[NEohioPAL]Karamu House Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - September 9, 2006

Wed Aug 9 08:55:29 PDT 2006

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Media Contacts:     Neal Hodges

                              216.214.6383

                              Renee Singleton

                              216.344.9966                      =20

=20

=20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

=20

FORMER KARAMU ACTOR ROBERT GUILLAUME TO VISIT CLEVELAND=20

TO ACCEPT NOMINATION AT HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

=20

CLEVELAND - August 9, 2006 - Award-winning actor Robert Guillaume is one
of several esteemed Karamu House alumni scheduled to return this fall to
accept a nomination for enshrinement in the theater's inaugural Hall of
Fame induction ceremony.

Karamu will celebrate the careers of Guillaume and other alumni during a
dinner and hall of fame induction event on Saturday, September 9, at the
Intercontinental Hotel, followed on Sunday by an "Inside the Performers
Dressing Room" chat session at Karamu, which is free and open to the
public. Information on tickets to the dinner and induction ceremony is
available by calling 216-781-9000, ext. 105. All proceeds from this
event will directly benefit the Karamu House.

Affectionately nicknamed the 'Mu, Karamu is the nation's oldest
interracial community theater and has served as a springboard to
national and international acclaim for countless African-American
writers, dancers and actors. The 'Mu is celebrating its 90th anniversary
in the entertainment industry with a series of events, including a Hall
of Fame ceremony to honor the many remarkable men, women and children
who have graced its stage and provided behind-the-scenes support. The
induction ceremony will cap the anniversary activities. =20

Budding playwright, lawyer and Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson
Jones conceived the idea to inaugurate a Hall of Fame for Karamu alumni.

"If any arts and cultural organization in our region should have a hall
of fame, it is Karamu House," Jones said. "For me, the question was
never whether or not the 'Mu should establish a hall of fame, but
rather, why didn't one already exist."

"Come September 9th, the eyes of the performing arts community and the
world will focus on the 'Mu' and finally applaud the efforts of the
greats who have graced its stages and provided support in other areas,"
said Jones, a novice playwright whose first play, "The Family Line," was
successfully produced at Karamu.

Guillaume, the inductee in the hall of fame's National Legend-Living
category, is remembered by many for his portrayal of Benson DuBois, the
wise-cracking, insubordinate butler in the wildly popular 1970s
television show, "Soap," and its spin-off series, "Benson." Guillaume
garnered Emmys for both shows, as well as a Tony for his role in
Broadway's "Purlie Victorious." Earlier in his theatrical career,
Guillaume performed during the late 1950s at Karamu in numerous
productions, including "Susannah," "Carousel," and "Me and Juliet."

In addition to Guillaume, nine other alumni are being inducted into this
year's Hollywood & Broadway Meet at the 'Mu hall of fame ceremony,
including:

*    Ron O'Neal (National Legend-Posthumous). The late actor gained
national stardom as the lead character in the big screen Superfly" films
of the 1970s. His sister, Kathleen, will accept the honor on his behalf.

*    Hank Nystrom (Local Legend-Living) choreographed musical comedies
and operas at Karamu from the late 1950s through the 1960s. Nystrom was
choreographer of the local music show "Upbeat," which aired on WEWS-TV
during the mid-1960s until 1971. He will attend the event.=20

*    Howard Roberts (Fine Arts), an internationally respected performer,
musical director, arranger, composer, conductor and educator performed
as a singer and musician at Karamu for many years. Howards will attend
the ceremony.

*    Rowena and Russell Jelliffe, Karamu founders (Administrative). The
Jelliffe's granddaughter, Susan Meloy, will accept the honor on behalf
of her late grandparents.

*    Sparkus Fantroy and Nolan Bell (Local Legends-Posthumous).
Accepting awards on behalf of the late actors are Fantroy's widow,
Leona; and Bell's son, Russell.

*    Imani Hakim (Rising Star), the 12-year-old Clevelander starring in
the hit UPN-TV comedy, "Everybody Hates Chris," is a Karamu alum. She is
expected to attend the induction ceremony.

*    Bracy Lewis (Individual Benefactor), a former board member has a
long history of dedication to Karamu. Lewis will attend the event.

The list of corporate sponsors for the event continues to grow and
includes National City Bank, Medical Mutual of Ohio, The Charter One
Foundation, Dominion East Ohio, KeyBank and The Cleveland Clinic Health
System. Companies interested in sponsoring the event should contact
Melanie McCottry at 216.781.9000, x105 or via email at
mmccottry at lnegroup.com.

Karamu House has been an important part of the Cleveland community for
nearly a century. From a unique vantage-point within the
African-American community, Karamu has fostered true interracial
understanding and cooperation, an awareness of cultural diversity, and
an appreciation for the rich African-American cultural heritage.

---

For additional information on Karamu, please visit our Web site at
www.karamu.com <http://www.karamu.com/> .=20

=20

###

=20

=20

Melanie McCottry

=20

LNE Group, LLC

1220 Huron Road, 2nd Floor

Cleveland, Ohio 44115

(216) 781-9000 (ph)

(216) 781-9350 (fax)

mmccottry at lnegroup.com

www.lnegroup.com

=20

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<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Media Contacts:  =
   Neal
Hodges<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>    &nbsp=
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             =
216.214.6383<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>    &nbsp=
;            =
             =
Renee
Singleton<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>    &nbsp=
;            =
             =
216.344.9966           =
</span></font></b><font
size=3D2><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>       &nbs=
p;    <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>FOR IMMEDIATE =
RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>FORMER KARAMU ACTOR ROBERT =
GUILLAUME TO
VISIT <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">CLEVELAND</st1:City></st1:place>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold'>TO ACCEPT NOMINATION AT HALL =
OF FAME
INDUCTION CEREMONY<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'line-height:150%'><span =
class=3Dstyle6><b><font size=3D3
color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;
font-weight:bold'>CLEVELAND – August 9, 2006 =
–</span></font></b> Award-winning
actor Robert Guillaume is one of several esteemed Karamu House alumni =
scheduled
to return this fall to accept a nomination for enshrinement in the =
theater’s
inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></p>

Karamu will celebrate the careers of Guillaume =
and
other alumni during a dinner and hall of fame induction event on =
Saturday,
September 9, at the Intercontinental Hotel, followed on Sunday by an
“Inside the Performers Dressing Room” chat session at =
Karamu, which
is free and open to the public. Information on tickets to the dinner and
induction ceremony is available by calling 216-781-9000, ext. 105. All =
proceeds
from this event will directly benefit the Karamu =
House.<o:p></o:p>

Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Mu, Karamu =
is the nation’s
oldest interracial community theater and has served as a springboard to
national and international acclaim for countless African-American =
writers,
dancers and actors. The ‘Mu is celebrating its 90th
anniversary in the entertainment industry with a series of events, =
including a
Hall of Fame ceremony to honor the many remarkable men, women and =
children who
have graced its stage and provided behind-the-scenes support. The =
induction
ceremony will cap the anniversary activities. =
 <o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=3Dstyle6><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;line-height:150%'>Budding playwright, lawyer and Cuyahoga County
Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones conceived the idea to inaugurate a Hall =
of Fame
for Karamu alumni.<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><font =
size=3D3
color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'>“If
any arts and cultural organization in our region should have a hall of =
fame, it
is Karamu House,” Jones said. “For me, the question was =
never
whether or not the ‘Mu should establish a hall of fame, but =
rather, why
didn't one already exist.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><font =
size=3D3
color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%'>“Come
September 9th, the eyes of the performing arts community and the world =
will
focus on the ‘Mu’ and finally applaud the efforts of the =
greats who
have graced its stages and provided support in other areas," said =
Jones, a
novice playwright whose first play, “The Family Line,” was
successfully produced at Karamu.<span =
class=3Dstyle6><o:p></o:p></span></span></font></p>

</div>

<span class=3Dstyle6><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial =
\(W1\)";color:black'><br
clear=3Dall style=3D'page-break-before:always'>
</span></font></span>

<div class=3DSection2>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=3Dstyle6><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;line-height:150%'>Guillaume, the inductee in the hall of =
fame’s National
Legend-Living category, is remembered by many for his portrayal of =
Benson
DuBois, the wise-cracking, insubordinate butler in the wildly popular =
1970s
television show, “Soap,” and its spin-off series, =
“Benson.”
Guillaume garnered Emmys for both shows, as well as a Tony for his role =
in
Broadway’s “Purlie Victorious.” Earlier in his =
theatrical
career, Guillaume performed during the late 1950s at Karamu in numerous
productions, including “Susannah,” “Carousel,” =
and “Me
and Juliet.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=3Dstyle6><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;line-height:150%'>In addition to Guillaume, nine other alumni are =
being inducted
into this year’s Hollywood & Broadway Meet at the ’Mu =
hall of
fame ceremony, including:<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

<![if !supportLists]>§   
<![endif]>Ron O’Neal (National
Legend-Posthumous). The late actor gained national stardom as the lead
character in the big screen Superfly” films of the 1970s. His =
sister,
Kathleen, will accept the honor on his behalf.<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>§   
<![endif]>Hank Nystrom (Local Legend-Living) =
choreographed
musical comedies and operas at Karamu from the late 1950s through the =
1960s. Nystrom
was choreographer of the local music show “Upbeat,” which =
aired on
WEWS-TV during the mid-1960s until 1971. He will attend the event. =
<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>§   
<![endif]>Howard Roberts (Fine Arts), an
internationally respected performer, musical director, arranger, =
composer,
conductor and educator performed as a singer and musician at Karamu for =
many years.
Howards will attend the ceremony.<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>§   
<![endif]>Rowena and Russell Jelliffe, =
Karamu founders
(Administrative). The Jelliffe’s granddaughter, Susan Meloy, will =
accept
the honor on behalf of her late grandparents.<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>§   
<![endif]>Sparkus Fantroy and Nolan Bell =
(Local
Legends-Posthumous). Accepting awards on behalf of the late actors are
Fantroy’s widow, Leona; and <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City =
w:st=3D"on">Bell</st1:City></st1:place>’s
son, Russell.<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>§   
<![endif]>Imani Hakim (Rising Star), the =
12-year-old
Clevelander starring in the hit UPN-TV comedy, “Everybody Hates =
Chris,”
is a Karamu alum. She is expected to attend the induction =
ceremony.<o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>§   
<![endif]>Bracy Lewis (Individual =
Benefactor), a
former board member has a long history of dedication to Karamu. Lewis =
will attend
the event.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%'><span
class=3Dstyle6><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;line-height:150%'>The list of corporate sponsors for the event =
continues
to grow and includes</span></font></span><span class=3Dstyle6><font =
color=3Dblue><span
style=3D'color:blue'> </span></font>National City Bank, Medical Mutual =
of Ohio,
The Charter One Foundation, Dominion East Ohio, KeyBank and The =
Cleveland
Clinic Health System. Companies interested in sponsoring the event =
should
contact <st1:PersonName w:st=3D"on">Melanie McCottry</st1:PersonName> at
216.781.9000, x105</span><span class=3Dstyle6><font color=3Dblue><span
style=3D'color:blue'> </span></font>or via email at <st1:PersonName =
w:st=3D"on">mmccottry at lnegroup.com</st1:PersonName>.<o:p></o:p></span></p=
>

Karamu House has been an important part of the =
<st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City></st1:place> =
community for nearly
a century. From a unique vantage-point within the African-American =
community,
Karamu has fostered true interracial understanding and cooperation, an
awareness of cultural diversity, and an appreciation for the rich
African-American cultural heritage.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter =
style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:150%'><span
class=3Dstyle6><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;line-height:150%'>---<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></p>

For
additional information on Karamu, please visit our Web site at <a
href=3D"http://www.karamu.com/">www.karamu.com</a>. =
<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'line-height:150%'><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dblack
face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%'><o:p> </o:p></span></fon=
t></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter =
style=3D'text-align:center;line-height:150%'><font
size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial (W1)"><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;line-height:
150%'>###<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font=
></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font=
></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3D4 color=3Dblack =
face=3DPapyrus><span
style=3D'font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Papyrus'>Melanie =
McCottry</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3D"Arial =
(W1)"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>LNE Group, =
LLC</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><st1:address =
w:st=3D"on"><strong><b><font
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style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>1220
  Huron =
Road</span></font></b></strong></st1:address></st1:Street><strong><b><fon=
t
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-family:Arial'>, 2nd =
Floor</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City =
w:st=3D"on"><strong><b><font
  size=3D3 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Cleveland</span></font></b><=
/strong></st1:City><strong><b><font
 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Ohio</st1:State>
 <st1:PostalCode =
w:st=3D"on">44115</st1:PostalCode></span></font></b></strong></st1:place>=
<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>(216) 781-9000 =
(ph)</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><strong><b><font size=3D3 color=3Dblack =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>(216) 781-9350 =
(fax)</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><a =
href=3D"mailto:mmccottry at lnegroup.com">mmccottry at lnegroup.com</a></span><=
/font><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><a =
href=3D"http://www.lnegroup.com">www.lnegroup.com</a></span></font><o:p><=
/o:p></p>

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