Look To The Stars News: Jurnee Smollett

Stars Help Young People Beat The Odds

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:30:00 +0000

The Children’s Defense Fund-California hosted its 21st Annual Beat the Odds Awards on December 1, honoring John Jimenez, Nancy Kannampuzha, Britany Lewis, Caylin Moore and Jeanette Wright, five incredible Los Angeles area high school students who “beat the odds.”

Children’s Defense Fund President Marian Wright Edelman and Hollywood’s supporters celebrated the high school “stars” for overcoming tremendous personal obstacles in order to achieve academic excellence. Awards were presented to the students by Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Elisabeth Shue, Jurnee Smollett and Rodney Peete.

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales Wins Top Audiobook Award

Thu, 27 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

LookToTheStars.org is happy to announced that Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, an audiobook that raises funds for Artists for a New South Africa, has won two Audie Awards – including the audiobook industry’s top honor, Audiobook Of The Year.

The selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela.

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales Up For Award

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) has announced three Audie finalists for the prestigious Audiobook of the Year Award and five finalists for the Distinguished Achievement in Production Award – including Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, a charity release to raise money for Artists for a New South Africa.

The selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela.

LTTS Gift Idea - Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Looking for a Christmas gift that gives back? Last year, Look to the Stars brought you a story about Nelson Mandela’s audiobook of African folktales read by your favorite stars. We have now learned that the Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) audiobook has been nominated for a Grammy!

This selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela.

Stars Record Nelson Mandela's Favorite Tales For Charity

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:00:00 +0000

In honor of Nelson Mandela, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) and Hachette Audio have produced an audiobook edition of Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, an award-winning book of stories hand-picked by the Nobel laureate.

Diverse, acclaimed performers donated their talents to the charitable endeavor by voicing stories, including: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, CCH Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker, and Alfre Woodard. Archbishop Desmond Tutu recorded a message to the world’s children, and African music legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela composed original music.

Stars Record Nelson Mandela's Favorite Stories

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0000

In honor of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday this week, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) announced plans to produce an audiobook version of Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, an award-winning book of legendary tales hand-picked by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

An array of celebrated performers are donating their talents to the charitable endeavor; those already signed on to voice stories include Gillian Anderson, America Ferrera, Whoopi Goldberg, Samuel L. Jackson, Alan Rickman, and Jurnee Smollett. Nobel laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will record a special message to the world’s children that will be featured on the audiobook.

ANSA Shakes the Blues With Stars in Los Angeles

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:42:33 +0000

On Thursday, November 15, 2007, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA) will host “Shaking The Blues,” a star-studded benefit, at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The evening combines the power of music and activism to shake off our blues – from the personal to the global – and make a difference in the world. The event will feature blues-influenced musical artists as well as a multi-cultural array of renowned entertainers who are donating their time and talents to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the US and Africa.

The event begins with a pre-show cocktail party for major donors at 6 PM. Shaking The Blues performances start at 7:45, immediately followed by a VIP after-party. Those confirmed to appear include Erykah Badu, Nikka Costa, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal Trio and The Roots, with Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson serving as the event’s musical director. Additional highlights include appearances by George Lopez, Jurnee Smollett, Blair Underwood and other special guest stars soon to be announced.

Shaking The Blues, which continues ANSA’s tradition of presenting one unique and extraordinary major fundraiser annually, is chaired by Dianna Cohen & Jackson Browne, Myrna Colley-Lee & Morgan Freeman, LaTanya Richardson Jackson & Samuel L. Jackson, Ann & George Lopez, Deborah Santana, Alfre Woodard & Roderick Spencer and Keisha Nash-Whitaker & Forest Whitaker. Host committee members include J.J. Abrams, Gillian Anderson, Johnny Clegg, Danny Glover, Dulé Hill, Quincy Jones, Norman Lear, Lebo M, Alexandra Paul, Chris Rock, Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Alice Walker, Denzel Washington and other luminaries.

AIDS Orphan Project in Running to Win $5M in American Express Contest

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:32:51 +0000

American Express Members Project, an online initiative for card-members to vote on ideas to make a positive impact in the world, announced results of elections for the Top 25 projects. Among the winners is Artists for a New South Africa’s innovative program “Help African Children Orphaned by AIDS,” the only orphan or AIDS effort in the Top 25.

ANSA’s initiative to Help African Children Orphaned by AIDS now has the chance to move into the Top 5. American Express card-members can vote online for ANSA’s project #6841 to help the charity win up to $5 million. Top 5 voting begins July 17 at 12:00 am EST and ends Sunday, July 22 at 11:50 pm EST. Card-members may vote once in each round.

ANSA’s project empowers African communities to care for orphans in their midst. South Africa has more people with HIV/AIDS and more AIDS orphans than any other country. Recognizing the magnitude of the crisis, ANSA brought together leading African AIDS and child welfare experts to develop It Takes A Village (ITV), a cost-effective method of delivering essential services to orphans. Implemented by local organizations, ITV’s pilot programs have operated successfully for three years in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa’s hardest hit province), served over 5,000 orphans, and strengthened local capacity to provide vital services. ITV provides loving care, food, clothing, counseling, legal aid, medical assistance, and other essential help to an orphan for under 50 cents a day.