Do You Hear Me Now Black Male Vulnerability Don Cornelius Soul Train

photo: Judge Toler & Ed TeenFest 08′

Award winning writer, counselor, and activist Edward M. Garnes, Jr., founder of From Afros To Shelltoes (FATS), a community based art programming collective focused on bridging generation gaps between youth, elders, and hip hop heads, will serve as a celebrity judge during TeenFest, a free annual public health education event focused on substance abuse prevention and violence reduction on March 27, 2010 at the Carolina Theater (309 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701-2119; (919) 560-3030).

TeenFest kicks off at 11am with teen workshops on how dating is impacted by under-age drinking, illegal substance use, violence, and sex play. The talent showcase begins at 2pm and will feature a broad spectrum of competing acts, poets, vocalists, and rappers performing original works all linked by an anti-violence, anti-substance or pro-abstinence theme. Participants range in age from 14-19. Cash prizes are awarded: $1,000 – 1st place; $500 – 2nd place; $250 – 3rd place. The top three winning acts represent TeenFest for one year.

Special performances by M-16, Chris Hendricks, Trin-A-Thoughtz, Unified Steppers. On-stage/Music Director – Phunk Playah (has worked with Dr. Dre’, Snoop Dogg, George Benson, etc.) www.igb-entertainment.com/

Besides Garnes, other celebrity judges include: Bobbi Baker-James of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Madea Goes to Jail; international recording artist Julie McKnight; seven-time Emmy Award winning producer Brian Williams; and actor, comedian and impressionist James Stephens, III. They are joined by: Corey Parker – vocalist and touring artist with Prince and talent scout and award winning journalist Brett Chambers.

A staple during TeenFest for many years, Garnes has conducted psycho-educational workshops on domestic/dating violence, career counseling, and personal development for the organization with his trademark initiative Sweet Tea Ethics, a series exploring the concepts of manhood, black love, mending generation conflicts, and the transformative power of hip hop co-signed by such luminaries as Dr. Cornel West.

For internationally acclaimed youth development and gang expert Dr. Carl Taylor, Garnes’ inter-generational counseling approach is essential for empowering young people.

“Brother Garnes’ work is cornerstone to our youth. A balance of our culture as it stands within American Culture is pivotal in positive youth development. From Afros to Shelltoes is the bridge between generations for our folks.”

TeenFest is presented by TeenFest Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to develop and nurture teen community leaders, specifically in the areas of substance abuse prevention and violence reduction. Primary initiatives are: TeenFest Teen Council, TeenFest(ival) Annual Public Health Education Event, TeenFest TV, TeenFest Performance Troupe, and TeenFest Drop-Out Prevention Project.

This year’s major sponsors include: NC DHHS/Div. of MH/DD/SAS, Partnership for a Drug-Free NC, Inc., NC Cooperative Extension Service and Wake County 4-H Youth Development; FRC/Youth AWAKE, Carolina Theatre, Hillsborough Road Chick-Fil-A.

For more information, visit www.TeenFest.org or contact Donna-maria Harris at 919-630-7227 or dharris@teenfest.org

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