(Dallas – April 16) Shella Gillus, a nationally recognized Dallas author of “The Loom”, will be the featured author at the 38^th Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival on the historic grounds of the Melrose Plantation in Natchitoches, La. April 21^st and 22^nd.

Gillus, whose book received nominated for an “NAACP Image Awards in the “Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author” category, has scheduled a series of readings at the weaving house on the plantation grounds. The location is a perfect venue for Gillus whose book centers around “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.

“This is going to be very emotional for me,” said Gillus who wrote the book while juggling her family – her husband, Stacey, and two children, Spencer and Staci. “The Loom Room has such a special meaning in America’s history, but rarely gets talked about. My book tries to shed light on this part of slavery that played such an important role in so many lives.”

In fact, Cammie Henry, owner of the plantation until the mid 1930s, hosted many artists and writers over the years, including folk artist Clementine Hunter whose work includes the famous “Bowl of Zinnias” oil painting and many intricately woven quilts.

The Melrose festival, which attracts more than 1,200 visitors every year, is considered Louisiana’s largest arts and crafts fairs, featuring work from artisans around the country.  Originally built in 1796, the plantation has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Gillus’ book, “The Loom” (Guideposts 2011, paperback $14.99) is a 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 novel focuses on the story of Lydia, a woman who knew that her life as a slave on a Maryland plantation would end at the loom room. Gillus 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.

Gillus, a member of the Screen Actors Guild who has been 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 stars. 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 former Miss Black Heritage and 1st runner-up Miss Black Arizona was also crowned Miss Congeniality, the Copper Bowl Princess and member of the University of Arizona Homecoming Royalty.

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.

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(BALTIMORE – February 29) Baltimore native Sheena Young is launching “Nael Coce Ambi Collection”, a new line of eco-friendly high heel shoes that have a built-in flat shoe that are comfortable and have anti-bacterial features.

 Young, a chemist working on her Ph.D., is unveiling the new, patent-pending footwear, with their distinctive green soles, at a launch party, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Saturday at the Milan Restaurant and Lounge, 1000 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, Md.  The $35 event will feature shoe giveaways, shoe sales, a fashion show and a performance by Mario, the Grammy-nominated singer who also is a Baltimore native.  A portion of the proceeds from shoe sales will go to the Women’s Funding Network, a global initiative that helps fund women’s businesses. To purchase tickets, go online to www.naelcoce.com/launchparty.html.

“This project all came about one New Year’s Eve when I grew tired of wearing my high heels, but didn’t want to walk barefoot,” said Young, who earned her undergraduate degree from Spelman College and her masters degree from Johns Hopkins University. “This is the perfect solution for all of us women who want to wear trendy, fashion-forward high heel shoes and want the comfort of wearing flats. They provide a simple solution to painful high heel shoes.”

The footwear, currently available in black or gold glitter, is two shoes in one, available in sizes 5 to 11. They are a stylish 4-inch-heel made from earth friendly materials and a comfortable flat shoe that easily slips in and out of the high heel shoe.  The insoles are made from natural organic fiber that is lightweight, hypoallergenic and non-toxic.  The shoebox is made of recyclable paper that can be carried as a bag.  Future styles will be unveiled at the fashion show, including a bridal line.

Nael Coce, a division of ECOclean Corporation, a corporation that provides eco-friendly consumer products, is planning to launch a series of products in the months ahead. To interview Sheena Young or learn more about the shoes, contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, LLC, 214.448.3765, neil@neilfoote.com.

Distinguishing Itself With Innovative, Dynamic & Sophisticated Décor

(MIAMI – February 22)  The Design Group of Miami, a special events production and logistics company known for its innovative creative style, is gearing up for a busy week at the 2012 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival kicking off Thursday.

The firm is creating custom build outs, brand activation and décor elements for Goya Foods, Palm Bay International and the Diamond Dishes VIP event at the New Marlins Park.

This year, the Miami firm, under the direction of Dionne Anderson, the firm’s co-founder and celebrity party planner, and Jean Augustin, the firm’s principal designer and creative director, is collaborating with Republica, the cross-cultural Miami advertising and marketing agency that represents Goya Foods. TDG with Republica are creating and building the company’s presence at the festival. Goya recently was named as the official provider of Latin/Hispanic foods at the festival, which benefits the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

TDG also has partnered with Republica to produce several of Goya’s activities during the festival, including building a custom station in the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village, and helping to produce the special event on board the Biscayne Lady for Salsa at Sea on February 26, and the Florida Blue’s “Fun and Fit as a Family”, featuring Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen, an interactive, fun-filled event, featuring healthy food tastings, physical fitness activities and star-studded healthy cooking demonstrations.

TDG also is providing the custom décor elements for the Diamond Dishes at the New Marlins Park, a $250-per-ticket, VIP event hosted by Julie Loria, wife of Miami Marlins’ owner who has published the popular cookbook, Diamond Dishes.

Last month, TDG produced a major fundraiser for Miami’s Camillus House, which raised more than $1.9 million, Bacardi’s Orange Bowl Rhapsody Gala, the Bank of America Orange Bowl VIP Reception. TDG also built custom golf chalets for the 2012 Humana Challenge, formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation in La Quinta, Calif.

“Over the past five years, we’ve built our brand and expanded the reach of our business,” said TDG’s Dionne Anderson. “We strive to give each client the ‘wow’ factor by producing memorable events.”

Each event has the creative touch of Jean Augustin who directed the team to create the Executive Golf Chalets during the Humana Challenge and Bill Clinton Foundation.

Since 2006, TDG has an impressive track record of producing local and international events for companies, celebrities and nonprofits. In addition to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, TDG has produced VIP venues for the Orange Bowl Committee, designed and managed major fundraising banquets for such groups as the University of Miami, the Camillus House in Miami, Fl., 100 Black Men of America, Inc.’s national conventions, citifinancial’s Chairman’s Forum, Nielsen Media, Food Network, Florida International University, Palm Bay Imports, HSN, Whole Food Markets, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, NBA All Star Weekend, the Dwyane Wade Foundation, Art Photo Expo and Naomi Campbell.

To learn more about TDG or interview Ms. Anderson or Mr. Augustin, contact Neil Foote, Foote Communications, neil@neilfoote.com, 214.448.3765.  You also can visit the company’s website: tdgmiami.com.

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(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)

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.

(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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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.

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