New York, U.S.A. — NewsOne.com, an urban digital media company, Interactive One’s African-American news website, published on October 23, an exclusive op-Ed penned by First Lady Michelle Obama that speaks directly to the country’s nearly 39 million Black Americans. The op-Ed addresses the importance of every vote in this November’s presidential election and Mrs. Obama encourages those who can, to vote early this year for her husband President Barack Obama.

“Now that so many states have early vote—including Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada, Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, New Mexico, and Iowa—we can make our voices heard well before Election Day,” explains First Lady Michelle Obama. “So, if you live in a state with early voting, pledge to cast your ballot early—and then reach out to everyone you know and make sure they vote by November 6, too.”

Before reminding voters of the close results of the 2008 presidential election, the first lady recalls the long strides previous generations made to ensure the civil liberties all Americans enjoy today. She makes clear, however, that it “doesn’t mean our work is finished.” Mrs. Obama states, “Make no mistake, here in our time, it’s more important than ever that we show up to vote, not just this year, but every year and in every election. Every voice must be heard and every vote must be counted.”

Mrs. Obama’s op-Ed comes on the heels of an exclusive story published by NewsOne on October 11 where the first lady addressed issues affecting Black female voters. In the story she discusses President Obama’s latest debate performance, what’s at stake in this year’s presidential election, and whether the president has the support of Black women.

“NewsOne.com is the definitive source for news most relevant to the African-American community and our recent exclusives with First Lady Michelle Obama demonstrate that fact,” said Tom Newman, President, Interactive One. “The importance of Mrs. Obama’s message cannot be overstated. All of us at Interactive One eagerly encourage our readers to make their voices heard by voting and encouraging others to vote in next month’s election.”

To read First Lady Michelle Obama’s op-Ed, and for more information about NewsOne.com, visit their website.

Image Courtesy of Joyce N. Boghosian, White House photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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NEW YORK, U.S.A. — The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum announced July 9 that First Lady Michelle Obama will celebrate the 2012 National Design Awards Friday, July 13, with a White House luncheon for the winners of the awards. In support of the First Lady’s emphasis on education and outreach to the Washington, D.C., community, the award winners will participate in an education program for local high school students from 9 to 11 AM in the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Mrs. Obama serves as the honorary patron for this year’s National Design Awards.

“The First Lady is a powerful advocate for design innovation and education outreach, and we are truly honored to have her patronage again this year,” said Bill Moggridge, director of the museum.

The museum also announced the selection of Red Burns as this year’s Design Patron, in recognition of her outstanding support and patronage within the design community. Unlike the other awards, which are selected by a jury, the Design Patron is chosen by the museum. Burns is arts professor and chief collaborations officer for the Interactive Telecommunications Program at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She is being recognized for her role as founder of ITP and for her innovations and achievements in the communication technology field.

The Award recipients are:

• Lifetime Achievement: Richard Saul Wurman
• Design Mind: Janine Benyus
• Design Patron: Red Burns
• Corporate and Institutional Achievement: Design that Matters
• Architecture Design: Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects
• Communication Design: Rebeca Mendez
• Fashion Design: Thom Browne
• Interaction Design: Evan Roth
• Interior Design: Clive Wilkinson Architects
• Landscape Architecture: Stoss Landscape Urbanism
• Product Design: Scott Wilson

Founded in 1897, Cooper-Hewitt is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. The museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design on daily life through active educational programs, exhibitions and publications.

Image Courtesy of   Barack Obama

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What happens when a former paparazzi photographer gets the picture of a lifetime – a revealing shot of The First Lady? SNAPSHOT will premiere at Hoboken International Film Festival’s (HIFF) 2012 as the Opening Night Feature Film. The festival will be held at the Hudson Cinemas at the Hudson Mall in Jersey City this year, from June 1- June 7, 2012.

SNAPSHOT screenwriter Robert Borneman was inspired to write the film as a result of tragic events including the death of Lady Diana to the recent suicide of Rutgers student, Tyler Clementi.  Borneman said, “SNAPSHOT weighs the public’s right to know against an individual’s right to privacy. We examine this issue in a dramatic and entertaining manner.” Robert and Joyce Borneman served as executive producers of SNAPSHOT.

Kenneth Del Vecchio, SNAPSHOT’s producer, is a critically acclaimed filmmaker/best-selling author who has produced 15+ feature films that star several Academy Award and Emmy winners and nominees. A former New Jersey judge, Del Vecchio is also HIFF’s founder and chairman.

Joyce DeWitt, who plays “The First Lady” in SNAPSHOT says, “Ken Del Vecchio is a brilliant and wonderful producer.  SNAPSHOT was an exciting film to act in. It has an unexpected twist in a story about the challenges of personal integrity vs. personal needs.”

DeWitt served as co-host of NYC’s top morning show- Fox’s- Good Day New York…  On the program, she talked extensively about the film. Here’s a clip…Click Here To See Joyce on Good Day NY.

Del Vecchio handpicked Eric Etebari (“Witchblade,” “The Lincoln Lawyer”) – a longtime lead and supporting actor in several of his films – to serve as SNAPSHOT’s director. Robert and Joyce Borneman, previously served as executive producers for three Del Vecchio written/produced films, “The Great Fight,” “The Life Zone,” and “The Grand Theft.”

Del Vecchio inked a three-picture deal with Screen Media for these critically acclaimed – and highly controversial – flicks, directly after they premiered last year at HIFF; all three movies will be released theatrically later this year.

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Nickelodeon and the White House are joining forces to bring awareness to ways kids can support U.S. military families with a special episode of iCarly, featuring the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, premiering Monday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT). Leading up to the debut of iCarly ”iMeet the First Lady,” the stars of the hit series will appear at four screening events for military families across the country.

Nickelodeon will be hosting screening events at the following locations:

• Monday, Jan. 9 – Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Miramar, Calif.
• Wednesday, Jan. 11 – Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.
• Thursday, Jan. 12 – Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Fort Dix, N.J.
• Friday, Jan. 13 – Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Va.

“Having Mrs. Obama guest star on iCarly as part of Joining Forces, an initiative that supports and honors military families, was a great honor,” said Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon.  “Her appearance helps us teach kids how important friendship and support are to military kids and their families. Plus, not only was the First Lady completely at ease when acting, she also showed some serious moves when she joined the iCarly gang in a bit of Random Dancing!”

“iMeet the First Lady” will be preceded by a special dedication from the iCarly cast and Mrs. Obama to military families. Immediately following the premiere, Nickelodeon will debut a PSA that features ways kids can show their thanks and support. For more information, visit www.thebighelp.com.

Mrs. Obama watches iCarly with her daughters and chose to appear on the show because the lead character, Carly Shay (played by Miranda Cosgrove), is the daughter of an Air Force Colonel currently serving overseas in the military. In “iMeet the First Lady,” Mrs. Obama talks to Carly about her service to America as a member of a military family and thank her friends for supporting Carly during her father’s deployment.

In the episode, Carly and Spencer are excited that their dad is returning from active duty in time to celebrate his birthday and they begin planning a party to commemorate the occasion.  Unfortunately, Colonel Shay is deployed again and must cancel his trip home. Carly is devastated when she learns that she won’t be able to spend her dad’s birthday with him.  To cheer Carly up, the gang surprises her during their next iCarly webcast by transmitting a live feed to Colonel Shay.

The webcast catches the attention of high-level government agencies and results in an unexpected visit from Mrs. Obama. Having seen the webcast, Mrs. Obama is moved by what Sam, Freddie, and Gibby did for Carly and commends Carly for being such a strong and supportive daughter to a father in the service. iCarly series creator and executive producer Dan Schneider makes his first cameo appearance on the show as a Secret Service agent.

Nickelodeon’s multi-platform offerings for “iMeet the First Lady” include highlights from the episode on Nick.com and the special will also be available for purchase in HD via iTunes, Xbox, Vudu, Samsung, PlayStation and Amazon, beginning Tuesday, Jan 17.

Joining Forces is an organization spearheaded by Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, who have been leaders in supporting our nation’s military families and advocating for their priorities. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of our society – citizens, communities, businesses, non-profits, faith based institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government – to ensure military families have the support they have earned.

Joining Forces was created to address the unique challenges and needs of military families that Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden have heard firsthand during meetings with military spouses, briefings with military leaders, and many visits to military communities at home and abroad, and through their work on military family priorities.

Building on this groundwork, the initiative will focus on key priority areas – employment, education, and wellness, while engaging in a comprehensive effort to raise awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of military families.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/

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