LisaRaye McCoy, Nephew Tommy and Kym Whitley host the 23rd Annual NAACP Theatre Awards

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Oct. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Branch announces the hosts for the 23rd Annual NAACP Theatre awards being held on Monday, November 11, 2013, at Saban Theatre formerly known as Fox Wilshire Theatre located at 8440 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA, 90211 at 6pm. Co-hosting this year will be Actress LisaRaye McCoy, Comedian Thomas Miles (better known as “Nephew Tommy”), and comedian, actress-turned-reality star Kym Whitley.

LisaRaye McCoy is a beautiful actress, entrepreneur, and humanitarian who has starred in numerous movies and television shows such as The Player’s Club, The Wood, Beauty Shop and All of Us and her own successful reality show "LisaRaye: The Real McCoy" on TV One. Her current project, “Single Ladies” returns for Season 3 on VH1 in January 2014.

Funny man Thomas Miles better known as “Nephew Tommy” from the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show has made a name for himself and built quite a fan base over the years. Millions of listeners nationwide tune into the show every morning to hear his infamous prank calls and jokes amongst Steve Harvey and the other hosts. Nephew Tommy has hosted the Essence Festival and opened for various tours and shows across the country. Tommy is the new host of Black College Quiz and adds game show host to his entertainment credits.

The hilarious Kym Whitley started her career as a comedian and quickly branched into acting, producing, and writing. For over two decades her talent has been executed on multiple sitcoms such as My Wife and Kids, The Parkers, and recently BET's Let's Stay Together.  Ms. Whitley has a successful reality show on OWN focusing on raising her 2 year old son Joshua called, “Raising Whitley."

The theatre award honorees are Multi-NAACP Image and EMMY award winner Loretta Devine who will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, actress and GRAMMY award songstress Vanessa Williams will receive the Trailblazer Award, Casting Director Peter Wise will be presented with the Spirit Award, receiving the President’s Award is Dr. Maxine M. Anderson, and Dr. Michael Obeng will be receiving the Humanitarian Award.

Honoree presenters are former Def Jam Recordings President Kevin Liles (KWL Enterprises), Emmy award winner Glynn Turman (House of Lies), actress Salli Richardson Whitfield (Newsroom),actor Michael Jai White (For Better or Worse),actress Rochelle Aytes (Mistresses), Donzaleigh Abernathy (Human Rights Advocate),Image Award winner Joe Morton (Scandal) and previous Spirit Award honoree Raven-Symoné (See Dad Run).

Other notables and accomplished entertainers will serve as presenters include: Chris Chalk (12 years a Slave), Tommy Davidson (Black Dynamite), Monica Calhoun (Best Man Holiday), Elise Neal (Belle’s), Dorian Missick (SouthLAnd), Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Pooch Hall (Ray Donavan), Dawnn Lewis (The Soul Man), Angell Conwell (Young & the Restless), Christian Keyes (Let’s Stay Together), Karen Malina White (The Proud Family), Lenny Williams (R&B legend), Margaret Avery (Being Mary Jane), Nadine Ellis (Let’s Stay Together), Redaric Williams (Young and the Restless), Barry Shabaka Henley (Carrie), Joyful Drake (Let’s Stay Together), Jay Ellis (The GAME), Tasia Sherel (TLC story: Crazy, Sexy, Cool), and True Blood Executive Producer Angela Robinson. These entertainers will all unite for one special evening to honor those who have made a difference in the theatre community and abroad.

Performances by R&B crooner TANK, the Pasadena Playhouse cast of “Smokey Joe’s Café” comedian J. Anthony Brown and Shanica Knowles are scheduled.

For more information about the 23^rd Annual NAACP Theater Awards, visit: www.naacptheatreawards.com or contact Lisa Humphrey, Premier Concepts at 310.605.5472, email: mailto:media@premierconceptspr.com

About The NAACP Theatre Awards:

TheNAACP Theatre Awards is presented by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Branch in partnership with the 8^th District office of Councilmember Bernard C. Parks and co-chaired by Byron K. Reed, Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo-West Region Community Relations. Ron Hasson is Branch President and Tia Boyd is the Executive Producer for the NAACP Theatre Awards Show. The prestigious star-studded gala is produced for the purpose of honoring thespians among the best in the field of entertainment.  The branch also celebrated a four-day theatre festival, which provides a platform for thespians to express their craft and share their contributions with an audience of their peers, the community and other individuals who celebrate live theatre in Los Angeles.