Concerned Citizens Advocating For Youth Celebrity Gala 2007
With special guest celebrity
Sommore

Presented By Royal Tribe & Communities In Schools

Hosted By

John Thompson, Mayor of Wilkinsburg
&
Ruth Byrd-Smith, Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Allegheny County

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 6:00 pm
At The Montage In Point Breeze

Read what the community had to say about this spectacular event!

ONE CONCERNED CITIZEN-Comedian Sommore, right, greets Wilkinsburg School District superintendent Archie Perrin after speaking out against violence at Wilkinsburg High School April 24.

Gala featuring comedian Sommore seeks to address violence
May 3, 2007
By Deborah M. Todd, New Pittsburgh Courier
When Kent Bey first started Royal Tribe Music, he was more about art than advocacy. That is, until he lost four of his artists in two years to gun violence.
Click here to read the complete article

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Cause
As a prelude event in the Stand Up Now Tour, concerned citizens advocating for local youth in Allegheny County came together for this special event that also welcomed actress and comedian Sommore who visited Pittsburgh to help raise awareness regarding social problems negatively impacting regional communities and to inspire local youth to use their talents, focus on education and overcome adversity despite the odds. This occasion not only revealed our appreciation for this wonderful and record breaking African American female celebrity but also brought together a diverse group of citizens concerned with improving the region for our youth in the areas of arts and culture; education; public safety and business. Other attendees for this noble event included various representatives from faith-based organizations; community groups; business; fraternities / sororities, civic officials and many professionals.

About Sommore
Sommore is an actor and comedian from Trenton, New Jersey. She is a staunch supporter of worthy causes that impact youth across the country. Sommore is the sister of actress Nia Long. She has appeared on various shows including Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo, and BET's Live from L.A. She has also had guest appearances on several television sitcoms, and she has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Some of her film appearances include 2004's Soul Plane, A Miami Tail, and Friday After Next. Sommore and fellow African American female comedians Mo'Nique, Laura Hayes, and Adele Givens were the stars on the Queens of Comedy tour, which was filmed and subsequently shown on Showtime and released on DVD. She is a Guinness Book of World Records holder. Sommore has earned the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year for her stand-up act.

This Event Was Sponsored By

Royal Tribe
Montage Studio
Chiurazzi & Mengine, LLC
Reynolds Wines
Svedka Vodka
Palomino Restaurant - Rotisseria
Wilson Home Renovation Services
KNK Electric
Minute Man Press (N. Versailles)
The Soul Pitt
Club 804
Communities In Schools
Urban League of Pittsburgh Young Professionals
Venture Outdoors
Koinonia Floral Designs
PGHR Consulting

Special Shout Outs To
Sommore (we love you)
Wayne Baxley
Hilary Deroba
Esq. Anthony C. Mengine
Mayor John Thompson
Ruth Byrd-Smith, Allegheny County MWD Business Enterprise
Sonya Toler, Governors Advisory Commission
Robert Hill, Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs University of Pittsburgh
Robert "Loaf" Thomas
Helen Baynes
Kim Wynnyckyj
Oluwa Shegun Amen Ra
Harriet Wilson Amen Ra
Christina Shaffer, Pittsburgh Youth Network
Cheryl Spencer, Jasmine's Boutique
Glenna Wilson, Safe Start Program
Erik Lingren, Venture Outdoors
Heather Gaines, Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh
Stephanie Walsh, Center for Victims of Violence and Crimes
Tim Stevens, Black Political Empowerment Project
Dr. Murphy Keller
Marcia Gereza
Celeste Taylor
Michelle J. Coker, Allegheny County
Doug Shields, City of Pittsburgh Council
Dr. Uhuru Hotep
LaVerne Baker-Hotep, Wellness Woman Radio
Donna Baxter, The Soul Pitt
Fredrick Brooks
Debra Todd, New Pittsburgh Courier
Valerie Dixon, Piece It Together Pittsburgh Initiative
Kevin Wilson
Nicole Molinaro
Jean Olivis
Rhonda Sears, Citizens Police Review Board
LaTasha Mayes, Urban League of Young Professionals
Neil Parham, City of Pittsburgh
Terry Bradford, Howard Hanna Realty
Dwight Ragsdale, Verizon Wireless
Talisha Taylor
Gregorio Mills El
Archie Perrin, Superintendent, Wilkinsburg School District
Pamela Jones
Nadine Banks, Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce
Jay Griffin
Roland Ford
Ruth Howez, Allegheny County
Linda Cuttler