BV Entertainment Newswire May 12

One 'Knight' Only

R&B legend Gladys Knight is the newest face of Ashley Stewart's "Great Woman of Style" campaign -- which kicks off this weekend in Harlem as part of a Mother’s Day celebration.

The campaign includes in-store and online marketing initiatives and a music project tie in.

Ashley Stewart’s Vice President and General Merchandise Manager Marla Minns couldn't stop singing the three-time Grammy Award winner's praises: "Gladys Knight is not only a musical icon; she is also a shrewd businesswoman, wonderful wife and loving mother.

"She fits our campaign perfectly, because she is a great woman of style in every aspect of her life."

The 15-year old popular fashion line -- for full-figured women-- will also offer specially packaged Gladys Knight CDs, a raffle contest and a $500 shopping spree, for the kick-off event.

For Knight, who turns 62 later this month, Mother's Day is a very special time of the year. She had the closest relationship to her late mother, Elizabeth Knight, who she said oversaw the financial aspects of her professional endeavors. In memory of her mom, she hosts an annual birthday concert which raises funds for the diabetes research charity, which is named The Elizabeth Knight Fund.

"She lived with that disease for over 50 years," Knight says. "She eventually went blind and she eventually lost a kidney but to live with that disease for that long a time, all the doctors said that’s unheard of. She lived to be 80. And she was diagnosed in her early 30s.

"So many people are unaware of this disease," Knight adds. "It’s in epidemic proportion and people don’t realize it. Everyone getting it, so now everyone wants to talk about it. It used to be relegated to the African-American community or third world…but now anyone can get it."

Knight also shares a similarly close relationship to her daughter Kenya Jackson, who now manages her business affairs. "That’s my girl, that’s my girl," Knight gleefully states. "We've been through thick and thin together. She came back and she’s been managing me ever since my mom and [son] Jimmy [Newman] passed away. We’ve just been going at it together."

'Before Me,' her new CD of classic jazz standards, which she describes as “a dream come true,” and executive produced by Tommy LiPuma, was originally due for release June 6 but is now expected October 10. "This postponement aligns the release of the CD more closely with a PBS concert special taping at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles in September, with special guests to be announced," said Verve Records publicist Jai St, Laurent. "The PBS program will air during the November/December pledge drives nationwide and will be followed by a national tour in January 2007."

'Freedom' Rings

On May 15, the late great Ossie Davis, Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman and theater pioneer Woodie King, Jr. will be honored during the Ford Freedom Awards at Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Davis's widow, Ruby Dee, is confirmed to be on hand to accept the award in his honor.

An extension of Ford Motor Company's commitment to diversity and inclusion, the award is presented posthumously to distinguished individuals who dedicated their lives to improving the African American community and the world in general. A brass plate bearing Davis' name will be added to the Museum's Ring of Genealogy, the centerpiece of the Ford Freedom Rotunda lobby, and will be unveiled during the awards program. The event, which is in its eighth year, has served as a fundraiser for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Proceeds support the Museum's educational programs, exhibits, and community outreach initiatives. According to a spokesperson, scholarship awards will be presented to student winners of the Ford Freedom Essay Contest, before the event.

'Addicted' Goes Big

Best-selling novelist 'Zane' has struck a deal with Lionsgate films to bring her sexually charged tome 'Addicted' to the big screen. Hollywood power player Suzanne de Passe is on board to produce the film, which is also being developed into a stage version.

The studio believes this pact will continue its commitment to bringing cultural sensations to a broader North American movie audience. Last month, Lionsgate released 'Akeelah and the Bee,' and has had astounding box office success with the Tyler Perry movies, 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' and 'Madea's Family Reunion.'

"Zane is a cultural icon with a devoted legion of fans, and we are very excited about elevating her tremendous reach to include moviegoers nationwide,” said Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate's President of Production. "We believe that we can translate the success of her book into a film that brings her fiery passion and timeless, universal themes to an even larger audience not yet familiar with her work."

Zane, her psuedonym, is a recently divorced mother of three and has authored nine books. "I look forward to my first theatrical release," she told Black Voices. "I am confident that 'Addicted' will be the first of many more to follow. The black female sexual revolution is long overdue. We freed our bodies a long time ago; now it is time to free our minds." "Addicted" tells the story of a successful African-American arts dealer who seems to have everything but feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction to sex.

"Women living in today's 'microwave society' have to deal with numerous responsibilities, pressures, and challenges," Zane added. "When it comes down to intimacy, we deserve to leave each and every experience just as satisfied as the men we share our bodies with."