CALENDAR NOTES

Calendar Notes provides beenetworknews viewers / readers with a schedule of events, workshops, seminars and expo’s that educate, entertain and inform.

SOURCE:  BlackNews.com

THE MERGE SUMMIT RETURNS FOR A POWER PACKED SIXTH YEAR AUGUST 21-23

Beverly Hills, CA (BlackNews.com) — Relevé Entertainment announced today that The Merge Summit 2014 will be held August 21-23 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The event is presented in association with partners: Walgreens, Wellness Interactive, Inc. and Entertainment One. Integrating faith and entertainment, The Merge Summit provides a platform for men and women of faith to interface learn and partner with leading executives and talent in the entertainment industry.

The Summit is one of the largest events for people of faith and its multifaceted program includes a complete weekend of education, inspiration and entertainment. Nearly 100 of the industry’s top entertainers and executives will lead more than 20 interactive panel discussions, workshops and Master Class sessions covering music, television, film, creative development, branding, marketing and new media.

The weekend long program features top entertainers and industry executives including: Meagan Good, DeVon Franklin, Common, Michelle Williams, Sherri Shepherd, Terrence Jenkins, Pastor Paula White, Erica Campbell, Derek Luke, Sophia Luke, Clint Culpepper, Bishop Charles E. Blake, Mikki Taylor, Nate Parker, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jonathan Butler, Suzanne de Passe, Fonzworth Bentley, Harry J. Lennix, Mali Music, and Bishop Lester Love.

This year, The Summit kicks off its weekend events with Opening Night At The Merge, hosted by actor and E! News co-anchors Terrence Jenkins with special music performances by Mali Music and Jonathan Butler. BET Music Matters in association with eMerge is a new offering of the summit weekend which will showcase and recognize new unsigned poets, artists and spoken word performers. The weekend boasts the Wellness Lounge sponsored by Walgreens and Wellness Interactive, Inc. Freedom: The Merge Concert Experience sponsored by E-One Entertainment featuring Michelle Williams will culminate the weekend activities.

Master classes, panels and other event highlights include:
* Glide: The Splash Theory – moderated by Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper
* The It Factor – moderated by Sherri Shepherd – a panel with the industry’s most talented women
* The Anatomy of The Writers Room – formats of shows, rewrites and the final script process
* Faith, Love & Success – an open discussion with power couples about faith, family and career
* Actors Workshop with Harry J. Lennix – intensive scene study and cold reading session
* Ministry Beyond the Pulpit – featuring cast members and producers from Oxygen’s hit show “Preachers of L.A.”
* Creating Hit Music – presented in association with E-One
* Producers Workshop: The Driving Force – how to take your project from script to screen

The Merge will also host the Fourth Annual Awards Luncheon on Saturday, August 23rd, honoring those bridging the gap between faith and entertainment. The 2014 honorees include Bishop Charles E. Blake (West Angeles Church of God in Christ), Aundrae Russell (KJLH 102.3 FM), Tina and Harold Lewis (HRL Group LLC), and Suzanne de Passe (de Passe Jones Entertainment).

“We could not be more excited about this year’s gathering,” said The Merge Founder and Chair Dr. Holly Carter. “We’ve grown and evolved each year while always staying to our original purpose: to provide a platform for creative men and women of faith. I have no doubt that this years powerful speakers and sessions will empower attendees to be bold and on purpose in bringing their dreams to life.”

“What a better place to bring the Word than amongst the brightest of stars and influencers in the entertainment industry,” said The Merge Summit Co-Founder and Co-Chair Robi Reed. “We need as many beacons of love and hope as we can find to light a path in these days and The Merge Summit is the place where those like minds meet. Im excited to see us climb to a new plateau this year.”

“Year after year, The Merge Summit enhances lives and careers by providing access to knowledge and opportunity,” adds Traci Blackwell, The Merge Summit Co-Chair and SVP, Current Programs, The CW Network. “This year will be no different and I look forward to seeing attendees grow during this powerful weekend.”

Other confirmed speakers include:
* Austyn Biggers – Senior Director of Development, BET Networks
* Bishop Lester Love – The City of Love Church, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Bre’ly Evans – Actress, BETs “Being Mary Jane”
* Common – Rapper/Actor
* Dondre Whitfield – Actor, ABCs “Mistresses”
* Edwina Findley – Actress, OWNs If Loving You Is Wrong
* Harmony Samuels – Music Producer for Maroon 5, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Rowland, Mary J Blige, Arianna Grande
* Issa Rae – Producer, Writer, Director, Actress
* Jacque Edmonds Cofer – Creator/Co-Executive Producer, BETs “Lets Stay Together”
* Jawn Murray – Entertainment Journalist and Pop Culture Expert, Always A-List.com
* Lynn Whitfield – Emmy Award-winning Actress
* Nikkole Denson-Randolph – Vice President, Specialty & Alternative Content, AMC Theatres
* Paula White – Paula White Ministries, Orlando, Florida