Annual NAACP gala attracting host of national celebrities
Reality stars, actors and musicians are among the stars who have committed to making the annual event one hot ticket.
Monday, October 13, 2008
MIDDLETOWN — Organizers of the Middletown NAACP's annual Freedom Fund Celebrity Weekend hope this year's event will become the hottest ticket in town.
It will take place Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, opening with a basketball game and culminating with a reception and gala.
But officials hope the big draw this year will be the spate of celebrity guests.
So far, eight celebrities are confirmed to be a part of the weekend festivities, said Anita Scott Jones, president of the Middletown NAACP.
"We are excited about the opportunity to bring Hollywood to the residents of southwest Ohio," Jones said.
The following are booked for the event:
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds won't actually be coming to town, but he has agreed to serve as the event's honorary co-chair.
Edmonds is preparing two public service announcements. He also will donate about 200 CDs that will be part of various giveaways.
"I believe in the NAACP and without question support great programs that educate and empower today's youth in every community," Edmonds said.
Gary Anthony Sturgis
Best known for bad-boy roles in two of screenwriter Tyler Perry's movies — Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Daddy's Little Girls — Gary Sturgis will be a keynote speaker.
Nathan Corbett
In keeping with this year's theme of "Our Youth Is Our Tomorrow," organizers wanted to invite a young celebrity as one of its special guests. Enter Nathan Corbett.
The young actor has appeared on the CBS drama Cold Case and HBO's Peabody Award-winning drama The Wire.
Q Parker
Quinnes Parker, or Q as he's known to fans, is a former member of the R&B quartet 112 and is set to release a solo album.
Jay Phillips
Jay Phillips is one of the nation's hottest up and coming comedians. He has performed on Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam and The Late Late Show, among others.
Tanya Blount
Tanya Blount is best known for her role in the movie Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Blount recently signed a recording contract as a gospel singer.
G Tee Shotta
G Tee Shotta is an artist from Guyana. He has performed all over the world.




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