Posts made in February 2022

NBOTB: A Salute to the Battle

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Webber Marketing (WM), creators of the National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB), releases a new documentary film titled: National Battle of the Bands: A Salute to the Battle. The film is presented by Pepsi Zero Sugar and will air throughout February in honor of Black History Month.

The new film captures the essence and showcases the spirit of the HBCU band battle, highlighting both the field and stand performances, and features Bethune Cookman University, Marching Wildcats; Langston University, “Marching Pride” Band; North Carolina A&T State University, The Blue and Gold Marching Machine; Norfolk State University, The Spartan “Legion” Marching Band; Southern University, Human Jukebox; Jackson State University, The Sonic Boom of the South; Talladega College, Great Tornado Band, and Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands.

“A Salute to the Battle is a documentary film that brings the action, energy and pageantry of the ‘Battle’ performance to viewers, in an up close and personal perspective, right into comfort of their homes where they can experience the action with their friends and family,” says Derek Webber, Executive Producer & CEO of Webber Marketing. “There is so much pride and prestige that accompanies the HBCU band experience and the long legacy of trailblazers who paved the way for HBCU bands to exist. We are honored to play a part in continuing the celebration and sharing of their stories with the masses through our films and events.”

The eight Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) marching bands appearing in the film participated in the 2021 NBOTB in Houston, Texas. The goal of the documentary is to continue amplifying the importance and impact of the National Battle of the Bands event, the participating bands, and its members and the HBCU community at large.

“At Pepsi, we’ve committed to supporting HBCUs year-round and I’m honored to help shine a light on these talented marching bands with this new documentary release,” said Chauncey Hamlett, VP and CMO of PepsiCo Beverages North America (South Division). “These bands are part of the driving force in the celebrated HBCU culture, bringing the energy, hype, and history to every game.”

The historical significance of HBCU bands is sown into the fabric of society. HBCU marching bands continue to be front and center at some of the biggest moments in history; filling the air with their unified sound while marching proudly and dancing unapologetically in celebration of their ancestors who paved the way for their rhythm to be on display for all to see, hear and feel.

For more information about the NBOTB and its “A Salute to the Battle” documentary film, click HERE and stay updated on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About the National Battle of the Bands

The event’s mission is to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their marching bands, the roles they play in educating aspiring musicians and developing our future leaders. Event organizers have generated more than $700,000 in scholarships for the participating colleges and universities.

Col. Charles Young

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By: Charles Blatcher III

One hundred years, one month, and nine days to the date of Colonel Charles Young‘s death in Nigeria on January 8, 1922, February 17, 2022 will mark the day that the United States Army will bestow the rank of Brigadier General of the United States Army on Colonel Charles Young. Also, this promotion serves as an affirmation that perseverance and dedication to a goal have been rewarded. This honor to Brigadier General Charles Young is the result of a 41-year advocacy by the Coalition of Black Veterans headquarters in Oakland, California, and a promise I made to retired Sergeant Samuel Waller.

The advocacy began in 1977 when I met and became friends with retired Sergeant Samuel Waller, the last surviving veteran of the Spanish American War in California. Sergeant Waller had served with then Captain Charles Young in the Philippine Islands (1901) as a member of the 24th Infantry Regiment. Young was the Commanding Officer of the Ninth Calvalry Regiment in the country. According to Waller, Young was the best Officer in the United States Army. He said that Black troops loved and respected Young and would follow him to hell and back. Waller was adamant when he added that the only reason Charles Young was not a General was based upon his color. Sergeant Waller planted a seed that day. As I began learning about Colonel Young, I had to concur with Sergeant Waller that there was only one reason as W.E.B. DuBois said, “There was no place for a Black General in the United States Army.”

In 1978 while consulting with Sergeant Waller regarding the “March for Recognition” Sam made a request: to not let them [Black soldiers] be written out of history. As a young Black man and a veteran, I promised to do my best to honor his request. My promise has been kept with Colonel Charles Young’s promotion to Brigadier General. My sincere thanks to the organizations, associations, and many individuals who have contributed to this milestone.

Young’s promotion is a great day for many people including his descendants as well as to the State of Kentucky. Any day that a nation can face its past mistakes and put forth the efforts to correct those mistakes is a Great Day. It is a sign of growth and hope. Growth in that we have taken steps to mature beyond the foolishness of not understanding that the strength of our Nation resides in our unity of purpose and Hope that we continue to do the necessary work to preserve our Democratic Republic. However, this is not the end of the advocacy for Brigadier General Charles Young.

We have submitted a request for the Department of Interior to consider annexing the General’s birth cabin which is in May’s Lick, Kentucky, into the National Park Service. We are looking at the tourism possibilities of getting the highway between May’s Lick and Wilberforce, Ohio designated the “Brigadier General Charles Young Corridor.” The designation covers the route from his birthplace to his residence at the time of his death.

In addition to making Young’s birthplace part of the National Park Service, we are leading an effort to erect a bronze statue of Brigadier General Charles Young on horseback in Washington, D.C. This statue will memorialize the General’s 497-mile walk/horseback ride from Wilberforce, Ohio to Washington D.C. in 1917. The trip was to prove his fitness to return to active duty after forced into medical retirement. The statue could welcome visitors to the National African American Museum of History and Culture. Our military involvements are the cornerstone of our claim for Civil Rights. Currently, there are bronze maquettes on public display in the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, in Louisville, and the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston. We have called upon Lonnie Bunch, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, for guidance.

The United States Army is in the process of renaming Army bases that currently honor Confederate generals. Army tradition dictates that the rank of General is the qualification for being considered for a base name. Naming a base after a Colonel would represent a break in that tradition. We submitted Colonel Young’s name anyway on the merits of his history. In February 2020, Governor Andy Beshear granted Young a state promotion of honorary Brigadier General in the Kentucky National Guard. However, this honorary promotion was limited to the State. Governor Beshear joined us in writing to President Joe Biden to federalize the State promotion that would qualify Young to be considered a candidate for a base to bear his name. Now, this recent Federal promotion may have a significant impact on our request.

The Coalition is optimistic that along with Young, we have sent recommendations for four other Generals to be considered: Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the first Black General in the Regular Armed Forces; General Roscoe Robinson, Jr., the first Black 4 Star General in American History; Brigadier General Hazel W. Johnson, the first Black Woman General in American History; and Major General Charles C. Rogers, the only Black General recipient of the Medal of Honor. The Commission’s decision will be released in October.

Coalition members are in talks regarding an event to mark Young’s promotion. More than likely, the event will be planned for the Spring or Summer in Kentucky or Washington, D.C. It would be appropriate to host a ceremony in Section C of Arlington National Cemetery. The Arlington visit would allow us to have a site visit of the grounds at the National African American Museum of History and Culture. The public will be welcome to join the “Salute”. I end with a personal “Salute” to all of you who contributed toward the promotion. I “Salute” the late Sergeant Samuel Waller, United States Army for giving purpose to my life. Ready & Forward!

Remote Control

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This week, Vera List Center at the New School is pleased to partner with High Line Art, writer and researcher Arthur Holland Michel, and The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center to present Remote Control: Surveying Drones and Culture Today. Our three-day online symposium kicks off on Wednesday, February 9 with Soundscapes of Conflict, a panel discussion that will explore the embodied experience of drone warfare. (Please note: Guillermo Galindo‘s live performance of Remote Control at The Clemente has been postponed to a later date.)

On Thursday, February 10, Imaging War: Drones from the Ground will address the disconnect between depictions of drone warfare in Western and American media with the lived reality of those who experience it. The panel Aerial Empowerment: Drones for Art, Activism, and Collective Journalism brings together artists and activists in a discussion on the empowering possibilities of consumer-level drones and their implications for the broader discourse on technology, power, and surveillance, while Algorithms and Warfare explores the contested ethical implications of algorithmic warfare that separates human decision making from the effects of their actions.

On Friday, February 11, Shifting Focus: Representing Drones considers filmic and artistic representations of drones, while Surfacing the War on Terror Today focuses on the twenty-year evolution of the “War on Terror” and the central role that drones have played in enabling its international reach. And finally, a closing lecture later that day features activist Kathy Kelly, whose peace activism contests the decades-long international disruption of US drone policies and occupation.

The Vera List Center for Art and Politics at The New School is generously supported by members of the Vera List Center Board and individual donors as well as the following institutional funders: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Boris Lurie Art Foundation, Dayton Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kettering Fund, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, Pryor Cashman LLP, and The New School.

Rooney Rule Replacement

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Civil rights leaders who met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called for the League to establish specific recruiting and hiring procedures for executive and coaching positions, with meaningful consequences for teams that do not abide by the rules.

The Rooney Rule, a policy established in 2003 that requires teams to interview candidates of color for head coaching and senior football operation positions, must be replaced, the leaders said.

National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, National Action Network Founder and President Rev. Al Sharpton, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation President and CEO Melanie Campbell, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, and National African American Clergy Network co-convener Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner requested the meeting after former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores accused the NFL and three of its teams of racial discrimination in a proposed class-action lawsuit filed last week.

“However well-intentioned, the effect of the Rooney Rule has been for team decision-makers to regard interviews with candidates of color as an extraneous step, rather than an integral part of the hiring process,” Morial said, noting that the NFL currently has only one Black head coach, two fewer than when the Rule was established. “The gravity of the situation is long past the crisis point.”

“The Rooney Rule has been proven to be something the owners used to deceptively appear to be seeking real diversity,” Sharpton said. “We must have firm targets and timetables.”

Sharpton said the National Action Network will be approaching states and municipalities to stop public funding and tax incentives to NFL stadiums until these firm commitments on timetables and goals are solid and public.

“NAN also has begun talking to members of Congress about Congressional hearings since public funds are being used to uphold this biased enterprise,” Sharpton said. “Lastly, we will be going to major advertisers telling them they cannot continue to use our dollars in this unacceptable economic arrangement.”

The leaders, who have long advocated for an investigation into the NFL’s hiring practices, said they welcomed Goodell’s announcement of an independent review of the NFL’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and initiatives, and emphasized that the civil rights and racial justice community must be part of that review.

“It’s simply not enough for the League to declare its good intentions,” Johnson said. “This is a long-standing crisis that must be confronted with diligence and rigor.”

The influence of professional football on the national culture lends a heightened urgency to the diversity issue, the leaders said.

“While the NFL has begun making strides with regard to social justice and racial equity, it’s clear that voices of color are not being entirely heard in the executive suites,” Sharpton said. “Good intentions are not enough.”

The leaders also reiterated their wholehearted support for Flores.

“Coach Flores has taken a principled stand for justice, at no small risk to himself and to his career,” Campbell said. “He has risen to meet a crucial moment in history.”

Williams-Skinner added, “We agree that Coach Flores’ lawsuit presents the League with an opportunity to engage in substantive change and we will do everything in our power to make sure that opportunity is not squandered.”

The leaders and Commissioner Goodell agreed to continue working together to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of the NFL and its member teams.

ONE MANAGEMENT PROMOTES BARI SPECTOR

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One Management Promotes Bari Spector To President As The Company Continues Its Growth With Offices In Three New Markets

ONE MANAGEMENT – a world leading modeling agency whose roster intersects fashion with music, gaming, TV, social media, and film, is excited to announce the promotion of Bari Spector to President and its global expansion. ONE boasts incredibly successful talent that represents beauty in all of its diversity.

Bari Spector started her career in fashion at casting agencies but soon moved to the modeling agency world where she spent two years at NEXT before finding her home at ONE in 2011. “[Spector] has been with ONE since the initial days of ONE.1. She has built a great team and has established strong relationships with clients, agencies, and models,” says Jawahar Chirimar, Chairman and CEO of ONE. “Bari has demonstrated incredible performance and leadership in her decade-plus tenure with the agency.” In 2017, Spector became Director of ONE.1 and was later promoted to Vice President of ONE in 2020.

“I am very excited to embark on the next phase of my career at ONE as its President. I look forward to working with our amazing team as we take ONE to unprecedented heights that no one ever thought possible.” Bari Spector, President of ONE.

Founded in 2001, ONE has recently expanded into other markets attracting a more diverse selection of models and a wider range of opportunities for its models given the ability to access clients in different regions. The Los Angeles office opened in October 2020 followed by the opening of Chicago in January 2021. Both started with a substantial women’s board and are now building the curve and men’s divisions. Barcelona, Spain is the latest location to open in November 2021 representing leading models and celebrities such as Anita Pozzo, Mariana Santana, Barbara Valente, Ana Herrera, Caroline Ribeiro, Erin O’Connor, and Inguna Butane.

ONE’s new offices have brought early success with new faces participating in amazing campaigns – MJ starring with Bottega Veneta and YSL, Skye for Gucci, and Tarin for both Bottega Veneta and Gucci. The agency has also signed Sofia Mechetner, Aoki Lee Simmons, Zuleyka Rivera, and Gigi Goode and continues to look towards the future with evolving social media (e.g., TikTok), gaming platforms, NFT’s and Metaverse.

“ONE has the ability to work with a larger set of clients and attract new faces, high profile models, and celebrities, who are serviced by a highly diverse and talented team.” – Jawahar Chirimar, Chairman and CEO of ONE.

That’s My Jam Season Two

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NBC has ordered a second season of its hit new show That’s My Jam. That’s My Jam content has generated more than 250 million views across linear, digital, and all social platforms, and is also NBC’s best-ever digital launch for a non-scripted program.

Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, That’s My Jam is an hourlong music and comedy variety game show that draws inspiration from the most popular Tonight Show games. Each episode features two teams of two celebrities competing for a charity of their choice in a series of music, dance, and trivia-based games and musical performances. Signature games to be played include Launch the Mic, Air Guitar, Don’t Drop the Beat, Perfect Mash-Up, Wheel of Impossible Karaoke, Slay It, Don’t Spray It, and many more.

Season one guests included The Voice coaches Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, John Legend, and Blake Shelton, along with Terry Crews, Chance The Rapper, Taraji P. Henson, Kate Hudson, Bebe Rexha, and more.

That’s My Jam is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Fallon’s production company, Electric Hot Dog. Fallon, Jim Juvonen, and Mike Yurchuk serve as executive producers.

Catch up on the series’ first season now streaming on Peacock. The show is licensed as a format by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group, and will be adapted by TF1 Group in France.

Is Music a Must-have for everything You do?

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No matter who you are, or what you do, music always seems to find its way into your life. Whether it is listening to the radio in the car on your way to work or cranking up your favorite songs on headphones at the gym, music has a unique ability to influence and enhance our daily routines. But does that mean we need it for everything we do? In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of music and look at some situations where listening to music can make a massive difference. So, sit back and turn up the volume – let’s get started!

The benefits of music

For many, listening to music is a huge part of our lives. But did you know that it helps make us more productive or can actually enhance your workout?

There are plenty of ways that music can be beneficial to us. Here are just some of the ways that listening to your favorite songs on repeat can help us, both at work and in our personal lives:

Listening to music even improves productivity. Have you ever found yourself struggling to get through your work? You might think it’s because you’re not passionate about what you do – but research shows that the actual reason could be much simpler. In fact, scientists have proven that listening to music while working can block out distractions and even help you get more done in less time.

Here are some ways that music can enhance your experiences.

Music for exercise

As well as helping us get through the day at work, music can also enhance workout sessions at the gym.

Studies have shown that relaxing or energizing songs can directly impact how much you enjoy your exercise regime, and therefore encourage you to exercise more often.

For example, listening to fun songs while exercising can give you that extra boost of motivation to get through your workout.

But it’s not just about feeling the beat. Listening to music while working out can also help with specific exercises too. For example, people tend to lift more weight when they’re listening to fast-paced songs compared with slow songs. In fact, working out to the right kind of music can even help you burn more fat!

In addition to helping us get fit, listening to our favorite tunes while exercising has been shown to improve our stamina and concentration too. So, it turns out there are a number of physical benefits from using your iPod at the gym!

Music for relaxation

In a world where we’re constantly glued to our smartphones and tablets, it’s no wonder that many of us struggle to switch off. Our brains are always on the go – which can make relaxing after work really difficult. Fortunately, there is one activity that can help calm your mind and encourage you to relax: listening to music. Studies have shown that just 15 minutes of music every day helps reduce stress and encourage a more positive outlook on life.

In addition to helping us relax, listening to soothing sounds can also help with better sleep – perfect if you’re struggling to nod off at night. In fact, there have been studies that show that playing relaxing background sounds or music before bedtime can help reduce stress and encourage a better night’s sleep.

So, if you’re looking for ways to unwind after a long day at work, it turns out that turning up the volume on your favorite songs could be one of the best strategies!

Music for events

No matter what you’re doing, music can always help to set the scene. Whether it’s turning up the volume at a party, or putting on your favorite song for a romantic dinner with your significant other, listening to music is an easy way to enhance every aspect of our lives.

Let’s look at an example. You might be throwing a casino party for your friends. If so, you need all the details to be right so everyone can really buy into the whole thing. That’s why it’s important to have some classy music that you’d hear in a high-end casino. If your friends can’t make it, you could play on live casino games online at sites, like slots.lv/casino/live-dealer, where the live dealer could make the things a bit more exciting. Pairing this with the right music is destined to get your casino event off the ground.

This is just one example. There are loads of ways that music can enhance your event. It’s all about making the right choices and finding the perfect tunes to go with it. So, what are you waiting for? Get listening!

Music to motivate you

Of course, not all music is the same. Different genres of songs can have very different effects on us, depending on our own personal tastes.

If you’re looking for some intense motivation to get you through an intense workout session, more upbeat songs are the way forward.

Kandi and the Gang

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Bravo‘s newest series follows the heart and soul behind the Atlanta restaurant Old Lady Gang (“OLG”) when Kandi & The Gang premieres on Sunday, March 6 at 9:00pm ET/PT. In the heart of the city, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker run an ever-evolving restaurant empire. Their Southern-eatery, OLG, named after the ‘Old Lady Gang’ consisting of Kandi’s mom, Mama Joyce, and Aunts Nora and Bertha, is busier than ever. The restaurant has been a fan-favorite with lines down the block and classic Southern dishes, but peeling back the curtains on this family-owned and operated restaurant reveals that mixing business and relatives can sometimes create a recipe for tension. For a sneak peek, please click HERE.

Kandi & The Gang chronicles Kandi, Todd and OLG’s dynamic staff as they face a much-needed change at the restaurant while juggling their career ambitions, larger-than-life personalities, and personal lives. After being hit with a myriad of obstacles, Kandi and Todd step in with a plan to turn the tide. With tensions rising as family members don’t perform up to standards, a little tough love and a lot of restructuring will shake things up with the staff, whether they’re ready for it or not.

Kandi & The Gang is produced by Truly Original, Kandi Koated Entertainment, T Tucker Productions with Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker, Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Julie “Bob” Lombardi, Camilo Valdes, and Ronica Wynder serving as executive producers.

Get to know the staff at OLG

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker: For Kandi and Todd, OLG is not just a turn-up, good-time, neighborhood restaurant; it’s a business venture that allows them to employ loved ones, as long as they can keep the family in line! After focusing on building their restaurant empire over the past few years, Kandi and Todd jump in with a plan for strong leadership and a staff shakeup to bring the original OLG back to its former glory.

The OLGs–Mama Joyce Jones, Aunt Nora Wilcox, and Aunt Bertha Jones: Namesakes of the restaurant, the “Old Lady Gang” work at OLG and keep a watchful eye over the staff’s lives. Kandi’s mom, Mama Joyce, is the life of the party with all the tea, Aunt Nora is feisty but loving, and Aunt Bertha is the side-eye queen of Atlanta! The ladies are strong, opinionated, and speak their mind.

DonJuan Clark: DonJuan is Kandi’s right-hand man and oversees all of Kandi and Todd’s business ventures. As Kandi’s eyes and ears, he runs the operations for all her businesses as their general manager—which often puts him in the position to mediate between staff members. At the restaurant, DonJuan is ready to shift the culture from laid-back to buttoned-up.

Phillip Frempong: An Atlanta native, Phillip has a long history developing restaurants. He was introduced to Kandi and Todd a few years ago, and began consulting at Blaze Steak & Seafood, the Burruss-Tuckers’ upscale restaurant across town. After his successful tenure there, Phillip moved to OLG guns “Blaze”-ing to get the staff back on track. Phillip tries to set a new tone at OLG, but the staff isn’t as receptive to his straightforward and polished ways as expected.

Shawndreca Robinson: Shawndreca is the first, and self-proclaimed original, hostess at OLG. She can be salty with a sharp tongue that occasionally gets her in trouble with management. Shawndreca has been known to run a minute or two late to her shifts, so Kandi and Todd bring in another host to help get things back on track. Outside of OLG – Shawndreca’s love life has a complicated tie to the restaurant because of her past entanglement with OLG valet owner, Patrick.

Dom’Unique Variety: Dom’Unique is the self-proclaimed “day one” bartender at OLG and dancer who has performed with Kandi on the “Welcome to the Dungeon” Tour and even with thee hot girl, Megan Thee Stallion. Her dreams of dancing professionally are her #1 priority, sometimes at the expense of her shifts at the restaurant. Dom’s close with her workplace besties, Torin and Shawndreca, and her budding flirtationship with a co-worker is becoming the talk of OLG.

Torin Mitchell: Torin previously worked at OLG as a manager, but with his event planning and interior decorating side hustle, he was spread too thin at the restaurant and left to run his events business full time. Torin has always wanted to see OLG succeed, and with his strong work ethic and commitment to going above and beyond, Kandi and Todd have invited him back as the resident events manager.

Brandon Black: An Atlanta transplant from Queens, NY, Brandon is the manager at OLG. Even though Brandon may be known as the workplace flirt, he is responsible for overseeing the staff, their ever-changing schedules and handling any issues that arise. Now that Phillip has stepped in to get the restaurant back on track, Brandon needs to maintain his professionalism with co-workers-turned-flings.

Patrick Dallas: Patrick is Kandi’s cousin and Aunt Bertha’s grandson. In the middle of the family business, he manages the OLG parking lot behind the restaurant and even has a few side hustles, from real estate to an all-natural luxury body essentials line. Despite his past as OLG’s resident ladies’ man, Patrick is smitten with his girlfriend, Safari Foxe, who is less than pleased to see Patrick and Shawndreca still crossing paths.

Brian Redmond: Brian is the head-ex bartender at OLG who’s back as a server. Ever the entertainer, Brian makes everyone laugh at their tables and on stage where he performs stand-up comedy. Outside of the restaurant, Brian launched his own business and he’s eager to integrate his specialty food items onto the menu at OLG.

Melvin Jones: Melvin has strong familial ties to OLG–he’s tight with Kandi, his grandmother, Bertha, and Cousin Patrick. At the restaurant, he’s the kitchen manager, responsible for keeping everything and everyone running according to plan. Melvin is a hard worker, but after running into a few issues, Todd has some concerns about the kitchen. Has Melvin been delt a difficult hand at the restaurant or will Kandi and Todd have to part ways with a family member for the greater good of OLG?

Rashard Roles: Rashard “Shardo” has been finessing the host stand across town at Blaze and is now lending a hand at OLG to spice up the front of the restaurant. Rashard dresses to impress both on and off the job. He’s bringing his class, elegance, and professionalism to OLG with the hope that it will rub off on certain coworkers.

Bethel Woods × Rosen Group

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Bethel Woods Center for the Arts—a non-profit performance venue, museum and site of the 1969 Woodstock festival—announced it has tapped New York-based agency Rosen Group to serve as its public relations partner.

With more than 35 years of experience building brand awareness, generating media coverage and promoting agendas for nonprofit organizations, Rosen Group‘s capabilities align perfectly to achieve Bethel Woods’ communications goals. Rosen Group will provide dedicated media relations and strategic communications support for Bethel Woods and its vast array of programming, and usher in a new series of events and activations beginning with the TAP® New York Craft Beer & Food Festival.

“We are honored to work along side the Bethel Woods team to tell the story of this truly iconic venue, while showcasing the plethora of performances and programming it has to offer,” said Lori Rosen, Founder and President, Rosen Group. “There is so much rich history here, and stunning grounds to boot. We are thrilled to bring our vast experience to work for Bethel Woods and welcome them to our portfolio of non-profit, arts and culture clients.”

Bethel Woods inspires, educates, and empowers individuals through the arts and humanities by presenting a diverse selection of culturally-rich performances, popular artists, and community and educational programming. Through the in-depth study and exhibition of the social, political, and cultural events of the 1960s, as well as the preservation of the historic site of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel Woods educates individuals about the issues and lessons of the decade while inspiring a new generation to contribute positively to the world around them.

“Rosen Group’s considerable communications and media relations expertise across many sectors makes them the perfect partner to help broaden our communications reach and further highlight all the shared experiences Bethel Woods has to offer,” said Susan Fraysse Russ, Senior Director Marketing & Communications, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. “We have ambitious plans for Bethel Woods and know Rosen Group is the right choice for helping us achieve them.”Bethel Woods was named #23 on the Top 100 amphitheaters in the world by Pollstar and has welcomed more than three million visitors to its grounds since its opening in 2006.

Lil Wayne × Allan Cubas – Cameras

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Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning music mogul Lil Wayne released the music video for his latest single “Cameras” feat. Young Money signee Allan Cubas. Directed by Damian Fyffe, the vibrant visual finds Lil Wayne and Allan Cubas rapping poolside. The video made its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, BET Jams, and BET Hip Hop, as well as on the ViacomCBS Times Square billboard.

“Cameras” is featured on the re-release of Lil Wayne‘s 2011 critically acclaimed mixtape Sorry 4 The Wait, which dropped on digital streaming platforms via Young Money Records/Republic Records earlier this year. In addition to the original twelve tracks, the release boasts four brand news cuts. Listen HERE.

The release comes on the heels of another incredibly prolific year from Lil Wayne. The music icon dropped the Tha Carter IV (Complete Edition) on streaming platforms in celebration of the critically acclaimed album’s 10th anniversary, as well as kicked off the Tha Carter IV visual album. Wayne also launched the specialty Tha Carter IV Topps trading cards–making him the first rapper to have his own trading card collection. He teamed up with rap star Rich The Kid on their blockbuster collaborative mixtape, Trust Fund Babies (listen HERE). Wayne closed out the year with “Tha Carter Singles Collection” 7″ vinyl box set, which features 19 of Wayne’s biggest “Tha Carter” series hits on 45 for the first time ever.

To date, Lil Wayne has gathered five GRAMMY® Awards, sold 120 million records worldwide, notched 25 Top 10 singles, logged five #1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, and scored 62 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum certifications. The “greatest rapper alive” is back and better than ever.

About Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne rewrote the entire game in his image. The five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning multiplatinum rap icon, Young Money Entertainment founder, acclaimed author, skater, philanthropist, and history-making superstar left an indelible tattoo on the culture. By 2020, he cemented his legacy forever as “one of the best-selling artists of all time,” tallying sales in excess of 100 million records worldwide with 15 million albums and 37 million digital tracks sold in the United States alone. Not to mention, he garnered 11 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, two MTV VMAs, and eight NAACP Image Awards. Among many milestones, he emerged as “the first male artist to surpass Elvis Presley with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100,” logging a staggering 109 entries.

With a discography highlighted by two consecutive #1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 with 2008’s triple-platinum three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning opus Tha Carter III and its double-platinum 2011 successor Tha Carter IV, he completed the series with Tha Carter V in 2018. Not only did it clinch #1 on the Billboard Top 200, but it also achieved “the second-largest streaming week for an album in history.” Every song on the tracklisting charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as he became “the first artist to debut two songs in the top 5.” It all bulldozed the way for his thirteenth full-length and fifth #1 on the Billboard Top 200, Funeral, a year later. Simultaneously, Wayne owns and operates Young Money Entertainment as C.E.O. The company ignited the careers of two of the most successful artists ever—Drake and Nicki Minaj. The committed philanthropist founded The One Family Foundation too.