Insights Into Cultural Understanding

Scottsdale, AZ.: “Positively Powerful Women Celebrate!” is an event scheduled for May 16 and 17 at the Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road.

The purpose of the event is for the empowerment of all women and the celebration of their accomplishments in ways that inspire others to live their dreams. The event is geared for entrepreneurial businesswomen, corporate executives, educators, trainers, homemakers, trainers, students and community-minded women.

Dr. Joel Martin, president of Triad West, Inc. will be the keynote presenter and workshop facilitator. She has worked with hundreds of thousands of individuals in Fortune 500 companies, non-profit and entrepreneurial organizations across many industries in the U.S. She has also worked internationally in South Africa, France, the UK, Latvia, Finland, Malaysia, Russia and China.

A powerful speaker, she uses behavioral science business applications and experiential education to inspire those who attend her workshops. She is the author of the book How to Be a Positively Powerful Person. She has been featured on the Today Show and in the NY Times, Essence, U.S. News and World Report, Black Enterprise, Working Women and Fortune magazine. She appears in the transformational film The Answer. She has earned a Masters degree in Psychology, a PhD. In Communications and is a Wharton Business School Fellow.

The May 16 program begins at 5:30 with a dinner sponsored by eWomen Network and presentation of the Positively Powerful Awards. At 9 am a continental breakfast with networking opportunities will kickoff the May 17 schedule which concludes at 6 pm. The program is highly interactive, fun and participatory.

Event sponsors include eWomen Network, Southwest Gas Corporation, Anheuser Busch Budweiser, APS, and Dial Corporation - A Henkel Company. When asked why he was sponsoring the inaugural event, Garry Walters, Administrator/Community & Consumer Affairs, Southwest Gas Corporation said,

Joel is an award winning diversity supplier, who is a member of the Southwest Gas Supplier Diversity network. Sponsoring this “Positively Powerful Women Celebrate! Retreat” is the right thing to do. We are recognizing our relationship with Triad West Inc. and the return on investment this provides Southwest Gas. We have a jewel in Joel Martin. Her expertise and resources need to be utilized for this and the greater good.”

Cybel Martin, award winning cinematographer and lecturer, will be filming the 2-day event for educational purposes.

For information, registration and scholarships contact www.triadwest.com or call 480-563-5585. The cost for the 2-day event is $250 before May 1 and $290 after. The cost includes the Friday evening dinner, and Saturday breakfast, lunch and reception featuring the sampling of new Budweiser Light With Lime.

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All of the many ways one can shape the public perception of a culture through film were alive and well this month. From a visionary film maker and producer, marketing professional, events producer, to actors. If you weren’t in AZ for the Black Film Showcase, you should have been.

I interviewed Director Lee Daniels (Shadowboxer, Monster’s Ball, The Woodsman) who gave us the guerrilla film production background for his brilliant films and what it took to really get them produced. I found him to be upfront and candid, humorous and human. He’s a spiritual man. And spirited! The audience and I loved his verbatim’s. He directed the superstar Helen Mirren with grace, style and expletives deleted when needed he said. He shared his process for production and came prepared with audition tapes of a exceptionally gifted new actor starring in his upcoming film “Push” and out takes of her with Mo’nique. It was so real and raw, I asked (choked up) how it would end…but I won’t tell you here, you’ll have to see it for yourself in the theater. He also brought footage from “Tennessee” featuring Mariah Carey. Lee is amazing in how he casts his films and this songbird’s role is no exception. I’ll be there for anything attached to his name in the movies, you be there too. He deserves the Academy Award recognition and Cannes Film Festival wins.

Some distressing news though for Lee Daniels fans - he said only two more films, one of these would be a musical, and then he wants to teach. No more than two more films? Youch! He’s already involved with the Ghetto Film School.

When I interviewed Award winning actor Lynn Whitfield (Thin Line Between Love And Hate, Tyler Perry’s Madea, The Josephine Baker Story), she showed a humorous side that I have never seen before. She’s always a great and beautiful actress displaying a fine edge of intensity but this side of Lynn was fun. We saw her on the big screen in the video highlights of her career to date (check out “Kings of the Evening“!). Lynn shared some ‘for real’ remarks on the competition for roles, how she almost gave up in those early days before she became a star, and her love and appreciation of her beautiful daughter.

Lynn once again made history. She won Showcase Oscar Micheaux Award. This is the first time a woman actor has won the coveted honor in the seven years of its existence. Going back a bit, both Lynn and Lee have created successful productions that people in general want to see. Oscar would be pleased.

Oscar Micheaux, the first African-American to produce a feature-length film (The Homesteader (1919) in 1920) and a sound feature-length film (The Exile (1931) in 1931), is not a major figure in American film just for these milestones, but because his oeuvre is a window onto the American psyche as regards race and its deleterious effects on individuals and society. He also is a pioneer of independent cinema. Though the end products of his labors often were technically crude due to budgetary constraints, Micheaux the filmmaker is a symbol of the artist triumphing over long odds to bring his vision to the public at large while serving in the socially important role of critical spirit.

I also moderated a panel discussion with Hollywood insiders Felicia Bell, Jenean Glover, and actor Linara Washington. Felicia is a marketing and film distribution phenom. Jenean is a talent manager and consultant with her own company Screen Partners, Inc. and Linara, an actor in the film “Kings of the Evening” which had its Arizona premiere at the Showcase. What did the audience hear about what it takes to make it behind the camera where the office is and in front of the camera? Here are a few highlights: Never give up, learn how the money is made in films, and give yourself a time line. From a big money, big money perspective as Tyler Perry and others are proving, never underestimate the power of a cultural group’s desire to see a relevant, revealing, and reliable portrayal. Felicia and Jenean are making decisions for their organizations that are as green as dollars bills.

There was a dynamic Q and A with everyone. I asked tough questions and the audience did too. And like I said, “you should have been there!”

The mission of the Arizona Black Film Showcase is to become the premier, national media arts event dedicated to supporting Black film professionals through educational and networking opportunities. Founder Joanna De’Shay believes that “Black Film is American Film” and that Black Films have a significant impact on the broader Film and Television Industry and I share this vision with her. Her annual, competitive film showcase has supported, celebrated, and promoted the dynamic works of Black filmmakers locally and nationally for the past seven years.

My time and my company’s production efforts will be focused on women in May. Specifically, Scottsdale AZ, Chaparral Suites Resorts, the Positively Powerful Women Celebrate dinner, awards, and personal development workshop May 16 and 17. Another not to be missed event. And yes, we will be filming it for educational purposes. If you would like to become a sponsor, purchase the film, attend, register your Mom, receive a scholarship (we have a limited amount, first come first served) call Joel Martin, President Triad West Inc. Positively Powerful Events. For information call (480) 563-5585 or click here.

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Why this event? Because it is time that outrageous women celebrate their spirit. “My dream to have this event began when I spoke before a very influential group of women in business and law. I asked, ‘How many of you give to yourself as much as you give to others?” Only one hand was raised. I decided then that it was necessary to create a celebratory event that would provide them and other women with bold, invigorating opportunities to fully unleash their dynamic selves.”

If you would like to attend, click here to register.

May 16: 5:30-9pm & May 17: 9am-6pm Scottsdale, AZ Chaparral Suites

Retreat Benefits:

• Give to yourself first without guilt.
• Improve your relationships.
• Increase your abundance and energy.
• Fem-networking with like-minded women
• Celebratory feast sponsored by eWomen Network.
• Business & corporate power development.
• Continental breakfast and lunch.
• You will leave inspired, connected to, and in action on your purpose and dreams.

Entrepreneurial business women, corporate employees, homemakers, coaches, educators, students, and/or community-minded women, if you answer “yes” to any of these questions, this event is designed for you:

• Drained and ready to recharge your energy?
• Want to celebrate accomplishments?
• Deserve a break?
• Want to “have it all?”
• Dedicated to personal and professional development?
• Will make a difference for self and community?
• Network?

Are you ready for an evening and a day filled with networking, merriment, inspiration, and training designed by and for women? If so, register here:http://www.triadwest.com/events.htm

Is there a wonderful woman in your life that you would like to have this as a gift? Register her by clicking here.
Apply now, early registration is $250 until May 1, 2008. Regular registration is $290. Gifts for the first 25 who register. Credit card or PayPal accounts online. By mail, send your check to Triad West Positively Powerful Events, 9616 East Southwind Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85262

For information on attendance, sponsorships, vendor opportunities, and scholarships call (480) 563-5585. Triad West Inc. Positively Powerful Events http://www.triadwest.com/

What others have said about Positively Powerful Events:

Attend because “so many others are living their lives to only 10% of their potential and need to know that they too can break out of their boxes and live their vision!” JoAnna DeShay

“The Retreat brings out some of the most powerful and influential people in the world.” Saitia Faito

“This retreat was very powerful. It helped me find my true core and make up and helped me understand how that fits in to my vision.” Lisa Grayer

“It was very life changing. New relationships, concepts, and ideas. I was extremely Blessed. It has changed my life.” Leslie Kelly

“The strength of the experiential learning…the networking and support available…the opportunity to observe yourself in a new and more powerful way…all contribute to a defining transformative experience. “ Lillian Coury

“Joel’s format, presentation skills, ability to build community and enthusiasm are outstanding!” Jacqueline F. Garner

“Dr. Joel Martin is a genuine genius in her approach to personal transformation. I would recommend her to others without reservation.” Manuel V. Cisneros

“We are addressing issues among our pastoral staff relating to customer service in a much more expeditious and non-threatening manner which has increased the “team spirit” among us. We are beneficiaries of the wonderful work of Triad West.” Pastor Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr.

“Joel is very powerful and impactful. She has the ability to be challenging and supportive all at the same time. She is one of the best facilitators I’ve ever been exposed to.” Jon Furner

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America’s first conference focusing on minority business opportunities in the sustainability arena was time well spent. This day-long event was designed to bridge the gap between decision makers and the minority business community. Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore, did not attend but nevertheless it was an inspirational and educational day-long immersion into the value of being green. Building environmentally friendly homes, running business that cut down pollution, learning who is leading the charge in Arizona, and more. A day well-spent.Then Cybel, DP/cinematographer, urban visionary sent this link which I share with you. If you want to be inspired, love New York City and urban life in general, believe that we can create win-win-win environmentally safe cities along with reducing crime, creating jobs, and parks, please click on to TED where you can get access to the world’s greatest thinkers and teachers. This was a from-the-heart message from one such luminary Majora Carter: Activist for environment justice. (She is a powerful speaker.) Learn more about Majora’s organization and spread the word.

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