CHICAGO, IL (ACM PR) - Event producer Merry Green, President & CEO of Merry Green Promotions Group announced today that Patti LaBelle and Winnie Mandela, two phenomenal women, will take center stage as they combine for one phenomenal evening at the opening night Gala Awards Ceremony for 'V-103's Expo for Today's
Black Woman'. The event will take place on Friday March 3, 2006, at Hyatt Regency, Regency Ballroom, located at 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois. 'We took a chance and invited the most controversial woman of our time to travel to
Chicago to receive the first International Phenomenal Woman Award at our Gala Awards Celebration, and speak to thousands of
Black women at the Expo'. Merry Green commented.
The 'Our Phenomenal Journey' Gala 2006 is an exclusive black-tie precursor to this 14th Annual Expo for Today's Black Woman, originally conceived by Merry Green during her tenure at WVAZ-FM (V103) and themed this year as 'Passport to the African American Market'. The celebrations will be hosted by, ABC-7's Cheryl Burton, Leah Hope, and Karen Jordan; together with V103's Troi Tyler and a special performance by recording artist Will Downing. Each year the Gala honors extraordinary women with the 'Phenomenal Woman Awards' of which, past awardees and keynote speakers have included, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Cicely Tyson, and Iyanla Vanzant.
South Africa's Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, will be the first ever recipient of the 'International Phenomenal Woman Award'. Born Nomzamo Nobandla Winnifred Madikizela; Winnie Mandela was an international symbol of resistance against the brutal regime of apartheid which saw Nelson Mandela being subjected to 26 years of imprisonment, leaving Madikizela-Mandela separated from her now former husband after only 6 years of marriage. While continuing to raise their family, she also continued to be a champion for the poor and a voice against injustice. Merry Green notes, 'You see, I've watched her struggles without judging, witnessed her strength, courage, and conviction and knew that if anyone deserved the support of the Black women who support the Expo, Winnie Mandela certainly does.'
Through much trial and tribulation, Ms. Patti LaBelle, a diabetic, and mother of five, (she adopted her two late sister's children), has risen above adversity. The two-time Grammy winner and Def Soul Classics recording artist, performer, activist and New York Times best selling author now runs a quiet business empire that encompasses her recently launched lifestyle show, 'Living It Up With Patti LaBelle', on TV One, her line of Cosmetics, Make-Up, Jewelry, and her 'Patti LaBelle' Clothing, available on the Home Shopping Network.
Will Downing will also sign copies of his new book of photography ‘Unveiled' at 'V-103's Expo for Today's Black Woman' which takes place on Saturday 4th (10:00am to 8:00pm) and Sunday 5th (12:00pm to 8:00pm), March 2006 at McCormick Place Exhibition Center, North Building, Chicago, IL. General Admission: Adults $12 Children and Seniors $7. Winnie Mandela will speak to thousands of Black women at the Expo along with celebrity guests, author Terry McMillan discussing love and marriage in the 'Conversations' series, Les Brown's Empowerment Seminar, with musical performances by Atlantic Records Recording Artist Trey Songz and the incomparable Teena Marie, well regarded as a Rick James protégé she had solo hits such as the classic Billboard number one, 'Ooo La La La'. 'V-103's Expo for Today's Black Woman' is an exclusive presentation of Clear Channel Radio, call: WVAZ-FM at TEL: 312-540-2000 or visit https://www.v103.com for further information.
