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Queen Latifah Headlines More Than 69 Performers on the 2012 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Presented by Ford
Cruise is billed as ‘Ultimate Party with a Purpose’ helping to raise money to keep students in black colleges
(Dallas, TX – March 20, 2012) – It’s countdown time to the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage Presented by Ford, featuring the legendary Queen Latifah who is headlining what is known as the ‘Ultimate Party with a Purpose’, that sets sail March 25 – March 31 from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades.
For seven days and six nights, more than 3,000 passengers will be on board the Royal Caribbean International’s ‘Navigator of the Seas’tm, helping to support students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This luxurious ship will be home to s
ome of the most fantastic artists in soul music including Fantasia, Chante Moore, SWV, Boyz II Men, Lil G from Silk, H-Town, Shai, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Yarbrough & Peoples, Rose Royce, Taste of Honey, Anita Ward, Con Funk Shun, Glen Jones, Phil Perry, Tony Terry, Michael Cooper, Keith Sweat, Guy, Bobby Valentino, Christopher Williams and Lenny Williams.
Live Performances and Comedy
Every Night
Special celebrity guests hanging out o
n the cruise include model Melyssa Ford, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield and Season #2 Celebrity Apprentice Claudia Jordan. Korto Momolu, Season #5 of Project Runway, will share her latest fashions. Fantastic comedians include George Wallace, Bruh-man, Michael Ralph and Marvin Dixon.
Seminars, How-tos & Networking Sessions
Nationally acclaimed author, journalist, speaker and political strategist Sophia A. Nelson will host a discussion on “Black Woman Redefined,” based on her bestselling book, with “The Game” actress Wendy Raquel Robinson and Melyssa Ford. Award-winning financial planner Gerald Grant, Jr., of AXA Advisors’ South Florida Branch, offers a seminar based on his new book, “Bold Moves to Creating Financial Wealth ™”.
Top-Named Sponsors Host Events
As the title sponsor of the cruise, Ford will have two 2013 Ford Escapes on the ship and is giving a vehicle to one of its loyal customers. Ford also is sponsoring PlayDate – an interactive game, sponsoring a seminar. Other major sponsors are Budweiser, Southwest Airlines, TBS’ ‘For Better or for Worse,’ the Alzheimer’s Association and Crest Pro Health.
World Renowned Black Artists
The artwork of some of the world’s most renowned African-American artists, who have been huge supporters of the Tom Joyner Foundation and black colleges over the years, is also featured on the cruise: Annie Lee, Frank Frazier, Twin, Charles Bibb, MG Ballard, Deborah Shedrick and Janice Burdine Thacker. Aaron Henderson, Premier Art Gallery’s owner, will hold an “Art Tasting” seminar, educating passengers about collecting and buying art.
There’s Something for Everyone
For guests wanting to explore the sights with some of the cruise VIPs, there are several special tours taking place: Tom Joyner Morning Show co-host J. Anthony Brown and comedians Guy and Joe Torry will join you on a 65-foot catamaran sail to Dunn’s River Falls, climb the Falls, then sail to the Marine Gardens to go snorkeling. In Nassau, Bahamas, Derek J of the Real Housewives of Atlanta is hosting a “Shop Til You Drop” excursion. DJ Cut Creator will be leading the after hours partygoers between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Throughout the week, passengers can participate in sun up to sun down action, kicking off their days with morning devotion with Dr. Bobby Jones, and dancing to hiphop or R&B into the wee hours of the morning. Every night is a theme night: Mardi Gras, White Night, Formal Night, Represent Night and 70s Night where passengers pull out the stops to wear some of the most fashion-forward, over-the-top, out of this world costumes. Additionally, several former NFL football players will be competing against passengers in interactive video games.
Those unable to make the Voyage can still join the party by listening to Tom and crew report happenings from the ship all week on the morning show, with exclusive interviews and audio from the awesome entertainers on board. You can find photos from past year’s cruises on Joyner’s entertainment website http://www.BlackAmericaWeb.com, and throughout the week, there will be extensive photos and videos posted daily BlackAmericaWeb.com. Follow the cruise happenings via social media: Facebook/TJMShow, onTwitter.com @tjmshow. Also, keep track of what everyone is posting on Twitter at #tomjoynercruise.
About the Tom Joyner Morning Show and BlackAmericaweb.com
The nation’s #1 syndicated urban morning show, which airs in more than 105 markets reaching nearly 8 million listeners, has distinguished itself over the years as continuously giving back to its audience with quality programming, highly popular promotions, special events and philanthropy. Since 2004, Joyner has awarded millions in cash and prizes to contest winners and his Foundation has raised more than $60 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities. The Morning Show with co-hosts Sybil Wilkes, J. Anthony Brown and senior news analyst Roland Martin, also features “Inside Her Story” with Jacque Reid; political commentary from Stephanie Robinson and Jeff Johnson; entertainment reports from Kevin Frazier, as well as comedic observations from D.L. Hughley and the Celebrity Snitch Huggy Lowdown. Joyner’s website, BlackAmericaWeb.com, has more than 1.5 million registered users.
About the Tom Joyner Foundation
Founded in 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation has focused on its primary mission of helping to keep students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The Foundation has assisted more than 20,000 students and worked with more than 100 HBCUs, raising more than $60 million. Throughout the week, the Foundation announces scholarship winners on the nationally syndicated radio show hosted by its founder, Tom Joyner. Each week, separate financial awards are focused on students who are single parents, high achievers, and distinguished male students at the ‘School of the Month’.
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