Did the audience misunderstand Mary J. Blige singing an acapella cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “American Skin” to Hilary Clinton?
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Is Laila Ali being apathetic when she says that Tweeting and posting about Black Lives Matters is useless and a threat to her endorsements?
Why did North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory pass a law banning the public from seeing police body cam footage if they are trying to be transparent and gain the public’s trust?
Laila Ali and Meagan Good to Host 21st Annual Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant
Los Angeles – The Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant (LMAA) comes of age this year with its 21-year anniversary celebration on August 10, 2014 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. Actresses Laila Ali and Meagan Good will co-host, joining Dawnn Lewis, the mistress of ceremonies, as a bevy of little beauties, ages six to 12, make their way on stage to compete for over $10,000 in scholarships and prizes. Pageant producer Lisa Ruffin notes that this year’s event will also celebrate past contestants who have grown up and gone on to accomplish wonderful feats!
Judges this year include Penny Johnson Jerald (ABC-TV’s “Castle); Ella Joyce (TV One’s Belle’s); Lamman Rucker (TBS’s “Meet the Browns”); Shamicka Lawrence (VH-1’s “Hollywood Exes”) and TV/radio host Mother Love, to name just a few. The pageant starts at 4:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.littlemissafricanamerican.org as well as at the door. VIP and reserved seating is available.
As the longest running pageant of its kind, the Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant continues to extend its history of dedication to a legacy of nurturing young girls into proud and intelligent young women. The original creation of actress/ choreographer Lisa Ruffin, the Little Miss African American Scholarship pageant has consistently emphasized brains over beauty, positively impacting the lives of thousands of impressionable young women.
Pageant producer/ choreographer, Lisa Ruffin
Cites Ruffin, “These young ladies just keep me going strong. This year, as we turn 21, we honor them all, past and present. Alycia Jones was the very first LMAA and received her bachelor’s degree from University of Florida. Our second, Alexis Witherspoon competed in the Olympics Trials, then graduated from USC. LaTanya Fisher was LMAA 1995 and she graduated from USC as well. Myisha Lyseight was LMAA 1996. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from UCLA. She went on to complete her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Syracuse University in New York. She also played it forward by joining the LMAA staff last year.”
“The state of Texas produced LMAA 1998, Lauren Hayes. Lauren graduated from the very prestigious Notre Dame and is currently working there. Then there is Miss Shakina that Academy Award winner Mo’Nique crowned,” continues Ruffin. “She graduated from USC and is in Law School at Howard University. We train our girls to wear their C.A.P. (Confidence, Awarness & Pride)!”
Laila Ali to Host the 20 Year Anniversary Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant
Los Angeles – The beautiful athlete and television personality Laila Ali will inspire the hearts of many when she hosts the 20 year anniversary of the Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant (LMAA) on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Pageant producer Lisa Ruffin has planned a luminous affair for her participants and attendees this year with a host of celebrity judges that include ABC-TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy” stars Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, Jr., OWN TV star Kym Whitley from “Raising Whitley,” Nicklelodean’s Arjay Smith and “Girlfriends” Golden Brooks. The Wilshire Ebell is located at 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. in Los Angeles, south of Wilshire Blvd. Tickets are available at www. Littlemissafricanamericaninc. org and at the Wilshire Ebell box office.
LMAA Judges top to bottom, left to right: Chandra Wilson; James Pickens, Jr.; Kym Whitley and Arjay Smith
The Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant has served as one of the nation’s most astute educational programs dedicated to empowering young African American women between the ages of 6 and 12 with the concepts of CAP – Confidence, Awareness and Pride. Lisa Ruffin, an actress and choreographer, has successfully utilized the pageant format to introduce girls from around the country to the arts, introduce them to public speaking and engage them in individual creativity.
The full curriculum encompasses a summer program of coaching, guest lectures and demonstrations on the heritage of the African America experience. The young ladies are tutored in voice projection, poise, body movement and memory technique by instructors from the worlds of art, entertainment and education.
The pageant has seen a host of celebrity participation over the years including LL Cool J, Jamie Foxxand Taraji P. Henson . Jay Leno even paid a holiday visit to Ruffin and the pageant participants last Christmas, acknowledging the wonderful work Ruffin has done over the years with a surprise visit from China Ann McClain, the star of the Disney Channel’s “A.N.T. Farm” and Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne.” and
This year’s host, Laila Ali is especially fitting for the vision of LMAA. The mother of two, Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness and wellness expert, cooking enthusiast and the founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand. The daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali, Laila is also a four-time undefeated world boxing champion. In addition to her work as a cast member of NBC’s highly touted reality program “Stars Earn Stripes” where she competed to raise money for a charity that supports veterans and their children, Laila hosts ABC-TV’s “Everyday Health.”
Pageant creator/producer Lisa Ruffin
“I get ecstatic and teary eyed when I think about all the young lives we have been able to touch over a span of 20 years,” offers Ruffin. “There are grown women as well as young girls out there in the world who we have positively influenced and I am just extremely grateful.”
Tickets are available at www.Littlemissafricanamericaninc.org and at the Wilshire Ebell box office.
For a visual overview of the pageant and its impact on contestants, go to http://vimeo.com/15018101.
Actresses Tichina Arnold, Chandra Wilson, Laila Ali, Claudia Jordan and Former NFL Curtis Conway Celebrate Little Miss Pageant
Los Angeles – Acknowledging the nation’s very own First Family African American Little Misses, Sasha and Malia Obama, the Annual Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant will turn “Sweet Sixteen” this year on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the Universal Sheraton Hotel. The Universal Sheraton Hotel is located at 333 Universal Terrace Parkway in Universal City, CA.
A parade of aspiring Little Misses, ages 6 to 12, along with alumni, will display their C.A.P.’s of confidence,awareness and pride before a panel of celebrity guests to include Tichina Arnold (“Everybody Hates Chris”), former NFL player, Curtis Conway, and Extra TV’s Nischelle Turner. Chandra Wilson (ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy), World Boxing Champion Laila Ali, James Pickens Jr., (Grey’s Anatomy), screenwriter Antwone Fisher, sports analyst Marcellus Wiley, Fox 11’s Tony McEwing and the Hollywood Black Film Festival’s Tanya Kersey return as well to once again judge the event. Media personality Claudia Jordan serves as host this year.
“Every year is a special year for us, but there is something about
your Sweet Sixteen which adds to the occasion,” offers pageant producer,choreographer/actress Lisa Ruffin. “Our Little Misses have their very own role models in Sasha and Malia Obama this year. They are shining examplesof the world of possibilities available to these young women as they pursue their dreams.It’s an exciting time for all.”
LMAA is a non-profit educational program designed to showcase the creative and academic talents of young girls living in urban centers throughout the country. The pageant provides an early introduction to the arts and training in public speaking,while promoting individual creativity and stimulating a heightened cultural understanding.It is the largest scholarship pageant for African American girls of this age group.
Created by Lisa Ruffin in 1993, LMAA has raised thousands of dollars towards the educational aspirations of its participants as well as their families. Thousands of lives have been touched and changed through the program.
