Radio One Raleigh is happy to announce that Calvin Richardson will perform during Women’s Empowerment 2010! Tickets for this year’s event are still available at TicketMaster.Com and at the RBC Center Box Office.

ABOUT CALVIN
The soul of a man can be described in many parts. It can describe his tenacity to stay true to his craft, it will illustrate his passion, and it will ultimately define his essence; the musical legacy of Calvin Richardson will prove why he is noted as the “Prince of Soul.”

Emerging as the fifth child out of nine, Richardson grew up in the Bible belt, Monroe, North Carolina where he got his musical foundation in Gospel. As a youth he sang alongside his mother who was a part of a successful local Gospel ensemble The Willing Wonders. Adding to his musical diet Richardson got his fair share of R&B/soul servings from the likes of Bobby Womack, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding to Donny Hathaway.

While making his rounds on the Gospel circuit Richardson became acquainted with Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey and Joel “Jo Jo” Hailey, who went on to form the 90s top charting R&B group Jodeci. Inspired by the success of his friends, he formed his own R&B group Undacova. Richardson and his group came to the national forefront contributing to the soundtrack of the mid 90s urban cult classic film, New Jersey Drive alongside Outkast, Total with Notorious BIG, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly to Heavy D & the Boyz with the mid-tempo groove “Love Slave.”

Spring boarding his career as a solo artist after Undacova disbanded Richardson remerged in 1999 with the release of his debut solo effort ‘Country Boy’ via Uptown/Universal Records. The album’s lead singles included “True Love” featuring Chico DeBarge and “I’ll Take Her” featuring Richardson’s friend “K-Ci.” The album noted as a solid effort failed to make a strong impact commercially, it would be four years until his sophomore effort.

In the time between his debut and follow-up effort, Richardson was busy crafting music for the release of his second album, female soul chanteuse Angie Stone heard a demo of Richardson’s “More Than a Woman,” she later went on to record Richardson’s song as a duet for her 2001 album ‘Mahogny Soul.’ The song went on to be nominated for a Grammy award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2003, solidifying Richardson not only as a phenomenal singer but songwriter as well.

Caught in limbo with this record label, Universal Records, Richardson’s long awaited sophomore album was released in 2003 on his new label, Hollywoord Records. His second album, ‘2:35 PM’ was named to commemorate the time one of his children was born. With Richardson’s album getting heavy support at Urban AC radio with the release of singles from the album including – “Keep on Pushin,’” “Not Like This,” and “I’ve Got to Move;” the successful push of Richardson’s album allowed him to land at #65 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart and #8 on the R&B chart respectively. ‘2:35pm’ went on to sell around a quarter of a million units solidifying Richardson as a successful artist while being true to his craft, soul music.

Taking a five year sabbatical from the music scene Richardson’s voice wouldn’t resound again until 2008 with the release of his third album, ‘When Love Comes’ via Shanachie Records and Richardson’s own independent label, NuMo Records.

‘When Love Comes’ was led by what some music critics considered to be a provocative statement from the soul singer’s lead single, “Sing No More.” In the song Richardson sings frankly about the hard choices a singer must make given the trade-offs between being an artist, a star, and an authentic human being. He alludes that If fame and fortune means forgetting what’s important - love and the core values of life - then he doesn’t want to sing anymore, doesn’t want to be “successful,” that ultimately the price would be too high. Richardson’s gamble to take on such a subject in popular music resonated with music listeners and his fans allowing his third album to land at #17 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums Chart in 2008.

Richardson along with notable producer/songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds collaborated on the massive Urban R&B single “There Goes My Baby” for R&B icon Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band fame. “There Goes My Baby” broke into the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and spent 10 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard R&B Adult Contemporary Chart, and 52 weeks on the chart in total, it also garnered Wilson a Grammy nomination at the 52nd annual awards(2010); proving once again that Richardson had the Midas touch.

Not one to miss out on the success and esteem of the Grammy awards, he was also honored with a nomination at the 52nd annual musical celebration. Richardson scored his first two Grammy nominations as a solo artist for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals with Grammy award winning singer Ann Nesby former lead singer of the Sounds of Blackness for their soulful cover of one of Richardson’s musical idols Bobby Womack’s “Love Has Finally Come at Last” and Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Woman Gotta Have It” from his fourth studio album, ‘The Facts of Life: The Soul of Bobby Womack’ released in late 2009 via Shanachie Records and his own indie imprint NuMo Records.

Expanding his creative reach into the world of theater Richardson currently co-stars in the Garrett Davis inspirational stage play, ‘The Lord Will Make a Way’ alongside Ann Nesby, Gary “Lil G’ Jenkins former lead singer of the R&B group SILK, and Scott Savol a top 5 American Idol finalist (season 4).

Closing out the first decade of the 21st century and basking in the success of relevant longevity over the span of 15 years as an artist Calvin Richardson’s heterogeneous blend of Soul and Gospel tinged music put him in a class all his own. His tenacity, passion, and the essence of who is undoubtedly make him the “Prince of Soul.”

Rev. Run and Justine will join us on the main stage during Women’s Empowerment for “Black Men Revealed.”

ABOUT REV. RUN
JOSEPH “REVERND RUN” SIMMONS is a pioneering musician, an accomplished author, fashion mogul, and the star of MTV’s hit reality television show Run’s House. His career started of when he and two other members’ formed the group Run DMC. Run DMC has often been attributed a “the group” that put hip hop on the musical map. In addition to his trademark Addias kicks, black sweat-suits, and gold chains, Simmons has become more than a rapper, MC, or lyricist but also known as an international icon. With God in his life, he has become a man of faith and an inspiration for his and his children’s generations. As a devoted husband and a loving father to six beautiful children, he has really found his bliss. Simmons looks forward to continuing to touch people world wide through written works, music, fashion, and television endeavors.

ABOUT JUSTINE
JUSTINE SIMMONS, star of MTV’s hit reality show Run’s House, is an accomplished author, jewelry designer, philanthropist, and most of all a loving wife and mother. Justine released her children’s book, God Can You Hear Me, in 2007. Since the books release, it has graced thousands of readers with its sweet and powerful messages. In 2008 she and her husband, Rev. Run released a literary collaboration titled Take Back Your Family. Her new jewelry collection, called Brown Sugar, recently made its debut on HSN. Her devotion to various charity endeavors such as Safe Horizon further showcases the enormous capacity for caring and kindness that she is so renowned for.

Radio One is proud to announce that Angela & Vanessa Simmons will appear during the “Young Entrepreneurs, Leadership and Success” Seminar!

ABOUT THE SEMINAR
Learn the keys to being a young successful leader in school, business and within your extracurricular activities. Learn from two of today’s top young leaders Angela & Vanessa Simmons from the Hit MTV shows “Run’s House” and “Daddy’s Girls.”

ABOUT ANGELA & VANESSA
ANGELA and VANESSA SIMMONS are the daughters of legendary rap artist and pioneer Reverend Run of Run-DMC. As the break-out stars of the first family of hip-hop, Angela and Vanessa have quickly established themselves as fashion powerhouses and entrepreneurs in their own right. They are the stars of 2 MTV hit reality shows: Run’s House and their own television show Daddy’s Girls. Founders and Fashion Designers of the ultra-popular clothing, sneaker and handbag/accessory line Pastry, Angela and Vanessa have catapulted their hip trendy line into mainstream, where it has become a hit with girls across the country.

Radio One is happy to announce a few more performing artist’s for Women’s Empowerment 2010!

BBD (Bell, Biv, DeVoe)
Bell Biv DeVoe is a splinter group of New Edition that consisted of three previous members, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe. Bell Biv DeVoe began to take shape in the late 1980s, but not until completing the tour in support of Heart Break did the threesome decide to make the break from New Edition official. At the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, they chose to chart their own course. Bell Biv Devoe’s debut album Poison has a variety of producers, including Dr. Freeze and Spyderman, Wolf & Epic (Richard Wolf & Bret “Epic” Mazur), Guy’s Timmy Gatling, and Public Enemy’s Hank Shocklee and Keith Shocklee. As a result, Bell Biv DeVoe’s first album “Poison” has a larger new jack swing composition as compared to New Edition releases. BBD was a pioneering group that was the first to successfully combine hip-hop with R&B & pop. The CD was released in 1990, and its title track became a #1 hit on the R&B chart. The singles that followed were “Do Me!”, “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?”, “When Will I See You Smile Again”, and “Dope!” (the latter was retitled “She’s Dope!” upon release due to the rising drug abuse among children). Poison sold over three million copies. The remix album WBBD-Bootcity! The Remixes, with the Wolf & Epic produced “Word To The Mutha!” as accompanying single, was released the next year and was certified gold. Bell Biv Devoe sold in excess of 4 million albums, prompting performances on the 1990 American Music Awards and other such ceremonies.

Monica
Monica Denise Arnold (born October 24, 1980), professionally known as Monica, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Arnold was a member of Charles Thompson and the Majestics, a traveling 12-piece gospel choir prior to signing a solo recording contract with Arista Records in 1995. Guided by Rowdy head Dallas Austin and proteges’ Tim & Bob, she came to prominence following her debut album Miss Thang (1995), which produced four singles and made her the youngest recording act to ever have two consecutive chart-topping hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.[2][3]
Following a major success with “The Boy Is Mine”, a duet with singer Brandy, and a same-titled second album in 1998, a series of hit records, established her position as one of the most successful of the new breed of urban R&B female vocalists to emerge in the mid-to late 1990s. However, Arnold’s popularity began to decline at the turn of the century, during which time she dealt with more personal tribulations including the suicide of her boyfriend, a tumultuous relationship with former fiancé Corey “C-Murder” Miller and the delay of her heavily-bootlegged third album, All Eyez on Me (2002).[4] In 2003, Monica eventually released her fourth album After the Storm, and after an unsuccessful period, she scored her sixth number-one hit, “So Gone”. After giving birth to her first child, Rodney Ramone Hill III, in May 2005, and another short hiatus, Monica released her fifth studio album, The Makings of Me in October 2006. While maintaining a recording career Arnold has also gained fame for appearing in several film and television productions, including supporting roles in big screen motion pictures Boys and Girls (2000) and ATL (2006) and a starring role in the MTV Films telefilm Love Song (2000). In 2009, she produced the BET series Monica: Still Standing which followed the recording of her same-titled sixth studio album.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for the Radio One Raleigh Women’s Empowerment event and congratulations to our winners!

WQOK-k97.5
“Rizzy” - Carizma T. Thomas
Sandra Squad

WFXC/WFXK - Foxy 107/104
Brittney Farmer
Jossi Isler

WNNL - The Light 103.9
Veronica Morgan
Krystal Simpson

Michael Jackson Tribute Dancers
Dreams in Motion
Aray of Hope House’s - Uniq Image Dance Team
The Brain Boys

Radio One Raleigh is proud to announce the inspirational artists for Women’s Empowerment 2010!

BeBe And CeCe Winans
25 years after they first started making music together, brother/sister duo BeBe & CeCe Winans, part of the gospel singing Winans family and one of the most successful gospel-based acts of all time, are joining forces again for their first new music and tours in over a decade. This reunion is comparable in the R&B and Christian music scenes to last year’s rock reunions of The Police, Genesis, and Van Halen.

Marvin Sapp
Marvin Sapp is a multiple Stellar Award winning, GRAMMY and Dove nominated artist. One of Gospel music’s most recognizable voices, Sapp is the Founder and Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and his seventh solo project, Thirsty encompasses what fans have loved about the artist since his days as lead singer with Commissioned – unmatched vocal delivery, and powerful, inspiring performances.

Jeff Majors
Harpist Jeff Majors has established a high profile as a musician and recording artist. He introduced the harp, an instrument traditionally associated with classical music, into the contemporary religious music genre through his live performances and “Sacred Series” of recordings. He has also made a mark on the gospel music scene in a different way, as a radio executive for Radio One. Majors is in charge of nine gospel radio stations throughout the country and is the host of numerous gospel-inspired programs on both radio and television.

Radio One Raleigh is excited to announce that actor/author Hill Harper will join us on the main stage for Black Men Revealed Part II during Women’s Empowerment 2010!

ABOUT HILL ABOUT
Hill Harper is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: Letters to a Young Brother, Letters to a Young Sister, and The Conversation. Letters to a Young Brother was named “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association in 2007, and to date, his collective work has been recognized with three NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Literary Work: Debut Author (2007) and Outstanding Literary Work: Youth/Teens (2007, 2008).

Hill currently stars on the hit television drama CSI:NY as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes; internationally, CSI is the most successful television franchise in history. He has also appeared in numerous prime-time television shows and feature films, including The Sopranos, ER, The Game, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Lackawanna Blues, He Got Game, The Skulls, In Too Deep, The Nephew, and The Visit. He is the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, dedicated to empowering, encouraging, and inspiring underserved youth to succeed through mentorship, scholarship and grant programs. Hill graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from Brown University (and was valedictorian of his department) and cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He also holds a master’s degree with honors from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Hill travels frequently as a motivational speaker and resonates with a wide range of audiences including youth, adults, and couples. Named one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive, he lives in Los Angeles.

Radio One Raleigh is proud to announce that Taraji P. Henson will join us on the Women’s Empowerment 2010 Main Stage.
ABOUT TARAJI
Taraji Henson earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress opposite Brad Pitt in David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She starred in Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself and received the 2009 Diversity Award for Best Actress for her performance. Taraji costars in Date Night with Tina Fey and Steve Carrell set to be released on April 9th. She recently completed filming Columbia Pictures’ The Karate Kid opposite Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, which will be released on June 11th. Taraji plays Rainn Wilson’s love interest in the upcoming indie comedy Peep World.

In the indie drama Once Fallen, Taraji costars with Ed Harris and Brian Presley. She starred in Sony’s Not Easily Broken opposite Morris Chestnut, opposite Forest Whitaker in Hurricane Season, and with Kathy Bates in Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys.

Henson received rave reviews for her role in Focus Features’ Talk to Me opposite Don Cheadle. She costarred in the ensemble action drama Smokin’ Aces with Ben Affleck and Alicia Keys. Henson was named Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Feature Film by the Black Movie Awards and received the BET Best Actress nod for her performance as Shug in the gutsy drama Hustle & Flow also starring Terrence Howard.

Henson made her singing debut in Hustle & Flow and performed the Academy Award-winning song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” on the Oscar telecast. She reunited for the third time with John Singleton to film Four Brothers with Mark Wahlberg and Andre 3000 for Paramount Pictures. Henson costarred with Simon Baker and Sanaa Lathan in Focus Features’ Something New. Henson is well remembered for her role as Yvette opposite Tyrese in Baby Boy.

On television, she was a series regular on David E. Kelly’s Boston Legal and recurred on ABC’s Eli Stone. Taraji was featured in Jamie Foxx’s video, “Just Like Me,” and also appeared in Estelle’s video, “Pretty Please.”

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., the Howard University graduate resides in Los Angeles with her son. Henson has a strong dedication to helping disabled and less fortunate children and reveals, “I always stress to kids to have faith in themselves—the greatest recipe for success is self confidence.”