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Name	Description
Rachel & Veronica	Rachel & Veronica from Road Rules are lecturing on positive body image & eating disorders. Rachel Robinson stated, As women on the MTV network, we felt we needed to put a speech together that had something to say aside from gossip about our shows. We need to address this subject matter here on campus. We can?t ignore it. Veronica Portillo opened up that she starved herself growing up in Orange County, California often eating only an apple a day. Ironically she was cast to be on Road Rules when she was at the depths of her starvation. Veronica stated, I found strength by traveling the world (on the show) and seeing how women are celebrated for their bodies. That was how I found inspiration.? Rachel follow up by saying, Confidence is the key to success. Media images are not reflections of reality. As individuals, we decide how to experience the media messages we encounter. (These images) are always going to exist. They won?t stop. It?s up to us to become a critical viewer and a smart viewer. Most interesting revelation I thought was when Rachel declared, The men on our shows are more body conscious than the women. She said this is because of the integration of metrosexuality into society, and the increasing use of steroids.
The Boys Choir of Harlem	World-renowned Boys Choir of Harlem presents an uplifting and inspiring musical presentation.
Shirley Jones & Marty Ingels	Oscar winning actress, Shirley Jones and her husband, comedian Marty Ingels, present a motivating and humorous program.
The Amazing Kreskin	World�s foremost menatlist and entertainer.
Common	Common is a Chicago-based hip hop artist known for lyrics that focus on love and spirituality. His music falls under the socially conscious subgenre of hip hop. Though he has maintained a significant underground following, in recent years he has gained notable mainstream success. His major-label debut Like Water for Chocolate received critical acclaim and some commercial success, and his latest album Be, which features nine tracks produced by Kanye West, has sold 800,000 copies and was nominated in the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album.
	Tony Snow is the White House Press Secretary for the George W. Bush administration. He succeeded Scott McClellan, becoming the third individual to serve in that position under President Bush. It is the second Presidential administration to which Snow has been employed, having worked for President George H. W. Bush as chief speechwriter and Deputy Assistant of Media Affairs. Between his two White House stints, Snow was a broadcaster and newspaper columnist. After years of regular guest-hosting for The Rush Limbaugh Show and providing news commentary for National Public Radio, he launched his own talk radio program, The Tony Snow Show, which went on to become nationally syndicated. He was also a regular personality on Fox News Channel since 1996, hosting Fox News Sunday, Weekend Live, and often substituting as host of The O'Reilly Factor.

Dance Theatre of Harlem	Internationally acclaimed professional ballet company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem was established in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, as his personal commitment to the people of Harlem following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Dolans	Financial planning experts, Ken and Daria Dolan host a daily national personal finance radio call-in show on the WOR Radio Network and are contributors to the national morning television show "CBS This Morning" and "CBS Saturday Morning." They are the co-authors of Straight Talk: Ken and Daria Dolan's Guide to Family Money Management.
The Flirtations	Nationally celebrated gay a capella singing group.
Judge Judy	Smart, savvy and opinionated, the irrepressible Judge Judy Sheindlin holds court as presiding judge over real-life cases on the syndicated reality courtroom show, "Judge Judy." Having made a name for herself as a tough but fair judge in New York's Family Court, Judge Judy retired from the bench in 1996 and segued to television to host the successful series. Judge Judy brings her trademark wit and wisdom to the only half-hour series currently on the air that takes viewers inside an actual courtroom where justice is dispensed at lightning speed.
Montana Logging & Ballet Co.	Musical political satire troupe.
Penn & Teller	"We have been doing magic together for twenty-five years, and are so sick of it we could spit. So, in the new show, we are moving into the field of religion and will be performing real miracles." Penn & Teller are a couple of eccentric guys who have learned how to do a few cool things. Together since 1975, their award-winning theater show has been a long running hit on and off-Broadway. The duo keeps a busy touring schedule, performing live more than 100 times this year alone. Favorite guests on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Late Show with David Letterman," and "Live! with Regis & Kathie Lee," Penn & Teller have made dozens of television appearances including, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Today Show" and "Saturday Night Live."
Race Relations in America	Charles Moskos, a white sociology professor and John Sibley Butler, a black professor of sociology, are the nation's foremost authorities on race relations in the armed forces and in the United States. Moskos and Butler offer a blueprint for organizations to provide opportunities for all and to improve race relations at the same time. They are the co-authors of All That We Can Be: Black Leadership and Racial Integration the Army Way.
Sweet Honey In the Rock	Founded in 1973 by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweet Honey In The Rock is a Grammy Award-winning African American female a cappella ensemble with deep musical roots in the sacred music of the black church - spirituals, hymns, gospel - as well as jazz and blues. The Sweet Honey experience is like no other. Six African American women join their powerful voices, along with hand percussion instruments, to create a blend of lyrics, movement and narrative that variously relate history, point the finger at injustice, encourage activism, and sing the praises of love. The music speaks out against oppression and exploitation of every kind. The septet, whose words are simultaneously interpreted in uniquely expressive American Sign Language, demands a just and humane world for all.
The Def Poetry Experience	A thrilling evening of spoken word infused with hip-hop music featuring the stars of HBO Def Poetry�Daniel Beaty, YOLANDA KAE WILKINSON, & Helena D. Lewis. Join these three internationally renowned, award winning poets as they electrify the mike tackling themes such as womanhood, bad relationships, Jewish identity, sexuality, racism, and bad breath!
African Heritage Dancers and Drummers	A leading Black performing arts company specializing in traditional West African dance, music and culture. The African HeritageCompany gives as authentic a cultural presentation as can be seen on this side of the Atlantic.
An Evening of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis	Jazz great, award winning pianist, and the leader of the Ramsey Lewis Trio. An internationally known and acclaimed musician, renowned for his keyboard virtuosity, Ramsey Lewis is the recipient of nine gold records and three Grammy awards.
Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band	From the steps of the White House to eight World's Fair appearances, this amazing group of performers from Trinidad play a repertoire of music that ranges from classic to rock and roll...on oil drums. This feat has astounded audiences not only because of the unbelievable fidelity and artistic accomplishments with which they render each concert...whether it be modern, classical, or their native calypso.
Willie Tyler & Lester	A famous ventriloquist and his dummy, Willie Tyler and Lester have been wowing Las Vegas audiences for years. A sure hit for your entertainment event.
The Stylistics	Well known R&B group of the 70's.
The Temptations	Popular singing group.
Tyrese	Recording artist, actor, motivational speaker and model, Tyrese is the host of the cutting edge musical program, "MTV Jams."Gibson's latest film is Waist Deep, in which he plays a man fighting to rescue his son from kidnappers; his co-stars in the film, Meagan Good and Larenz Tate, are personal friends of Gibson's in real life. Like several of his previous roles, the film is set in an urban environment, but Gibson has said that he does not view the role as a "step back", rather seeing the film as taking "another direction" due to some of its themes and action sequences. Waist Deep was released on June 23, 2006. Gibson prefers his music career to acting, but will focus on both areas. His next album will be called Alter Ego, and will feature both R&B and hip hop songs. He will use an alias, "Black Ty", for the rap tracks. His next film role will be in the big-budget action movie, Transformers, which is currently filming and is scheduled for a release in July of 2007; the film's director, Michael Bay, had Gibson in mind for the role before he was cast, and thus Gibson did not have to audition for the part. Gibson may also star in a film version of the superhero Luke Cage; the script is currently being re-formatted.
The Raspyni Brothers	COMIC JUGGLERS Barry Friedman and Dan Holzman are the Raspyni Brothers. As one of the most sought after acts on the corporate entertainment scene, they appear annually at over 100 events across America and internationally. Since 1982 their intelligent mayhem has earned them two International Juggling Championships, multiple appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, and a place in the Guiness Book of World Records. In addition to the tremendous success they enjoy in the field of corporate entertainment, these unrelated siblings also tour as an opening act for dozens of superstars such as Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Howie Mandel, Dennis Miller and Tom Jones. Other audiences have ranged from the King of Spain and the Academy Awards to the sequestered O.J. Simpson jury.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band	Robert Randolph and the Family Band are ready to change your life, just as music changed that of this group's dynamic leader. Raised in a firestorm of faith and danger, dividing his time between battles in the streets and safety in the arms of his music, Robert Randolph found his way up from darkness with help from a most unusual source: the pedal steel guitar. That's right -- those same slippery strings that weep and whine behind cowboy crooners and hula dancers. But in Randolph's world, which centers on the unique "sacred steel" tradition within the House of God Church, the pedal steel is a different animal, a source of ferocious, passionate sound. And in Randolph's young hands, it's a weapon, used to slash at darkness and rip away the shades that hide sunlight from our lives. What Randolph has done isn't just about taking the spirit of the church into the wider world, though that's part of the picture. It's more than a story of beating heavy odds, of watching friends die or disappear while trying to find your own way out. Certainly it's more than an odd twist of fate how an urban New Jersey artist finding his voice through an instrument seldom seen outside of Nashville studios or Southern honky-tonks. The buzz has actually been on for a while. Randolph began winning attention some three years ago, after being invited to join in on sessions for The Word, an adventurous marriage of gospel and "downtown" traditions with John Medeski and the North Mississippi Allstars. Interest picked up as he released Live At The Wetlands on his own Dare label, perhaps the most incendiary concert album of the year, recorded on the fabled venue's closing night with the Family Band that he formed with two of his cousins and fellow House of God musicians, bassist Danyel Morgan and drummer Marcus Randolph, and noted session keyboardist John Ginty.
Drew Carey and the Improv All Stars	The show will feature Drew Carey along with some of the regular cast members from his most recent hit television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" - Greg Proops, Chip Esten, Sean Masterson and Jeff Davis. A native of Cleveland, Carey, 45, began his successful stand-up comedy career in 1986 at the Cleveland Comedy Club. Among his first significant breaks was competing on "Star Search" in 1988. National prominence came in 1995 when "The Drew Carey Show" premiered. Carey won the 1996 People's Choice award for "Favorite Male in a New Series"; 1998 Golden Satellite award for Best Actor in a Television Series-Comedy; 1999: TV Guide Editors' Award; and, he received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
Kool Bubba Ice	Comedian and cast member of the Apollo Comedy Hour.
Most Brothers	The Most Brothers have appeared in casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. They have performed on Def Comedy Jam, The Apollo Comedy Hour and comedy venues throughout the country. The Most Brothers are America's funniest comedy team.
The Coasters	Rock & roll�s perennial favorite group, The Coasters sing �Charlie Brown� and their other golden oldies as though it were still the 50�s and 60�s. Fantastic!
The Crystals/The Sensations	Eternally popular rock and roll legends, The Crystals and The Sensations bring back the 60's music with their inimitable style.
The Drifters	Starting with their mega-hit �Under the Boardwalk,� The Drifters have never lost their status as one of the �biggies� of Rock and Roll.
The First Black President of the United States	A one man show featuring Dennis Rahiim Watson as the first Black President in a real live simulated press conference with an African-American president prepared to answer the hot button domestic and international issues facing America and the world today.
Black Life In Corporate America	An acclaimed author and dynamic speaker, George Daviscapitivates audiences throughout the country with his motivating message on diversity. His book, Branches, which chronicles the progress of African Americans since the civil rights movement, is being developed into a television series. His best seller, Black Life in Corporate America, has been praised by critics nationwide. His presentation takes an in depth look at social, cultural and personal factors created by racial diversity in public and private sector management.
Cedric The Entertainer	Cedric The Entertainer is best known for his crowd-pleasing roles in the recent hit films Barbershop with Ice Cube, Be Cool with John Travolta, Madagascar (animated feature, Intolerable Cruelty with George Clooney, and The Original Kings of Comedy, MTVS documentary feature directed by Spike Lee. Additionally, in April 2004, Cedric was star and producer of the box office hit Johnson Family Vacation (ranked the #1 comedy in America for two consecutive weeks). On the big screen, Cedric has also been seen in The Honeymooners in which he starred as Jackie Gleasons famed character Ralph Cramden with thumbs up from Roger Ebert, Lemony Snicket with Jim Carrey, Man of the House with Tommy Lee Jones, Barbershop 2, Big Mommas House with Martin Lawrence, Kingdom Come with Whoopi Goldberg, Serving Sara with Matthew Perry, as well as displaying tremendous vocal talent in Dr. Dolittle 2 and Ice Age. He will next star in The Cleaner opposite Lucy Liu, Mr. Lucky co starring Bruce Willis, Johnson Family Vacation 2, Flash co starring Nelly, Preachin Aint Easy and the animated feature Charlottes Web. Cedric has celebrated many career successes spanning television, live performances and film. Some notable accolades include nabbing The AFTRA Award of Excellence in Television Programming for his Fox Television series Cedric the Entertainer Presents; a record-breaking (4) consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of the lovable Coach Cedric Robinson on the WBs #1-rated The Steve Harvey Show, which ran for six seasons. His first comedy book, Grown-Ass Man, was released in January of 2002 and sold out across the country. In 2001, a viewing audience of over 144 million saw Cedric star in the Bud Light commercial that landed in the #1 spot during the Super Bowl broadcast (subsequently, USA Today dubbed him Madison Avenues Most Valuable Player. And, in 1994, Cedric received The Richard Pryor Comic of the Year Award from Black Entertainment Television for his ground-breaking work as host of Def Comedy Jam and BETs Comic View (1994-95 season). Now helming his own production company, A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, Cedric will develop and produce feature films. Johnson Family Vacation was the first feature under the new company. As a philanthropist, Cedric founded The Cedric The Entertainer Charitable Foundation, which provides scholarships and outreach programs to enhance the lives of inner-city youth and their families in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He plans to extend the foundation nationally.
Dance Theatre of Harlem	Internationally acclaimed professional ballet company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem was established in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, as his personal committment to the people of Harlem following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
DMX	Popular rapper and actor, DMX has completed his transformation from underground upstart to top dog. Now a movie star, DMX can be seen in the movie "Exit Wounds" with action hero Steven Seagal. DMX's first movie role was as a gangster in "Belly" and as a night club owner battling rival gangs in "Romeo Must Die."
The Meeting	A powerful drama about the lives, philosophies, and times of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. This fictional conversation between two great men provides a fascinating glimpse at their similarities and differences exploring the question: "What If The Two Leaders Had Become Friends?"
The Dating Doctor	David Coleman, best known nationwide as "The Dating Doctor," is one of the top ranked speakers in America. His weekly column on relationships was the springboard to his first book, 101 Great Dates and his most recent book, Date Smart! Stop Revolving and Start Evolving in Relationships. An entertaining and informative presentation.
Is There Life After Death?	Dr. Gary Schwartz an eminent scientist, director of the Human Energy Systems Laboratory and author of the new book, The Afterlife Experiments: Breakthrough Scientific Evidence of Life After Death presents a fascinating lecture entitled "Is There Life After Death?" Dr. Schwartz's presentation puts the audience on the scene of a breakthrough scientific achievement: contact dead friends and relatives of "sitters" who were masked from view and never spoke, depriving the mediums of any cues. The message that came through stunned sitters and researchers alike. Dr. Schwartz was forced by the overwhelmingly positive data to abandon his skepticism, reaching some startling conclusions.
Windtalkers	Zonnie Gorman, Navajo Code Talker historian, who acted as a consultant for the John Woo movie, Windtalkers, presents a lecture telling the true story of the Navajo Code Talkers role in World War II and their contributions to winning the war. The code, created from the Dina language, the Navajo native tongue, was never broken nor was it revealed until 1968, when the military declassified the secret. Last year President Bush awarded Congressional medals to the surviving Code Talkers for their pivotal roles in America's victory in the Pacific. Zonnie Gorman's lecture is also available with one of the original twenty nine Navajo Marine Code Talkers. With slides and filmclips.
Is Peace Possible with The Muslims?	A debate/dialogue between Shaykh Abdul Hadi Palazzi who takes the Muslim point of view and Dr. Alex Grobman who takes the Western point of view. Professor Palazzi holds a Ph.D in Islamic Sciences by decree of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is an Iman for the Italian Islamic community and is the Secretary-General of the Italian Muslim Association. Dr. Grobman is an historian and president of a think tank, The Institute for Contemporary Jewish Life.
Vibe-n-Verse	Five spoken word poets and musicians who make up Vibe-n-Verse do a performance that blends original spoken word poetry with live music. The two hour program ends with audience interaction and Q&A.

Gavin DeGraw	Singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw grew up playing music at home with piano studies beginning at eight and later playing in cover bands with his older brother in upstate New York. After a brief stint studying music at the prestigious Berklee School of Music, DeGraw, who had been writing his own songs since his cover band days, decided to make a go of it as a singer/songwriter in New York City. Upon his arrival in the late '90s, DeGraw made an impression with crowds, and occasionally with journalists, as his name began to pop up in columns and best-of lists. The steady buzz led to offers from major labels, but DeGraw chose to take his time, and let his craft develop and his audience grow. He eventually signed a record deal with Clive Davis and his J Records imprint (home of Santana as well as R&B mainstays Alicia Keys and Angie Stone). DeGraw's debut, Chariot, arrived in the summer of 2003 and, like his early days in New York City, it slowly built momentum and earned the young singer a small but fervent following. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide
O.A.R	O.A.R. (aka Of a Revolution) converted from an Ohio State frat band to Billboard chartbuster and headliner at major venues across America. First, college reps hawked the band's two demo recordings to people and servers at universities. Then, word-of-mouth news spread about the band's roots rock and reggae-inflected upbeat songs. Before long, the band got thousands of hits daily on their website at www.ofarevolution.com. O.A.R.'s third CD, Risen, was produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, Ben Folds Five) and recorded in summer 2000 at Water Music in Hoboken, NJ, and at Dumbo Studios in New York City for the group's independent label, Everfine Records. Formed in 1998 at Ohio State University, O.A.R. coalesced around lead singer/rhythm guitarist Marc Roberge, lead guitarist Richard On, saxist Jerry DePizzo, bassist Benj Gershman, and drummer Chris Culos. Roberge had known Culos since childhood in Rockville, MD, where he also became friends and played in local bands with On and Gershman. DePizzo, who hails from Youngstown, OH, met the others at Ohio State. O.A.R. first recorded The Wanderer independently as a demo in 1997. Many of the songs on O.A.R.'s debut disc were written while Roberge and Culos were living in Israel. During their stay in Israel, Roberge and Culos in 1996 and later Gershman in 1997 visited the Masada, where 900 people committed suicide rather than die at the hands of the ancient Romans.
KC and the Sunshine Band	With sales of over 75 million records, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards and The American Music Award, KC and the Sunshine Band are one of the seminal forces in pop. The group pioneered an original funk style that continues to delight old fans and attract new ones into the millennium. Hits like Get Down Tonight, That�s the Way (I Like It) and Shake Your Booty established KC as a mover and shaker in the music business. Along with the Beatles, KC is the only artist to have four number one singles in the span of a year: Boogie Shoes, Get Down Tonight, That�s the Way I Like It, and Rock Your Baby.
The Doobie Brothers	The Doobie Brothers are one of the very few American rock and roll groups that have been able to achieve and sustain a phenomenal level of success. It is a success that has sold more than 50 million records. This includes: 2 Grammys; 27 chart singles; 16 top 40 hits (including 2 number 1s); 11 multi platinum albums; 13 Gold albums and that most rare of distinctions, The Diamond Award, for the sale of 10 million units of a single title Best Of The Doobies Vol. 1. Combined with their consistent appeal on the road, The Doobies have earned a fanatical loyalty for their high energy shows and are truly one of Americas most loved rock and roll bands. The secret to their success is most certainly in their diversity.
Three American Tenors	A truly unique evening of incredible musical entertainment. The performance includes a well-blended compendium of opera, popular and Broadway melodies meticulously performed by Bruce Reed, Thomas Comerford and J. Nelson Whittington, three of America's finest tenors. The uniqueness of the program comes with a special guest appearance of the "Three Muske Tenors". The Muske Tenors appear in traditional costume and present a novel compilation of songs about war, comradeship, women and unrequited love. This 'one-of-a-kind' musical and theatrical program will leave a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to experience it.
The Roots	Though popular success has largely eluded the Roots, the Philadelphia group showed the way for live rap, building on Stetsasonic's "hip-hop band" philosophy of the mid-'80s by focusing on live instrumentation at their concerts and in the studio. Though their album works have been inconsistent affairs, more intent on building grooves than pushing songs, the Roots' live shows are among the best in the business. The Roots' focus on live music began back in 1987 when rapper Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson) became friends at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. Playing around school, on the sidewalk, and later at talent shows (with ?uestlove's drum kit backing Black Thought's rhymes), the pair began to earn money and hooked up with bassist Hub (Leon Hubbard) and rapper Malik B. Moving from the street to local clubs, the Roots became a highly tipped underground act around Philadelphia and New York. When they were invited to represent stateside hip-hop at a concert in Germany, the Roots recorded an album to sell at shows; the result, Organix, was released in 1993 on Remedy Records. With a music industry buzz surrounding their activities, the Roots entertained offers from several labels before signing with DGC that same year.
Los Lonely Boys	Los Lonely Boys are the three Garza brothers: Henry on guitar, Jojo on bass and Ringo on drums. This trio of brothers, aged 21-25, from a tiny town in West Texas, has been making music together since they were small children. They write, sing and play music drawn from diverse sources -- Tex-Mex, country, blues and rock pioneers like Ritchie Valens, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino and such pop music giants as The Beatles. Though Henry, the oldest of the brothers, has been hailed as the inheritor of the great Texas guitar tradition epitomized by Freddie King, Johnny Winter and the Vaughan Brothers, he is also a well-known young player in the burgeoning Latino, rock-guitar style pioneered by Carlos Santana. "Our dad had five brothers and a sister, and they had a great conjunto band in the '70s and '80s," Henry says. "They did a mixture of stuff that nobody was playing back then, a mixture of conjunto with country music and Spanglish. They were really popular in South and West Texas. ... They basically just fell apart after the tragedy of one of the brothers dying, the drummer."
SINBAD	Sinbad's name recalls the literary legend that symbolizes strength, adventure and optimism and is what he strives for. "I renamed myself Sinbad because Sinbad is bad. He could hang with rogues and with kings. He didn't have the strength of Hercules, but he could outwit anyone." Born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Sinbad grew up telling jokes to his three brothers and two sisters. The image sticks; Sinbad the wild child, off-the-wall Sinbad who would do anything for attention, acting stupid, free as the wind, on unpredictable force that can't be harnessed, and always willing to pay any price, looking for laughs.
Curb Your Enthusiasm feat.	Richard Lewis and Jeff Garlin in Concert
Black Eyed Peas	Black Eyed Peas:They've transcended their vigilant hip-hop roots and have become a global phenomenon, the likes of which the music world has rarely seen. They've earned fans worldwide with their inventive approach to hip-hop music, inspiring people with loose rhymes, and a positive spirit and funkafied vibe. On Elephunk, Black Eyed Pea's third album, that spirit seems to course through their beings even more than ever. The Black Eyed Peas - will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and newcomer Fergie - named the album Elephunk to conjure up a big, deep funk sound. Produced in its entirety by will.i.am and apl, the album boasts a mix of live instruments and traditional hip-hop samples and beats. It also mixes the group's breathless verbal acrobatics with a very conscious view of the world. Interestingly, the top song from Elephunk, "Let's get it started" originally was titled "Let's get retarded". While the song would have been a hit with either title, the change to "Let's get it started" allowed Black Eyed Peas to appeal to a much wider audience. The NBA picked up on the song, and made it the central opening to all of the playoff games in 2004.
Arrested Development	ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Speaks thru music to the world. Speech one of the vocalist for this collective says, "Our people have been through so much turmoil and strife for hundreds of years now. We get on stage every night with the mission to broaden perspectives and give inspiration to rise above the stereotypes and materialism." Unsurprisingly, then, the Grammy award winning group Arrested Development has been devoted to nudging folks in the direction of freedom and spiritual evolution for over 15 years. The group describes their sound as "Life Music." A.D. respects women, and promotes family, spirituality and "male responsibility." They are about conciousness, the earth, African self - determination and love. They are opposed to the pimp/ho approach to male/female relations. They define themselves as hip-hop artists but also just artists." They are dancers, vocalists, turntablist, drummers, and everything in between. Arrested Development is and has always been a communal music community with any number of talented members on board, picture your family reunion but more musical. Speech may be the most known member of the group, being the front man, but Dionne Farris, Eshe ("Black Life"), Rasa Don (Raz), Baba Oje (the elder), Nicha and many others have contributed much to this Kalidescope of image and sound. A.D.'s debut album 3 years, 5 months and 2 days in the life of, (EMI) referred to the amount of time passed between the start of the group and the signing of their first record deal.
R.W. Apple, Jr.	For 30 years, R. W. Apple, Jr. has roamed the United States and the world, traveling close to a quarter of a million miles a year as an eyewitness to history during the most eventful periods in the modern era. The Chief Correspondent for The New York Times, R.W. Apple, Jr. has known and interviewed every President since Lyndon B. Johnson, plus Senators, Governors and world leaders on five continents. Few journalists of our time have seen as many great events; for that reason he is a sought-after commentator on television in the United States and abroad. He participates regularly in major international forums discussing diplomatic, economic and military questions.
Rhythmic Motivation	Rhythmic Motivation Immerse your students in an energizing day of drumming ecstasy with internationally acclaimed educator/performer Jim Donovan. This program is designed to help students learn more about themselves through the ancient art of group hand drumming. Help your students feel enlivened, relaxed and focused as they discover new a strategies for conscious listening, de-stressing and the value cooperative effort through rhythm. Drums are provided for up to 50 students per session. First-time drummers are warmly welcomed.
Magnolia Electric Co	After retiring Songs: Ohia, Jason Molina started up Magnolia Electric Co, a new avenue to explore his country-rock. The name of the new group was taken from the title of the last Songs: Ohia record and proved to be the appropriate connection from the past to the next phase of Molina's projects. The early makeup of the four-piece band in 2003 consisted of Pete Schreiner (Panoply Academy, Coke Dares) on drums, Mike Kapinus (Okkervil River) on bass and trumpet, Jason Groth (Impossible Shapes, John Wilkes Booze, Coke Dares) on guitar, and Jason Molina providing the other guitar and vocals. Magnolia Electric Co recorded Trials & Errors live in Brussels in 2003, which Secretly Canadian released in January of 2005. With later tours, Magnolia Electric Co shifted the lineup of the band, adding Mark Rice (Impossible Shapes, John Wilkes Booze) on drums and moving Schreiner to bass and Kapinus to trumpet and keyboards, while Groth and Molina remained on guitar. Magnolia Electric Co.'s full-length studio debut appeared to glowing reviews in spring 2005 via Secretly Canadian. The band didn't slow down, touring for most of the summer and issuing the five-song EP Hard to Love a Man in October. ~ David Serra, All Music Guide
Jurassic 5	Though there's actually six of them, Jurassic 5 got everything else right on their self-titled debut EP. Part of the new rap underground of the late '90s (along with Company Flow, Mos Def, Doctor Octagon, and Sir Menelik), the sextet -- rappers Marc 7even, Chali 2na, Zaakir, and Akil, plus producers Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark -- came together in 1993 at the Los Angeles cafe/venue named the Good Life. The six members were part of two different crews, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee; after collaborating on a track, they combined into Jurassic 5 and debuted in 1995 with the "Unified Rebellion" single for TVT Records. At the tail end of 1997, the Jurassic 5 EP appeared and was hailed by critics as one of the freshest debuts of the year (if not the decade). Both Cut Chemist and Chali 2na are also part of the Latin-hop collective Ozomatli, while Chemist himself recorded several mix-tapes plus the wide-issue album Future Primitive Soundsession (with Shortkut from Invisibl Skratch Piklz). The year 2000 found the group on tour with Fiona Apple and on the Warped Festival, just in time for the release of Quality Control that summer. Live work continued during 2000-2001, and a second record (Power in Numbers) appeared by the end of 2002. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Rusted Root	The multi-instrumentalist group Rusted Root integrated the Grateful Dead's jam-heavy rock with percussion influences based on the music of Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The six-piece formed in Pittsburgh in 1990 with Michael Glabicki (vocals, guitar), Liz Berlin (vocals, percussion), Patrick Norman (bass, vocals), and Jim Donovan (drums, percussion) as the initial lineup, though John Buynak (percussion, winds) and Jim DiSpirito (percussion) joined later that year. Rusted Root's self-produced debut album When I Woke appeared in 1994 on Polygram. With support from college radio and a good buzz from the band's entrancing live show, When I Woke became quite successful in alternative circles during 1995-1996, especially with singles such as "Send Me On My Way" and "Ecstasy." In mid-1996, Rusted Root released the Evil Ways EP, a compilation of live tracks with the band's contributions to the movies Twister and Home for the Holidays. Rusted Root's second album, Remember, followed in October. Produced by Jerry Harrison, it reached the Top 40 in its first week of release. A self-titled LP followed in 1998. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Johnsmith	Johnsmith is one performer who doesn't wear hype well. His artistry speaks for itself. In fact, the idea of 'just being real' is a prominent theme throughout his music. And yet, to simply say that Johnsmith is a great singer/ songwriter would not be enough. In addition to his incomparable musical abilities and finely tuned songwriting skills, Johnsmith possesses the even rarer gift of being able to share his soul. That gift is the foundation on which everything else about him is built, and it comes shining through in every song he sings. The following lyrics from the title cut of his new CD, Break Me Open, are a perfect example:
Boys Choir of Harlem	The Boys Choir of Harlem has entertained audiences worldwide with a broad collection of music including classical, contemporary, spirituals, gospel and jazz. Combining soulful music and well-orchestrated choreography, the choir puts on 80 to 100 concerts annually, including tours through Europe and the Orient. Founded by nationally known educator and conductor Walter J. Turnbull in 1968, the organization not only provides children between the ages of eight and 18 the opportunity to realize their creative potential, but it also educates and broadens their creative perception. Its purpose is to provide � in addition to music � counseling, tutoring and recreational activities.
Branford Marsalis Quartet	Billboard jazz writer Steve Graybow recently described the Branford Marsalis quartet as "a unit with telepathic intuition and unbridled adventurousness, held together by a singular creative vision." For his first quartet album in nine years, Branford has made a requiem for a heavyweight. Requiem is a tribute to pianist Kenny Kirkland, Branford's friend and colleague for nearly 20 years, whose sublime performances on the new album proved to be his last recorded work.
Dave Brubeck Quartet	Pianist-composer Dave Brubeck has become a jazz legend. The public's first awareness associated him with the intricate, lightly swinging sound known as West Coast Cool. His distinctive harmonic approach and daring improvisations generated excitement with critics and fans. His group won the Critics Poll and the Readers Poll the same year in Down Beat magazine. The Dave Brubeck Quartet became the sound that identified an era. It was they who started the wave of popularity of jazz on college campuses in the 1950s. Concurrently, they were playing the leading jazz clubs and touring with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and other musicians of the bop era. The quartet won the first jazz poll conducted by a black newspaper, The Pittsburgh Courier.
Ice T	Ice-T (born Tracy Morrow) has proven to be one of hip-hop's most articulate and intelligent stars, as well as one of its most frustrating. At his best, the rapper has written some of the best portraits of ghetto life and gangsters, as well as some of the best social commentary that hip-hop has produced. He has become an influential spokesman for America�s youth, regardless of color. He also joined the cast of TV's "Law & Order SVU" (consistently a number-one Friday night show) as a series regular playing the part of Detective Finn. Additionally, Ice T has been the keynote speaker at a number of Internet conventions including the 1999 College Music Journal Conference in New York, and in 2000, the New York Music & Internet Expo, Rotterdam Film Festival, and Canadian Music Week.
B.B. King	B.B. King is considered one of the greatest blues guitarists of the late 20th century. His unique style of playing integrating single string runs, bent chords and left hand vibrato has influenced countless musicians including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour and Buddy Guy.
Martin Short & Second City	The legendary comedy theatre The Second City, founded in Chicago in 1959, has become the premier training ground for the comedy world�s best and brightest. Its alumni list reads like a "Who�s Who" of American comedy, including Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Shelley Long, Joan Rivers, Robert Klein, Harold Ramis, Gilda Radner, John Candy, Chris Farley and countless others. An evening with Martin Short and The Second City will provide audiences with the chance to see comedy stars in the making with hilarious satires and cutting-edge improvisation. If your parents asked you not to speak about it at the dinner table, chances are that this group will make fun of it. Second City�s spontaneous and irreverent humor inspired "Saturday Night Live" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?".
The Neville Brothers	Four powerfully unique personalities, The Neville Brothers thrive on an explosive fusion of diversity and unity. This collective of talented brothers is world-famous for its embodiment of the New Orleans sound. Aaron, Art, Charles, and Cyril Neville have expanded the horizons of New Orleans R&B while honoring the music's roots and traditions. Drawing on the vast resources and multiple styles of African-American music, The Neville Brothers have combined R&B, jazz, reggae and elements of rock and Zydeco with a harmony-based funk groove all their own.
The Passing Zone	Take two guys with chainsaws. Put them in tights, throw in a Garden Weasel, and what do you get? Well, it?s kind of hard to explain. But they?re called The Passing Zone, and they?ll amaze you. And make you laugh. They juggle. Jugglers have been around for thousands of years. But Jon Wee and Owen Morse are different. They really are. And not just because they wear tights while tossing gasoline-powered destruct-o devices at each other. They?re funny. Really funny. And they?ve got class. So much class that they were asked to perform at The Royal Command Performance for Prince Charles in London. They break things. Lots of things. Like five Guinness World Records. And they?ve won eighteen gold medals from the International Jugglers Association ? more than any other team in the world. They?ve appeared on television shows you?ve actually watched (The Tonight Show), in movies you?ve actually seen (The Adams Family), and at venues you?ve actually seen (Caesar?s Palace and the MGM Grand). So invite them over. You?ll be in good company. They?ve been featured at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, on MADtv, and on Penn & Teller?s Sin City Spectacular. They?ve wowed them at IBM, McDonald?s, and Hewlett Packard. And they?ve performed with Bob Hope, Bob Newhart, Rita Rudner, and Tony Bennett. This isn?t just juggling. It?s The Passing Zone. Let?s face it ? a corporate event is a distinct and deceptively challenging venue. The objectives of corporate programs are as specialized and innovative as the companies they are designed to promote. Most performers can?t quite make the jump. They may have appeal for general audiences. But when it comes to corporate events, they fall flat because they don?t understand the nuance of corporate culture, convention objectives, team building, or the specialized field of corporate entertainment. You can?t afford to risk your reputation on entertainers who don?t comprehend your situation. That?s why The Passing Zone is extraordinarily popular on the corporate circuit. Put Jon and Owen?s award-winning performance to work for you. They won?t just juggle your company?s products; they?ll make your CEO part of the act. And they can custom design their show, tailoring their act to drive home sales messages, corporate themes, and other information critical to your company?s mission. Find out why Domino?s, Frito-Lay, Boeing, MCI, Andersen Consulting, and other Fortune 500 companies make The Passing Zone central to their corporate functions. Because when it comes to the success of your event, these guys mean business. You?ve heard of keynote speakers, but keynote jugglers? The best keynote speakers do a lot more than just present a meaningful and informative message. They act as a springboard to launch your imagination, expand your perception and open new doors to possibility. Jon and Owen do that. And they do it in ways you have to see to believe. Juggling is the perfect metaphor to describe what people do in their workday and how they balance life?s many demands. And these guys know about teamwork, learning from mistakes, and reaching goals. As members of the National Speakers Association, Jon and Owen demonstrate exceptional skills as highly motivational speakers. Add their artistry as jugglers, comedians, and entertainers, and The Passing Zone can turn your next function into the most talked-about and effective event your group has ever experienced. Keynote addresses include: ? Teamwork: The Power of Partnership ? Taking Risks: Learning from Mistakes ? Achieving Goals: Steps to Success
Real World Sydney	The Real World: Sydney is the nineteenth season of MTV's popular reality television series The Real World, which focuses on seven diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. Production lasted from February to May 26, 2007, though the duration of the cast's stay in the house was four months.The season was set in a contemporary 20,000-square-foot, waterfront house.The season will premiere on August 8, 2007. The first two episodes are already available on Comcast On-Demand.
Beyond Beats and Rhymes:	The Sundance Film Festival selected Beyond Beats and Rhymes for this year's festival in Park City, Utah, January 19-29, 2006. This news came on the heels of receiving word that the Emmy award-winning PBS series Independent Lens (www.independentlens.org) had also selected Beyond Beats and Rhymes for a 2007 national television broadcast. Beyond Beats and Rhymes: A Hip-Hop Head Weighs in on Manhood in Hip-Hop Culture is a riveting documentary that examines representations of gender roles in hip-hop and rap music through the lens of filmmaker Byron Hurt, a former college quarterback turned activist. Conceived as a "loving critique" from a self-proclaimed "hip-hop head," Hurt tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today's hip-hop culture.
Coach Carter	Coach Carter is a coach, author, educator and inspiration for the movie Coach Carter, featuring Samuel L. Jackson. The movie recounts Carter�s decision to literally lock his undefeated, state play-off bound basketball team out of the gym and force them to hit the books. Coach Carter is an advocate for Richmond's youth and is active in his community. He is diligent in providing them with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their peers and caring adults, and recognizes the advantages inherent in a sound sports program. In October, 2000 he announced his plans to travel from Richmond High School to the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Using only a kick scooter, Carter traveled for 3 days to Sacramento hoping to draw awareness to the deteriorating state of our schools and the need for students, parents, teachers, and school board officials to commit to making a difference. His efforts proved successful, and subsequently Richmond High received building enhancements and computers from the Office of the Secretary of Education. Under the direction and guidance of Coach Carter, in December of 2000, 11 students from Australia arrived in the U.S. to promote peace and to learn first hand what it takes to be an American high school basketball player. Coach Carter found a way to bring something positive to the lives of Richmond High students, where heroes and positive role models are few and far between. Using basketball as the common bond, the intention of the visit was to offer these students an opportunity to meet each other, gain awareness about each others' culture and communities, and to learn hands-on about what it takes to be a top-notch American athletic. Carter feels that exchanges such as these are needed to promote a more just and peaceful place for us all to live in.
Lost Boys of Sudan	Lost Boys of Sudan is a feature-length documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees on an extraordinary journey from Africa to America. Orphaned as young boys in one of Africa's cruelest civil wars, Peter Dut and Santino Chuor survived lion attacks and militia gunfire to reach a refugee camp in Kenya along with thousands of other children. From there, remarkably, they were chosen to come to America. Safe at last from physical danger and hunger, a world away from home, they find themselves confronted with the abundance and alienation of contemporary American suburbia. Lost Boys of Sudan won an Independent Spirit Award and screened theatrically in 70 cities across the U.S. to strong audience and critical praise. The film was broadcast nationally on the PBS series POV in the fall of 2004 and earned two Emmy nominations. The story of the Lost Boys of Sudan has touched people from all walks of life. From movie stars and politicians to the average housewife, people from around the world have fallen in love with these courageous young men. Joan Hecht was no exception. When hearing of their story for the first time, Joan Hecht�s eyes filled with tears and she felt a deep stirring in her soul. She knew that helping them was not an option. It was a call to her heart from God and Joan Hecht responded. She hoped to be instrumental in making their new lives in America better than the ones they had left behind. Like many others, Joan Hecht felt compelled to be a mother to these young men who couldn't even remember the faces of their own mothers. �Mama Joan� hoped only to help change their lives, never realizing how knowing each of them would so drastically change her own.
Real World	Now you can bring The Real World experience to your campus. Cast members from all seasons are now available to come to your campus for your personal Reunion, where they discuss a variety of issues, including orientation, diversity, conflict resolution, volunteerism, multiculturalism, AIDS awareness, relationships and answer any personal questions audience members may have about them or the show. Every freshman has to deal with adjusting to a new living environment with people they hardly know. This program will be beneficial to students going through orientation. Likewise, graduating seniors will soon be entering the real real world and this program will help them to realize some of the issues they will be faced with. See what the cast members are up to these days in the real real world and choose from The Real World cast for a program that would work well at your school.
Road Rules	Now you can bring The Road Rules experience to your campus. Cast members from all seasons are now available to come to your campus for your personal reunion, where they discuss a variety of issues, including orientation, diversity, conflict resolution, volunteerism, multiculturalism, AIDS awareness, relationships and answer any personal questions audience members may have about them or the show. Every freshman has to deal with adjusting to a new living environment with people they hardly know. This program will be beneficial to students going through orientation. Likewise, graduating seniors will soon be entering the real real world and this program will help them to reduce some of the issues they will be faced with. See what the cast members are up to these days in the real real world and choose from The Road Rules cast for a program that will work well at your school. Each school can pick-and-choose cast members and mix-and-match them from each cast or show to create your own personalized reunion. This lecture focuses on conflict resolution, diversity, relationships as well as an "uncensored" look behind the scenes of the show, from the cast members themselves.
Real World Austin	The Real World: Austin was the sixteenth season of MTV's popular reality television series The Real World, which focuses on seven diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. The Austin edition of the show premiered on June 21, 2005, and featured the cast living in a house in Austin, Texas.
Real World Philadelphia	The Real World Philadelphia premiered on Tuesday, September 7, 2004. This is the 15th season for this landmark MTV reality series. The Real World cast resides in a 10,000 square foot building at the corner of 3rd and Arch Streets which was a former bank building and former home to the Seaman's Church Institute, a non-profit organization geared to helping visiting seamen that come to port on various ships and tankers. The building was transformed for the Real World Philadelphia cast to include an atrium with an olive tree, a basketball hoop, and hot tub along with many of the other amenities familiar to Real World fans. This year's cast consists of seven strangers including four single guys and three single girls from around the United States.
Burton Gerber and John Brennan	Burton Gerber, former director of the European and the Soviet & East European divisions of the Directorate of Operations at the CIA, and John Brennan, former head and organizational architect of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) and of its predecessor organization the Terrorist Threat Integration Center (TTIC)Gerber worked primarily in operations related to the former Soviet Union and the former Warsaw Pact countries. He served overseas as the CIA chief of station in three separate assignments. In Washington, he directed the agency's operational programs in the former Soviet Union and Europe for eight years.
Nathan Keliikui Brown	Nathan coordinates Research & International Law for the Ohana (family) Council - a leading organization in the dynamic Native Hawaiian movement to re-assert independence & self-determination. In 1878 Captain Cook came upon, "400,000 island residents with a well-developed, flourishing culture and lifestyle. They were robust & healthy and had a coherent system of spiritual beliefs, economics and scholarship." In 1893 armed white settlers and the U.S.Marines overthrew the Sovereign Hawaiian Kingdom in violation of a Treaty of Peace & Friendship. For Nathan's people, self-determination is the right to choose ones destiny in compliance with The U.N. Charter, Article 73. Nathan is of Kanaka Mooli (Hawaiian) descent from a family of 14 children raised in a rural lifestyle in the heart of Downtown Honolulu. After several arrests, he is under federal indictment for exercising his human rights. He is currently assisting Kanaka Maoli communities with the Ohana Council Self-government Charter that lays a foundation for self-determination & self-governance. Nathan engages in eloquent unveiling of truth through the spirit of Aloha.
Hinewirangi	Hin� is Coordinator of the Maori Women's Resource Center and a Representative of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement. She is a Board Member of the International Indian Treaty Council and has served as Co-Director. She is mother of two children and has mothered several others. She has published four volumes of poetry, is currently working on a novel and has written and directed 6 videos for children about recognizing sexual abuse. She has written many dramas reflecting her culture. Her life's work has been with women and children, healing effects of abuse
THE CINTRON BROTHERS Afro Cuban Rumba	Both Cristobal and Rafael showed promise at an early age and were taught and encouraged to sing by their mother Maria Teresa Lugana Santos. Rafael began singing his first harmony at the age of 8 and began playing guitar at the age of 9. Cristobal began singing at 6 years of age, singing songs of Joselito and didn't begin to play guitar until much later. Rafael was fortunate to be influenced and studied guitar with musical greats such as Maestro "Sabicas", Maestro Mario Escudero, & Emilio Prados. It is evident that they did not choose music, but music chose them! Rafael and Cristobal are two brothers who are natives of Spain. They arrived in the U.S. at an early age and have been living both here and abroad for the last thirty years. Born performers this duo exemplifies all that is exciting and romantic about "La Fiesta". Their music is expansive, they sing with the soul of gypsies, and enchant you with their rhythms. Whatever the occasion, "They are truly the spice!" The brothers are popular in the New York night life, they enhance, charm, and seduce their audience, to no end.
One-Man Star Wars	Best known as the mastermind behind the in famous One Man Star Wars Trilogy and One Man Lord of the Rings. Word of Ross's one of a kind talent has spread across North America, from Toronto, Orlando, Atlanta, and Boston, to Chicago, San Diego, and Vancouver. To mark the release of Star Wars: Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, Charles was honoredto perform at Lucasfilm's official movie release convention, Celebration 3. Even the likes of Vin Diesel and Sir Ian McKellan have taken in his performances with ravereviews.
Dr. Jennifer & Dr. Laura Berman	Experts on human sexuality and authors of For Women Only :A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. Jennifer Berman, M.D., one of the few women urologists in the country, and Laura Berman, Ph.D., a sex therapist, are formerly the co-directors of the Women's Sexual Health Clinic at BostonUniversity Medical Center, and currently co-directors of The Network for Excellence in Women's Sexual Health (NEWSHE) and the Center for Pelvic Medicineat UCLA. They appear regularly on "Good Morning America" and have appeared on"48 Hours", "Larry King Live", and "NBC Nightly News." They have been featured in cover stories in The New York Times Magazine and Newsweek,as well as in Redbook, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar. They also host a television show, "Bermanand Berman: For Women Only" on the Discovery Health Channel.
Apollo vs. Dionysus: A Philosophy to Increase College Success by 85%	In the 3700 institutions of higher learning in America, no more than 50% of students who start school leave with a degree. The figure is smaller for minorities. In this Freshman Orientation Seminar of six hours (two days of three hours per day), Professor Henry Parker and Marilyn Crist show participants how to increase their chance of graduating by 85%. The content of their presentation is based on a program they created and directed at the University of Tennessee which resulted in an 85% retention rate for all participants, irrespective of race, gender, or academic standing when they entered college. Ms. Crist also discusses a program she created which resulted in a success rate of 77% for probation students, the highest risk group of all. This seminar is a must for schools who know the value of retaining the freshmen they recruit. Topics included in the seminar are sexual relations, time management, reading comprehension, critical thinking, etc
Paper Clips	Paper Clips is an inspiring 2004 documentary about a consciousness-raising project that blossomed into something beautiful at a rural Tennessee school. When the principal of Whitwell Middle School sought a program that would teach diversity to a predominantly white, Protestant student body, the notion of focusing on the Holocaust--specifically Hitler's extermination of six million Jews--seemed like an obvious way to go. But understanding what "six million" looks like became a challenge. Thus was born the idea of collecting that number of paper clips at Whitwell as a visual reference. But then it turned out paper clips actually have, in historical terms, symbolic value where the Holocaust is concerned. In this moving film, one sees Whitwell students dig into research on Germany's genocidal campaign, solicit clips from a variety of leaders and celebrities, and make a name for themselves on the national news. In time, the world comes to Whitwell's doorstep, via unsolicited donations of clips from people around the world, and in a tearful meeting of students and Holocaust survivors. The dimensions of the project, the lessons about prejudice and intolerance, are stunning to watch grow beyond anyone's wildest expectations. This is a great film for families and classrooms to watch together. --Tom Keogh
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell	Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell is well known as one of the most respected and charismatic leaders in the US Congress over the past 15 years. An inspiration to everyone who meets him, Senator Campbell is a rancher, jewelry designer, former educator, Olympian, and sheriff. Above all, he is a family man and an outspoken champion of American values. Senator Campbell was first elected to the Senate in 1992, after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for five years. Sen. Campbell was the only American Indian to serve in the United States Senate at the time, and is one of the 44 Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Before entering college Sen. Campbell served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1953. Stationed in Korea, he attained the rank of Airman 2nd Class. Sen. Campbell received a bachelor's degree in physical education and fine arts from San Jose State University in 1957 and later attended Meiji University in Tokyo in 1960 as a special research student. He was the U.S. Judo Champion 1961-1963, and All-American 1964. Also in 1964, he was captain of the U.S. Olympic judo team and placed fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. Sen. Campbell is a renowned jewelry designer, rancher, and trainer of champion quarter horses. He has been married to his wife Linda for more than 35 years. He is the father of two grown children, Colin Campbell and Shanan Longfellow. He is grandfather to Luke and Saylor Longfellow and Lauren Campbell. First elected to the Senate in 1992, Sen. Campbell was re-elected in 1998 with 62% of the vote. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Campbell served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987-1992 and served in the Colorado State General Assembly from 1982-1986. Throughout his career, he has fought to reduce spending in order to balance the federal budget and lower tax rates across the board. He has worked steadily to decrease crime, improve education, and support veterans' issues. In 1997 Sen. Campbell became the first American Indian to chair the Indian Affairs Committee. In addition to furthering several lands projects that are significant to American Indian history, he has sponsored legislation aimed at addressing Indian health, education, and economic needs. During the 106th Congress, Sen. Campbell had more free-standing Senate legislation passed into law (12 public laws) than any other member of Congress. Today, he continues his efforts to champion projects important to Colorado and to improve the safety and well being of all Americans. A true original, Senator Campbell has been known to park his motorcycle in front of the Capitol on the way to work, drive delivery trucks around his home state in the off time, and will never shy away from telling you exactly what he thinks about a particular issue.
Guster	Guster became one of the most successful bands to hit the U.S. East Coast scene in the late 1990s. Through relentless touring and humorous stage banter with the crowd, the band developed a strong grass-roots fan base which spread rapidly with a strong presence on the Internet. The Boston trio developed a unique sound with two acoustic guitars and a bongo set, successfully defying the typical industry pigeonholing. They wrote short, infectiously catchy tunes about love, suicide and absurdist rock star lifestyles. Through word of mouth alone, the band sold over 40,000 copies of independent debut Parachute and their second effort, Goldfly.
Phantom Planet	The Los Angeles based indie rock band Phantom Planet came together during early adolescence at a local Pizza Hut in 1994. The band, which is comprised of Jacques Brauther (guitar), Sam Farrar (bass), Alex Greenwald (vocals/guitar), Darren Robinson (guitar), and Jason Schwartzman (drums), played around with post-grunge stylings while taking their name from the 60s sci-fi movie. Each member came from a well-educated background, therefore finding time to jam in the garage was simply something to do. Schwartzman, who is the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and the son of Talia Shire, made a name for himself starring in such films as Rushmore (1998) and Slackers (2002). Greenwald spent time modeling and became a familiar face in the chic GAP commercials during the new millennium. He also played a sociopath in the black comedy flick Donnie Darko (2001). Farrar, who's been playing since early childhood, is the son of renowned singer/songwriter producer John Farrar. The elder Farrar is most-noted for writing "You're the One That I Want" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You" for the 1978 smash musical Grease, as well as other chart-toppers for Olivia Newton-John.
Latin Evening/Noche Latina	The Celebrate Latin Evening/Noche Latina, commemorating the merging of Spain?s cultural heritage with that of Latin America works by Latin American artists Humberto Aquino, Paulo Jim and more. The musical festivities continue in the auditorium, beginning with authentic mariachi from Los Trovadores de Am鲩ca, (pictured), and a performance by Ray Gonzalez and his Latin Jazz Ensemble.
Judge Alex	Former police officer, attorney and Florida Circuit Court Judge Alex E. Ferrer hosts "Judge Alex," the new court room strip from Twentieth Television that will make its launch in first-run national syndication on September 12, 2005. The first new court show in four years, the half-hour strip features Judge Alex, the only television judge with extensive police, legal and judicial experience, presiding over a wide array of cases, resolving complicated issues with his straight forward approach and cogent rulings. Most recently, Judge Alex served as the Associate Administrative Judge of the Criminal Division of Florida�s Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which services Miami-Dade County, the largest trial court in the state and fourth largest in the United States. Born in Havana, Cuba, Judge Alex and his family escaped from Fidel Castro�s Communist regime to America when he was one year old. Growing up in Miami with a passionate interest in law enforcement, at 19 he joined the Coral Gables Police Department, making him one of the youngest officers in the state. While on the police force, he served as a patrolman, detective and in an undercover capacity. He was also trained to be on the department�s SWAT force. Intent on building a career in the legal profession, Judge Alex performed his duties as a police officer while attending both college and law school.
Judge Marilyn Milian	Judge Milian is probably the most popular judge on television. In her courtroom justice is fast, fair, and often fierce. She provides a compassionate voice for victims while verbally beating the bad guys. With humor, compassion, and a temper that can make grown men tremble, there is no doubt that Judge Milian owns the courtroom. I've been to two tapings and can tell you the show is run like a regular courtroom. You hear Curt Chaplin speaking as each litigant enters. Douglas swears them in and then asks the audience to rise and Judge Milian enters. The cases begin, and if it weren't for the cameras you would think you were in a regular courtroom. It's case after case until lunch break. Before going to lunch, the judge comes out and greets the audience, answering questions and posing for photos with fans. This is repeated after the last case of the day.
Our Lady Peace	Our Lady Peace they later recruited bassist Chris Eacrett and jazz drummer Jeremy Taggart, playing around the area. Signed to Relativity, Our Lady Peace released Naveed, which sparked the modern rock hit "Starseed," in 1995. They toured with fellow Canadian Alanis Morissette later that summer, and earned a cult following. After replacing Eacrett with bassist Duncan Coutts, Clumsy followed in 1997, and two years later Our Lady Peace returned with Happiness Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch. The new millennium brought another OLP release, 2001's Spiritual Machines, and a sold out promo tour that spring. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Mike Turner left the band due to creative differences and Steve Mazur was brought in to replace him. He and the rest of Our Lady Peace restructed the band's heavy rock sound for the simplistic Gravity, which appeared in June 2002. The band toured throughout Canada and the U.S. in support of the album, and documented the jaunt the following June with Live from Calgary and Edmonton. In addition to the CD, OLP also issued a DVD of the tour. That same month, the band took part in the historic "Concert for Toronto," held at the city's Sky Dome as a way for the city, its citizens, and the nation of Canada to show Toronto's vitality and to quell fears in the wake of the city's bout with the SARS epidemic. Healthy in Paranoid Times, the band's seventh album, was released in late August 2005. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
ButtaFlySoul	About ButtaFlySoul :Leslie ?ButtaFlySouL? Taylor, poet/spoken word artist, host, vocalist, actor, and director, native of Chicago, Illinois makes his home in New York City. ButtaFlySouL has been featured on 98.7 Kiss FM, Boston Comedy Club, Blue Stockings, Club Decades, and the BET/Pantene Totally You Tour with Nikki Giovanni. He has also been featured at a host of poetry venues, churches, and universities. His spoken word artistry has also won him the Nuyorican 2003 Glam Slam Championship as well as the opportunity to open for Motown recording artist Donnie. He is currently one of the contributing writers for the Signifying Harlem Literary Journal and featured poet for the Nubian Heritage on line magazine. He prides himself on having the distinction of being one of the esteemed members of the Peabody Award winning Russell Simmons? Def Poetry Jam family. At Vibe Theory ButtaFlySouL would make a name for himself as a comical, witty, poetic, and musical force. Hosting the Friday night open mic at Two Steps Down afforded him the opportunity to co-host The Spit Fire Radio Show on WBAI 99.5 FM during their fundraising season. This lead to hosting shows throughout New York City. He is currently the host of FLOW a hip-hop and poetry showcase for the alternative artist. Most recently, he hosted the 2004 Poetry Slam at this year?s DC Black Pride.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali	Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a prominent, often controversial author, film maker and critic of Islam. She was a member of the Tweede Kamer (the Lower House of the States-General of the Netherlands) for the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from January 30, 2003 until May 16, 2006. Hirsi Ali has had to maintain a high level of security due to threats against her life for voicing views critical of certain aspects of Islam. For example, her film Submission, directed by Theo van Gogh (who himself was assassinated for his works), made her one of the targets of the Hofstad Network. On May 15, 2006, officials of the Netherlands government cast doubt on Hirsi Ali's status as a Dutch national, due to concerns related to the fact that in order to obtain refugee status in the Netherlands she had provided false information. She later used the same false information when she applied for, and was granted, Dutch citizenship. The Dutch minister of immigration and integration, Rita Verdonk, moved to annul her citizenship, a move that was overridden by order of the Prime Minister. She released to the New York Times personal letters from her father and other family members that affirmed her story about fleeing a forced marriage. On June 27, 2006, the Dutch government announced that Hirsi Ali would keep her Dutch citizenship. On May 16, Hirsi Ali announced resignation from parliament and confirmed her previous statement that she would move to the United States to work at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. Her prospective arrival in September 2006 was welcomed by Deputy US Secretary of State Robert Zoellick.
MR. PRESIDENT	The unlikely jump from pulpit to stage actually began in Bridge's childhood. A Dallas native, he moved with his family to northern California's Oakland Bay area at the tender age of three. Not many years later, his natural talent for making people laugh became apparent via his dead-on impressions of the Three Stooges (Moe, Larry, and/or Curly) done from the back seat of his parents' car. By high school, Bridges had carefully honed his uncanny characterizations to include contemporary political figures. Then, his biggest laughs came courtesy of Jimmy Carter. Today, he arguably does one of the best George W. Bush impressions anywhere. In between, he has mastered a host of other political characters (with the emphasis on characters) including Bill Clinton, AI Gore, Senators Phil Graham, Ted Kennedy, and Strom Thurmond - even the Reverend Jesse Jackson. He also has expanded his repertoire to include newsmen Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, Geraldo Rivera, and Sam Donaldson, as well as television characters like Regis Philbin and Homer Simpson - not to mention the ever-popular Mr. Haney from Green Acres. What makes Bridges such a comic standout is his ability not only to accurately voice these and many other characters, but to instantly switch between them to create "conversations" among two or more of them at the same time. A member of SAG/AFTRA, Bridges' extensive training includes work at the famed Groundlings in Los Angeles as well as private classes with some of the best comic trainers in the business. Also to his credit, he has made numerous appearances at many of southern California's best comedy venues including The Improv, The Ice House, and The Comedy Store. Known for his hilarious - but clean - comedic routines, Bridges has appeared on many television shows including ER (NBC), TheDistrict (CBS), and ABC News Overnight (ABCNationwide). His numerous radio credits include guest appearances on KABC (Ken and Barkley Show) and K-EARTH 101 out of Los Angeles, NBC Mutual Radio (nationwide), and even the venerable BBC. He also has done commercial voice-over work for clients HBO and Coca-Cola, to name a few. A resident of Pasadena, Bridges keeps audiences laughing from coast to coast with his club, commercial, and corporate work. His future plans include adding more local and national television appearances to his ever-expanding resume.
Gemineye	2002 and 2003 New Jersey Grand Slam Champion Spoken word artist, writer and poet- Gemineye is a ?dual personality? and strives to be ?the future of spoken word!? Born June 11, 1976 in Washington State, this poet would arrive and settle in Mount Vernon, NY in January of 1979. ?Money earning Mt. Vernon, ? as it was known, was home to known rap artists such as Heavy D, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth; as well as actors and celebrities including Academy Award Winner: actor Denzel Washington, Legendary Dick Clark, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, and a list of others. 1997 was the year his writing took flight. You can catch Gemineye?s most recent television appearance on the third season of HBO?s Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry, currently being aired.
Flowmentalz	Who said that Poetry has limitations? Flowmentalz will demonstratehow poetry has �No limitations�, by bringing infinite thought into all his work. Creative thinking magnified through sound is the best synopsis of what this one man show has to offer. Born and raised in New Jersey, F low�s spoken word style blends poetry and Hip Hop in an explosive manner. Flow is a true entertainer using his poetry to turn everyday life situations into intellectual journies. Flow, a 1999 Nuyorican semi-finalist, a 2000 New Jersey Word Supremacy finalist, and the 1st member of the 2001 New Jersey national slam team, is no stranger to slam poetry. Flow is at the forefront of New Jersey�s poetic renaissance with his two self-released spoken word CD�s entitled � Drama Uncut � and �Poetic Enemy #1". Flowmentalz deals with everday situations and expresses them in a humorous, yet thought provoking manner and is soon to be seen on two season of � Russell Simmons� HBO Def Poetry Jam� now airing.
	Bill Hemmer is a journalist who spent ten years at CNN before moving to the Fox News Channel in August 2005. Before Hemmer left CNN in June 2005, he and Soledad O'Brien were the anchors on American Morning, CNN's flagship morning news program. Hemmer started with this program in 2002. While at CNN, Hemmer also anchored CNN Tonight, CNN Early Edition as well as CNN Morning News/CNN Live Today. Hemmer was scheduled to debut on Fox News on Monday, August 29, 2005, but started a day early to assist with the cable network's coverage of Hurricane Katrina. He is currently hosting the 12:00 p.m. ET edition of Fox News Live weekdays.
Cross Canadian Ragweed	Cross Canadian Ragweed is an alternative country band of the Red Dirt scene, formed in Yukon, Oklahoma, in 1994, comprising of frontman/guitarist Cody Canada, drummer Randy Ragsdale, rhythm guitarist Grady Cross, and bassist Jeremy Plato. The band's name comes from a combination of all four original members' names: Grady Cross, Cody Canada, Randy Ragsdale and (original bassist) Matt Wiedemann. There is a common misconception that the name is a reference to the Canadian River, which runs through Oklahoma and Texas. After forming, they moved to the college town of Stillwater, Oklahoma, where acts like Mike McClure's The Great Divide and singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave had established enough of a local scene to earn Stillwater the nickname "North Austin" (or, depending on your perspective, "West Nashville"). Known as much for their never-ending tours (200+ shows per year) as their vocal support for marijuana (the song "The Boys from Oklahoma" is entirely about marijuana and is also one of the band's most famous songs, despite not being written by them.), the group had already received significant college radio airplay before it released its first album, Highway 377 and Live and Loud at the Wormy Dog, both in 2001, as well as Carney in 2002, with Underground Sounds, before switching to Smith Music Group for Live and Loud at Billy Bob's Texas. The group occasionally tours with Willie Nelson. With the release of a self-titled album also known as the Purple album due to its cover color, which is a tribute to the band's "little sister" Mandi Ragsdale who had recently died in an auto accident and that was her favorite color, the band moved into the mainstream eye. Their 2004 offering Soul Gravy debuted at #4 on The Billboard charts. The band frequently plays with country music star Dierks Bentley, "Texas Country" star Pat Green, "Texas Country" up and comer Jesse Brand and other stars of the Red Dirt music scene including Reckless Kelly, Stoney LaRue, and Robert Earl Keen. In October 2005, the band released their album Garage, which featured the single "Fightin' For." The band released a Live CD/DVD combo on October 31, 2006. Back To Tulsa - Live and Loud at Cain's Ballroom" is the title of the CD/DVD. The bands performance of the show at Cain's Ballroom will be shown on HDNet starting on November 5, 2006.

The Spy Who Knew Too Much	Award-winning, investigative reporter and political journalist, Elliot Goldenberg is the author of The Spy Who Knew Too Much: The Government Plot to Silence Jonathan Pollard; and The Hunting Horse: The truth Behind the Jonathan Pollard Spy Case, a controversial new book about the United States Government's plot to silence Jonathan Pollard. This book tells the story of Jonathan Pollard, a former civilian Navy Intelligence analyst who passed classified United States military secrets to the State of Israel, and in so doing, unwittingly uncovered a secret United States polity, allegedly overseen by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, that was designed to weaken Israel and strengthen the hand of her enemies in the Arab world. As a result, Pollard's greatest crime may not have been what he did for Israel - his greatest crime may have been that he got too close to the truth.
Raiders of the Lost Ark	Professor Eric Meyers, a leading biblical archaeologist, has been hailed as the real-life Indiana Jones, the archaeologist/hero of Raiders Of The Lost Ark. His fascinating slide lecture compares and contrasts his discovery of the oldest sacred ark ever found with the movie's version of that event.
Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai	Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai is a Chinese/Taiwanese American spoken word artist, playwright, essayist, and choreographer who strengthens cultural pride and survival through how she lives and how she spits. She has been featured at over 170 performances across the country including venues like the Nuyorican Poets the House of Blues, the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and two seasons of ?Russell Simmons Presents HBO Def Poetry.? Splitting her homes between Chicago and Brooklyn, Kelly tours the country extensively as a spoken word artist and as a performer and organizer for the ?We Got Issues!? civic transformation and performance project. She also toured nationally for five years as a founding collective member of Mango Tribe. She is the author of two self-published chapbooks Inside Outside Outside Inside and Thought Crimes. Her first full-length play, ?Murder the Machine,? was excerpted at Chicago?s first Hip Hop Theater Festival.
Will Da~Real One Bell	Will Bell, "Da~RealOne," is a spoken word artist, host and promotional director who grew up in the Liberty Projects of Miami. He has performed throughout the U.S., from Baltimore to San Diego, D.C. to Birmingham, Los Angeles to Virginia. Last year he won the international Word Olympics in Ottawa, Canada, and came in second at the U.S. National Poetry Slam. He currently hosts a weekly spoken word night at the Literary Caf� in North Miami, which he co-owns. Bell also leads workshops in self-expression at Miami penitentiaries.
Shihan	"He's a great poet, great writer, great performance artist... Shihan's the shit!" - Russell Simmons "Everybody knows how Shihan gets down... People should definitely listen up!... I like his style - he reminds me a little bit of me." - Mos Def.. Poet / Hip-hop artist extraordinaire Shihan has been featured on multiple episodes of HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry and also serves as Talent Coordinator for the show. He was recently featured at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival, The Essense Music Festival (in which he opened for Alicia Keys) and the Soul Beach Music Festival (in which he opened for Musiq Soulchild.) Shihan has been co-hosting Da' Poetry Lounge, the nation's largest open mic in Hollywood for the past 7 years and is currently touring as a cast member in the Def Poetry Jam 3.0 International Tour. This very busy man is also the official producer of Word Fest at the next Pan African Film Festival (the world's largest and most prestigious black film festival), and is currently working with rap legend KRS-One on soon-to-be-released tracks. Groove Gravy Records is proud to present Shihan�s official commercial debut "The Poet." The album consists of material recorded over the past 3 years. 15 tracks moving from traditional hip-hop to acapela poetry, with 4 brand new gems, produced by Jazzelicious, including a collaboration with legendary electronica chameleon Ursula Rucker. His ability to transcend cultural and generational boundaries has made Shihan a unique lyrical talent. It's hip-hop the way only a few can deliver - intelligent, free flowing, funky as can be, and with plenty of substance and style.
Brig. Gen. Yehiel Gozal	Brig/ Gen. Yehiel Gozal, who now serves as national director in the United States of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. A far greater threat�on which Israel is spending considerable resources to counter�is Iran's determined effort to become a nuclear power. Also can be seen on FoxNews.
Dr. Ro	Dr. Rovenia Brock is America’s most renowned African American nutritionist and author of the national best-seller, Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets To Livin’ Healthy. She hosted “Heart & Soul,” the first ever national health and fitness television show for African American women which aired on BET. She is a familiar face on MSNBC, CNN, and previously on the nationally syndicated “Queen Latifah Show”, and on “The Tavis Smiley Show” on NPR. Her nutrition and health expertise has been featured online on WebMD and in publications that include O Magazine, Ebony, Essence, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Today’s Black Woman, Heart and Soul, Black Elegance, and Vibe. Dr. Ro holds a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences and an M.S. degree in Community Nutrition and Broadcast Journalism from Howard University. She is a native of Washington, DC and is a member of The National Association of Black Journalists.
Ari and Jeremy	Ari & Jeremy, commander and soldier in the Israeli Army reserves, have protected every border of The Land of Israel from Lebanon to Gaza. As religious Zionist Jews, they merge their comprehensive understanding of the Bible and Jewish history with their experiences in the battlefield and the forefront of Israeli activism. Ari and Jeremy are coming to share the truth about the situation in Israel and will be discussing a broad array of topics including the cease fire between Israel and the Hezbollah, the Iranian Nuclear build up, and the spiritual roots of the conflict in the Middle East. Open to discussing any issues from the political, religious, and philosophical realms, Ari & Jeremy are coming to infuse clarity and understanding into a complex and volatile situation that will inevitably have monumental effects on the entire world. Commander and Soldier in the Israel Defense Force reserves. Hosts of "A Light Unto the Nations", the #1 radio show on Israel National Radio. Columnists for the Jerusalem Post and Arutz Sheva. Founders of Shema Israel - a Jerusalem-based movement dedicated to bringing the Bible back to the Nation of Israel.
Traditional Aztec Fire Dancers	The phrase In Tlanextli Tlacopan? is a nahuatl term meaning En El Esplandor de Tlacopan? in Spanish or ?In the Splendor of Tlacopan? in English. Our group is named such because our Aztec (Mexicah) traditions come from the barrio of Tlacopan (today known as ?Tacuba?). Our dances (5 to 7 dancers) represent the splendor of our Mexicah culture. Through these dances, we honor our Native American and Mexicah ancestors, and preserve our historical and cultural Mexicah identities. Our group is a family-based one, composed mainly of Tellez Family members. My entire family, including brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews are from Tlacopan (Tacuba). We have all learned the tradition of Aztec Dancing or ?La Danza Azteca? from our barrio in Tlacopan (Tacuba) since we were children and we continue to participate in important Aztec (Mexicah) ceremonies. We have presented our culture though our dances throughout the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Through our presentations at powwows or other community events, we try to share our culture with other people. We want people to know the splendor of the Aztec peoples is alive and well and not an imagination from the past. We hope you will become a part of that experience.
Lemon	LEMON regular on HBO�s �Def Poetry,� an original cast member from the Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam on Broadway and a Drama Desk nominee, has traveled the spoken word and theatre scene for the last eight years. He recently shot two movies with Spike Lee, �Sucker Free City� for Showtime and Spike�s latest film She Hate Me, as well as performing as lead in a short film heading for Sundance next summer called Avenging Angel. His theatre credits include Slanguage, which he co-wrote with Universes, a poetry theatre group directed by Jo Bonney at the New York Theatre workshop. Other Off-Broadway appearances include �The Ride� at PS 122 and Andy Warhol Museum; U (Slanguage) Workshop, Mark Taper Forum, The Painted Bride. Lemon has also taught performance workshops at different universities, colleges and venues including Harvard, Princeton, and UMASS. He has performed all over the country including Joe�s Pub, The Labyrinth Theatre, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Sing Sing Prison to name a few.
Poetri	POETRI was one of the the first poets featured on �Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry� on HBO and has also been seen on ABC, NBC, BET, MTV and VH-1. He then moved on to become one of the stars of the critically acclaimed cast of the Tony Award winning �Def Poetry Jam on Broadway�. His unique voice can also be heard in the skies on Delta Radio. He is featured on the Special Edition DVD of �Belly� by Hype Williams. Poetri is the host of the largest and hottest weekly poetry venue in the world, Da� Poetry Lounge, which has greatly broadened the appeal of poetry in L.A. and become a place for people to express their emotions. He has written, produced, performed on and arranged more than 150 commercials for radio and television for NFL Films, BET and Nike. He has been published in four books, including the multi-award-winning Soul of the Game. In addition to touring the nation as a spokenword artist, Poetri co-wrote and toured in the play Dear Child. Also in the theater, he is completing work on the hip-hop musical �Ball�, where he is writing the poetry and songs for the show. Poetri also co-executive produced a soundtrack CD called �The Truth.� Poetri is doing so much that he should own his own website...oh, he does...
Mums	Mums Def Poetry HBO / OZ HBO The character �Poet�, on the critically acclaimed Emmy nominated HBO prison drama OZ, was created specifically for Mums by series creator Tom Fontana. In OZ, Mums, original poetic creations serve as the universal narrative voice of the prison population.In addition to his recurring HBO role, Mums has performed across the U.S. and Europe, on the Lolapalooza tours, as well as performing on the New York slam team that was the focus of the documentary Slamnation,. Last year Mums was prominently featured in Spike Lee�s film Bamboozled,. In 1999, he appeared in Martin Scorcese�s Bringing Out the Dead with Nicolas Cage and Ving Raimes. You will be seeing Mums this year in OZ, as well as HBO�s Behind the Scenes Look at Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam�. Mums will also be appearing on the Def Poetry Jam college tour.
The Real World Denver	The Real World: Denver is the eighteenth season of MTV's popular reality television series The Real World, which focuses on seven strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. The cast members are living in Denver's LoDo neighborhood in a recently renovated building which previously housed the B-52 Billiards, located at 1920 Market St. The announcement of the location came as a surprise to many, since it was anticipated that the eighteenth season would be filmed in Detroit rather than Denver [2]. The Denver season is expected to follow the format of the past seventeen seasons. Filming began in early June 2006 and was expected to end sometime in late-September (or about 17 weeks). In August 2006 it was reported that the crew would finish production on August 29 because it had enough footage. The Denver Post is publishing a blog that follow the production. It includes sightings as well as descriptions of the cast members. The local weekly paper "Westword" also staged a fake Real World productionwhere they spent a night at local bars with a phony filming crew, security team, producers and seven person cast. The video tapedstunt fooled hundreds of bargoers and got the attention of the New York Times in an article about reality shows.
Hinder	Hinder is a rock group signed under Universal Records. Hinder leans to the pop-grunge style of Nickelback and Puddle of Mudd. The rock band formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2002, when guitarist Joe Garvey and drummer Cody Hanson discovered Austin Winkler singing for a cover band. Cody says he was "blown away" and "has the kind of charisma very few people have and that unique voice. You can't really compare him to anybody." The band was then formed as what would be Hinder. They were immediately signed to an independent label, and released their first EP, Far From Close. It sold about 5,000 copies. This EP landed into the ears of Universal Records, in which Hinder was introduced into a major record label contract. Although All Music Guide claims Extreme Behavior was one of the years worst albums, thoroughout 2005, the album was heavily anticipated, and Hinder won the monthy Launch! "Who's Next" contest for emerging bands. Their Brian Howes and Mike Fraser produced album, Extreme Behavior, was then set for release in the US. Since then, the band has toured with Theory of a Deadman as well as with Buckcherry. Recently, they have been touring with Three Days Grace, Hoobastank and Chevelle. , Hinder jumped on to the rock scene with the single, 'Get Stoned.' The band then toured in support of Extreme Behavior. The band's second single, "Lips of an Angel", became a smash hit as the song made its way up the charts and the band received nationwide attention. The band's third single from their debut album became "How Long". Rehearsals.com is showing several video performances of these singles.
Immortal Technique	Felipe Coronel better known as Immortal Technique, is a hip hop MC and political activist. Most of his songs focus on social justice, covering a wide variety of topics such as urban poverty in the US and international economic inequality (especially in Latin America), protest against the imprisonment of Mumia Abu-Jamal, militarism and the military industrial complex in the U.S., U.S. complicity in the September 11, 2001 attacks, media bias in favor of conservative and corporate interests, and racism (especially in regards to the mistreatment of people of color in the U.S.). Although he has been offered a deal with at least one major music label, he has never signed to any, since disagreements over the political content of his songs could could arise. Immortal Technique has also voiced a desire to keep control over his production, and has made statements in his music that he is very aware that it is record companies, not the artists themselves, who profit the most from mass production and marketing of music. He releases his music on and is also the President and A&R of Viper Records. To reach wider audiences, Immortal Technique's next projects will be distributed by Babygrande Records.
Ne-Yo	Ne-Yo is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is best known by his stage name, Ne-Yo. He is currently signed to Def Jam Records. He was previously best known for co-writing Mario's 2004 number one hit "Let Me Love You" before he began a recording career of his own in 2005. Ne-Yo's debut album, In My Own Words, was released in early 2006 and debuted at number one on The Billboard 200, selling 301,000 copies in the first week. During the same period, Ne-Yo's second single "So Sick" (produced by Stargate) became the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ne-Yo also wrote Rihanna's Top 10 hit, "Unfaithful". Recently he was featured on Ghostface's single "Back Like That".
Ozomatli	In July of the first year of the new millennium, with the summer sun hot and blazing on thousands in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, it all changed for Ozomatli. The Democratic National Convention was in town, Bill Clinton was across the street, the barricades were up, and the crowd that Ozo faced were all looking for a soundtrack to the protest that had brought them there. Ozo gave them one song, the cops pulled the plug, and the rubber bullets started to fly. It had been three years since recording their debut, and in the middle of yet another explosion direct from the LA streets, it became immediately clear that the booming multicultural block party of their new album was being born right before their eyes. Embrace the Chaos: chapter two in Ozomatli's plot to let the world know that the future of urban America is already here, already singing, and already dancing salsa to a hip hop samba. "The DNC really impacted us," says tenor sax player Ulises Bella. "When we were there, we were given a lot of energy from the people who were there to protest, how they felt about our involvement in the protests. It was really inspiring. The negative part of it was how this group of people was just shut down. There was just a hand around a throat saying "you can't say this anymore." It was right at the moment when Clinton was giving his speech about how great America was. The irony of it, the cynicism of it, all of it influenced us. That's why we called the album Embrace the Chaos, accepting the fucked up things of the world but wanting to change them." The DNC show was the last with the band's original alto sax player, only one of the personnel changes the band has gone through since releasing their debut-- an album that established this polyglot Black-Chicano-Cuban-Japanese-Jewish-Filipino crew as a band committed to social change and community-building through the party pleasures of musical collision ("Ozomatli" is Nahuatl for the Aztec god of dance).
Ludacris	Ludacris is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. Born in Illinois, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he eventually made a name for himself, first as a Radio DJ and then as one of the most prominent Southern rappers.
The Native Spirit Dancers	The Native Spirit Dancers were formed by Brian Hammill in 1997 as a way to share native culture and dance with various people from all across the United States as well as overseas. The Native Spirit dancers are based out of Phoenix Arizona; however the dancers represent various nations from all across the United States as well as Canada. Through their unique style of education and Humor, Native Spirit is able to enrich the lives of those people that they encounter.Brian Hammill is a member of the Ho-chunk nation from southern Wisconsin and a proud veteran of the United States Army. He is an accomplished hoop dancer, constantly ranked among the top 10 in the world. His performance includes many intricate maneuvers creating various symbols significant in his life. He was born and raised in Benton, Wisconsin and now resides in Phoenix, AZ. We are able to provide a variety of dance shows using many of the different dances that you will find below. The explanations for these dances are from the knowledge and experiences of Brian Hammill. Throughout the United States and Canada, there are many different versions of the origins for many of the dances. The Native American culture is a living culture. Our people as well as the dances are constantly changing and evolving. These dances have strong roots in history as well as signs of modern influence.The dances that we share are known as social or intertribal dances. As people of the first nations we belong to a living and growing culture the dances are presented as they are portrayed today at our social events all across the country. The styles listed below are just a few of the ones that our people are blessed with. And eager to share with you.
Yue-Sai Kan	Entrepreneur, Author, Journalist and Humanitarian Yue-Sai Kan is perhaps the most famous woman in China today. A unique combination of entrepreneur, best-selling author, television journalist, and humanitarian, Kan has been honored in Monaco as a "Leading Woman Entrepreneur of the World" and in Fortune magazine as one of the five most influential women in China. She is also the only living American to have a Chinese postage stamp bear her likeness. Kan is the founder of the first major beauty products company in China�Yue-Sai Kan Cosmetics�which she later sold to L'Oreal. Always an innovator, Kan also produced and hosted the first television documentaries to promote East/West relations, including the Emmy Award-winning China Walls and Bridges. She now hosts Yue-Sai's World, a series that brings the latest international lifestyle trends to over one billion Chinese viewers. An ardent supporter of education for the underprivileged, Kan has established a fund to build schools in China and provide scholarships to gifted female students.
T.I.	T.I. is from the streets of Westside Bankhead Zone 1. His original stage name, T.I.P., stems from his childhood nickname "Tip", which he got from his grandfather. Due to his southern drawl, many fans mistook his name for "Chip", so he began spelling it out "T.I.P". During this time, T.I.P was also popularly known to be the acronym of "Ten Inch Playa," denoting Harris' generous anatomic endowment. Upon signing with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records in 2001, he shortened his name to T.I. out of respect for label mate Q-Tip. He is also known to go by "Rubberband Man" and the self-proclaimed "King of the South" (which has created several cases of controversy between other southern rappers, such as Lil' Flip and Ludacris).T.I. has four children. Their names are Messiah "Ya'Majesty" Harris, Damani Uriah Harris, Deyjah Harris, and Clifford Joseph "King" Harris III, he also claims Tiny's daughter, Zonnique Pullins as his own.He is the leader of a rap group known as P$C (Pimp Squad Click). His debut album I'm Serious was released through Arista Records in 2001, which spawned the single of the same title which featured reggae vocalist Beenie Man. His debut album included Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes (who named him the Jay-Z of the south), Jazze Pha and Youngbloodz. However, the album did not sell very well, and he was dropped from the label. Undaunted, he formed Grand Hustle Records and released several mixtapes with the assistance of DJ Drama, which created an underground buzz. He resurfaced in the summer of 2003 on Bonecrusher's song "Neva Scared". He parlayed this attention towards the release of his second album, Trap Muzik. It was more of a success than his debut album because of the singles "24s", "Be Easy", "Rubber Band Man", and "Let's Get Away". The success of the album was followed by some controversy: while on tour, T.I. was charged with violating his probation over a 2003 drug charge, and turned himself in. He was sentenced to three years in prison. While there he was granted rights to film the music video for "Let's Get Away".
Anthem	ANTHEM 2006 NACA Northern Plains Showcase Alternate 2006 NACA National Showcase 2005 NACA Central Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-Atlantic Showcase 2004 NACA Northeast Showcase Spanning decades and cultures, the six members of Anthem combine boundless energy and diverse musical influences to showcase their own brand of reggae on their debut CD on Mack Avenue Records. Anthem?s tight harmonies and solid musical sensibilities stem, in part, from the fact that three of the band?s members come from the same musical family. Their Jamaican heritage is the seed from which their reggae roots spread, but each of the various members also adds his own experience and influences to the mix. Anthem is comprised of rappers and producers, R&B singers and old-fashioned rock and rollers, making them a band all their own. Their members have been seen on everything from Puff Daddy?s ?Making the Band? on MTV to having their songs featured on B.E.T?s, ?Soul Food?. Positive and pop, roots and soulful, energetic and seductive?Are you ready for Anthem?
God Made Me Funky	GOD MADE ME FUNKY 2005 COCA National Showcase God Made Me Funky (GMMF) is the Funky live collective, out of Toronto, Ontario, comprised of a diverse array of musicians ranging from classically trained Jazz artists to street schooled Hip-Hop and RnB vocalists, all of which share the common bond of moving crowds and bringing the Funk in to the next millennium. Consisting of Vocalist - Wayne Tennant (Snow, Eclectic Soul), Rapper - PHATT al (Len, Raggadeath), Keys - Neil Shankman, Bass - Calvin Beale (Jully Black, Ivanna Santilli), Guitar - Oliver Johnson (Ivanna Santilli, Glenn Lewis), Trumpet - Mark Jarvis (Big Rude Jake, Fuzzy Love), Sax - Arthur Kerekes (Monkey), and Drums - Alan Witz (Funky Hi-Life, Millhouse); GMMF has been widely recognized in the Toronto music scene for thier highly energetic and outstanding original music and live remixes of Funk, Soul, RnB, and Hip-Hop classics. Formed in 1996 GMMF started out as an instrumental Funk fusion experiment. As the bands popularity grew vocalists were added to increase the range of songs the band could cover. Influences such as: Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Sly and the Family Stone, Michael Jackson, Jamiroquai, the Roots, and D'Angelo were remixed with a 'new school' sound. Now, after sharing the stage with such notable artists as Julie McKnight, Herbie Koffman, and Divine Earth Essence; And having played at North By North East, The Beaches Jazz Festival, Canadaian Music Week, countless fundraisers, and club gigs road testing the new original material to great response, GMMF has taken it to the studio. Recording their debut album, titled "God Mad Me Funky". The disc brings the pure musical energy of a live GMMF stage show combined with the superbly funky song writing of the band and lays down original recordings in the new grand tradition of the Modern Funk Movement. The first single "Subway" is set to be released to radio in Spring 2005, with the video shot by Matt Long (Ivana Santilli) @ Action Media; And has been chosen by the Parmelat Group (of Dairy Products) to be featured in their new "Pure Filter Milk" campaign.
Orquesta Sabor Tropical	SABOR TROPICAL Orquesta Sabor Tropical is both a high-energy salsa band and classic Afro-Cuban orchestra, bringing large doses of excitement, romance, feeling, and caribbean swing to their concerts. Sabor Tropical blends TROPICAL, Big-band Latin, retro-Cuban, Salsa and original jazz to create a non-stop, fully choreographed show. Sabor Tropical features the sultry voice of lead singer Maya Santamaria, the contemporary improvisational skills of singer/dancer Leo Burdier as well as the romantic, humid voice of Raffy Castillo. The orchestra also features a powerhouse 4-piece horn section, an infectious percussion section led by musical director Rey Rivera (NY) and a tight rhythm section. Sabor Tropical has been called the "Hottest Latin Orchestra" by the local salsa-dancing community because of the youthful energy and choreography the group brings to the stage. The repertoire of the orchestra features salsa, rumba, son montuno, guaracha, cumbia, bolero, cha-cha, jazz, bachata and other latin rhythms. Their first demo, "Lleg� La Sabrosa," featuring Maya Santamaria, was based on the work of a number of retro-Cuban female legends such as Mercedita Valdez and Lourdes Torres from the 40s and 50s. Her new music from this CD won Maya the "Best New Artist" award from the salsaartists.com competition in October 2001 at Universal City, California. In addition, this year Sabor Tropical's lead singer Maya won La Prensa de Minnesota's "Community Artist of the Year" Award and the prestigious Sally Ordway Irwin Award for Innitiative. With a touch of American crossover mixed in, the cd is currently under negotiation with some major labels. In addition to this original repertoire, Orquesta Sabor Tropical has developed a totally power-packed repertoire designed for the dancers! Extremely versatile, this is the band for any occasion.
NATIVE PRIDE DANCERS featuring Larry Yazzie	NATIVE PRIDE DANCERS featuring Larry Yazzie Larry Yazzie (Meskwaki/Dine) is a World Champion Fancy Dancer who consistently takes top honors at American Indian powwows in the United States and Canada. In 1995, he won the World Championship for the Northern Style Fancy Dance. Larry was raised at the Meskwaki Nation�s homeland in Tama, Iowa (USA). At the age of seven he took up Fancy Dancing. The Fancy Dance is beloved for its flamboyant and colorful regalia, as well as for the physical challenge it poses for powwow competition dancers. Creativity and endurance are tested by song after song at an up-beat tempo. His repertoire also features the grass, horse tail, shield, buffalo, and traditional dances. Since he was in his early teens, Larry has been competing in the powwow category. As a performer, Larry has toured the United States, Canada, and Europe. In 1994, with the Foxwoods Dance Troupe, he performed in France, Poland, Finland, and Russia at the Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg. With the Discover Native American Dance Troupe, he performed at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. In 1998, he danced in the motion picture Grey Owl with actor Pierce Brosnan. In 1999, he was featured with the Lakota Dance Troupe at the Native American Film Awards in Los Angeles. In 2001 he co-produced an innovative collaboration with Keith Secola and The Wild Band of Indians, combining Native American dance with contemporary native folk, and blues. In 2001 Larry became an original member of the Kevin Locke Trio.
SALSA MAGIC	SALSA MAGIC 2006 NACA National Showcase Alternate 2005 NACA Central Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-America Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-Atlantic Showcase Alternate 2005 NACA South Showcase 2005 NACA Mid-Atlantic Festival Showcase 2005 NACA Northern Plains Showcase 2005 NACA National Showcase 2004 NACA West Showcase 2004 NACA Northeast Showcase 2004 NACA South Showcase Alternate 2004 NACA Mid-America Showcase Alternate 2004 NACA L.I.F.E. Conference Showcase Alternate Featured on Fox Television's Ambush Makeover (Watch it on Feb. 22nd and Apr. 6th) There is only one EXCITING, INTERACTIVE LATIN DANCE PARTY on the College Market that will have your students begging for more!!! SalsaMagic College Interactive Latin Dance Party and Light Show with Lee & Florcita, have performed around the world with a one of a kind College Themed Dance Party that simply can�t be missed. Featured on Fox Television's Ambush Makeover, they have created an affordably priced, unique, interactive show and dance party, which will have you asking the question; why go to a club when you can have it come to your campus? You provide the students and dance floor and leave the rest to Salsa Magic. You get THREE HOURS OF NON STOP ENTERTAINMENT. Watch as Lee & Florcita dance their award winning Salsa Routine with unbelievable heart stopping flips, dips, lifts and moves that will have you asking yourself, IS HE REALLY WHITE! Students will interact and learn the NEWEST HOTTEST SALSA MOVES as they dance with one another as well as Lee & Florcita. ALL FOR AWESOME PRIZES: CD PLAYERS, CDS, BLING BLING LIGHTS AND SALSAMAGIC POSTERS. THIS SHOW IS COMPLETELY SELF CONTAINED, NO LIGHTING TECH, NO SOUND TECH, JUST STUDENTS READY TO HAVE AN AWESOME TIME!!! After the lessons and Dance Show Washington D.C.s own DJ Gringito will continue the Club party by lighting up the dance floor with the HOTTEST AND NEWEST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY LIGHTING spinning the best in Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaton, Reggae, International, Hip Hop and Top 40. Whatever your flavor DJ Gringito will have it. Florcita will keep everyone moving and grooving from beginning to end. Lee & Florcita have won countless awards (National Finalist in the Washington D.C. Ortanique Salsa Challenge and winners of the Natura Park Salsa Competition, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic) They have performed in Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and colleges across the country who are raving: We have never had this many students at a special events showcase, you guys rock! NACA West Official The Salsa Dancing was amazing. Fox Televisions Ambush Makeover "Most attended act of the year. You have to have this act!" Lawrence University - WI "It's the best act we ever brought to our campus." Universit of Maine - ME �The booty shaking contest was the funniest thing I had ever seen. The prizes are awesome!!!" Cochise College - AZ If you don�t book this act someone else will. The lights, selection of music and hot salsa, simply can�t be missed. There isn�t anything else like it! North Datota State University
Africatam	Africatam Born in the West African country of Cameroon. Djembe drummer, traditional singer and juju dancer goes back to his experience as a young boy growing up in Africa.Africa Tam was launched at the African Festival where Emmy's tribal drumming skills and folkloric ancestral dancers entertained the audience. As founder and group leader Emmy brings skills in tribal drumming, singing, African drama, ancestral dancing and wood works of art that offers a different perspective to entertainment and cultural education. Live traditional African entertainment in both public and private events. Emmy Ayafor's sculptures, songs, dancing, drama and drumming sometime depict his inner thoughts, artistic vision and the love for his culture. Drumming is the heart and soul of Africa and plays a huge role in the African community. Africa is often known as a festival continent Drumming is used as a means of communication. Drums and other African percussions have been used for centuries to express feelings, stories, events, wedding, child birth, death ceremony, rituals and links to ancestral roots. Africans use drums and other musical instruments to communicate in their daily lives. Instruments used include wooden flute, Balophone, "kora" and Iron Gong {popularly known as the "ogene" in Eastern Nigerian}. Africatamtam will provide drums and teach drumming through drum circles. The master drummer will teach and create drum sounds into groups that when merged gives an African rhythm. Each group will play a particular tone. These tones will be following by stages of tones from other groups. In much of Africa , percussion often dominates music and in many cases the drum is the leading instrument. Hand clapping, foot tapping, and body patting were also important percussive sounds. The village crowd claps at times to the rhythms of the dancer or the songs. Sometimes the audience sings together with dancers and drummers. This brings harmony and relates to ones' love of culture and tradition.
Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon	Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon served as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 2002 to 2005. Born in 1950 in Kiryat Haim, he was drafted into the IDF in 1968. He served as a reserve paratrooper during the 1973 Yom Kippur War and participated on the Suez front. In 1986, General Yaalon left to pursue advanced studies in Camberly, England. When he returned to Israel, he became commander of an elite unit in which he had previously served. In January 1992, Yaalon was appointed commanding officer for Judea and Samaria and promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. In May 1998, he was appointed commander officer for Central Command. General Yaalon was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general and appointed the seventeenth IDF chief of staff on July 9, 2002, a position he held until June 1, 2005. General Yaalon is married and has three children.
The Evasons	Jeff & Tessa Evason have astounded audiences the world over with their mind-blowing repertoire of paranormal feats. Their incredible brand of mind magic generates amazement and enthusiasm unlike anything you have ever witnessed. Their peers and fans alike recognize them as the finest mentalist duo in the world. Their stylish presentation and stunning showcase of talent has earned them the distinction of being quite simply the most amazing mind readers you'll ever see! Whether you need a corporate entertainer or a performer for a college, theater, cruise ship or a casino showroom, The Evasons brand of psychic entertainment is your perfect solution!
JUXTAPOWER � South Africa\'s Dance & Song	� 2005 NACA Northeast Showcase � 2005 NACA Mid-Atlantic Showcase JUXTAPOWER, (South Africa�s Song and Dance), Inc. is a project that was established by Sduduzo Ka-Mbili, in NEW YORK CITY, during the year 1999 so as to further showcase the rich and diverse culture of South Africa through dance and song. Sduduzo`s main vision for this project is to entertain, promote, and educate about the wealth of talent and culture that Azania has to offer. The whole idea for JUXTAPOWER was first galvanized by an unbalanced/complete lack of cultural/theatrical exchange between the United States and South Africa. It's time for CHANGE. JUXTAPOWER has truly grown into a successful entity whose talents are being recognized both nationally and internationally. JUXTAPOWER has since performed at Robert Deniro's TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL, Patrick Swayze's launch of his new Movie "KING SOLOMON'S MINES," hosted by Hallmark Channel, United Nations/States event honoring Justice Goldstone of South Africa, Miss World Pageant in the British Virgin Islands, and at the Apollo Theater Aids project for Africa. JUXTAPOWER has also performed before President Clinton, President Ford & President Carter, and many other famous personalities. JUXTAPOWER has traveled extensively to Pennsylvania, Memphis, Florida, Upstate New York, Baltimore, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Georgia, and Washington DC, to name a few. JUXTAPOWER has also had the pleasure of working side by side with the Broadway cast of the Lion King on numerous projects and still continues to do so. The company had its first full production of Uhambo (The journey) showcased at the (Little Theater) Harlem YMCA. It was the first of the string of great performances to come. In May of 2002, JUXTAPOWER did its second biggest New York City season at the Kaye Playhouse in a 700 hundred-seat theater. The performance received great reviews and accolades from the audience and critics alike. Sduduzo Ka-Mbili's commitment to community service has offered him a home at the Harlem YMCA, which is where the company conducts its rehearsals and workshops.
Mayumana	Mayumana is a performance group which specializes in percussion, dance, gymnastics, singing, and musicianship. Their shows are comparable to Stomp or Blue Man Group but with uniquely Israeli qualities. They perform regularly at their home theater in Tel Aviv, Israel and have also created several tours internationally playing to more than 2 million people in Europe, 1 million in Israel and 700,000 in South America. Although Mayumana officially began in 1996, they did not grow widely popular until 1998 at the Israel Festival, the annual national showcase for the performing arts. The name Mayumana is derived loosely from the Hebrew word meaning "skill" or "proficiency". Many skills are demanded of the performers in each Mayumana theatre troupe such as coordination, sight reading , flexibility, drumming techniques, and discipline in dance and yoga.
Sailesh	He has taken the art of live entertainment and slammed it into the 21st century. Performing 5-6 shows a week throughout the globe, Sailesh has become the busiest uncensored hypnotist on the planet. Numerous international media outlets have dubbed him the Best Hypnotist around. This show has broken ribs due to uncontrollable laughter in Canada, The U.S., Sweden, Iceland, England, Finland and has now been booked into South Africa, Scotland, Australia and throughout Europe. Reinventing live entertainment, Sailesh captivates his audience with each command. Performing skits like The Jerry Springer Show, opposite sex Dating Service, Rubber Body Parts, Ballet Dancers or having an orgasm simply by shaking his hand, the audiences are brought to a euphoric high with laughter and anticipation of what may happen next. MTV in London had searched the globe for the best Hypnotist… we are honored that Sailesh was the entertainer their producers chose as best and most charismatic. Stockholm and Helsinki Newspapers raved about his large auditorium shows on the Cover of their local paper. Inside Entertainment declared Sailesh as the Hottest Hypnotist in the World and Pop TV in Europe says this show is Ridiculously Brilliant!! The Honolulu Advertiser exclaimed , “A potty-mouthed stage hypnotist who performs with a live DJ… count us in!!” The Icelandic National News expressed, "Original and incredibly funny! The audience went wild and this was without a doubt the best show of the year." SAILESH is featured on the popular internet site 'Kontraband'. His comical skits were seen by millions and are still one of the top clips of the past 2 years. Recently, he was featured on VH1 as one of the funniest video clips on the net. This popular entertainer visited The Opie and Anthony Show on XM Satellite Radio (millions of listeners). Isleifur Thorhallsson from Global Event Network states, "We've done many shows with international stars and Sailesh is one of our biggest success ever. In addition to putting on a truly magnificent show, that was a huge, huge success and completely sold out, he is the nicest and most professional performer we have ever worked with. I can't praise Sailesh and his show enough!"
NBCs Last Comic Standing LIVE!	Last Comic Standing Live! features the stars of NBC's hit reality show "Last Comic Standing". Watch for season four of "Last Comic Standing" this summer on NBC. The hit reality show showcases today's fastest rising stars of comedy which will kick-off in September 2007.
Juliet Zuercher & Ken Littlefield	This lecture addresses the need for individualized recommendations for athletes with eating disorders regarding their participation in exercise regimens, performance and athletic competition. A literature review presents the differing attitudes of athletes with eating disorders regarding their eating habits and body image.Presentation by Juliet Zuercher, R.D. , Director of Nutritional Services for Remuda Ranch (www.remudaranch.com) Program for Eating Disorders. ~and~ Kenneth Littlefield, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist for Remuda Ranch Program for Eating Disorders
The Spice Girls	The Spice Girls are a four-time BRIT Award-winning English all-female pop group, which formed in London in 1994. The Spice Girls signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe", in 1996. The song went on to spend seven weeks at the top of the UK singles chart and helped establish the group as an "international phenomenon" who went on to release three studio albums and ten singles, selling in excess of 53 million records world wide. The group embraced merchandise and became a regular feature of the British press. Each member of the group was given an alias by Top of the Pops Magazine in 1996, aliases which were adopted by the group and media alike. According to biographer David Sinclair, "Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh and Sporty were the most widely recognised group of individuals since John, Paul, George and Ringo", stating that the group was "a social phenomenon that changed the course of popular music and popular culture". They released three studio albums and went their separate ways in 2001 (a break-up was never formally announced) to focus on their solo careers; however, on June 28, 2007, they reformed and are now planning a greatest hits album, plus a tour, The Return of the Spice Girls, which will be in support of their hits compilation.
Anberlin	Anberlin is an alternative rock band hailing from central Florida that was formed in 2002. The band has released three full-length albums and an EP in their five-year run.
Switchfoot	Switchfoot is a Grammy-nominated alternative rock band from San Diego, California, United States. The current members are Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), and Drew Shirley (guitar). Known for their energetic live show, the three guitarists in the line-up often operate simultaneously, building on the pop sensibilities of Jon's songwriting, and, rounded out by Jerome's work on the synthesizer, bringing his industrial roots to the sound, the band works up "the Switchfoot sound" - a melodic crunch of densely layered sound featuring some electronic experimentation, and often driven by hard-charging guitar riffs, while throwing in a few softer, spacey ballads as well. Switchfoot first gained mainstream recognition after the inclusion of four of their songs in the 2002 movie A Walk to Remember. This recognition led to their major label debut, The Beautiful Letdown, which was released in 2003 and sold over 2.6 million copies as well as featuring their best-known singles, "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move". According to Jon Foreman, the name "Switchfoot" is a surfing term. "We all love to surf and have been surfing all our lives so to us, the name made sense. To switch your feet means to take a new stance facing the opposite direction. It's about change and movement, a different way of approaching life and music".
The Peking Acrobats	Since their debut in 1986, THE PEKING ACROBATS have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs; they are experts at treacherous wire-walking, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting and gymnastics. They defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control. They push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing juggling dexterity and incredible balancing feats, showcasing tremendous skill and ability. They are masters of agility and grace. Often accompanied by live musicians skillfully playing traditional Chinese instruments and high-tech special effects that coalesce with the music and awe-inspiring feats to create an exuberant entertainment event featuring all the excitement and festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival!
Heads vs. Feds	A harmless alternative to alcohol with positive social, economic and medical uses? Or the gateway drug leading to narcotic and drug abuse, culminating in the addiction to heroin and crack? Legalization supporter Steve Hager is the editor in chief of High Times magazine. Hager attempts to establish the counterculture as a legitimate minority whose rights of freedom of religion and pursuit of happiness have been denied. Opponent Robert M. Stutman is a 25-year veteran of US Drug Enforcement Administration and has first-hand experience with the carnage and social implications of drugs and violence in our country.
Not Everything Is Black & White	Not Everything Is Black & White Trading Races: Getting Real With The Cast of Black. White. There is black, there is white, and there are shades of gray. And the experiences ran the gamut for the cast members of Black. White., the provocative hit TV show on the FX Network where two families—the Black Sparks and the White Wurgels—learned to literally live in each others’ skin through elaborate race-changing make-up, dialect coaching and other behavioral adjustments. Now, in the aftermath of their life-changing experiences on Black. White comes a riveting, interactive lecture experience featuring members of the two families who learned firsthand about the gray areas of race relations in America. The Sparks family (Brian, an Atlanta contractor; Renee, an office manager; and their high school son, Nick) signed on for Black. White, the sociological experience/TV show after Brian noticed an ad for auditions on-line. The Wurgels (Carmen, an LA location scout; her college freshman daughter Rose; and her boyfriend, elementary school teacher Bruno) heard about Black. White from a friend. Both families came with preconceived notions and strong ideas about what they might experience. Yet they could never have anticipated the eye-opening lessons about cultural differences. Now, after these insights have had a chance to set-in, both the Sparks and the Wurgels bring their revelations to the podium and spark the dialog, illuminate the issues, and ignite the desire for greater understanding about the gray areas... not everything is black & white.
Last Comic Standing	Get Last Comic Standing stars to perform at your event. The objective of the program is to select a comedian from a group, who will receive a development contract with the NBC television network and a special first to air on the cable-TV network Comedy Central and later on the cable network Bravo.
Cast From Prison Break	Prison Break drama television series that premiered on the Fox on August 29, 2005. The story revolves around a man who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit and his brother's elaborate plan to help him escape his death sentence.
Cast From America's Next Top Model	The hit reality series "America's Next Top Model" features Tyra Banks and gives real people an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of supermodeling. The series follows a group of young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes, who live together and vie for a modeling contract.The reality exposes the transformation of everyday young women into potentially fierce supermodels, as they face weekly tests that determine who can make the cut. With mentoring by supermodel Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion-industry gurus, the finalists compete in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp, a crash course to supermodel fame.
Cast From CSI: Crime Scene Investigation	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (commonly referred to as CSI or CSI: Las Vegas) is a popular, Emmy Award-winning CBS television series that trails the investigations of a team of Las Vegas forensic scientists as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths and crimes committed.
Cast From House	Take on mystery, where the villain is a medical malady and the hero is an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients. Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is devoid of bedside manner and wouldn't even talk to his patients if he could get away with it. Dealing with his own constant physical pain, he uses a cane that seems to punctuate his acerbic, brutally honest demeanor. While his behavior can border on antisocial, House is a maverick physician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts have afforded him a great deal of respect. An infectious disease specialist, he's a brilliant diagnostician who loves the challenges of the medical puzzles he must solve in order to save lives.
Cast From "24"	24 is an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning American television series. Fox first aired on November 6, 2001, with an initial thirteen episodes. 24 is presented in real time, with each season depicting a 24-hour period in the life of Jack Bauer, who works with the U.S. Government as it fights threats on her soil. Bauer is often in the field for the fictional Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) as they try to safeguard the nation from terrorist threats. Based in Los Angeles, the show also follows the actions of other CTU agents, government officials and terrorists associated with the plot.
Cast From Smallville	Smallville created by writer/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. Adventures of a young Clark Kent's life in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes Superman. The first four seasons focused on Clark and his friends' high school years. Since season five, the show has ventured into more adult settings, with some characters attending college. Recent seasons have seen an increase in the introductions of other DC comic book superheroes and villains.
Cast From Brothers & Sisters	Brothers & Sisters is an Emmy Award-winning American television drama series, centered around the California-based Walker family and their lives.
Cast From Pushing Daisies	Pushing Daisies is a "forensic fairy tale" that focuses on Ned, a piemaker with the mysterious ability to make the dead live again. The gift is not without its complications—if he touches a revived being a second time, they die permanently; and if a person is revived for more than 60 seconds, somebody else nearby dies. ("It's a random proximity thing") Ned, along with his private investigator friend, Emerson Cod, and his childhood sweetheart, the once-dead Charlotte Charles, whom he likes to call "Chuck", capitalize on the gift by reviving the dead murder victims to ask them about their last moments so they can collect rewards
Cast From Scrubs	Scrubs is an Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning comedy/comedy-drama that premiered on October 2, 2001 on NBC. It was created by Bill Lawrence, who also co-created Spin City and is produced by Touchstone Television. The show focuses on the professional and personal lives of several characters working at Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features verbose characters, slapstick, fast-paced dialogue, and surreal vignettes, which are presented as the daydreams of the main characters. This latter feature was originally focused entirely on the central character, doctor John "J.D." Dorian, however it was expanded to the daydreams of other characters as the series progressed.
Cast From The Office	Based on the popular British series of the same name, this faster-paced American version follows the daily interactions of a group of idiosyncratic office employees via a documentary film crew's cameras. Regional manager Michael (Steve Carell) thinks he's the coolest, funniest, best boss ever - which, of course, makes him the uncoolest, most obnoxious and annoying boss as far as his staff is concerned. His co-worker Jim (John Krasinski) lusts after engaged receptionist Pam (Jenna Fischer) when he's not sabotaging his cube-mate, the know-it-all Dwight (Rainn Wilson). Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak) is a young, smart, self-possessed temp, who quickly figures out the real office politics despite Michael's attempts to instill the official point-of-view.
The Lux Aeterna Dance Company	The Lux Aeterna Dance Company is a living experiment in movement fusion, seamlessly blending the raw aggression of breakdancing; the powerful grace of gymnastics, capoeira and the circus arts; and the refined beauty of ballet and modern dance. The result is a refreshingly new and unique approach to performance art. The group�s founder and director, Jacob �Kujo� Lyons, has been active in the B-boy scene for 15 years; he is committed to expanding the scope and vocabulary of the dance form.
Neil Bergs 100 Years of Broadway	Neil Bergs 100 Years of Broadway 100 Years of Broadway is a jubilant review recreating the finest moments from the greatest musicals of the century featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Aida, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jekyll & Hyde.
Sum 41	Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario.The band's classic lineup is the same except with Dave Baksh on lead guitar and backing vocals. Since signing an international record deal with Island Records in 1999, the band has released five studio albums, one live album under two different titles, two live DVDs, more than fifteen singles, and sold over 10 million albums worldwide. It is reported that the band performed more than 300 times in a single year which is why they have become famous for their long and global tours, often lasting for more than a year.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago	Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Internationally praised for exuberant, athletic and innovative repertory, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago presents performances that thrill, engage and challenge audiences worldwide. Hubbard Street�s skillful ensemble and leading-edge repertory place the company in the vanguard of contemporary dance in the U.S.
Paul Taylor Dance Company	Led by a living legend and cultural icon, the celebrated Paul Taylor Dance Company has performed its founder/ director�s work for more than 50 years. Taylor�s imaginative choreography, rare sense of beauty and superb musicality�not to mention the brilliance of his dancers�are beyond compare.
RETTA	RETTA was born to immigrant parents in what is often known as the armpit of America... Newark, New Jersey. Upon graduating from Duke University, she went into the pharmaceutical research field and soon found out that drugs were not the way to go. She left the chemistry job and moved to Los Angeles for a life in comedy. She immediately found success at the open mics and soon was showcasing at NACA conferences. During the past 5 years, RETTA has traveled to every state in the union sharing her stories about family and friends and even those not-so-happy people at the popular fast food chains. Her comedic stylings have gotten her a half hour special COMEDY CENTRAL Presents - RETTA; Premium Blend & sketch work on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". You can also find her in such movies as "Slackers" and "Dickie Roberts-Former Child Star"
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds	Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds have played over a hundred shows together since their first performance together in 1992. Both artists play acoustic guitars, though Matthews offers vocals and Reynolds dazzles the audience with complex solos. Besides playing scattered shows together, Dave and Tim (also referred to as D&T) have played extensive tours together, such as the acclaimed 1997 and 1999 tours. The duo gained attention with the release of a 1996 concert "Live at Luther College". VH1 recorded a 1999 performance to air as part of the program "Storytellers." During the Dave Matthews & Friends tours, Dave and Tim opened with an acoustic set; however, they have played midset at some more recent shows. Recently, the duo embarked on their first tour of Europe, marking their first tour outside of the States, as well as their first extended tour since the Winter 2003 tour. Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds have most recently released "Live At Radio City", a 2DVD/2CD album on August 14th, 2007 recorded in April of the same year.
Foo Fighters	While he was drumming with Nirvana, Dave Grohl was recording original songs at home that never received public release. Those tapes would become the foundation of Foo Fighters, the band he formed in 1995, after the death of Kurt Cobain. Like Nirvana, Foo Fighters melded loud, heavy guitars with pretty melodies and mixed punk sensibilities with a sharp sense of pop songwriting.
Mutemath	Born in the dust-laden family garage with archaic samplers, Radio Shack mics, and broken record players, Mute Math have been noisily calculating their notes for the past few years. This electro-alt rock collaboration between longtime friends Paul Meany (vocals/keys), Darren King (drums), Greg Hill (guitar), and Roy Mitchell-Cardenas (bass) has crept up on the music scene with the onslaught of a worldwide fan-base driven to their website from countless video blogs and non-stop touring. The four piece (originating from New Orleans) has scattered influences that are apparent without being obvious, and touch on everything from DJ shadow styled beats, moments of beauty and grandeur a la Bjork, and vocals that pay legitimate homage to Police-era Sting. When asked about this vast expanse of musical territory that we are asked to find them dwelling within, Meany replied, "I blame it on the past forty years of music". They act on the idea that their magic is to be found in the mixture of countless thoughts. Their live show thrives on this random energy too involving homemade instruments, live sampling, a junked-out keytar, and the kind of freak-outs that keep any given performance worth the price of admission.
Wilco	Since their very beginning, Wilco have continually sought to explore fresh musical and emotional territory, relentlessly redefining themselves and their body of work. 2002s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot along with its documentary film companion, Sam Jones' I Am Trying To Break Your Heart saw the Chicago-based band reaping the greatest commercial and critical success of their nearly 10-year career. Now Wilco unveil the follow up, A ghost is born. The album, which was co produced by the band and Jim ORourke, forgoes the electronic experimentation of its celebrated predecessor in favor of a naturalistic sonic template rooted in performance and minimalist production. As ever, the band enthusiastically veers through a panoply of musical idioms, morphing genre after genre into their own inimitable, idiosyncratic sound. "I think that this is a more realized, more consistent record at least in our approach than any other record we've made," says Wilcos singer, songwriter and guitarist Jeff Tweedy. "We valued the idea of presenting ourselves and our music as humanly as possible in an artificial world, and I think we accomplished that." In November 2003, Wilco Tweedy, bassist John Stirratt, drummer Glenn Kotche, multi instrumentalist Leroy Bach, and keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen along with O'Rourke and engineer Chris Shaw (Bob Dylan, Weezer), took up residence at Sear Sound, New York City's oldest independent studio, famed for its old school vacuum tube technology and vintage microphone collection. The band's goal for the sessions additional material was also recorded at Chicago's Soma E.M.S. was to strip the recording process to its bare essentials in an effort to capture the raw power and beauty of musicians plying their craft in its most fundamental form.
Dispatch	Dispatch was an American indie roots folk jam band formed at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. They were active from 1996 to 2002, and have come together twice for reunion concerts, first in 2004, and again in 2007. Dispatch experimented with a variety of genres, and as such, they are known as a very difficult band to categorize. The band was also instrumental in the creation of the non-profit organization, The Elias Fund. Dispatch consisted of Brad Corrigan (vocals, drums, guitar, percussion, and harmonica), Pete Francis Heimbold (vocals, bass and guitar), and Chad Urmston (vocals, bass, guitar, and percussion).
New Found Glory	Since 1997, New Found Glory has delivered brilliant punk power pop. Angst fueled by jangly guitars. And they delivered on the only way a self-respecting punk band would: on singles and EPs. UMe is proud to present NFG�s first-ever greatest hits collection, chronicling the band�s best-loved singles, album cuts and a couple of rare gems, Constant Static (previously available as a Japanese album bonus cut) and �Situations� (not commercially available, only streamed on Warped Tour website for a one-month period).
Less Than Jake	Less Than Jake are ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of third wave ska and punk rock, with added elements of modern rock and even metal. To date, the group has released seven original full-length albums and countless more singles and compilations. The current lineup comprises guitarist/vocalist Chris Demakes, bassist/vocalist Roger Manganelli, drummer/lyricist Vinnie Fiorello, trombonist Buddy Schaub, and saxophonist JR.
Goldfinger	There are a lot of things the guys in Goldfinger do really well, but well name just a few of the most important ones. They consistently throw one of the most exciting live rock shows youll ever witness. They have set world records (case in point: the act holds one for performing the most shows in one year). Their frontman John Feldmann produces hit albums for numerous rock artists such The Used & Story of the Year. And, as the Southern California based foursomes extensive back catalog of a dozen years proves, they know how to write great songs!
Reno 911	Reno 911! comedy television series on Comedy Central that debuted in 2003. It is a parody of law enforcement reality shows, specifically COPS, with comic actors playing the police officers. Most of the material is improvised, using a broad outline, and with minimal scripted material.The series spawned a film, Reno 911!: Miami, featuring the same cast.
311	311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska by five self-described "friends for life" singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, singer S.A. Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and the bassist known only as PNut, whose common link was a passion for both music and life that eventually brought them together to make music with a positive message behind it. After gigging locally (and by all reports quickly conquering the local music scene there), the quintet moved to Los Angeles, where they signed with Capricorn Records in 1991. Since that time, 311 have released several albums, including 1992's Music, 1993's Grassroots, and 1995's 311 (aka the "Blue" album), the latter reaching number 12 on the album chart, selling three million copies worldwide, and sporting the tracks "All Mixed Up" and "Down."
Live	When the four members of Live first began performing together in middle school during the summer of 1985, they gave little, if any, thought to the possibility that they would still be together 22 years later. Lead singerfrontmanguitarist Ed Kowalczyk, lead guitarist Chad Taylor, bassist Patrick Dahlheimer and drummer Chad Gracey (all of whom were in their early teens at the time) were simply four friends from working-class York, Pennsylvania who wanted to express themselves by writing and performing music. But Live has, in fact, endured�and along the way, they have built an impressive resume that includes eight full-length albums, total CD sales exceeding 20 million, a huge international fan base and extensive touring all over the world. Live has been one of the most successful and enduring alternative rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s, and despite their long list of achievements, Live are finding themselves busier than ever with a lot of songwriting, recording and big summer and fall tours.
Maroon 5	Grammy Award winning American pop rock band originating from Los Angeles, California. Maroon 5 has won several awards for its debut album Songs About Jane. Released in June 2002, the album enjoyed major chart success, going gold, platinum, and triple platinum in many countries around the world.[1] In support of Songs About Jane, Maroon 5 toured extensively throughout 2003 2005, in which a live album was released, entitled Live Friday the 13th. Original member Ryan Dusick left the band in September 2006, due to injuries sustained by the constant touring, and was replaced by Matt Flynn.
Third Eye Blind	Third Eye Blind is an alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. After the massive success of their self-titled debut album in 1997, the band released one more album, 1999s Blue, before guitarist Kevin Cadogan was released under circumstances that still elicit controversy among fans. More recently, bassist Arion Salazar has not been playing with the band, and his future as part of the quartet is unclear. Leo Kremer has been filling in for Salazar during concerts, and on the bands myspace page, he is now listed as a full time band member.
3 Doors Down	3 Doors Down is an post grunge rock band. The band signed to Universal Records after the success of their song "Kryptonite". The band has since sold well over 13 million albums in the United States alone since their debut album, The Better Life, was released in 2000. They also perform more than 300 concerts a year and have performed with other well known artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Staind, Nickelback, Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Seether and Shinedown.
Tonic	With a name like Tonic, Emerson Hart, Jeff Russo and Dan Lavery have always been committed "This is definitely the most personal and focused album we've ever made," admits Hart. "I took a lot of time writing the lyrics. It's a real album, and a lot deeper lyrically than a lot of music out there today." In a mere twelve words, the title track's majestic chorus sums up the album's theme: "I'm keeping my head on straight, so you can trust me again." Most of the songs, in fact, find Hart in a romantic mood, soberly confronting the personal poisons that often terminate relationships. Yet somehow, the songs always resolve on an uplifting note.
Yellowcard	After more than 3 million albums sold, thousands of miles traveled around the globe and some dizzying highs and lows, an energized Yellowcard returns with their new album, Paper Walls. Yellowcard emerged from Jacksonville, Florida with a completely infectious and original blend of rock and pop that made them a sure thing to break out of the pack, but even the band could not have imagined how far. With a string of successful indie releases, a tireless touring schedule and a steamrolling fan base the band made their Capitol Records debut with 2003s Ocean Avenue. The album was a smash, spawning huge hit singles, sold-out tours in the U.S. and abroad, an MTV Video Music Award and has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. 2006s gold-certified Lights and Sounds a more expansive and harder edged album was released to rave reviews, showcasing the bands diversity as songwriters.
Taking Back Sunday	For Taking Back Sunday, the past year has been as non stop as the music on their latest album, Louder Now. The New York based melodic hardcore quintets album was released on April 25, 2006 and skyrocketed to Number Two on Billboards Top 200 chart a week later, scanning more than 157,000 copies. Now gold certified, Louder Now has led to multiple sold out U.S. headlining arena tours, the headlining slot on the international Taste of Chaos tour in Australia, Japan and Europe, and an MTV Video Music award nomination the MTV2 Viewers Choice award) for the albums first single, MakeDamnSure, which has received more than three million combined plays on AOL, Yahoo!, Fuse, and YouTube. The band did command performances on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Late Night With Conan OBrien, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Last Call With Carson Daly, and got to play themselves in an upcoming episode of a favorite show, Degrassi: The Next Generation. Last June, the band scored their third cover of taste making music monthly Alternative Press, and received effusive reviews from People Magazine and Entertainment Weekly. Indeed Kerrang! crowned Louder Now as the critics pick for Album Of The Year! Taking Back Sunday band finished out 2006 with the December release of Louder Now: Partone a 90 minute DVD containing up close and personal band stories, behind-the-scenes footage in the studio and on the road, music videos for MakeDamnSure and the albums second single Liar It Takes One To Know One, and no holds barred clips of the bands performance at the Long Beach Arena. They also celebrated the holiday seasons spirit of giving by creating a card that raised money for various cancer charities. The band ushered in 2007 with a headlining North American tour, including their first extended visit to Canada.
Reel Big Fish	Reel Big Fish is an ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out." The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid to late 1990s, during the third wave of ska. Since the band's founding in 1992 and their demo In the Good Old Days..., the only original member remaining is Aaron Barrett.
Medeski Martin & Wood	Medeski Martin & Wood is an jazz trio formed in 1991, consisting of John Medeski on keyboards, Billy Martin on drums and percussion, and Chris Wood on double bass and bass guitar.
De La Soul	De La Soul is a Grammy Award winning hip hop group from Amityville, New York. They are best known for their eclectic sampling and quirky, surreal lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap subgenre. The members are Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos, Mercenary, Plug Wonder Why, Plug One), David Jude Jolicoeur (Trugoy the Dove, Dave, Plug Two) and Vincent Mason (P.A. Pasemaster Mase, Maseo, Plug Three). The three formed the group in high school and caught the attention of producer Paul Huston (Prince Paul) with a demo tape of the song "Plug Tunin'". Prince Paul was also sometimes referred to as Plug Four. With its playful wordplay, innovative sampling, and witty skits, the band's debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, was hailed as a hip-hop masterpiece. It is also the band's biggest commercial success to date, with their subsequent albums selling progressively less, despite receiving praise from critics. A measure of 3 Feet High and Rising's cross-over appeal was the fact that it was voted Album of the Year by NME Magazine, a title better known for its taste in guitar-based music. De La Soul has influenced numerous other hip hop artists such as Camp Lo, Black Eyed Peas, and Digable Planets. They were also instrumental in the early stages of rapper/actor Mos Def's career, and are a core part of the Spitkicker collective. They are the longest standing Native Tongues Posse group, after the Jungle Brothers.
Moby	Moby is a songwriter, musician and singer.He was born in Harlem, New York, and raised in Darien, Connecticut. After eight Top 40 techno singles in the UK in the 1990s, his biggest hit was his album Play, released in 1999, which sold 9 million copies worldwide. He continues to record and release music today.
Nine Days	Named after the amount of time they had to record their first record, ninedays began in around 1994 when talented songwriters Brian Desveaux and John Hampson started writing songs together after spending years in other bands playing in and around New York. The hurried recording of their first album, 1995's Something To Listen To, then gave ninedays the impetus to follow that with an album named after their Monday night residency at a local popular club, Monday Songs, a year later. Further success followed as they were winners of WBAB's Home-grown Talent Search and WLIR's Best Unsigned band competition and with the recording of yet another album, 1998's simply titled Three, it wouldn't be long before the major labels would show their interest. ninedays then signed with Sony's 550 Music (a label also home to North Carolina's Ben Folds Five) and released their major label debut, The Madding Crowd in 2000, winning the band both critical and comercial acclaim. Due to the phenomenal success of the single Absolutely (Story of a Girl), the album went gold, making the world stand up and take notice of this band from Long Island. The album, named after Thomas Hardy's novel 'Far From The Madding Crowd' contained a range of songs that audiences could not only love but also relate to and so the focus then turned to the writing and recording of the follow-up.
Jimmy Eat World	In the midst of mid 90s grunge, four childhood friends formed a band that would eventually impact modern rock of the new millennium. Jimmy Eat World formed in 1994 with kindergarten pals Jim Adkins (vocals/guitar) and Zach Lind (drums), Tom Linton (guitar/vocals), and Mitch Porter (bass). The foursome derived the band's moniker from Linton's younger brothers, Ed and Jimmy. The two had a fight one day and Ed resorted to drawing a picture of his cherubic older brother eating the world with "Jimmy Eat World" printed beneath. The band thought it was a perfect fit. Soon, they tinkered around with heavy punk rock sounds, playing small shows around their native Mesa, AZ. Influences ranged from Rocket From the Crypt, early Def Leppard, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Fugazi, and the Velvet Underground, leaving Jimmy Eat World as a work in progress. Over the course of 1994 and early 1995, Jimmy Eat World issued several EPs and singles on the Tempe, AZ, imprint, Wooden Blue Records. Limited-edition pressings of "One, Two, Three, Four," "Back From the Dead Mother Fucker," and split EPs with Christie Front Drive, Emery, and Blueprint would later run out of print. During this time, the band gained a following. Capitol Records took notice and signed Jimmy Eat World in mid-1995. Porter soon exited the group; Linton's best mate since seventh grade, bassist Rick Burch, was added to Jimmy Eat World and a dynamic was officially in place. Static Prevails marked their major debut later that year. In 1998, the band found itself under the emo billing thanks to the intricately hard-edged yet sensitive second album Clarity. It was a basic rock record and not exactly emo; Adkins' songwriting was at its finest. First single "Lucky Denver Mint" was an instant hit among college radio. It scored a spot on the Drew Barrymore love comedy Never Been Kissed in 1999, allowing Jimmy Eat World to be exposed to a larger audience. Their fan base only continued to soar; however, their relationship with Capitol was beginning to sour. They recorded a third LP for the label by 1999, but it was shelved. The decided to leave the label, and Capitol was happy to oblige. Split releases with Sense Field and Jebediah soon followed. Jimmy Eat World's powerful rock sound was attracting those overseas; Clarity was popular on the German charts in 2000. That same year, the band funded and self-promoted their first ever tour of Europe. Singles appeared on Big Wheel Recreation later that year. During this jaunt, Jimmy Eat World redesigned their focus in music. DreamWorks opted to take a chance on the band, and Jimmy Eat World went back to work. They hooked up with Clarity's famed producer, Mark Trombino (blink-182, Midtown, Drive Like Jehu), for a follow-up. Bleed American, which would later be retitled as Jimmy Eat World after the horrific events of September 11th, was released in July 2001. "Bleed American" did moderately well, but the second single, the catchy cool "The Middle," landed Jimmy Eat World on the pop/rock map. Spots on MTV's TRL and VH1, and tours with Weezer and Tenacious D proved golden. A year after its release, Jimmy Eat World was still burning up the charts and modern rock radio. A third single entitled "Sweetness" was released in summer 2002, allowing Jimmy Eat World to eventually sell 1.3 million copies in the U.S.
The Real World Hollywood	The Real World Hollywood Will be the twentieth season of MTVs popular reality television series The Real World, which focuses on seven diverse strangers living together for several months in a different city each season, as cameras follow their lives and interpersonal relationships. It is scheduled to premiere on April 16, 2008. The Real World will be the first to incorporate environmentally friendly household and lifestyle choices, including a solar-heated swimming pool, energy star appliances, bamboo flooring, recycled glass counters, some sustainable furniture, and energy efficient lighting.
Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band	Poncho and his men are undisputed kings of a vibrant hybrid that has become one of the most dynamic and enduringly popular styles of the century. For almost two decades, as leader of one of the worlds most celebrated Latin jazz bands, Concord Picante recording artist Poncho Sanchez has been an unswervingly passionate exponent of the bedrock style of Afro-Cuban Latin jazz pioneered half a century ago by such legendary musicians as Machito, Tito Puente and Dizzy Gillespie. The bearded, jovial conguero and the members of his veteran octet are virtual living symbols of the best of the modern jazz and tropical Latin traditions today.
The Bravery	The Bravery are a rock band from New York City that consists of Sam Endicott, John Conway, Anthony Burulcich, Michael Zakarin, and Mike Hindert. Their music is a synthesis of indie rock and electronica. Their music has reached the top ten in the United States and the top five in the United Kingdom.
Eve 6	Eve 6 is a rock band from Southern California who was most well known for their hit "Inside Out" and graduation anthem "Here's to the Night". They disbanded in 2004 and reunited with two of the three original members in October, 2007.
Hot Hot Heat	Hot Hot Heat is a rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The band is currently comprised of Steve Bays (vocals and keyboards), Paul Hawley (drums), Dustin Hawthorne (bass) and Luke Paquin (guitar).Hawthorne and Bays had been in many different bands together since 1995 and met Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley bought a Juno 6 keyboard and asked Bays to try playing it, as no one else knew how. Hawley took over the drums from Bays and Hawthorne played bass. Matthew Marnik, who was a friend of the band, sang vocals. The band's original sound can be considered synthpunk.
Quietdrive	Quietdrive is a pop punk band from Minneapolis, Minnesota formed at Saint Johns University in 2002. Quietdrive released their debut album When All That's Left Is You. Quietdrive members Justin Bonhiver and Droo Hastings were best friends growing up together. In 9th grade, Brandon Lanier started telling Hastings that he was a great drummer, and that they should start a band with him. At the time, Droo Hastings was the lead singer of the trio, and Brandon was the bass player.
We Shot the Moon	We Shot the Moon, formerly known as The Honor Roll, is a band from San Diego, California featuring Jonathan Jones the singer of Waking Ashland, in addition to Dan Koch, and Joe Greenetz both from the band Sherwood.
The Fray	The Fray is a four piece piano rock American band from Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King, the band released their debut album How to Save a Life in 2005. The band is best known for the song "How to Save a Life", which charted in the top three of the Billboard Hot 100 and was also a top 5 single in Canada, Australia, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The Fray also found national success with the song "Over My Head (Cable Car), which became a top ten hit in the United States and Canada. How to Save a Life was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and was also certified platinum in Australia and New Zealand.
The Game	Jayceon Taylor better known by his stage name The Game, is an American rapper signed to Geffen Records. He rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, and his two Grammy nominations. Since then, he is considered to be a driving force in bringing back the West Coast hip hop scene and competing with many of his East Coast counterparts.The Game is the only West Coast solo artist to release a multi-platinum album (The Documentary) since Dr. Dre's 1999 album, 2001 (however, Snoop Doggs Tha Last Meal album sold two million copies but was only certified platinum). Aside from releasing two albums that debuted at number one on the United World Chart and the Billboard 200, The Game has gained notoriety for the hip hop feuds he has taken part in. His music falls under the subgenre known as West Coast rap, a style of hip hop popularized in his hometown of Compton, California.
Mae	Mae is a rock band that formed in Norfolk Virginia in 2001. The bands name is an acronym for Multi sensory Aesthetic Experience, based on a course taken by drummer Jacob Marshall while a student at Old Dominion University.
Straylight Run	Straylight Run are an indie band based in Baldwin, Nassau County, Long Island, New York. Their latest release is the full-length album entitled The Needles The Space.The band is to tour in support of Bayside in February and early March, 2008. The band will tour in support of The Used on the inaugural Get a Life Tour from March 31 thru May 11, 2008.
Matt Pond PA	Matt Pond PA is an indie band formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1998 by singer/songwriter Matt Pond, along with guitarist/bassist Josh Kramer, violinist Rosie McNamara-Jones, cellist Jim Hostetter, and drummer Sean Byrne (previously of Lenola and The Twin Atlas). Matt Pond is the only remaining original member because the band had to reform when Pond moved to New York City. Their debut Deer Apartments gained them recognition in CDNow's Unheard? competition for unsigned artists that same year. Matt Pond PA has performed with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Nickel Creek, Youth Group, Mae, Keane, Guster, Dios Malos, Neko Case, Straylight Run, and Liz Phair. The band's music has been included in the soundtrack for the FOX television program The O.C., specifically cover versions of Oasis' "Champagne Supernova" and Neutral Milk Hotel's "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." As of late 2007, the lineup consists of Matt Pond on vocals and guitar, Dan Crowell on drums, Steve Jewett on guitar, Matthew Daniel Siskin on bass, and Chris Hansen on keyboards, guitar, and vocals.
Matisyahu	Matisyahu, born Matthew Paul Miller, is an American reggae musician. Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with reggae and rock sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for previously being a member of Chabad-Lubavitch and started with the jewish band Pey Dalid, a chassidic group of Judaism. As such, Matisyahu stands out for wearing the traditional clothing of Hasidic Jews and not performing on the Sabbath. Since 2004, he has released two studio albums (Shake off the Dust Arise and Youth) as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. The music, developed partly with his backing band Roots Tonic has a unique sound, mixing reggae, traditional rap, and guitar solos typical of rock music. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie. Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets including Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard and was named the most intriguing reggae artist in the world by Esquire . His latest album, Youth, became the number one digital album on Billboards website upon its release in 2006. Currently, Matisyahu has begun writing new songs for his next album that should be released in early 2008.
The Calling	The Callings first album was recorded and released in 2001. As the band advanced, Sean Woolstenhulme (guitars), Billy Mohler (bass) and Nate Wood (drums) were added as extra musicians/touring musicians, and a few of the songs were re-recorded. The Calling's first album was issued in July 2001, Camino Palmero became a hit, due to the strength of its single, Wherever You Will Go, first featured prominently at the end of the second episode in the first season of the television series, Smallville, Metamorphosis. Band and Kamin (without Wood, Woolstenhulme, and Mohler) returned in June 2004 with Two. In June 2005, the band took a break. Alex Band just finished recording his debut solo album entittled Weve All Been There and is slated for a 2nd quarter 2008 release.
Clipse	Clipse is a Virginia-based hip hop duo. Formed by brothers Malice (born Gene Thornton in 1972, in The Bronx, New York) and Pusha-T (born Terrence Thornton in 1977, in The Bronx, New York) in 1992, the group is affiliated with multi-platinum production team The Neptunes.
Yamato	Ten Yamato performers dance, run, yell, and flip as they beat on traditional Japanese Taiko drums. Their performance, "Thunder," incorporates over 40 drums ranging from the 800-pound, 6-foot-long Odyko drum made from a 400-year-old tree, to the smaller Shimidaiko drums.
VHS or Beta	VHS or Beta is a band from Louisville, Kentucky, that combines elements of rock, French house and dance-punk. Their self-released debut Le Funk found some success on the charts, but the band became better known in the wake of their 2004 release Night on Fire. In early 2007, after two and half years of touring, the band made the trek to remote Asheville, NC to record 2007's Bring on the Comets. Released in August of 2007 Bring On The Comets marked a slight change in direction towards a more straightforward pop sound; all this was achieved without sacrificing the band's trademark dance sensibility.
Sasha Frere Jones	Sasha Frere-Jones is a musician and the pop-music critic of The New Yorker. He is a former member of the band Ui. He maintains a blog.
REO Speedwagon	REO Speedwagon Kevin Cronin (lead vocals, guitar). Bruce Hall (bass), Neal Doughty (keyboards), Dave Amato (lead guitar) and Bryan Hitt (drums) - are ready to roll into 2007 full throttla with their brand new album FIND YOUR WAY HOME, their first studio collection of new material in more than a decade.The roots of the new album go back to the spring of 2000, when the band joined forces with fellow Medwest rockers Styx for a national, sold-out, co-headlining tour. The tour proved to be such a commercial success that it was recorded live and released on both CD and DVD, jokingly entitled "Arch Allies". The bands appeared together on the Today show, VH1, and on numerous syndicated radio shows, including The Howard Stern Show.
Foreigner	While quite a few arena rock acts of the 70s found the transformation into the '80s quite difficult, several acts continued to flourish and enjoyed some of their biggest commercial success: Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, and especially Foreigner. Foreigner's leader from the beginning has been British guitarist Mick Jones, who first broke into the music biz as a "hired gun" of sorts, appearing on recordings by George Harrison and Peter Frampton, and as part of a later day version of hard rockers Spooky Tooth. By the mid-'70s, Jones had relocated to New York City, where he was a brief member of the Leslie West Band and served as an A&R man for a record company. But it wasnt long before Jones felt the urge to be part of another rock outfit as he sought to put together a band that would be able to combine elements of rock, progressive, R&B, and pop into a single, cohesive style.
Goo Goo Dolls	Americas best known unknown band, The Goo Goo Dolls, up the alternative music ante with thirteen new songs that defy convention, the odds and your preconceptions. Produced by Lou Giordano (whos worked with everyone from Pere Ubu and Husker Du to Sugar and the Smithereens), and featuring the Goos new single and video, Only One, A Boy Named Goo puts The Goo Goo Dolls front and center in the back-to-basics revolution that began with the Ramones and continues unabated with this rabidly original Buffalo band. The groups third Warner Bros. Records release, A Boy Named Goo is also a full bore follow up to their critically acclaimed 1993 release, Superstar Car Wash, bringing to the bands hook ladened hardcore pop a whole new dark edged luster. This is who we really are, asserts guitarist-vocalist Johnny Rzeznik. This is what we sound like to ourselves.
Augustana	Augustana are a heartland equivalent to Coldplay or Keane, with a little bit of mid 90s adult alternative throwback (think Counting Crows or the Wallflowers) as well. The band formed in Greenville, IL, in 2002, while singer and keyboardist Dan Layus and guitarist Josiah Rosen were attending a small evangelical college there. The original lineup of the band was completed by bassist Simeon Lohrmann, second keyboardist David Lamoureaux, and drummer Kyle Baker. This lineup released a pair of self distributed CDs, the full length Midwest Skies and Sleepless Mondays and the EP Mayfield, both in 2003. Choosing music over academia, Layus and Rosen left Greenville for Los Angeles in 2004, jettisoning the rest of the band and re forming with a new lineup that included keyboardist John Vincent, bassist Jared Palomar, and drummer Justin South. The reformulated Augustana signed with Epic Records in 2005 and released their major-label debut, All the Stars and Boulevards, in September of that year. A slow starter, the album eventually gained attention when the single "Boston" started receiving radio (and later VH1) airplay. A limited-edition reissue of the album, with extra songs and video content, was released in September 2006. Josiah Rosen left the band for a solo career in early 2006, replaced by guitarist and mandolin player Chris Sachtleben.
Tribe Called Quest	A Tribe Called Quest is one of Hip Hops most legendary, beloved and revered groups of all time and for good reason. Easily recognized for their unique approach to rap music by employing jazz infused soundscapes to Afro centric rhymes, sans the jaded and often nihilistic aggressive posturing associated with hip-hop, A Tribe Called Quest was largely responsible for the popularity of a new genre that dominated the East Coast sound of the early 1990s. Queens, New York natives Q-Tip , Phife Dawg , and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of Brooklyn, formed ATCQ in 1985. Jarobi, the honorary member of ATCQ, though not always heard, was a fixture of the group in heart and in friendship. QUEST, the original name of the group, was later given the prefix A Tribe Called by their high school buddies, The Jungle Brothers, while recording Black Is Black for their album Straight Out The Jungle. ATCQ, along with the Jungle Brothers and De La Soul, formed a unit called The Native Tongues. With a building buzz around The Native Tongues and Tribes energetic live performances, ATCQ landed a major recording contract with Jive Records in 1989. Sonically, ATCQ was a decisive and welcomed tangent of jazz, bass-heavy rhythmic vibes and eclectic sampling when compared to the mundane recycling of soul loops, breaks and vocals of their contemporaries. Lyrically, emcees Q-Tip and Phife Dawg addressed social issues relevant to young blacks such as use of the n word and its relevance, date rape and other interpersonal relationships, industry politics and consumerism with infectious energy and fun and having a good time while still promoting positivity. ATCQ composed a number of successful singles and albums with their creative approach to rap music. In 1990, the group released Peoples Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, scoring several memorable songs including Bonita Applebum, Can I Kick It and I Left my Wallet in El Segundo. It was their sophomore effort, The Low End Theory, considered one of the greatest follow-ups in hip-hop history, that would solidify them as legends. Released in late 1991, the freedom expressed in the creation and feel of this record - along with its successor Midnight Marauders - influenced many future artists and producers such as Common, The Roots, Jill Scott, Kanye West and The Neptunes. These artists are a part of ATCQs legacy and are evidence of ATCQs impact for years to come. Classics like Award Tour, Electric Relaxation, Check The Rhyme and Scenario defined ATCQs sound during this period.
Nas	Nas is heralded as one of New York's leading rap voices. Whether proclaiming himself as "Nasty Nas" or "Nas Escobar" or "Nastradamus" or "God's Son," Nas evolved from a young street disciple to a vain all-knowing sage to a humbled godly teacher. Such growth made every album release an event and thus prolonged the rapper's increasingly storied career to epic proportions. Born Nasir Jones, son of jazz musician, Olu Dara, Nas dropped out of school in the eighth grade, trading classrooms for the streets of the rough Queensbridge projects. Despite dropping out of school, Nas developed a high degree of literacy and street smarts that would later characterize his rhymes. Columbia Records eventually signed Nas. DJ Premier, Large Professor, and Pete Rock, some of the city's finest producers, ultimately joined the young rapper and began work on Illmatic. When Columbia finally released the highly anticipated album in April 1994, Illmatic sold very well, spawned multiple hits, and earned unanimous acclaim, followed soon after by classic status. The two years leading up to Nas' follow-up, It Was Written, thus brought another wave of enormous anticipation. Unlike the straightforward Illmatic, It Was Written made numerous concessions to the pop crossover market, most notably on the two hit singles, "Street Dreams" and "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)," broadening Nas' appeal greatly and awarded him the MTV-sanctioned crossover success he sought. In addition to his endless stream of hits by the industry's most successful producers such as Trackmasters, Puff Daddy, and Timbaland, among others, he popularly co-starred in the Hype Williams-directed film Belly alongside DMX and contributed to the soundtrack. Furthermore, he led a short-lived supergroup of New York rappers known as the Firm (also comprised of rappers Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature and also producers Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters) and assembled a broad coalition of fellow Queensbridge rappers for the QB Finest compilation. For every crossover fan Nas won with his dramatic endlessly MTV-aired videos, he lost support in the streets, where many initial supporters felt he had sold out and abandoned hip-hop ideals in favor of commercial success. 2001 marked a key turning point for Nas' declining career. The rapper's personal life became increasingly conflicted, as his mother began suffering from cancer. To make matters worse, longtime rival Jay-Z pointedly dissed Nas on "Takeover," the much-discussed lead song from his universally acclaimed Blueprint album. Jay-Z called out Nas for not having put out a "hot" album since Illmatic, and also made demeaning comments about Nas' girlfriend cheating on him. Nas responded strikingly in December 2001 with Stillmatic, the title a reference to his one undeniable masterpiece, Illmatic. Amid all of the drama, Nas managed to salvage his esteemed reputation and reclaim his lofty status atop the New York scene. Stillmatic earned immediate wide acclaim from fans and critics alike and sold impressively.
Redman	New Jersey rapper Redman made his initial impact with Whut? Thee Album in 1992. He blended reggae and funk influences with topical commentary and displayed a terse, though fluid rap style that was sometimes satirical, sometimes tough, and sometimes silly. Redman returned in 1994 with his second album, Dare Iz a Darkside, which was a harder album than his debut. Muddy Waters, Redman's third album, followed in 1996; he returned two years later with Docs Da Name.
The Procussions	Watching The Procussions career is a lot like watching a movie where the underdog beats all obstacles and comes out twice as strong; proving that it's all about passion and integrity. Hailing from Colorado Springs, Colorado, is it any wonder why The Procussions show leaves crowds completely blown away by their heart pounding performances and the smell of sweaty t-shirts as newly-won-over fans flood their merchandise booth? Of course not, The Procussions got something to prove! With their message of unconditional love, their undying hunger to knock down musical stereotypes, and their obvious conviction to be 100% themselves, the listener can clearly see as well as hear where The Procussions priorities lie. Now living in Los Angeles and frequently traveling the world, Mr. J Medeiros, Rez, and Stro have made it a point to remain close to who they were when they started in 1998. They are a group from a small town with a big voice and an even bigger heart. This is conveyed seamlessly in their unique sound and intense focus on the "drum". Staying close to their name, The Procussions believe that the "percussion" is the heart of Hip Hop; its defining quality and driving force. There is no question after hearing and watching these three very different people come together with the same passion, that Hip Hop history is being made. The future for the "genre" is wide-open as groups like The Procussions re-write the rules.
The SLIP	Contemporary avant-rock trio The SLIP formed when bassist Marc Friedman and brothers Andrew and Brad Barr (drums and guitar/vox, respectively) moved to Boston together after graduating from high school, where they had met and first began playing music as a group. In 1996, the trio of recent Berklee dropouts put out their first studio album as a self-release and began establishing a dedicated fan-base through relentless touring in and around the northeast. A late-nineties blend of extended roots pop compositions and experimental rhythmic approaches, the band developed and found their sound through an extremely supportive local scene of artists, musicians, and actors - coupled with a rigorous, and soon national, tour schedule. An eclectic new brand of exploratory roots psych-rock emerged; Van Morrison meets Coltrane meets Talking Heads. By 2001, the bands tour schedule had brought them to sold-out headlining shows at NYCs Bowery Ballroom, successful tours in Japan, and a record deal with Rykodisc. While the bands line up remained consistent throughout the next few years on the road, their sound developed considerably and the instrumentation expanded radically. The SLIP grew from young, earthy avant gardes to strong, dynamic rock composers, creating a new sonic landscape that drew equally from CAN, U2, and new interests like Built to Spill, Flaming Lips, and Wilco. By 2003, the trios non-stop touring produced Alivelectric and Aliveacoustic, a companion live set that also represented the inaugural release of their own independent record label, 216 records. Aliveacoustic presents a rustic and intimate, voyeuristic snapshot of the band unplugged, on a rainy night at Club Helsinki in the Berkshire Mountains. Equal parts Let it Bleed, King Oliver, and 11 Golden Country Hits-era Ween, the album contains a tender honesty that carries through from tent-revival stomps to humble and dusty lyrical psalms.
The Original Kings of Comedy	The Original Kings of Comedy is a 2000 stand up comedy film, directed by Spike Lee, and features the comedy routines of Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac. Filmed in front of an audience in Charlotte, North Carolina, the comedians give the audience their views about African American culture, race relations, church, and families.
SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS	Sharon Jones was born Sheron Lafaye Jones in Augusta, Georgia on May 4th 1956. Her mother moved to Brooklyn soon thereafter, however Jones was sent down south for a few months every year to stay with her family. As a child, she and her brothers would imitate the songs and dances of James Brown, who shared their hometown. Like many rhythm and blues entertainers, she began performing in church at a very young age where her voice would find a lifelong home and inspiration. As a teenager in the early nineteen seventies, she began singing outside of the church in talent shows and with local funk groups. Later she would make her living with a combination of sporadic session work as a mostly anonymous voice on various dance records (sometimes credited as Lafaye Jones), singing with wedding bands, and a handful of day jobs which included stints as both a prison guard at New Yors notorious Rikers Island, and an armored car guard for Wells Fargo Bank. In 1996 she was called in to sing back up at a Desco Records studio session for 70 s soul legend Lee Fields. Desco was a small independent specializing in traditional funk and soul pressed exclusively to wax. Co owners and producers Phillip Lehman and Bosco Bass Mann had called Jones in on a tip from a sax player who was seeing her at the time. As the other two girls never showed up for the session, Jones cut all the background parts for the session herself, and proceeded to cut the impromptu prison rap over Switchblade, which had originally been intended for a man. Ironically, that rant (slowed down to make it sound like a man) would be her first outing as a featured artist on a record. Though she was at first skeptical of the 21 year old jewish kid egging her on from the other side of the glass, a common love and respect for Soul music soon created a trust and friendship between Jones and Mann which would lead them both to a fruitful career.
Spoon	Hailing from Austin, TX, Spoon originated in 1994 as a collaboration between Britt Daniel (vocals/guitar) and Jim Eno (drums) and a rotating cast of supporting players. Their hybrid of indie and punk resulted in a number of Sonic Youth and Pixies comparisons after their 1996 debut album, Telephono. Spoon toured with the likes of Pavement, Guided by Voices, Silkworm, and Archers of Loaf before their Soft Effects EP was released in 1997. Following an ill-fated move to Elektra Records, which found them being dropped from the label following the issue of their third album, A Series of Sneaks, in 1998, Spoon went the indie route with a handfull of 7 singles and the The Agony of Laffitte EP in 1999. In fall 2000, the Love Ways EP was released on Merge, paving the way for spring 2001s full length Girls Can Tell. The album was a critical success, ending up at or near the top of many best of 2001 lists. Spoon released the more musically adventurous follow up, Kill the Moonlight, in August 2002. The band opted for a bigger, darker sound on 2005s Gimme Fiction. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga which was named after the melody of one of the albums songs, The Ghost of You Lingers mixed unusual instrumentation and nods to Motown and soul, and was released in summer 2007.
G. Love and Special Sauce style	G. Love and Special Sauce style, ice cool and always refreshing. On their second release for Brushfire Records, the Philly boys offer up Lemonade, a series of soul drenched tracks pouring out their blues infused hip hop, which people have been trying to label for years. The best advice dont try to tame it or claim it; its simply their sonic trademark, instantly recognizable and addictively delicious. The whole thing about lemonade for me was when I first set out from Philly to make it in the music world I went up to Boston, and I would just sit on the front porch of my place after playing the streets or practicing and make myself a big pitcher of lemonade. It just symbolized old time porch loungin for thats where I did a lot of my shedding and writing. It was so simple and great, I said, if I ever get a record deal Im going to get Lemonade tattooed on my arm. Is there all right, and seven albums, thirteen years, and over a million worldwide units later, Lemonade is the most cohesive and rewarding album Garrett Dutton a.k.a. G. Love (guitar, vocals, harmonica, sweat and tears) has ever delivered. Produced and engineered in the womb of Philadelphonic Studios by Chris DiBeneditto (Electric Mile & Philadelphonic) and faithfully anchored by the Sauce, Jimi JazzPrescott (acoustic bass), and Jeffrey Thunderhouse Clemens (drums, percussion), G. pairs up with some of the best players in the game including Ben Harper, Donovan Frankenreiter, Jasper, Dave Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Blackalicious, Marc Broussard, Tristan Prettyman and Jack Johnson on a fourteen song celebration of his iconic career.
The Shins	The Shins is a United States indie rock group comprising singer, songwriter and guitarist James Russell Mercer, keyboardist/guitarist/bassist Martin Crandall, bassist/guitarist Dave Hernandez, drummer Jesse Sandoval, and Eric Johnson of the Fruit Bats. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative, alternative country, and folk. The Shins are based in Portland, Oregon.
Decemberists	Colin Meloy leads the Decemberists, a five-piece outfit whose pop sound has been compared to the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel and Belle & Sebastian. Meloy, who hails from Missoula, MT, is the main songwriter for the group. Rounding out the lineup are Ezra Holbrook on drums, Nate Query on upright bass, Jenny Conlee on accordion, and Chris Funk on theremin and pedal steel guitar. Frontman Meloy previously devoted some time to an alternative country group before breaking off to pursue his craft as a singer/songwriter in the city of Portland, a period that eventually led to the Decemberists' formation. He also holds a degree in creative writing. In addition to her duties on the accordion, Conlee plays piano. Funk is the band's newest member. Before Hush Records released the Decemberists' first album in 2002, the group put out an EP of five tracks. Their full-length debut, Castaways and Cutouts was re-released that same year on the Kill Rock Stars label, and the band began to accumulate a serious fan base. 2003 saw the release of Her Majesty, another fine collection of theatrical indie pop with British folk sensibilities that further cemented their growing reputation as a band to watch. The following year they released the five-part epic EP, The Tain, based on the eighth century Irish poem of the same name, followed by their third full-length, Picaresque, in 2005. The group made the move to the majors (Capitol Records) for 2006's The Crane Wife.
Cake	Cake is an alternative rock band from Sacramento, California which has had several hits throughout the 1990s and 2000s from six albums.
NER*D	In 2005, N.E.R.D ended their contract with Virgin Records. After becoming "hooked" on the energy from their fans, the band began recording their third studio album, spending their own money. Williams and Hugo later established Star Trak Entertainment, a subsidiary of Interscope Records. In March 2008, the band performed at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. While there they filmed a PSA for Rock the Vote saying why they thought voting was important and the issues they cared about that election year. From April to June 2008, the band toured with Kanye West as an opening act along with Rihanna and Lupe Fiasco as part of the Glow in the Dark Tour. On June 13, they gave an energetic performance at the Isle of Wight festival on the small island of the same name off the coast of England. They almost missed their scheduled show because they didn't know where the island was. On June 25, they performed in front of 40,000 people at the Isle of MTV 2008 at the Floriana granaries, Malta with free admission. On August 9, 2008, the band played at the Way Out West music festival held in the city park of Gothenburg, Sweden. On September 2, 2008, N.E.R.D. performed to a sold out crowd at the House of Blues in Chicago, and brought special guest Bad Brains onstage.
Krs-One	KRS-One was the leader of Boogie Down Productions, one of the most influential hardcore hip-hop outfits of the '80s. At the height of his career, roughly 1987-1990, KRS-One was known for his furiously political and socially conscious raps, which is the source of his nickname, "the Teacher." Around the time of 1990's Edutainment, BDP's audience began to slip as many fans thought his raps were becoming preachy. As a reaction, KRS-One began to re-establish his street credibility with harder, sparer beats and raps. 1992's Sex and Violence was the first sign that he was taking a harder approach, one that wasn't nearly as concerned with teaching. KRS-One's first solo album, 1993's Return of the Boom Bap, was an extension of the more direct approach of Sex and Violence, yet it didn't halt his commercial decline. Still, he forged on with a high-quality self-titled 1995 effort and 1996's Battle for Rap Supremacy, a joint effort with his old rival, MC Shan. After 1997's I Got Next, he put his solo career on hiatus for several years, finally returning in early 2001 with The Sneak Attack. The following year brought two full releases: the gospel effort Spiritual Minded and The Mix Tape, the latter including a single ("Ova Here") that stood as a response to Nelly, only the latest hip-hop figure to feud with the Blastmaster. In 2003 KRS-One released two albums, Kristyles and D.I.G.I.T.A.L., while the next year brought only one, Keep Right. In 2006 Life came out on the small, California-based Antagonist Records. The following year KRS-One reunited with Marley Marl to create Hip Hop Lives, a lackluster attempt to preserve the golden age of hip-hop
The Three Doctors	During a time where few heroes materialize, The Three Doctors served as an extraordinary model of leadership for anyone who has been through any kind of hardship whether it's coping with the struggles of the street or internal challenges of dealing with self, finding our place in the world and determining our own unique destinies. A decade and a half ago, three teenage boys from the streets of Newark, New Jersey made a pact: They would stick together, go to college, and become doctors. Now, over 13 years later, these three men have overcome obstacles and proudly bear the subtitle of doctors. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt deliver a well needed and urgent message of hope and inspiration everywhere they go. Their key messages-Never underestimate the power of self-reliance and inner strength-attach a timeline and devise a strategy for achieving your goals-and finally-Surround yourself with like-minded people who are in line with your aspirations. Growing up in the streets of Newark, they know first hand the pressures and struggles of life in the inner city. Determined not to become victims of their environment, the trio stood firm in their mission and together became one of the most remarkable success stories of inspiration, dedication and determination. The Three Doctors are frequently asked about their formula for becoming prominent men and doctors. While their list is long, they are certain that success comes in many different forms, as does talent. Dr. Rameck Hunt is a Board Certified Internist at University Medical Center at Princeton and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. George Jenkins serves as Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry at Columbia University. Dr. Sampson Davis is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician at St. Michaels Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center. Davis is also consultant for the Violence Prevention Institute focusing on gang awareness and preventative medicine in Essex County. The doctors have additionally authored two inspiring books about their lives: The Pact, for adults, and We Beat the Streets, for children. A third book The Bond, highlighting fatherhood relationships will be released in 2007. The Three Doctors received the prestigious Essence Award for their accomplishments and leadership. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts one can give is the gift of self and these men do it often wholeheartedly. Their effect on their communities has indeed been tremendous. These young men continue to speak out on life's challenges and together symbolize a new walk, talk, and attitude about facing the world. Children can identify with them, as well as at-risk teens and adults. Perhaps it's because of the impact of their message, perhaps the essence of their story. The reason is irrelevant, the results remarkable. The Three Doctors are young visionaries that bring forth new hope and have become some of the most sought after public speakers.
America Idol	American Idol The Search for a Superstar is a singing competition on FOX. The program seeks to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nationwide auditions. The American public decides the outcomes of the later stages through phone voting. The judges give critiques of the contestants' performances: Grammy award-winning record producer and music manager Randy Jackson; Grammy award-winning pop singer and Emmy award-winning choreographer Paula Abdul; music executive and music manager Simon Cowell; and Grammy award-nominated singer-songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi. The format originally featured three judges, with Kara DioGuardi added in the eighth season. If you want one or more of the singers who have appeared on the show please contact us for availability and fee requirements.
Dancing with the Stars	Dancing with the Stars pairs a number of stars with professional ballroom dancers, who each week compete by performing dances, which are then given scores by a panel of judges. Viewers are given a certain amount of time to place votes on their favorite dancers, either by telephone or (in some of the shows) by the Internet. The couple with the lowest combined score (judges plus viewers) is eliminated and does not go on to the next week. This process continues until there are only two or three couples left, at which point one couple is declared the champion. If you want one or more of the dance teams who have appeared on the show please contact us for availability and fee requirements.
TransGeneration	TransGeneration is an eight episode documentary series depicting the lives of four transgender college students during the 2004/2005 school year as they attempt to balance college, their social lives, and their struggle to merge their internal and external selves while gender transitioning. Two of the students are transitioning from male to female and two from female to male. All four are living on campus at four different colleges. TransGeneration is shown on the LGBT television network Logo, was broadcast weekly on the Sundance Channel from September to November of 2005 and released as a feature film at some festivals and independent theaters. If you want one or more of the people who have appeared on the show please contact us for availability and fee requirements.
Feist	Leslie Feist is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter. She performs as a solo artist under the name Feist and as a member of the indie rock group Broken Social Scene. At the 2008 Juno Awards in Calgary, she was the top winner with five awards, including Songwriter of the Year, Artist of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, Album of the Year and Single of the Year. On 20 October 2008, she told the Canadian press that, following the success of her last album, The Reminder, she felt she needed to step away from the pressures of the music industry to consider her next career move and "rest for a minute".
RZA	RZA is the Wu-Tang Clans chief producer. Also known as the Abbott, Prince Rakeem, Rzarector, Bobby Steels, and Bobby Digital, he was born as Robert Diggs. RZA first surfaced in the rap game during the early 90s as a member of the rap group All in Together Now, which also contained fellow Wu-Tang members such as GZA/Genius and Ol Dirty Bastard. Following All in Together Now, he signed to the famous rap label Tommy Boy under the name Prince Rakeem. He issued his first EP Ooh We Love You Rakeem in 1991 and made a video for the song Ooh We Love You Rakeem. After his deal with Tommy Boy, he formed the Wu-Tang Clan together with his fellow members. After a huge underground buzz surrounding the hit Protect Ya Neck, he was able to sign the group to Steve Rifkinds Loud Records. As a producer, RZA has been responsible for many hip-hop classics such as the groups 1993 debut Enter the Wu-Tang 36 Chambers, which is considered to be one of the most influential albums in its genre. Since that album, he has created countless solo albums for the group, plus three more group albums. The Wu-Tang Clan is currently working on their newest album, The 8 Diagrams. Outside of the Wu-Tang Clan family, RZA is a highly sought-after producer. He has created wonderful songs for legends such as the late Notorious B.I.G. and Big Pun. In 1995, RZA became the Rzarector, forming the group named Gravediggaz together with Prince Paul, Frukwan , and the late Poetic. Their debut album 6 Feet Deep was received as a classic. RZA has never released a true RZA album; however he does have two albums out but under his alter ego named Bobby Digital, he released In Stereo, creating a whole new sound in hip-hop and Digital Bullet that spawned the hit La Rhumba. RZA created the soundtrack for Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai that contained stunning verses by the Wu-Tang family and friends over vintage RZA beats. Since then, he has gone on to closely work with Quentin Tarantino, of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction fame, on his movie, Kill Bill.
Stand Up for Diversity	NBCs Stand Up for Diversity are holding auditions for their Fifth Annual nationwide search. A talent holding deal with NBC, an opportunity to perform at the NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) Convention, access to talent bookers from The Tonight Show , Conan, Carson Daly and Last Comic Standing and much more are up for grabs for the funniest diverse comedians in the country.
Harlym 125	Harlym 125 was born Jamele Adams in Harlem. This educator, activist, romantic, entertainer, poet and actor lives his art with conviction toward preserving its purity: artistic freedom and creativity. 125 is responsible for starting the Hip Hop Society and the Kenyon Alive Poets Society. He believes that the community of the mind is where we reinvent the spirituality of the streets.
Vernice Armour	Vernice Armour First African-American Female Combat Pilot in American History PASSION, Fueled by FIRE! Live with PASSION and breathe with PURPOSE! These are the words Vernice lives by and she will bring that passion to you and your organization! You will walk away with leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that will bring you through your own “Combat” situations in your business and personal life. She knows what it takes to get the mission accomplished because she blazed the trail to become the first African-American female combat pilot in American history. She speaks to a wide variety of audiences. If your organization is ready to take flight then book Vernice today! Vernice has been featured on Oprah Winfrey, CNN, Tyra Banks, NPR, Tavis Smiley and numerous news shows and TV/radio interviews. Let her share her story with you, but if you’re looking for more than inspiration and motivation, join corporations such as Bank of America, Booz Allen Hamilton and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab on topics such as diversity, leadership and teamwork. Meeting planners recommend Vernice because she understands getting the job done, what it takes to be a great leader, and how to motivate a winning team! Her energy fills the room and is dangerously contagious! One of the speakers Vernice has shared the stage with, the world-renowned motivational speaker, Les Brown, has said, “She will change your life!” Vernice was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on December 12, 1998. When Vernice earned her wings in July 2001, this ambitious pilot ranked No. 1 out her class of 12 and of the last 200 to graduate. As the top graduate, she made the Naval Air Station's prestigious Commodore's List, received the Academic Achievement Award and made history as the Marine Corps’ first African-American female pilot. In 2003, Vernice became the First African-American Combat pilot in American history, during her tour in Iraq. Vernice was one of our Nation’s finest, as a Nashville Police Officer, prior to becoming a United States Marine. She was Camp Pendleton's 2001 Female Athlete of the Year, two-time titleholder in Camp Pendleton's annual Strongest Warrior Competition, and was a running back for the San Diego Sunfire women's professional football team. Taking your organization to the next level is the only direction you’re going when you bring in the “Military Motivator!”
Robert Draper	Robert Draper has been a national correspondent for GQ magazine for the past decade, and prior to that was senior editor at Texas Monthly. He lives in Washington, D.C. He is author of a novel, Hadrian's Walls (Knopf), and the biography Rolling Stone Magazine: The Uncensored History.
Jay T. Hairston	He can facilitate a 3 to 5 day workshop that incorporates original material, classes on vocal techniques, history of gospel music and more, all designed to give hands-on experience for those who participate. He is a gifted songwriter, singer, musician, teacher and producer who believes in sharing the ministry and message of gospel music. Jay T. believes that "gospel music is not just something to listen to, it is an experience. Once you've experienced good, anointed gospel music, you will never be the same again!"
Randall Duk Kim	Who would have thought that the one who held the secrets to the twisted world of the machines in The Matrix Reloaded ran a little key shop downtown? He's small but fearless, and his rescue triggers one of the movie's biggest action sequences. He also gets the most obvious line in the film. When rebels spring him from his cell, which holds roughly one trillion keys, he says with a straight face, "I am the Keymaker." In costume as The Keymaker, Randall Duk Kim is now available to lecture about The Matrix Reloaded and its philosophy. He will also show footage from the movie and as The Keymaker brings souvenir keys for members of the audience.
Andrew W.K.	Not just a party animal but a party guerrilla, Andrew W.K. burst onto the scene with a hybrid of metal, pop, and dance that parodied and paid tribute to the cheesiest, sleaziest aspects of all three styles. The California-born, Michigan-bred W.K. -- the initials stand for everything from "White Killer" to "Women Kum" to "Wilkes-Krier," the surnames of his mom and dad -- began classical piano lessons at age four and moved on to playing in Detroit punk and metal bands, including the Pterodactyls. By age 17, W.K. was recording his own material. After moving to New York City a year later, his friends passed his demos on to various labels, including Bulb, who released W.K.'s debut EP Girls Own Juice in early 2000 and that fall's Party Til You Puke EP. The buzz around W.K.'s hedonistic, so-dumb-it's-smart rawk resulted in a gig opening for the Foo Fighters as well as deals with Island/Def Jam in the U.S. and Mercury in the U.K.; his first major-label release was 2001's anthemic Party Hard EP. In particular, the U.K. fell in love with W.K.'s ironic trailer-trash look and sound, inspiring critical raves from NME and Kerrang! as well as hysteria at his live shows; he was hospitalized after a fan head-butted him as he crowd-surfed at his London debut at the Highbury Garage. The full-length I Get Wet arrived in late 2001 in the U.K. and in spring 2002 in the U.S., where his "It's Time to Party" was used in a TV commercial for the travel website expedia.com. Andrew W.K. also gigged extensively that spring, both on his own and as part of an MTV 2 package tour. Andrew is an incredibly intelligent and thoughtful person, and his recent lecture series "The Joy Trilogy" enjoyed sold-out perfrmances in NYC
Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson	A former Dallas Cowboy star who played in three Super Bowls. Thomas �Hollywood� Henderson was the first professional football player to admit that he was a drug addict, a problem that plagued him for ten years. Having served a four year jail sentence, Henderson, now a recovered alcoholic and drug user, lectures on the hazards of chemical dependency.
Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood	An Evening with Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood Following enormously successful solo tours, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, stars of the Emmy nominated Whose Line Is It Anyway? have teamed up to present an evening of extraordinary improvisational comedy. Using their quick wit, Colin and Brad take contributions from the audience to create hilarious and original scenes. Throughout the evening, the show becomes truly interactive as audience members are called to the stage to participate in the fun. Their high-profile presentations have played to corporations, universities and theatres all over the country.
Flo Conway & Jeff Siegelman	America's leading authorities on the cult epidemic and co-authors of Snapping: America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change. Acclaimed communication experts and investigative journalists, Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman share their award-winning insights into the methods of controversial cults, sects, self-help therapies and extremist political groups.
Seth Meyers & Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live Package)	Kenan Thompson Kenan Thompson joins the cast of SNL this year as a featured player. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Thompson made his television debut as a member of Nickelodeons allkid sketch comedy series All That. Seth Meyers Seth Meyers returns for his third season on SNL. In addition to contributing to numerous sketches, Meyers appears in the recurring Jarrets Room sketch as DJ Jonathan Feinstein as well as cohosting the Irish talk show Top O The Morning as William Fitzpatrick, opposite Jimmy Fallons Patrick Fitzwilliam. He has also contributed notable impressions of Hugh Grant, Russell Crowe, Tobey Maguire, Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry and NBC News Stone Phillips and Brian Williams.
Jim Morris (The Rookie)	Jim "The Rookie" Morris' inspirational and motivational message about following through on your dreams and promises to others connects with all audiences, young and old, male and female. His life story is also the inspiration behind the Walt Disney blockbuster film, "The Rookie," starring Dennis Quaid. This family film won the ESPY for best sports film of the year and was recently recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the 50 best sports films of all-time. Jim is much more than just a sports personality. Imagine having Tom Hanks or Jimmy Stewart over for a cup of coffee and that's what it's like to bring Jim to your corporate meeting, church, school, or fundraiser. A school teacher by trade, Jim is a polished speaker but never slick. Audiences connect with him because he's one of them. In a world lacking in real-life heroes, Jim's message about following your dreams and keeping your promises resonates with audiences. Jim's childhood dream of becoming a major league baseball player was derailed by injuries and, admittedly, a lack of maturity. Eleven years after his retirement from baseball, Jim's dream was re-ignited by his then rag-tag high school team, when he was trying to inspire them to follow their dreams. They made each other the following bet: If they won a District Championship, Jim would have to try out for a major league team. In case you didn't see the movie, Jim's team won the District Championship and Jim followed through on his promise, going to a tryout where he threw 12 consecutive pitches at 98 mph! Three months later in front of family and his high school team, Jim achieved his dream of pitching in the big leagues by striking out all-star Royce Clayton with a 98 mph fastball! Jim can tailor his universal message about following your dreams and keeping your promises to your audience, whether it be corporate, school kids, or a church. Jim is a loveable and humorous storyteller who will inspire and motivate your audience to never give up on their dreams.
Delfonics :	Legendary musical singing group that brought you "La La Means I Love You," "Ready or Not," "When You Get Right Down To It," and many more hits. The Delfonics are one of the pioneering groups to sing ballads that have captured the hearts of young and old alike. Their music has tested the hands of time and continues to be a strong influence in today's music.
Duke Ellington Orchestra :	World famous orchestra conducted by Edward Ellington
Forbidden Broadway :	Clever and entertaining musical review which parodies past and current Broadway shows.
To The Contrary :	Television's first women's news analysis and political commentary talk show seen nationally on the PBS television network moderator by Bonnie Erbe.
Uptown String Quartet :	Playing a "James Brown" tune is just one of the things that makes the "Uptown String Quartet" unique. The group, led by Maxine Roach, the daughter of jazz great Max Roach, breaks stereotypes all across the board. The four classically trained black women specialize in playing spirituals, blues, rag, bee-bop, R&B and jazz as a string chamber ensemble.
Washington Week in Review :	A panel of Washington-based journalists moderated by Ken Bode and seen on the PBS television network.
African American Dance Ensemble :	These talented and dedicated dancers and musicians, led by charismatic Chuck Davis, don't just perform on stage - they fill it, inhabit it and bridge the gap between performer and audience. There are no spectators, only participants, as audiences are drawn into the experience of complex rhythms, innovative movement and spirited singing.
Malcolm X Lives :	Malcolm X Lives is one of the most powerful, dramatic presentations currently receiving critical acclaim at college and university campuses nationwide. Since 1988, Black Student Organizations have repeatedly been inspired and challenged by the brilliant portrayal of Malcolm X�s philosophy by New York actor, poet and comedian, Dennis Rahiim Watson. This audience participation presentation is a simulated press conference with students and faculty soliciting Malcolm�s current views on racism, Black leadership today, rap music, integration, Islam/Christianity and police brutality. Dennis Rahiim Watson convincingly brings to life Malcolm X�s mission, his ideas, his observations, his concerns and challenges to all of us.
Sasha Sings Dinah :	Singer/actress Sasha Daltonn portrays the late, great songstress Dinah Washington in an exciting evening of music, songs and drama. "Sasha Sings Dinah" chronicles the life, music and captivating spirit of the "Queen of the Blues." With her trio accompanying her, Sasha sings more than fifteen songs from blues to jazz to the lush lyrics of Gershwin and Porter.
Charo :	Popular Hispanic singer and actress.
Gran Folklorico de Mexico :	An exciting, colorful folk dance company from Mexico City complete with mariachi band, marimba players and singers. The troupe performs dances of every region, covering 1,000 years of Mexican history with spectacle and pageantry.
Iman :	Popular high fashion model and actress, Iman is also a woman of conscience. As a native of Somalia, she is actively involved in the hunger crisis that is plaguing her country.An entrepreneur, she has developed a make-up and skin care product line.
OCHEAMI Dance Troupe :	African American performers with a common goal to study and share West African culture. OCHEAMI, in the "Ga" language (Ghana, Africa) means "linguist" the representative who speaks through the drums, dance, song and storytelling.
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly :	The sound is distinctive--passionate, creative, original, soulful, honest and powerful. For nearly thirty years Frankie Beverly and Maze have created a unique sound and become one of the most influential groups in modern history.
Survival Tools For People of Color :	Dr. Bertice Berry talk show host and sociologist, along with Dr. Bernita Berry, professor of sociology, provide survival skills to people of color who live or work in a predominantly white environment . They address issues of covert and overt racism, isolation and hostility. In addition, Bertice and Bernita teach effective recruitment and retention to faculty and/or management to promote multicultural co-existence.
Inside the Nation of Islam :	Dr. Vibert L. White, a professor of African American Studies and author of Inside the Nation of Islam presents an "inside" account of the present day "Nation of Islam" from the perspective of one of its former ministers, a portrayal as fascinating as it is troubling. Dr. White's gripping lecture will invite renewed debate over direction and prospects of Minister Farakham's controversial leadership.
Puerto Rican Theater Company :	America's foremost ethnic drama company, the Puerto Rican Theater Company presents plays from a Hispanic point of view.
Three Mo' Tenors :	A spellbinding musical celebration of the African-American tenor voice starring Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Diton and Thomas Young. Three Mo' Tenors is an entertaining, theatrically staged concert spanning opera, Broadway tunes, jazz, gospel, popular and hauntingly spiritual music. These three tenors bring together generations of singing by coordinating their talents in this not-to-be missed performance.
DOES GOD EXIST?...... A Debate Between Dr. Michael Shermer & Dr. Doug Geivett	This debate pushes the boundaries of our faith and how we believe. While three of the world's most widespread religions, Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism, sit atop the headlines, there are no clear answers to who's right and who's wrong. Dr. Michael Shermer, founder of the Skeptics Society squares off against Dr. Doug Geivett, professor of theology at Biola University. They challenge the audience to look directly into the eye of their beliefs and affirm their faith in God or to cast religion aside as an outdated way to explain the unexplainable.
Hank Aaron	Legendary baseball superstar and all-time home run king. Hank is now corporate vice president of community relations for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS) and a member of the TBS Board of Directors. He also serves as vice president of business development for The Airport Network, a service of Turner Private Networks, Inc. and is currently senior vice president and assistant to the president of the TBS owned Atlanta Braves.
Frank W. Abagnale	Frank W. Abagnale is one of the world's most respected authorities on the subjects of forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. For over thirty years he has lectured to and consulted with hundreds of financial institutions, corporations and government agencies around the world. His rare blend of knowledge and expertise began as a teenager. More than 40 years ago he was known as one of the world's most famous confidence men as depicted in his best-selling book, "Catch Me If You Can." He cashed $2.5 million in fraudulent checks in every state and 26 foreign countries over a five-year period. Between the ages of 16 and 21, he successfully posed as an airline pilot, an attorney, a college professor and a pediatrician. Apprehended by the French police when he was 21 years old, he served time in the French, Swedish and U. S. prison systems. After five years he was released on the condition that he would help the federal government, without remuneration, by teaching and assisting federal law enforcement agencies. Mr. Abagnale has been associated with the FBI for over 30 years. He lectures extensively at the FBI Academy and the field offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. More than 14,000 financial institutions, corporations and law enforcement agencies use his fraud prevention programs. In 1998, he was selected as a distinguished member of "Pinnacle 400" by CNN Financial News. In 2006 Mr. Abagnale was selected as one of the 15 Differentiators in Retail by the editorial board of RIS News. Mr. Abagnale's most recent book, "Stealing Your Life", will be released in April 2007 by Random House. He has also written "The Art of the Steal", "The Real U Guide to Identity Theft" and "The Bankers' Document Verification and Currency Transaction Manual". In 2004 Mr. Abagnale was selected as the national spokesperson for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). Mr. Abagnale was the subject of a major motion picture entitled "Catch Me If You Can", directed by Steven Spielberg with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.
Jim Abbott	Famed one handed major league baseball player, who overcame a birth defect of having only one hand, to be an amazing major league pitcher. Through stories, anecdotes, jokes, some self deprecation, and even failure and pain, Jim Abbott shows how people can overcome perceived limitations, and reach their dreams. Southpaw, Jim Abbott went directly from the University of Michigan to the California Angels starting rotation in the spring of 1989 without spending a day in the minor leagues. Many considered the move a publicity stunt, but after struggling early, Abbott proved his doubters wrong by winning 12 games with a 3.92 ERA in his rookie season. On the mound, Abbott wore a right-hander's fielder's glove over the stump at the end of his right arm. While completing his follow through after delivering a pitch, he rapidly switched the glove to his left hand so he could handle any balls hit back to him. An inspiring and motivational lecture.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called "history's greatest basketball player" by Time magazine, NBA Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led his teammates to six world championship titles. He is the co-author of Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement and Brothers in Arms. At the podium, he delivers a rousing evening of championship memories and reflections on the teamwork that made them happen. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a true legend in the world of sports. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Jim Murray of The Los Angeles Times summed it up best when he wrote, "He dominated his sport in the way few have in the long history of games men play." That observation was further validated with Abdul-Jabbar's 1995 induction (upon first nomination) to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Abdul-Jabbar's accomplishments on the basketball court are nothing short of remarkable. He has earned the respect and admiration of the world as one of the game's greatest players and Time magazine has called him "history's greatest basketball player." What this man has done might very well never be repeated. After 20 successful seasons in the NBA, Abdul-Jabbar now spends his time on filmmaking, promoting products and services, giving back to the community and book-writing. As President of Kareem Productions, he is actively involved in the entertainment industry. In 1996, he served as a presenter at the 68th Annual Academy Awards. In 1994, Abdul-Jabbar collaborated with Laurel Entertainment (now New Amsterdam Entertainment) to produce The Vernon Johns Story. This made-for-television biography starred James Earl Jones as civil rights activist Vernon Johns and earned critical acclaim at the Monte Carlo Film Festival. He also served as co-executive producer of the highly-rated primetime special for NBC, An All-Star Tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The event, televised from Los Angeles, doubled as a charity event for Athletes and Entertainers for Kids and was co-produced by Pierre Cossette. His acting credits include roles in the comedy feature films Fletch with Chevy Chase and Airplane with Peter Graves. Other film appearances include The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh, Game of Death, Troop Beverly Hills and The Mighty Ducks II. At the podium, he delivers a rousing evening of championship memories and reflections on the teamwork that made them happen.
Dr. Keith Ablow	Keith Ablow is a psychiatrist, writer and television personality who treats men and women across the country, in Europe and in Asia who come from every corner of society�college students, married couples, Fortune 500 executives, the homeless, mental health professionals and high-ranking government officials. In addition to Dr. Ablow�s ongoing work with patients, he has testified as an expert witness on forensic psychiatry in some of America�s most highly-publicized trials. The root of Ablow�s unique ability to "reach" patients and the foundation of his writing is that all of us suffer, that none of us is born evil, and that we must be helped to confront the truth about our lives. Ablow graduated Brown University and the Johns Hopkins Medical School. While a medical student, he worked as a reporter for Newsweek magazine and a freelancer for the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun, as well as a medical editor and producer for Lifetime Medical Television in New York and Los Angeles. He also wrote his first book, a guide to gaining admission to medical school and preserving one�s humanity during the four grueling years that follow. Following his studies, Ablow entered a psychiatry residency at Tufts/New England Medical Center hospitals (where he is now an assistant professor). He continued to write about psychiatry and social issues for publications such as U.S. News and World Report and USA Today. He also wrote three more books: How to Cope with Depression, To Wrestle with Demons, and Anatomy of a Psychiatric Illness. In 1990, Dr. Ablow�s close friend and fellow psychiatry resident was murdered. This tragedy prompted him to write Without Mercy, a true crime book examining the killer�s life and the use of the insanity defense at his trial. After residency, Ablow served as medical director of the Tri-City Mental Health Centers, one of the country�s oldest networks of community psychiatry clinics. He also was medical director of Heritage Health Systems, a state-wide spectrum of medical, psychiatric and addiction facilities. Today, Ablow is busier than ever. His USA Today bestselling psychiatric thrillers featuring Dr. Frank Clevenger include Denial, Projection, Compulsion, Psychopath, Murder Suicide and The Architect. His true crime book, Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson, hit the New York Times Bestseller list this year. He is a contributing editor to Good Housekeeping magazine, and his columns have appeared there, as well as in The New York Times and Cosmopolitan. He is also a frequent guest on programs including Oprah, Tyra, Good Morning America, Good Day NY, Catherine Crier Live and many others. Dr. Ablow is now at work on a self-help book (Little, Brown, April, 2007) that will make his healing philosophy and techniques available to readers everywhere. His syndicated talk show, Dr. Keith Ablow, produced by Telepictures and LMNO TV, will begin airing across the nation in September.
Elliott Abrams	Foreign policy expert and a leading conservative spokesman, Elliot Abrams was the youngest person to serve as Assistant Secretary of State in this century. As the top assistant to Secretary of State George Schultz, Abrams was the key figure in the implementation of the Reagan foreign policy. He is the author of Undue Process: A Story of How Political Differences Turned into Crimes, and Faith of Fear: How Jews Can Survive in a Christian America.
Lorenzo Abundiz	Lorenzo Abundiz, a real life hero and his wife Peggy have a unique and powerful story to share with the world. They would be honored to attend any future conference as inspirational guest speakers. They made television history by being the first couple married in the middle of NY Times Square on national television. Lorenzo has defeated three types of cancers including a rare HIGH GRADE LEIOMYOSARCOMA without chemotherapy. This true love story will inspire and prove that miracles are real. Lorenzo Abundiz, age 54 is an honored fireman who touched the heart of America when he married a real life angel named Peggy in the middle of Times Square New York. This incredible wedding took place on June 22, 2001 on ABC’s Good Morning America during Lorenzo’s first cancer battle. Millions of television viewers fell in love with their most amazing love story as they made television history that day for being the first couple ever married in the middle of NY Times Square on national television. In the last six years since there story book wedding Lorenzo, has triumphed over three types of cancers and survived over 250 surgeries, ER trips, and medical procedures. Lorenzo’s medical battles were relating to his firefighting career. The first cancer battle started on May 13, 1998 just one month after Lorenzo and Peggy first met. Doctors discovered a high grade leiomyosarcoma after Lorenzo was injured while rescuing a child from an apartment fire. A tumor board of oncologists and doctors met to discus his complex case and to come up with a treatment plan. One doctor recommended the removal of right shoulder against his chest wall and the other doctors could only offer him a 4% chance of survival using maximum amounts of chemotherapy. To this day doctors are amazed by Lorenzo’s courage and strength to have defeated the high grade cancer sarcoma and without using chemotherapy. He was able to return to full duty on March 10, 1999 after 36 treatments of radiation and many months of physical therapy. Lorenzo’s second cancer battle started on October 19, 2003 when doctors found cancer in his bladder. The discovery was made just one month after doctors declared him cancer free from the sarcoma cancer. Lorenzo’s (angel) Peggy has lived through one medical nightmare after another and somehow she always manages to find that one miracle she needs to save her husbands life. Peggy is a devoted wife who takes her marriage vows very seriously especially when it comes to “sickness and in health.” Peggy looked more toward nature for healing her husband rather than the treatments offered by doctors. They would take regular nude nature hikes and would hug trees. Lorenzo also became a vegetarian and would drink large amounts of pure concord, grape juice. Throughout Lorenzo’s firefighting career he was exposed to toxic smoke while performing many rescues of people and animals. Some of those rescues reached national media attention. Lorenzo was awarded the California State Fireman’s Medal of Valor for saving the lives of firefighters who were trapped under a ¾ ton wall of fire. He appeared on many talk shows and television news programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS RESCUE 911, PAX TV It’s A Miracle and The Discovery Channel. On March 9th 2006 Peggy’s love was put to the test again when she was hit with another medical battle to save her hero. This happened when Lorenzo needed an emergency kidney surgery. A nation wide blood search was conducted by the National Red Cross and the Firefighters Cancer Support Network. Doctors from USC Medical Center had to cancel Lorenzo’s kidney surgery just as he was about to be wheeled into surgery. The reason was because the doctors discovered Lorenzo had rare blood factors and no blood was available for him at the hospital or the blood bank. Peggy took action and stood in front of the USC Blood Donor Center waving a sign that read “Cookies for blood’’ to passing motorist driving by. The news media captured Peggy’s quest and broadcasted the news on television across the country. America answered the angels call for help and soon the USC Blood Donor Center was flooded with phone calls from people across the country wanting to donate blood and save Lorenzo’s life. Although only two matching units of blood were located in the entire country, doctors were able to move forward with the surgery to remove Lorenzo’s left kidney and save his life. The pathology report of the tumor concluded it was a rare oncocytoma Although Lorenzo’s firefighting career of saving lives took a toll on his health he has no regrets because he was awarded a real life angel for his service. There story will prove miracles are real and that true love can conquer anything that stands it its way even cancer. On August 6, 2007, as part of his current battle against bladder cancer, Lorenzo underwent yet another surgery at USC Norris Cancer Center to search for any cancerous tumors in his bladder. His and Peggy’s prayers were answered when doctors found his bladder was clear. In 2008, Lorenzo will undergo another bladder surgery, and if no tumors are found it will be his last, as he will be declared cured from his bladder cancer after a five-year battle. . Now that Lorenzo’s cancer battles will soon be over, Lorenzo and Peggy are ready to talk about their amazing love story of survival and miracles. Lorenzo’s heroic firefighting career, along with the true life experience in the battle against cancer, will inspire, motivate and prove to the world that you can overcome any type of adversity. There story will bring out the spirit of hero in everyone. There are millions of people who wonder what happened to Peggy and Lorenzo since that story book wedding in NY Times Square. Now you know. In addition to their speaking talents Lorenzo and Peggy both sing and dance to provide entertainment while they deliver a powerful message of courage and hope.
Rodolfo Acuna	An expert on Chicano affairs, Rodolfo Acuna is the founding chair of the Chicano Studies Department at The University of California, the largest Chicano studies department in the nation. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award from the National Association for Chicano Studies. Professor Acuna is the author of many books including Occupied America: A History of Chicanos.
Dr. Miriam Adahan	Dr.Miriam Adahan, author, lecturer and renowned psychotherapist, is famous throughout the Jewish world for her sensitive advice and her highly effective EMETT ("Emotional Maturity Established Through Torah") system for coping with life's crises. She has a B.A. in psychology, with honors, from the University of Michigan. She also holds a Masters in counseling psychology from Wayne State University and did three years of post-Masters work in Humanistic Psychology Institute in San Francisco.
Janus Adams	Nationally syndicated columnist, broadcast journalist, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and award-winning author. Her latest book is Sister Days: 365 Inspired Moments in African-American Women's History. The third volume of a series, it continues the saga begun in Glory Days:365 Inspired Moments in African-American History; and Freedom Days-a history of the civil rights movement in which she was a participant. In February 1998 and again in 1999, McDonald's Corporation licensed Glory Days for its Black History Month campaign. Her national advice column, "What Do We Tell Our Children?" explores race relations and other bias-related issues.
Oleta Adams	Well known singer, song writer and entertainer.
Orny Adams	Orny Adams has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, and co-starred in the movie Comedian with Jerry Seinfeld. Orny was named in The Hollywood Reporter as one of the favorite comedians to watch on the New York comedy scene. He has written jokes for Jay Leno and Garry Shandling, among many other top comedians. And this year he is a writer for the 56th Annual Emmys broadcast. Orny made his first TV appearance in 1996 on Friday Night Videos. He has since hosted his own show on Discovery's Travel Channel, has appeared on Jiminy Glick, Tough Crowd on Comedy Central, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and Last Call With Carson Daly. Orny shot a pilot for his own late night television talk show for TBS. You may also recognize him from many of his national commercials, including Coca-Cola, and other notable television appearances. In July 2000, Orny made quite an impact at the Montreal Comedy Festival which resulted in a development deal with the Warner Brothers Studio, and his first appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman. In July of 2002, Orny triumphantly returned to the Montreal Comedy Festival. Orny considers himself a student of the art of stand-up comedy and takes his profession very seriously. He has studied his predecessors and even their predecessors. He loves to learn. For the past 12 years, he has been on a what he dubs the "Neverending Tour." His tour has reached clubs, theatres, even the Staples Center in LA, colleges, corporate events, and festivals as far away as Ireland. "The road is life� I didn't say that. Kerouac did." Orny's comedy style is unique, yet universally appealing. Orny is quick on his feet to deliver a clever, sophisticated, and fast paced routine that attacks topics from an angle that many people have never considered. "I question everything. That's the root of my comedy� and I try to come up with some solutions." One minute he's goofy, the next minute he's intelligent, and you never completely know when he's being serious. But that's what's funny. Most importantly, He was once a paperboy and a native of Boston, Massachusetts.
Ryan Adams	Mixing the heartfelt angst of a singer/songwriter with the cocky brashness of a garage rocker, Ryan Adams is at once one of the few artists to emerge from the alt-country scene to achieve mainstream commercial success and the one who most strongly refused to be defined by the genre, leaping from one spot to another stylistically as he follows his increasingly prolific muse. Adams was born in Jacksonville, NC, in 1974. While country music was a major part of his family's musical diet when he was young (he's cited Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash as particular favorites), in his early teens Adams developed a taste for punk rock and he began playing electric guitar. At 15, Adams started writing songs, and a year later he formed a band called the Patty Duke Syndrome; Adams once described PDS as "an arty noise punk band," frequently cited as a key influence and reference point. The Patty Duke Syndrome developed a following in Jacksonville, and when Adams was 19 the band relocated to the larger town of Raleigh, NC, in hopes of expanding its following. However, Adams became eager to do something more melodic that would give him a platform for his country and pop influences. In 1994, Adams left the Patty Duke Syndrome and formed Whiskeytown with guitarist Phil Wandscher and violinist Caitlin Cary. With bassist Steve Grothman and drummer Eric "Skillet" Gilmore completing the lineup, Whiskeytown (the name came from regional slang for getting drunk) released their first album, Faithless Street, on the local Mood Food label. The album won reams of critical praise in the music press, and more than one writer suggested that Whiskeytown could do for the alt-country or No Depression scene what Nirvana had done for grunge. But by the time the band signed to a major label -- the Geffen-distributed imprint Outpost Records -- the band had undergone the first in a series of major personal shakeups; and in the summer of 1997, when Whiskeytown's Outpost debut, Stranger's Almanac, was ready for release, Adams and Wandscher were the only official members of the band left. Cary soon returned, but Wandscher left shortly afterward, and Whiskeytown had a revolving-door lineup for much of the next two years, with the band's live shows become increasingly erratic, as solid performances were often followed by noisy, audience-baiting disasters. Consequently, as strong as Stranger's Almanac was, Whiskeytown never fulfilled the commercial expectations created for them by others. In 1999, the band -- which was down to Adams, Cary, and a handful of session musicians -- recorded its third and final album, Pneumonia, but when Geffen was absorbed in a merger between PolyGram and Universal, Outpost was phased out, and the album was shelved; shortly afterward, Whiskeytown quietly called it quits. Following Whiskeytown's collapse, Adams wasted no time launching a career apart from the band, and after a few solo acoustic tours, Adams went into a Nashville studio with songwriters Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and cut his first album under his own name, Heartbreaker, which was released by pioneering "insurgent country" label Bloodshot Records in 2000. The album received critical raves, respectable sales, and a high-profile endorsement from Elton John, and Adams was signed by Universal's new Americana imprint, Lost Highway Records. Lost Highway gave Whiskeytown's Pneumonia a belated release in early 2001, and later that same year, they released his second solo set, Gold, which displayed less of a country influence in favor of classic pop and rock styles of the 1970s. In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the album's opening track, "New York, New York," was embraced by radio as an anthem of resilience (though it actually concerned a busted romance), and Adams once again found himself touted as the "next big thing." Always a prolific songwriter, in a bit more than a year following Gold's release, Adams had written and recorded enough material for four albums. Adams opted to whittle the 60 tunes down to a 13-song collection called Demolition, which was released in 2002 as he went into the studio to record his official follow-up to Gold. A year later, Adams' concept album Rock N Roll was released alongside the double-EP collection Love Is Hell. Tours around the globe kept Adams busy into the next year as he maintained momentum writing songs and keeping his ever-changing presence in the music press. In May 2005, Adams released his first of three albums for Lost Highway, the melancholic double-disc Cold Roses. Jacksonville City Nights, a more classic-sounding honky tonk effort, followed in September, and 29 appeared in late December. Always prolific, in the interim period before his next album was released, Adams posted a large selection of tracks -- including hip-hop ones -- on his website, but fans were greeted with more straightforward material on 2007's Easy Tiger.
Rebecca Adamson	Rebecca Adamson, a Cherokee, is the founder and president of First Nations Development Institute. She has worked directly with grassroots tribal communities and as a national advocate of local tribal issues for over 25 years. Working alongside the best political and philosophical thinkers in Indian country, Adamson advocates reform and thinks that the key to native people controlling their own lives is economics. A recipient of the 1996 Ms. magazine "Woman of the Year" Award, her organization has advised indigenous people around the world. Activist Rebecca Adamson has helped and advised indigenous people around the world, winning the admiration and trust of almost everyone she has encountered. Seventeen years ago, as a single mother with only an unemployment check and a dream, Adamson set out to establish a place where Native Americans could find outside capital and technical support to build successful small businesses and self-sufficient reservation economies independent of federal control. Adamson, a Cherokee, is the founder and president of First Nations Development Institute. She has worked directly with grassroots tribal communities and as a national advocate of local tribal issues for over 25 years. The organization has raised and distributed millions of dollars, fostered the birth of dozens of micro-enterprises coast-to-coast and set up a $1 million revolving loan fund. Adamson is a recipient of the 2001 John W. Gardner Leadership Award, which honors outstanding Americans who exemplify the leadership of individuals working in the voluntary sector who build, mobilize or unify people, institutions or causes. She was awarded the Council on Foundations 1996 Robert W. Scrivner Award for creative and innovative grantmaking and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development's 1996 Jay Silverheel Award. In addition, Ms. magazine named her one of their seven "Women of the Year" (1997) and in 1998, she was named as one of the top ten Social Entrepreneurs of the Year by Who Cares magazine. She writes a monthly column for the newspaper Indian Country Today, devoted to alternative economic development and other issues. Adamson says her success is rooted in the summers she spent with her Cherokee grandparents in North Carolina, where she learned "the Indian value of listening." She began by listening to good business ideas that couldn't find money when she worked at her first job as a planner for the Spokane and Nez Perce tribes. She listened and saw that the Native Americans with whom she lived had the lowest incomes and highest unemployment, the lowest life-expectancy and the highest rates of disease, alcoholism and poverty. She also saw a Third World country buried in the richest country in the world and the experience led her to a movement for Indians to regain control of their destiny by controlling their own schools.
Conrad Adelman	Sales expert and trainer, Conrad Adelman is the author of such books as Smarter Not Harder; How to Manage Your Sales Time; and Common Sense the Uncommon Way to Success. He has also produced video tapes on selling technical products and services, on retail sales and on sales management. His lecture topics include, Public Speaking in a Contact Sport; What Makes an Average Salesperson into a Superstar; Stop Selling and Start Helping; Motivation Can't Catch Inspiration; Planning, Persistance and Payoff; and Fate, Faith or Failure.
Jay Adlersberg	Health and science correspondent for ABC News.
Mahnaz Afkhami	Founder of the Association of Iranian University Women, Mahnaz Afkhami served as the secretary general of the Women's Organization of Iran from 1970 to 1979. She also served as Iranian Minister of State for Women's Affairs from 1976 to 1978, when the position was eliminated on the eve of the Islamic Revolution. A leading advocate of women's rights for more than three decades, Ms. Afkhami is now President of Sisterhood Is Global Institute, an organization that focus on advancing women's rights.
Step Afrika	Step Afrika! is a powerful collaborative project between young artists from the United States and the South Africa based Soweto Dance Theatre. The project highlights the African American fraternity and sorority art form of steping and it's link to traditonal South African dance. Recently performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., reviewers describe Step Afrika!'s perfromance as " a dance genre considered by some to be one of the most exciting created by Americans in the 21st century." Step Afrika! displays the roots of stepping in South Africa's gumboot dance and declares it's relationship with tap dance and hoofing
Andre Agassi	Andre Agassi began playing professionally in 1986, and by 1988 had won more than $2 million in prize money. Throughout the 1990s, men's tennis was dominated by the back-and-forth rivalry of Agassi and Pete Sampras. Agassi's flashy clothes, stylish hair and bad-boy attitude were the perfect counterpoint to Sampras's steady, clean-cut power game. In his career Agassi won more than 850 singles matches, including 60 titles, 8 Grand Slams and an Olympic Gold Medal (Atlanta, 1996). In later years Agassi shaved his head and became a more sober and beloved figure in tennis, still ranking highly after 20 years in the game. In 2005 he made it to the finals of the U.S. Open at age 35 (he lost to Roger Federer). Plagued by back problems, he retired after losing in the third round the 2006 U.S. Open. Agassi was married to actress Brooke Shields from 1997-99... He married tennis great Steffi Graf in 2001, and they have two children... Agassi's sister was married to tennis pro Pancho Gonzales... Agassi's father, Emmanuel "Mike" Agassi, was an Olympic boxer for Iran in 1948 and 1952 before emigrating to Chicago.
Dan Ahdoot	After appearing on NBC's Last Comic Standing this season, Dan Ahdoot's web site was swamped with emails from around the country telling him he should've moved into the house. Dan's performed at more than 100 colleges around the country after graduating from Johns Hopkins University and is a regular performer at all the top New York City clubs. He won first place at the NYC Triad comedy competition and was an honorary guest at the HA! Comedy Festival in New York. He's been featured on ABC's 20/20 w/ Barbara Walters and on the radio has been heard on the KISS FM Morning Comedy Special. He's also performed with a number of different Improv groups such as Upright Citizens Brigrade and Second City New York.
Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad	An expert on the Muslim world and on Islamic political thought, Dr. Ahmad is a professor of political science and an editor of a number of scholarly Islamic journals in the United States. Dr. Ahmad was educated in Pakistan and in the United States. His areas of expertise are in Islamic political movements, religion and politics in the Muslim world; comparative politics of contemporary Islamic revivalism, and U.S. policy toward Islam and the Muslim world.
Kimberly Aiken	Miss America of 1994, South Carolina's Kimberly Aiken is a positive role model for children and adults of all races. An articulate and motivational speaker, she is an advocate for the homeless in America. Kimberly was named national chairperson for Project Open Book, a reading program for homeless children, and she is the founder of a group called HERO, the Homeless Education and Resource Organization.
Kimberly Aiken	Kimberly Clarice Aiken Cockerham was Miss America 1994. Aiken was 18 years old when she won the coveted title. She won Miss Columbia and Miss South Carolina en route to her 1994 Miss America crown. Kimberly's pageant coach was CB Mathis of CBs Limited in Lancaster, SC.[2] Aiken used the plight of the homeless as her platform. Her year of service as Miss America helped generate public awareness about homelessness and brought a better public understanding of this significant social dilemma. Aiken has made numerous television appearances and was once recognized by People Magazine as one of the "Fifty Most Beautiful People in the World". After graduating from New York University, Aiken pursued a career in public accounting with Ernst & Young LLP, one of the Big Four accounting firms. Today, she is an image consultant and motivational speaker. A professional speaker for nearly ten years, she entertains and inspires audiences with her programs, using her varied experiences and sharing stories of overcoming obstacles, such as brain surgery. She is also a regular columnist for Pageantry Magazine, as well as a wife and mother.
Troy Aikman	Troy Aikman was one of the most dominant professional football players in the United States during the 1990s, leading the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl championships. After playing for the University of California at Los Angeles, Aikman was drafted by the Cowboys in 1989, a starter in his rookie season. By 1992 he was named the Most Valuable Player in his first Super Bowl victory (Super Bowl XXVII). Aikman sustained 10 concussions and several injuries in his career, forcing him to retire in 2001. He then joined FOX television as a commentator.
Dr. Na'im Akbar	The published volumes of Dr. Akbars works are excellent illustrations of the unique and special approach he has taken to the role of an activist scholar. His volumes are targeted to a mass audience. Though the concepts that he presents are highly sophisticated, they are presented in a concise and simple way that readers with minimal education and possibly no familiarity with mainstream psychology will be able to comprehend the ideas from his books and increase their understanding of themselves. Though his scholarly status is unquestioned this area of his work is targeting a much broader audience than would likely encounter his works prepared for advanced students, professional colleagues and for the dialogue of the academy. He feels very strongly that truly relevant ideas should be available to as wide an audience as possible in order that they may study these ideas and apply them to their lives and to their communities. The measure of success for this aspect of his scholarship becomes the number of people from various walks of life that have been able to study these ideas, change their lives and their world.
Marv Albert	Well known television sports broadcaster.
Gerald Albright	Well known performer and saxophonist, Gerald Albright has recorded 7 CD's on the Atlantic label. His contemporary collections have established him as a prominent artist. He was one of ten featured saxophonists who performed at President Clinton's inauguration and was also featured at the Presidential Summit as well as several private functions for the President. Gerald has sold over one million albums in the U.S. alone and has earned a reputation of being a "musician musician".
Ruthie Alcaide	In Real World Hawaii, Ruthie Alcaide proved to be one of the most interesting characters ever to appear on MTV�s Real World series. Openly bisexual, a native Hawaiian, Ruthie was born one of triplets and raised by a strict Filipino foster family. She joined a group of cast members from the mainland for the show and stirred things up with her carefree, independent, and often controversial lifestyle. Her presentation not only embodies these elements, but also the more serious side of her, having been shipped by the cast to rehab during filming. Ruthie courageously takes head on the issues of sexuality, addiction, and also just plain enjoying life, which explains her ongoing popularity and appeal to audiences around the country.
Lalo Alcaraz	Lalo Alcaraz, an award-winning editorial cartoonist and Latino journalist, created the first nationally syndicated, politically themed Latino daily strip, "La Cucaracha." Alcaraz has produced editorial cartoons for LA Weekly since 1992 and also creates editorial cartoons in English and Spanish for Universal Press Syndicate. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, Variety, Hispanic Magazine, Latina Magazine, La Jornada in Mexico City, and many other publications. Alcaraz recently published the book Migra Mouse: Political Cartoons on Immigration (Akashic Books) and also illustrated Latino USA: A Cartoon History (Basic Books, 2000). In 2004, he received the "2004 Latino Spirit Award" from the California Latino Legislative Caucus. Alcaraz serves as keynote speaker for George Mason's Hispanic Heritage Month.
Buzz Aldrin	The image of Buzz Aldrin standing on the moon's surface on July 20th, 1969 will forever mark the technological achievements of the 20th Century. It leaves an indelible mark in our public consciousness, representing the highest values of the human spirit, of teamwork and of vision. Buzz brings this vibrancy to his relationships as a corporate spokesperson for Fortune 500 companies seeking the dimension and authority of a living legend and an icon. Buzz works closely with organizations associated with innovation, technology, and advancement through commercial endorsements and promotional appearances. Buzz is entering his 4th year as corporate spokesperson for the Accutron line of Bulova watches--America's premiere watch brand. Bulova provided NASA with the timekeeping technology for America's first trip to the moon. Radio Shack chose Buzz Aldrin to serve as the Tandy brand's space spokesperson as part of their Vacations in Space commercial advertising campaign. The highly successful marketing effort also featured Buzz in a series of personal appearances at the openings of megastores across the United States.
Tony Alessandra	Sales, trainer, management authority, marketing expert and author of Collaborative Selling: How to Gain the Competitive Advantage in Selling; and How to Gain Power and Influence with People.
Shana Alexander	Well known journalist and an observer of the American scene, Shana Alexander has been a columnist for Life and for Time magazines, a commentator on CBS's "60 Minutes" and has written numerous fiction and non-fiction books.
Meena Alexander	Born in India and raised in India and North Africa, Meena Alexander is widely published as a poet, essayist and critic. Her haunting book, Nampally Road, vividly portrays contemporary India and one woman's struggle to piece together her past. Her newest book is Manhattan Music.
Dr. Yonah Alexander	One of the world's leading authorities on terrorism, Professor Alexander was the founder and editor of Terrorism: An International Journal and has published fifty books on the subject of international affairs, terrorism, and psychological warfare. He is the director of the Terrorism Studies Program at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Jason Alexander	Jason Alexander's nine seasons as hapless schlep George Costanza on Seinfeld have been the crowning glory to a 25-year career on stage, screen and television. But with looks that can be pitiful, sympathetic, charming, devious, and even unscrupulous--combined with an equally malleable talent--this multi award-winning actor is in little danger of being stereotyped. For his portrayal of George, Alexander has earned six Emmy and four Golden Globe nominations, an American Television Award and two American Comedy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series. The Screen Actors Guild went one better and chose him as Best Actor in a Comedy Series despite his role as a supporting actor. Born and raised in New Jersey, Alexander first found an audience among his classmates, entertaining them in an effort to distract from his chubbiness. At 16, he earned his first professional job when he was spotted in a children's theater group and was asked to perform on a local New York children's program. Two years later he landed his first film, The Burning, while studying acting at Boston University. In 1995, Alexander returned to Boston University to receive an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts. In film, Alexander recently appeared in Rocky and Bullwinkle as 'Boris Badenov,' opposite Rene Russo and Robert De Niro. His other film credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs, Mosquito Coast, Jacob's Ladder, White Palace, Coneheads, Blankman, The Last Supper and the Academy Award-nominated live-action short film Down on the Waterfront. Alexander's most memorable roles include those in Rob Reiner's North, Ron Howard's The Paper, and as Richard Gere's villainous lawyer in Pretty Woman. Alexander earned an Emmy nomination for a supporting guest role on HBO's Dream On. He has also hosted Saturday Night Live, and performed song-and-dance numbers for The Comedy Hall of Fame, The Kennedy Center Honors and the 1994 Emmy Awards (for which he was nominated for an American Comedy Award) and as co-host of The 1995 Emmy Awards with Cybill Sheperd. Most recently, he performed with the Boston Pops on PBS and with the orchestra again at Carnegie Hall. On stage, his theatrical capstone came in the award-winning Jerome Robbins' Broadway, for which he won a Tony as well as Outer Critics and Drama Desk Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. Alexander also was the author of the show's narration. In Los Angeles, Alexander received critical acclaim and a Dramalogue Award for his portrayal of Harry Truman in the one-man play Give 'Em Hell Harry. Alexander's voice has also become famous for his work both in animated features and television series. For four seasons, he starred in the USA Network's critically acclaimed adult animation series Duckman. In film, his voice has been used in Aladdin, The Return of Jafar, Hercules and as 'Hugo the Gargoyle' in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In addition to acting, Alexander has been receiving attention as a director. His first effort behind the camera, for an episode of Seinfeld, was nominated for a DGA Award in 1993. He directed the independent film Just Looking, which starred Patti Lupone, Gretchen Mol and Ryan Merriman. Alexander's feature film directing debut was the romantic comedy For Better or Worse, in which he also starred opposite Lolita Davidovich and James Woods. Jason refuses to be type cast and continues to seek different roles in which he can prove his versatile and broad talent.
Kimberly Alexander	Kimberly Alexander was born on October 30th, 1982 and raised in Columbia, South Carolina but now lives in Los Angeles, California. Kim graduated from Ben Lippon in Columbia, South Carolina before going to Bob Jones University & Midlands for dental assisting to then work as a dental assistant for 3 years before joining The Real World Hollywood Cast. Kim Alexander is the pretty nieve southern women forced to open up her mind to living and understanding different people, cultures, and races on The Real World Hollywood. Kimberly has the goal of being the next big entertainment news reporter in the mold of Ryan Seacrest. Kim entered into her first Real World Road Rules Challenge in 2009 on The Duel 2. College Lecture Topics Living Green, Addictions, North South Relations, Diversity, and Relationships
Ted Alexandro	Ted Alexandro: Don't let Ted's boyish good looks fool you. He is wickedly funny. Ted has appeared on MTV and on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
Miguel Algarin	Miguel Algarin is the "poet laureate" of Loisaida - also known as the Lower East Side - and founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York City, where he has nurtured the spoken and written word for nearly three decades. Through the Café Algarin helped cultivate the popular "slam" poetry movement. Colliding the gritty topics of urbanity with the art of literature, Algarin's Café has provided a venue for words to jump from the page to the stage. Since 1974, the Nuyorican Poets Café has captured the flavor of the streets serving as a haven for poets, writers, thespians, performance artists, musicians, visual artists and hip-hop renegades, running the cultural gamut from acclaimed theater productions to hip-hop open mikes to celebrations of salsa and merengue music. The Café is the living room hosting the freshest art to immigrate to New York City, from not only the Caribbean and the Americas, but from all over the world. The Nuyorican Poets Café is a stage of words made visible. Situated in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Loisaida, the community, is a mixture of various ethnic backgrounds: Puerto Rican, Dominican, African-American, Ukrainian, Polish and Irish, to name a few. The community also hosts a great number of artists. This diverse energy is reflected in the performances of the Nuyorican Poets Café. Algarin, along with the emerging artists of the Nuyorican Poets Café, bring their talents to the forefront, dazzling audiences with their vibrant presentations. Mixing the traditional arts of oral story telling and classical poetry with the edgy raw rhythm of the hip-hop influenced streets creates the soulful heartbeat which is the Café. Recognized as a long-term cultural worker of the Lower East Side, Miguel Algarin's Nuyorican Poets Café has become a Loisaida institution. The Café and its milieu have provided a blueprint for the development of the international slam poetry movement that first surfaced in Chicago.
Shahrazad Ali	Controversial author specializing in independent research on social and ethnic issues, Shahrazad Ali says her study proves that �the Black woman's disrespect and rebellion against the leadership and authority of the Black man is a direct cause of the breakdown in the Black family structure.� Ms. Ali is the author of Are You Still a Slave?, The Black Man's Guide to Understanding the Black Woman; andThe Black Woman's Guide to Understanding the Black Man and Womens Rights Womens Power..
William Allen	Civil rights advocate, professor of political science and a political conservative, William Allen is a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and served as its chairman from 1987-1989. Allen is an eloquent and dynamic speaker whose topics include: One America for All Americans; Law and Morality in Our Politics; and America Proves Its Principles.
Harry Allen	Hip-Hop Visions looks at the way media and advertising affect our understanding of gender, race, identity, and power. It's a compact, economical program that deeply involves both young and adult audiences by utilizing the music and imagery of rap -- the compelling sound of today's youth culture -- to drive thought and inspire. Harry Allen, hip-hop activist and media assassin, writes about race, politics, and hip-hop for Vibe, Spin, The Source, The Village Voice, Billboard, Essence, Newsday, and XXL, among other publications. Widely hailed as one of hip-hop culture's most original minds, he has been quoted as an expert in The Wall Street Journal, on National Public Radio, and on CNN. Well known for his association with the seminal band Public Enemy, Allen also founded the world's first not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization for hip-hop culture, the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame & RhythmCultural Center, Inc. (d.b.a. RCI: The RhythmCultural Institute) in 1994. He further satisfies both his musical and political interests through service on the advisory board of the Archives of African-American Music & Culture at Indiana University, in Bloomington IN, and as a segment producer at the Pacifica Radio Foundation's WBAI-NY/99.5 FM, where he covers film, media, art, science, literature, and other subjects. Allen is currently developing a book on architecture, researching a documentary on hip-hop, and building the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. He lives in Harlem.
Steve Allen Jr.	Dr. Steve Allen, Jr. combines his expertise as a Board Certified family physician with his family's gift of humor. The son of famous TV comedian Steve Allen, he delights audiences with his unique approach to managing stress. He teaches everyone in the audience to juggle brightly colored scarves as the lesson through which they learn to play and laugh their way to success and a more stress-free life.The son of TV comedy superstar Steve Allen, stress expert Dr. Steve Allen, Jr. has the secret to peak performance and it is all about how to laugh, be silly and play your way to the top!Stress has been cited as the number one stumbling block to individual and corporate success. Blending his expertise as a board certified family physician with his natural heritage of humor and wit, Dr. Allen presents a practical approach to dealing with the many stresses that impede top performance.Believing that knowing is doing, Dr. Allen gets everyone up on their feet and teaches them his guaranteed, fool-proof method of juggling- his metaphor for juggling the pressures of life and a hilarious demonstration of how to laugh and play your way to success. "Teaching people to juggle is my way of getting everyone to be silly again, just like they did when they were children. Laughter and play is the best stress release we have," he says.Medical studies have shown that when people laugh, their heart rates accelerate, muscles relax and stress is relieved for hours afterwards. "The problem is that as we get older, we succumb to the cultural pressures that say laughter, playfulness and downright silliness is not 'adult'," Dr. Allen says.He has presented for thousands of salespeople, healthcare professionals and business executives in conferences and workshops all over the country. He has also appeared on local and national television programs, including ABC Evening News, and has been profiled by such national publications as The New York Times, Newsweek and American Medical News.His unique approach to stress management has its roots in his family's gift of humor. His grandmother Belle Montrose was in the circus before her career in vaudeville with his grandfather, Billy Allen. The echo of his comedian father's laugh can be recognized as Dr. Allen teaches everyone in the audience to amuse themselves and laugh their way to a more stress free life.
Kirstie Alley	Kirstie Alley's career has encompassed success in top-grossing films and highly acclaimed television, garnering multiple awards. Most recently, she made her return to network television by producing and starring in the hit show, "Veronica's Closet." In the show's first season, Kirstie won a People's Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series as well as nominations for the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Emmy Awards. Kirstie first gained notoriety for her portrayal of bar-owner Rebecca Howe on the long-running television comedy, "Cheers." During her six years on the show, she won the Emmy, Golden Globe and People's Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. She has an overall deal with Warner Bros. that encompasses features and television series. Her screen career includes recent performances in Woody Allen's acclaimed "Deconstructing Harry" and with Tim Allen in the romantic comedy, "For Richer or Poorer." She also stars in "The Mao Game," based on the New York Times bestseller, and reteamed with John Travolta with whom she starred in the "Look Who's Talking" series in the drama, "Common Ground."
Stacy Allison	The first American women to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain. Stacy then went on to become the leader of a successful K2 expedition, the world's second highest mountain, considered to be the most difficult peak on earth to climb. Stacy's mission is to encourage people to move beyond limitations and reach for their dreams. She challenges her audiences to lay the foundation for risk taking by accepting full responsibility for their lives. She also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing everyone's contribution as a team member in life's pursuits. Stacy recounts the Everest challenge in her book, Beyond The Limits: A Women's Triumph on Everest. It is a suspenseful, triumphant adventure story-a primer for anyone who has ever faced a mountain, physical or metaphorical and reached for its summit. Her new book is; Many Mountains to Climb: Reflections on Competence, Courage and Commitment.
Dan Alon	Dan Alon, an Israeli fencer and 1972 Olympic athlete, never talked about his experience at the Munich Games and the Palestinian terrorist attack on the Israeli delegation. The reason was simple: No one ever asked him. At the time, he said, the media was focused on the victims and their families. I couldnt just go out on the street and shout, Im a survivor, I want to talk! says Alon, 61. So I didnt talk about it for 30 years.
Maria Alonzo	Well known actress and Hispanic film star.
Dr. Alexa Altman	Dr. Alexa Altman is a clinical psychologist who received her doctoral training in health psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles and completed additional post doctoral training in mind body medicine. Dr. Altman established a weight management program entitled, The Psychology of Weight Loss and she facilitates weight loss therapy groups and travels around the country lecturing on the subject. Dr. Altman also has clinical training in biofeedback, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and Somatic Experiencing SE. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, (EMDR), is a powerful new psychotherapy technique which has been very successful in helping people who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic, disturbing memories, post traumatic stress, addictions and many other emotional problems. EMDR is considered a breakthrough therapy because of its simplicity and the fact that it can bring quick and lasting relief for most types of emotional distress. Dr Altman also has training in Somatic Experiencing (SE). This is a short-term naturalistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine. SE employs the awareness of body sensation to help people ''renegotiate'' and heal their traumas rather than relive them. Dr. Alexa Altman was a consulting psychologist to NBC's The Biggest Loser, where her role was to assist contestants in learning how to overcome emotional eating, improve coping skills, increase self-esteem and learn how to manage negative thinking and behaviors. She is currently in full-time private practice and specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, PTSD, addictive disorders, personality disorders, relationship issues, and mood/anxiety disorders.
Aida Alvarez	The first Hispanic to graduate from Harvard University, Aida Alvarez developed and wrote the National Hispanic Agenda, a nonpartisan consensus document of issues for presidential candidates. She also served on the advisory panel for the Republican Senate Task Force on Hispanic Affairs. Ms. Alvarez was Director of the Office of Federal Housing and the administrator of the Small Business Administration during the Clinton administration.
Julie Alvarez	Well known Hispanic novelist.
Robert Alvarez	Foreign policy expert and an authority on North Korea and nuclear weapons, Bob Alvarez is in great demand to lecture about his experiences in North Korea and the current nuclear crisis that is unfolding between the United States and North Korea.
Alvin Ailey Repertory Dance Company	One of America's leading dance groups.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater	Exhilarating and endlessly inspirational, the extraordinary dancers of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater have dazzled audiences from New York City to China with their thrilling fusion of power, grace, and unparalleled artistry. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater marks its 50th anniversary by bringing African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the Fine Arts Center. The genius of Alvin Ailey forever changed the perception of American dance; the legacy continues in Judith Jamison's remarkable vision and the extraordinary artistry of the Company's dancers. Beauty, spirit, hope, and passion: this is the power of Ailey.
Ace Amerson	Ace Amerson from MTV Real World Paris. He was known as the likable sensitive party guy from Georgia Southern University on Real World Paris. Real World Paris was season 13 on MTV airing late 2003. Ace has been on several MTV Real World Road Rules challenges, including in 2004 the Inferno, Battle of the Sexes 2, and the Gauntlet 2 in late 2005 through 2006. In the fall of 2006 in Cape town South Africa he is to be in the next Real World Road Rules challenge The Inferno 3. Ace from Real World Paris would be great for speaking on north south relations/drinking issues/relationships at college lectures.
Wally Amos	As the father of the gourmet chocolate chip cookie industry Wally Amos is a household name, first as founder of Famous Amos Cookies in 1975 and now the Uncle Noname Cookie Company. His fame is grounded in quality, substance, and a unique positive mental attitude. A nationally sought-after inspirational author and lecturer, Wally is also a television host on PBS. He has received the Horatio Alger Award and the President's Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. In addition, he has used his fame to support educational causes. Since 1979 Wally has been National Spokesman for Literacy Volunteers of America. He is also a Board Member of the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities in Schools. He is the author of The Famous Amos Story, The Face That Launched A Thousand Chips, The Power In You, Ten Secret Ingredients To Inner Strength, which is a hopeful, inspirational book sharing Wally's philosophy and life experiences and his most recent book, Watermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slice of Life, where he uses watermelon as a metaphor for life, sharing his personal path to wisdom, humor, joy and a positive outlook on life.
An Evening of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis	Jazz great,award-winning pianist,and the leader of the Ramsey Lewis Trio,Ramsey Lewis is available to play the piano in a jazz concert that will be the hit of the year.
Trey Anastasio	Since co-founding the seminal improv rock outfit Phish in 1983, guitarist, composer, and songwriter Trey Anastasio has explored a wide variety of musical pathways ranging from atonal fugues and elaborate charts with Phish to adventurous free jazz on his first solo project, Surrender to the Air (1996), to collaborations with the likes of Tom Marshall, Les Claypool, Philip Glass, Stewart Copeland, and others. After Phish went on long-term hiatus in late 2000, Anastasio focused on a myriad of projects, including Oysterhead and his eight-piece solo band. Born Ernest Joseph Anastasio III in 1964, Anastasio attended Princeton Day School in Princeton, NJ, where he met future songwriting partner Tom Marshall. As a teenager, he helped his mother, Dina, write songs for children's records. At the University of Vermont, he teamed up with bassist Mike Gordon, drummer Jon Fishman, and guitarist Jeff Holdsworth to form Phish. After being suspended from the university for a semester for a prank gone awry, Anastasio transferred to the highly experimental Goddard College outside of Burlington, where he studied intensely with composer Ernie Stires while writing and rehearsing Phish's complicated early material. Soon after, Holdsworth was replaced by keyboardist Page McConnell.
Claud Anderson	A leading intellectual, historian and economist, Dr. Claud Anderson is the author of the best selling books,Black Labor, White Wealth: A Search for Power and Economic Justice,; Dirty Little Secrets about Black History: It's Heroes & Other Trouble Makers; and PowerNomics: Unleashing Blacks Potential. Dr. Anderson is president of the Harvard Institute, a pro-active public policy research organization. He is igniting a national movement among Blacks for the economic, social and political solutions necessary to create an economically self-sufficient and competitive Black America.
Louie Anderson	Multifaceted, Emmy award winning comedian, Louie Anderson, is well known for not only hosting the return of the game show, Family Fued, but for his countless appearances with Jay Leno, David Letterman, Arsenio Hall, Pat Sajak, Joan Rivers, on Comic Relief and on Touched by an Angel.
Dr. David W. Anderson	Dr. David W. Anderson is the Director of Home and Congregational Renewal at The Youth & Family Institute in Bloomington, MN. He has been one of the key individuals in developing a new paradigm for youth and family ministry, The Child In Our Hands Initiative, and resources to accompany it. He is also the co-developer of the Hand in Hand and Four Key Congregational Training events that tailor the Child In Our Hands Initiative to individual congregations. Dr. Anderson is an ecumenically and internationally recognized leader in faith and family life enrichment. In addition to working with numerous denominations across the United States, his ministry has also taken him to Canada, Australia, Norway, and Sweden.
Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr	Juan is a Presidential Medal recipient, honored for �the performance of exemplary deeds of service for the nation�. The Medal was presented by President Bill Clinton for extraordinary accomplishments in promoting civic participation and leadership development. He has earned five college degrees: a B.A. from Howard Payne University, a M.Ed. from Antioch College, a Ed.S. and Doctorate from Northern Illinois University, and a post-doctorate M.A. from Loyola University Chicago. He has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumni by Howard Payne and Northern Illinois, and received the Damon Award from the graduate school at Loyola University. He has also received four honorary degrees. He is President of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute: The Institute has trained over 200,000 present & future leaders, registered over two million new voters, published 425 studies on Hispanic demographics, since 1982. USHLI sponsors the largest Latino leadership conference in the nation. Juan was a political commentator on ABC-7 television for six years in Chicago; the only Latino commentator in the nation appearing on English language radio or television. He has worked and participated in the democratization of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and Haiti. He has been recognized three times as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in America. He was inducted into the �Society of Life Models� by OMNI Youth Services for the impact of his work in promoting education and leadership development for high school and college students. He has received numerous awards for distinguished service and lifetime achievement.
Mario Andretti	World Champion race car driver.
Chris Angel	Angel has been doing his Mindfreak performances since 2001; his television show debuted on July 20, 2005. Yet, his skills showcased on TV were developed through stage magic and conjuring in clubs. He also did a television special in 2003 called Supernatural. His brothers and mother are also regulars on the Mindfreak television series. Among the stunts Angel has performed for television audiences are: Being towed 80 feet into the air while handcuffed inside a barrel filled with water. The barrel was then released after Angel had taken off the handcuffs and tied himself to a safety rope. He often levitates himself and strangers off the street. Also he has been hung from fish hooks in his back and dangled from a helicopter. He has been filmed performing the illusion of walking on water. He has also lit and levitated a light bulb without electricity. Angel won the Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society in 2001, 2004 and now in 2005; he is the only two-time, and three-time winner of that award. He was named 2005 Magician of the Year by The Academy of Magical Arts (AMA) at a press event at Hollywoods Magic Castle. Criss Angel is currently starring in the second season of Mindfreak which is filmed at the Aladdin Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some allege that Angel uses camera special effects, forced viewing angles and assistants acting as amazed spectators for the tv audience, and this has caused controversy among fellow magicians. Many magicians who perform magic without camera tricks resent these methods while others simply see them as modern tools of magic on televison . Criss Angel himself claims he does not use camera trickery.
Dr. Maya Angelou	Dr. Maya Angelou chosen by President Bill Clinton, Dr. Maya Angelou delivered her dedicatory poem "On The Pulse of Morning" at the inaugural ceremony in January 1993. Considered one of our national treasures, and the author of many best-selling books, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, her performance/lecture stresses the value of ethnic, economic and religious diversity in all undertakings. A passionate and powerful speaker, Dr. Angelou challenges her audiences to invest their spirits and hearts in the elevation of the human condition. Dr. Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. A poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances on college campuses, spreading her legendary wisdom. A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves, Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception. She has the unique ability to shatter the opaque prisms of race and class between reader and subject throughout her books of poetry and her autobiographies. Dr. Angelou has authored numerous best-selling books, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Even The Stars Look Lonesome. In 1981, Dr. Angelou was appointed to a lifetime position as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. In January 1993, she became only the second poet in U.S. history to have the honor of writing and reciting original work at the Presidential Inauguration. Dr. Maya Angelou and Hallmark Cards, Inc. have collaborated to make a gift selection that offers inspiration, hope and joy. Now available in select Hallmark stores, the collection features vases, pilows, wind chimes, frames and other charming trinkets. With compassion and candor, Dr. Angelou's works speak to the heart, encouraging us to love life, to perservere through its challenges and to share our gifts with others.
Georgie Ann Geyer	Syndicated newspaper columnist, foreign correspondent and a regular panelist on "Washington Week In Review" and "Meet the Press".
Greg Anthony	Former NBA guard Greg Anthony joined ESPN in November 2002 as a studio analyst for the network's NBA coverage. He appears on all of ESPN and ESPN2's NBA studio shows including the NBA Shootaround - a half-hour pre-game studio program leading into the Friday doubleheaders, the update segments during Wednesday night game telecasts, and ESPN2s NBA Fastbreak and NBA Fastbreak Tuesday. Anthony joined ESPN after 12 seasons in the NBA. Selected by the New York Knicks as the 12th pick overall in the 1991 NBA draft, Anthony played for seven teams - Knicks, Vancouver Grizzlies, Seattle Supersonics, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks. His 130 consecutive games with an appearance remains the Blazers longest streak. Anthony was well known in the league for his defense and on-the-court toughness. A natural leader, he captained the Grizzlies from 1994 to 96 and serves as the first vice president for the National Basketball Players Association (2000-present). Anthony was the co-captain of the 1990 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship team, the UNLV Rebels. The next season, he led the Rebels through the season without a loss before falling to the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA title game. Anthony tallied, 1,301 points in his collegiate career and holds UNLV records in assists (838) and steals (275). His #50 UNLV jersey was retired on November 7, 2006. In college, Anthony was a national vice chairman for the Young Republicans (1989-91). In the summer of 1989, he interned on Capitol Hill for U.S. Rep. Barbara Vucanovich (R-Nev.). Anthony was appointed by President George Bush in 1990 to serve as a special assistant to the Ambassador of the Economic World Summit (G-7) in Houston, Texas. From teamwork & communication to politics & social awareness, Anthony's charisma and intellect make him one of the most popular guest speakers in the country.
Michael C. Anthony	Michael C. Anthony is recognized as one of the most successful stage hypnotists in the world today. Most recently he was named Campus Male Performer of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine. An every day performer he is not. His show is an avant-garde blend of the human psyche and eye-popping theater. Imagine a world where volunteers fall asleep at the snap of his finger and will obey the most hilarious and ridiculous hypnotic suggestions. Having hypnotized over 15,000 people, Michael C. Anthony has filled theaters throughout the United States and Internationally and continues to be one of the most sought after hypnotists in the world. Imagine you're sitting in the front row and several of your good friends are up on stage to volunteer for Michael C. Anthony's performance. Michael utters a few words, snaps his fingers, and you see your friends, one by one, drop to the floor sound asleep. Michael then works his "magic" and upon awakening, one of your friends suddenly jumps to her feet, grabs the microphone, and starts singing because she believes she is Madonna. Another friend has a horrified look on his face because he can't remember his name no matter how hard he tries. Somebody else is frantically scratching all over her body from imaginary insects. All along your most intelligent friend has been rolling all over the stage in combat, shooting invisible aliens with his shoe! This is a show you will never forget!!!
Max Apple	Award-winning author Max Apple has written an extraordinary new book, Roommates: My Grandfather's Story, the heartwarming tale of his forty-year relationship with his grandfather, Rocky Goodstein. As a small child, Max shared his grandfather's room and as a young man, he shared his college apartment with his then 94-year old grandfather. Rocky continues to share his life, his wisdom and energy with Max and Max's wife and children until his last breath at age 105! Roommates, is more than just the story of a family, it is a tribute to the human spirit and a celebration of love and family and life! Roommates has been made into a feature film by Disney, with Peter Falk starring as "Rocky." A humorous and engaging storyteller, Max Apple has been delighting audiences all over the country!
Debby Applegate	Debby Applegate, recipient of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for her book The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher. Debby Applegate discovered Henry Ward Beecher, the scandalous 19th-century preacher, in the archives at Amherst College when she was an undergraduate and made him the subject of her American Studies dissertation at Yale, where she earned her Ph.D. in 1998. She spent a decade reworking her academic analysis into a lively narrative that performs the delicate balancing act of appealing of to a general audience while also contributing to scholarly debates about the culture of celebrity, the evolution of American Protestantism, and the history of print media. In addition to winning the Pulitzer Prize, The Most Famous Man in America was named one of the best books of the year by the New York Times Book Review, NPR's Fresh Air, and the Washington Post.
Dennis Archer	Named one of the 100 most influential Black Americans by Ebony Magazine and one of the 100 most powerful attorney's in America by the National Law Journal, Dennis Archer was a two term Mayor of Detroit who earned national and international respect for his success in changing Detroit's image and direction.
Oscar Arias	Arias was elected president of Costa Rica in 1986 and through negotiations drafted the Arias Peace Plan, which called for internal dialogue, cease-fire, freedom of speech, and free elections in El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. This initiative culminated in the signing of the Esquipulas II Accords, or the Procedure to Establish a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America, by all the Central American Presidents on August 7, 1987. Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987. He used the monetary award to establish the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress. Under the auspices of the Foundation, three programs were established: The Center for Human Progress to promote equal opportunities for women and gender equality; the Center for Organized Participation to strengthen the participation and action of civil society in Central America; and the Center for Peace and Reconciliation to work for demilitarization and conflict resolution in the developing world.
Maria Arita	Co-host of the nationally syndicated television program "Hispanics Today," which showcases Hispanic issues and leaders in a broad cross section of industries, from entertainment to politics.
Alan Arkin	Well known actor and director who has starred in motion pictures, television and Broadway, Arkin won the Golden Globe award as best actor in a comedy, for his role in "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming" and the New York Critics Award for his role in the movie, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter."
Neil Armstrong	Apollo 11 astronaut and first man to walk on the moon.
Lance Armstrong	Lance Armstrong became a household name by showing his determination, dedication and strength. The number one ranked cyclist in the world, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Not only did his cycling career seem over, but his doctors game him a 50/50 chance to survive. Armstrong survived and he went on to become the first professional cyclist to win the Tour de France seven times. In the process, he became a leading advocate in the search for a cancer cure and for people living with the disease. The Lance Armstrong Foundation disseminates grants focused on improving the quality of life for cancer survivors and funds research that is not readily fundable from traditional sources. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $9.6 million in research grants. It focuses its funding on cancer survivorship centers and research grants. From the podium, Armstrong delivers lessons of courage from his battle with cancer and his career as a cyclist. He talks about teamwork and what it takes to turn dreams into realities.
Karen Armstrong	Armstrong is a writer, lecturer, broadcaster and author of 12 books. Her best-known book is A History of God: The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, which was on the New York Times best-seller list for many months. She teaches at the Leo Baeck College for the Study of Judaism and the Training of Rabbis and Teachers in London, England. A limited number of tickets ($10) are on sale at the Greensboro Coliseum box office, online (www.Tickets.com), by phone (1-888-397-3100) or at selected Lowes Food Stores in the Greensboro area. There is a service charge for all tickets purchased online or by phone. Subject to availabilty, Guilford students and employees may receive one free ticket at the door with valid ID the night of the event. Educated at Oxford University, Armstrong taught modern literature at the University of London. She was a Catholic nun from 1962-69, and in 1982, she became a freelance writer and broadcaster. Armstrong's books include Through the Narrow Gate, a best-seller in Britain, The Gospel According to Women, Holy War: The Crusades and Their Impact on Today's World, Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet, Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths, and The Battle for God. Her latest book, published in 2004, is a memoir, The Spiral Staircase: My Climb out of Darkness.
Bob Arno	In his expose' show, The Art of the Steal, Bob redefines dynamic comedy. Demonstrating his spectacular brand of classic thievery, Bob reveals the sly tricks of pickpockets plying city streets worldwide. A few minutes of exclusive video footage showing actual pickpockets informs, amazes, and preludes Bob's surprising take on how it really happens--with a comedy twist. This is a full hour of innovative, unique, and hilarious pickpocket entertainment, free of fluff and padding. Bob is always profusely thanked for his invaluable advice, once guests have wiped away their tears of laughter. It's pure entertainment--with a take-away lesson.
John Artis	Arrested with Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in 1966, and convicted of a triple murder that he did not commit. At the time of his arrest, Artis was 19 years old, preparing to attend college on a track scholarship and dreaming of making the U.S. Olympic track team. Artis was offered his freedom if he would falsely testify against Carter, but he refused to lie to prosecutors. After spending fifteen years in prison, he was exonerated and now lives in Virginia and works with troubled youth. He is a man who does not know the meaning of the word resentment. Without question, he is one of the most uplifting and motivational speakers you will ever come across.
Molefi Asante	Founder of the Afrocentric School of African philosophy and one of the African world's most important thinkers, Dr. Asante is president of the National Afrocentric Institute and the editor of the Journal of Afrocentric Thought.
Ashford and Simpson	One of the most popular and respected duos in American music,Ashford and Simpson have as performers, songwriters and producers created an unprecedented catalog of chart-topping hit singles for themselves and others, collecting twenty-two gold and platinum records and more than fifty ASCAP Awards. They deliver a powerful motivational lecture, "From Rags to Riches," interspersed with their popular songs.
Essence Atkins	Popular actress and co-star of the WB television sitcom "Smart Guy".
Dave Attell	One of the most popular comedians on the circuit, Dave Attell performs regularly at colleges and clubs. Television viewers enjoy Dave's comic genius each week with "Insomniac With Dave Attell," which airs on Comedy Central. A former contributor to "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Dave also appears frequently on David Letterman and Conan O'Brien. In addition, he's done half-hour comedy specials for both HBO and Comedy Central.
Byllye Avery	A dreamer, visionary, and grassroots realist, Ms. Avery combines activism and social responsibility by developing a national forum for the exploration of health issues of African-American women. By gathering and documenting African-American women's health experiences she is providing a supportive atmosphere for African-American women. Prior to her entry into the health care arena, Ms. Avery taught special education to emotionally disturbed students and consulted on learning disabilities in public schools and universities throughout the southeastern United States.
Rabbi Shlomo Aviner	Rabbi Shlomo Aviner is the best-selling author of over 50 works, ranging from philosophy to Jewish Law. He is considered to be a prominent voice on current events and topics of wide Jewish interest, and is featured in many leading newspapers and magazines across the world. A disciple of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook, he is also the Rosh Yeshiva of Ateret Kohanim and the Rabbi of Beit El. Considered one of the leading ideologues of the national camp in Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner was born in 1943 in German Occupied Lyon, France. There he was active in Bnei Akiva, the religious Zionist youth movement, eventually assuming the role of national director. Rabbi Aviner holds a M.A. in Mathematics and is an Electrical Engineer by profession. Following his aliya to Israel, he studied at Yeshivat Merkaz Harav where he was one of the "Talmedi Muvhak" of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook, son of Israel's first Chief Rabbi, Avraham Yitzchak Kook. Rabbi Aviner served previously as spiritual leader of Kibbutz Lavi in the Galil and Moshav Keshet on the Golan Heights. He is also a Reserve Lieutenant in the Israel Defense Forces. Rabbi Aviner has hundreds of published works to his credit, including the famed "Sichot Harav Tzvi Yehuda" and "Tal Hermon" on the weekly Torah portion. He has written on a broad range of topics and his lectures in person and on tape reach a wide and diverse audience. He has columns that appear weekly in the Israeli daily Ma'ariv, and in the Machon Meir weekly newsletter "BeAhava U'Bemuna". Rabbi Aviner also has a regular radio show with Arutz Sheva. Rabbi Aviner's advice is sought by people from all walks of life ranging from troubled youth and young couples to Prime Ministers and heads of the Security Establishment
Dan Aykroyd	Daniel Edward Aykroyd is an Academy Award nominated and Emmy Award winning actor, comedian, screenwriter, and most recently business entrepreneur. He attended Carleton University in Canada, but dropped out before receiving his degree. He veered away from his study of criminology in college in order to pursue his interest in acting. He began as a comedian in various Canadian nightclubs and went on to gain experience in the SecondCity comedy troupe and the National Lampoon stage shows. He became a regular on Saturday Night Live in 1975 due to his political satire powered by flawless impersonations of Presidents Nixon and Carter. Collaborating with fellow cast members from SNL led to the creation of such memorable duos as Two Wild and Crazy Guys (with Steve Martin) and The Blues Brothers (with John Belushi), which gained big-screen life in The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998). His interest in crime led him to film roles on both sides of the law, including good-guy Sgt. Joe Friday in Dragnet (1987), hit man Grocer in Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), and break-in expert Mother in Sneakers (1992). He recently appeared in the films Stardom (2000), The House of Mirth (2000), Pearl Harbor (2001), Bright Young Things (2003), 50 First dates (2004) and I know Pronounce you Chuck and Larry (2007) with Adam Sandler. Aykroyd has been honored numerous times for both his acting and screenwriting capabilities. In 1977 he received an Emmy Award for writing on SNL and he later received two more nominations for writing, and one each for acting and Outstanding Comedy-Variety series. He received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for Driving Miss Daisy.
Hank Azaria	Emmy Award-winner Hank Azaria provides multiple voices on FOX's animated hit series THE SIMPSONS, including Moe the bartender, Apu the Kwik-E-Mart owner, Police Chief Wiggum, Professor Frink, Dr. Nick Riviera and Comic Book Guy. Azaria most recently starred in the NBC World War II miniseries Uprising. In 2001, he starred in America’s Sweethearts, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts and Billy Crystal. In 1999, Azaria co-starred in Cradle Will Rock, written and directed by Tim Robbins, Disney’s Mystery Alaska, a comedy written by David E. Kelley, and in Universal’s Mystery Men. He also starred with Jack Lemmon in the ABC telefilm Tuesdays With Morrie, earning him an Emmy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries, as well as a 1999 SAG Award nomination for Best Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries. In addition, he was seen as Professor Groteschele in the CBS live television broadcast Fail-Safe. In 1998 Azaria starred in Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin’s Godzilla for Twentieth Century Fox and in TriStar’s Homegrown. He also portrayed Gwyneth Paltrow’s fiance in Fox’s modern-day adaptation of Great Expectations, and appeared in Woody Allen’s Celebrity. Azaria won a Screen Actors Guild award nomination for his memorable role as Agador Spartacus, the Guatemalan houseboy, in Mike Nichols’ The Birdcage, and garnered critical praise for his portrayal of television producer Al Freedman in Robert Redford’s Academy-Award nominated Quiz Show. Other feature credits include Heat, Grosse Point Blank, Now and Then and Pretty Woman. Azaria trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and played Hamlet in a production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at Columbia University. He continued his theater studies at Tufts University, appearing in such plays as Uncle Vanya, The Merchant of Venice and The Ballad of the Sad Café.
Polly Baca	Highest ranking Hispanic woman in the Clinton administration, Polly Baca served as Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton and Director of the United States Office of Consumer Affairs. She also served as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee and was one of the original 14 members to be inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame.
Herman Badillo	The first U.S. Congressman of Puerto Rican ancestry to sit in the House of Representatives and former Deputy Mayor of New York City.
F. Lee Bailey	Prominent defense attorney.
Ben Bailey	Ben Bailey: Ben has made appearances on HBO, NBC, Mad TV, Comedy Central, Star Search, and is in the upcoming movie Bad Meat due out this spring.
Bill Baird	Bill Baird is the next speaker for the Convention was abortion rights activist Bill Baird, who spoke on “The Politics of God, Government and Sex.” Known as “The Father of the Abortion Rights Movement,” he returns to the Convention on the 27th anniversary of the historic BAIRD v. EISENSTADT, the 1972 U.S. Supreme Court decision that liberalized birth control laws in the United States and helped to establish the cornerstone of ROE v. WADE. The BAIRD case was quoted six times in the ROE decision. He established the nation’s first birth control and abortion center on a college campus in 1965. Part of that time he spent in jail for teaching about birth control in New York. In 1967, he was sentenced to three months in prison for “crimes against chastity,” that is, for exhibiting birth control and abortion devices to an audience of two thousand individuals at Boston University and giving a non-prescriptive contraception to a nineteen-year-old college student. Baird described the contemporary abortion battle as “a holy war,” and noted that there have been over 200 firebombs and acts of vandalism against abortion providers. He then discussed indicators of the intensity of the present abortion-rights fight, and noted how anti-choice zealots often “demonize” and objectify those they disagree with. One example was a lurid posted used by Catholics anti-abortion activists which depicted Jesus re-crucified over the heads of aborted fetuses, with an American flag at half-mast as a distress signal.. Another item was a pamphlet, “Who Killed Junior?”, which included a picture of a knife stabbing into the depiction of an infant. Another illustration depicted a fetus writhing in pain with the legend: “Aborted babies at 13 weeks old will struggle for life after an abortion from 2 to 3 hours.” On the back page, text read: “No woman has a right over her baby’s body -- the baby is another person, a separate human being.”
Michael Baisden	Michael Baisden a author, motivational speaker, former TV talk show host, and host of his own nationally-syndicated radio show. Baisdens first book, Never Satisfied: How and Why Men Cheat, was released under a Vanity Press label. In 2001, he made a series of promotional appearances on daytime talk shows. He was also host of his own short-lived syndicated talk show entitled Talk or Walk in 2001. Currently, Baisden is host of the nationally-syndicated radio program "Love, Lust, and Lies
Rudi Bakhtiar	Rudi Bakhtiar is an Iranian-American journalist, working for the Fox News Channel. Although born in California, Bakhtiar was raised in Iran until the Iranian Revolution when her family moved to the United States. She attended University of California, Los Angeles, where she received a B.S. in biology, planning to be a dentist. Prior to Fox News, Bakhtiar had worked for CNN. Joining CNN in 1996, she became a co-anchor of CNN Student News, the 30-minute commercial free news and features program designed specifically for use in the classroom. She provided multiple reports while on assignment from numerous countries, including South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Mali. She was on the air live on CNN Headline News on September 11, 2001 when the terrorist attacks of that day began. In 2002, Bakhtiar received the Iranian American Republican Council Achievement Award. In 2005, after moving from CNN Headline News to CNN/U.S. to be a correspondent on the program Anderson Cooper 360, Bakhtiar left CNN to pursue other career interests and deal with family health issues. On January 11, 2006, Fox News announced that Bakhtiar would be joining the network as a general correspondent. She first appeared on the channel on January 22, 2006. Rumors of Fox's interest in Bakhtiar were around as early as December, 2004.
Tyrie Ballard	Tyrie Ballard from the Real World Denver Ty Ballard, 23, was born on December 7th, 1982 in Omaha, Nebraska and now resides nearby in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is Ty's second reality show as he was one of the frat brothers of Tommy Lee during his reality show at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, "Tommy Lee Goes to College".Tyrie is a bit of a comedian on the Real World Denver while generally getting along with everyone he prides himself with putting a party on his back and running with it. Ty from the Real World Denver can be the life of the party but at the same time get other interested and involved. This can be seen on the show as he did promotions for Tabu at 1222 Glenarm Place while in Denver and then continues to do after the show by running his own nightclub events and parties. Tyrie Ballard would be great for speaking on diversity, equality, and minority plights.
Ernie Banks	Baseball Hall of Famer who for many years was an all-star infielder for the Chicago Cubs. An inspirational and motivational speaker.
Murray Banks	Humorous psychologist and best-selling author of What To Do Until the Psychiatrist Comes.
Dennis Banks	Native American leader, activist, teacher, lecturer and co-founder of the American Indian movement (AIM). He is the author of his autobiography, Sacred Soul.
Tiki Barber	Tiki Barber Former NFL Pro Bowl Running Back, NBC Broadcaster is the unique individual who combines a stellar portfolio of athletics and broadcasting with a captivating story-telling presence at the podium. He is a renaissance man without equal today, as evidenced by a resume that includes: NBC correspondent, Pro Bowl running back, Sirius Satellite radio host, author, producer, actor, corporate spokesman, scholar and philanthropist. Barber joined NBC Universal in 2007 on the heels of his Hall of Fame-caliber NFL career. A three-time Pro Bowler, he will split time as a correspondent for the "Today" show and as an analyst for NBC`s "Football Night in America," while also contributing to the 2008 and 2010 Olympics. In 10 seasons on the gridiron, Barber joined Marshall Faulk and Marcus Allen as the only players in NFL history with at least 10,000 yards rushing and 5,000 yards receiving. He retired ranking third all-time in yards per carry (4.7) and 10th all-time in yards from scrimmage (15,632; rushing and receiving). Barber holds every conceivable Giants rushing record--total yards, rushing yards, rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns--and in his final regular-season game broke his own franchise single-game rushing mark with 234 yards, in a win vs. the rival Washington Redskins. A tireless entertainer and communicator, during his playing days Barber was a weekly co-host on FOX News Channel`s morning program "FOX and Friends" (2005-07). He further debunks the jock stereotype as a co-host of "Ronde and Tiki`s Barber Shop," broadcast on Sirius Satellite radio with his twin brother/fellow NFL'er. Previously, Tiki also hosted "The National Sweep with Tiki Barber," a radio program delving into politics, news and entertainment that featured guests including: John McCain, U.S. Senator; Matt Lauer, host of the "Today" show; Rear Admiral Kenneth P. Moritsugu, U.S. Surgeon General; and Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel. As active in the community as he was on the gridiron, Barber devotes generous time and money to the Children`s Miracle Network, the Fresh Air Fund and the Robin Hood Foundation, among others. A staunch advocate for literacy, he has co-authored with Ronde three successful children`s books, and is under contract to write a motivational memoir and two young-adult novels.
Bob Barker	Bob Barker is a 19-time Emmy Award-winning American television game show host. The first Bob Barker appearance on the game show hosting scene was in December 1956, when he became the host of Truth or Consequences. He continued with the program until 1975. On September 1972, Barker began his most famous assignment hosting the CBS revival of The Price Is Right. In the four decades of the CBS version, he has become far more strongly associated with the show than first host, Bill Cullen. In 2006, The Price Is Right celebrated 35 consecutive years on the air. It is the longest-running game show of all time in North America. Barker retired in June 2007 after holding the job for nearly 35 years and having been in television for 50 years.
Nigel Barlow	Nigel Barlow is a keynote speaker on creativity, the innovative management of change and customer service. Since the past 18 years he has been focusing on helping major organisations and industries around the world. Nigel was a founding director of the UK consulting wing of the Tom Peters Group, TPG Partners, and has also established his own international customer service consultancy that specialises in helping clients to deliver high and professional levels of service. Nigel a regular contributor to Customer Service Management journal is also the Author of "Batteries Included": Creating Legendary Service. Nigel a passionate, witty, and dynamic presenter is able to speak to business audiences of up to 1000 delegates, Nigel coaches and provokes senior teams to be more creative and adventurous in the goals. His presentations are well-known for their freshness, challenge and humour, Nigel is always ready to take on the after-lunch slot as a challenge that he can keep his session lively, interactive and focused. His talks are researched based, some of the themes he works with are Creative Approaches to Change, Shaping the Future, Organisational Innovation and Customer Service. He has worked with audiences as diverse as Korean managers, German engineers, BBC researchers and producers, road rescue patrolmen, British bankers and many senior and board-level teams. He is able to communicate serious messages in a highly entertaining way. Nigel helps today's managers to understand cultural change and diversity, globalisation, customer service, corporate innovation, brand management etc. His corporate clients would include: Abbey Life, AGA, Argos, Arthur Andersen, Barclays, BBC, BP, British Council, BT, Ericsson, GKN, Glaxo, Granada, The Highways Agency, Mobil, Nestle, Sainsbury's, SKF, Sun Life, Texaco and Whitbread.
Rick Barrera	Marketing consultant, management, sales and personal development expert and author of the business best-seller, Non-Manipulative Selling.
Lester Barrie	Popular comedian who was the host of BET's "Comic View" for two years. He has also performed on "Def Comedy Jam" and sparked standing ovations on "Showtime at the Apollo".
Dave Barry	Well known Humorist, author and Pulitzer Prize winning syndicated columnist.
Randy Barry	Randy Barry was known as the sensitive and insightful cast member from MTV Real World San Diego. Real World San Diego was season 14 on MTV airing early 2004. Randy Barry was on the Battle of the Sexes 2 in 2004 and now in 2006, the Gauntlet 2, for the MTV Real World Road Rules challenges. Randy from Real World San Diego would be great for speaking on alcohol awareness, relationships, and conflict resolution at college lectures.
Rob Bartlett	Impressionist and comedian featured on "Imus in the Morning" radio show.
Lance Bass	Lance Bass Singer (NSYNC), Producer, Writer, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist Program Title: In Sync With Lance Bass At sixteen, Lance Bass received a phone call from Justin Timberlake that would change his life forever. Soon after, he left his small-town in Clinton, Mississippi to join an emerging musical group called NSYNC. Two years later NSYNC was inspiring Beatles-esque mania around the world, becoming the new face of the MTV generation. And now this inspiring entertainer is taking on a new role for a very special limited time only: Guest Speaker. Lance speaks candidly about his childhood, his astonishing experiences growing up in one of the biggest bands in the world, his shock and frustration at the band's eventual dissolution, and his subsequent career, including his four months in Russia, training to become a cosmonaut. Lance frankly discusses life as a gay man --his struggle keeping his sexuality hidden from fans in case it jeopardized NSYNC's success, and the true circumstances that led to his decision to publicly come out. Lance's program is full of fascinating behind-the-scenes lore and revealing insights that makes for an evening not to be missed! Lance Bass is the ultimate multi-hyphenate: Singer-Actor-Producer-Writer-Entrepreneur- Philanthropist who has sold some 25 million records worldwide as a member of NSYNC. The group holds the all time record for most album sales in a single day (over 1 million) and in a single week (2.4 million) for its 2000 album No Strings Attached, which ultimately became a rare “Diamond” album, with over 10 million records sold. In addition, the albums NSYNC, Celebrity, and Home for Christmas all went multi-platinum. As a member of NSYNC, Lance has won a number of awards, including People’s Choice, American Music Awards, MTV Video Awards, Kid’s Choice, and a host of Grammy nominations. The groups’ several worldwide tours have been among the highest grossing and most well attended in history and have played well on HBO and IMAX screens. Aside from NSYNC, Lance Bass also made a name for himself in a variety of other endeavors. He executive produced and starred in the Miramax film On the Line that received the coveted Movieguide® award for excellence in family-oriented programming. Lance Bass also received the Golden Apple Award® as Male Film Discovery of 2001. In addition, Lance has made guest appearances in the film Zoolander and the television shows 7th Heaven, The Simpsons, Star Search, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, NBC’s hit series America's Most Talented Kid, co-host for the American Music Award’s Red Carpet Party.
Gary Bauer	Conservative spokesman and political activist, Gary Bauer was a Republican Presidential Candidate during the 2000 National primaries. Bauer held several jobs in the Ronald Reagan administration, rising to the directorship of the White House's Office of Policy Development. In 1988 he became head of the Family Research Council, turing it into a prominent lobbying organization for conservative and Christian ideals; later he founded a political action committee, the Campaign for Working Families, whose purpose he described as "to elect pro-family, pro-life, pro-free enterprise candidates to public office." Bauer took a leave of absence for the PRC in 1999 and announced his intention to run for president.
Ray Baumel	�Put-on� artist whose impersonation of the �expert� of your choice leaves audiences amused, spellbound and entertained.
Robert Bazell	NBC News' Chief Health & Science Correspondent. His reports appear on "NBC Nightly News", "Today" and "Dateline NBC." Dr. Bazell is the author of the controversial book, HER-2: The Making of Herceptin, a Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer.
Ishmael Beah	Former Child Soldier, Human Rights Activist and Best Selling Author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Program Title: A Long Way Gone Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone on November 23, 1980. When he was eleven, Ishmael Beah's life, along with the lives of millions of other Sierra Leoneans, was derailed by the outbreak of a brutal civil war. After Ishmael Beah's parents and two brothers were killed, Ishmael was recruited to fight as a child soldier. He was thirteen. Ishmael Beah fought for over two years before Ishmael Beah was removed from the army by UNICEF and placed in a rehabilitation home in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. After completing rehabilitation in late 1996, Ishmael Beah won a competition to attend a conference at the United Nations to talk about the devastating effects of war on children in his country. It was there that he met his new mother, Laura Simms, a professional storyteller who lives in New York. Ishmael Beah returned to Sierra Leone and continued speaking about his experiences to help bring international attention to the issue of child soldiering and war affected children. In 1998 Ishmael Beah came to live with his American family in New York City. He completed high school at the United Nations International School, and subsequently went on to Oberlin College in Ohio. Throughout Ishmael Beah's high school and undergraduate education, Ishmael Beah continued his advocacy work to bring attention to the plight of child soldiers and children affected by war around the world, speaking on numerous occasions on behalf of Unicef, Human Rights Watch, United Nations Secretary General’s Office for Children and Armed Conflict, at the United Nations General Assembly, serving on a UN panel with Secretary General Kofi Annan and discussing the issue with dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton. Ishmael Beah is a member of the Human Rights Watch Children’s Rights Division Committee. In A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah, now twenty-six years old, tells a riveting story. At the age of twelve, Ishmael Beah fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, Ishmael Beah had been picked up by the government army, and Ishmael Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. Eventually released by the army and sent to a UNICEF rehabilitation center, Ishmael Beah struggled to regain his humanity and to reenter the world of civilians, who viewed him with fear and suspicion. This is, at last, a story of redemption and hope.
Cathy Bao Bean	Cathy Bao Bean, author of The Chopsticks Fork Principle, A Memoir and Manual, is a daughter, mother, wife, friend, sister, aerobics instructor, business manager, and board member of the Claremont Graduate University School of the Arts and Humanities, the NJ Council for the Humanities and Society for Values in Higher Education. In a previous incarnation, she was a philosophy teacher, cook, student, carpool driver as well as founding member of the Ridge and Valley Conservancy. In the process, she has been learning how to make the foreign more familiar and the ordinary and extraordinary into each other.
Daniel Beaty	Actor, singer, writer, and composer Daniel Beaty has worked throughout the US, Europe, and Africa in a variety of styles ranging from television to solo concerts to theatrical productions to opera including performance at The White House, The Kennedy Center in tribute to Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, and The Apollo. This fall Daniel completed a highly acclaimed soldout extended run of his one man play Emergence-See! off-Broadway at the Public Theater. Awards include 2007 Obie Award for Outstanding Writing and Performance, 2006 Ovation, Acclaim, & Everyday Freedom Hero Awards. Daniel is also the 2004 Grand Slam Champion at the world famous Nuyorican Poet's Caf� and The Fox Networks National Redemption Slam Champion.star of HBO's Def Poetry III, IV & The 2004 Nuyorican Poet's Cafe Grand Slam Champion is an award winning actor, singer, writer, & composer, Daniel has performed with Jill Scott, Sonia Sanchez, MC Lyte, Rueben Studdard, Mos Def, Tracy Chapman, Deepak Chopra, and Phylicia Rashad at venues spanning the globe from the White House to Ghana, West Africa. He holds a BA with Honors in English/Music from Yale University and a MFA in Acting from American Conservatory Theatre (ACT).
Alison Bechdel	Since its inception in 1983, Alison Bechdels comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For has become a countercultural institution. The strip is syndicated in dozens of newspapers, translated into several languages and collected in a series of award-winning books. Utne magazine has listed DTWOF as "one of the greatest hits of the twentieth century." And Comics Journal says, "Bechdels art distills the pleasures of Friends and The Nation we recognize our world in it, with its sorrows and ironies." In addition to her comic strip, Bechdel has also done exclusive work for a slew of publications, including Ms., Slate, the Advocate, and many other newspapers, websites, comic books, and 'zines. In 2006, Houghton Mifflin published her graphic memoir, Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. The bestselling coming-of-age tale has been called a "mesmerizing feat of familial resurrection" and a "rare, prime example of why graphic novels have taken over the conversation about American literature.
Chris Beckman	Chris Beckman was bucking for a promotion at a now defunct dot-com in Boston when his friends at his gym persuaded him to audition for MTV's The Real World. Chris ended up as a cast member for the Chicago episodes. Many of that season's episodes explored deeper into Chris's recovery from alcoholism to a burgeoning relationship. Chris has since been the recipient of the Congressman Gerry E. Studs Visibility Award for being a positive role model in the gay community. He is now on the lecture circuit and studying to be an actor. Chris says "I have a responsibility to talk about where my life was and where it is today."
Harry Belafonte	The consummate entertainer, Belafonte is a world-renowned recording artist ,Broadway, movie and TV star and globally respected human rights activist. The winner of countless awards for his work as an artist and humanitarian, he continues to fight against injustice throughout the world.
Derrick Bell	An eminent law professor and legal scholar, Derrick Bell has spent his professional life in various areas of civil rights work; litigation, administration, teaching and scholarship. After an early career as a Justice Department lawyer,Professor Bell joined the Harvard Law School faculty and became its first Black tenured member. He left his position at Harvard to protest the school's failure to hire and tenure women of color on the faculty. He is the author of such books as Confronting Authority; and Gospel Choirs: Psalms Survival In An Alien Land Called Home.
Stephanie Bell-Rose	Harvard trained African American attorney, Stephanie Bell-Rose is the Mellon Foundation counsel and an authority on affirmative action and education.
Bill Bellamy	Well known comedian and actor.
David Bellavia	David Bellavia has distinguished himself through both his profound leadership on the battlefields of Iraq and his compassionate and dedicated efforts to build public support for his fellow soldiers. Mr. Bellavia, a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, has been nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation�s highest military award, for his extraordinary conduct during the battle for Al Fallujah. On November 10, 2004, Mr. Bellavia�s 29th birthday, his platoon was taking direct fire from pointblank range while battling for a structure in the war-torn city. Through desperate fighting in austere conditions, Mr. Bellavia engaged and destroyed five enemy combatants, alleviating the clear and present danger they posed to members of his platoon. Later in the battle, with ammunition scarce, Mr. Bellavia again distinguished himself by leading his men to victory in close hand-to-hand combat. Mr. Bellavia has received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He has also been nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross. Since returning from Iraq, Mr. Bellavia has dedicated himself to galvanizing support for the military personnel still fighting in Iraq and encouraging expansion of veteran service programs to better serve the current generation of American heroes.
Regina Belle	Well known jazz singer, Regina Belle presents an evening of musical entertainment.
Vernon Bellecourt	Vernon is a principal spokesman for the American Indian Movement and a leader in actions ranging from the 1972 occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington to the 1992 Redskin Superbowl demonstrations. He is Co-founder and first Executive Director of the Denver AIM Chapter. His involvement at Wounded Knee in 1973 led to a Federal indictment. He is a special representative of the International Indian Treaty Council and helped organize the first Treaty Conference in 1974. He was jailed for throwing his blood on the Guatemalan Embassy to protest the killing of 100,000 Indians. He was elected to a 4-year term in his White Earth tribal government and developed a model program for the spiritual education of Indian prisoners. Vernon is President of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports & Media and recipient of the City of Phoenix, Martin Luther King Human Rights Award 1993.
Clyde Bellecourt	Clyde is a founder and Director of the American Indian Movement. He was a major figure in the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973 and played a founding role in an ongoing Indian School System, Legal Rights Center and the International Indian Treaty Council. He is also directing the Peacemaker Center for Indian youth and the AIM Patrol which provides security for the Minneapolis Indian community. He is an organizer of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media. He is founder and currently Chairman of the Board of American Indian OIC, an innovative job program that has moved over 14,000 people from welfare to full-time employment. Clyde sees a bright future: "This generation of little children is the 7th Generation.
Yosef Ben-Jochannan	Well known Black historian, cultural anthropologist and author. Dr. Ben was adjunct professor at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, for over a decade (1976�1987). He has written and published over forty-nine books and papers, revealing much of the information unearthed while he was in Egypt. Two of his better known works include, Black Man of the Nile and His Family and Africa: Mother of Major Western Religions. In 1939, shortly after receiving his undergraduate degree, Dr. Ben's father sent him to Egypt to study first hand the ancient history of African People. Since 1941, Dr. Ben has been to Egypt at least twice a year. He began leading educational tours to Egypt in 1946. When asked why he began the tours, he replied "because no one knew or cared about Egypt and most believed Egypt was not in Africa." According to Dr. Ben, Egypt is the place to go to learn the fundamentals of living. Over five decades have passed and Dr. Ben, a preeminent scholar and Egyptologist, remains focused on Nile Valley Civilization.
Johnny Bench	Long time star of baseball's Cincinnati Reds, and one of the greatest catchers in the history of the major leagues.
Nicola Benedetti	Nicola Benedetti has been performing on the violin since age five. She recorded her debut album in 2005, which received critical acclaim and debuted at Number 1 on the British Broadcasting Company Music charts. She has since captivated audiences worldwide with her performances.
Joe Benigno	Joe, a.k.a. Joe from Saddle River, got his big break in radio in 1994, when he won WFAN's Fan Appreciation Day contest and was awarded a guest host spot on the station. He parlayed his one-shot spot into an overnight host job at a small station in Elizabeth, New Jersey before being offered a full-time spot on the FAN.
Lerone Bennett	Noted journalist, historian, author, and executive editor of Ebony Magazine.
Dierks Bentley	Dierks Bentley is an country music singer songwriter. After years of playing various local venues, Dierks was discovered and signed to Capitol Records in 2003. That year, he debuted with the single What Was I Thinkin, which reached Number One on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. The single was included on his self-titled debut album, also released in 2003; both it and its follow up, 2005's Modern Day Drifter, were certified platinum in the United States. Counting What Was I Thinkin, Dierks has charted ten singles to date on the U.S. country singles charts, of which five have reached Number One. He has also recorded four studio albums to date one early, independent work, as well as his three studio albums on Capitol Records. Bentley's most recent album, Long Trip Alone, was released in late 2006 and has been certified gold.
Michael Berenbaum	A historian and a leading authority on the Holocaust, Michael Berenbaum was President and Chief Executive Officer of Steven Spielberg's Survivors of The Shoah Visual History Foundation. He was the Director of the United States Holocaust Research Institute and the project director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, overseeing its creation.
Peter Bergen	Peter Bergen is a Schwartz senior fellow at the New America Foundation in Washington D.C; an Adjunct Professor at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University; CNN's terrorism analyst and author of Holy War, Inc.: Inside the Secret World of Bin Laden. (Free Press, 2001). Holy War, Inc. was a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into eighteen languages. A documentary based on Holy War, Inc., which aired on National Geographic television, was nominated for an Emmy in the research category. His most recent book is The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda's Leader (Free Press, 2006). The book is being translated into French, Spanish, Arabic and Polish, and CNN is shooting a two hour documentary based on the book that will air around the fifth anniversary of 9/11. Former White House counterterrorism coordinator, Richard Clarke, reviewing the book in the Washington Post wrote What made Bin Laden into historys most successful terrorist? Peter L. Bergen has written what will long be a goto resource for those seeking answers to such questions. The result is a detailed, wellresearched narrative that persuasively answers dozens of questions that are still painfully relevant fine volume. Foreign Affairs reviewer named it one of the best books of the past year about the Middle East. Bergen has written about al Qaeda and terrorism for a variety of publications including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The New Republic, Foreign Affairs, The Washington Post The Atlantic Rolling Stone TIME, Vanity Fair, The Guardian, The Times and The Daily Telegraph. He is on the editorial board of Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, the leading scholarly journal in the field. In 1997, as a producer for CNN, Bergen produced bin Ladens first television interview. He was the recipient of the Leonard Silk Journalism Fellowship 2000 for Holy War Inc, and in 1994 he won the Overseas Press Club Edward R. Murrow award for best foreign affairs documentary for the CNN program Kingdom of Cocaine. From mid 1998 to late 1999 Bergen worked as a correspondent-producer for CNN. He was program editor for "CNN Impact," a co-production of CNN and TIME, from 1997 to 1998. Previously he worked for CNN as a producer on a wide variety of international and U.S. national stories. From 1985 to 1990 he worked for ABC News in New York.
Wes Bergmann	Wes Bergmann from MTV Real World Austin has been on two Real World Road Rules challenges. The first being The Fresh Meat Challenge where his team with Casey won third place taking home $5000. Wes is also on the currently airing The Duel Challenge. Wes from Real World Austin would be great for speaking about alcohol awareness, sexual relations, and fraternity life.
Chris Berman	Host and analyst for Monday Night Football on ABC Sports and ESPN.
Len Berman	Emmy Award-winning sports analyst and a popular Today Show regular, Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Len Berman is known to millions of viewers for his "Spanning the World" round-ups of the astonishing and the hysterical from the world of sports. To sports fans, he is also known as creator and host of the Sports Fantasy program for NBC's SportsWorld. A popular feature in its several years on the air, the show arranged to have viewers act out their sports fantasies with their favorite athletes. He has hosted World Series games and Super Bowls and has done play-by-play for college basketball and NFL football since joining NBC-TV in September 1982. He is the recipient of five Emmy Awards for his sports reports, and his Sports Update program in New York was cited by United Press International for Outstanding Sports reporting. For corporate events, Berman offers the perfect antidote to dry seminars and painfully serious speakers. His program features a hilarious compilation of highlights from his "Spanning the World" segments, as well as anecdotes of his experiences with some of the world's biggest athletes and sports personalities. Whether he is delivering an after-dinner speech or hosting an annual award banquet, Berman's wealth of stories and winning sense of humor guarantee an evening of big league entertainment As one of the nation's top sportscasters, Berman can also make your company tournament or sports outing truly memorable by doing a portion of the play-by-play!
Corbin Bernsen	Popular actor best known for his role in the hit television series, "L.A. Law".
Carl Bernstein	Few journalists in Americas history have had the impact on their era and their craft as Carl Bernstein. Bernsteis most recent book is the national bestseller A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham, acclaimed as the definitive biography of the woman who may be the next President of the United States. In the early 1970s, Bernstein and Bob Woodward broke the Watergate story for The Washington Post and set the standard for modern investigative reporting, for which they and The Post were awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Together, they wrote two classic bestsellers: All the Presidents Men also a movie starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman about their coverage of the Watergate story and The Final Days about the denouement of the Nixon presidency. Since then, in books, magazine articles, commentary, television reporting, and as editor of an award winning website, Bernstein has continued to build on the theme he and Woodward first explored in the Nixon years the use and abuse of power: political power, media power, financial power, and spiritual power. In the 1990s, Bernstein turned his attention to one of the towering figures of the age, Pope John Paul II, resulting in the ground breaking papal biography John Paul II and the History of Our Time. The book, co authored with Vatican journalist Marco Politi and published in 1996, was the first to detail the Popes pivotal, and often secret, role in the fall of communism. Much of the information was unearthed from the Kremlins secret archives of the Cold War era, and from Vatican sources who also shed historic light on the Popes ecclesiastical policies and personal attitudes towards sex, priestly celibacy, women, dogma, and tensions between the American church and the Vatican. Bernstein is also author of a masterful memoir of his familys experience in the McCarthy era, Loyalties: A Son's Memoir, published by Simon and Schuster in 1986. In the political season of 1999 2001, Bernstein served as editor and executive vice president of Voter.com, a pioneering website that Forbes magazine named the best political site on the internet. The site initiated the now standard practice of amassing and consolidating content from multiple sites. Currently, he is a political analyst for CNN, a contributing editor for Vanity Fair, and a former Washington Bureau Chief and correspondent for ABC News. In addition to his political coverage and commentary, Bernstein has written and lectured extensively and critically about the role and responsibilities of the American press. Bernstein was born and raised in Washington, DC. He began his journalism career at age 16 as a copyboy for The Washington Evening Star, and became a reporter at 19. At The Washington Post, he covered virtually every aspect of the urban experience: police, the courts, city hall, the suburbs, race and civil rights, the anti war movement, Maryland and Virginia politics. He was also a part time rock critic at the paper.
Dr. Bernita Berry	An outspoken advocate for people of color, prominent sociologist Dr. Bernita Berry is one of America's leading authorities on race, ethnic relations, gender, class and public policy issues. She lectures extensively on such topics as African American History, how to cope in a predominately white environment; cultural diversity; women and people of color in America.
Dr. Bertice Berry	Comedian, motivational speaker, sociologist and talk-show host. Dr. Bertice Berry combines inspiration, folk wisdom, humor and pathos in her lecture presentation. She is the author of Bertice: The World According To Me; and Sckraight from the Ghetto: You Know You're Ghetto If...
Michael Beschloss	Beschloss is an award-winning historian of the U.S. presidency and the author of seven books, including his most recent work, the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945. Newsweek has called Beschloss "the nation's leading presidential historian." He is a regular commentator on the PBS program The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and a contributor to ABC News. Beschloss has completed two books in a trilogy on President Johnson's secret tapes, Taking Charge (1997) and Reaching for Glory (2001), which were both national bestsellers. His first book, Kennedy and Roosevelt: The Uneasy Alliance (1980), started as his senior honors thesis at Williams College. His book The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev, 1960-1963 (1991) won the Ambassador Book Prize and was called by the New Yorker the "definitive" book on President Kennedy and the Cold War. Beschloss wrote the essay on President George W. Bush for the book Character Above All and participated in the 1996 PBS television adaptation of that book. He served as chief historical adviser and appeared in a 1994 two-part documentary on President Eisenhower, which aired on The American Experience series. He also appeared in the PBS documentary The Kennedys in 1992. As literary executor for the late Newsweek columnist Meg Greenfield, he edited her posthumously published book Washington (2001), which was a New York Times bestseller. He is now working on a history of President Lincoln's last days and his assassination.
Lonise Bias	Mother of former star basketball player Lenny Bias, who died from a cocaine overdose. A motivating and powerful speaker, Lonise Bias lectures on the horrors of drug abuse and chemical dependency.
Joseph Biden	Democratic United States Senator from Delaware.
Peter Bielagus	Peter Bielagus is the financial author of Getting Loaded: Make A Million�While You�re Still Young Enough To Enjoy It published by Penguin Putnam/NAL. Peter started his first business, a landscaping company, when he was eleven and since then has invested in everything from comic books to stocks to real estate. Peter is a licensed financial advisor and real estate broker. He has appeared in newspapers, and on radio and TV shows, around the country, and currently writes the personal finance column for one of the largest websites in New England, www.boston.com, the website of the Boston Globe Newspaper. He speaks to students and professionals nationwide about the importance of personal finance literacy. Peter is a member of the Adopt an Author Program www.adoptanauthor.com a program that encourages students all over the country to read. He�s also a member of the New Hampshire chapter of the Jumpstart Coalition For Personal Finance Literacy www.nhjumpstart.org
Theodore Bikel	America's beloved folk singer, actor and entertainer
Mohammed Bilal	Mohammed Bilal, former cast member of MTV's highest-rated show, "The Real World" San Francisco. Bilal shared his life with over 1.5 million people every week, as one of the seven cast members of "The Real World." He is currently a member of Midnight Voices, a hip-hop band that has been nominated for numerous urban contemporary band awards. Bilal is a musician, poet and writer who educates audiences about some of today?s social ills. He will soon be publishing his first book that explores issues from image manipulation to anti-Semitism. Bilal will speak on the topics of diversity, AIDS awareness and personal responsibility. His lecture will be based on the negative effects that racism, drug abuse, AIDS and violence have had on young people. Through a high energy, poetic, hip-hop storytelling format, Bilal will encourage his audience to accept personal accountability for one's actions, with the hope of building a responsible society.
Andrew Billingsley	An expert on the Black Family, Andrew Billingsley is chairman of the Family Studies department at the University of Michigan and is the author of Black Families in White America; Children of the Storm; and Climbing Jacob's Ladder: The Enduring Legacy of AfricanAmerican Families.
Mike Birbiglia	In his career of 11 years, Mike Birbiglia has grown from a down-and-out failure to a popular talk show comic to a groundbreaking, original storyteller who challenges the genre of standup comedy. The results? Two critically acclaimed albums, three Comedy Central specials, and an Off-Broadway show called "Sleepwalk with Me," a powerful evening of comedy that is as moving as it is funny. At 24, Mike was one of the youngest comedians ever to appear on The Late Show With David Letterman. Seventeen Magazine named Mike one of the "Voices Of The Next Generation" and Mike made countless appearances on Conan, Kimmel, Carson Daly, and Ferguson. From there, Mike took his act on the road: headlining colleges, then clubs, then theaters nationwide. Mike's debut album Two Drink Mike drew comparisons to Seinfeld from Esquire Magazine in their "Favorite Comedy Albums." AMG Music hailed it "the arrival of standup's next big thing." In 2003, Mike was invited to perform at HBOs U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado. While there, he was asked to be a part of The Moth Storytelling Series, famous for putting together lineups of authors like Sam Shepard, Andy Borowitz, and Malcolm Gladwell. It was Mikes first time telling a story on stage and it piqued his interest in taking that format to a standup setting. Over the next year, Mike started writing what he calls his "Secret Public Journal," a blog that chronicles Mike's habit of "making awkward situations even more awkward." Mikes Journal quickly gained momentum, picking up 30,000 email subscribers and an invitation to perform it regularly on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show. In 2007, Mike released a live rendition of his favorite stories on a CD entitled, "My Secret Public Journal LIVE," which both Time Out New York and Time Out Chicago hailed the "Comedy Album of the Year." Punchline Magazine called it "The comedy album of this generation." In 2008, after shooting a CBS TV pilot based on his act, Mike decided he was going to take his audience in a different direction. He teamed up with Obie Award Winning Director Seth Barrish and Quasi-World Entertainment producers Eli Gonda and Ryan Scott Warren for a passion project he's been developing under the radar for the last 4 years. "Sleepwalk with Me" tells the story of how Mike's personal bouts with sleepwalking almost killed him. The Boston Globe calls Mikes new stories, "as honest as any Richard Pryor confession, and as engaging and inclusive as an old Bill Cosby record." It's that inclusiveness that has made him a popular contributor on shows as diverse as This American Life to the nationally-syndicated Opie and Anthony Show. "Sleepwalk With Me" is Mike's painfully-funny one-man show about first love, denial and about how the sleepwalking disorder that nearly killed him might have saved his life.
Larry Bird	Hall of Fame basketball superstar for the Boston Celtics and head coach of the Indiana Pacers.
Andrew Bird	Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Andrew Bird picked up his first violin at the age of 4. Actually, it was a Cracker Jack box with a ruler taped to it, and the first of his many Suzuki music lessons involved simply bowing to the teacher and going home. He spent his formative years soaking up classical repertoire completely by ear, so when it came time for a restless teen-ager to make the jump to Hungarian Gypsy music, early jazz, country blues, south Indian etc., it wasn't such a giant leap. It's fitting that now, though classically trained, he has instead opted to play his violin in a most unconventional manner, accompanying himself on glockenspiel and guitar, adding singing and whistling to the equation, and becoming a pop songwriter in the process. Since beginning his recording career, Andrew has released nine albums: six studio albums, both solo and with his former group the Bowl of Fire, and three live albums. 2007�s Armchair Apocrypha brings the tally to ten. It is an album that sums up where Andrew's career has taken him, yet is very much of his artistic present. Though Andrew's voice has been compared to such eminent company as Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, and Rufus Wainwright, like those performers, it has a quality all its own. He also adds to the mix his unnatural whistling ability, rendering him capable of adding organically generated yet otherworldly, Theremin-like sounds to the mix. The live setting is where he becomes one with his songs. At first, it is a curious attraction - one man, generating the wealth of sound normally produced by an orchestra. Each night, song parts are constructed on violin, guitar, and glockenspiel, layered, then looped over themselves in a tangled and textured layer cake of sonics. Each night, songs shape shift within their loops - Andrew rarely replicates a song's perfect structure as it lives on the album, but rather lends an improvisatory aspect to the performance. More recently, the scope and range of the live show has been expanded to incorporate songs from Armchair Apocrypha, with Andrew's main live collaborator Martin Dosh also joined by multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Ylvisaker. His first band, Andrew Bird�s Bowl of Fire, recorded three albums for Rykodisc from 1997 to 2001: Thrills revisited early 20th century jazz and folk forms and made them fierce again; Oh! The Grandeur pulsed with dark undertones and gypsy balladry; and The Swimming Hour fused rock and soul predilections into a mixture that drew comparisons to such diverse predecessors as the Beatles, Talking Heads, obscure European folk, and country blues (The Onion).
Stephen Birmingham	Best-selling author of such books as Our Crowd: The Great Jewish Families of New York and The Right People.
Greg Blache	Assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. Prior to that he served as the defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts and for the Green Bay Packers. An excellent motivational speaker.
Claudia Black	Psychologist and expert on co-dependency.
Dr. Keith Black	An internationally renowned African-American neurosurgeon and scientist, Keith Black is chairmen of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California and Director of Neurology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. In the fall of 1997 he was featured on the cover Time magazine special edition of "Heroes in Medicine."
Lewis Black	Popular comedian and winner of the 2001 American Comedy Awards, Lewis' comedy is angry and frenetic. No subject is out of reach for this satirist. His material is always fresh and funny, which makes him a favorite on Comedy Central's Daily Show and at colleges and comedy clubs across the country.
Black Life in Corporate America	An acclaimed author and dynamic speaker, George Davis captivates audiences throughout the country with his motivating message on diversity. His book, Branches, which chronicles the progress of African Americans since the civil rights movement, is being developed into a television series. His best seller, Black Life in Corporate America, has been praised by critics nationwide. His presentation takes an in-depth look at social, cultural and personal factors created by racial diversity in public and private sector management.
John Gray.... BLACK, WHITE & GRAY	A psychodrama, presented by John Gray, confronts issues related to stereotyping, bigotry, affirmative action and social "isms". He con-ducts seminars for business, university, government and profes-sional organizations on developing skills and awareness on human relations in a multi-cultural society. The John Gray program goes beyond the black/white and male/female confrontations that tend to block communication.
Black, White & Gray: A New Look At Color	Educator, consultant and expert on diversity, John Gray is introduced as "an expert on human relations." He spikes his presentation with ethnic jokes, racial and religious slurs, and sexist remarks. Unbeknownst to his audience, John Gray is not what he seems-a conservative businessman with straight hair, green eyes and pale skin-in fact, he is a Black man who challenges racial and gender stereotyping and bigotry. Corporations and universities benefit from the "John Gray" program in developing sensitivity and awareness in today's culturally diverse society.
Michael K. Blackson	Considered one of the most original foreign comics in the United States. Michael Blackson, known as The African King of Comedy, hails from West Africa and has become one of the most outstanding and original comedians in this country. Blackson has appeared on BET's ComicView, HBO's Snaps, Uptown Comedy Hour, BET's Live From LA and Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
David Blaine	David Blaine was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started doing magic at age four. His first trick was the pencil-through-card gizmo that you can still buy. When he was 10, his mother remarried and moved to New Jersey. At 16, he levitated for his doctor, who immediately wanted to take him for tests. His mother was very supportive of him and his magic, but unfortunately died in 1994 when David was 21. David became noticed when he would walk up to people and do magic for them. This was a great ice breaker. He then started doing parties for rich people and got into the club scene. That was when he was noticed by Al Pacino. Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro noticed him, too, and befriended him. He then got an agent, made a crude home video with a friend and sent it to ABC. The network gave him an interview, during which he performed magic. They interviewers were dumbfounded and gave him a contract. David took the magic community by storm with his first ABC special "David Blaine: Street Magic." Virtually unknown before the broadcast, the name David Blaine was immediately on the lips of most magicians. He topped that by being buried alive for five days, during which he remained on public display in New York City to promote his special, "David Blaine: Magic Man." He has done to magic what Michael Jordan did to basketball. He has set a new standard for what audiences expect in a magic show.
Bonnie Blair	Olympic Gold Medal winner, speed skater Bonnie Blair brings her winning ways to the podium in a program that is uplifting, motiva-tional and just plain terrific! A guaranteed success.
Ken Blanchard	Dr. Blanchard has received worldwide recognition for his phenomenal best-selling book, The One Minute Manager, co-authored with Spencer Johnson. Selling more than seven million copies worldwide, The One Minute Manager has been translated into more than 25 languages and is regarded as one of the most successful business books of all time. In addition, Dr. Blanchard has written several other successful books, including five more within The One Minute Manager Library. He also co-authored The Power of Ethical Management, with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. In 1992, he released Playing the Great Game of Golf followed by Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service, co-authored with Sheldon Bowles. Dr. Blanchard is chairman of Blanchard Training and Development, Inc., a full-service management training and consulting company which he and his wife Dr. Marjorie Blanchard founded in 1979 in San Diego, California. He is also a visiting lecturer at his alma mater Cornell University, where he is a trustee emeritus of the Board of Trustees. Ken has received a multitude of awards and honors for his contributions in the field of management and leadership. In 1991, the National Speakers Association awarded him its highest honor, the ?Council of Peers Award of Excellence.? In 1992, Dr. Blanchard was inducted into the HRD Hall of Fame by Training Magazine and Lakewood Conferences, and also received the 1992 Golden Gavel Award from Toastmasters International.
David Blankenhorn	Founder and president of the Institute For American Values, authority on family issues and author of the provocative best-selling book, Fatherless in America.
Billy Blanks	The developer of Tae-Bo, Billy Blanks is the dominant martial artist of today, a world renownes star of martial arts films, the top phyical trainer in the country, a member of the Karate Hall of Fame and a motivational speaker.
Lawrence Block	Lawrence Blocks novels range from the urban noir of Matthew Scudder (All the Flowers are Dying) to the urbane effervescence of Bernie Rhodenbarr (The Burglar on the Prowl), while other characters include the globe trotting insomniac Evan Tanner (Tanner On Ice) and the introspective assassin Keller (Hit List). He has published articles and short fiction in American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times, and 84 of his short stories have been collected in Enough Rope. In 2004, he became executive story editor for the television series TILT. Several of his novels have been filmed, though not terribly well. His newest bestsellers are All the Flowers are Dying, the 16th Matthew Scudder novel, and The Burglar on the Prowl, his tenth Bernie Rhodenbarr novel, now available in paperback. Block is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of both MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus Awards four times each and the Japanese Maltese Falcon Award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and, most recently, the Cartier Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand and Spain, and, as if that were not enough, was presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana.
Josh Blue	Josh Blue a comedian who was voted the "Last Comic Standing" on NBC's reality show Last Comic Standing during its fourth season. Blue has cerebral palsy and many of his jokes center on living with his disability, how he deals with it and how other people view him. He has made many jokes including coining the term Palsy Punch. The palsy punch is a term coined by Josh during his last set during the finals of Last Coming Standing. He says that the palsy punch is effective in a fight because "first of all, they don't know where the punch is coming from, and second of all, neither do I." Blue got his start in comedy doing open-mic sets while attending The Evergreen State College. Audiences reacted enthusiastically to his self-deprecating humor, and Blue started making a name for himself on the comedy circuit. He has appeared several times on Comedy Central's Mind of Mencia. He is also an excellent soccer player and was part of the 2004 U.S. Paralympic team.
Robert Bly	Award winning poet and best-selling author of Iron John: A Book About Men, a book about male initiation, the role of the mentor and the truths about masculinity that go beyond the stereotypes of our popular culture. A winner of the National Book Award, Robert Bly is recognized as a salient figure of the recent man's movement in the United States.
Norm Bond	An authority on diversity issues, Norm Bond is the co-founder of Next Step Enterprises and the publisher and general manager of NEXT STEP MAGAZINE, a quarterly international magazine devoted to multiculturalism and diversity. Topics: Forging New Frontiers: Making the Business Case for Diversity; Maximizing Multiculturalism: How to Profit from Diversity; How to Manage Diversity into a Competitive Advantage; Viewing Diversity as an Opportunity not a Threat; From Plan to Profit: Key Elements of Entrepreneurial Success; Self Empowerment: Developing Your Power Perspective; and Motivation: Your Fuel for Optimum Performance.
Julian Bond	From his student days to his current Chairmanship of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Julian Bond has been an active participant in the movements for civil rights and economic justice. As an activist who has faced jail for his convictions, as a veteran of more than 20 years service in the Georgia General Assembly, a university professor and a writer, he has been on the cutting edge of social change since 1960. He was a founder, in 1960 while a student at Morehouse College of the Atlanta student sit-in and anti-segregation organization and of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). As SNCC's Communications Director, Bond was active in protests and registration campaigns throughout the South. Elected in 1965 to the Georgia House of Representatives, Bond was prevented from taking his seat by members who objected to his opposition to the Vietnam War. He was re-elected to his own vacant seat and un-seated again, and seated only after a third election and a unanimous decision of the United States Supreme Court. He was co-chair of a challenge delegation from Georgia to the 1968 Democratic Convention. The challengers were successful in unseating Georgia's regular Democrats, and Bond was nominated for Vice-President, but had to decline because he was too young. Bond serves as Chairman of the Premier Auto Group PAG (Volvo, Land Rover, Aston-Martin, and Jaguar) Diversity Council and is on the Boards of People for the American Way, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Council for a Livable World, and the advisory board of the Harvard Business School Initiative on Social Enterprise, among others. He was a commentator on America's Black Forum, the oldest black-owned show in television syndication. His poetry and articles have appeared in numerous publications. He has narrated numerous documentaries, including the Academy Award winning "A Time For Justice" and the prize-winning and critically acclaimed series "Eyes On The Prize." He has served since 1998 as Chairman of the Board of the NAACP, the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States. In 2002, he received the prestigious National Freedom Award.
Barry Bonds	The name Bonds is synonymous with baseball greatness following in the footsteps of his late father Bobby and godfather, Willie Mays. Living legend, Barry Bonds, is the power hitter for the San Francisco Giants who broke Hank Aaron�s All-Time Home Run Record on Aug. 7, 2007, when he hit his 756th career home run at AT&T Park. Now sitting on 762 home runs, Bonds continues to reach historical heights with each home run he belts. A dominant force in the game, Bonds is in his 22nd season and has crafted one of the finest careers the game has ever seen, a collection of feats that has permanently etched the name Barry Bonds into baseball history. From sports icon to commercial spokesperson along with his philanthropic missions, Bonds proves to be one of the most recognizable sports figures in the country. It is his longevity as a superstar and all-around greatness that will navigate his course to the Hall of Fame.
Pat Boone	World renowed entertainer, singer, actor and author, Pat Boone is in demand as a motivational speaker, for personal appearances and for concerts.
Daniel J. Boorstin	Librarian Emeritus of the Library of Congress and Pulitzer Prize winning author.
Tova Borgnine	A leading entrepreneur and role model, Tova Borgnine is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the TOVA Corporation, a multi-million dollar business in the beauty industry. Tova Borgnine distributes her skin-care, cosmetic and fragrance products via mail-order catalog, direct sales, and the QVC home-shopping channel. She hosts the highly popular QVC program "Beauty by Tova" and is the author of Being Happily Married Forever, a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of maintaining a balanced and loving marriage to her husband, the award winning actor Ernest Borgnine, while pursuing her business and professional career.
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach	Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is a world-famous thinker, author, lecturer, and activist who has become a phenomenon both in the US and internationally due to his provocative and insightful writings, live debates and extensive media appearances. Rabbi Boteach first came to world attention through his founding of the Oxford University L'Chaim Society, an organization of Oxford students that within two years of its founding in 1988 had become the second largest student organization in Oxford 's history. In Oxford , where Rabbi Boteach served as Rabbi for eleven years, he played host to and debated some of the world's leading thinkers and statesmen. Rabbi Shmuley is also the author of fourteen books, including the international best-sellers Kosher Sex, Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments, and Judaism for Everyone: Renewing your Life through the Vibrant Lessons of the Jewish Faith. His relationship book, Why Can't I Fall in Love was a finalist for the 2002 Books for a Better Life Award. Rabbi Boteach's newest book is The Private Adam: Becoming a Hero in a Selfish Age. In this image of two divergent Adams -- the aggressive public figure, and the humble private man -- Boteach finds a parable for man's eternal struggle between ambition and altruism, self-promotion and self-sacrifice. Illuminated with inspiring examples from history and contemporary life -- and filled with valuable advice -- The Private Adam is Boteach's most thoughtful and universal book yet. In the spring of 2002, Rabbi Shmuley began a nationally-syndicated radio talk show on the Talk America Network, one of the largest radio syndicators in North America . The call-in, discussion, and advice show airs Monday through Friday for 3 hours. Shmuley is also one of the country's most sought guests on radio and television talk show circuit. He has appeared on nearly every American talk and news program, including The Today Show, The View, Politically Incorrect, Larry King Live, The O'Reilly Factor, CBS This Morning, NBC Evening News, Hannity and Colmes, Entertainment Tonight, and Inside Edition. Rabbi Shmuley has been profiled in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, the London Telegraph, The Washington Post, The L.A. Times, The Jerusalem Post, the Chicago Tribune, The South China Morning Post, the Sydney Morning Herald, The Miami Herald, and Newark Star-Ledger. Jewsweek.com placed Shmuley at number 17 on their annual list of the 50 most influential Jews in America .
Johanna Botta	Johanna Botta from MTV Real World Austin. She was known as the highly opinionated and motivated stunning fiery Peruvian, especially if alcohol was involved, on the Real World Austin. Real World Austin was season 16 and aired on MTV in the summer of 2005 on June 21 2005. Johanna has only been on one Real World Road Rules challenge which was the Fresh Meat Challenge in the spring of 2006. Johanna has done modeling for American Eagle, Stuff Magazine, Sexist Women of Reality TV calendar as well a co/lead role in a short film "Hitchcock". Johanna from Real World Austin would be great for speaking on alcohol abuse, diversity, and the importance of safe sex at college lectures.
Scotty Bowman	Coach of the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings and winner of eight Stanley Cups.
Julia Boyd	Best selling author and psychotherapist, Julia Boyd has written such highly acclaimed books as, Can I Get a Witness; For Sisters When the Blues is More Than a Song, and Embracing the Fire! Sisters Talk About Sex and Relationships.
Keith Boykin	Keith Boykin is the editor of The Daily Voice online news site, a CNBC contributor, a BET TV host and a New York Times best-selling author of three books. Educated at Dartmouth and Harvard, Keith attended law school with President Barack Obama and served in the White House as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton. Keith has been actively involved in progressive causes since he worked on his first congressional campaign while still a student in high school. He is a veteran of six political campaigns, including two presidential campaigns, and he was named one of the top instructors when he taught political science at American University in Washington. Keith has traveled extensively across four continents, and in 1997 President Clinton appointed him, along with Coretta Scott King and Rev. Jesse Jackson, to the U.S. presidential trade delegation to Zimbabwe. He was a star on the 2004 Showtime television series American Candidate and has since appeared on numerous national media programs, including Anderson Cooper 360, The O'Reilly Factor, The Tyra Banks Show, The Montel Williams Show, Judge Hatchett and The Tom Joyner Morning Show. A founder and first board president of the National Black Justice Coalition, Keith has spoken to audiences, large and small, all across the world. He delivered a landmark speech to 200,000 people at the Millennium March on Washington and he gave a stirring speech about the AIDS epidemic in front of 40,000 people in Chicago's Soldier Field in July 2006. Each of Keith's three books has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, including his most recent book, Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies and Denial in Black America. Keith won the Lambda Literary Award for his second book, Respecting The Soul, while his first book, One More River to Cross, is taught in colleges and universities throughout the country. Keith is an associate producer of the 2007 feature film Dirty Laundry and is working on his fourth book. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Keith currently lives in New York City.
Beach Boys	The Beach Boys are an American rock and roll band. Formed in 1961, they gained popularity for their close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a California youth culture of surfing, girls and cars. Brian Wilson's growing creative ambitions later transformed them into a more artistically innovative group that earned critical praise and influenced many later musicians. The group initially comprised singer musician composer Brian Wilson, his brothers, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. This core quintet, along with early member David Marks and later bandmate Bruce Johnston, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. The Beach Boys have often been called "America's Band"[2] and have had thirty-six U.S. Top 40 hits the most of any U.S. rock band) and 56 Hot 100 hits, including four number one singles.
Kevin Bozeman	Kevin uses his high-energy act and knack for the obvious to give a unique perspective on traveling, dating, social and controversial issues. No subject is sacred from his hilarious truths. He is quickly working his way to the top headlining comedy clubs throughout the country. Don�t be surprised if you see Kevin Bozeman appearing in the next big sit-com. Kevin has appeared on Comedy Centrals Comics Come Home, Premium Blend, opened for Aretha Franklin and was a 1999 winner of the HBO Comedy Competition
John Bradshaw	Marriage and family therapist and best-selling author.
James Brady	Editor-at-Large of Advertising Age, James Brady has written nine novels, including the best seller, Further Lane, the second in a four book series that takes place in the Hamptons, on the east end of Long Island. His most recent work is the bestseller The Marines of Autumn. Mr. Brady began his journalism career as a reporter and went on to become publisher of Women's Wear Daily. He was on of the creators of "W" magazine; was editor and publisher of Harper's Bazaar; and was editor of New York magazine.
Wayne Brady	Wayne Brady is perhaps one of the funniest comedic actors on TV. His hilarious improvisational antics, paired with his ability to impersonate just about anyone, have won the laughs of many Americans on ABC's hit comedy series "Whose Line is it Anyway?"Wayne scored a second Emmy Award nomination in 2002 for his work on "Whose Line is it Anyway" in the category of Best Individual Performance in a Variety or Musical. He has received several other accolades for his work in theater, including nominations for Best Actor in a Musical for "Cotton Patch Gospel" at the distinguished Edyth Bush Theatre. Wayne was also named Sak Theatre's 1992 Rookie of the Year for Theatre Sports/Improv. He continues to tour the country with his own improv show, "Wayne Brady and Friends," selling out the nations top theaters and venues. In addition, he and his wife Mandie recently opened a four-week run of the stage production, "The Only Game in Town" in Los Angeles. The Daily Variety called Wayne's performance as compulsive gambler Joe Grady "an absolute winner."
Sherry Brantley	Inspirational speaker and author of the book Choices: The Power Is Within You,Sherry Brantley is known for her dynamic, energetic seminars and workshops. As she states: "I was homeless, jobless, car-less and hopeless--all at the same time, but thankfully not clueless!" Sherry's belief: "We all have a Spiritual, Personal Power. We have always possessed this power. The power is within us. All of us. Without exception. We can learn to tap into this power on a daily basis, to begin to make positive choices in how our lives should go, resulting in the changes that we want to accomplish. There is a universal law that states: 'What you focus on in life, you expand in your life.' Begin to focus on what you want to expand in your life!" Start To Exercise Personal Power (STEPP) a program founded by Sherry, is designed to not merely assist people of various backgrounds to realize their potential, goals and purpose in life, but also assist them Sherry Brantley is known for her dynamic, energetic seminars and workshops.
Dahlak Brathwaite	Dahlak Brathwaite is a 19-year old emcee, actor, poet and playwright originally from Sacramento, California. Since entering the spoken word scene in 2003, Brathwaite has won the San Francisco Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam two years in a row (2004 & 2005). He was also a member of the Berkeley Slam Team that won the Brave New Voices' International Slam in 2004. A member of Ill-Literacy, a San Francisco-based spoken word collective, Brathwaite has performed at universities including Stanford, Loyola Marymount and Berkeley, and has opened for such esteemed artists as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Goapele, Michael Franti, and Dead Prez. He is also a mentor at Youth Speaks, the San Francisco-based spoken word collective, where he recently helped launch the organization's First Word Productions arm with the release of Innerworks Mixtape Vol.1 - a compilation of hip-hop and R&B songs featuring Brathwaite and two-time Def Poet Rafael "A.D." Casal. He also helped co-write and perform in Scourge, a play by Broadway vet Marc Bamuthi Joseph, which headlined the San Francisco Hip-Hop Theater Festival. In 2005, Brathwaite will be touring with the Scourge Company, releasing a solo hip-hop/spoken word album on First Word Productions, and continuing to write and perform poetry, music, and plays.
Rita Braver	Award-winning CBS White House Correspondent.
Rosemary Bray	Journalist and writer, Rosemary Bray is the author of the critically acclaimed book Unafraid of the Dark, a powerful memoir of growing up on welfare in Chicago's Black Belt, her triumphant rise to a Yale degree, and becoming a respected journalist in New York
Berry Brazelton, MD	World renowned pediatrician, parenting expert and author.
Donna Brazile	Donna Brazile is one of the best known, most influential African American women in modern American political life. She is Chair of the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute (VRI), an organization established in 2001 to help protect and promote the rights of all Americans to participate in the political process. Donna Brazile is the author of Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics, a memoir about her life in the political arena, and co-author of What We Do Now, which was published by Melville House in 2004. Donna Brazile, a well-versed Democratic political strategist, made history as the first African American women to lead a major presidential campaign when she served as Campaign Manager for Gore-Lieberman 2000. Prior to joining the Gore campaign, Brazile was Chief of Staff and Press Secretary to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia where she helped guide the District's budget and local legislation on Capitol Hill. A veteran of numerous national and statewide campaigns, Brazile worked on several presidential campaigns for Democratic candidates, including Carter-Mondale in 1976 and 1980, Rev. Jesse Jackson's first historic bid for the presidency in 1984, Mondale-Ferraro in 1984, U.S. Representative Dick Gephardt in 1988, Dukakis-Bentsen in 1988, and Clinton-Gore in 1992 and 1996; and Gore-Lieberman 2000. Donna Brazile is a weekly contributor and political commentator for CNN, a political consultant for ABC News, and a contributor to NPR's Political Corner. She is also a columnist for Roll Call Newspaper and Ms. Magazine. In addition to working at VRI, Donna Brazile serves as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. She has served as a senior lecturer at the University of Maryland, resident fellow at Harvard University's Institute of Politics and as the Senator Wyona Lipman Chair at Rutgers University Center for American Women in Politics. Donna Brazile is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including Washingtonian Magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington, D.C., Essence Magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women in America and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Award for Political Achievement. Brazile, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana earned her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1981 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Louisiana State University in May 2005. Firmly grounded in her humble Louisiana roots, Donna Brazile is a fierce advocate for the poor and minorities. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, the guiding agency charged with addressing the state's recovery after Hurricane Katrinia.
Nicholas Brendon	For more than five seasons, Nicholas Brendon has starred as demon hunter Alexander "Xander" Harris on UPN's Buffy The Vampire Slayer. In real life, Brendon is a great success story, having beaten his own personal demon: "stuttering." With hard work and with the support of a beautiful wife, the talented actor has overcome his own physical limitations. He now enjoys a thriving career in Hollywood. He's also recently become the national spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America.
David Brenner	Well known comedian and television star.
Jimmy Breslin	Outspoken syndicated newspaper columnist and author.
Jim Breuer	Jim Breuer, a former cast member of "Saturday Night Live," has been continuing to make us laugh since his departure at the end of the 1997 season. During his time at "SNL," Breuer was probably best known for his original character, "Goat Boy" and his Joe Pesci impression on the recurring, "Joe Pesci Show." Breuer's feature film career began to take off after leaving "SNL." He starred in Universal Picture's hit comedy, "Half-Baked" and in Phoenix Pictures', "Dick." He recently completed filming a role in Laurence Fishburne's directorial debut, "Once in The Life." A stand-up comedian since his college days on Long Island, New York, Breuer worked in comedy clubs around the country for several years before deciding to become a regular on the New York comedy club circuit. After being in New York for only seven months, he landed a gig on the nationally syndicated show, "Uptown Comedy Club" where he spent two seasons. Breuer has been featured on many network and cable television showcases, such as CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," NBC's "Later," Comedy Central's "Denis Leary Roast" and hosted Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" series. Jim also had his own show at MTV entitled, "The Jim Breuer Show," and his own Comedy Central special, "Jim Breuer: Hardcore."
Steve Bridges	Impressionist and comedian and a double for President George W. Bush. For the past year Bridges has been doing his right-on impression of President Bush for audiences across the nation. And, while he's not really the President, most people are hard pressed to tell them apart.
Karen Briggs	Well known violinist - who is a featured violin soloist with Yanni. Karen plays violin to which no enhancement devices are attached. She extracts a basic pure sound weaving her way through standard times, blues, jazz and gospel numbers. Karen Briggs is available to do a lecture demo as well as a concert.
Christie Brinkley	Well know model, actress and health/fitness expert.After nearly three decades as one of the world's most celebrated beauties, Christie Brinkley is still the quintessential California Golden Girl. She is an American supermodel whose 20-year contract with Cover Girl (1976�96) was the longest-running contract in the modeling industry. Her image has graced the covers of dozens of magazines, including three Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues. Her nine-year marriage (1985�94) to pop singer Billy Joel was highly publicized. She has two children. In 1996, she married husband number four, architect Peter Cook.
Hypno Bro	Even with a degree in Architecture, its hard to believe there was ever a time Leroy Williams considered not being a performer. In place at a nice secure government job with the Corps of Engineers in Norfolk, Virginia, Leroy stumbled into an open mic night at a local comedy club...and took first place. After winning a gig as the MC, Leroy was hooked. Bitten, but still practical, Leroy did not commit to standup until returning to his home town of Houston, Texas in 1991, the mecca of comedy in the southwest US. Leroy became a regular at the Comedy Place, which proved a great training ground. Even though the audience only consisted of 3 to 150 patrons, the show went on. You could be called on to MC or headline with no advance notice. You either worked hard at becoming a better comedian or got left back in the pack of also rans and could have beens. Leroy paid his dues the old-fashioned way...by working the road. The experience proved invaluable as Leroy climbed through the ranks to headline such notable clubs as Pierce St. Annex in Anchorage, Alaska. The Punchline and Bobbys Comedy Corner in Houston, Texas, The Comedy Lift in Omaha, Nebraska. His international performances include Germany, Italy, Japan and Korea. Having appeared on BETS Comic View numerous times and opening for such notable acts as Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.C. Curry. Leroy added hypnosis to his repertoire to the delight of audiences in clubs, colleges and corporate events nationwide. One of my most favorite entertainers, he slips from comedian to hypnotist in a fast paced show that leaves you wanting more. Linda CunninghamTake a Break Cruises and Travel Arguably the only black stand-up comedian/hypnotist in the country (if you dont count baptist preachers). Leroys show can be tailored to fit your needs for all ages and any venue. With a mixture of urban contemporary observational comedy, hip-hop, hypnotic improvisation and undeniable stage presence, HynoBro is guaranteed to bring Da Laffs. Hypnosis has just added a new flavor. So lets all get HypBrotized.
David Broder	Nationally syndicated political columnist for The Washington Post.
Jane Brody	For a recent birthday, Jane Brody received a T-shirt that proclaimed "Still Perfect ---After All These Years." Once she stopped laughing, she began to think that it really should have said "Still Trying --- After All These Years" -- still trying to be good to her body, to fuel it right and move it regularly so that it will continue to be good to her. But while her regular menu focuses on vegetables, fruits, grains, potatoes, beans and peas "fleshed" out with circumspect amounts of low-fat dairy products, lean meats and poultry and all manner of fish and shellfish, she is no fanatic. Moderation and variety, but not deprivation and denial, are her watchwords. To keep her body from "rusting out," she insists on daily physical activity, alternating between walking, cycling, swimming, ice skating, playing tennis, hiking, gardening and cross-country skiing. The result is a woman who is more robust, energetic, youthful and trim at 55 than she was at 15. Jane Brody received her B.S. degree in biochemistry from the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University in 1962 and a masters degree in science writing from the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism the following year. After two years as a general assignment reporter for the Minneapolis Tribune, in 1965 she joined The New York Times as a full-time specialist in medicine and biology. In 1976 she was appointed The Times' Personal Health columnist, and her widely read and quoted column continues to appear every Wednesday in The Times and in more than 100 other newspapers around the country. In addition, her articles on other aspects of science and medicine appear frequently in The Times' “Wednesday Health Page" and “Tuesday's Science Times." Ms. Brody has also written scores of magazine articles and lectures frequently on health and nutrition to audiences both lay and professional. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows throughout the country and received numerous prestigious awards for journalistic excellence. In 1987, she received an honorary doctorate from Princeton University, and in 1993 she received an honorary doctorate from Hamline University in St. Paul. Ms. Brody has written eight books: Secrets of Good Health; You Can Fight Cancer and Win; Jane Brody's Nutrition Book; Jane Brody's The New York Times Guide to Personal Health; Jane Brody's Good Food Gourmet and Jane Brody's Good Food Book. Her newest cookbook, Jane Brody's Good Seafood Book, was published in October 1994 and, Jane Brody's Cold and Flu Fighter, was released in October 1995. Her ninth book, Jane Brody's Allergy Fighter, was published in April 1997. Ms. Brody was born on May 19, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York. She presently resides in New York with her husband Richard Engguist, a lyricist, and their energetic spaniel Max. Their twin sons, Erik and Lorin, now both married, share her enthusiasm for wholesome food and fitness.
Dan Brody	Dan, 31, is the founder of Brody Sport, a designer brand of active-wear currently sold in prominent boutique shops and popular department stores. Dan has successfully launched several businesses during his entrepreneurial career beginning with a college venture, NYC Cafe "Grandma's Cookie Jar." This wholesale retail bakery boutique served as one of the earliest bakery suppliers for the city's Starbucks stores. Dan also owned YoCookie, a ready-to-bake cookie-dough brand shelved in more than 30 grocery stores even before "Grandma's Cookie Jar" was successfully sold. Dan's next venture was Swan Hat, one of the only "Made In The USA," headwear companies still in existence today. Swan Hat has a healthy department store base and the company's Straw Headwear division annually outfits the New York State Teachers Union - Labor Day Fifth Ave Parade, as well as other union parades and events throughout the country. Dan is passionate about religion and family and feels that you must make an exerted effort for those you love and give back to those in need
Peter Brookes	Peter Brookes writes a weekly column on foreign policy and defense for the New York Post and is penning a book on national security affairs for McGraw Hill due out early next fall. He appears regularly on national TV and radio. Prior to joining the Heritage Foundation, Brookes served in the Bush administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Office of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, where he was responsible for the development, planning, guidance and oversight of U .S. security and defense policy for 38 countries and 5 bilateral defense alliances in the Asia-Pacific region. Brookes has a distinguished military background, including active duty in support of military operations in Iraq/Kuwait (Desert Storm); Haiti (Restore Democracy); and Bosnia (Joint Endeavor). He flew reconnaissance missions in East Asia and the Persian Gulf while stationed in Japan covering military matters related to the Soviet Union, North Korea, China, Vietnam, Iran and Iraq. His personal awards and decorations include: the Joint Service Commendation Medal; the Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards); the Navy Achievement Medal; several naval and joint unit awards; the Defense Language Institute�s Kellogg Award; the Joint Chiefs of Staff service badge; and Naval Aviation Observer (NAO) wings.
The Real World Brooklyn	Now you can bring The Real World experience to your campus. Cast members from The Real World Brooklyn are now available to come to your campus for your personal Reunion, where they discuss a variety of issues, including orientation, diversity, conflict resolution, volunteerism, multiculturalism, AIDS awareness, relationships and answer any personal questions audience members may have about them or the show. Every freshman has to deal with adjusting to a new living environment with people they hardly know. This program will be beneficial to students going through orientation. Likewise, graduating seniors will soon be entering the real real world and this program will help them to realize some of the issues they will be faced with. See what the cast members are up to these days in the real real world and choose from The Real World cast for a program that would work well at your school.
David Brooks	David Brooks, editor, political and social commentator. Brooks writes or serves as an editor for The New York Times, The Weekly Standard, Newsweek, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, The Washington Post, The TLS, The Public Interest and many other magazines. He is the author if "Bobos In Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There and Backward and Upward: The New Conservative Writing."
Joyce Brothers	Dr. Joyce Brothers is consistently named one of the most admired women in America. A noted psychologist, radio and television personality, she is an incredibly dynamic speaker who moves audiences with her unlimited energy and vitality. As a popular columnist, her bylines appear in more than 175 newspapers coast to coast. Dr. Joyce Brothers fits more into one day than most people could accomplish in a month. As a noted psychologist, she is also an NBC Radio Network personality columnist, author, business consultant, wife and mother.Outstanding organizational skills enable Dr. Brothers to pursue her many careers simultaneously and successfully. In addition to her well-known Monday through Friday broadcasts on NBC Radio Network's Newsline, she is a news correspondent for both ABC and CBS-TV News and a regular guest on The Tonight Show and numerous panel shows. Dr. Brothers also writes a widely-syndicated daily newspaper column and is a regular columnist for Good Housekeeping magazine. Her many books have been translated into 26 languages and are read worldwide.Furthermore, Dr. Brothers reaches out to all sectors of the American public. She has written columns for Popular Mechanics and other male-oriented publications, as well as for business journals in her role as corporate consultant. She creates and performs in films and seminars for corporate personnel training and at the other end of the spectrum, appeared on the former Captain Kangaroo show for three years.This crowded schedule has not dimmed the quality or influence of Dr. Brothers' work. The Gallup Poll has listed her one of the "Most Admired Women in America" for six consecutive years. A United Press International poll selected Dr. Brothers as one of the ten most influential people in America and a survey conducted by the Greenwich College Research Center showed her to be among the ten women most admired by students. A search by Good Housekeeping for the "Women in the World Most Admired" ranked Dr. Brothers in an impressive tenth place tie with former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir
Smothers Brothers	Time has been an essential ingredient in the Smothers Brothers' success. They have been considered ahead of their time, masters of timing and practitioners of timeless comedy. Now as they mark over 46years in show business, the Smothers Brothers are being saluted as time-honored legends whose lengthy career has surpassed all other comedy teams in history. With their singular blend of comedic and musical talents, the irrepressible brothers have made a sweeping impact on diverse generations of fans. Such lasting power is a testimonial to their intuitive humor, natural warmth, superlative showmanship and the pure unadulterated joythey bring to audiences of all ages.The Smothers Brothers' first professional appearance was at The Purple Onion in San Francisco in 1959 and their first national television appearance was on the Jack Paar show on January 28, 1961.
Jim Brown	All-American football and lacrosse player who starred for Syracuse University, Jim Brown was one of the greatest running backs in NFL history with the Cleveland Browns. An inspiring and motivational speaker, Brown founded Amer-I-Can, a self-help program aimed at prison inmates and street gangs.
Lester R. Brown	Leading futurist and environmentalist.
Tony Brown	Called "television's civil rights crusader," Tony Brown is a distinguished producer, educator, writer and film director. His Tony Brown's Journal on PBS was selected as one of the top ten television shows in history presenting positive African-American images. He is the author of Empower the People: A 7-Step Plan to Overthrow the Conspiracy That Is Stealing Your Money and Freedom. Tony Brown is considered by many to be a true renaissance man, cultural diversity consultant, TV journalist/commentator, self-help advocate, radio talk show host, keynote speaker, syndicated columnist, media entrepreneur, film director, educator and author. His efforts in all arenas have garnered national recognition and support. His first book, Black Lies, White Lies: The Truth According to Tony Brown, was published in 1995 and offers an innovative plan for making America more competitive and helping the country solve its race problem. It also examines his Team America concept and discusses cultural diversity as America's industrial salvation. Brown is also the author of Empower The People: A 7-Step Plan to Overthrow the Conspiracy That is Stealing Your Money and Freedom.
Lee Brown	Mayor of Houston, Texas and well-known criminologist and law enforcement officer. Lee Brown was the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and served in that cabinet-level position from 1993 to 1996. Prior to his unanimous confirmation as the federal drug czar, Dr. Brown served as the New York City Police Commissioner from 1990 to 1992, as Police Chief of Houston from 1982 to 1990 and as Atlanta's Public Safety Commissioner from 1978 to 1982.
Les Brown	One of the most explosive motivational speakers in America, Les Brown is featured on public television with three highly-acclaimed presentations: "You Deserve;" "Live Your Dream!;" and "The Power to Change." He captivates his audiences with powerful oratory and an incredibly moving personal story of achievement. Les is the author of the best-seller, Live Your Dreams.
Michael Brown	President and CEO of the Ronald H. Brown Foundation whose goal is to carry on Ron Brown's mission of commitment to education, political development and international commerce. Michael Brown is co-founder of America's Fund, a political action committee which finds effective ways of helping candidates of color. He is an uplifting and motivational speaker.
Cocoa Brown	Being called one of the funniest ladies to hit the comedy scene in recent years,this sista is bringing the noise�and the truth to audiences all over the world. Sharing experiences of her own as well as her family friends and basically anyone, this crazy child is making a serious roar in the jungle we call stand-up comedy. Now that you�ve entered the website Cocoa Brown just wants to know one thing�
Elaine Brown	Elaine Brown is a former leader of the Black Panther Party, and author of A Taste of Power and The Condemnation of Little B. � A Taste of Power was optioned in January 2007 by HBO in connection with its six-part series The Black Panthers, now in development. # Brown is presently co-authoring For Reasons of Race and Belief, The Trials of Jamil Al-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown) with Karima Al-Amin (for 2010 publication by Basic Books), and is completing the non-fiction book Melba and Al, A Story of Black Love in Jim Crow America, slated for publication in 2009 (Seven Stories Press). She is the editor of Messages from Behind the Wall, a collection of autobiographical essays by black prisoners in New Mexico, published in February 2007 by the New Mexico Department of African American Affairs.In 1996, after living seven years in France, Brown moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she established the nonprofit education corporation Fields of Flowers. In 1997, Brown co-founded Mothers Advocating Juvenile Justice, and, in 2002, co-founded and became a Board member of the National Alliance for Radical Prison Reform. Presently, Brown is a member of the Georgia Geechee Council, a partner in Seize the Time, Inc., a member of the Committee to Free Romaine "Chip" Fitzgerald, and a partner in The Toubakolong Partnership (The Gambia).In November 2005, Brown ran for mayor of Brunswick, Georgia, with the intent of using the office to create a base of economic power for the city's majority black and poor population through redistribution of the massive revenues of the city's port. She is co-founder of the Brunswick Women's Association for a People's Blueprint.Brown is Executive Director of the Michael Lewis Legal Defense Committee, supporting the legal appeal of Lewis ("Little B"), who, arrested at the age of 13 for a murder he did not commit, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison (1997). Brown regularly lectures at colleges and universities throughout the country on "New Age Racism" and realization of the vision of eliminating racism, gender oppression and class disparity toward an inclusive and egalitarian world society. A fluent French speaker, Brown has traveled extensively throughout the world, from China, North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, Algeria to France, Italy, Russia, Argentina, Uruguay, and elsewhere. Brown, who studied classical piano for years, has recorded two albums of original songs, one for Motown records, Until We're Free, and her 1969 album, Seize the Time, which includes "The Black Panther Party National Anthem" (The Meeting), re-released as a CD in January 2007 by Warner Bros.
Nick Brown	Nick Brown is a replacement cast member that shares a similar personality to the departed Greg Halstead. Nick Born in Jamaica and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. Nick Brown Debuts toward the later part of The Real World Hollywood as he first appeared on Wednesday June 18th, 2008. Nick Graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Management Information Systems. Nick quit his job as a business analyst to be on The Real World and became best friends with fellow cast member Dave Sky. Nick Brown was the opening host for IoWest and hosted segments for Movies.com and Entertainment Television. His first and only Real World Road Rules Challenge was The Duel in 2009. College Lecture Topics immigration, fitness, persistence, education, and interracial dating
Willie Brown Jr.	Former Mayor of San Francisco and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. Willie Brown was the first Black to hold this powerful position and had held the office longer than any previous Speaker.
Bruce Bruce	One of the most recognizable figures in African American comedy, Bruce Bruce has been the host of BET's daily comedy showcase Comic View for two years and he has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo and Comedy Central Presents. He has appeared at the Black Film Festival in Acapulco, the Just for Laugh's Festival in Atlanta, the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen and the Crown Royal Comedy Soul Festival.
Gro Harlem Brundtland	Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland is one of the most influential women of the late twentieth century.In 1998, Gro was elected Director-General of the World Health Organization. She is one of Norway's most respected and experienced politicians. One of the most influential Europeans in the last 25 years" The Financial Times. Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland's was Prime Minister of Norway on several different occasions and Chairwoman of the UN World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), now called The Brundtland Commission. She has been awarded several prestigious awards in recognition of her work, among which the Third World Prize for Work on Environmental Issues 1989, the Indira Gandhi Prize in 1990 as well as the Onassis Foundation Award in 1992 and the Charlemagne Prize of the city of Aachen.
Brian Brushwood	Brian Brushwood, the self-described Bizarre Magician known for his studies of carnival sideshow performers, began his own magic career in 1993. He has since garnered the support and admiration of some of magic's biggest names including Jeff McBride, a former Las Vegas magician of the year, and Teller, one half of the Penn and Teller duo. When not performing, Brushwood assists Dr. Rory Coker of the University of Texas, providing special demonstrations and short lectures for a class devoted to the exploration of the origins of pseudoscience. Since beginning his career in magic, Brushwood has authored three books, including Cheats, Cons, Swindles & Tricks: 57 Ways to Scam a Free Drink; Pack the House: The Ultimate, Ever-Growing Guide to Increasing Attendance to YOUR Campus Events(co-authored with C.J. Johnson); and the Professionals Guide to Fire Eating. Brushwood has made several TV and radio appearances, including appearances on NBCs The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Roseanne Show, E! Entertainment Television's Talk Soup, the WB's Steve Harveys Big Time, Tech TVs Unscrewed with Martin Sargent, CMTs Most Wanted Live, BBCs The Paul Coyte Show, Westwood One's "Don and Mike Show," ABC-TV's "The Debra Duncan Show, "The Shannon Burke Show" on KJFK-FM, Dudley and Bob" on KLBJ-FM, "The Morning Zoo" on KASE-FM, as well as news affiliates for ABC, FOX, CBS and Time-Warner.
Zbigniew Brzezinski	Former National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter, Zbigniew Brzezinski is an articulate voice on U.S. Foreign Policy, who understands the the new world order and its political effects on global business. A consultant on International Affairs, Brzezinski is author of the best-seller The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperatives. Zbigniew Brzezinski currently serves as a counselor for the Center for Strategic and International Studies and is a professor of American Foreign Policy at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Baltimore, Maryland. From 1977 to 1981, he was National Security Advisor to the President of the United States. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his role in the normalization of U.S.-China relations and for his contribution to the U.S. human rights and national security policies in 1981. Brzezinski is also a member of the National Endowment for Democracy Board of Directors, a Congressionally-funded institution for the advancement of democracy. He serves as an honorary chairman of the AmeriCares Foundation, a member of the Board of Trustees of Freedom House and a trustee of the Trilateral Commission (a cooperative American-European-Japanese forum). A member of the Board of Directors of the Polish-American Enterprise Fund, Brzezinski also chairs the American-Ukrainian Advisory Committee. He is a frequent participant in annual business and trade conventions and the president of Z.B., Inc., an advisory firm on international issues to corporations and financial institutions). Brzezinski was previously a member of the Policy Planning Council for the Department of State (1966-68), a member of the President's Chemical Warfare Commission (1988) and a member of the NSC - Defense Department Commission on Integrated Long-Term Strategy (1987-88). He has also served on the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. During the 1968 presidential campaign, he chaired the Humphrey Foreign Policy Task Force and was the principal foreign policy advisor to Jimmy Carter in the 1976 campaign. In 1988, he was co-chairman of the Bush National Security Advisory Task Force. He has also been actively involved with Amnesty International and the Council on Foreign Relations. He has taught at Columbia University, Harvard University and Howard University, received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and his BA and MA from McGill University. Brzezinski is the author of The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy and its Geostrategic Imperatives, Out of Control: Global Turmoil on the Eve of the Twenty-first Century, Power and Principle: Memoirs of the National Security Advisor, 1977-1981 and The Geostrategic Triad: Living with China, Europe and Russia.
Patrick J. Buchanan	Conservative journalist, syndication political columnist and presidential candidate.
Joe Buck	Joe Buck has earned the distinction as one of sports' premier play-by-play broadcasters, as evidenced by his four Emmy Award wins in 1999 and 2001-2003. Buck currently handles lead play-by-play duties for FOX Sports' Award winning NFL and MLB coverage, teaming with future Hall of Famer Troy Aikman and fellow Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth while on assignment with the NFL on FOX, and three-time Emmy Award-winning analyst Tim McCarver while working out of the MLB on FOX booth. Buck is the first play-by-play announcer to handle lead MLB and NFL coverage in the same year since NBC's Curt Gowdy and ABC's Al Michaels. Buck began his play-by-play career in the NFL on FOX broadcast booth, where he worked from 1994-1997. He and NFL on FOX analyst Tim Green formed one of the network's original six NFL broadcast teams in 1994, when at age of 25, Buck was the youngest announcer to call a regular slate of NFL games on network television. In April, Buck and McCarver each brought home his second consecutive award for Outstanding Play-by-Play and Event Analyst, respectively. Buck capped off a stellar rookie campaign for MLB on FOX in 1996 when, at age 27, he became the youngest play-by-play announcer to call a World Series since the legendary Vin Scully (25) sat behind the mike during the 1953 Fall Classic. Buck's impressive MLB on FOX resume includes the 1996, 1998, 2000 - 2002 World Series, the 1997, 1999 and 2001 American League Championship Series, the 1996, 1998, 2000 - 2002 National League Championship Series, the 1997, 1999, 2001 & 2002 All-Star Games, and Mark McGwire's historic 62nd home run game on September 8, 1998.
Quinn Buckner	NBA basketball star, head coach and television color commentator.
Lawton R. Bums	Lawton R. Bums, Ph.D., MBA, is the James Joo-Jin Kim Professor, and Professor of Health Care Systems in the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also Director of Research at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, and Visiting Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. Dr. Burns teaches courses on healthcare strategy, organization and management, managed care, and integrated delivery systems. He received his doctorate in Sociology and his MBA in Health Administration from the University of Chicago. Dr. Burns taught previously in the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago and the College of Business Administration at the University of Arizona.Dr. Burns has conducted research on physician-organization arrangements over the past fourteen years. He has conducted numerous surveys of physicians at the hospital system, county, state, and national levels, and analyzed the trajectory of physician-hospital relationships over time. In recognition of this research, Dr. Burns was named the Edwin L. Crosby Memorial Fellow by the Hospital Research and Educational Trust in 1992. During the past few years he has helped design national surveys of hospital-physician integration activity for the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission, the American Hospital Association, and the Center for Health Management Research; a national survey of hospital restructuring and reengineering for the Hospital Research & Educational Trust; and a national survey of payer-provider capiated contracting for InterStudy.Dr. Bums has received grants from the Agency for Health Care Policy & Research (AHCPR) to examine the market forces that favor the development of integrated delivery systems and the internal mechanisms used by such systems to promote physician alignment. He has also received grants to study emerging topics in integration including efforts by health systems to develop group practices, methods to right-size physician panels, incentivize physicians under capitation, and develop physician leadership. Dr. Burns recently completed case studies of six integrated delivery systems in Illinois for the Illinois Hospital and HealthSystems Association to identify corniiion problems and problem-solving approaches in the integration process. Dr. Bums is also conducting research on medical groups and networks. He has published several papers on the structure and performance of the physician practice management industry, the market forces that shape the growth of group practices and investor-owned networks, and the organizational options for physicians in a consolidating industry. Most recently, he has received a grant to study supply chain management in the healthcare industry.
Anita Bunkley	Highly acclaimed African American novelist, Anita Bunkley is the author of such historical novels as Emily; The Yellow Rose; Black Gold; and Starlight Passage.
Hannibal Buress	In 2003 Hannibal Buress was a finalist in the Laugh Across America contest and competed in the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. While he was a student at Southern Illinois University he hosted his own campus television show "The Hangover" which became a hit among the dorm-dwellers. In 2005 he was one of the Chicago finalists in the NBC "Stand up for Diversity Showcase". Hannibal was a stand out performer in the New Faces showcase of the Montreal Comedy Festival in 2006 and was selected to perform on the Comedy Factory TV show in Holland the same year. Most recently, Hannibal was named Funniest Person in Chicago by Time Out Magazine and appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Hannibal can be seen on Comedy Central's LIVE AT GOTHAM.
Yvonne Burke	Supervisor of Los Angeles County, Yvonne Burke is a former United States congresswoman and the first Black woman to be elected to congress from California. A prominent attorney, Ms. Burke is a civil rights activist and an advocate of women's rights. She is featured in the book and exhibit, "I Dream a World, Potraits of Black Women who Changed America."
Ken Burns	Ken Burns Celebrated documentary filmmaker Program Title: An Evening With Ken Burns Ken Burns has been making documentary films for more than twenty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, he has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War (1990) and Baseball (1994). Stephen Ambrose, the historian, has said of Ken's films, "More Americans get their history from Ken Burns than any other source." JAZZ (a GM Mark of Excellence Presentation that will air on PBS in January, 2001) is Burns's third epic documentary, a ten-part that follows this most American of art forms from its origins in blues and ragtime through swing, bebop and fusion. As with The Civil War and Baseball, which with JAZZ constitute a unique trilogy of American life and culture, Burns explores in detail the culture, politics and dreams that gave birth to this most integral part of American history and life. As he wrote in the introduction to the companion book (Knopf, 2000), "having grappled with many Constitutional issues in our Civil War series and many other films, and having explored our national pastime and its exquisite lessons in our series on Baseball, we have over the last six years struggled to understand the utterly American art form of jazz. Ken's epics have received numerous accolades. The Civil War was the highest rated series in the history of American public television and attracted an audience of 40 million during its premiere in September 1990. The columnist George Will said, "If better use has ever been made of television, I have not seen it and do not expect to see better until Ken Burns turns his prodigious talents to his next project." The series was honored with more than 40 major film and television awards. The eighteen and a half hour long Baseball, for which Ken was also the director, producer, co-writer, chief cinematographer, music director and executive producer, attracted more than 45 million viewers. David Bianculli of the New York Daily News said that the film "resonates like a Mozart symphony." Time Magazine wrote that "Baseball is rich in drama, irresistible as nostalgia, and...an instructive window into our national psychology." The film won numerous awards, including an Emmy, the CINE Golden Eagle Award, the Clarion Award, and the Television Critics Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sports and Special Programming.
Eric Burns	Eric Burns is the host of FOX News Channel's acclaimed Fox News Watch, a weekly half-hour program that "covers the coverage," reporting not on the major stories of the day but on the way the media are covering those stories. The recipient of an Emmy Award for media criticism, Burns kicked off his career as a correspondent for NBC News. He appeared regularly on NBC Nightly News and had his own segment called "Cross Country" on the Today show. For his work with NBC, Burns was named by the Washington Journalism Review as one of the best writers in the history of broadcast journalism, joining such luminaries as Edward R. Murrow, Charles Kuralt, Eric Sevareid, Harry Reasoner and David Brinkley. A script of his also appears in the prestigious college text, Writing News for Broadcast, which refers to Burns as an "artist" with words. In addition to being a commentator for Entertainment Tonight, as well as the host of Arts & Entertainment Revue, on the A&E cable network, Burns has written four critically-saluted books: The Spirits of America: A Social History of Alcohol; Broadcast Blues: Dispatches from the Twenty-Year War Between a Television Reporter and His Medium; The Joy of Books: Confessions of a Lifelong Reader and a short work of fiction, The Autograph. Burns has also written on matters of media and popular culture for such magazines as Reader's Digest, The Weekly Standard, Spy, TV Guide and Family Circle, in addition to such newspapers as the New York Post and Los Angeles Times.
Bill Burr	I've been doing Stand Up for the last 15 years. I started out at a comedy club in Boston Ma, called Nick's Comedy Stop. I was supposed to do five minutes and I think I did about three. I've been doing it ever since.My biggest gigs have been The Chappelle's Show, HBO One Night Stand, The Opie and Anthony Show and The David Letterman Show. Because of those gigs I know make a comfortable living telling jokes around the country.If I were better adjusted that would be enough for me. For some reason it isn't, so as of yesterday I moved from New York to LA. I'll let you know how it goes.
Augusten Burroughs	Augusten Burroughs has rapidly become one of America's most successful young writers, with multiple titles on the national and international bestseller lists. His legions of devoted fans devour every hilarious, stunning, thought-provoking and moving sentence in his rapidly growing body of work, and often line up for hours to see and hear him in his live performances. To say that Augusten Burroughs had an unusual childhood would be an understatement. Somehow, Augusten survived, and turned his experiences into two of the most successful memoirs ever published. These two books, Running With Scissors, and Dry: A Memoir, chronicle his life in his foster family, follow him to New York City, into adulthood, out of the closet, and through rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. Running With Scissors has been on The New York Times list for over 70 weeks, and was recently joined by his critical smash, Magical Thinking. Entertainment Weekly included Augusten in its definitive "It List" and named him one of the "Fifteen Funniest People in America." The film version of Running with Scissors, which is being directed by Emmy Award-nominated writer/director Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck), began filming in March, 2005. The largely Oscar-nominated/winning cast includes Annette Bening, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alec Baldwin, Jill Clayburgh and Joseph Cross (as Augusten). A film version of his novel Sellevision is also in the works. Augusten's new book of true stories, Possible Side Effects, which The New York Times called "(H)ilarious, wildly fanciful reminiscences," was released in May, 2006. ------------------------------------------------- What does Augusten Burroughs talk about? An Evening With Augusten Burroughs: Stories From A Remarkable Life Augusten Burroughs' lectures and readings are a tour de force performance�funny, moving, and inspiring, they draw sell-out audiences to theatres and lecture halls across the country. Not without reason did Entertainment Weekly name Augusten Burroughs the 15th Funniest Person in America. His live performances are hilarious and provocative, displaying the same dry wit and eye for the absurd that have made his books so wildly popular. A natural and gifted storyteller, Augusten delves into his own bizarre, disturbing, but ultimately life-affirming childhood and young adulthood in a tour de force performance that can only be described as amazing. Howlingly funny and devastatingly moving, Burroughs' lectures inspire audiences to embrace humor, accept difference, overcome challenges, and create the conditions for their own tremendous success. He is one of that rare breed�a world-class writer who can go from paper to podium without losing any of the force, vitality, and sophistication of the written word.
Tony Burroughs	Tony Burroughs is an internationally known genealogist, author, teacher and lecturer. He teaches genealogy at Chicago State University and is the president of Black Roots. Mr. Burroughs appeared as the African American genealogy expert in the public television series, Ancestors (February 1997). In 1996, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Genealogical Society and co-authored the African-American Genealogical Sourcebook (Gale Research 1995). Mr. Burroughs has been practicing genealogy for twenty years, having traced two family lines back seven generations. He has extensive experience in libraries, archives, historical societies and county courthouses. He has conducted the African-American Genealogy workshop at the National Archives – Great Lakes Region for nine years. He also lectures at local, state and national genealogical conferences and has given half-day and full-day workshops in over a dozen cities. He was the APG 20th Anniversary Luncheon Speaker at FGS in 1999, the Keynote Banquet Speaker at GENTECH 98 in Fort Wayne, and the James Dent Walker Memorial Lecturer in Richmond, Virginia in 1994. His talks are on all aspects of American Genealogy, African-American Genealogy and technology. His presentations include exciting color slides to bring family history alive. Mr. Burroughs is a graduate of the National Institute of Genealogical Research in Washington, D.C. and the Institute of Genealogy and History at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Board positions include: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists, Gentech, and an FGS Delegate. Past board positions include: President of the Afro-American Genealogical & Historical Society of Chicago, Inc.; Federation of Genealogical Societies and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Postal Advisory Committee. He is also past curator of the African-American Genealogy Collection at the Avalon Branch of the Chicago Public Library.
Mike Burstyn	Multi-talented star of Broadway and motion pictures.
LeVar Burton	Television audiences know LeVar Burton as Lieutenant Commander Geordi LaForge in the popular �Star Trek: The Next Generation� and as the young Kunte Kinte in the television production of �Roots.� Host and series producer of Reading Rainbow, the Emmy Award winning series on PBS, LeVar Burton is also the voice of "Captain Planet," a syndicated cartoon series that teaches children about the environment.
President George Bush	In 1989, few could have imagined that four years later the Cold War would be won; the threat of nuclear war would be all but eliminated; the Soviet Union would be replaced by a democratic Russia; Germany would be unified; and age-old enemies would be discussing lasting peace in the Middle East. Yet, these and so many more dramatic events unfolded at home and abroad-each day, it seemed-and leading America through this period of unprecedented change was President George Bush. Mr. Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts on June 12, 1924. On his 18th birthday, he graduated from Phillips Academy and enlisted in the Navy. During active duty in the Pacific, he flew torpedo bombers off the USS San Jacinto. He was shot down on September 2, 1944 afte4r completing a bombing raid on Chi Chi Jima and was eventually awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. Mr. Bush returned from the battle in 1945, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University in 1948, and moved to Texas to begin making his way in the oil industry. His career in public service began in 1966 when he was elected to the first of two terms representing Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Bush was named ambassador to the United Nations in 1974; and in 1976 director of the CIA. Ronald Reagan selected George Bush to be his running mate in 1980, and they went on to serve two terms in office together. In 1988, he earned the GOP nomination and the support of the American people to become the 41st president of the United States.
Jenna Bush	Jenna Bush shares her mother's love of reading and teaching. Jenna taught elementary school in Washington, D.C. after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004 with a degree in English. She has also written articles for CosmoGIRL! and the New York Times. Her first book, #1 New York Times bestselling Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope, is based on her work with UNICEF.
Dick Butkus	Motivational speaker, All-time great linebacker for the Chicago Bears and member of the pro football Hall of Fame.
John Sibley Butler	One of the Nation's foremost authorities on race relations both in the armed forces and American society, Dr. Butler offers a blueprint to provide opportunities for all and to improve race relations at the same time. He is the co-author of All That We Can Be: Black Leadership and Racial Integration the Army Way. A past president of the American Association of Black Sociologists, Butler is also the author of Entrepreneurship and Self-Help Among Black Americans. Topic: Managing in a Post Affirmative Action Era: Lessons for Corporate America.
Richard Butler	UN arms negotiator and executive chairman of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) which was charged with the disarmament of Iraq from 1997 to 1999. Prior to that Richard Butler was Australian Ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations. He is now a diplomat in residence at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Calvin Butts	A leading social activist, minister and educator, Calvin Butts is the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City and president of the State University of New York.
Steve Byrne	Steve Byrnes high energy, physical style of comedy make him one of the hottest young comedians touring the country today. He was born to a Korean mother and an Irish father, which provides him with a wealth of material. His new hour special, Steve Byrne's Happy Hour, premiered on Comedy Central earlier this year to rave reviews. He will be on the big screen later this year in the Jeremy Piven vehicle The Goods: The Don Ready Story as well as with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon in Four Christmases. He was a series regular on NBC's The Real Wedding Crashers and he appeared in a promo for last years Superbowl halftime show with Prince. His standup has been featured on NBC's The Tonight Show, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBS's The Late Late Show and BET's Comic View. Steve has been a featured comic at The Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, The HBO US Comedy Arts Festival in Las Vegas and The CanWest Comedy Fest in Vancouver. He has featured for Colin Quinn on a USO tour in Iraq as well as for Drew Carrey in Afghanistan. He has been part of several national comedy tours including The Jameson Comedy Tour, Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Tour, and his own national MySpace comedy tour. He won the MySpace Standup Or Sitdown Comedy Challenge and his Comedy Central half hour special was voted one of the best of all time in the Comedy Central Standup Showdown. Steve's lack of ego and outstanding work ethic make him one of the most sought after comedians in clubs and colleges across the country.
Louis C.K.	Louis is a standup comedian, actor, writer and director. I swear to god he is atually all those things. Here are some recent highlights. After that we'll start from the beginning... Louis has been cast to star with Ricky Gervais in a new film entitled This Side of the Truth, which is written and directed by Ricky Gervais. Louis was the star and creator of HBOs first and only multi camera sitcom Lucky Louie which ran for one season and then was cancelled. Louis starred in his own one hour standup special on HBO called Louis C.K.: SHameless which was critically acclaimed. A year later, he shot his second Hour SPecial called Louis C.K.: Chewed Up at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston Mass. Louis recently signed a deal with CBS to write and create a new series pilot, which he is writing with Pamela Adlon, who played his wife on Lucky Louie. Louis had substancial parts in two other films Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins starring Martin Lawrence and Diminished Capacity starring Matthew Broderick and Alan Alda.
Santiago Cabrera	Santiago Cabrera played Isaac Mendez on the hit show "Heroes"
Alice Lok Cahana	Renowned artist, poet, and the foremost painter of the Holocaust. A Holocaust survivor, Alice Lok Cahana's life was changed forever when she was brutally uprooted from the security of her home in Sarvar, Hungary, as the Nazis took her and her family to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Her mother, sister, two younger brothers, grandfather, aunts and uncles did not survive. In 1945, at the time of liberation, Cahana was still a young girl, one of the few children who were able to survive the torture and deprivation of concentration camp life. In 1978, she felt compelled to use her art to tell her story and the story of all the children who suffered in the Holocaust. Her lecture, slide show and the exhibit of her works are entitled, "The Soul of the People: Commemorating The Shoah."
Jennifer Calderon	As a writer, her cutting edge articles on hip hop culture, white privilege, and social justice have appeared in The New York Times, Self Magazine, The Source Magazine, among other traditional and new media outlets. Her fourth book, Till The White Day Is Done: White Privilege, Hip Hop, and Social Change, promises to be as provocative as her personal politics. Due in 2009, the anthology will feature contributions from Sonia Sanchez, Tim Wise, Talib Kweli, and other respected voices.
Kimberly Caldwell	You May Have Seen Her On...: Kimberly is probably most known for her appearance on American Idol 2, as well as being an entertainment correspondent and host for the TV Guide Channel. Kimberly has appeared as a live red carpet correspondent at several Hollywood award events including the the Grammy's, the Academy Awards, the People's Choice Awards, the Emmy's, and the Golden Globes. Kimberly has also been seen on:On American Idol 2: Kimberly was an instant fan favorite, finishing among the top finalists competing for the 'American Idol' title. Magazines Appeared In: Entertainment Weekly, US Weekly, Maxim, People Extra, and Cosmopolitan, to name a few. Other Notable Print Media: Featured in the "Sexiest Women of Reality TV" 2005 calendar. Performed Live At: Besides on the American Idol 2 stage, other notable live performances include singing the national anthem at the NASCAR Coca Cola 600 race, the Idols Live! tour, which traveled to 44 cities across the U.S. and parts of Canada, the "National Anthem" and "God Bless America" at the Democracy Celebration in Washington, D.C., and numbers at various other personal appearances across the United States. Currently, Kim is: an on camera personality for the TV Guide Channel. She currently co-hosts two weekly talk shows on the TV Guide Channel: "Reality Chat" & "Idol Tonight," the exclusive pre-show to American Idol on Tuesday nights. Kimberly is also in the process of recording a country/rock album in association with Randy Jackson and Diane Warren. She is recording original music with an independent producer, as well.
Frank Caliendo	The National Association of Campus Activities recently named Frank Caliendo "Comedian of the Year." With his brilliant routines, including a terrific Robin Williams impersonation and a hilarious impression of sportscaster John Madden, Caliendo is flooring audiences across the country. Television viewers have also had the opportunity to check out Caliendo's comedic talents, as he has now joined the cast of MAD-TV, seen every Saturday night on FOX and has appeared on a slew of television shows beyond �MAD TV,� including �Fox NFL Pregame,� �Late Night With Conan O�Brien,� �Best Damn Sports Show,� �The Late, Late Show With Craig Kilborn,� �The View,� and various shows on Comedy Central. Also not surprisingly, Frank has released CDs--actually he�s a one-man audio-visual extravaganza, as made impressively clear.
Joseph Califano	Health care expert, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare and author of America�s Health Care Revolution and Radical Surgery.
John Calipari	No Coach in Division 1 College Basketball History has won more games in a single season. Caliparis refuse to lose attitude and his us against the world motivational speeches helped inspire his team to the NCAA Championship Game. He is arguably one of the greatest and most innovative college coaches of all time. He is an inspiration to his players both on and off the court, encouraging them to never give up, never back down and to constantly persevere against all odds. He is a great orator who has proved to the world that a little motivation can go a long way. Its the second Naismith award for Calipari after winning in 1996 by leading the UMass Minutemen to the Final Four. This season he led the Tigers to the program's first Final Four since 1985 and their first title game since 1973. Memphis won an NCAA Division I record of 38 games and was ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in national polls for a school-record 16 straight weeks. Calipari is one of five coaches in NCAA Division I history to lead two different programs to a No. 1 national ranking.
Daniel Callahan	The nation's leading medical ethicist, Daniel Callahan is founder of the Hastings Center which studies ethical issues in such fields as medicine and life sciences. An expert on how our society deals with life and death, he speaks on ethical problems in medicine and biology; medical goals in an aging society; the radical philosophical changes necessary to improve U.S. health care; and the economics and future of medicine from a moral point of view.
Chris Calloway	Singer, actress, and daughter of the legendary singer and band leader, Cab Calloway, Chris Calloway, whose most recent film is the all black �Importance of Being Ernest,� offers her wide range of pro.fessional experiences and unique point of view in a lecture/performance format. Talking and singing about topics such as Where did Jazz Come From?, Black Women in American Music, and If You Can Talk, You Can Sing. She is also available to perform �Lady Day, The Life and Times of Billie Holliday.
Vanessa Bell Calloway	One of Americas hottest actors, Vanessa Bell Calloway has won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Jackie in the movie, What's Love Got to Do With It. Other movie roles have included Daylight starring Sylvestor Stallone, A Private Affair and Coming To America with Eddie Murphy. Vanessa is co-host of BET's new morning talk show, Oh Drama, which features news, information and celebrity guests.
Lee Camp	Since Lee Camp graduated college 4 years ago, he has headlined over 300 college shows, published three comedy books, been head comedy news writer for two popular websites, been featured on MTV's "Walk of Shame," NBC's "Law & Order: SVU," Spike TV's "Order of The Serpentine," Gwyneth Paltrow's short film "Dealbreaker," and DirecTV channel 101. You probably recognize him as a comedian commentator on MTV, Animal Planet, E!, and Fox News. He won the Laugh Across America Contest for New York. At the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival he was named one of the best New Faces. Most recently he was a finalist in the 2007 New York Comedy Festival's Funniest Comedian Contest. His comedy is unafraid, sarcastic, and opinionated. Lee gets audiences to laugh at the way we all act like idiots every day of our lives. Lee has been the opening act for Jimmy Fallon, Darrell Hammond, and Lewis Black, and he's also the author of the popular college comedy book - Neither Sophisticated Nor Intelligent: A College Humorist's Take on Life.
Lee Camp	If he boiled his entire existance down to one sentence what would it be? It would probably be Zero hero cats turtle havoic on the underside, but that would make little sense to anyone but him. Lee has been on Comedy Cenrals Fresh Debate 08 and came out owith his own DVD titled Sometimes Funny Hurts. This is one comedian you want to be sure to see.
Dave Campbell	Major League baseball analyst for ESPN's Wednesday Night baseball game, and "Baseball Tonight."
Bruce Campbell	Bruce Campbell is an actor, producer, writer and director. He is best known for his starring role as Ash in the Evil Dead trilogy of horror/slapstick movies, and has since become a B-movie icon.
Alex Canady	One of America's leading neurosurgeons, Dr. Alexa Canady had to overcome the challenges of being a woman and an African American to graduate cum laude from the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Canady is now a professor of medicine and the Chief of Neurosurgery at Children's Hospital. She is featured in the book and exhibit, I Dream A World, Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America.
Trishelle Cannatella	Trishelle Cannatella from Real World Las Vegas was known as the southern flirt from the Real World Las Vegas. Real World Las Vegas was season 12 on MTV airing early 2003. Trishelle Cannatella has been on Surreal Life and Punk'd in 2003 as well on the Real World Road Rules challenge The Guantlet. Then in 2004 she was on the Real World Road Rules challenege The Inferno. 2005 she has appeared on Reality Unleashed as well Celebrity Poker, Kill Reality, Battle of the Network Reality Stars, Fear Factor, the Lingerie Bowl, and horror movie The Scorned. Trishelle from Real World Las Vegas would be great for speaking on drinking / north south relations /diversity /stereotypes / & relationships at college lectures.
Chet Cannon	Chet Cannon is 23 years old born and raised in Salt Lake City Utah but now residing in Manhattan. Chet Cannon comes across as very metrosexual and is chronically asking questions about many things on The Real World Brooklyn, but affirms he is straight. Chet was the first in line for The Real World casting call at nightclub Area 51 in Salt Lake City ironically fellow cast member Baya Voce was second. He has not drank alcohol or had premarital sex. Chet went to the University of Utah where he hosted a radio show called Chet Chat. He is two semesters short of graduating from U of Utah. Chet has 9 brothers and sisters. He aspires to be a TV host or work in finance. Chet has been casted for a pilot in an upcoming MTV comedy show. College Lecture Topics Safe Sex, Family Values, Diversity, Alcohol Awareness, & Healthy Living
Jose Canseco	In 2005, Canseco admitted to using anabolic steroids in a tell-all book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big. Canseco also claimed that up to 85% of major league players took steroids, a figure disputed by many in the game. In the book, Canseco specifically identified former teammates Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Rafael Palmeiro, Iv�n Rodr�guez, and Juan Gonz�lez as fellow steroid users, and that he injected them. Most of the players named in the book have denied steroid use. Giambi is believed to have admitted to steroid use in testimony before a grand jury investigating the BALCO case. At a Congressional hearing on the subject of steroids in sports, Palmeiro categorically denied using performance-enhancing drugs, while McGwire repeatedly and somewhat conspicuously refused to answer questions on his own suspected use. Canseco's book became a New York Times bestseller. On August 1, 2005, Palmeiro was suspended for 10 days by Major League Baseball after testing positive for steroids, per MLB's substance abuse policy.
Lincoln Caplan	Authority on contemporary legal issues, frequent contributing writer for The New Yorker and author of SKADDEN: Inside An American Law Firm.
Frank Cappiello	Well known financial expert, economist and investment authority.
Alexis Caputo	Alexis Caputo is a New York based Afro-Caribbean artist (Poet/Writer/Performer/Producer/Filmmaker & Activist). As an honors scholar and graduate she has studied at Circle-In-The-Square Theatre School, NYC, The Universite De Paris (Sorbonne) and New York University (Tisch School of the Arts & The Steinhardt School of Education. “Deconstruction & Deliverance”, written and performed by Caputo is a solo performance theatre piece that was produced and performed at notable off-Broadway theatres, (The Harlem Theatre Company, Henry Street Settlements Abrons Art Center and Dixon Place). The Proud Pilgrim, also a solo performance piece is touring presently. Caputo’s activism calls for the attention to gender biases, sexuality issues and an end to violence against women through writing and performance workshops, solo performances, street theatre, out reach with women’s groups, feminist groups, domestic violence, battered women, survivors of abuse, rape and incest. Presentations have been shared at the Bowery Poetry Club, NYC and on behalf of the New York City Alliance against Sexual Assault (NOT IN OUR CITY) & SAYSO! (Sexual Assault Yearly Speak Out) and Identity House, NYC. Presently, she is working on a commissioned piece on behalf of the New York City Alliance against Sexual Assault with a working title of “Private Affairs” in support of the organizations advocacy, education and outreach. Evidence of her relation to Caribbean culture, she has presented work at MAWA (Middle Atlantic Writer’s Association) The Caribbean Presence in Black Thought, Letters and the Arts, and for the Caribbean Literary and Cultural Center, Brooklyn, New York. As alumni of New York University, she was invited in turn to present work at the Black Box Theatre & Provincetown Playhouse for Voices of Women (Images of Women) following a proposal and the co-development of a women’s theatre collective intended to provide a creative forum that encourages work beyond university level. More importantly, Voices of Women seeks to develop an authentic voice for the performer/storyteller concerned with exploring issues of culture and identity. Caputo has also been featured on the television programs Ancestor House with Camille Yarborough, “30 Minutes with Florence Rice” and community radio (WHCR: 90.3FM) the Voice of Harlem and (WBAI: 99.5FM) Orature. Seeding her interest in all forms of the arts, her first film, a short “Afro Meets Blondie” a film about racism and race relations debuted at the Peter Norton Symphony Space (Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre) NYC, of which she won an award for Best Comedy Short.
Michael Caracciolo	I would like to take the time to introduce myself to you. My name is Michael Caracciolo. I am the president of a ticket company in New Jersey. However, although I have been in the ticket business for many years, I am certain that I am in the wrong profession. I should be an actor instead. I believe that I possess all the qualities necessary for success as an actor. I am a very conversational person, my voice easily projects, via my six foot six inch 400 pound amplifier! I also sing. My unique background, persona and life�s experience truly qualify me as one of a kind .The material recorded here is ad-libbed, improvisational and spontaneous. It contains profanity which is offered only in support of demonstrating my dramatic intensity and the context of the material. I am certain that after watching it once you will immediately want to contact me.
Rabbi Nathan Cardozo	Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, Dean of the David Cardozo Academy for Jewish studies and Human Dignity, lectures regularly at over fifty institutions for Jewish and secular learning around the world. He is often hosted by programs with affiliation ranging from the Orthodox Union and union of Sephardic Communities to oxford and Harvard universities. Educated in Amsterdam, Rabbi Lopes Cardozo comes from the Portuguese-Spanish Jewish community of Holland. After receiving his rabbinical ordination from Gateshead Talmudic College, he studied at the Institute for Higher Rabbinical Studies of Chief Rabbi Unterman and at Mir Yeshiva. He holds a doctorate in Philosophy. Regarded by many as a type of ambassador of conscience, he has, over the past twenty-five years, attracted a large number of students with his unconventional style. His fresh approach to many topics of social concern and his unswerving honesty continue to engage Jews and non-Jews alike. He is known for his most original insights in Judaism, through which he is able to communicate to a wide audience the relevance of Judaism for our complicated times. Tens of thousands of people throughout Israel, Europe, the USA, Canada and South Africa; religious Jews, non-religious Jews and non-Jews as well, have become followers and disciples of Rabbi Lopes Cardozo�s unique style.
Drew Carey	Well-known comedian, actor and star of television's "Drew Carey Show".
Lamont Carey	Lamont Carey was born in the heart of Southeast, Washington, DC. He is a businessman and entertainer. On stage he is a powerful performer with a delivery so electric that he has the ability to present an issue in such a way that it alters audiences� perspective. He has featured as a spoken word artist in such places as the world renowned Lincoln Theater, Smithsonian, The Nuyorican Poets Caf�, The French Embassy, and The Cuban Embassy. He has toured and won several poetry slams. He has appeared in several films, plays, and most recently the HBO series The Wire� and Def Poetry Jam. He continues to leave his mark in spoken word arena with his debut CD� IMAGINE�. This is 14-tacks of pure energy and mind traveling that listener can�t help but to brace themselves for the next emotional rollercoaster that are sure to erupt with the next track. Mr. Carey also hosts his own internet radio show on blogtalkradio.com. The show is called, �Da Lamont Carey Show�. He is also a co-host of �freestyle Friday� with Host Mark Thompson on XM satellite radio channel 169 The Power.
John Carlos	Track and field champion and an Olympic Medal winner in the 200 meter race during the summer Olympics in Mexico City. John Carlos made international headlines during the victory ceremony when he and Tommy Smith raised their fists in protest against racism and the economic mistreatment of all oppressed peoples in the world. The controversial protest was one of the most memorable events of the civil rights era.
Jordan Carlos	Jordan Carlos is an All-American stand-up comedian who is most known for his role as Alan, Colberts black friend on The Colbert Report. He also co hosted the Nickelodean show MeTV. Carlos' performance is sure to knock the audience off their seats and leave them rolling on the ground in laughter.
Andrea Carmen	Andrea is currently Executive Director of the International Indian Treaty Council. Much of her work involves expanding the support network for Indians throughout the hemisphere. She speaks fluent Spanish and has extensive experience working with Indigenous Peoples in North and Central America. She recently worked with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Rigoberta Menchu, at the First World Summit of Indigenous Peoples held in Guatemala during the coup d'etat. She also was an advisor to the World Council of Churches on their relationship with traditional Indian peoples. She lives in Chickaloon, Alaska and is past coordinator of the Native Alaskan Elders Sovereignty Network as well as current co-coordinator of the Chickaloon Village Environmental Protection Program. She consults with several Indian communities and organizations on economic and community development. She graduated from the U of California in Women's Studies and was selected "Speaker of the Year" by People Are Speaking in San Francisco.
Jason Carney	Jason Carney is a former skinhead who now uses poetry to continue to reform himself and heal others. As a young man, Jason was sent to a juvenile detention center after several violent incidents involving gay bashing and racial intolerance. While in the detention center, Jason was roomed with a young gay male who was HIV positive. A friendship formed from what could have been a volatile situation. The experience changed the way Jason saw people that were different from him. After Jason was released, he tried to look up his new friend only to find that he had lost his battle with the disease. Jason has made it his life work to heal and help eliminate intolerance. Carney is both author of the book, Flesh is the Only Lucid Language and a nationally recognized performer at colleges, youth centers, and high schools, but most memorable has been his appearance on HBO�s Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry. Tolerance, respect, and acceptance for all of the human race are the lessons within Carney�s workshops and poetry. His performances are both stunning and consciousness-raising.
Jay Carney	Jay Carney has been writing about politics for TIME Magazine since 1993 as a White House, Congressional and general political correspondent. In 2001, he returned to the White House to cover George W. Bush's new administration. Previously, he covered Bush's presidential campaign, traveling extensively with the campaign and reporting on the post election showdown from the campaigns headquarters in Austin, Texas. He also contributed to TIMEs 2000 Person of the Year package on Bush. Prior to that assignment, Carney covered the House impeachment proceedings and Senate trial of former President Bill Clinton, the fall of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and, as a White House correspondent, the first three years of Clinton's presidency. From 1990 93, Carney served as a Moscow correspondent for TIME, covering the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of Russia and the other independent states in the region. He began working for TIME as its Miami bureau chief, an assignment that took him to Panama for the U.S. invasion and to Cuba for Mikhail Gorbachevs historic visit in 1989. Before joining TIME, Carney was a reporter for the Miami Herald. Carney is one of Times rotating panelists on the CNN talk show Take 5. He also appears often on The Charlie Rose Show on PBS, Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC and on other programs as a political analyst. For much of 1999 and 2000, he was a special correspondent for CNN, completing feature length television pieces for the networks newsmagazine show. A native of Virginia, Carney earned a bachelor of arts degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies from Yale University in 1987. He and his wife, Claire Shipman, the senior national correspondent for ABC News, currently reside in Washington, D.C.
Robert A. Caro	Distinguished historian and author of the new best selling book Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson. Robert Caro won the Pulitzer Prize for his book, The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York. His books, The Path to Power and Means of Ascent both won the National Book Critics Circle Award.
Adam Carolla	No stranger to Comedy Central, Too Late host Adam Carolla spent four seasons as co-host and co-creator of The Man Show, served as co-creator and handled the voice of Dick Birchum on Crank Yankers and also lent his voice to the character of Spanky on Drawn Together. A former carpenter and boxing instructor, Carolla began working for LA-based radio station KROQ-FM's "Kevin and Bean" show. His success on KROQ led to a hosting job on the radio and television show Loveline. The popularity of the show led Adam to co-author "The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide to Life and Love" which is now in its second printing.
M.L. Carr	Former Executive Vice President of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. M. L. Carr also served the Celtics as their general manager, as their head coach and as a player. A motivational speaker, M. L. Carr is the author of Don't Be Denied, a book which depicts winning through persistence. M.L. Carr is the now President of the Charlotte Sting of the WNBA.
Diahann Carroll	Glamorous star of stage, screen and television, Diahann Carroll has been a trail blazer in her multifaceted career. She was the first Black artist to star in her own TV series, "Julia" and starred in the hit television series, "Dynasty." Ms. Carroll is a legend in the world of entertainment, glamour and high fashion and is an excellent motivational speaker.
Carlos Carsolio	Both a professional motivational and testimonial speaker, Carlos Carsolio has dedicated himself since 1985 to share, mainly with corporate audiences, his experiences on the highest mountains of the planet. He is a world record mountain climber, who has become a leader in personnel training based on his powerful team building skills. The fourth and youngest person to climb the world's 14 tallest peaks is now a corporate trainer who teaches a philosophy of full team work, assertive communication, self confidence and trust, basic concepts that apply to all walks of life.
T.C. Carson	Former star television's "Living Single," T.C. Carson, who played the role of "Kyle," has become a household name. While he is best known for his work in the sitcom, he also played a starring role in the 1993 movie, "Living Large" and made appearances in a variety of television series and Broadway shows, including "The Wiz," "Dreamgirls," and "Ain't Misbehavin'."
Dixie Carter	Star of the CBS series, "Family Law," singer, and actress Dixie Carter has recently produced her own fitness video entitled, "Dixie Carter's Unworkout." In addition to her many concert and theatre engagements, Ms. Carter has performed her critically acclaimed cabaret act at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City and many other famous clubs around the country.
President Jimmy Carter	As 39th President of the United States, President Jimmy Carters most significant singular achievements were the signing of the historic Camp David Agreements, the Panama Canal Treaties, the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China, and his strong focus on an adherence to human rights around the world. As a private citizen, President Carter founded the Carter Center, addressing vital world issues through nonpartisan study and consultation. He continues to demonstrate his solidarity with the peoples struggling for their rights in various parts of the world. President Carter is the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development. In his speeches, Mr. Carter draws upon his experiences as President of the United States to address almost any vital world issue particularly human rights.
Nancy Cartwright	Emmy Award-winning actress Nancy Cartwright is the voice of "Bart" on The Simpsons, the longest-running animated show in history. She has voiced hundreds of characters in such favorites as Rug Rats, Kim Possible, Richie Rich, The Critic, God,The Devil and Bob, The Pink Panther, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Toonsylvania, Pound Puppies, My Little Pony, Glo-Friends, and the online cartoon Timber Wolf. While establishing herself as a voice-acting professional, Cartwright balanced that role with an on-camera career, landing guest roles on Fame, Empty Nest, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air , Cheers, Godzilla and The Twilight Zone: The Movie. Cartwright is the author of My Life as a Ten-Year-Old Boy, the ultimate insider's guide to The Simpsons.
Dana Carvey	Dana Carvey Emmy-award winning comedian Dana Carvey has maintained an illustrious career. Carvey was born June 2, 1955, in Missoula, MT. While a student at San Francisco State University, he won the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition. After his graduation (with a degree in communication arts), he played at numerous clubs in the Bay Area and then moved to Los Angeles in 1981 to pursue his career. A repertory member of �Saturday Night Live� since the 1986-87 season, Carvey left in 1992 after seven seasons. Carvey is best known for his characters the Church Lady; Hans, of the Hans and Franz body building duo; Garth, Wayne Campbell�s (Mike Myers) �Excellent Co-Host� on the immensely popular sketch �Wayne�s World,� and Weekend Update�s Grumpy Old Man. In addition to these characters, Dana has received widespread praise for his uncanny comedic impersonations of such political figures as Ex-President George Bush, H. Ross Perot, Jerry Brown, David Duke and Bob Dole. He also does impersonations of George Burns, Johnny Carson, Jimmy Stewart, John McLaughlin, Mickey Rooney, Casey Casem, and Regis Philbin.On television, he hosted the 1992 presentation of the MTV Music Awards, co-starred in tow pilots and was a member of the Showtime special �Salute to the Improvisation� with Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and Robert Klein. In 1995, Dana performed stand-up in his own one hour comedy special on HBO aptly named �Critics Choice ****� In 1992 Carvey appeared in the blockbuster film, �WAYNE�S WORLD,� based on the hit �Saturday Night Live� sketch. The film grossed over $160 million and was produced by �SNL� creator Lorne Michaels. The public demanded a sequel and in 1993 Carvey appeared in �WAYNE�S WORLD 2�, recreating his role of Garth alongside Mike Myers� Wayne. The film was hugely successful. Carvey�s transfer from the small screen to the large screen included roles in Alan Parker�s �THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE,� for Columbia Pictures, Richard and Lili Zanuck�s �CLEAN SLATE� from MGM, and Twentieth Century Fox�s �TRAPPED IN PARADISE.� His early film work includes his debut in �THIS IS SPINAL TAP,� �RACING WITH THE MOON,� �ONE OF THE GROUP� where he portrayed Mickey Rooney�s grandson, �BLUE THUNDER� with James Farentino, �TOUGH GUYS,� with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, and starring in the comedy �OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS.�
Lorene Cary	Award winning author, Lorene Cary is best known in literary circles for her book Black Ice, which she wrote about her two years boarding experience at St. Pauls School, a formerly all white, all male elite prep school in New Hampshire. She is the author of FREE!, a collection of true life Underground Railroad Stories for young readers; The Price of A Child, a 1995 novel chosen as a One Book, One Philadelphia selection by the citys mayor; and Pride. She is currently at work on her fifth book, Blackface. A Senior Lecturer in creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania, Cary is the founder of Art Sanctuary, a non profit performance series that brings black artists to speak and perform at the Church of the Advocate in North Philadelphia. With its partner Asian Arts Initiative, Art Sanctuary has won Pennsylvanias 2005 Governors Award in the Arts for Creative Community collaboration. For her writing and arts activism, Cary was awarded her citys highest civic honor, The Philadelphia Award. Her essays have appeared in Newsweek, Time, Essence, Mirabella, and other publications. She is president of the Union Benevolent Society. Cary lives in Philadelphia with her husband, the Rev. Robert C. Smith, and daughters Laura and Zoe.
Rafael Casal	A 19-year-old poet out of the Bay Area of California, Rafael Casal was a three-time finalist in the Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam, and two-time champion of the Brave New Voices National Poetry Slam. His poetry has been published in the Youth Speaks anthology "My Words Consume Me" (published by McSweeney's) and appears in the "Bringing The Noise" CD (Volumes 2 and 3). At 18, Casal won his first adult poetry slam at the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe in New York, and became the youngest poet to appear on Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry on HBO. In the spring of 2004, he coached the Bay Area youth poetry slam team to win the BNV nationals in Los Angeles. More recently, Casal has expanded into music - bridging his poetry with hip-hop music. He is also working on a theater piece with Broadway veteran Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Youth Speaks director James Kass -- to premiere at the Hip-Hop Theater Festival in 2006.
Gilbert Casellas	Chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from 1994 to 1998. An attorney, Gilbert Casellas is now a partner in the largest Hispanic-owned full-service law firm in the world.
Brian Cashman	In a franchise marked by milestones, Brian Cashman has carried on the winning tradition of the New York Yankees. In his first season (1998), he became the youngest GM to win a World Series and went on to become the only GM in baseball history to win world championships in each of his first three seasons (1998-2000). He is also only the third GM in baseball history to win at least four consecutive league championships and was the first to do it in his first four seasons (1998-2001). Cashman is the only general manager in Major League history to guide a team to division or league titles in each of his first eight seasons from 1998-2005. During that span, the Yankees have compiled a cumulative record of 794-498 -- the best winning percentage (.615) in the Major Leagues during that period. According to Baseball America, it is also the highest lifetime winning percentage of any general manager since 1950 (minimum five seasons).
Billy Casper	Popular professional golfer, two-time U.S. open winner, and two-time PGA Player of the Year. Available for an exhibition or lecture.
Daniel Castellaneta	Daniel Castellaneta Emmy Award-winner the voice of Homer Simpson…as well as Krusty the Clown, Grampa Simpson, Barney Gumble, Mayor Quimby, Groundskeeper Willie and a multitude of others on the historic FOX series THE SIMPSONS. A former cast member of The Tracey Ullman Show and Sibs, Castellaneta has also made numerous guest appearances on television shows including Mad About You, LA Law, NYPD Blue, Wings, Murphy Brown, Friends, Cybill, The Drew Carey Show, Alf, Love & War, The George Carlin Show, and Married With Children. His telelvision films include the Emmy Award-winning Hand in the Glove. His feature film work includes My Giant, Space Jam, Forget Paris, The Client, War of the Roses, K9, Say Anything, Nothing in Common, and Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor for Showtime. Voice-over work includes the voices of Genie in the successful animated television series Aladdin and the sequel Return of Jaffar. Most recently, Castellaneta performed off-Broadway in The Alchemist with The Classic Stage Company. He also performed his one-man show Where Did Vincent Van Gogh? in Los Angeles and the Aspen Comedy Festival. Early in his career he performed with the famous Chicago improvisation/comedy group Second City.
Neil Cavuto	Host, "Your World With Neil Cavuto" on FOX News, Cable's #1 Business Show Vice President, Anchor, and Managing Editor for Fox News, Neil Cavuto hosts the number one business news program in America, Your World With Neil Cavuto. He has been named by The Wall Street Journal as the best interviewer in business news, and cited by The Journalist and Financial Reporter as the toughest inquisitor of financial and political types. He has been voted best business TV interviewer for five years running. As vice president, anchor and managing editor at Fox, Cavuto oversees all business programming at the network, including Bulls & Bears, Cavuto on Business, Forbes on Fox, and Cashin� In. Along with Your World, these represent the top five business news programs and Fox has them all. Before joining Fox in 1996, Cavuto anchored and hosted more than three hours of live daily programming for CNBC, and was a financial contributor on NBC�s Today Show and NBC News at Sunrise. His more than 20 years of financial reporting include stints at PBS� Nightly Business Report, where he served as New York Bureau Chief, and Investment Age Magazine, where he was a Washington Editor. Cavuto has covered some of the most important business and general news stories of our time, including the September 11th, 2001 attacks on this country and the economic programs of every president going back to Ronald Reagan, including the 1987 stock market crash. He served as an intern in the Carter administration as well. Cavuto�s first book, More Than Money: True Stories of People Who Learned Life�s Ultimate Lesson is both a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. His second book, Your Money Or Your Life, was released in October 2005.
Nicole Celentano	A Certified Eating Disorders Specialist since 1994, Dr. Celentano served as Clinical Director of two inpatient eating disorders programs before establishing the New Orleans Center for Eating Disorders in 2002. She earned her Doctorate of Psychology at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in Atlanta, and specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, trauma-based disorders, and borderline personality disorder. She also holds a Masters of Science in Human Nutrition and is a Certified Nutritional Consultant. Dr. Celentano received advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the New Orleans Psychoanalytic Institute, and has also had extensive experience in the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. She has conducted research on such topics as body image and eating disorders in nutritionists; and the relationship between eating disorders, trauma, and dissociation. Dr. Celentano has been featured in Health and Fitness Magazine and Gambit Weekly, and was profiled in Gambit's "40 Under 40." She has been a guest speaker on television and radio, and lectures regionally and nationally. Dr. Celentano utilizes an integrative approach to treatment.
Eugene C. Cernan	The second American astronaut to walk in space as the pilot on Gemini IX, Captain Eugene Cernan ventured to the moon twice. He was one of a crew of three on Apollo X and as Commander of Apollo XVII, he holds the distinction of being the last man to leave his footprints on the surface of the moon.
Andrew Chambers	Legendary, drug buster and super hero for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) whose job it was to infiltrate drug operations that even undercover police found too dangerous to penetrate. During 16 risky years as a government informant...an unheard of tenure in the cagey undercover business...Chambers also worked for the FBI, United States Customs Service, the IRS and the Secret Service. Chambers has become the most active undercover drug buster in the history of the DEA helping to put more than 400 people behind bars. Chambers has been interviewed on 20/20, has been profiled in Newsweek magazine and a movie and television series about his life and his explosive adventures as a "drug buster" is due to be released.
Iris Chang	Author of the critically acclaimed book, Thread of the Silkworm and the international bestseller, The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II, which remained on The New York Times bestseller list for ten months in 1997.
Gordon Chang	Gordon H. Chang is a professor of American history at Stanford University in the United States. His academic interests lie in the connection between race & ethnicity in America and American foreign relations. Gordon H. Chang is author of Friends and Enemies: The United States, China and the Soviet Union, 1948-1972 (1990), Morning Glory, Evening Shadow: Yamato Ichihashi and His Wartime Writing, 1942-1945 (1997), Asian Americans and Politics: An Exploration (2001), and Chinese American Voices: From the Gold Rush to the Present (2006).
Colin Channer	Channer's first novel, Waiting In Vain, was selected as a 1998 Critics Choice by the Washington Post. It was also excerpted in Hot Spots: The Best Erotic Writing in Modern Fiction. His novella, I'm Still Waiting, was published in the bestselling volume Got To Be Real. His next work, Passing Through, is a collection of short stories and will be published in May 2004.
Colin Channer	Channer's first novel, Waiting In Vain, was selected as a 1998 Critics Choice by the Washington Post. It was also excerpted in Hot Spots: The Best Erotic Writing in Modern Fiction. His novella, I'm Still Waiting, was published in the bestselling volume Got To Be Real. His next work, Passing Through, is a collection of short stories and will be published in May 2004. The writer was born in Jamaica in 1963. He was raised in Kingston and attended Ardenne and Meadowbrook befo