December 2016 2016: The Year in Review SPORTS What an incredible year 2016 has been. As we enter into its last days, Simone Biles won the hearts let’s take a moment to look back and reflect on some of the world and is the new women’s of the highlights of the year! gymnastics champion of all time during a spectacular showing in the Olympics in Rio, Brazil. LeBron “King” James and the Cleveland Cavaliers helped to make you believe with the epic comeback win of the NBA Championship. A true testament of faith, hope and the spirit of believing in yourself and your abilities. What an immeasurable fete for the record books. The opening of the Smithsonian In Memory – Muhammad Ali - National Museum of African The silver-tongued boxer and civil American History & Culture took rights champion who famously JOURNALISTS place in September. Hundreds of proclaimed himself “The Greatest” recovering from knee surgery when thousands of people from all over and then spent a lifetime living up to he suffered a ruptured aneurysm and In Memory – Gwen the world have experienced this new the billing died this year. He was 74. fell into “a state of unconsciousness” Ifill, one of the most prominent national treasure. Muhammad Ali was without a doubt while recovering in an Atlanta political journalists in the country, Cheyney University of the greatest sportsman of a generation hospital. has died after a battle with cancer. and a genuine American hero. She was 61. When she took the helm Pennsylvania proudly stands as the Kevin Hart made history and oldest HBCU in the United States. CELEBRITY/ENTERTAINMENT of Washington Week in Review in became the highest paid comedian 1999, Ifill became the first African- Founded in 1837, this educational Hamilton: An American in 2016. Earning $87.5 million, Hart American woman to host a major institution will be 180 years old in Musical is a musical about the surpassed top-earning joker Jerry political TV talk show. 2017. In the beginning, the school life of American Founding Father Seinfeld who has been crowned Cash was known as the Institute for Alexander Hamilton, with music, King of Comedy by Forbes since POLITICAL Colored Youth. Funding for Cheyney 2016. Hart’s earnings also landed him was provided by Richard Humphreys. lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel President Barack Obama – Our at No. 6 in the Celebrity 100. Humphreys, a Quaker philanthropist, Miranda. The show, inspired by the nation will soon say “so long” to was born in the West Indies. After biography Alexander Hamilton by MUSIC one of the most beloved leaders and his arrival in Philadelphia in 1764, historian Ron Chernow, achieved prolific African-American figures of he was dismayed to see the struggles both critical acclaim and box office Beyonce – Self-proclaimed diva, all time. His leadership and legacy of African Americans as they lost out success. It has taken America by Beyonce, debuted her visual album will long be admired, loved and on jobs due to a lack of education. storm and has won both Tony and ‘Lemonade’ in epic HBO special. respected by hundreds of millions Humphreys dedicated one-tenth of Grammy awards. That same night, she released her worldwide. 6th solo studio album also titled his estate to the establishment of In Memory – Tommy ‘Lemonade.’ The album became one California Attorney General a school which would address this Ford - ‘Martin’ star of the most talked about in 2016. Kamala Harris made history during urgent need. Thomas Mikal Ford has the 2016 election and became the Your friends and colleagues at passed away at age 52.The In Memory – Prince - Legendary, first Black woman to become the U.S. Black PR Wire wish you all the best actor was reportedly iconic performer, Prince Rogers Senator for California. Nelson died at his Paisley Park for safe, happy and healthy New Year’s residence 4/21 at the age of 57. TRAVEL/HISTORICAL PLACES celebration. See you in 2017.

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POWER PROFILER: LILICIA BAILEY HOLIDAY MOVIE MOMENTS EXECUTIVE VP/CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER, BELK, INC. The holiday season is a great time to kick back, relax and watch some great movies. It’s the perfect way to put you and Lilicia Bailey is Executive Vice President, Chief your loved ones in the holiday spirit. Listed below are some black People Officer at Belk, Inc., a $4 billion privately- Christmas movies to possibly add to your “watch list” to help you owned retailer with 23,000 associates. In this role, enjoy holiday movie moments: Bailey is the chief people strategist for the enterprise and a member of the senior leadership team reporting to the Chairman and CEO. She serves a dual role as trusted advisor to the CEO and Board of Director Compensation Committee. As Chief People Officer, Bailey oversees all aspects of human capital and has influence and impact on the success of the company though the translation of business strategy into A Diva’s Christmas Carol The Best Man Holiday Black Nativity Call Me Claus shaping the culture and talent strategy.

Prior to joining Belk, Bailey worked with Cox Enterprises and its subsidiary, Manheim, for 10 years as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of Global People Strategies and Administration. Bailey has held various non-profit board leadership positions at Cobb Family Resources, Girl’s Inc. and Communities in Schools of Georgia. She was a graduate of Leadership Atlanta Class of 2010. Christmas in Compton Dear Secret Santa Friday After Next Holiday Heart • Last Holiday • The Preacher’s Wife Bailey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Spelman College • The Perfect Gift • This Christmas and a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from Keller Graduate • Perfect Holiday • Trading Places School, and has a Presidential/Key Executive MBA from Pepperdine University. Merry Christmas/Happy Kwanzaa!

This section is designed to keep you in the know and on the go. Check OUR TEAM CALENDAR OF EVENTS out some of the latest happenings throughout the country this month. Bernadette A. Morris World AIDS Day 2016 Testing Art Beat Miami Celebrity Brunch 100 Men in Black Christmas The Hip Hop Nutcracker 2016 12-3-16 President/CEO in the Park Concert 12-16-16 [email protected] 12-1-16 Miami, FL 12-4-16 North Bethesda, MD Pensacola, FL www.artbeatmiami.com Durham, NC 301-581-5100 Ricardo F. Reyes www.hivevolution.org 919-544-6304 AVP/Creative Director [email protected] Black Professional Men 25th www.100meninblack.org The Smooth Holiday Groove Anniversary Winter Featuring Keith Sweat and Kem Tanisha Coleman Wonderland Ball The Prince Experience 12-17-16 Marketing Manager 12-3-16 12-8-16 Grand Prairie, TX [email protected] Baltimore, MD Dallas, TX 972-854-5050 Simone Cook www.livenation.com Account Coordinator Maxwell & Mary J. Blige: Dave Koz Christmas Tour 2016, [email protected] King and Queen of Hearts Tour Featuring Jonathan Butler, NAAM Soul Christmas: Black 12-2-16 Kenny Lattimore, and Valerie Santa Visit 12-11-16 Teodoras Vitkauskas Keith Sweat Kem Dallas, TX Simpson Seattle, WA Webmaster [email protected] www.ticketmaster.com 12-3-16 www.naamnw.org Kwanzaa Celebration Washington, DC 12-30-16 Erica Brown Motown & More: 202-628-6161 Charlie Wilson Durham, NC Graphic Designer Dave Koz A Holiday Celebration 12-16-16 www.durhamnc. [email protected] 12-2-16 Durant, OK gov/1651/kwanzaa Carroll Arts Center 800-653-8000 Westminster, MD Jonathan Butler Kenny Lattimore Valerie Simpson FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF EVENTS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.BLACKPRWIRE.COM

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