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Upcoming Featured Guest Interviews On The Black Rose of Durham Radio Show

PARKES STEWART

PARKES STEWART Hearken back to a period in time when that smooth Motown sound delighted the ear. In the golden years, there was a message in the music, as Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and Stevie Wonder proved, the lyrical content could almost be…spiritual. Like a man born out of his time, this artist delivers music that is heartfelt, spiritual Soul and R&B that evokes comparisons to the greats of Rhythm and Blues that influenced him. Similarly, gifted lyrically, he takes smooth to a new level linking old school flavor with new school vibe. If the name Parkes Stewart is both familiar and unfamiliar, it’s because he has written songs for other artists such as: 1.” Cry On” for 112 on the tribute to Notorious B.I.G. (over 3 million copies sold) 2.”Open Arms” &”More than Just A Melody” for Yolanda Adams 3.” Ordinary Just Won’t Do” performed by Dave Hollister 4.”I Am Here, No More Loneliness”& “Victory” for Commissioned and several more of their hits Parkes Stewart sings and writes a thrilling combination of spiritual soul and R&B music that seamlessly blends songs of longing, pain, love, and hope. Parkes explains that his objective to be the (“nexus” meaning connection) linking our humanity and spirituality. His intention is to look for the purity in the love relationship between husband and wife, man and brother, and God and man. Parkes’ music has something for everyone, for people who have experienced divorce, the young person with potential who just needs a helping hand, and for the burdened soul who needs God. For Parkes, it has always been more than music. It is about keeping it real and dealing with issues that are usually swept under the carpet. The music then becomes not just an expression of what he does, but is something he truly is.

BETH

“GRAMMY NOMINEE, NBC'S THE VOICE S16 CONTESTANT AND DETROIT NATIVE BETHRELEASES NEW HOLIDAY SINGLE, "CELEBRATE"

Grammy Nominee, Detroit Native, record label owner, and former NBC's The Voice (Season 16) contestant Beth Griffith-Manley a.k.a BETH announces the release of her new holiday single "Celebrate".  

This new holiday track, "Celebrate" is the perfect blend of Pop and R&B with a dash of a Caribbean flavor. 

 "Celebrate" is an inclusive feel good song that is for everyone.  BETH has always appreciated holiday music and has released two other holiday singles in the previous years:  "Christmas Lullaby" (2020) and "All I Want Is You (For Christmas) (2017).   

BETH is the daughter of the late Motown Funk Brother, Johnny Griffith. BETH performs nationally as a solo artist (1 album and 6 singles released to date), a guest artist with multi-platinum and Grammy-Nominated Smooth Jazz and R&B saxophonist and flautist Najee, and a support vocalist for Grammy-Nominated Motown recording artist KEM.  

She is a former support vocalist for 8-time Grammy-Award winning vocalist Anita Baker and in 2019, BETH was a contestant on Season 16 of NBC’s The Voice with Kelly Clarkson and John Legend as her coaches.   

Most recently BETH released her first children's book, "I Am Beautiful Inside and Out", and also has been nominated in four categories for the upcoming 64th Grammy Awards for a musical collaboration honoring the late, Chadwick Boseman.

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"Celebrate" was produced by Marcus Devine (Faith, Monica, Kelly Price, Destiny's Child, 112, Silk and Charlie Wilson) and written by BETH and Marcus Devine.  

"Celebrate" is available for download on all digital platforms on Monday, November 15, 2021.

KRISTINE ALICIA

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Whoever thought Gospel music couldn't be infused with Reggae beats and a NeoSoul style hasn't heard Kristine Alicia. This Jamaican-born singer and songwriter has managed to integrate these diverse sounds with an energetic stage presence and a strong, sultry voice that resonates a unique style all her own. With powerful lyrics and an emotional delivery, this 

Her music is being released through JudahScribe Music, the independent label of which Kristine Alicia is the CEO. You may never know it as you talk with her, for this is where her humility resonates. That is beauty. The young entrepreneur, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Oral Roberts University and Masters in Music Business from University of Miami, is on a mission… to bring her real life experiences and culturally-relevant messages via music to the listener, in hopes that they will meet the Creator that glows through all she is and does. Kristine’s energetic stage presence, unique style and emotional delivery are captivating audiences, whether the songstress is performing one of her high-energy jams over hard-hitting beats or one of her slower, neo-soul, roots-ish tracks.

In 2004, she won the South Florida Gospel Network Talent Fest, which landed her in the recording studio with several producers and artists.

Her 2008 debut studio album release Get Ready propelled Kristine Alicia into the forefront of the Caribbean gospel community. The project garnered an unprecedented eight nominations at the 2009 Marlin Awards, as Kristine took home both Artist of the Year and Female Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year. The music video for the title track received heavy rotation on MTV Tempo across the Caribbean region. Kristine has collaborated with artists of the likes of Monty G, Sherwin Gardner and Nigel Lewis, and has been featured on several of the popular Lion of Judah Riddim Compilations, alongside Mr. Lynx, Positive, Avalanchee and many others. She has performed in the USA, Canada, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Jamaica.

Currently, Kristine Alicia is promoting three new singles, while she is hard at work on her sophomore album. “Philistine” is a dancehall-pop fusion track featuring Papa San, which has already won a 2010 Marlin Award for DJ Collaboration with Vocals of the Year. The upbeat “World Record” is a fusion of reggae, pop and Hip Hop, motivating the listener to walk in the freedom that God provides, allowing people to be unique in obedience to His call and not limited to the world’s expectations and traditions. “I Choose You” is a lovely, soulful ballad where Kristine promises to God that she will stay faithful in response to His unending love. Music videos are also being circulated for each of these songs.

Whether on stage, in the streets or online, Kristine Alicia delivers a consistent message: Love God and love people. Her honest approach to music is refreshing and touches people in a way that peaks their interest in the beauty of Jesus Christ, who provides love and freedom to Kristine and anyone who looks to Him. Things look bright for Kristine Alicia. As she shines, her Creator shines.

In 2004, she won the South Florida Gospel Network Talent Fest, propelled her into the recording studio where she has collaborated with local artists such as Avalanchee, Ordinary, Troy Anthony, and Monty G, as well as international artists Sherwin Gardner, Nigel Lewis, and producer DJ Frost of Lion of Judah Sounds. More notably, she has toured the U. S., Canada, and the Caribbean with international recording artist Papa San, serving as a back-up vocalist

SAVE THE DATE EVENTS

Martin Luther King Celebration January 15, 2022 6:30 EST

2022 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 

“The Dream: Building an Equitable Tomorrow, Today” 

A Virtual Broadcast Event 

Hashtag #MLKConnexUs 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNoRPhVtLDIxQ9DATiGbLjw 

Link: https://www.facebook.com/MLKConnexUs 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Recording Gospel Artist, Michelle Adams, starring alongside World Renowned Aeolians, Two-time Winners of the World Choir Games & celebrated Julliard trumpeter and pianist, William Leathers, will take us to new heights at the MLK Virtual Live Stream on Saturday, January 15th, 2022. Accompanying them are some of Canada’s finest artists, performers, political leaders, community partners and stakeholders, coming together under one accord to celebrate the Life, Legacy and Journey of Dr. King.   

Toronto, Ontario–December 9th, 2021 – The Dr. Martin Luther King celebration is a joint community event designed by our youth for our youth, modeling the lifestyle of a world-class leader who effected change in a non-violent, strategic and unified manner. This year, the celebration will once again take the form of a virtual broadcast due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Presented as precursor to the TD Black History Month series, it will be a very inspiring, motivational, cultural and educational event. 

The format in which the program is delivered will focus on the global and visionary style of the leadership displayed by Dr King. He made a great impact on the world stage as he targeted the elimination of the racial divide, allowing for a common humanity, one that is all-inclusive, where love, harmony and community is the unifying principle. 

Our 2022 theme, “The Dream: Building an Equitable Tomorrow, Today”, is timely as we reflect on building our equitable tomorrow, how everyone is needed to build and that this tomorrow cannot be a future project ten to twenty years down the line. We have been working on bridging the divide within our community for too long, at a slow pace. Therefore, there needs to be an element of urgency. We all need to put our shoulders to the wheel and make the Change, today.  

Our Keynote Speaker is the renowned Speaker, Leader and Founder of the Discover the Power TV Series, Dr. Mansfield Edwards. 

Another exciting part of our program this year: both the CN Tower and the TORONTO sign will light up Toronto on January 15th in honor of this Celebration of Dr. King and his legacy! 

The 2022 Martin Luther King Scholarships and Awards will be awarded to well-deserved recipients will be honoured during the broadcast.  

There will be full representation from all three levels of government & Chiefs of Police in the Greater Toronto Area and other dignitaries. 

Pauline Christian, the President of EFCCC, shared her sentiments regarding this year’s virtual celebration. “This year’s virtual event will help to recharge our minds and revive our sense of community, heightening our awareness of the role each of us is playing in building the Equitable Tomorrow and the urgency with which we need to build it! 

Michelle Adams, The Aeolians, our Keynote Speaker Dr. Edwards, and the full deck of performers will take us through every stage of building, reflecting on the various parts coming together to build a home where all are welcome. Indeed, Dr. King’s Dream is the blueprint that lays out how to build the Equitable Tomorrow. We should never forget that we as a community have benefited from the dream of Dr. King and the sacrifices he and others made during the epoch of the Civil Rights Movement." 

She continues, " Join us as we unify our spirits and anchor our hopes in a the shared goal of building the Equitable Tomorrow, today, fulfilling hopes and dreams, as we explore building together especially during these unprecedented times...I am so looking forward to honouring our 2022 MLK Scholarship and Community Award winners, a true reflection of the greatness that lies within our communities.” 

We will engage youth from different communities and will employ the art of speech, music, dance, and other creative expressions to clearly showcase on the virtual stage the commitment to building the Equitable Tomorrow, today. It is our hope that the evening’s celebration will illustrate the key ingredients required to harness the rich talent, skill set and diversity within the community.  

Won’t you join us! 

Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, TD Bank Group for their long-standing commitment to the Martin Luther King Celebration initiative as well as our other sponsors and volunteers. Special thanks to our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mansfield Edwards, our USA partner, Oakwood University, our partners at CN Tower and City of Toronto, and the many others who make this celebration possible!  The event will be broadcast on Saturday,January 15th, 2022, at 6:30PM via our social channels: 

Hashtag: #MLKConnexUs   Social Media FB TW IG  

YouTube| MLKConnexUs 

Type MLKConnexUs on YouTube and Facebook live and that's your ticket to get in.  It was designed with easy access and simplicity in mind!  All barriers removed! Just for you! Don’t forget to "Like" and "Subscribe" to our Facebook and YouTube Channel in preparation for the event! 

Media contact: Pauline Christian, Tel 416-605-4724 

Make Time to be There!  Keep Hope Alive! We Cant Do It Alone... We Need You!