Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
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April 21, 2012“Don’t try to build a big, huge wall. Just lay one brick perfectly each day and eventually, when you look back, at some point you’ll see a wall.” Will Smith, Actor
Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a commentTyler Perry & President Obama
April 21, 2012Tyler Perry Hosts Fundraisers for President Barack Obama History in Southwest Atlanta: The President Visits Tyler Perry Studios Movie mogul Tyler Perry helped raise millions for President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign by hosting fundraisers in Atlanta at his very own Tyler Perry Studios and at his private estate March 16. The cost of the fundraisers ranged from $250 to $35,800, with the least expensive ticket price giving guests entrance into the swank Tyler Perry Studios, a performance by Grammy nominated singer and producer Cee-Lo Green, a chance to hobnob amongst Atlanta dignitaries such as Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, and a chance to witness a historical campaign speech by President Barack Obama. A photo with President Obama cost $10,000. The highest priced ticket – $35,800 – included dinner at Perry’s mansion in Buckhead, where media mogul and Perry’s friend Oprah Winfrey was also present. Perry was overwhelmed with emotion as he introduced the President to an exuberant crowd of more than a thousand supporters at Tyler Perry Studios chanting, “Four More Years!” “This is surreal to me,” Perry said as he began to introduce the President. Perry shared how he had no role models growing up, but still imagined owning his own business and opening his own studio. “But in everything that I have imagined I never thought there would be a day when the presidential motorcade would come through southwest Atlanta – giving all of these little boys and little girls a glimpse of what destiny looks like,” Perry said. “The very fact that the president is here should speak to the possibility of all of us taking the limits off our own imaginations. It should speak to the possibilities of all of us being better – a better you, a better …
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a comment27th Annual Stellar Awards
April 21, 2012Gospel music’s finest showed up in force at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House Theatre for the taping of the industry’s premier event, The 27th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards in January. The celebration began with star-studded red carpet arrivals including stars Tina Campbell (of Mary Mary), Teddy Campbell, Dr. Bobby Jones, Earnest Pugh, Byron Cage, James Fortune, Richard Smallwood, Dottie Peoples, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, actress/producer Kim Fields, Regina Bell, Shirley Murdoch, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, Wess Morgan, top winner of the night, EMI Gospel artist Vashawn Mitchell and more. Hosted by Marvin Sapp and Dorinda Clark Cole, the show kicked off with an electrifying performance from Kirk Franklin. Other performers included Fred Hammond, Martha Munizzi, Kim Burrell,Jessica Reedy, Le’Andria Johnson, Lecrea, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., and Canton Jones gave an exciting collaborative performance. Special awards recipients Vy Higginsen, Dorothy Norwood and John P. Kee were all present to be honored. Additional celebrities in attendance were gospel music icons Cece Winans and Donnie McClurkin, actress Carmen Ejogo(Lackawanna Blues, Sparkle), and ex-baseball player turned gospel artist, Todd Dulaney among others. Photo Caption: Donnie McClurkin and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary at the 27th Annual Stellar Awards. (Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Courtesy of Central City Productions & The FrontPage Firm) Photo Caption: Female collaboration performance by Le’Andria Johnson, “Female Vocalist of the Year” winner Kim Burrell, Martha Munizzi and Jessica Reedy. (Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Courtesy of Central City Productions & The FrontPage Firm) Photo Caption: Hip Hop collaboration performance by Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Canton Jones and Lecrae. (Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Courtesy of Central City Productions & The FrontPage Firm) Photo Caption: James Fortune & wife, Don Jackson (Stellar Awards Exec Producer) & wife Rose, and Isaac Caree & wife arrives at the 27th Annual Stellar Awards. (Photo Credit: Earl Gibson / Courtesy of Central City Productions & The FrontPage Firm) Photo Caption: The Rance Allen Group, Stellar Awards winner for “Traditional Group/Duo of the Year,” on the red carpet at the 27th Annual Stellar Awards. (Photo Credit: Rick Diamond / Courtesy of …
Posted in 57th NAACP Image Awards | Leave a commentCollege Girl Beauty Tips for Any Age
April 21, 2012BEAUTY, FITNESS, DIET, GLAMOUR by Kristin Jenkins As a student at the University of Georgia, maintaining a beauty and fitness regimen is essential to looking good and feeling good. Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and ages, and just like a college girl, you, too, can have an inner and outer glow. College Girl Diet Tips: Limit the intake of processed foods such as frozen meals. Most are high in sodium, dehydrates the body, affects the cardiovascular system and stimulates weight gain. You should also limit simple sugar intake to avoid diabetes. Instead of sugary foods, choose complex sugars such as whole grain bread products. Remember, moderation is the key to a healthy diet. Try not to eat anything solid three hours before bedtime. If you do, just keep in mind that your body will not have time to burn off the calories, which may lead to weight gain. I suggest starting the day off with a nutritious, high calorie breakfast, which jump-starts your metabolism. Another metabolism booster is Vitamin B12, which can be found in meat, fish, milk (and milk products), eggs and poultry. Along with a diet high in B12, eating foods high in fiber keeps the digestive track healthy. Some high fiber foods include fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Avoid dark colored sodas, which contain carcinogens, a cancer-causing agent. Research has shown that 100,000 Americans with cancer have been linked to drinking sodas regularly. Nutrition counselor Anthony Cody advises people to “Re-think” what they drink! “Calories are more nutritious when eaten,” he said. Try to avoid caffeine because it’s a stimulant that increases your heart rate and causes potential dependency. Energy drinks containing niacin and caffeine dehydrate the body and increase chances of heart disease. College Girl Fitness Tips: Growing up as a competitive cheerleader, it was …
Posted in Fitness | 1 CommentLISA LESLIE LAUNCHES BASKETBALL & LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
April 8, 2012FOUR TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST, WNBA MVP & SPARKS CO-OWNER LISA LESLIE LAUNCHES BASKETBALL & LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Lisa Leslie, four-time gold-medal winner and WNBA league/playoff/All-Star Game MVP launched Lisa Leslie Basketball & Leadership Academy in March. The academy will deliver exclusive year round basketball skills training for girls and instill discipline, mental toughness and the qualities needed to win the game of life. The Basketball aspect of the Academy will offer two camps for girls between the ages of 7 and 17 – a Basketball Camp and an Elite Camp. The Basketball Camp will be a series of weekly camps for girls looking for a fun, instructional week of basketball, with emphasis placed on teaching the basic offensive and defensive techniques and skills that are essential to the game. The Elite Camp will provide training and the opportunity to be seen by some of the premier college and WNBA coaches in the nation for the serious athlete who is preparing to play Division I and professional basketball. The Leadership aspect of the Academy will be structured to develop exemplary young ladies by teaching sportsmanship, dressing for success, interview training, appearance and personal hygiene, effective communication skills, volunteerism, mentorship and managing success and setback. Leslie says “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share my knowledge of the game of basketball and I look forward to “passing the ball” to the next generation!” Recently, Leslie became the co-owner of her former team, Los Angeles Sparks. Alongside former NBC General Manager, Paula Madison, attorney and teacher, Kathy Goodman and Carla Christofferson. She is the first former WNBA player to become a business partner and team ambassador. “With my investment in the Sparks, my basketball career has truly come full circle.” Says Leslie. Leslie not only played for the LA Sparks …
Posted in Fashion | 1 Comment
