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| Olu Dara Helps Black Star News  The Black Star News Publishing Company announced the names of African American achievers who will be honored March 31 at the company's annual awards dinner. These achievers inspire millions in the African American community and beyond-honorees this year include the legendary Harry Belafonte, Cynthia McKinney, Charles Barron, Imhotep Gary Byrd, Alton Maddox, Kermit Eady, Marian Wright Edelman and Roger Toussaint. The awards dinner will be held at the landmark Puck Building in Manhattan. Musical entertainment will be provided by renowned Jazz great, Olu Dara. There will also be performance by a traditional African dance group and some poetry and presentation by writer, Relentless Aaron.The Black Star focuses on investigative journalism and targets African American readers and immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa. The paper has broken several major news stories, including a scoop on all other media outlets with a report of a scandal at Morgan Stanley a few years ago. BSN exclusively reported that the white shoe investment bank had paid an informant $10, 000 to entrap a former African American employee to prevent him from filing a wrongful dismissal and racism law suit. CNN, The Wall Street Journal and other media credited BSN with the scoop. The theme of this year's annual dinner is "Saving Our Brothers & Sisters In New Orleans." BSN will donate a portion of all proceeds from ticket sales for assistance to Katrina survivors by working with Entergy Co.'s "Power Of Hope Foundation." BSN also honors The City and People Of New Orleans. The honorees recognized this year, in their respective ways, have all fought for the progress and dignity of African peoples every where. Barron is a New York City councilmember and U.S. Congressman-in-waiting, having launched his campaign recently. Sutton is Founder and Chair emeritus of WBLS/Inner City Broadcasting; Belafonte is a global human rights ambassador and renowned entertainer; Wright Edelman is Founder & CEO of The Children's Defense Fund; Rep. McKinney is a Congressmember representing Georgia; Eady is CEO of Eady Associates and former founder/CEO of Black United Fund; Imhotep Gary Byrd is a legendary radio host on WLIB/WBLS/WBAI and founder of The Global Black Experience; Maddox is a legendary attorney and activist; and, Toussaint is New York Transport Workers' Union President. Belafonte and Wright Edelman will be attending other events on March 31 and will not be able to accept awards in person. In a telephone call to BSN Publisher Milton Allimadi, Belafonte conveyed his support for the newspaper's mission and the awards dinner. Recently Belafonte made world wide news headlines when he denounced President Bush's global militaristic policies while in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. This year's keynote speaker at The Black Star News's annual dinner is Hon. Leonor Osorio, Consul General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in New York City. Honorees at our last Annual Awards dinner, held at the famous Jazz Au Bar Restaurant were: Bill and Camille Cosby; Herman Edwards, head coach of the New York Football Jets; and, Amiel Larrieux, multi-talented singer, who was also the musical guest. Speakers included Barron, Gil Noble, host of "Like It Is, " on WABC and Tony Perkins of "Good Morning America." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |