Saturday, October 18, 2014

Bay Area's Own Christopher Rockefeller - Berry Gordy Scholarship Recipient

Christopher Xavier Earl-Rockefeller
Berry Gordy Family Foundation
Scholarship Recipient

 (Hollywood, CA/Oakland, CA) This year’s The Heroes And Legends (HAL) Awards were presented at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, CA and Christopher Xavier Earl-Rockefeller, age 16, San Leandro, CA was honored and awarded with the Berry Gordy Family Foundation Scholarship for his work in the performing arts through television and poetry. Christopher received his award to a sold out banquet room including, Mr. Berry Gordy and a host of music legends, celebrities and guest.
 
Christopher Xavier is the anchor of “The Adventures of Mr. Christopher” a youth television program dedicated to youth and teen awareness and education through interviews, entertainment and interactive activities. Christopher is a bay area teen embarking on a mission of youth empowerment and awareness with vital topics and intriguing conversations while keeping with current interest. Christopher is known as a sponge for information that complements his experienced and charismatic delivery. Christopher, at a young age showed an interest in the family business of television and broadcast media. He’s hosted interviews with many notable entertainers and is a young leader who moves by example.
 
Sharing hosting duties on “The Adventures of Mr. Christopher” are Amari Chatmon and McKinley Clemons also known as “The Cronies”. These dynamic young men exude knowledge while bringing their own “swagger” to the program. The three best friends are involved in youth programs and performance groups and have traveled and performed in many cities, states and countries. Together, Christopher, Amari and McKinley will indeed motivate youth to be more social and energetic. Christopher shares this award with the support of his parents, Young, Gifted and Black, a poetry performance group whom he has traveled with and the office of African American Male Achievement. In his speech, he thanked Mr. Gordy and the HAL Awards for the esteemed honor.
 
About The Scholarship Fund
The Heroes And Legends Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to helping talented young persons of the community achieve their dreams and their visions of careers in the performing arts, as well as spotlighting positive role models from many diverse backgrounds. The Heroes And Legends (HAL) Scholarship Foundation was created by celebrated songwriter and Motown Alumna, Ms. Janie Bradford to aid youth and to publicly recognize others who share her vision. Each year our scholarship honorees are selected from a diverse group of candidates who have earned a consistent grade point average of 2.0 or better and who exhibit an extraordinary amount of talent, drive and determination. For nearly 25 years, HAL has spotlighted positive role models and leaders in the fields of music, theatre, motion pictures and business at the Annual HAL Awards and Scholarship Dinner.

For more information contact: James C. Earl-Rockefeller, III, Executive Producer, VJTV The isual Radio NETWORK, 2970 Teagarden St., San Leandro, CA 94577, (510) 228-5355. www.vjvnetwork.com

Thursday, October 9, 2014

5th Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival | October 17th - 19th, 2014

The 5th year, SVAFF takes place October 17-19, 2014 at Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, CA 94040. Presented by Oriki Theater and Community School of Music and Arts, the Silicon Valley African Film Festival is the only film festival in California that is exclusively focused on films made by African filmmakers and provides audiences with exquisite lenses to the real Africa. 

The mission of the festival is to promote an understanding and appreciation of Africa and Africans through moving images. A few special festival highlights include a visual arts exhibit and youth forum entitled Listen Up by 21 year-old Canada based artist, Ms. Kosi Nnebe and an“African Women in Technology" forum on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 12:00PM. The forum, presented in partnership with the African Diaspora Network and the Institute of International Education, will feature an illuminating conversation with Africa's next generation of women leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, visiting from 16 African countries. 

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, October 17, 2014
5:30PM: Red Carpet Walk and Lobby Reception
6:30PM: Formal Opening Ceremony with parade of flags of countries in the festival, live performances by Stanford University’s award winning a cappella group Talisman; Tezkatlipoka Aztec Dance company, and Oriki drumming ensemble.
8:00PM: Opening Night Feature film.
10:30PM: Opening Night Party / Filmmakers Reception.

Saturday, October 18, 2014
11:00 am: All day film screenings and post-screening dialogues with filmmakers in attendance, African Marketplace and Food
10:00AM: "Listen Up" Youth Forum with Canada based visual artist Kosi Nnebe - gallery walk and dialogue.
12:00 Noon: African Women in Technology Forum - an illuminating conversation with Africa's next generation of women leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, visiting from 16 African countries.

Sunday, October 19, 2014
11:00 am: All day film screenings and post-screening dialogues with filmmakers in attendance, African Marketplace and Food
5:00 pm: Closing Night Film
7:00 pm: Closing / Awards Ceremony

Information: www.svaff.org