JUST IN: FTP President Quoted in the state of Mississippi's largest newspaper

(Stanley Clark seen here with Bestselling author Alisha Yvonne and his Chief of Staff, C. A. Webb.)


Hello all,
I wanted to let you know that the President of For The People Productions, Stanley Clark, was quoted in the Clarion Ledger recently. In a user comment entitled "Encouraging Reading by Encouraging Interest" he let it be known how he felt about youth and their apathy towards reading and books.

Go here to get the full comment.

For The People Productions' Chief of Staff prepares for National interview, more

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Click here to get the full scoop on what is in the works for For The People Productions and its Chief of Staff.

FTP's Chief of Staff Honored for Community Programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two Community-based programs hosted by a Mississippi artist receive recognition

Contact:

Medgar Evers Library
Laura Turner, Librarian
601.982.2867

Richard Wright Library
Ms. Debra Gilbert, Librarian
601.372.1621


On Friday, April 27, 2007 two projects hosted by libraries in the Jackson-Hinds Library system were recognized as being Outstanding Programs--- and both were led by Mississippi media personality Cyrus Webb.

"I was so excited about the honor," says Webb, 31. He didn't find out about the recognition until he visited the Medgar Evers Library on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 and saw the trophy.

The Medgar Evers Library received one for hosting the Conversations Book Club, and the Richard Wright Library recieved recognition for their Teen Time program.

"It makes me feel good that the library system recognizes the success of both projects," Webb continued. Webb (who is known to many as C. A. Webb) has been active in the arts for over a decade, however, it was just three years ago that he went full-time with his endeavors. He began hosting the Teen Time hour with teens at the Richard Wright Library a year ago on for one hour on Fridays. The Conversations Book Club, which he founded in November 2006, began to meet in December 2006 at the Medgar Evers Library.

"I was glad that we could partner with Webb on his mission to encourage reading," says Medgar Evers Librarian Ms. Laura Turner. "It is encouraging to see someone take up the cause of reading and share it with others."

Since 2000, Webb has been concentrating on his Conversations Brand, building a radio show, television program, magazine, newspaper column and book club all with the same name. The purpose of the Conversations family is to encourage an interest in the arts as well as an appreciation for the written and spoken word.

Later this year Webb along with others will host national bestselling authors Relentless Aaron, Travis Hunter, K. Elliott, Danyelle Santiago, Jihad, Francis Ray, Clarence Nero and others.

For more information, visit www.thebestbookclub.info and www.breakfastwithbooks.com.

Lake Elementary School Students prepare for their big debut!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lake Elementary Students share their souls through Poetry

Contact: Ms. Althea Johnson, Principal
Ms. Lorenda Cheeks, Asst. Principal/21st Century Coordinator
Lake Elementary School
601.960.5308

Every Wednesday in April, beginning Wednesday, April 4, 2007, students involved in the 21 Century project at Lake Elementary have been using their heads, hearts and hands to express themselves during National Month Poetry Month, with remarkable results.

"There has been a genuine excitement with the group each week," says C. A. Webb, the 31 year facillitator of the weekly project. "At first they were unsure how they could write poems on their own, but in the three weeks since we began they have really gotten into it." Thanks to the support of the Northeast Ledger and the magazine Mississippi Kids, one of the students who is participating in the project (Kyle Brown) joined the sessions. This is impressive since Kyle is home-schooled.

So far the students, who are divided into two groups (first and second graders meeting 3:30-4:20p.m. and the third through fifth graders meeting 4:30-5:30p.m.) have written poetry about their lives, their school experiences and even their feelings about death.

During the session on Wednesday, April18th, Webb had the older students write their thoughts on death and how they saw it. "After what happened at Virginia Tech earlier in the week, I wanted them to talk about their own feelings about death," says Webb. What came out of the writing session was some of the best poetry of the entire project.

At the end of the project, the students' poetry will be compiled into a volume called "Our Voice".

On Wednesday, April 25th the students will finish up their last poetry and will begin to practice for their upcoming poetry reading that will take place on Wednesday, May 9th at 3:30p.m. The session that will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd will be used to rehearse their poetry.

Each session is free to the public and the media is welcome to attend. To discuss further, contact Ms. Lorenda Cheeks at 601.960.5308.


Mississippi artist/author/poet C. A. Webb has been busy sharing the importance of the written and spoken word for over 10 years. Webb, 31, began the Conversations Book Club as a motivation to get young adults to read authors that wrote work they could relate to as well as to encourage readers to get to know the authors they read. As part of his campaign he has been using the same message in his speeches to schools as well as to regular groups that he is in contact with. Webb is the President of the Rankin County Arts Alliance and serves on the board of directors for the Genesis and Light Community Program as well as on the advisory board for several non-profit groups. For more information, visit http://www.thebestbookclub.info.