Foote Communications LLC

Suspenseful, Historical Novel Love Story Addressing the Complexities of Race, Family and Slavery nominated for NAACP Image Award

(Dallas – January 31) Dallas author Shella Gillus’ first novel, “The Loom”, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the “Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author” category.

The suspenseful, historic romance tale of a slave who passes for white and uses the wisdom of the elders to achieve her freedom is gaining national attention because its an engaging, well-written page-turner rich with colorful detail and crisp dialogue.  The NAACP Image Award winners will be announced at its annual gala in Feb. 17 in Los Angeles.

Gillus, a former pageant winner, a member of the Screen Actors Guild and two-time guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, has received a top rating from RT Book Reviews, the popular book industry magazine, which gave the novel an impressive rating of 4.5 star. The reviewer noted, “Gillus’ strong characters may be broken in spirit, but they trust that God will rescue them and show them freedom on the other side.”

The Loom (Guideposts 2011, paperback $14.99) is the story of Lydia, a woman who knew that her life as a slave on a Maryland plantation would end at the loom room – the place on every plantation where slaves, particularly after years in the tobacco and cotton fields, spent their days weaving and making clothes for their masters’ family.  Gillus smoothly weaves her own tale, integrating the harsh, revealing truth of this nation’s troubled racial past with the broader, universal themes of love and freedom.

To set up an interview with Ms. Gillus or set up a book signing, contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, LLC, neil@neilfoote.com, 214.448.3765.  To order bulk copies of the book, The Loom is published by Guideposts (www.guideposts.com) and is available wherever books are sold, including Barnes & Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loom-shella-gillus/1102606482.

(DALLAS – January 13) Tom Joyner, the top rated nationally syndicated morning radio show, is presenting the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Convocation at his alma mater, Tuskegee University, at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, January 16 as part of a weekend long celebration of the release of “Red Tails,” the epic George Lucas movie on the famed World War II airmen.

As part of the Monday’s festivities, Joyner also will host a special screening and panel discussion of “Red Tails”, George Lucas’ new movie based on the legendary accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen. Joyner’s dad, Hercules, was part of the Tuskegee Airmen program, and his mother worked in the airmen’s office.

The schedule will feature Joyner’s speech at 12:30 p.m., a screening of the movie and afterwards, a panel discussion with some former airmen and actors, including and Anthony Hemingway, the movie’s director, Terrence Howard as Col. A.J. Bullard, Nate Parker as Marty ‘Easy’ Julian, David Oyelowo as Joe ‘Lightning’ Little, Tristan Wilds as Ray ‘Ray Gun’ Gannon, Elijah Kelley as Samuel ‘Joker’ George.

“I’m proud to go back home to speak at my university’s MLK Day celebration,” Joyner said. “It’s particularly special because we’ll also be viewing and discussing the movie about the famed Tuskegee Airmen who played a huge role in Tuskegee’s and this country’s history.”

Red Tails is an action drama based on the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American World War II U.S. service members who faced segregation during the war. They were called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard. As the war in Europe continued to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass moved forward with the development of untried and untested African-American pilots in the experimental Tuskegee training program. Against all the odds, the intrepid young airmen took to the skies to fight for their country. The movie stars Academy Award winner, Cuba Gooding Jr, Terrence Howard, NeYo and others. The official release date for the movie is Friday, January 20, 2012.

To interview Mr. Joyner or learn more about the event, contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, LLC, neil@neilfoote.com and 214.448.3765.

Chef Says It’s Not to Early to Start Planning Your Super Bowl or Valentine’s Day Menu

(DALLAS – January 5) Chef Falan Taylor is kicking off 2012 with the re-launch of her popular ‘Housewife Cuisine’ online cooking series just in time for the 2012 Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day.

 Taylor, a native Harlem, NY, is known for her popular online video series (http://www.youtube.com/falantaylor) that feature her affable personality coupled with clear, easy-to-follow instructions.  Simple, easy recipes on a budget is Chef Falan’s approach to making tasty, healthy meals for today’s busy person. In recent years, she’s been concentrating on raising her family, and rebuilding her life after surviving a horrific experience with domestic abuse.

“I’m ready to take the world by storm again,” said Taylor, who has a developed a base of more than 375,000 followers via her YouTube and Facebook pages and has a best-selling cooking, ‘Housewife Cuisine’. “I know how it is to cook for a family. So my approach all along has been how to help the everyday cook bring a gourmet touch to their meals. Over the years, I’ve received so many wonderful comments from my followers who have been grateful for my cooking tips and recipes.”

Taylor followed in the footsteps of her mom and grandmother who were both professional cooks. She began her formal culinary training at Ashworth’s Gourmet Cooking and Catering Program, and then studied at the internationally acclaimed Texas Culinary Academy‘s Le Cordon Bleu program. She also was Food Service Director at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas.

In 2012, Taylor says she’s taking on any opportunities to work as a private chef or cater special events anywhere in the country. “I love what I do and want to share great food with people so they can eat well and eat healthy,” said Taylor who is in the midst of writing a new cookbook. “I’ve got plenty recipes and great food to share.”

You can learn more about Chef Falan at her website, housewifecuisine.com. To interview Chef Falan or book her for an event, please contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, LLC, 214.448.3765 or via email at neil@neilfoote.com.

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Free Health Fair in Dallas

WHO:  
Sybil Wilkes, co-host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, and OLD SCHOOL 94.5 will broadcast live from the MLK Family Clinic on Friday, September 30th to culminate Tom Joyner’s national community health initiative.  The ‘Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day’ campaign will feature a FREE health fair with several interactive activities for TJMS listeners.  Wilkes herself has served as a national ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Circle of Promise campaign for the last three years, which is a platform to raise breast cancer awareness by advocating preventive measures targeted at African American women.  Recognizing this, the Komen on the Go “Little Pink” mobile unit will be on site to equip attendees with vital tips and information.

In addition, Dallas Mavericks Assistant Coach Darrell Armstrong will make an appearance at 9:30 am.  Coach Armstrong champions against issues that disproportionately affect the Black community by advocating for health through the Darrell Armstrong’s Foundation For Premature Babies.

WHAT:  
The ‘Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day’ campaign will host activities in Dallas, TX.    Sybil Wilkes will be on location in the city promoting personal-health awareness targeted at the African American community.  The ‘Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day’ events will showcase music, diabetes testing and maintenance education, interactive nutrition and wellness seminars, and tons of giveaways for TJMS listeners.  Plus, this year’s collaboration with the Ohio State University Medical Center will allow listeners in any city to receive health and wellness advice from African American physicians during that morning’s broadcast by calling 1-866-Joyner-6.  Other participating sponsors include the Alzheimer’s Association, Bayer, CVS, Susan G. Komen FOR THE CURE, Novo Nordisk, and Rx Outreach.

More information can be found on the official micro site for the campaign located on BlackAmericaWeb.com: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/drday/.

WHERE:
MLK Family Clinic
2901 Pennsylvania Street
Dallas, TX  75245

WHEN: 
Friday, September 30,  2011
5:00a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST

To learn more about the other ‘Doctor Day’ events around the country, go to http://prlog.org/11672493.

For more information and interviews, contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, LLC, neil@neilfoote.com, 214.448.3765.

UNICEF has awarded the Abyssinian Fund a $5,000 grant to help expand its training of coffee farmers in the Ethiopian community of Chaffee Jenette.

 This marks the first time the one-year-old Abyssinian Fund has received a grant from the global organization mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights around the world.

 “We’re very grateful to have been chosen for this grant,” said Rev. Nicholas S. Richards, president of the Fund. “This kind of grant is extremely helpful to us during this very critical time. These funds will allow us to begin training another 100 farmers next month.”

 The Fund provides new technologies and distribution networks to ensure Ethiopian coffee is competitive in the global marketplace. Rev. Richards said the fund recently completed its first round of training with the farmers, and is actively working to identify new partners.

 Unlike traditional organizations that are working with Ethiopia, the Abyssinian Fund does charity, differently.   Through its community partnerships, the Fund will build the first high school in the community, construct a modern clinic with a full time staff and provide 100% access to clean water..

 For more information about the Abyssinian Fund (http://www.abyfund.org), contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, 214.448.3765