LA Urban League Young Professionals To Host Inaugural Entertainment Summit On August 14-18, 2013

LOS ANGELES - Aug. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Leading African-American actors and industry executives from HBO, BET, Fox, CAA, WGA and more will present at the Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals’ (LAULYP) Inaugural Entertainment Summit (http://entertainmentsummit.weebly.com), taking place August 14-18, 2013. This four-day event will feature a variety of panels, workshops and networking opportunities for African-American professionals hoping to break into TV, film, music and sports.

"This event will be the first of its kind in Los Angeles, bringing together four entertainment disciplines--film, TV, music, and sports--all in the same space,” says LAULYP president, Abby Harris. “Our mission for this event series is to provide a forum for the next generation of African-American talent.  We are grateful to our sponsors at Universal Pictures, Morgan Stanley, Guardian Music Services, Ethno Nightlife and Loop21.com for their generosity and support of this inaugural endeavor."

The summit, which is scheduled in various locations throughout Los Angeles, kicks off on Wednesday, August 14th with “Meet the Power Brokers."  This exclusive mixer will give weekend pass holders the opportunity to network with executives from leading talent agencies, trade unions and more.  The “Art of the Pitch”, a “Behind the Lens” event for screenwriters and budding development executives, will take place on Thursday at the Writers Guild of America, West. Representatives from TV Land, WGA, BET and more will be in attendance. On Friday, guests will get to watch the LA Sparks take on the 2012 WNBA champions Indiana Fever in a special community outreach event hosted by the LAULYP and Simi Valley Christian Church.

On Saturday, USC will host a jam-packed afternoon of panels and workshops with industry professionals from film, television, theater, sports and music. Confirmed panelists include Dorian Missick (Southland), Omar J. Dorsey (D’Jango Unchained), Rocky Carroll (NCIS) and Bill Duke (actor/director). Also on Saturday evening, the Grammy Museum will host a screening of “The Power Broker”, a documentary depicting the phenomenal life of the National Urban League’s Whitney M. Young.

The summit will culminate on Sunday with “Who’s Got Next?!”, an awards ceremony at The Lexington Social House, honoring the achievements of Niija Kuykendall (WB’s Vice President of Film Development), Angel Connell (Young & the Restless), Redaric Williams (Young & the Restless), Justin Stallings (Plan B sports docu-series) and Cee-Lo Green mentee “V” (singer/songwriter).

Weekend passes (including exclusive access to the "Meet the Power Brokers" mixer and “The Art of The Pitch” event) costs $40 for LAULYP members and $50 for non-members. Event-specific passes are also available. To register and see the summit’s complete schedule program, please go to http://entertainmentsummit.weebly.com

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ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT AGENDA

DAY 1 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 - 9PM - 12AM
"MEET THE POWER BROKERS"

Mix and mingle with the entertainment industry’s top power brokers at PIPS On La Brea. Only weekend pass holders will gain exclusive access to this event. Guests Include Deborah Callah (PGA), Dana Sims (ICM Partners), Justin Castillo (CAA), Vic Bulluck (AMPAS/Oscars), Barry Benson (Stratus Digital), Amber Rasberry (34th Street Films) and Thornell Jones (Fortress Marketing) and Candace Rodney (Sony Pictures Television).

DAY 2 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 - 6PM -  9PM
“THE ART OF THE PITCH”

This workshop, held at the Writers Guild of America West, will school attendees on how to develop a creative and effective pitch for their TV show ideas. Panelists include development executives Austin Biggers (BET), Rose Catherine Pinkney (TV Land), Kim Myers (WGA), Kelly Edwards (HBO) and Ashley Planks (Forefront TV).

DAY 3 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 - 9PM - 12AM
LA SPARKS BASKETBALL GAME & SOCIAL

Watch the LA Sparks take on the 2012 WNBA champions, the Indiana Fever, in this special community outreach event hosted by the LAULYP and Simi Valley Christian Church. Guests will enjoy a cupcake social, special group welcome, halftime high five line experience and more!

DAY 4 | SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 – 2PM – 6PM
“STATE OF BLACK HOLLYWOOD”

USC hosts this jam-packed afternoon of panels and workshops with industry professionals from film, television, theater, sports and music. Confirmed panelists include: Dorian Missick (Southland), Omar J. Dorsey (D’Jango Unchained), Rocky Carroll (NCIS), Bill Duke (actor/director) and more to be announced.  

“THE POWERBROKER” SCREENING 8PM - 10PM
Following the “State of Black Hollywood”, the LAULYP will host a screening of the “The Powerbroker” at the Grammy Museum. This documentary film follows Whitney M. Young, former head of the National Urban League and one of the most celebrated--and controversial--leaders of the civil rights era. Networking and Q&A sessions will take place before and after the film.

DAY 5 | SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 1PM – 6PM
WHO’S GOT NEXT? AWARDS

The Entertainment Summit’s closing ceremony, the “Who’s Got Next? Awards”, will take place at The Lexington Social House in the heart of Hollywood and will highlight multicultural achievements and contributions in entertainment. Honorees include Niija Kuykendall (VP Film Development, WB), Justin Stallings (Plan B Sports docu-series), Redaric Williams (actress, Young & The Restless), Angell Conwell (actress, Young & the Restless) and V, singer/songwriter.

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About the Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals. The Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals (LAULYP) is a thriving volunteer auxiliary of the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL), one of the most prominent non-profits in the city. The LAULYP's network of young African-American professionals ages 21 to 40, provides leadership development, economic empowerment and community volunteer opportunities for other professionals. Since 2010, the LAULYP has been recognized as the Western Chapter of Excellence. For more information, visit laulyp.com (http://www.laulyp.com/) or follow us on Twitter at @laulyps.