Crystal J's Weblog
Wyclef Helps With Hunger/AC Green Helps Teen Missionaries
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(Read this article at blkhollywoodnews.com to read about Alicia Keyes Charity Work as well.) June Issue
Charity: Celebs Helping to Make a Difference
By Crystal A. Johnson
Wyclef Jean Helps With Hunger Crisis in Haiti
Wyclef Jean announced Yele Haiti Foundation has formed a partnership with two other charities to help address the growing food crisis in Haiti. The rising cost of fuel has driven the prices up of food making the poor unable to afford food. The economic plight has spawned rioting and hunger.
The singer/songwriter/humanitarian is joining forces with the United Nations World Food Programme and the Pan American Development Foundation to form Together for Haiti. Jean feels strongly that it is important to help Haitians learn to help themselves.
For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.togetherforhaiti.org. Just 25 cents can buy a school meal for a hungry child.
NBA Player A.C. Green Helps Team of Youth Missionaries Effort to Go to China.
Two young girls approached legendary NBA player AC Green at Fish Fest, a Christian concert festival. They told him that a group of teens were trying to raise money to do missionary work in China. The plan was in action before the recent devastating earthquake. Ironically, the missionary expedition will be nine driving hours away from where the earthquake happened. The group is hoping to get the chance to lend their support in the effected area. The youth’s small church, Panorama Baptist Church is involved in the YWAM organization which stands for Youth With A Mission. They believe that the Gospel is not only God’s Word, but that it has to be put into everyday practice.
Green pledged his involvement on the spot and in a unique way. Through the Christian Flower Network, founded by AC Green the band of eight kids and two chaperones will receive donations toward their missionary trip. During the month of June, 30% of the sales generated on their website for silk flowers and gift certificates their website will go to the missionary opportunity for the teens as long as one selects Panorama Baptist Church as the organization at www.christianflowernetwork.com.
Tags: ACGreen, AliciaKeyes, China, Christianity, Haiti, WycleffJean
LTTS Coverage: First Star Charity Event by Crystal A. Johnson
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(You can read this article and search about other celebrity charity work at looktothestars.org)
June 11, 2008 by Crystal A. Johnson
A bevy of stars, including Youth Ambassador and actress Dakota Fanning, came out to support the First Star organization’s Celebration for Children’s Rights on June 7, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.
Industry moguls were honored for their extraordinary contributions, such as Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of Relativity Media, receiving the Humanitarian Award. Additionally, Peter Levinsohn, President of Fox Interactive Media received the Community Award.
Celebrities from the worlds of music, television and film showed their support for the mission of First Star to improve the life of child victims of abuse and neglect. That’s So Raven/Corey in the House star Kyle Massey and his older brother Chris Massey – featured on Zoey 101 – have been involved with First Star since 2005. Kyle expressed, “This is a great organization… It gives the children hope.” He added that he hopes to be a part of the organization for a really long time.
First Star and the Child Advocacy Institute are pushing for changes in state and federal laws. They support changes that would clarify and strengthen disclosure requirements so states know how to comply with the intent of the legislation. Another matter of great concern relates to the release of information about child fatality or near fatality unless a person is criminally charged. The First Star advocacy group believes that disclosures should not be dependent on a district attorney’s decision to prosecute.
When asked how she came to be involved with an organization which deals with such heavy issues, Dakota Fanning replied, “Peter Samuelson is someone that I came to know through Starlight Starbright. He told me be about this, and I thought would be another really great organization to be a part of.”
Other young stars in attendance included Maria Lark of the hit show Medium, and actress Alexandra Rose Rieger. Before the awards ceremony took place, kids got the opportunity to indulge in play in a carnival environment. Celebrity kids joined in the festivities.
Big time celebrity support also came from Val Kilmer, Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Every Body Hates Chris actress Tichina Arnold, actor Robert Knepper of Prison Break, host Spike Feresten of Talk Show With Spike, film & TV star Arlen Escarpeta, and rap artist David Banner
Tags: CubaGoodingJr., DakotaFanning, DavidBanner, FirstStar, KyleMassey, TichinaArnold, ValKilmer
RISING STAR NATE PARKER IS A MAN OF EXCELLENCE by Crystal A. Johnson
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See more photos of Nate and this article at blkhollywoodnews.com
BHN caught up with Nate Parker while on set in North Carolina for his next film, Blood Done Sign My Name. Parker garnered much attention from the critically acclaimed The Great Debaters, a story where his character undergoes a process of marked maturity by the end of the film. In Pride he plays a teenager and in the Great Debaters, Parker plays a college student. Now Hollywood is opening its doors for Parker to transition from leading teenager to leading man. The handsome 28-year-old talent has honed his acting chops opposite Oscar nominee Terrence Howard and Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Forrest Whittaker.
Parker is very humble about his success; instead, he is more excited about what he can do for the community with his blessings. Parker tries to do outreach work often. Currently, he is working on a project in conjunction with Raleigh College and corporate sponsors “100 Men of Excellence.” The program will sponsor 100 men of color for school and internships. Nate is concerned about the percentages of women versus men of color entering college, “I am trying to do what I can while the iron is hot. Who knows what can happen tomorrow?”
Education did not elude the Norfolk, Virginia born actor. Ironically, Parker and I shared a laugh when we realized that we attended the same high school, Great Bridge High in Chesapeake, VA. He went on to complete college at the University of Oklahoma, where he studied Management Information Systems. Parker admits, “I had no desire to be an actor. I did not know that I would become one.” He adds, “Now I am passionate about my career choice, but I am trying to use this quote on quote ‘celebrity’to exhibit leadership and encourage education. I travel from city to city speaking to kids and uplift them about education.”
The dashing new leading man is a man of faith, a husband, a father and a face that will inevitably become more recognizable with four films set to come out within a year. Parker can be seen next year in the highly anticipated Secret Life of Bees which features Queen Latifah, Alicia Keyes, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Tristan Wilds and many other A-listers. When picking films, Nate says that he doesn’t like to sell himself short. He likes to pick films that he believes in. Of the movie he is currently filming Parker says, “Blood Done Sign My Name is named for the Negro spiritual and the book, by Duke Professor, Tim Tyson. This is basically the story of when Ben Chavis goes from teacher to activist.” Parker will play the teacher who emerged as a civil rights leader when a white businessman is exonerated in the 1970 killing.
Nate Parker is trying to make a difference on screen and off. BHN applauds Parker’s commitment to excellence.
