BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Oct. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Paley Center for Media, the leading nonprofit cultural institution that showcases the importance and impact of media on our society, will hold a Hollywood Tribute to African-American Achievements in Television, presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co., on Monday, October 26 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Anthony Anderson, Tichina Arnold, Jerrod Carmichael, Debra Martin Chase, Suzanne de Passe, Alfred Enoch, Rick Fox, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Tamala Jones, Kelly McCreary, Joe Morton, Niecy Nash, Brandy Norwood, Sam Richardson, and Sean Patrick Thomas are the latest stars to join the growing roster of icons and influential industry pioneers slated to attend to honor notable contributions made by African-Americans in a wide array of television genres: drama, comedy, news/talk, sports, and music–across seven decades. Other notable guests include: Tyra Banks, Diahann Carroll, Don Cheadle, Ava DuVernay, Louis Gossett Jr., Terrence Howard, Quincy Jones, Keegan-Michael Key, Regina King, Tyler Perry, Wesley Snipes, and Keenen Ivory Wayans.
The Paley Center's Hollywood Tribute to African-American Achievements in Television will present critically acclaimed programs of historical importance, pay homage to creative visionaries–producers, writers, and directors from the Hollywood community–and feature iconic Hollywood talent across generations, recognizing legacy stars and today's biggest names. A special highlight of the evening will include a salute to Black Entertainment Television's (BET) 35th anniversary. The event also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and the role of television as a pivotal platform for addressing important issues, breaking down barriers, and creating social change.
The Paley Center production team, led by Paley Center President & CEO Maureen J. Reidy and Paley Center Executive Vice President of Programming Diane Lewis, welcomes accomplished scholar, author, and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates, Jr. as special advisor to the tribute, with Trey Ellis and Ajani Jackson serving as the Tribute writing team.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves as the Tribute's Presenting Sponsor, and event co-chairs include: 21st Century Fox / Fox Audience Strategy, Hearst Corporation, The Loreen Arbus Foundation, Starz, and Viacom / BET Networks. Patron supporters of this program include: AT &T; Carl Beverly, Timberman / Beverly Productions;CBS Corporation; Comcast NBCUniversal; Creative Artists Agency; Disney | ABC Television Group; Facebook; FTI Consulting, Inc.; HBO; Hulu, LLC; Lionsgate; Sony Pictures Television; true[X] / Fox Advanced Ad Products; Turner Broadcasting; and Warner Bros. Television Group.
The Paley Center is honored to have a Tribute Committee comprised of the most important and influential executives in media and entertainment today. Tribute Committee members include: Chris Albrecht, Kevin Beggs, Peter Benedek, Carl Beverly, Steve Burke, Philippe Dauman, Stephen J. Davis, Clifford W. Gilbert-Lurie, Robert Greenblatt, Doug Herzog, Mike Hopkins, Steve Lafferty, Debra L. Lee, Paul Lee, Dick Lippin, Michael Lombardo, Leslie Moonves, Steve Mosko, James Murdoch, David Nevins, Gary Newman, Rick Rosen, Peter Roth, Philip Schuman, Ben Sherwood, and Nina Tassler.
This momentous occasion marks the Paley Center's second major event showcasing African-American Achievements in Television as part of an ongoing commitment to preserving, exploring, and interpreting this material through its extensive Paley Archive and programs encompassing public, industry, international, and education outreach. The Paley Archive is the nation's largest publicly accessible archive of television, radio, and new media programming from over seventy countries, spanning almost one hundred years. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Paley Center's programs and its ongoing efforts to expand and preserve the Archive, which includes an African-American collection.
For additional event information, including how to purchase tables, tickets, and ads, please visit paley.me/tribute
About The Paley Center for Media:
The Paley Center for Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org
CONTACT:Brittany Forgione, The Paley Center for Media, 212.621.6697, bforgione@paleycenter.org