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WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT EMPOWERMENT NETWORK (WEEN) KICKS OFF “DON’T JUDGE ME…EMPOWER ME” TOUR
JUNE 28 IN NEW YORK CITY
LeToya Luckett, Lil Mama, MC Lyte, Melyssa Ford, La La Vasquez, Lil Mo, Julissa Bermudez, Free, Alesha Renee, Dawn of Danity Kane, Danyel Smith, Marilyn Crawford To Participate
The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) has emerged as the premiere organization for the education and empowerment of women worldwide. WEEN is spearheaded by stars and executives from the entertainment industry and advocates for the balanced, positive portrayal of women in entertainment and in society. WEEN will launch the “Don’t Judge Me…EmPower Me” national tour at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on June 28, 2008 at 1:30pm.
Entertainment icons and executives will discuss health, financial literacy, leadership, career development and relationships with thousands of young adults in a series of intimate, interactive panel discussions. Anheuser-Busch, Inc. is the presenting sponsor and Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the supporting sponsor.
WEEN was founded by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network’s (HSAN) Executive Director Valeisha Butterfield. The WEEN Advisory Board consists of hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte, TV personality Lauren Lake and television producer turned public school teacher Sabrina Thompson. Kimora Lee Simmons is the National Spokeswoman for WEEN.
Joining the “Don’t Judge Me…EmPower Me” kick-off in New York City is LeToya Luckett, Lil Mama, MC Lyte, Melyssa Ford, Lil Mo, Julissa Bermudez, Free, BET television personality Alesha Renee, Dawn of Danity Kane, Vibe Magazine Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith, Primetime Omnimedia CEO Marilyn Crawford, Universal Motown Executives Shanti Das and Phylicia Fant, 5WPR executive Tracy Nguyen, Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Director of Talent Relations Jasmin Franjul, Model Agent Davida Williams, Dr. Nicole Roberson, Dr. Catrise Austin (Dentist), Activist Maria Davis, Lynn Richardson of Wealth n Real Estate, Lori Gibbs of Genworth Financial. The WEEN event is also supported by actor/author Hill Harper, renowned video director Lil X, Warner Music Group Executive Vice President Kevin Liles, BET’s host of “106 & Park” Terrence J and Hip-Hop Summit Action Network President Dr. Benjamin Chavis.
“Our tour begins in New York City at a most opportune time given the unprecedented national debate about the leadership of women in American society. WEEN’s fast growing network of artists, executives and professionals will deliver vital and exciting information to thousands of young women on June 28. After many months of preparation, we are enthusiastic about the launch and our goal is to provide young women with the tools necessary to make informed professional and personal life choices,” exclaimed Founder Valeisha Butterfield.
The community partners include The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), Girl Scouts of America, the National Urban League, Latinos in Fashion and Entertainment (L.I.F.E.), T.E.E.N. Diaries, Carifest Cares and Melyssa Ford’s Less Is More. The exclusive radio partner is Power105.1. The production partners are Bird’s Eye Entertainment and Corner the Market Media. Swag room contributors for the event include Rocawear, B*Star, Married to the Mob, BeanpYe, Get em Girls, Steaz, Miss Jessies, Eki’s Famous, Pieces Boutique, Pollen Nation, Zenedge Energy Drinks, Soul Fixins, Black Enterprise, Dr. Miracles, Vita Coco, The Coil Review, Carifest Cares and the Gift Agency.
About Anheuser-Busch Based in St. Louis, Anheuser Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27 percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best-selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007. Anheuser Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or www.africanamericanbud.com.
About Enterprise Rent-A-Car Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is headquartered in St. Louis and serves customers in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Germany. Enterprise is North America’s largest car rental company in fleet size, number of locations, and annual revenue, ranking No. 18 on the Forbes Top 500 Private Companies in America. Enterprise has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport rentals in eight out of the past nine years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. Enterprise is owned by the Taylor family, which acquired the National Car Rental (nationalcar.com) and Alamo Rent A Car (alamo.com) businesses in 2007. For more information about Enterprise, visit enterprise.com.
About Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) is a coalition of women committed to supporting, promoting and defending the balanced, positive portrayal of women in entertainment and in society. WEEN is led by women executives in music, television, film, radio and other forms of entertainment. WEEN is a program of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. www.weenonline.org.
