Women of the World Festival Part of Southbank Centre London’S Global WOW Movement

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Apollo Theater Gathers Notable Artists and Civic Leaders From Around the Globe for the New York Premiere of WOW – Women of the World Festival Part of Southbank Centre London’s global WOW Movement

Featuring Performances, Panel Discussions, Workshops, and Public Conversations Celebrating Women and Fostering Cross-Cultural Dialogues on a Range of Social Issues with Social Entrepreneur Angela Simmons Grammy-Winning Singer Michelle Williams Emmy Award Winner Iyanla Vanzant, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Leymah Gbowee, Bestselling Author Naomi Wolf And including Performances by Grammy-Winning Singer/Songwriter Macy Gray, Malaysian Pop Star Yuna and More

Series of Events Throughout Harlem June 11-14, 2015

Harlem, N.Y., May 2015 – The Apollo Theater will gather artists, activists, and leaders from around the globe for the New York premiere of WOW - Women of the World Festival, which is being presented in association with the Southbank Centre London on June 11-14, 2015. Founded in 2011 by Southbank‘s Artistic Director Jude Kelly and originating at Southbank Centre, London, the international festival celebrates women‘s achievements and explores the issues that women face globally and has become a global movement with programs in London, Sydney, and Baltimore and beyond. Featuring over 80 events, Apollo‘s WOW Festival will feature a unique mix of performances, discussions, workshops, and celebrates the work of women from diverse backgrounds, exploring a variety of issues across cultural, civic, and social boundaries. As part of the institution‘s current artistic season, the WOW Festival is a major global initiative that extends the Apollo‘s role as a cultural and civic anchor dedicated to providing forums for meaningful discussion and exchange.

Highlights of the WOW Festival include: a Main stage performance by Grammy-Winning Singer/Songwriter Macy Gray; a Girls Town Hall talk with social entrepreneur Angela Simmons, a day of panels hosted by

Grammy winner Michelle Williams, a special evening with Emmy award-winner Iyanla Vanzant, star of OWN‘s ―Iyanla: Fix My Life,‖ and Malaysian pop star Yuna; a keynote speech by Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee and a keynote conversation with high profile women activists including bestselling author of The Beauty Myth and leading spokeswoman of the third wave of the feminist movement Naomi Wolf. The Festival will also cover discussions on female image in the music industry, teen feminism, anti-bullying and what it means to be a feminist in the 21st Century. There will also be performances on the Apollo‘s soundstage by artist activist Morley and The Frenchie Experience, a pop cabaret by former American Idol contestant and LGBTQ activist Frenchie Davis.

―As we continually look for ways to celebrate and extend the Apollo Theater‘s global influence on creativity, it‘s important that we also provide platforms here in Harlem for artists and leaders from the United States and internationally to discuss issues critical to our community in New York,‖ said Mikki Shepard, Executive Producer of the Apollo Theater. ―We are so honored to convene these powerful voices for the Women of the World Festival, which we hope will be enlightening and inspiring for all who join us.‖

"Women and girls hit the global news daily with examples of their achievements in every sphere, as well as devastating examples of how inequality and prejudice continue to blight their potential. It's a perplexing and galvanizing picture of a world on the move,‖ said Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of London‘s Southbank Centre and Founder and Director of WOW – Women of the World Festival. ―Achieving gender equality is the most pressing issue of the 21st century. I founded WOW - Women of the World Festival in 2011, the centenary of International Women's Day, to ensure that there was a high-profile cultural space where women's stories could be shared, achievements celebrated, feelings vented, fun had, minds influenced and progress made."

Apollo Women of the World Festival Highlights Events will take place at the Apollo, the City College of New York and at Harlem restaurants. For detailed program information visit www.apollotheater.org. June 11-14, 2015

Thursday, June 11, 2015

6:30pm Apollo Live Wire: Artist. Activist Main Stage

An Evening with Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Toshi Reagon and Tashawn Reagon. Join us as we kick of the WOW Festival with three generations of extraordinary women who have used their artistry and scholarship to advance social change. Composer, scholar, and producer, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, has been a major cultural voice for freedom and justice for more than a half-century. Daughter Toshi Reagon is a socially conscious producer/curator, singer- songwriter who mixes folk, rock, funk and gospel traditions to speak truth to power. Granddaughter Tashawn Reagon is an undergraduate student at Skidmore College who has mobilized students to reflect on issues of race and identity.

Free event

Friday, June 12, 2015

10am – Noon Girls Town Hall Main Stage YOUTH TRACK Co-curated by Girls, Inc. Appropriate for 6th – 12th grade Hosted by Angela Simmons

Girls take the mic at the WOW Girls Town Hall for frank discussions on issues impacting their daily lives like how to combat cyber bullying, what does it mean to be a teen feminist and why there‘s power in not always fitting in.

The town hall will also feature conversations by dynamic thought leaders on the topic Girls and Education as well as put a spotlight on a series of young people whose personal stories on courage, persistence and taking a stand will inspire and empower.

The Girls Town Hall will feature The City College of New York President, Lisa Staiano- Coico and performances by Urban Word poets, Sore Agbaje, Maya Osborne and Ramya Ramana, the 2014 New York City Youth Poet Laureate.

Noon – 2:00pm WOW Bites!

Have a WOW lunch with us. Enjoy fine cuisine and fascinating WOW Bites, which are bite- sized Ted – Talk style talks by movers and shakers who are changing the world.

BILLIE’S BLACK | 271 W. 119TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10026

Billie's Black has a reputation for amazing food and a great atmosphere. Featured WOW Bite speakers include:

Brittany Hodak, founder of multi-million dollar company ZinePak, is an award-winning entrepreneur who is passionate about connecting music superfans with the artists they love. Named one of Advertising Age‘s 2013 40 Under 40, Hodak shares how she turned her passion into a powerful career.

Shailja Patel is an internationally acclaimed Kenyan poet, playwright, theatre artist, and political activist, best known for her spoken-word theatre show Migritude. CNN characterizes Patel as an artist "who exemplifies globalization as a people-centered phenomenon of migration and exchange."

Sandra Goldmark is a theatrical Set and Costume designer and the Founder of Pop Up Repair, an itinerant repair service for household items. Sandra is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale School of Drama, and Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at Barnard College.

Note: they are ADA compliant but they are not wheelchair accessible. Their prefix buffet menu will be:

o Fried Chicken o Fried Catfish Strips o Collard Greens o Parsley Potatoes o Yellow Rice o Black Eye Peas o Hot Cornbread o Lemonade, Ice Tea, Water, and/or Coffee o Red Velvet Cake or Carrot Cake o Cash Bar Available

MADIBA HARLEM| 46 W. 116 STREET NEW YORK, NY 10026

Madiba Restaurant offers a unique South African experience. Featured WOW Bite speakers include: Anita Lo is an American chef and restaurateur, best known for her West Village Annisa Restaurant. In her male dominated field, Lo is making waves. Named one of the ten ―Best New Chefs in America‖ in 2001 by Food & Wine magazine, Lo shows us that women can have, or make, their cake and eat it too!

Zeinab Eyega is the Executive Director and Founder of Sauti Yetu, an advocacy organization that empowers African immigrant women and tackles issues like forced marriage, female genital mutilation, violence against women and reproductive justice, amongst others.

Debbie Kilroy knows the criminal justice system inside out, having experienced juvenile detention and a notoriously violent adult prison. Debbie is the first woman in Australia to serve time for a serious crime, and then go on to practice criminal law. She is a leading voice for prisoner rights and founder of the famous prisoner advocacy group, Sisters Inside.

Their prefix menu will be: o Soup and Salad o Curry and rice o Vegetable /Chicken/Lamb/Seafood o Grilled salmon with Couscous o Malva Pudding

MINTON’S | 206 W 118TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10026

A revival of a famed Harlem nightclub, now with elevated Southern cuisine & elegant decor & live jazz. Featured WOW Bite speakers include:

Nell Merlino is the creative force behind Take Our Daughters to Work Day and a leading advocate on women‘s business leadership. She is also a member of the U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP), and a Pathways Envoy for the State Dept. promoting women‘s business growth in North and South America.

Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai is an award-winning spoken word poet, playwright, and filmmaker whose work has been featured at over 600 venues worldwide, including the White House, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, BAM and three seasons of ―HBO Def Poetry.‖

Michele A. Roberts is the executive director of the National Basketball Players Association. She is the first woman to hold that position and the first woman to head a major professional sports union in North America.

Pre-fix Menu: o Appetizers: Creole Caesar Salad & Chicken Liver Paté. o Entrees: Buttermilk Fried Chicken or Smoked Praline Pork Chop o Desert: TBD o A Soft Drink Served and Wildman Wine Served

NEW HARLEM BESAME LATINO SOUL LOUNGE | 2070 ADAM CLAYTON POWELL JR BLVD, NEW YORK, NY 10027

A bustling, family-owned eatery featuring traditional Latin meals & cocktails in a lively atmosphere. Featured WOW Bite speakers include:

Bhairavi Desai is the founding member of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, a union representing approximately 15,000 taxi drivers in New York City. She is known as a social activist, advocating for the Cuba, Palestine, and El Salvador solidarity movements.

Linda Kay Klein Linda Kay Klein is a ―spiritual strongwoman,‖ writer and speaker whose forthcoming book, Man-made Girls, is based on interviews with young evangelicals and ex- evangelicals about sex, gender and women defining the divine. She is also the founding director of the Work on Purpose program at the social entrepreneurship nonprofit, Echoing Green.

Maria Pacheco is an organizer and founder of Wakami, a distribution channel for rural Guatamalan artisans‘ goods, which has grown to incorporate over 500 artisans and offices in over 12 countries.

Pre-fix Menu: o Appetizers: Chicken Tacos, BBQ Ribs, Guacamole & Chips o Besame Salad o Sides: Black Beans, Yellow Rice, Sweet Plantains o Tentative Entrees: Salmon, Jerk Chicken, Lamb Shank o Desert: Red Velvet Cake/Tres Leches Cake – Coffee/Tea o A Soft Drink Served and Wildman Wine Served

RED ROOSTER | 310 MALCOLM X BLVD, NEW YORK, NY 10027

A popular, stylish comfort food eatery with creative cooking from celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson. Featured WOW Bite speakers include:

Nathalie Molina Niño is a consummate entrepreneur, who launched her first tech startup at the age of 20. In 2012, she co-founded Entrepreneurs@Athena at the Athena Center for Leadership Studies of Barnard College at Columbia University, with the mission of leveling the playing field for women entrepreneurs.

Heidi Beemer Heidi Beemer has dreamed of going to Mars since she was eight years-old. Now she is a finalist with the Mars Society‘s Mars Arctic 365 Mission, and recently conducted a two- week simulation in the Utah desert as part of her astronaut's training to qualify for an international crew of seven going to Mars. The 24-year old is also an Army 1st Lieutenant and Chemical Defense Officer at Fort Campbell, KY.

Jyoti Chopra has been Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation since August 2012. Chopra oversees BNY Mellon‘s diversity strategy and execution and serves on The Bank of New York Mellon Global Diversity and Inclusion Council.

They‘re offering the following menu: o Appetizer - Black Kale Salad o Main Course - Choice of Mac-n-Greens or Helga's Meatballs o Dessert - Red Rooster Doughnuts o One glass of Red or White wine

8pm An Evening with Iyanla Vanzant Main Stage With performances by Yuna and Emel Mathlouthi

Her life story reads like an epic adventure filled with near misses, struggle, strength, courage and triumph. New York Times best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant is an American inspirational speaker, lawyer, spiritual teacher, author, life-coach and television personality. She is known for her best-selling books, her eponymous talk show, and for her frequent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She can currently be seen on television as the host of Iyanla, Fix My Life. The evening will open with a special performance singer Emel Mathlouthi, who has been called "The Voice of the Tunisian Revolution." The evening closes with a special set by Malaysian singer- songwriter Yuna, who is an in-demand new artist who is heating up the American alt-pop scene with songs like her feminist anthem ―Rescue‖ and hit single ―Live Your Life.‖

10pm Apollo Music Café featuring Morley Soundstage From Carnegie Hall to the Nomad Women‘s Festival in the Sahara Desert, Morley has brought her unique blend of jazz, folk and soul to the world‘s stage. Be it solo with her acoustic guitar or with full electric band, her message is consistent and clear: love, justice and inspiration. Her song ―Women of Hope‖ has been featured in Nobel Women‘s Initiative documentaries and has brought her before many world leaders and policy makers.

SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

9am doors/ Leymah Gbowee | Keynote Address Main Stage

10am -Noon with special performance by Shailja Patel

This 2011 Winner of the Nobel Prize brought Liberia‘s women together—and together they led a nation to peace. Leymah Gbowee helped organize and then led the Liberian Mass Action for Peace, a coalition of Christian and Muslim women who confronted Liberia‘s ruthless president and rebel warlords and changed history. She is the author of Mighty Be Our Powers, a gripping chronicle of a journey from hopelessness to empowerment that touches all who dream of a better world. Shailja Patel is an internationally acclaimed Kenyan poet, playwright, theatre artist, and political activist, best known for her spoken-word theatre show Migritude. CNN characterizes Patel as an artist "who exemplifies globalization as a people-centered phenomenon of migration and exchange."

Feminism Now | Keynote Conversation Main Stage Panelists: Naomi Wolf, Jennifer Baumgardner, Yasmeen Hassan, Teresa Younger Moderator: Jude Kelly

―What does it mean to be a feminist today? What are the issues shaping the feminist agenda in the 21st Century? These are among the questions this high-powered assemblage of feminist- activists will address. With the publication of the 1991 bestselling book The Beauty Myth, Naomi Wolf became a leading spokeswoman of what was later described as the third wave of the feminist movement. Jennifer Baumgardner is the Executive Director/Publisher at The Feminist Press at CUNY, which is producing the StopSlut Project and publishing cutting-edge feminist works. Teresa Younger, President and CEO, Ms. Foundation, has been on the frontlines of some of the most important battles for women's health, safety and economic security. Yasmeen Hassan is the Global Executive Director of Equality Now, and international human rights organization dedicated to action for the civil, political, economic and social rights of girls and women. Jude Kelly is Artistic Director of Southbank Centre in London, Britain‘s largest cultural institution. In 2011 she founded the Women of the World Festival, which has now become a global movement for gender equity.

SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

10 - 1pm Apollo Soundstage

Dance Workshop led by choreographer, Camille Brown- YOUTH TRACK Location: Apollo Soundstage Time: 10-11:30am

This ninety minute dance workshop led by choreographer, Camille Brown, will feature a short video excerpt from her new work, ―Black Girl‖ and a brief discussion on how Brown using her work to explore issues of identity and self-esteem.

Camille A. Brown is a prolific choreographer who has achieved multiple accolades and awards for her daring works. Ms. Brown is a Bessie Award Winner for her work, Mr. TOL E. RAncE, a 2015 Doris Duke Artist Award Recipient, 2015 TED Fellow, two-time Princess Grace Award recipient (Choreography & Works in Progress Residency), a two-time recipient of NEFA‘s National Dance Project: Production Grant, recipient of the 2014 Joyce Award with DANCECleveland, a Jerome Foundation 50th Anniversary Grant, and a 2014 New York City Center Choreography Fellow. She was also the 2013 recipient of The International Association of Blacks in Dance Founders Award, the Mariam McGlone Emerging Choreographer Award (Wesleyan University), and the 2012 City College of New York Women & Culture Award.

Noon-1pm Save Smart, Spend Smart-A Financial Literacy Workshop Powered by Citi Location: Apollo Soundstage Time: Noon – 1pm

Featuring:  Linda Descano, Managing Director at Citi  Judi Rosenthal, communications expert and former Ameriprise financial advisor  Jacquette M. Timmons, founder of Sterling Investment Management, Inc. and author of Financial Intimacy: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate.

How do you prioritize what's important, carve out some dollars to have fun, plan for future goals, and manage your income to cover it all? This engaging and interactive workshop will help you make sense of the money madness and give you peace of mind and wallet.

Linda Descano-Managing Director and Head of Content and Social, Citi Linda Descano leads social media and content marketing for Citi‘s global consumer franchise. In addition, she is a contributor to the Yahoo Finance Network, LinkedIn Influencer program and Citi Blog, writing on an array of personal finance and career issues. Recognized as one of GoBankingRates.com's Most Popular Personal Finance Experts of 2013, she has been featured in many national publications and media including: Smart Money Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal Radio Network, The Washington Post, Yahoo Shine, MSN Money, Forbes Woman, The Huffington Post and Working Mother.

Jacquette M. Timmons, Founder of Sterling Investment Management, Inc. and author of Financial Intimacy: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate. Timmons describes herself as a financial behaviorist, helping people identify the underlying behaviors and beliefs that keep them from reaching their financial goals. She coaches, teaches, speaks and writes on creative solutions to common financial problems for everyone from the middle class to the 1%.

Judi Rosenthal, Nationally-Recognized Personal Branding, Self-Promotion and Communications Consultant Judi Rosenthal is a nationally-recognized personal branding, self-promotion and communication consultant. She uses her unique combination of inspirational energy and hands-on know-how to help people succeed in business and in life. Judi sharpened her business-building

superpowers for 17 years at Ameriprise where she was a financial advisor specializing in women in business and female consumers.

Noon -7pm WOW Festival on the campus of The City College of New York 160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031

Session 1 1:30 – 2:30pm Taken For Real Location: The City College of New York Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm

Panelists: Melina Lito, Rachel Lloyd Moderator: Crystal DeBoise

From ―rape as a tool of war‖ to ―the rights of sex workers,‖ this discussion examines the impact of human trafficking, locally, nationally and globally. Melina Lito joined Equality Now‘s New York office in September 2014 as Trafficking Program Officer. She has a background in US- based immigration law as well as experience in international law and policy. Crystal DeBoise, LCSW, is the Co-Director of the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center. In 1998, at just 23 years old, Rachel Lloyd founded Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) at her kitchen table with $30 and a borrowed computer. She was driven by the lack of services for commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked girls and young women and the incredible stigma and punishment they faced from service providers, law enforcement, the courts, their families and society. GEMS is now the largest service provider of its kind in the nation providing intensive services and support to over 350 girls and young women, preventive outreach and education to 1,500 youth, and training over 1,300 professionals each year.

The Next Majority: Latinas Rising Location: The City College of New York Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm

Panelist: Idelisse Malavé, Manuela Arciniegas, Maria Hinojosa Moderator: Lisa Quiroz

Latinas are taking center stage in 21st Century America. This panel spotlights how America is impacted, influenced and inspired by its next majority. Respected movement builder and former leader of the Tides Foundation Idelisse Malavé along with daughter, Esti Giordani, are co- authoring a new book Latino Stats, which catalogs the inequities that plague Latino communities and documents Latinos‘ growing power and influence on American life. President Obama recently appointed Lisa Garcia Quiroz, Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Chief Diversity Officer at Time Warner Inc., to chair the Corporation for National and Community Service Board of Directors. Manuela Arciniegas is the Senior Program Associate at the Andrus Family Fund which fosters just and sustainable change in the United States by supporting organizations that advance social justice and improve outcomes for vulnerable youth.

Maria Hinojosa is the anchor and executive producer of Latino USA on National Public Radio. Since 1995, she has been named three times as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business magazine for her work as a reporter for CBS, NPR, and CNN

Cooking with Granny Location: The City College of New York Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm

Caroline Shin, creator of a new web series called, Cooking With Granny, shares clips from series that features grandmothers from different cultures sharing recipes and compelling stories from their lives. After the screening, a few of the featured grandmothers will be onsite to share recipes and harrowing stories from their lives.

Caroline Shin is the Anthony Bourdain of grandmothers‘ kitchens. As the creator, host and producer of the Cooking with Granny web series, she documents grandmas' secret recipes and heartfelt stories across the diverse cultures of New York. Her show sheds light on the female lineage of the modern celebrity chef, celebrates food as a cultural unifier, and captures the living history that our grandmothers embody through the use of visual and oral storytelling. Launched in February, the series has garnered recognition from NBC News and NY Daily News. Catch her show and submit your own grandma‘s recipes at www.CookingWithGranny.tv.

Speed Mentoring Location: The City College of New York Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm

The speed-mentoring events are open to women at all stages of their careers from various fields and industries. These one hour sessions will be divided up into 15 minute sections, allowing the attendees to visit up to four mentors.

Motherhood in the 21st Century Location: The City College of New York Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm

Panelists: Susan Grundberg, Migdalia Rivera, Suzanne Chan and Aselefech Evans Moderator: Wendy Rhodes This two-part conversation explores alternate routes to motherhood, from adoption to foster care, as well as new support systems for mothers, including the rise and impact of mommy bloggers. Susan Grundberg is the Executive Director of You Gotta Believe, a New York City organization that focuses on finding permanent families for young adults, teens, and pre-teens in foster care. Migdalia River is the founder of Latina On a Mission, and an active blogger, speaker, business owner and education activist. Suzanne Chan is a former marketing/public relations executive, who is now the voice behind the popular Mom Confessionals blog. Aselefech Evans is an adult adoptee who arrived from Ethiopia in 1994 to the U.S. with her twin sister at six years of age. She

is a founder of the Facebook group Ethiopian Adoptees of the Diaspora, a columnist for the adoptee-led, adoptee-centric online magazine Gazillion Voices, and a contributor to The Lost Daughters, an independent collaborative writing project by women who were adopted as children.

The Journey:Conversations with Queer and Trans Women – curated by LIVE OUT LOUD Location: The City College of New York Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm

Panelist: Frenchie Davis, Daniella Carter, Sophie Hassett and Aartie Manansingh Moderator: Katherine Tucker From to Stonewall to marriage equality, this panel addresses hot button issues impacting women in the LGBTQ community. Katherine Tucker is a social (justice) worker who works with young people of color who are homeless, undocumented, and/or LGBTQ+ identified. Additionally, she co-facilitates a Gender & Sexuality Alliance for a middle and high school students in the South Bronx. Sophie Hassett, a recent UC Santa Barbara graduate with a degree in Feminist Studies, is an actor/collaborator for the 2014-2015 Naked Angels Issues Lab, creating a performance exploring how social media interacts with feminism, race, queerness, trans issues, and intersectionality. Frenchie Davis is not only a Broadway daring but a powerful and active LGBTQ activist.

Session 2 2:30 – 3:45pm

Organizing and Activism 101 YOUTH TRACK

Location: The City College of New York Time: 2:30 – 3:45pm

Appropriate for ages 13 and up

Panelists: Emel Mathlouthi, Jennifer Johns, and Dominique Sharpton Moderator: Angela Bronner-Helm Social activists offer an insider‘s look at what it takes to start and sustain a movement, whether on the community, national or global level. Emel Mathlouthi is a Tunisian singer-songwriter best known for her protest songs "Ya Tounes Ya Meskina" (Poor Tunisia) and "Kelmti Horra" (My Word is Free), which became anthems for both the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions. Angela Bronner-Helm is a Journalism Professor, who has worked at Essence, Uptown and Vibe magazines. Dominique Sharpton is the eldest daughter of Reverend Al and Kathy Jordan Sharpton. An influential force as Membership Director of the National Action Network, she plays a leading role in the organization‘s expansion, especially through her efforts to promote youth activism. Oakland, California native and music powerhouse, singer and food activist Jennifer Johns vacillates between Afro-Beat, World Music, Soul, Electro, Funk, Reggae and R&B.

Orange is the New Black and Brown

Location: The City College of New York Time: 2:30 – 3:45pm

Panelists: Georgia Lerner, Monica Williams, Liza Jessie Peterson, Debbie Kilroy Moderator: Soffiyah Elijah

Pre-panel Performance: Excerpt from Liza Jessie Peterson’s The Peculiar Patriot

These experts discuss the prison industrial complex and its impact on women and communities of color. Georgia Lerner is the Executive Director of Women‘s Prison Association, a service and advocacy organization committed to helping women with criminal justice histories. Soffiyah Elijah is the first woman and the first person of color to lead the nearly 170-Correctional Association of New York in its mission to create a fairer, more effective and humane criminal justice system. Monica Williams is a cultural worker who advocates for families of the incarcerated. Debbie Kilroy is the first woman in Australia to serve time for a serious crime, and then go on to practice criminal law. She is a leading voice for prisoner rights and founder of the famous prisoner advocacy group, Sisters Inside. Author/performer Liza Jessie Peterson’s ―The Peculiar Patriot‖ is a prison-oriented performance piece.

Youth Leadership Workshop YOUTH TRACK Location: The City College of New York Time: 2:30 – 3:45pm

Appropriate for ages 13 - 18

Curated by the YWCA of the City of New York YWCA teens will facilitate an interactive workshop that invites participants to explore the question, ―who am I?‖ and provides leadership skills that inspire other teens to be agents of change in their communities.

Brukwine Dancehall Workshop Location: The City College of New York Time: 2:30 – 3:45pm

Break out and wine on at the fun, interactive dance workshop. Created by dancers, Tavia and Tamara, this is a sexy and energetic group activity that's sure to get your body moving in ways you never thought it could. Participants will bring their sexy back while learning the Caribbean‘s hottest dancehall moves. All levels welcome, and no prior experience necessary.

Who Owns Our Bodies? Location: The City College of New York Time: 2:30 – 3:45pm

Panelist: Anisha Sabur, Zeinab Eyega and Hazel Teal Moderator: Nicole Moore Despite many victories for gender equality, women's bodies are still a battle ground. Whether its FGM, rape, gender identity, or as property of the prison system-- who really decides what you do with your body? Zeinab Eyega is the Executive Director and Founder of Sauti Yetu, an advocacy organization that empowers African immigrant women and tackles issues like forced marriage, female genital mutilation, violence against women and reproductive justice, amongst others. Hazel Teal debunks the myth that you‘ll need to slow down with age. This CEO of the Stress Less Center, Inc., (SLC) is boomer who discovered running after 50. Anisah Sabur is the Project Associate for the Women in Prison Project at the Correctional Association of New York.

BREAK 3:45pm -4pm

Session 3 4 – 5:15pm

Yearning to Breathe Free: Immigration/Refugee Issues Location: The City College of New York Time: 4 – 5:15pm

Panelists: Mercedes Cano, Dora Arreola and Dr. Ramatu Bangura Moderator: Maria Hinojosa From documentation issues to national policies to cultural practices, this panel explores immigration and its impact on women and the sustainability of families. Mercedes Cano is a New York attorney, who represents clients in the area of immigration law, specifically in matters of deportation, political asylum and family petitions. Dr. Ramatu Bangura is the former program manager at Sauti Yetu, a multi-issue community-based organization that works with African immigrant women and families. Dora Arreola is the Artistic Director and Founder of Mujeres en Ritual Danza-Teatro, an all-women dance-theatre company, based in Tijuana, Mexico that investigates women‘s issues at the border through performance. Maria Hinojosa is the anchor and executive producer of Latino USA on National Public Radio. Since 1995, she has been named three times as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business magazine for her work as a reporter for CBS, NPR, and CNN.

Domestic Violence Co-curated by We All Really Matter Location: The City College of New York Time: 4 – 5:15pm

Panelist: Stephanie McGraw, Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith, Jamal Jackson, Maya Galt and Maxine Cintron Moderator: Dr. Cynthia Grace

Pre-panel performance: Excerpt from Jamal Jackson‘s ―People Vs.‖

Domestic violence not only is a worldwide phenomenon but a fast growing epidemic in Harlem. This panel explores cultural practices as root causes of domestic violence and examines how changing those practices may help end this blight. Panelists for this conversation include: Stephanie McGraw, president and CEO of W.A.R.M. (We All Really Matter), Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and co-founder of Nah We Yone, Inc., a nonprofit organization created to proactively respond to war victims from the African Diaspora, Jamal Jackson, choreographer and founder of the Jamal Jackson Dance Company, as well as survivors Maya Galt, and Maxine Cintron. The panel will be moderated by, Dr. Cynthia Grace, a clinical psychologist, author and mental health practitioner who has worked with numerous survivors and perpetrators of intimate partner violence from around the world. The panel will be preceded by an excerpt from Jamal Jackson‘s ―People Vs.,‖ a dance performance based on the OJ Simpson trial.

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby! - Extra Sexy/ For women 50+ Location: The City College of New York Time: 4 – 5:15pm

Community Conversation led by Dr. Hilda Y. Hutcherson Sex makes us happier, fitter and live longer. Join us for this frank yet fun community conversation with Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, a nationally renowned expert in the field of women‘s health. Hutcherson is known to audiences for her monthly sexual health columns in Essence and Glamour magazines in which she provides advice and has emerged as a vocal advocate for women‘s health empowerment through education.

Screening of ADAMA with Q&A by Adama Bah and film director, David Felix Sutcliffe YOUTH TRACK

Location: The City College of New York Time: 4 – 5:15pm

On March 24th, 2005, Adama Bah, a 16-year-old Muslim girl, awoke at dawn to discover nearly a dozen armed government agents inside her family‘s apartment in East Harlem. She was arrested and taken to a maximum-security juvenile detention center in Pennsylvania. An FBI document leaked to the press mysteriously identified Adama as a ―potential‖ suicide bomber and an ―imminent threat to the security of the United States.‖ After six weeks of public protest and media scrutiny, Adama was released with an ankle bracelet and a deportation order, but no terrorist charges. Still traumatized by the experience of her detention, Adama must drop out of high school and support her four younger siblings when her father is deported to Guinea, Africa. Using intimate verité footage, Adama captures the extreme pressures bearing down on this young Muslim girl and her desperate efforts to keep her family from unraveling.

Telling Your Story: Women in International Empowerment Location: The City College of New York Time: 4 – 5:15pm

Panelists: Nonkululeko Tyehemba, Naheed Bahram, Maria Pacheco Moderator: Dr. Anita Shankar

Four women share their fascinating personal journeys, in a discussion about how ―dreaming a new future‖ and ―telling your story‖ are essential tools for personal empowerment. Nonkululeko Tyehenmbam is a legendary midwife-activist and founder of the Harlem Birth Action Committee. Naheed Bahram is an executive with Women for Afghan Women, a grassroots, human rights organization dedicated to securing and protecting the rights of Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan and New York. Maria Pacheco is an organizer and founder of Wakami, an international distribution channel for over 500 rural Guatemalan artisans. Dr. Anita Shankar is a medical anthropologist and public health researcher with Johns Hopkins University with over 20 years of experience in research and programs focused on women‘s empowerment.

Speed Mentoring Location: The City College of New York Time: 4 – 5:15pm

Carla Harris Pearls of Wisdom Workshop Location: The City College of New York

Carla Harris is a Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. Carla‘s passion lies in helping others. As she says, ―we are blessed, so that we can be a blessing to others.‖ While climbing the corporate ladder, Carla had her own personal missteps amidst numerous victories. She vowed that when she reached senior management and people came to her for advice, she would provide them with the tools, strategies, and pearls of wisdom honed by her own experience.

BREAK 5:15pm -5:30pm

Session 3 5:30–6:30pm

Stop Telling Women to Smile Location: The City College of New York Time: 5:30–6:30pm

Panelists: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Anthonine Pierre, Collier Meyerson Moderator: Dr. Chloe Angyal A dynamic group of activists explores ―street harassment‖ and the organizations on the ground combating it. Tatyana Fazlalizadeh is an artist, activist, and freelance illustrator, who gained notoriety in 2012 for her poster campaign, Stop Telling Women To Smile. Anthonine Pierre is the lead community organizer for Brooklyn Movement Center. Collier Meyerson is an independent journalist and video producer. Dr. Chloe Angyal is a Senior Columnist at Feministing, the world‘s most-read feminist publication, where I blog about gender, sex, politics, pop culture, and body image.

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby! - Young and Sexy/ Under 50 Location: The City College of New York Time: 5:30–6:30pm

Led by Dr. Hilda Y. Hutcherson

Sex makes us happier, fitter and live longer. Join us for this frank yet fun community conversation with Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, a nationally renowned expert in the field of women‘s health. Hutcherson is known to audiences for her monthly sexual health columns in Essence and Glamour magazines in which she provides advice and has emerged as a vocal advocate for women‘s health empowerment through education.

Mothers and Daughters Workshop YOUTH TRACK Location: The City College of New York Time: 5:30–6:30pm

Appropriate for ages 13 and up

Led by Isisara Bey This workshop celebrates the special bond between mothers and daughters and invites participants to take part in Bey‘s uplifting exercise ―What I Wish For You.‖ Isisara Bey, mother of a 20 year old daughter, is VP, Programs & Education for Count Me In, and Journey Agent for the Urban Rebound, Women Veteran Entrepreneur Corps, and Make Mine a Million $ Business national competitions. She also designed and facilitates CMI‘s Leadership Institute. As Journey Agent, Isisara has facilitated workshops and delivered talks for TED x Barnard College, the U.S. State Department‘s Vital Voices and Pathways to Prosperity, and Global Women‘s Business Initiative.

Brukwine Dancehall –Closing Dance Party Location: The City College of New York Time: 5:30–6:30pm

All Day Activities

WOW Marketplace Location: The City College of New York Time: Noon-7pm

The WOW marketplace will feature an eclectic mix of vendors with products and services to help you live your best life as well as information booths run by advocacy groups sharing information on how to go out and change the world.

Red Tent Location: The City College of New York Time: 5:30–6:30pm The red tent will be the festival‘s sacred space where women are nurtured, adorned and recharged through the healing and beauty arts.

SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

8:30pm Black WOMEN Rock! Main Stage Featuring jessica Care moore, Joi, Steffanie Christi’an, Tamar-kali, Res, and YahZarah, and Nik West With special guest Macy Gray

WOW! This live concert assembles some of today‘s hottest Rock goddesses on the famed Apollo stage. Black WOMEN Rock! is the brainchild of jessica Care moore, a spoken word superstar of the hip hop generation. Joi, Atlanta underground R&B artist is best known for her signature songs ―Sunshine & The Rain‖ and ―Freedom.‖ Steffanie Christi’an is known for her phenomenal set of pipes and ―Way Too Much.‖ Rocker Tamar-kali came to notoriety in the award-winning documentary Afropunk. Res‘ ―How I Do‖established her as a powerful new voice on the pop and urban scenes. YahZarah is known for hits ―One Day‖ and ―Why Dontcha Call Me No More.‖ Nik West,known as the female Lenny Kravitz, is one of the top bassists of her generation. Grammy Award winner Macy Gray closes out the evening with a special performance featuring a few of her classic hits as well as songs from her new album, The Way.

10pm Apollo Music Café featuring The Frenchie Experience Soundstage Frenchie Davis, powerful songbird and LGBTQ activist, was in the Broadway cast of the hit show ―Rent,‖ played the role of Effie White in ―Dream Girls‖ and became a Grammy- nominated artist

for the revival of ―Ain't Misbehavin.‖ Frenchie appeared on the first season of NBC's hit show ―The Voice‖ and joined forces with Christina Aguilera to become one of the top finalists. Her cover of "When Love Takes Over" landed at #3 on the iTunes Dance Chart.

SUNDAY JUNE 14, 2015 (ACTIVITIES ONLY AT THE APOLLO ON SUNDAY)

APOLLO MAIN STAGE CONVERSATIONS

WOW APOLLO - SUNDAY PROGRAM 1-5pm Hosted by: Michelle Williams Music by: DJ Reborn

1pm WOW Spotlight Dr. Danielle Sheypuk will open the afternoon with a powerful talk promoting her very real message that women with disabilities are sexy, datable, educated, and glamorous.

JUST TAKE THE MIC: THE POWER OF FEMINIST COMEDY Co-Curated by the Barnard Center for Research on Women – Tina Campt and Tami Navarro

This conversation will showcase the work of four comedians who explore their various engagements with feminism, performance and gender, and the implications of feminism for politics, society, and quotidian life.

Featuring Phoebe Robinson, Panelist - Improviser, Sketch Performer, Writer, Producer, and Educator Liz Miele, Panelist - Comedian, Writer, and Producer Emily Schorr Lesnick, Panelist- Stand-Up Comedian, Writer, and Actor Amanda Seales, Moderator-Comedian, Host, DJ and Content Creator

2pm Reimagining Manhood Panelists: Michael Kimmel Ahmad Greene, William Furio and M. Tony Peralta Moderator: Jimmie Briggs

Leading experts on men and masculinity discuss the crucial roles men play in the pursuit for gender equity. Michael Kimmel, one of the leading researchers and writers on men and masculinity in the world today, is Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies at Stony Brook University. Kimmel is the author of more than 20 books, including his best-selling Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men. Jimmie Briggs is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Man Up, a global campaign to activate youth to stop violence against women and girls. For his work with Man Up Campaign, Briggs was selected as the winner of the 2010 GQ Magazine ―Better Men Better World‖ Search. M. Tony Peralta is a Washington Height based artist and designer whose work reflects the complexities of identity.

3pm Music Industry and the Female Image Panelists: Mona Scott-Young, Yvette Noel-Schure, Elle Varner, and Teresa LaBarbera Whites

Industry power players discuss female image making in the entertainment biz. Mona Scott-Young is a successful talent manager, television producer, publisher, TV host and CEO and Founder of multi-media entertainment company Monami Entertainment– home to Grammy Award-winning artist Missy Elliott, publishing imprint Monami Books and VH1‘s most popular docu-franchise Love & Hip Hop. Yvette Noel-Schure, formerly senior VP of Media at Columbia Records/Sony Music, is president and CEO of Schure Media, which represents a host of top-draw talent, including Beyoncé. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Elle Varner. Teresa LaBarbera Whites, Vice President at Columbia Records, has been one of the most successful A&R executives in the music industry for the past 20 year, discovering among others, Beyoncé and Destiny's Child.

4pm Women who lead: a conversation with Michelle Williams Co-curated by Redlight Management and AMF Entertainment Featuring Michelle Williams

SUNDAY JUNE 14, 2015 (ACTIVITIES ONLY AT THE APOLLO ON SUNDAY)

APOLLO SOUND STAGE PANELS 1-5PM

1pm B.O.R.N. Fashion From Inside And Out Led by Jonathan Bodrick

Looking good, starts with feeling good…. Led by B.O.R.N. storeowner and fashion maven, Jonathan Bodrick, this fashion workshop will bring that fabulous diva out of you and give her the spotlight she deserves!

B.O.R.N. storeowner and fashion maven Jonathan Bodrick has been styling people since the age of five – when he first asked his mother if he could give his teacher a necklace from her jewelry box as ―a little style inspiration.‖ Jonathan fondly reminisces about large closets filled with elaborate hats and impeccably tailored suits, as his father, grandfather and uncles were all sharp dressers, further driving Jonathan‘s keen eye for fashion. As he recalls detailed stories told by his parents, as well as old pictures of The Savoy in Harlem, he says there has never been a lack of inspiration in his life. Fashion is in Jonathan‘s DNA and he uses it everyday as a vehicle to influence and inspire.

2pm jessica CARF moore-“They Say I’m Different” Participants of the black WOMEN rock! concert will discuss the issues of race, gender and inclusion in the rock and roll industry.

3-5pm WOW Artist Takeover The WOW festival will feature a diverse mix of performances from US based and international theater makers, spoken word artists and musicians who use their art as a tool for change. The Takeover will feature:

Shailja Patel

Eleven Reflections on September Eleven Reflections on September is a spoken word, multi-media performance that examines the post 9/11 Arab American experience. Written, Directed & Performed by Andrea Assaf, Video Art by Pramila Vasudevan. Music and dance performed by Aida Shahghasemi and Donna Mejia.

Formosa Formosa is a surrealistic romp through beauty, body, culture, and Barbie. Created and performed by spoken word poet Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai, the solo show combines spoken word, movement, multimedia, and fictional characters, jumping into Tsai‘s imaginary encounters with a Taiwanese factory worker who makes the dolls, an 8-year old Chinese adoptee girl who loves the dolls, and a Nicki Minaj-wannabe Asian American female hip hop MC who just might be turning into a doll.

Mankwe Ndosi

Of Tanzanian and African American heritage, Mankwe Ndosi is celebrated for a sound and practice that spans genres and disciplines: celebrating influences from Jazz and African legacies, Hip Hop and Soul, performance art, theater, public art and improvisation. She has toured and recorded with independent hip hop powerhouse duo Atmosphere and with Brother Ali. Her solo releases include Do Gooder‘s Blues (2009) and the critically acclaimed Science and Spirit (2012).

Jennifer Johns Oakland, California native and music powerhouse, singer and food activist Jennifer Johns vacillates between Afro-Beat, World Music, Soul, Electro, Funk, Reggae and R&B. Jennifer is known for bringing infectious energy to live performances with her sultry voice.

Judith Sloan's YO MISS! Fusing the art of theatre, poetry, and music, YO MISS! is a sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always truth-telling show about one woman overcoming her own traumatic experiences as she helps immigrant/refugee teenagers and incarcerated youth grapple with the cataclysmic events that shaped them. Using midi-controllers and an original musical score to accompany her compelling performance, Judith Sloan transforms into a multitude of characters ages 14 to 80 years young.

Event information subject to change.

Ticket Information Tickets for the Women of the World Festival can be purchased at the Apollo Theater Box Office,, online at www.apollotheater.org , via Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, and at Ticketmaster.com.

Special Ticket Access Program: The Apollo Theater is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the WOW Festival. Harlem residents, youth ages 18 and under, and City College students may purchase $10 tickets for Girls Town Hall, An Evening with Iyanla Vanzant and to all daytime events on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 at the Apollo Theater Box Office with valid photo ID.

Apollo Theater Box Office Hours Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri – 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Wednesday – 10:00 am - 8:30 pm Saturday – 12:00 pm - 6:00pm

About the Apollo Theater

The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.

With music at its core, the Apollo‗s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more. Recent highlights include James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, which began an international tour in 2015, the Africa Now! Festival and Apollo Club Harlem. As a presenting organization, The Apollo also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works, and a wealth of programming initiatives, including: Apollo Music; Signature Programs, including Amateur Night; the Salon Series; the Apollo Music Café; the Legacy Series—celebrating and extending the organization‘s legacy through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals; and Special Projects—multidisciplinary work with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are D‗Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Miri Ben Ari, D‗Angelo, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo‗s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.

The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization and currently in the midst of fundraising for its 21st Century Apollo Campaign, created to extend the institution‗s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.

About WOW - Women of the World Festival Women of the World festival, supported by Bloomberg, was launched by Southbank Centre Artistic Director Jude Kelly CBE in 2011, the centenary of International Women's Day. It has since grown into the world's largest festival network of its kind reaching over a million people across five continents. Over the last five years, WOW has presented among many others, Nobel Peace Prize-winning Malala Yousafzai, Salma Hayek-Pinault, Alice Walker, Vivienne Westwood, Christine Lagarde, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown MP, Annie

Lennox, Ruby Wax, Patrick Stewart, Sinead O'Connor, Jessye Norman, Julie Walters, Naomi Wolf, Nawal El Sadaawi, Cherie Blair, Kiran Bedi, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and many women who don‘t have public profiles but have done extraordinary things.

About Southbank Centre Southbank Centre is the UK's largest arts centre and under Jude Kelly‘s leadership has become world renowned for its bold programme which focuses on the influence arts and culture can have in creating a more progressive and inclusive world. It holds 14 festivals annually, as well as a vast programme of performance and exhibitions, many of which tour the world. 50% of its work is free to ensure that everyone is welcome regardless of financial means. As a result, over 7 million people are involved in activities across the historic 21-acre site that sits in the midst of London‘s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the river Thames. The site has an extraordinary creative and architectural history stretching back to the 1951 Festival of Britain, one of the great democratic, optimistic and imaginative gestures of the last century.

Get social! For exclusive photos, updates and more use the hashtag #WOWApollo Follow the Apollo Theater: Facebook.com/apollotheater Twitter.com/apollotheater YouTube.com/apollotheater Instagram.com/apollotheater

Women of the World Festival is sponsored by BNY Mellon, the New York State Council on the Arts, Citi, Prudential and Time Warner Inc.

Generous support provided by the Ford Foundation Fund for Global Programs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The presentation of the Apollo’s WOW Festival at the City College of New York is supported in part by the City College of New York through the Division of Government, Community and Cultural Affairs.

The Apollo's annual season is made possible by generous support from BNY Mellon, Citi, Coca-Cola, Troy and Keisha Dixon, EmblemHealth, the Ford Foundation Fund for Global Programs, Frederick Wildman, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Carla A. Harris, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, JoAnn Price, Prudential Financial, Inc., Earl W. and Amanda Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee New Works Fund, the Apollo Board of Directors and many other generous donors.

Lead annual support is also provided by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

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For more information, please contact: Nina Flowers Apollo Theater Foundation 212-531-5334 [email protected]

Cynthia Tate Apollo Theater Foundation 212-531-5340 [email protected]

Sarah Cirkiel Gladstone Pitch Control PR 212-475-4919 [email protected]