, singer Regina Belle, actress Tichina Arnold, former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, former Gov. Roy Barnes, singer Demetria McKinney and more, with a special videotaped messages from President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton. After enjoying a show filled with tributes in song, dance, and Broadway energy, Congressman Lewis joined guests on stage and danced to Pharrell’s Oscar-winning song, “Happy.” He later partied with A.J. Calloway and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and his wife Sarah, at the after-party at the Tabernacle – sharing a message of hope and pride to the mostly under 30 crowd in attendance – even dancing to 50 Cent’s “In Da Club.”
Posted in Photos | Leave a comment2015 STELLAR MUSIC AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST IN GOSPEL MUSIC
March 30, 2015SURPRISE REUNIONS, ROUSING PERFORMANCES AND LEGENDARY HONORS WERE BESTOWED UPON THE BEST IN GOSPEL MUSIC AT THE 30th ANNIVERSARY STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS SHOW ERICA CAMPBELL WALKS AWAY WITH SIX TROPHIES FOR NEW ALBUM “HELP,” FOLLOWED BY RICKY DILLARD AND NEW G WITH THREE AWARDS AND DEITRICK HADDON TIED WITH THE WALLS GROUP FOR TWO WINS EACH Tune in to the Stellar Awards premiere on TV One, Easter Sunday, April 5 at 6pm ET/5pm CT; Will also air in syndication April 6 through May 10 on 150 stations in over 125 markets. The Stellar Awards opening performance featured Michelle Williams and a surprise reunion with Beyonce and Kelly Rowland singing her nominated single, “Say Yes.” The Stellar Awards will premiere on TV One Easter Sunday, April 5 @ 9pm ET/8pm CT Dubbed the greatest night in Gospel music, the 30th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas turned “Sin City” into “Salvation City.” Celebrating 30 years, the Stellar Awards was co-hosted with comedic flare by David Mann (“Mann & Wife), Tamela Mann (“Sparkle”) and Ricky Smiley (“Dish Nation”) during the 2-hour taped telecast premiering Easter Sunday, April 5 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on TV One. The Stellar Awards recognizes the year’s best performances in the genre, honors Gospel music icons and acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals instrumental in advocating for the industry. The big surprise of the evening came at the top of the show, when opening act Michelle Williams was joined by former bandmates Beyonce and Kelly Rowland in a show-stopping reunion that brought the audience to its feet singing her song, “Say Yes,” a winner for “Best Music Video of the Year.” Ten-time nominee Erica Campbell took top honors, winning six awards including Artist of …
Posted in In The Spotlight, 57th NAACP Image Awards | Leave a commentBOUNCE TV HOSTS WORLDWIDE PREMIERE SCREENING FOR NEW SITCOM MANN & WIFE AT THE 30TH ANNUAL STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS
March 28, 2015Real-life husband and wife team David Mann (“Madea’s Big Happy Family”) and Tamela Mann (“Sparkle”) premiered their new family-friendly original sitcom, MANN & WIFE before a full house during this year’s 30th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award’s week of events. The “Take Me To The King” digital single, written and produced by Kirk Franklin and recorded and performed by Tamela, has been RIAA Certified Gold, having sold more than 500,000 digital copies. Tillymann Music Group label head and Tamela’s manager and husband, David Mann, presented Tamela with her RIAA Certified Gold plaque during their Mann & Wife screening event on Thursday, March 26 at the Century Orleans 18 Movie Theatre at Orleans Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Tamela Mann celebrates album certified Gold ABOUT MANN & WIFE New scripted series “MANN & WIFE,” from husband and wife team David Mann (“Madea’s Big Happy Family”) and Tamela Mann (“Sparkle”) is set to premiere on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 9pm ET/8 CT on Bounce TV. Starring as newlyweds Daniel and Toni Mann, the half-hour multi-camera sitcom revolves around the newly married couple and their blended family, each with two children from previous marriages. Daniel, a police officer from Atlanta, and Toni, a school teacher from Dallas, along with their kids DJ, Tosha, Darren and Terri all move into Daniel’s house in the Atlanta suburbs and have to adjust to their new lives together. In addition to David and Tamela, Mann & Wife stars Tony Rock, Tiny Lister and JoMarie Payton, and features guest stars Vivica A. Fox, J. Anthony Brown, Demetria McKinney, Julissa Bermudez and Rolonda Watts. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Twitter: #MannandWife Website: www.bouncetv.com/shows/mann-and-wife About Bounce TV Bounce TV features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, documentaries, specials, live sports and more. Bounce TV is …
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