Author Lourdes Duque Baron Wins Award for “Scripted In Heaven” at MoneyCytec Achiever Awards Night 2013 in New York

On Thursday, February 28, 2013 The National Association of Medical Business Leaders in collaboration with Moneycytec held their 1st Semi Annual Achiever’s Night Awards at Antun’s Restaurant located 96-43 Springfield Boulevard in Queens Village, New York 11429 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Event ticket cost was $85

(Please click on the photos to view regular)

The Achiever’s Night Dinner Awards is a day to remember the recognition of outstanding leaders in their respective industry. Commissioner James W. Reed presented a citation to the event producers. The Achievers night awards was produced by Lorenda Pedron aka Lowella Pedron.

Here is the list of all the award winners:

Lourdes Duque Baron – Author, Publication “Scripted In Heaven”
Henedina Sy – Nursing
Silver Cord Consultant Corp. – Consulting
Nemsy Duran – Nursing
Akia Blandon – Nursing
Dr. Raji Ayinla – Pulmonary Medicine
Dr. Prospere Remy – Gastroenterology
Dr. Thomas Pattugalan – Internal Medicine
Dr. Arnil Neri – Chiropractor
Carina De Luna Ibarrola – Nursing
Akia Blandon – Nursing
Linda Rufo – Fine Art
Phyllis Thomas – Healthcare
James W. Reed – Community Service
Atty. Karin Anderson – Law
Chester Jay Tolentino – Physical Therapy
Mikey Sosa Cabunoc – Future Achiever Award (Youth)
Carmen Meliton – Nursing Compliance
Mirielle Bastien – Nursing Compliance
Mary Christine Santiago – Education
Jenelyn Faustino – Outstanding Overseas Worker

Proceeds of the event will go to the building of a nursing home for healthcare workers.


About Moneycytec Achiever’s Night Awards: Is to give recognition to outstanding citizens is truly an invaluable initiative towards the development of a society. By giving recognition to ordinary citizens who do their job extra-ordinarily, they nurture the spirit of hope and foster important virtues such as civic-consciousness, hard-work, excellence and self- improvement. From a governmental perspective, the National Association of Medical and Business Leaders and the MoneyCytec are genuine partners in building a community of productive and responsible citizens. For more information visit http://moneylog.ning.com/

About Author Lourdes Duque Baron:
Lourdes (Lou) Duque Baron: Lou Baron is a community leader, international published book author of Scripted in Heaven, beauty queen (3rd runner-up for Mrs. Asia USA 2011 representing the Philippines), producer, president of Celestial Productions and founder/president of The Baron Publishing House Corporation. On January 10, 2013 she was nominated for The Sidney Hillman Foundation Award for her book “Scriped In Heaven” On February 12, 2013 she was nominated for the 2013 EOTM Award for her published book “Scripted In Heaven” in the category of Outstanding Literary(Inspirational, True Story, Biography). Lourdes Duque Baron is the wife of Dr. Robinson V. Baron. For more information visit her IMDB at http://www.imdb.me/lourdesduquebaron

About Scripted In Heaven:
Scripted in Heaven follows the journey of Dr. Robinson V. Baron and his physical and metaphysical healing. As a stubborn surgeon, he ignores a cryptic warning from an old lady about a supposedly imminent complication with his health. The struggles that follow take him to journey of spiritual renewal, which leads him to rediscover his true faith and his true love. He seeks for the divine guidance of Padre Pio da Pietrelcina while trials and tribulations test him and his family. His devotion grew, even causing him to embark on a punishing pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy, despite his fragile health.His mystical metamorphosis is a story of courage, sacrifice, and triumph. It inspires the reader to reflect on his won weakness and makes him long for purpose and truth in his mortal life. To purchase your copy of this book and/or to attend the next book signing please visit http://www.scriptedinheaven.com/ for more information.

Photos credit to: Moneycytec
Source: Moneycytec

Anderson Cooper to receive Vito Russo Award at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York set for March 16, 2013

Good Morning America’s Lara Spencer, Josh Elliott, and Sam Champion to host New York event.

New York, Thursday, February 21, 2013 - GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today announced it will honor journalist, author, and talk show host Anderson Cooper at the 24^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo.

For more information visit http://glaad.org/mediaawards.

Cooper will receive the Vito Russo Award at the New York ceremony on March 16, 2013 at the New York Marriott Marquis, presented locally by Delta Air Lines.  The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.  Previous Vito Russo honorees include Ricky Martin, Rosie O’Donnell, Alan Cumming, Cynthia Nixon, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones, Elton John, k.d. lang, Brian Graden, and Tom Ford.

“By sharing his own experiences as a gay man, Anderson has reminded millions of Americans that LGBT people are part of their everyday lives and an integral part of our cultural fabric,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “He continues to raise the bar and set a new standard for journalists everywhere, and I’m proud to call him a friend.”

The anchors of Good Morning America, Lara Spencer, Josh Elliott and Sam Champion are hosting the evening. Additional honorees and guests for the New York event will be announced.

For more than 20 years, Anderson Cooper has been an instrumental figure in American journalism.  Enticing audiences with his compassionate and fearless coverage, Cooper has won multiple awards for his work, including several Emmy Awards, National Headliner Awards, and Peabody Awards.  In 2010, Haiti awarded Cooper the National Order of Honour and Merit, the highest honor the country offers, for his coverage of the earthquake that devastated that country.

In addition to reporting for CNN on Anderson Cooper 360°, Cooper is also a contributor to CBS’ 60 Minutes, where he has interviewed cultural icons and newsmakers.  In 2011, he became the host of his own nationally syndicated talk show, Anderson Live.  Dispatches from the Edge, Cooper’s memoirs about covering the South Asia tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and other news events, topped The New York Times Bestsellers List and other bestseller charts.

Never one to shy away from tough topics, Cooper has tackled multiple issues relevant to the LGBT community, including bullying of LGBT youth, families supporting their transgender children, the dangers of so-called “ex-gay conversion therapy,” and soldiers forced to serve under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

For his coverage of issues relevant to the LGBT community, Anderson Cooper has received seven GLAAD Media Award nominations, and has been awarded the trophy three times.


Nominees for the 24^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards were announced in January and are available here:http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/nominees.  The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives. They also fund GLAAD’s work to amplify stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality. Each year, the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco bring together more than 5,000 advocates and allies to raise critical funds for the organization’s work.

The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 16, 2013 at the New York Marriott Marquis; in Los Angeles on April 20 at the JW Marriott; and in San Francisco on May 11 at the Hilton San Francisco – Union Square.  Additional Special Honorees for each city will be announced in coming weeks.

The 24^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards are executive produced by Marc Honaker, Director of Creative Development at GLAAD, and by Josh Wood, founder and president of Josh Wood Productions.  ”I am very proud that my company is producing the GLAAD Media Awards this year alongside such great collaborators.  I have always been a fan of the organization and the important work GLAAD is doing to make the world a better place for the LGBT community.  The fight is not over in the United States, or globally, and I admire GLAAD for inspiring and changing opinions through media,” said Wood.  Emmy Award-winning production set designer James Connelly and acclaimed producer and editor Brett Henrichsen will also contribute to this year’s GLAAD Media Awards.

To receive the latest updates on the GLAAD Media Awards, follow @glaad on Twitter and use the hashtag#glaadawards.

More than 100 corporate partners are showing their support, including National Presenting partners Ketel One Vodka and Wells Fargo, New York and Los Angeles Presenting partner Delta Air Lines, and San Francisco Presenting partner Southwest Airlines.  GLAAD is also grateful to the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Platinum Underwriter corporate partner Anheuser-Busch, Inc., and NBCUniversal, as well as Underwriter corporate partners: Allstate Insurance Company, Caesars Foundation, Disney-ABC Television Group/ESPN, New York Marriott Marquis & Renaissance Hotel, and PwC.  For a full list of corporate partners and information on how to become a corporate partner, purchase tickets and place a tribute in the tribute book, please visit www.glaad.org/mediaawards.

About GLAAD: GLAAD amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively. By ensuring that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media, GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)

American Idol’s Randy Jackson Receives “Music for Life” Award at 2013 NAMM Show

Legendary producer, musician and TV personality awarded NAMM’s highest honor

Carlsbad, CA (January 24, 2013) – The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) honors legendary music producer Randy Jackson with its highest honor, the “Music for Life” award. Jackson is recognized for his pervasive influence in the music world, and his longtime encouragement of budding music-makers.

Introducing the GRAMMY-winning producer, musician, songwriter, best-selling author, entrepreneur and beloved television personality to a packed house during the 2013 NAMM Show’s Breakfast of Champions, NAMM president and CEO Joe Lamond refers to Jackson as one of music’s true renaissance men.

“Throughout his career, Randy Jackson has served as an ambassador for music in all its forms – as a musician, a writer, collaborator, and producer,” said Lamond. “His enthusiasm for the musicians he interacts with on “American Idol” is unabashed and real, and truly comes from an organic place. Randy Jackson knows music because he lives music.”

NAMM’s “Music for Life” award was created to recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate, support and exemplify NAMM’s vision that the joy of making music is a precious element of daily living for everyone. Past recipients have included musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Yoko Ono, Quincy Jones, Henry and Felice Mancini, as well as members of Congress, governors, business leaders, the Smithsonian, and Sesame Workshop.

Growing up in Baton Rouge, LA, Jackson was immersed in the region’s veritable music gumbo on the streets, in church and at home. Developing an affinity for myriad styles, he naturally picked up the bass guitar at 13-years-old and began on a dynamic and diverse path. He has performed with Journey, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Keith Richards and countless others. Jackson produced and collaborated with music luminaries from nearly all disciplines. All in all, he’s received more than 1000 gold and platinum plaques with collective sales exceeding 200 million. Jackson moved seamlessly into his role as “American Idol’s” longest-standing judge, combining his producer’s sensibilities and his musician’s ear to help make the show one of the highest rated in television history.

His charitable work includes Save the Children, the Gibson Foundation, Ronald McDonald House charities, the T.J. Martell Foundation, and NARAS Music for Schools. He is the architect of multi-million dollar fundraiser “Idol Gives Back,” which delivered relief to beleaguered Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He also contributed to the remake of “We Are The World,” benefiting Haitian relief efforts.

The NAMM Show gathers 95,000 members of the music product industry from around the world to preview new product debuts from thousands of brands across every category. Learn more about the 2013 NAMM Show at http://www.namm.org/thenammshow/2013.

About NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 8,500 Member companies located in more than 87 countries. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit www.namm.org, call 800-767-NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Sources: Lippin Group/NAMM

Steve Harvey to Host 44th NAACP Image Awards; Presenters Announced to air on NBC

Dennis Haysbert to be in-show Announcer during Two-Hour Live Broadcast to air on

Feb. 1, 8-10 p.m. EST on NBC.

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 22, 2013) – The NAACP announced today that comedian, author, radio and talk show host, Steve Harvey will host and Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah, Wanda Sykes and Tony Goldwyn will be part of an all-star line-up to present at the 44^th  NAACP IMAGE AWARDS.  In addition, Dennis Haysbert will be the in-show announcer during the LIVE broadcast from Los Angeles’ historic Shrine Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 1, 8-10 p.m. ET (PT tape-delayed) on NBC.

“I’m honored to be hosting the 44th NAACP Image Awards, and celebrate the variety of film, TV, literary, music contributions, and special honorees this year. We’re live on stage, got great things in store for the night!” commented Mr. Harvey.

The NAACP Image Awards are being produced by Reginald Hudlin and Brad Lachman. Bill Bracken will serve as Supervising Producer and Byron Phillips as Producer. The production team also includes Tony McCuin as Director and Melanie Massie as the Talent Executive.

Nominees for the NAACP Image Awards are determined by the number of entries received by the deadline.  To be eligible, projects must have had a national distribution date between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012. For the 2012 voting period, over 1,200 submissions were received by the artists, managers, publicists, production companies, record labels, studios, networks and/or publishers. From those entries, a nominating committee of 300 industry professionals and NAACP leaders from across the country select five nominees in each of the 53 categories. Those results were announced at a press conference. To determine the winners, the members of the NAACP vote via a secured online site. The results are tabulated by the Image Awards auditors, Bert Smith & Co., and the results are confidential until the envelope is opened LIVE on stage during the NBC telecast on Friday, February 1, 2013.

Event sponsors include:  FedEx, UAW/Chrysler, AT&T, Hyundai Motors, Wells Fargo, General Motors, Walmart, Bank of America, Walgreens, Gilead Sciences, AARP, Ford Motor, Anheuser Busch, Pepsico.

About The NAACP Image Awards:
The NAACP Image Awards is the premier multicultural awards show.  It celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net/

About the NAACP
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information visit http://www.naacp.org/

Sources: NAACP and The Lippin Group

Kerry Washington to Receive President’s Award at 44th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Feb. 1st

Presentation to Trailblazing Actress and Activist
To Be Made During Live Broadcast on Feb. 1, 8-10 p.m. EST on NBC.

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 18, 2013) – Kerry Washington will be presented with the NAACP President’s Award at the 44^th  NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, broadcast live from 8-10 p.m. ET (PT tape-delayed) on Feb. 1 on NBC, it was announced today by the NAACP.

The NAACP President’s Award, chosen by NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.  Past honorees include Van Jones, President Bill Clinton, Soledad O’Brien, Ruby Dee, Muhammad Ali, and most recently, the Founding Members of the Black Stuntmen’s Association.

“For the first time in 40 years, we have a black woman playing the leading role in a primetime drama on network television. Kerry Washington is a modern trailblazer,” states Jealous.  “Her talent and will have taken her to heights we have not seen in years. She extends the tradition of women like Ruby Dee, Cicily Tyson, and Lena Horne. Rather than seeing her professional success as cause for political silence, she has chosen to use it as a platform for social change. Her championing of the rights of women around the world, and her early work to campaign for President Barack Obama are examples of her willingness to be a politically active and risk-taking woman in real life even as she plays one on TV.”

NAACP award-winning actress, Kerry Washington, is a versatile and fearless actress with an impressive and diverse body of work.  With the critical and commercial success of her most recent projects (Django Unchained and ABC’sScandal) garnering industry-wide acclaim, as well as her involvement with President Obama’s re-election campaign, Washington has proven herself to be an emerging power player in Hollywood as well as a social and political activist within the community.

Washington is an active member of the V-Counsel, an esteemed group of advisors to V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, and she serves on the board of Voices of a People’s History, a non-profit arts and education group.  She also sits on the Artist’s Committee for the largest national advocacy association for the arts, Americans For The Arts.  In 2008, Washington received several accolades including the Women’s Project Women of Achievement Award, the GWU Alumni Association’s Recent Alumni Achievement Award, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Award, for Washington’s commitment to social advocacy. In 2009, Washington received the US Conference of Mayors Artist-Citizen Award for public leadership in the arts.  That year she was also named a member of President Obama’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities, headed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Originally from The Bronx, New York, Washington is a graduate of The Spence School. In 1998, she graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from The George Washington University.

The NAACP Image Awards are being produced by Reginald Hudlin and Brad Lachman. Bill Bracken will serve as Supervising Producer and Byron Phillips as producer. The production team also includes Tony McCuin as director and Melanie Massie as the talent executive.  The live show will originate from The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Event sponsors include  FedEx, AARP, UAW/Chrysler, Wells Fargo, Ford Motor Company, Anheuser Busch, Hyundai Motors, AT&T, Southwest Airlines and Walgreens.

About the NAACP Image Awards:
The NAACP Image Awards is the premier multicultural awards show.  It celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net

About the NAACP:
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information visit http://www.naacp.org/

Sources: NAACP and The Lippin Group

Hybrid, Plug-in and High MPG Gasoline Vehicles Vie for 2013 Green Car of the Year® Honor

Winner to be Revealed at LA Auto Show Press Conference on November 29.
LOS ANGELES, CA - October 25, 2012 – Five exceptional vehicles have been named finalists for Green Car Journal’s 2013 Green Car of the Year^®. For the eighth consecutive year, the Green Car of the Year will recognize and honor environmental leadership in the automotive field. The winner will be announced at a press conference during the LA Auto Show Press Days on Nov. 29. This year’s finalists include the Dodge Dart Aero, Ford C-MAX, Ford Fusion,  Mazda CX-5 SkyACTIV and the Toyota Prius c.

“This is a very exciting time for the Green Car of the Year program,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and president of the Green Car Institute. “For two decades now, Green Car Journal has documented the ‘greening’ of the auto industry, from a time of mere concepts and demonstration programs to today, when the sheer number of environmentally positive production vehicles available to consumers is just eye-opening.”

Cogan points out that the shift toward ‘green’ vehicles is great for new car buyers who want to drive cleaner and more efficiently, while still experiencing the joy of driving. “What’s tougher these days is narrowing down the universe of great candidates to a field of five nominees, as we have today,” said Cogan.

This ‘greenest’ field-of-five – representing not only the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year award but also Green Car Journal’s distinguished ‘Top 5 Green Cars for 2013′ – underscores the evolving auto industry’s increasing focus on efficiencies and tailpipe/CO2 emissions. The high mpg Dodge Dart Aero and Mazda CX-5 SkyACTIV show that conventionally-powered, internal combustion vehicles can indeed compete with the efficiencies of hybrids. Toyota’s Prius c continues this automaker’s tradition of offering all-new, high mpg hybrid models under the Prius name. The Ford C-MAX and Fusion illustrate how mainstream models can present drivers multiple high-efficiency choices – with the C-MAX offering both hybrid and plug-in hybrid iterations, and the Fusion offering these power options, plus fuel-efficient EcoBoost variants. Importantly, all are affordable mass-market products that provide drivers full functionality and mainstream appeal, paving the way for making a difference in fuel use and overall emissions in daily driving.

The winner will be selected by an esteemed jury comprised of the nation’s top environmental leaders, including Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune, Ocean Futures Society president Jean-Michel Cousteau, and Global Green USA president Matt Petersen, plus Tonight Show host and auto enthusiast Jay Leno and Green Car Journal staff.

About the Los Angeles Auto Show: As the first major North American auto show of the season, the 2012 LA Auto Show will host some of the industry’s most important new vehicle debuts and set the tone for the rest of the year. The dates are Nov. 28 and 29 for press and Nov. 30 – Dec. 9 for the public. Media must register online by Nov. 9 to receive credentials in the mail. Following Press Days, the Show becomes one of the best attended public auto shows in the world. To receive the latest show news and information, follow the LA Auto Show on Twitter at twitter.com/LAAutoShow, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/LosAngelesAutoShow and sign up for alerts at LAAutoShow.com.

About Green Car of the Year: The GCOY award is an important part of Green Car Journal’s mission to showcase environmental progress in the auto industry. Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment, first with an industry newsletter and then with an award-winning auto enthusiast magazine. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology, and alternative fuel vehicles. The nonprofit Green Car Institute pursues a tangential mission of research and education to promote cleaner and more efficient transportation. Green Car of the Year^® is a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.

Source: Los Angeles Auto Show

Logo credit to: Source: Los Angeles Auto Show

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Announces Key Dates for the 85th Academy Awards

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – September 18, 2012, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced key dates for the 85th Academy Awards season.

The key dates are:
Friday, November 30, 2012:		Official Screen Credits due
Saturday, December 1, 2012:		Governors Awards presentation
Monday, December 17, 2012:		Nominations voting begins
Thursday, January 3, 2013:		Nominations voting ends 5 p.m. PT
Thursday, January 10, 2013:		Nominations announced 5:30 a.m. PT, Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater
Monday, February 4, 2013:		Nominees Luncheon
Friday, February 8, 2013:		Final voting begins
Saturday, February 9, 2013:		Scientific and Technical Awards presentation
Tuesday, February 19, 2013:		Final voting ends 5 p.m. PT
Sunday, February 24, 2013:		85th Academy Awards presentation

In an effort to provide members and the public a longer period of time to see the nominated films, the Academy will reveal the 85th Academy Awards nominations on January 10, five days earlier than previously announced.

In addition, this will be the first time the Academy will provide its membership the opportunity to vote electronically. Together with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Everyone Counts, the Academy has been developing an electronic voting process for more than a year. The Academy conducted extensive research and held numerous focus groups with its members to ensure a smooth transition and widespread adoption.

The Academy will make several voting resources available to members during the transition, including the installation of assisted voting stations in Los Angeles, New York and London, a 24-hour telephone help line during voting periods, and paper ballots.

In the pre-Nominations phase, members will continue to vote via paper ballot in eight categories due to specialized screening schedules and processes. Those categories are Animated Feature Film, Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling and Visual Effects.

The Academy Awards ceremony will be held at The Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. A 90-minute red carpet show will immediately precede the broadcast.

About The Academy:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards–in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners–Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photo credit to: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Hawk Koch Elected Academy President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Beverly Hills, CA – July 31, 2012,  Producer Hawk Koch was elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tonight (July 31) by the organization’s Board of Governors. This will be his first term in the office.

Koch, who is beginning his ninth year as a governor representing the Producers Branch, has served as first vice president of the Academy during the past year. He previously served three one-year terms as treasurer and one term as vice president.

In addition, Public Relations Branch governor Cheryl Boone Isaacs was elected first vice president; Producers Branch governor Kathleen Kennedy was elected to one vice president post and Writers Branch governor Phil Robinson was re-elected to the other vice president post; Public Relations Branch governor Rob Friedman was elected treasurer; and Executives Branch governor Robert Rehme was elected secretary.

Koch’s producer credits include “Losing Isaiah” and “Gorky Park.” He recently served as executive producer on “Source Code” and is executive producer on the upcoming “Very Good Girls.”

Academy board members serve three-year terms, while officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of four consecutive terms in any one office.

Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photo credit to: (C) Jordan Strauss/Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Elects 2012-2013 Board of Governors

Beverly Hills, CA – July 17, 2012, Six first-time governors have been elected to the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – Dante Spinotti, representing the Cinematographers branch; Lisa Cholodenko, Directors branch; Dick Cook, Executives; John Knoll, Visual Effects; Scott Millan, Sound and Bill Condon, Writers. In addition, seven incumbents were reelected and three other motion picture professionals will return to the Board after a time away.

Returning to the board after a hiatus are Michael Mann, Directors; Arthur Hamilton, Music; and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers. Mann previously served from 2000 to 2006. Hamilton most recently served from 2008 to 2011, he has served a total of 33 years. Kennedy was on the board from 1994 to 1997 and again from 2002 to 2011.

The reelected governors are Tom Hanks, Actors; Jim Bissell, Designers; Rob Epstein, Documentary; Mark Goldblatt, Film Editors; Leonard Engelman, Makeup and Hairstylists; Rob Friedman, Public Relations and Bill Kroyer; Short Films & Feature Animation.

Fourteen of the Academy’s 15 branches are represented by three governors, who may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms. Terms are staggered so that each branch elects or reelects one governor each year. The Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch is represented by a single governor.

At the end of 2011, Directors Branch Governor Paul Mazursky stepped down from his seat on the Board.  Lisa Cholodenko was elected to complete the 2 years remaining on Mr. Mazursky’s term and Michael Mann was elected to a new three-year term.

Governors who were not up for reelection and who continue on the Board are Ed Begley, Jr. and Annette Bening, Actors Branch; John Bailey and Richard Crudo, Cinematographers; Rosemary Brandenburg and Jeffrey Kurland, Designers; Kathryn Bigelow, Directors; Michael Apted and Michael Moore, Documentary; Jim Gianopulos and Robert Rehme, Executives; Anne V. Coates and Michael Tronick, Film Editors; Charles Fox and David L. Newman, Music; Gale Anne Hurd and Hawk Koch, Producers; Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Marvin Levy, Public Relations; Jon Bloom and John Lasseter, Short Films and Feature Animation; Curt Behlmer and Don Hall, Sound; Craig Barron and Richard Edlund, Visual Effects; and Frank Pierson and Phil Robinson, Writers.

Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photo credit to: (C) Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Stonewall Young Democrats 6th Annual HERO Awards 2012 Honorees Announcement

West Hollywood, CA — Saturday, June 2, 2012, The Stonewall Young Democrats & the Honorable Betty Yee announced The SYD 6th Annual HERO Awards 2012 Honorees: Year of the Women.

List of The SYD 6th Annual HERO Awards 2012 Honorees:

• Honorable Dianne Feinstein, California United States Senator
• Honorable Debra Bowen, California Secretary of State
• Honorable Cynthia Loo, Referee, LA Superior Court
• Susan Dunlap, CEO, Planned Parenthood-Los Angeles

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Dianne Feinstein has built a reputation as an independent voice, working with members on both sides of the aisle to find common-sense solutions to the problems facing California and the Nation. Dianne was first elected to the Senate in 1992. Since then, she has built a legacy of accomplishment – helping to strengthen the nation’s security both here and abroad, combat violence and crime, combat cancer, protect California’s environmental jewels, and secure funding for critical projects.

Dianne’s career has been one of firsts – she was the first woman President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first woman Mayor of San Francisco, the first woman elected Senator of California, and the first woman member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Dianne entered public service in 1969, when she was elected to the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors and served 2 ½ terms as President of the Board. She became Mayor of San Francisco in November 1978 following the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk.

When it comes to politicians who have stepped up in the fight for LGBT equality, Senator Dianne Feinstein is at the top of the list. Her long work for the LGBT community dates back to her work alongside city supervisor Harvey Milk and more recently sponsoring a dozen private bills blocking the deportation of bi-national couples in the state, as well as her support for the proposed Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

We are proud to honor Senator Feinstein. When the LGBT Community most needed her, she was there!

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Trailblazer Award: Susan Dunlap

Sue Dunlap has been a leader in women’s health advocacy for over a decade. Sue currently serves as the CEO of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA) and the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project Los Angeles County. She previously served as Vice President of External Affairs at PPLA, overseeing Public Affairs, Communications Marketing, 501(c)(4), and PAC operations. Her leadership has helped defeat three anti-choice ballot initiatives in California and increase reimbursement rates for family planning providers.

Prior to joining PPLA, Sue was the Deputy Political Director of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in Washington D.C. While in Washington, she developed and implemented a national strategy to increase the visibility of women’s health in the 2004 elections and coordinated Planned Parenthood’s first presidential debate. Sue has also served as the Vice President of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. During her tenure, she led strategic efforts to pass and defeat hundreds of bills, and oversaw the signing of seven groundbreaking measures, including California’s Reproductive Privacy Act, which guarantees the Constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade in state law.

In addition to her work at Planned Parenthood, Sue has worked as a producer ofdaily news and political programs for National Public Radio. Sue’s award-winning article, “Queer Citizenship/Queer Representation: Politics Out Of Bounds,” appears in The Politics of Gender(United Nations University Press, 2008). She received her B.A. in Political Science and Psychology and completed all coursework for a Masters degree in Latin American Studies at San Diego State University.

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Mentorship Award: Honorable Debra Bowen

This year event to be hosted (Master of Ceremonies) by Activist, Philanthropist, TV Personality, Actress Raquel Castaneda, Cast Member, Showtimes The Real “L” Word.

The SYD 6th Annual HERO Awards 2012 will be held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites located 404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071-1710 on Saturday, August 25, 2012 from 4:00pm ~ 6:00pm

The event host Committee are Assemblymember Steve Bradford, Ed Buck, Ari Ruiz, Michael Colorge, Malibu Mayor Laura Rosenthal, West Hollywood Councilman John Duran.

For event Information visit: http://www.stonewallyoungdems.org/heroes and for general tickets and sponsorship opportunities visit http://stonewallyoungdems.org/heroes/sponsor-us

About SYD HERO Awards:
The SYD Annual HERO Awards, now in its sixth year, recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the rights of the LGBT Community. Past recipients include: Congresswoman Judy Chu, Maria Elena Durazo, Karina Samala, Fmr. Congresswoman/US Ambassador Diane E. Watson, West Hollywood City Council Member Jeffrey Prang and Jorge Valencia. For more information visit http://stonewallyoungdems.org/heroes

About SYD: Founded in 2004, Stonewall Young Democrats is a community of dedicated youth passionate about political and societal issues. They strive to give voice to LGBTQ youth and take action in a grassroots manner on matters of both local and national significance. For more information visit www.stonewallyoungdems.org

For last year before and after coverage visit:
http://diversitynewsmagazine.com/2011/08/the-5th-annual-hero-awards-hosted-by-debra-wilson-august-20-2011/#.UA4ZZGFfFU0

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-5th-annual-hero-awards-hosted-by-madtv-s-debra-wilson-makes-history

http://voices.yahoo.com/the-5th-annual-hero-awards-hosted-madtvs-debra-8975083.html?cat=48

Sources: http://stonewallyoungdems.org, Diversity News Magazine, Examiner.com, Yahoo Voices, Diversity News Publications.
Photos and Graphic credit to: Stonewall Young Democrats

Editor’s Note: For a second year in a row Diversity News Magazine from Diversity News Publications is again an official and proud media partner/sponsor of the Stonewall Young Democrats 6th Annual HERO Awards 2012.

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