Deserted by parents, she went from homeless to Harvard

STORIES THAT INSPIRE

(New York)--If you are sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself...get up and get over it!  This is truly a story that inspires! I openly sobbed this morning while viewing this story.  It's heartbreaking, but what a remarkable young woman.  You decide, "victim or victor?"  One things for certain we can't choose our parents, but we damn sure don't have to be "saddled with them!"  #IJS       

                              

                  Dawn Loggings attending her high school graduation in June

Deserted by parents, she went from homeless to Harvard

BET's National Talent Seach Heads to Alabama

(MOBILE, AL.)---NEXT FRIDAY, all eyes will be on Mobile, AL.  Black Entertainment Television makes way it to the GulfCoast to find "the next big thing!" Diamond Washington is just one of the contestants competing for the national spotlight in this competition.


Washington, a recent high school graduate represents just a sample of the outstanding talent that's gearing up to take center stage for BET representatives and producers.


Varion Walton sits down with Dianne Steele who is spearheading the event.  Steele tells Varion how her company Shackle Free Marketing got involved with BET, plus why other gospel greats like Marvin Sapp, Vicki Winans and Vashawn Mitchell are blown away anytime they make a visit to "The Port City!"

YUM! It's National Doughnut Day!

(HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA) --- Finally a headline I can sink my teeth into!  If you're still trying to decide what to eat for lunch, how about a doughnut--for free!  Friday, June 1st is the day that's been designated as the day to "throw away those calorie counting calculators!" You can literally go "nuts" for doughnuts and it won't cost you a dime!  

You can redeem your right to a sweet treat at any participating Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Doughnut. Brace yourself! You're sure to have plenty of company!

TOP OF THE CLASS- SOULSVILLE CHARTER SCHOOL "COLLEGE BOUND!"

                                 Tim Sampson, Soulsville Foundation

(Memphis, TN.)--It's a school with soul and it's at the "top of the class!" The first ever graduating class of The Soulsville Charter School in Memphis, Tennessee is gaining a lot of national attention this week.  All 51 graduating seniors,  (that's right 100 percent) are college bound!  Graduation Thursday night included a lot of "pomp and circumstance" along with more than 3.6 million dollars in scholarship money.

Varion Walton discovers a huge part of the success was using music as a hook!  The students never had to look any further than their front door for a connection to Memphis' rich musical heritage because Stax Museum is located next door!      



CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.soulsvillecharterschool.org/

ESSENCE 2012 LINE-UP ANNOUNCED-D'ANGELO JOINS 2012 ESSENCE CENTER STAGE

Courtesy AP

(New York, New York)  It's been a minute since we've seen his "devilish" grin, but ladies in July you'll have an opportunity to relieve the D'Angelo Experience! The Grammy Award winning artist will take center stage during The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans July 6th-8th. It's the crooner's first U.S. appearance in more than a decade.  D'Angelo joins "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin,  Mary J. Blige and Charlie Wilson on the main stage.

Essence Music Festival promises to be a special occasion this year for me because it's "smack dab" in the middle of my birthday celebration July 7th. Happy Birthday to Me!  It's a great reunion among friends and fellow journalists and quite the event for family reunions.

I'm especially happy to hear in addition to "Nephew Tommy" host and comedian of The Steve Harvey Show, Hollywood's leading funny man Kevin Hart will also take center stage. Hart has enjoyed quite a spike in his popularity with the blockbuster move "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man!"


"VISION/VOICE/VARION" promises to be your "access backstage pass" to all things Essence this year.  Don't miss the exclusive interviews with the hottest celebrities walking the red carpet, plus all of th inside information on all of the empowerment seminars and conferences at the Visitors and Convention Center in New Orleans.

Essence Music Festival promises something for everyone including an incredible Gospel Celebration Sunday, July 8th.  The "Gospel Explosion" culminates a weekend of incredible performances with the "ultimate praise and worship!" Last year Marvin Sapp, Cee Cee Winans and Fred Hammond are just a few of gospel's legendary performers who make Essence an annual stop on their summer concert tour.

Check out the night -by-night line for Essence 2012.

Friday,July 6: Charlie Wilson, D’Angelo, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, The Pointer Sisters, Marsha Ambrosious, Q. Parker & Super Jay, Khris Royal, Kindred The Family Soul, Vivian Green, Stephanie Mills, Gary Clark Jr., Rebirth Brass Band, SWV, Goapele

Saturday, July 7:  Mary J. Blige, Kevin Hart, Ledisi, Tank, Eric Roberson, Teedra Moses, The Stylistics, Robert Glasper, Dru Hill, The Original Pinettes Brass Band,Stephanie Mills, Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Sunday, July 8:  Aretha Franklin,Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Melanie Fiona, Carl Thomas, Alex Boyd, Eve, The Stooges Brass Band, Estelle, Luke James, Raheem DeVaughn, Bridget Kelly

Single day tickets go on sale today for the 2012 ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL and are priced from $50 to $300 per person per night.   Meanwhile, weekend packages ranging from $150 to $900 per person continue to offer music fans the best way to enjoy a full three days of entertainment, empowerment,community and special offers.

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, visit ESSENCE Music Festivalwww.essencemusicfestival.com Join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter @essencemusic #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival on Facebook.

"BO BIKES BAMA"

(Henagar, AL.) --Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson and nearly 100 riders have started their five-day, 300 mile bicycle ride across Alabama to raise money and awareness for tornado relief.

Dressed in his bikers garb, plus a black skull cap to protect his clean shave head,  the former Auburn running back was cheered on by a large crowd in Henagar early Tuesday.  Celebrity riders include Major League Outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr and retired NBA star Scottie Pippin. All of the riders have taken a pledge with Bo Jackson to help those hit hard by killer tornadoes last April.  Organizers say the ride started in Dekalb County, where more than 30 people died that day.  The ride ends Saturday in Tuscaloosa.   Bo Jackson hopes to raise $1 million dollars for Governor John Bentley's relief fund.

I've known Bo Jackson for a number of years and was not surprised when I heard rumblings about this project about three months ago.  Bo Jackson lives in Illinois, but he calls "Alabama Home!" Central Alabama and it's people are never far from his mind.  Like so many, he watched helplessly as the killer storms tore through Alabama last April.  But, unlike so many others, Bo decided to use his celebrity and the bond he has with the NFL, NBA and MLB to make a difference. I'm sure Scottie Pippin and others could have simply written a check, but if you're truly a friend of Bo Jackson, you know you've got to put a little sweat equity behind it.  In other words, when it comes to being friends with this man with a "big heart" membership has it's privileges.

I can't wait for my opportunity to reconnect with my friend and cheer him on with this heartwarming effort. Come on Alabama join me in not only wishing Bo well, but in helping those who lost everything to the killer storms.  Please click onto the link below and donate to Bo Bike's Bama.

       


Click Here:  Bo Bike's Bama Website
http://bobikesbama.com/




Photos: Courtesy AP Photos

MATTERS OF FAITH: "Ministering The Word of God Through Song"

   

Evangelist and National Recording Artist- Vetrea Slack Ruffin and The Ruffin Family 


(Huntsville, AL)  Their family tight vocals and rich harmony are gaining critical acclaim and turning the heads of some gospel greats.  This mother-daughter trio has performed with such Gospel Greats as  Dorinda Clark-Cole and studied under the direction of Donnie McClurkin.

Vetrea Slack-Ruffin and The Ruffin Family, from Huntsville, AL, is an anointed mother-daughter trio who bring a message of deliverance, healing and freedom.  They're ministering the word of God through song.  Their impeccable style smoothly blends traditional and contemporary gospel  music without compromise. VISIT "VISION/VOICE/VARION" and find out why The Ruffin Family is the focus of this month's MATTERS OF FAITH!


SWITCH NOW:
www.varionwalton.com       


FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE RUFFIN FAMILY:
VISIT:  http://www.vetreaslackruffin.com/

EXCLUSIVE: IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FILE YOUR BP CLAIM

(Mobile, AL.)--The man at the helm of the BP Oil Spill Claims is talking and Varion Walton has the story!  Former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy beat out more than 100 other lawyers for the job of monitoring the NEW claims process. Now that Kenneth Feinberg and THE GCCF (Gulf Coast Claims Facility) are out of business, "NEW LEADERS" are in place and they're operating under "NEW RULES." In a story you'll see only on "VISION/VOICE/VARION"--Attorney Mike Espy promises the new BP Oil Claims Fund will be 'flexible, fast and more transparent!'

Espy and several other lawyers from Morgan and Morgan, a prominent law firm in Louisiana will take the next 8-to-10 weeks to advise plaintiffs and potential plaintiffs in this case of their rights.

VISION/VOICE/VARION has learned under the new agreement, Espy and the other attorneys are fighting for a bigger payoff, plus a longer term for monitoring those with medical conditions related to oil spill. A federal judge in Louisiana hearing from both sides is expected to sign off on the paperwork by April 15th.

A temporary claims center, hosted by Capital Claims, LLC will be held on the campus of NEW BIRTH COMMUNITY CHURCH for the next 8-to-10 weeks.  NBCC is located at 1329 Forest Ridge Road in Mobile, just off the Overlook Shopping Center in Mobile. The Claims Center office will be open on Saturday from 8am-until 5pm.

"VARION'S VIEWS"--NO TIME FOR BRONCHITIS!

(Oklahoma City, OK)--"Hide your kids, hide your wife, hide your husband" there's a new "viral babe" in town!  In this week's "Varion's Views"--a video that's going viral and racking up the hits! This unsuspecting resident woke up to the smell of smoke and realized her building was on fire. Her attitude is infectious as she recalls those frighting moments.

I don't know about you, but I think she could easily defeat that other unsuspecting resident who didn't wake up to fire, but a prowler on the hunt in his sister's bedroom. Move over Antoine Dodson, I smell another remix on the way!

EDDIE LEVERT RELEASES FIRST SOLO ALBUM!

GRAMMY NOMINATED SINGER, ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAMER EDDIE LEVERT

RELEASES NEW SINGLE “LAST MAN STANDING”ON ITUNES

(LAS VEGAS, NV)--Grammy nominated singer/songwriter/musician Eddie Levert has released his first single “Last Man Standing” off his debut solo album entitled Eddie Levert: I Still Have It, which will be released later this spring.  The single, which is currently available on iTunes, features Levert’s signature rich and powerful baritone vocals that have enticed fans over the years. As part of this solo release, Eddie Levert will be performing in cities across the country for fans. 

“This album is an extension of me as an entertainer. With all my years in this business, I still love performing,” states Levert.  “This is my first solo album and I am so excited to share this with my fans.”

As part of the iconic R&B/Soul group The O’Jays, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, Levert is known for chart topping hits like “I Love Music,” “Love Train,” “Back Stabbers” and “Use ta be My Girl.”  Their single  “For the Love of Money”  has become part of pop culture as it has been covered and sampled by several artists and has been featured  in movies and television shows including The Apprentice, Celebrity Apprentice, WWE, Family Guy, Friends and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air among others.   As R&B Royalty, The O’Jays have had seven Top 20 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles and eight Top Twenty albums on the Billboard 200 pop album chart.

Eddie is actively performing and touring the world with the O’Jays as well as performing as a solo artist touring with Johnny Gill, Keith Sweat and others.  He is also in the studio working on his next major project; the much anticipated release of the latest O’Jays CD.