American

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

Emmy Award-winning casting director and producer Robi Reed recently hosted her annual End of Summer Celebration at the private estate of Judge Greg Mathis and Linda Mathis in Beverly Hills. The star-studded Labor Day weekend party benefited Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization, The Black AIDS Institute. Actress Vanessa Williams (Showtime’s Soul Food) and actor/comedian Gary “G-Thang” Johnson were co-hosts. The annual soiree is one of the most highly-anticipated parties in Hollywood. Among the approximately 400 persons in attendance were Denzel Washington, Ron Artest, Affion Crockett, Kimberly Elise, Johnny Gill, Fonzworth Bentley, other entertainment industry insiders, politicians, business executives and community leaders. 

The Prostate Health Education Network Inc. (PHEN) will host its 7th annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit in Washington, D.C., from Sept. 22-23, at the U.S. Capitol and Washington Convention Center, respectively. The summit is free and open to the public. This year’s theme is “Saving Lives: Strategies for Eliminating the African American Prostate Cancer Disparity.” Congressman Gregory Meeks (N.Y.) will host the event as an official part of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Annual Legislative Conference. More than 30 speakers and presenters are slated to attend and will assess various efforts to help eliminate the African American prostate cancer disparity, the largest racial disparity for any type of major cancer, as well as map strategies for new activities in the fight against prostate cancer.

Actress Ella Joyce, remembered for her co-starring role of Eleanor on TV’s “Roc,” Jasmin on “My Wife & Kids,” and Det. Waller in the film “Set If Off,” captures the famous moment in the life of Rosa Parks, affectionately called “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” in her highly acclaimed, one-woman play “A Rose Among Thorns: a Tribute to Rosa Parks.” The show is stopping in Washington, D.C., after headlining Stage Aurora’s 4th annual Black Arts Festival in Jacksonville, Fla., last July. Four shows will be presented by The Essential Theatre in Washington, D.C. Performances will be located at Under Croft Theatre Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, Sept. 21-24. Shows are already being scheduled through Black History Month 2012.

Girls Who Rule the World Mentoring Weekend is a three-day, two-night program designed by Marjorie Harvey, president of the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, to enhance the development of young girls and provide a forum to expose them to the benefits and the importance of positive self-image, responsible personal conduct, respect for self and others via educational achievement, cultural enrichment and mentoring. One hundred young women from the metro Atlanta and surrounding areas are pre-selected to attend the weekend of mentoring, Oct. 28-30. The weekend leadership is comprised of women business and community leaders who will provide wisdom and resources to help guide girls through the importance of financial literacy, balanced nutrition, proper etiquette, self-esteem and professional and educational development. The goal of the Girls Who Rule the World Mentoring Weekend is to empower young women to pursue excellence in every area of their lives.