Craig Lewis in search of FAME

On the movie FAME Weekend, FUTURE readers we introduce you to CRAIG LEWIS.

Ten diverse performers competed for their shot at fame at Six Flags Magic Mountain on Saturday, September 5, in front of a panel of celebrity judges including Grammy Award-winning artist Ciara.

Judges Ciara, Kevin Tancharoen, director of the re-invented film "Fame," and Ashlan Gorse, E! News show host, named singing duo Craig Lewis as the grand prize winner in the Fame National Talent Search finale.

"You're like all The Jackson 5s rolled into two," said Gorse in her appraisal of the Craig Lewis performance. Jeffery Lewis and Zuri Craig, the duo from Atlanta, Ga., took the stage with neon clothing and cartoon backpacks, shocking the judges as they belted out their rendition of "Out Here on My Own" from the movie "Fame."

Audience members of all ages screamed for Craig Lewis as they worked their way past the stage and into the stands. Post-show, Ciara said she was judging on a number of factors, which made it a tough call between Craig Lewis and singer Georgia Napolitano from Texas.

"It's about the charisma, talent, stage presence, energy, that connection," she said. Lewis said he had no idea he and singing partner, Craig, were going to win. "I can't even think of the words to explain what I'm feeling," said the 26-year-old. Craig, 24, expected winning to change his life, but not until after celebrating his victory with some thrills at Magic Mountain.

Craig Lewis won a $5,000 cash prize, a photo spread in OK! Magazine, a five day trip to Hollywood to meet with a top agent and studio executive, a VIP card valued at $1,500 to Johnny Rockets, a gift card to Sephora, as well the inclusion of their winning performance on the "Fame" DVD. The movie "Fame" releases in theaters Sept. 25.

The duo has amassed an impressive amount of fans, their most popular YouTube video has over 600,000 views, and their ever-growing fan base includes some celebrity admirers such as American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino and Oscar Award winning actress and American Idol contestant, Jennifer Hudson to name a few .

Check out their most recent performance of their rendition of the song that sealed their fame, “Out Here On My Own” from the movie FAME view the link below.
(Click Below)



For booking or more information please contact their management at:

Eric Majette, Jr.
Majestic Entertainment Group
O: 678-952-8700
T: 1-877-637-5104
E: eric@majesticegroup.com

GeoGrands 4

“I really don’t want to do this,” Elle complained. “Isn’t there any other way?”
“If there were, we wouldn’t use this option,” replied Density. “You know the GeoGlobe is broken so we can’t teleport to Emthira, and J9 is on a research expedition so she isn’t here to fix it.”
“When is J9 coming back anyway?” asked Buff.
“I’m not sure,” Density said. “I just hope that whatever she discovers helps us find the remaining GeoGrams.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Logic softly said to Elle. “We’re not heavy at all, and we’ll be very careful.” Elle was going to shape herself into a helicopter, and Buff, Density and Logic were going to ride inside of her to get to Emthira.
“We should have our own jet like the X-Men’s blackbird or somethin’,” Buff stated.
“And where we would keep such an aircraft?” Density explained. “I know we have been in New York several months, but as you and Logic will soon see, we never stay in one place for too long before we are off on the next lead to a GeoGram.”
“Why have we been in New York so long?” Buff questioned.
“Partly to get you and Logic adjusted to the GeoGrand life, partly because the queen thought it best if we laid low for awhile to ensure the Great Sphere remains secured in our possession. I have a feeling that this meeting she has requested will affect our current status quo, though.”
“I feel kinda weird not packing anything,” Logic said.
“Don’t worry. Everything you will need will be taken care of when we arrive in Emthira.”
“Plus,” Elle began, “I don’t need any extra weight to carry. Its bad enough I have to fly all the way there and carry you all besides. You know I’m delicate a flower,” she cooed. Logic was about to open his mouth to say something, but Elle cut him off. “And don’t you even start tryin’ to read.”
“Well don’t leave yourself open,” Logic snickered.
“Let’s get this show on the road,” Elle said. Suddenly her womanly figured expanded into a neat, pink helicopter.
“Why does it have to be pink?” Buff groaned.
“Because today, I’m channeling Lil’ Kim,” Elle replied while Logic and Density laughed. The three Geomen climbed into the helicopter and took their seats. “Please prepare for takeoff,” Elle’s voice said coming in thru a speaker system.
“I knew you were a powerful shape changer,” Logic began, “But I didn’t know you were this powerful. This is like a real helicopter!”
“The only limits to my shape changing are my imagination,” Elle crooned through the speaker. “Okay here we go!” The propellers slowly began to turn faster and faster, lifting the helicopter into the air.
“We have our own Ellecopter!” Logic said excitedly.
“That’s cute,” Density replied.
“Don’t name me like that,” Elle said. “I don’t plan on making this a habit.” Elle was now flying over Coney Island and headed in a southerly direction toward the Caribbean. Emthira was located in the Southern Hemisphere on an uncharted landmass a lil’ over halfway between Africa & South America.
“How is it that no one has discovered Emthira?” Buff inquired.
“When the Geomen settled in this dimension thousands of years ago,” Density replied, “The Geomen magicians banded together and cast a spell over Emthira so that only Geomen could see it.”
“Why don’t ships bump into it accidentally?” Logic asked.
“That’s part of the spell. Anyone who isn’t a Geomen subconsciously avoids Emthira as they approach it. Sailors who chart their course through Emthira avoid it without realizing that their subtlety sailing off course.”
“Wow, that is amazing,” the couple both said, astonished.
As the foursome moved toward the south, they were all absorbed in their own thoughts. Elle was eagerly awaiting the chance to see her boyfriend again and enjoy the celebrity status that came with being a GeoGrand in Emthira. Buff was happy to finally get away from New York on his own terms without depending on anyone. Density was anxiously anticipating seeing her mother again. Logic was thinking about his powers and meeting others like himself in Emthira.
Suddenly, the Ellecopter dropped sharply, and Elle screamed over the loudspeaker. “Someone is shooting at me!” she shouted.
Density hurriedly looked out of the window and saw a sleek black jet hot on their heels shooting at them.
“Can you shake them?” Density asked.
“I’m a helicopter, not a jet, but I’m gonna alter my backside to give us a boost. Get ready,” Elle warned. The three Geomen were thrown back on their seats as Elle doubled her speed.
“They’re still gaining!” Buff exclaimed as the unmarked jet continued to shoot towards them.
“It’s the PolyGens!” Logic shouted. “I can feel their presence!”
“How did they know we were even on our way to Emthira?” Density wondered.
“Arrrgh!!!” Elle cried out in pain over the speaker system, “We’re going down! I can’t maintain this shape!” The helicopter fluttered and then began a speedy descent towards the clear, blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Antigua Tourists Share Account of Police Beating

By: Jackie Jones
BlackAmericaWeb.com

Six Brooklyn tourists on trial in Antigua and Barbuda on charges stemming from a dispute with a taxi driver issued a lengthy statement Wednesday outlining their version of events.

Rachel Henry, 27, Shoshannah Henry, 24, Dolores Lalanne, 25, Nancy Lalanne, 22, Joshua Jackson, 25, and Mike Pierre-Paul, 25, were part of a group of a dozen Brooklynites aboard a Carnival Cruise ship docked at Antigua earlier this month. The six negotiated a $50 fare with a cab driver to tour the island, but ended up in a dispute with the cabbie when he demanded double the amount at the end of the ride. When the group refused to pay the new amount, he drove the passengers to the police station.

According to the statement, read at a news conference in Brooklyn on Wednesday, the group agreed to go to the police station, but instead of going to the station near the port where the ship was docked, the cabbie drove the tourists to a police station in an unfamiliar area. It was there, the group said, that they were placed under arrest and beaten by police.

Kevin Powell, a community activist and writer who organized Wednesday’s news conference, told BlackAmericaWeb.com that authorities had dragged out the process. The case Powell was told would only last a day or two is dragging toward its third week.

There were reports that the Rev. Jesse Jackson may traveling to Antigua in an attempt to negotiate a settlement with authorities to gain the tourists' release. Powell said late Wednesday he had not spoken with Jackson, but was glad to see greater attention focused on the situation in the Caribbean nation. On Tuesday, Carnival did not return a call from BlackAmericaWeb.com seeking comment, but the New York Daily News reported a spokeswoman for the cruise line denied reports that it had left the tourists hanging and only recently in touch with their families.

Carnival "has been in frequent contact with these individuals and a variety of assistance has been provided," spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz told The News.

Read the full statement prepared by Dudley Brutus, one of the group of the tourists, which was read at Wednesday's news conference - The Trip from HELL

Tourism Campaign Luring Black Travelers to Philly

By Suzette Parmley

Philadelphia Inquirer

Wanted: Well-traveled, technologically savvy, energetic African Americans to sample the City of Brotherly Love's nightlife, culture, and rich history.

To get those travelers here, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. is launching an aggressive campaign today called Philly 360. While the tourism group has marketed to African Americans since 1997, this is the first time it is targeting the emerging and coveted group of urban African Americans under 40 who travel.

Philadelphia's "creative ambassadors" (from left): Ethel Cee, Rakia Reynolds, Stacey "Flygirrl" Wilson, Rah Crawford, Syreeta Scott, Tayyib Smith, Rich Medina, and Khari Mateen. As part of the marketing campaign to attract young, affluent African Americans, they represent what the city offers in arts, culture, film, and business. Photo by Ron Tarver

"It's not to make us Atlanta. We want to have the buzz of Atlanta," said Patricia Washington, vice president of cultural tourism for the marketing firm. "Philly has a lot that it can deliver." Recent studies show African American travelers were getting younger and more affluent. African American buying power was at $913 billion last year, or 8.5 percent of all U.S. buying power, up from 7.4 percent in 1990, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth.

Nationwide, African American travelers are more likely to have been born between 1955 and 1981; they are quick to adopt mobile technology; and they often seek out urban travel experiences rather than rural areas, according to a May 2009 joint report by the U.S. Travel Association and YPartnership.

The campaign is called Philly 360 because it aims to give visitors a full, 360-degree view of all the city offers. Its goal is to get Philadelphia on the list of hot spots for African Americans, joining destinations such as Atlanta, New York, Baltimore, Washington, and Miami.

Perhaps the tourism group's biggest marketing tool is its "creative ambassadors" - nine trendsetters in the local arts, culture, film, and business community who were chosen by the marketing firm in February as the campaign's first faces.

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Tourism Campaign Luring Black Travelers to Philly