ACTRESS CHUTI TIU JOINS CAST OF "NASHVILLE"

"BRAINS AND BEAUTY!"

All I can say is, "look at her now!" Little girls do grow up! If you lived in Mobile, Alabama during the 1980's; perhaps you remember the pageant that put The Port City on the map for years, "America's Jr. Miss." 

Today, operating as the "Distinguished Young Women" Scholastic Competition, high school seniors from across the nation come to Mobile for the coveted title. In 1987, Wisconsin's Chuti Tiu was no exception, in fact, she was extraordinary!   

Chuti was the first young woman of color to win the title in organization's history. I remember her because as a woman of Asian decent she represented change, hope, and possibilities!

More than 20 years later, what would be the chances of me running into this beautiful spirit in STARBUCKS in Chattanooga, TN?  Nearly impossible. 

Back in the late 1980's, while a college freshman working as a member of the production staff at WALA-TV, I was running one of the production cameras at The Mobile Civic Center; and I remember her win created quite a buzz in the building and in the city. It was historic. 

In a busy Chattanooga STARBUCKS, 25 years later, here we were talking for almost an hour as she studied a script for an upcoming segment on the popular show "NASHVILLE!"  

Even today, this beauty/scholastic pageant winner is still showing why she's more than just another pretty face.  Look for Actress Chuti Tiu TONIGHT on the set of the popular ABC drama series "Nashville." Her character is expected to have a reoccurring role until April 4th.

As she was in 1987, she will be a "big hit" in 2016. 

TOM JOYNER'S "PARTY WITH A PURPOSE" INCLUDES FUN AND FITNESS!

TAKE A LOVED ONE TO THE DOCTOR DAY!

(BIRMINGHAM, AL)   Tom Joyner, Sybil Wilkes and J. Anthony Brown, they are as much apart of our morning as packing a lunch and kissing our children off to school.  Everyday we count on a few laughs from The Tom Joyner Morning Show, but tomorrow Tom and the gang will be "all talk" about a very serious subject, your health!   

It's a sobering fact; African Americans are more likely to die of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.  For nearly a decade, the nationally syndicated talk show host has "championed the cause" by raising the awareness of some of the most polarizing diseases crippling our communities. 

Join The Tom Joyner Morning Show as they team up with Birmingham's 98.7KISS FM. Their mission includes tackling the health issues in the black community head on. This "party with a purpose" will indeed be the "gift that keeps on giving," we’re talking longevity folks! 

I was especially excited when I learned the management of KISS FM decided to spotlight one of Birmingham's own during this important day.  Halo Wheeler is a 15-year-old sophomore who is about to take the national music scene by storm.   Her debut CD "This is Who I Am" dropped August 11th and so far, it's getting rave reviews. 

Halo is expected to perform at least three of the songs that are currently in heavy rotation on KISS FM. It's her way of thanking the people of Birmingham for their love and support.   To learn more about Halo Wheeler, visit "THE VW NETWORK" at www.facebook.com/vwnetwork.

Join me Central Alabama, as we stand united in making certain we check in on this 'health festival' for a day of "FUN" and FITNESS Spread the word; tell a friend, VISION/VOICE/VARION is giving you information for "your heart and soul."