Thursday, September 11, 11:00am – 12:30pm

STOP THE VIOLENCE: THE CULTURAL IMPACT ON MEDIA

In a world where media shapes perceptions and behavior, the pervasiveness of violence accessible to the youth population of today is alarming. The guilty pleasures of video games, TV watching, a night out at the movies, or a platinum selling CD all directly influence society’s experiences and subsequent outcomes, both positive and negative. This panel will examine the critical issues around the prevalence of violence in media and entertainment. With a focus on film, music, and television, the dialogue will explore the cultural impact of violence on communities of color, as well as discuss avenues for implementing more anti-violence messaging/images in the media. A diverse and distinguished group of panelists will share their insights and first-hand understanding of how deeply violence impacts our communities, as well as how content creators and distributors can work to directly address this unrelenting crisis.

GEORGE ALEXANDER
Author, Journalist, & Screenwriter
MODERATOR

Author, journalist and screenwriter George Alexander is the author of the books Why We Make Movies: Black Filmmakers Talk About the Magic of Cinema (Doubleday Harlem Moon) and Queens (Doubleday). George also wrote The Biography Channel's 2007 Oscar special Race to the Red Carpet. For VH1 he wrote the special series Black in the 80's. Recently named editor-at-large at Black Enterprise magazine, George regularly writes on the business of entertainment for BlackEnterprise.com and has also written for Daily Variety, Essence, American Legacy AOL and Ebony. His cover story “Money, Power & Black Radio” featuring Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey appears in the August 2008 issue of Black Enterprise. A frequent commentator on popular culture, George has appeared on VH1, AMC, BET and NPR. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

KEITH BROWN
SVP, News & Public Affairs

An award winning broadcast journalist and author, Keith Brown is currently Senior Vice President of News and Public Affairs for BET Networks. Brown is responsible for the development, production, and operations of programming for the New York and DC-based department. Programming under his charge includes: The Truth with Jeff Johnson, Meet the Faith, Hip Hop vs. America and BET News Briefs and Specials. He is also responsible for BET's live coverage of the Democratic and Republican conventions and the presidential election. Currently, Brown is developing a multi-platform strategy for BET News that will expand news, documentaries and public affairs across the network in 2009. Prior to BET, Brown produced and reported for some of the most prestigious news organizations in the country, including PBS, NBC, and CBS.

HEZEUS R’
Chairman, Eye On It Corporation & Founder, Guns 4 Cameras

Hezues R’ is a 29 year old film director & brand architect, Chairman of the Eye On It ® Corporation, and Founder of Guns 4 Cameras™ 501 (c) 3. As an entertainment executive, Hezues manages and develops properties for International feature films, national television broadcast and music & lifestyle products. As a panelist for the Brady Campaign (the largest anti-gun violence program in the U.S.) on their national agenda for youth marketing, having toured the country to speak at Colleges/Universities (UCLA, NYU, Temple etc) and being featured in publications and news broadcast as an authority on violence in entertainment (NY Post), Hezues understands the issue and how to effectively reach today’s youth. Mr. R’ is currently a consultant to an advisor of the U.S. President on youth marketing and new media and is also developing media and entertainment strategies in foreign markets. He has recently been announced as the Chairman of the new Bangladesh media initiative, JB Entertainment.

ADDITIONAL CELEBRITY TALENT PARTICIPATION FROM THE URBANWORLD FILM #1 WITH A BULLET TO BE ANNOUNCED.

GEORGE ALEXANDER
Author, Journalist, & Screenwriter
MODERATOR

Author, journalist and screenwriter George Alexander is the author of the books Why We Make Movies: Black Filmmakers Talk About the Magic of Cinema (Doubleday Harlem Moon) and Queens (Doubleday). George also wrote The Biography Channel's 2007 Oscar special Race to the Red Carpet. For VH1 he wrote the special series Black in the 80's. Recently named editor-at-large at Black Enterprise magazine, George regularly writes on the business of entertainment for BlackEnterprise.com and has also written for Daily Variety, Essence, American Legacy AOL and Ebony. His cover story “Money, Power & Black Radio” featuring Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey appears in the August 2008 issue of Black Enterprise. A frequent commentator on popular culture, George has appeared on VH1, AMC, BET and NPR. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

JUDITH AIDOO
Entrepreneur / Investor / Producer

Judith Aidoo is a private investor (Caswell Capital Partners, LLC) and media and entertainment entrepreneur (Caswell Communications, Inc.) with holdings in radio broadcasting; television syndication; publishing; feature film; and theater production. Judith has produced two feature films (Get Faamous and, the larger film, BLACKOUT), one documentary (Dance Cuba); and a cable, broadband and mobile series recently acquired by the Sundance Channel called AFRICA DIARY, directed by L.M. Kit Carson, which will premiere in late 2008. In December 2006, Judith acquired a leading urban movie studio, Urban Entertainment, and its library of over 40 feature films and 18 animated series. She also invested in and associate produced the Broadway produced play, “Bridge and Tunnel.”

CONSTANCE CRIBBS KNIGHT
Vice President, Home Entertainment & Content Acquisitions
BET Networks

Constance Cribbs Knight serves as VP of Home Entertainment and Content Acquisitions at BET Networks. Her responsibilities include identifying content, negotiating acquired product deals, developing product release strategies and managing the creative and promotional execution of all BET Home Entertainment marketing campaigns. Mrs. Knight is also responsible for managing the production of value added content across platforms including DVD, VOD, online and mobile. She has held similar positions at Buena Vista Home Entertainment and New Line Home Entertainment.

JERRY LAMOTHE
Writer / Director/ Producer

Brooklyn native Jerry Lamothe, founded Tru Life Films in 2000 and released his debut film “Amour Infinity", in which he took a page out of his idol Spike Lee's handbook by writing, directing, producing and starring in the project. He has gone on to build a distinctive body of work, including his most recent critically acclaimed piece entitled BLACKOUT. BLACKOUT, albeit fictionalized, is based upon actual events within a Brooklyn neighborhood during the seven statewide blackout of 2003. The film stars Zoe Saldana, Jeffrey Wright, Melvin Van Peebles, Latonya Richardson, Jamie Hector and Saul Rubinak. Most recently, Lamothe and his company have inked a deal with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment to co-produce the Lions Gate Films family comedy, “Kid-napped".

DEDRA TATE
President, Unlimited Contacts, Inc. / Producer

After ten years as the president and GM of Flavor Unit Entertainment, Dedra Tate stepped into the entrepreneurial arena with Unlimited Contacts, Inc. She currently produces several projects for Flavor Unit Television and Films, including KIDNAPPED, a family comedy that will be released through Lions Gate Entertainment and “WIFEY’S” a cutting edge, one hour scripted series that will premiere and run simultaneously on both VH-1 & BET. Tate is the associate producer of the independent film BLACKOUT. Tate has now added the moniker of casting director to her credits, with her latest independent film LIFE, LOVE, SOUL, which she is also producing.

ADDITIONAL CELEBRITY TALENT PARTICIPATION FROM THE URBANWORLD ALUMNI FILM BLACKOUT TO BE ANNOUNCED.

NEIL DRUMMING
Journalist
MODERATOR

Neil Drumming is a freelance journalist specializing in entertainment coverage. He has written extensively about film, music, and video games for various publications including VIBE, Wired, ESSENCE, Rolling Stone, the Village Voice, and The Washington Post, among others. A graduate of the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television, Mr. Drumming recently left his position as staff writer for Entertainment Weekly to pursue screenwriting full-time.

EVA DAVIS
SVP, Acquisitions & Business Development, Warner Premiere

As SVP of Acquisitions and Business Development at Warner Premiere, Eva is responsible for global acquisitions of DVD and digital content. She also manages strategic and business planning for Warner’s made-for-home-entertainment division, Warner Premiere, where she contributes to the development and release of made-for-video films such as Batman: Gotham Knight, and Lost Boys: The Tribe, and digital short-form projects such as The Watchmen Motion Comic. Eva also complements Warner Premiere’s slate with acquisitions of 3rd party produced films and other content. She orchestrated the “American Black Film Festival DVD Series” which showcases quality urban independent cinema. She also manages “non-theatrical” acquisitions, where she has recently completed deals for Peanuts, The Wiggles.

BRETT DISMUKE
VP, Acquisitions & Urban Programming, Image Entertainment

Brett Dismuke serves as the Vice President of Acquisitions and Urban Programming for Image Entertainment. Helming Image’s urban studio, One Village Entertainment, Dismuke has over 13 years of marketing, sales and branding experience, having worked for entertainment staples including Disney, Polygram and Universal Music. In addition to locating and securing new content, Dismuke oversees strategic planning, financial management, brand building and product lines for the division.

LEE DANIELS
Producer / Director, Lee Daniels Entertainment

Lee Daniels began his career in entertainment as a casting director working on projects such as Under the Cherry Moon and Purple Rain. Monster’s Ball, the first production of Lee Daniels Entertainment, marked Daniels as the first African-American sole producer of an Academy Award earning critical and box office success. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards in 2002—Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress, for which Halle Berry won an Oscar. Daniels’ next producing effort was The Woodsman, starring Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Mos Def, followed by Shadowboxer, starring Helen Mirren, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Mo’Nique, which marked Daniels’ directorial debut. In 2007, Lee completed production on Tennessee, his current producing effort, which features superstar actress/singer Mariah Carey. He recently wrapped production on Push, based on the award winning, New York Times-bestselling novel by Sapphire, starring Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe.

CHARISSE NESBIT
Creative Executive, Lionsgate Films

Charisse is a Creative Executive in the Production and Development department of Lionsgate Films. Beginning her tenure there as an intern, her contribution to the slate of films currently in development earned her a position as a consultant, later leading to her current position. The film version of the best-selling book “Addicted”, an idea she brought into the company, is in the final stages of development and on track to potentially become green lit. In her spare time, she is also an author/editor. Whether it is through her writing or through participating in programs such as the Urbanworld Film Festival, Charisse always strives to achieve her own goals, while helping others in the process.

CORI MURRAY
Entertainment Director, ESSENCE Magazine

Cori Murray is the Entertainment Director for ESSENCE magazine. She is responsible for conceptualizing, assigning and editing the celebrity cover stories and lifestyle features, and the magazine’s Culture section. Murray contributes to the Essence Music Festival planning committee and represents the magazine as a cultural critic for several media outlets, including CNN, BET, The New York Daily News, FOX 5-TV’s Good Day New York, Billboard Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Blackamericaweb.com and American Urban Radio Networks. She has also served as a judge for The Black Film Awards and the BET Awards.

SUZANNE DE PASSE
CEO, de Passe Entertainment Group, LLC

Suzanne de Passe began her career at Motown Records as Creative Assistant to company founder Berry Gordy, and subsequently rose to the position of President of Motown Productions. She later formed Gordy/de Passe Productions with Mr. Gordy prior to establishing her own company in 1992. A veteran of three decades in Hollywood, she has received countless honors for her contribution to the television, movie, and music industries, including two Emmy Awards, six NAACP Image Awards, three Peabody Awards, and a Golden Globe for her productions. Additionally, she received an Academy Award nomination for co-writing, LADY SINGS the BLUES. Some of her productions include mini-series LONESOME DOVE and THE JACKSONS: AN AMERICAN DREAM, as well as TV specials such as MOTOWN 25: YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER. Ms. de Passe was Executive Producer of the long running series SISTER, SISTER, and SMART GUY, and currently serves as Executive Producer of the syndicated program, SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO. In 2005 de Passe served as Executive Producer of THE BLACK MOVIE AWARDS, A CELBRATION OF BLACK CINEMA: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE which aired on TNT and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and NAMIC Vision Award airing for its second year in 2006 with Tyler Perry as the host.

ZOLA B. MASHARIKI
SVP, Production, Fox Searchlight Pictures

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Zola B. Mashariki is currently Senior Vice-President of Production at Fox Searchlight Pictures. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School and a former corporate attorney at Proskauer Rose LLP in New York and Manatt, Phelps and Phillips LLP in Los Angeles. Ms. Mashariki has worked on a number of feature films, including Mira Nair's THE NAMESAKE, Tamara Jenkins’ THE SAVAGES, Chris Rock’s I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE, and Denzel Washington's ANTWONE FISHER. Her upcoming films include THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, based on the best-selling novel, and NOTORIOUS, the biopic about acclaimed rapper The Notorious B.I.G.

GINA PRINCE-BYTHEWOOD
Screenwriter/Director

Gina Prince-Bythewood wrote and directed the widely acclaimed feature film LOVE & BASKETBALL, which premiered at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. Prince-Bythewood won an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature and a Humanitas Prize for her work on the film. Her other feature directing credits include the HBO film “Disappearing Acts.” Prince-Bythewood obtained her first feature film producer credit in 2003 on BIKER BOYZ, a Dreamworks film which was co-written and directed by her husband, Reggie Rock Bythewood. She wrote and produced for various television series including “A Different World,” “Felicity,” “South Central,” “Courthouse” and “Sweet Justice” before making the transition to directing. She has also directed episodes of the hit television comedies “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Girlfriends.” Her upcoming film is THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, based on the best selling novel.

SOPHIE OKONEDO
Actor

Sophie Okonedo is perhaps best remembered for her arresting performance as the female lead opposite Don Cheadle in HOTEL RWANDA, which earned her an Academy Award nomination, as well as SAG, Critics Circle and NAACP Image Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. Other film credits include WHOSE BABY, the romantic comedy SWEET REVENGE, DEAD CASUAL, DEEP SECRETS, alongside Michael Gambon and Colin Firth in Harold Pinter’s CELEBRATION, the Award winning British film DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, as well as MARTIAN CHILD alongside John Cusack and Joan Cusack. After graduating from RADA she spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company where she currently sits on the Board of Directors. Her big break came when she joined Trevor Nunn and Jon Caird’s company at the National Theatre to play the role of ‘Cressida’ in “Troilus and Cressida.”