Click here to submit an announcement

FYI – Aunts phone number was reachable and they have a website for more information so call Tiesa Locklear (aunt) - 678-234-4902

Latest Drug in Middle School - ‘Dusting’

Latest Drug in Middle School - ‘Dusting’ I had never heard of this until this article came to me via email. Scary, very scary.

My name is Jeff. I am a Police Officer for a city which is known nationwide for its crime rate. We have a lot of gangs and drugs. At one point we were # 2 in the nation in homicides per capita.

I also have a police K-9 named Thor. He was certified in drugs and general duty. He retired at 3 years old because he was shot in the line of duty. He lives with us now and I still train with him.

I always like d the fact that there was no way to bring drugs into my house. Thor wouldn’t allow it. He would react. The reason I say this is so you understand that I know about dr ugs.

I have taught in schools about drugs. My wife asks all our kids at least once a week if they used any drugs.

I like building computers occasionally and started building a new one in February 2005. I also was working on some of my older computers. They were full of dust so on one of my trips to the computer store I bought a 3 pack of DUST OFF.

Dust Off is a can of compressed air to blow dust off a computer. A few weeks later when I went to use one of them they were all used. I talked to my kids and my two sons both said they had used them on their computer and messing around with them. I yelled at them for wasting the 10 dollars I paid for them.

On February 28 I went back to the computer store. They didn’t have the 3 pack which I had bought on sale so I bought a single ju mbo can of Dust Off. I went home and set it down beside my computer.

On March 1st, I left for work at 10 PM. Just before midnight my wife went down and kissed Kyle goodnight. At 5:30 am the next morning Kathy went downstairs to wake Kyle up for school, before she left for work. He was propped up in bed with his legs crossed and his head leaning over.

She called to him a few times to get up. He didn’t move. He would sometimes tease her like this and pretend he fell back asleep. He was never easy to get up. She went in and shook his arm. He fell over. He was pale white and had the straw from the Dust Off can coming out of his mouth. He had the new can of Dust Off in his hands. Kyle was dead.

I am a police officer and I had never heard of this. My wife is a nurse and she had never heard of this. We later found out from the coroner, after the autopsy, that only the propellant from the can of Dust off was in his system. No other drugs. Kyle had died between midnight and 1 AM.

I found out that using Dust Off is being done mostly by kids ages 9 through 15. They even have a name for it. It’s called dusting, a take off from the Dust Off name. It gives them a slight high for about 10 seconds. It makes them dizzy.

A boy who lives down the street from us showed Kyle how to do this about a month before. Kyle showed his best friend. Told him it was cool and it couldn’t hurt you. It’s just compressed air. It can’t hurt you. His best friend said so.

Kyle was wrong. It’s not just compressed air. It also contains a propellant called R2. It’s a refrigerant like what is used in your refrigerator. It is a heavy gas, heavier than air. When you inhale it, it fills your lungs and keeps the good air, with oxygen, out. That’s why you feel dizzy, buzzed. It decreases the oxygen to your brain, to your heart. IT KILLS YOU.

The horrible part about this is there is no warning. There is no level that kills you. It’s not cumulative or an overdose; it can just go randomly, terribly wrong. IT’S NOT AN OVERDOSE.

You don’t die later, Or not feel good and say I’ve had too much. You usually die as you’re breathing it in, if not you die within 2 seconds of finishing ‘the hit.’

That’s why the straw was still in Kyle’s mouth when he died. Why his eyes were still open. The experts want to call this huffing. The kids don’t believe its huffing. And that’s why it’s more accepted. There is no chemical reaction, no strong odor. It doesn’t follow the huffing signals.

Kyle complained a few days before he died of his tongue hurting. It probably did. The propellant causes frostbite, if I had only known.

It’s easy to say hey, it’s my life and I’ll do what I want. But it isn’t. Others are always affected. This has forever changed our family’s life. I have a hole in my heart and soul that can never be fixed.

The pain is so immense I can’t describe it. There’s nowhere to run from it. I cry all the time and I don’t ever cry. I do what I’m supposed to do but I don’t really care.

My kids are messed up. One won’t talk about it. The other will only sleep in our room at night. And my wife, I can’t even describe how bad she is taking this. I thought we were safe because of Thor.
I thought we were safe because we knew about drugs and talked to our kids about them.

After Kyle died another story came out. A probation Officer went to the school system next to ours to speak with a student. While there he found a student using Dust Off in the bathroom. This student told him about another student who also had some in his locker.

This is a rather affluent school system. They will tell you they don’t have a drug problem there. They don’t even have a dare or plus program there. So rather than tell everyone about this ‘new’ way of getting high they found, they hid it.

The probation officer told the media after Kyle’s death and they, the school, then admitted to it. I know that if they would have told the media and I had heard, it wouldn’t have been in my house.

We need to get this out of our homes and school computer labs.

Using Dust Off isn’t new and some ‘professionals’ do know about. It just isn’t talked about much, except by the kids. They all seem to know about it.

April 2nd was 1 month since Kyle died, April 5th would have been his 15th birthday. And every weekday I catch myself sitting on the living room couch at 2:30 in the afternoon and waiting to see him get off the bus.

Thankful
Community Development Corporation

Presents

The Bingham Sisters

Of

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Saturday, July 26, 2008

5:00 P.M.

Thankful Baptist Church

980 N. Orchard Knob Avenue

Chattanooga, Tennessee 37406

 

A Fundraising Concert

In The Interest Of

The Thankful House of Renewal

The House of Renewal is a faith-based residential discipleship program for women who have been incarcerated due to substance related crimes and are being released back into the community. It offers opportunities for successful reintegration back into mainstream society.

 

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Sisters Keeping It Real

JULY 26,2008

3:00pm –6:00pm

RSVP @ 423-593-4146

Electric Power Board Bldg  10 M. L .King Blvd  7th Floor 

      Chattanooga. TN 37402

 

 

 

Hear SIB Stories and More!  On-Air Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 9:00-ish EST on television WRCB Channel 3.  Out of Towners can link to www.wrcbtv.com.

 

 

Hear SIB Stories and More!  On-Air Monday, June 23 at 10:05-ish EST on WUTC 88.1 FM.  Out of Towners can stream live on www.wutc.org.

 

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Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP Hosts Sheriff Candidate's Forum

Chattanooga, Tennessee - July 2008 - The Chattanooga-Hamilton County branch of the NAACP will be sponsoring "Hamilton County Sheriff's Candidates: A Forum on Crime & Safety." It will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Olivet Baptist Church located at 740 E. MLK Blvd.  We respectfully request your attendance at this event.   

 

This is your opportunity to meet and greet your Sheriff Candidates.  The Chattanooga-Hamilton County NAACP has also requested each candidate respond to a questionnaire of 11 questions on "What will I do when elected Sheriff".  These are questions related to key issues and concerns of the NAACP.  We will release each Sheriff Candidates response to this questionnaire on July 22, 2008   There will be a Q&A session for each candidate during this forum.  We look forward to seeing you there!

 

There will be onsite voter registration.

 

Election Day is August 7, 2008.  To find your polling (voting) location please visit the Hamilton County Election Commission website at ht

tp://elect.hamiltontn.gov/polls_ballots/pollloc.htm or call (423) 493-5100.  Early voting is from July 18, 2008 until August 2, 2008 at the Election Commission, Brainerd Recreation Center, and Northgate Mall in Hixson locations. 
 

This meeting is open to the General Public and all are invited to attend.  For questions, please contact Mrs. Valoria Armstrong at (423) 432-9776.

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National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.

Chattanooga Chapter

Hamilton County Voters Council

And

100 Black Men of Chattanooga

 

Host

 

Hamilton County Sheriff Candidates

 

Political Forum And Voter Registration

 

Monday, July 28, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.

 

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

University Center – Raccoon Mountain Room

Questions will be taken from the audience. 

“Voting Begins with You!!!”

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"Why a Sistah Can't Get  No Love"

 

You are invited to a free Sneak Preview of the new hilarious comedy

"Why a Sistah Can't Get No Love"  

Saturday, August 9th at 7:00 PM 

Barking Legs Theatre

1307 Dodds Avenue, Chattanooga, TN

Please RSVP by Aug. 1: (404) 735-5282

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www.EastHamilton.com.

 

EAST HAMILTON MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CONDUCTING

WEB POLL FOR TEAM NAME

 

The new middle/high school, serving the East Brainerd/ Apison/ Ooltewah area, is scheduled to open its doors to students in the fall of 2009.   The name of the school and the Principal has been confirmed, East Hamilton Middle and High School and Pam Dantzler respectively.  Now the school is faced with establishing an identity.  The colors of a school and the team name go into many planning efforts with a school, especially a newly built school.   According to Pam Dantzler, “Selection of a team name that involves the community surrounding the facility is crucial to not only building the school culture and pride, but also connects the school to those who support it.”

 

The purpose of the Unite for School Success (USS) group is to promote strong community support and confidence in the school by making sure the students, parents and neighbors of the school are involved the evolution of the school (including financially).  With this shared goal in mind, Ms. Dantzler and USS are sponsoring a Team Name Selection Poll on the East Hamilton website, www.EastHamilton.com.  Starting on July 14^th, you may log on the website and cast your vote for one of 3 different selections. The options are:  East Hamilton Blazers, East Hamilton Hurricanes, or the East Hamilton Knights.  (The USS group has been using East Hamilton Hurricanes as the team name until the final name is selected because Hurricane Creek runs through the school site.) The deadline for voting is July 25^th. 

 

The team name is only the first step.  The team name is not necessarily the mascot for a school.  For instance, the University of Tennessee team name is the Volunteers.  However, the mascot is Smoky the dog.  USS will ask students to create a new mascot this fall in a special contest.  “Enlisting the students in making the choice brings their voice into the process.  Everything we do in the future must center on the students,” says Ms. Dantzler when discussing the team name and future mascot.

 

Final team name selection will be announced at the 2^nd annual fundraising party which will take place September 6, 2008 in the Council Fire Clubhouse.  The first party raised $18,000 for the new school.  Please contact DeAnn Rauth at 899-4933 or check our website for more information on ticket purchase.   To make a donation or to volunteer your time, please contact Curtis Smith at 423-596-4457, Scott Gentry at 423-320-2995 or Mechelle Forgani at 423-490-0620. 

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The Creative Underground (TCU) will present "Sing, Mahalia, Sing" in late August 2008 at Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s Circle Theatre.

"Sing, Mahalia, Sing" is a joyous celebration of the life and music of one of the world's greatest gospel singers, Mahalia Jackson.

TCU is currently seeking nine to twelve adult background singers for the production.

ALL racial and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to audition! 

PLEASE have one a cappella song prepared!

AUDITION DATE AND TIME:

Saturday, July 12th at 10AM

 LOCATION:

URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA 

730 East  M.L. King Blvd

Chattanooga, TN 37403

Resumes not required, but if you have one, please forward it to Shane Morrow at shanermorrow@yahoo.com

If you are seeking any more info on the audition, please feel free to contact Shane at the above

email address.

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YPAC Seeks Nominations to Award Outstanding
Young Professional and YP Friendly Business
Second Year of Award Ceremony is Accepting Nominations Until July 31
Chattanooga (June 19, 2008) - For the second time in Chattanooga history, the Young Professionals
Association of Chattanooga (YPAC) plans to recognize those who exhibit leadership, community service
and the desire to grow and retain young professionals in the city. One deserving individual and one
company will be awarded for their contributions to the Chattanooga community and the promotion of
professional development.
Submit nominations
· Nominations are now open for the 2008 Chattanooga’s YP of the Year and YP Friendly
Business of the Year. Visit www.ypacnow.org to submit your nomination.
· Nominations must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on July 31.
· On August 1, the top ten finalists will be named and Chattanooga’s YP of the Year and
YP Friendly Business of the Year will be announced the evening of the YPAC Awards
Party on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008.
Judging criteria
· The nominees for Chattanooga’s YP of the Year shall be judged on achievements in their
respective fields as well as their commitment to and participation in the Chattanooga
community. Nominees for Chattanooga’s YP Friendly Company of the Year shall be
judged on their support of young professionals as well as their commitment to and
participation in the Chattanooga community.
2008 YP Awards Studio 54 Party
The winners will be announced at the 2nd annual awards party.
· When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008
· Where: Loose Cannon on the

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Have you ever really wanted Girl Scout cookies in the middle of summer but haven't been able to find any? 

Well, this year you can. 

 

There is a Blizzard expected to hit during the month of July! A Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie

Blizzard® is on its way and is expected to be one of the coldest, most refreshing, and enjoyable

Blizzards ever made!

 

Girl Scouts of Moccasin Bend Council is proud to announce a nationwide partnership with Dairy

Queen to show their appreciation for Girl Scouts during the month of July. Participating Dairy

Queens and DQ Grill & Chill® locations in the U.S. will salute Girl Scouts for their community

service and display of leadership during this month.

 

Attached you will find a sheet of coupons (can be copied) that can be passed out to your family,

friends, and neighbors. For every coupon presented at a DQ Grill & Chill® (

Hamilton Place

, Hixson

and Cleveland locations) DQ will donate $1 for every Blizzard® sold and $3 for every Blizzard® Cake

sold to the Girl Scouts of Moccasin Bend Council. If you have a daughter in Girl Scouts, place your daughter’s

troop number on the coupon and the troop with the most coupons presented at each of these DQ locations will

receive a special DQ Party!

 

Please support the efforts of Girl Scouts of Moccasin Bend Council to provide quality programs for

girls by passing out the enclosed coupons and asking friends and family to visit one of the

DQ locations mentioned during the month of July.

 

Thank you for all that you do for Girl Scouting already, and go have yourself a Thin Mint Blizzard!

 

Nita Sexton

Teen Program Director

Girl Scouts of Moccasin Bend Council

PO Box 15969

Chattanooga, TN 37415-0969

Phone: 423-877-2688, ext. 224

Fax: 423-877-5587

Greetings My Dear Sisters    You are invited to the RELAUNCH of  SISTERS KEEPING IT REAL. SKIR is an outreach ministry to women (founded by JD Richards) that will EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE you to be what God has called you to be without anymore excuses. Please join us for a day of uplifting and bring a friend.   WHEN:       SATURDAY JUNE 21, 2008 from 10:00AM until 3:00PM WHERE:     ELECTRIC POWER BOARD BLD. 10 M.L.KING BLVD. 7TH FL                        CHATT. TN 37402   Speakers:    DR. RITA CARR - HOPE UNLIMITED MINISTRIES                         LEWIS RICHARDS - SISTERS KEEPING IT REAL                         J D RICHARDS - SISTERS KEEPING IT REAL   MUSIC:      THE EMPOWERMENT CHURCH KINGDOM WORSHIPERS                                    and  ROZZ BLOODSAW   LUNCH WILL BE SERVED AT NO CHARGE  SO RSVP @ 423-593-4146   PUT ON YOUR JEANS, BRING YOUR BIBLE AND COME ON Thank you from Sisters Keeping It Real

Sincerely, JD & LEWIS RICHARDS Sisters Keeping It Real

Unite for School Success East Hamilton

Supporting the new East Hamilton Middle and High School

New School Update!

Tuesday, May 20^th

7:00 p.m.

Westview Elementary School

Principal Pam Dantzler will Speak

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Calling singers, dancers, instrumentalists, magicians, comedians, actors & performers of all types to the

 

 

        Friday, May 9         1:30         CSLA Auditorium

 

                          All acts should be:

ü     3 minutes or less in length

ü      Sponsored by an adult

ü      School appropriate (language, dress code, etc.)

ü    Performance ready at time of audition

 

Singers must do their own singing. No lip syncing allowed.

 

See Mrs. Stewart if interested in auditioning for

 Master of ceremonies!

 

         

  Audition Dates:        Grades K – 3       Thursday, April 24    4:15

                   (Audition required.)            Grades 4 – 8        Friday, April 25       4:15

 

 

The 20 best acts will be chosen.         Clip & return form below to office by Monday, April 21.

 

Bring Karaoke CDs only (no vocals allowed) to the audition marked with track      number and performer’s name.

Requesting talented African-American high school students in the Chattanooga/Cleveland area for contestants in the NAACP's ACT-SO competition.

By participating in the YP Global Impact Survey, YPAC and the city of Chattanooga will gain a snapshot of how YP’s perceive our community in the seven indexes and generate a comparison to other communities around the country. Results will be used to measure YPAC’s impact and assist in the further development of our strategic direction and programs. The survey is vital for the growth of the city, and will hopefully open the ears of city leaders to listen to the wants and needs of the young professionals.

The YP Global Impact Survey, introduced at the 2006 International YP Summit in Madison, WI, is a survey that takes our community and Young Professionals Organization’s (YPO) pulse, while measuring our members’ community impact and combines it with the world’s 20-40 year olds.

Questions the survey will help us answer include:

* Does our community have what it takes to attract and engage the next    generation?

* How engaged are the YP’s in our community?

* How do we compare to our competition?

Next Generation Consulting (NGC) has surveyed over 30,000 young professionals since 1998 and has developed a unique hand-printing solution around the seven indexes that help communities see itself as the next generation sees it.

Many communities have started YPO’s for plenty of reasons. YPO’s connect the community’s young professionals to each other. On a stronger note, YPO’s connect young professionals to the community. When young professionals feel that they have a voice and a stake in the community, they are two-to-three times more likely to stay.

In just over two years, YPAC has grown from a small group of YP’s meeting on a quarterly basis to a group with over 450 contacts and over 70 paid members. The average age of the YPAC member is 26 years old, with 43% of their membership being between 26 and 32 years old. Careers range from accounting to public relations to non-profits.

“It’s important that we understand how young talent perceives the Chattanooga community:  that way, we can make the enhancements required to engage and keep them. As the up and coming leaders of this city, it’s our duty to take charge and continue developing our community as place of talent and vitality as it should be,” says Kate West, YPAC president and founder.

YPAC has been able to produce the funds for this survey through their corporate sponsors, Joseph Decosimo & Co, LLP and Robert Half International. The Chamber of Commerce has also provided sponsorship for the survey to take place.

There is no limit on how many YP’s can respond to our survey, and we encourage all individuals to take the survey at www.YPACnow.org. The survey will launch Monday, February 18 and will be available until March 14.  

Today's Feature...

About Negro Spirituals

Amazing Grace History/"Amazing Grace" By Wintley Phipps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 4, 2007

Contact: Karlene Claridy at (423) 503-6488

Urban League Celebrates 25th Anniversary with

Equal Opportunity Day Celebration Gala

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga celebrates its 25^th Anniversary at this year's Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Celebration. The fundraising dinner will be held Friday, December 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center .  This year’s EOD will feature Jennifer Holliday, who starred in the original Dreamgirls Broadway musical, accompanied by the Chattanooga Symphony. 

“Our theme this year, The Dream Continues, is about where we have been and where we are headed,” explained Warren E. Logan, president of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.  "Since the Urban League was first established, we have had the same mission: economic empowerment, education and youth empowerment, leadership empowerment…and that hasn’t changed.  People are going to see our original mission threaded throughout this year’s EOD but also get a glimpse of the big things we have planned for the future.  As the dream continues, we are excited to celebrate with the Chattanooga community our achievements.”

Ajai McReynolds, a seventh grade student at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, will kick off the evening with a special rendition of the National Anthem.

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga will present the following awards at this year’s EOD: the Corporate Leadership Award, which the Board of Directors will present to a corporate leader who has made a positive contribution to the development of a strong community; the Humanitarian Award, which honors local organizations whose contributions have impacted not only our community local but also the world; and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award, which recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrating leadership and involvement in ensuring that Mr. Young’s dream of justice and equality for all was fulfilled in the Chattanooga community. 

Co-chairs for this year’s affair are Ruth Holmberg, one of the founders of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, and Charlesetta Woodard-Thompson, whose deceased sister (Yvonne Smith) was also a founder.  Honorary co-chairs are Senator Robert Corker, Representative Zach Wamp, Mayor Ron Littlefield and Mayor Claude Ramsey.

Tickets for the Equal Opportunity Day Dinner can be purchased by calling the Urban League at (423) 756-1762 or online at www.ulchatt.net.  Individual tickets are $100, which includes dinner, dancing and the concert.  Businesses and organizations can purchase a corporate table of eight for $1,500. 

About the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga

Under the leadership of Warren E. Logan, Jr., the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga has sought to emphasize greater reliance on the unique resources and strengths of the African-American community.  Focusing on education, economic empowerment and health, the Urban League strives to bring high-quality programs to Chattanooga . 

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Attachments: Jennifer Holliday photo and biography; Urban League's 25th Anniversary Logo; Ajai McReynolds biography

Biography of Jennifer Holliday

Brief Overview &

Comments:

Jennifer Holliday is a two-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist and Tony Award-winning Broadway star of the smash hit musical “Dreamgirls.” Holliday’s heart-wrenching torch-song ballad, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” was a show-stopping moment in the history of Broadway musicals and catapulted her into international stardom. Holliday recorded five CD’s and she has given solo and symphony pops concerts throughout the world.  Jennifer Holliday is a vocal powerhouse who’s passionate, soulful voice touches hearts and leaves her audiences flooded with emotions running deep and their spirits soaring high!

Biography:

After more than two decades since she starred in the hit Broadway musical “Dreamgirls,” Jennifer Holliday is a woman with a voice that has evolved into what is arguably one of the greatest female voices of the rhythm and blues of the 20th century. Holliday has recorded five chart-making CD’s for Arista, Geffen and Intersound Records.  She has also had several chart-topping singles.  Her signature spine-tingling hit song “And I Am Telling You I’m not Going” charted at #1 on the R&B charts and was a Top 40 pop charter, as well. Holliday won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance and she was awarded a second Grammy for Best Inspirational Vocal Performance for her soul-stirring rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday,” a tribute to the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. “The Best of Jennifer Holliday: The Millennium Collection” on Universal Records is her most recent release.

She has recorded with such artists as Barbara Streisand, Foreigner, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Michael McDonald, Maurice White, Peabo Bryson, Lorretta Lynn, the Cincinnati Pops Symphony and many CD compilations featured with other artists, including soundtracks for “the Five Heartbeats,” “the Woo-Woo Kid,” “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” and “the Rising Place.”

Born and raised in Houston , Texas , Jennifer went straight from the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Choir to the bright lights on Broadway. She was discovered singing in the choir by a dancer, Jaimie Patterson, who was performing in Houston in the musical “A Chorus Line.”  Jennifer made her Broadway stage debut in the musical revival “Your Arms Too Short to Box With God,” which Patterson arranged an audition for her with Vinnette Carroll, who conceived and directed the musical. While performing on Broadway in “Box With God,” Jennifer captured the attention of the famous Broadway director-choreographer, Michael Bennett (A Chorus Line).  Bennett cast Jennifer in the starring role of Effie “Melody” White in his production of “Dreamgirls,” which garnered Jennifer a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her other Broadway musical credits include Chicago , Grease, “Down-Hearted Blues: the Story of Bessie Smith,” “Sing, Mahalia, Sing: the Story of Mahalia Jackson” and Harlem Suite.

Holliday, a versatile performer, has made several guest appearances as an actress on prime-time television. She is most highly known for her recurring role on “Ally McBeal,” the popular hit Fox TV show.  Jennifer portrayed the character of Lisa Knowles, the outspoken church choir director and lead soloist at Ally McBeal’s favorite church.  Her other television appearances include Touched by An Angel, Ellen, Hang Time and the Love Boat.  Jennifer also made her motion-picture debut as both an actress and a songwriter for the independent film, The Rising Place, which had a successful limited release and is now available on DVD.  She wrote five songs for the movie, including the theme song, “You’ve Got to Rise Up.”  Jennifer also delivered spectacular performances for three PBS Television Specials on DVD- “A Fourth of July Celebration: Live with the Boston Pops Symphony,” “My Favorite Broadway: the Leading Ladies Live From Carnegie Hall” and “the Singer and the Song: Live From the White House.”

Miss Holliday received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston , Massachusetts . She is also a fervent advocate of mental health issues and speaks often for depression awareness and erasing the stigma of depression, as well as suicide prevention for youth. 

Jennifer’s ardent fans have remained faithful to her for more than two decades since her first performance in “Dreamgirls.” Jennifer is a “Singer’s Singer.” She’s an exciting performer who delivers her songs with great passion. She’s a vocal inspiration who chews on every lyric, infusing them with emotional statements. Whether she’s singing at the White House, the Pops Symphony, the Broadway Stage or a Baptist church, Jennifer Holliday continues to inspire a whole new generation of admirers of all ages. Her voice, her song, her story and her spirit are a gift to music lovers all over the world!

Biography of Ajai McReynolds

Ajai McReynolds, a seventh grader at the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS), has been selected to kick off the Urban League of Chattanooga’s 25th Anniversary Celebration by singing the National Anthem.

According to Ajai’s mother, she has been a songstress and musically inclined since she was two.  She is an active participant in the CSAS’s choir and the youth choir at Mount Joy Baptist Church .  She is often sought out to sing at weddings and both church and community events. 

The youngest of four children, Ajai aspires to be an attorney one day and hopes to become a legendary vocal artist like the talented and Tony Award-winner, Jennifer Holliday.