D. L. Hughley to Host 12th Annual NAMIC Vision Awards

D. L. Hughley to Host 12th Annual NAMIC Vision Awards

Turner Broadcasting System, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Kyle Bowser 2006 Honorees

LOS ANGELES, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Comedian D. L. Hughley is confirmed to host the 12th Annual NAMIC Vision Awards, executive producer, Gina M. Holland, CEO, Ruby Red, Inc. announced today. Scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California, the NAMIC Vision Awards is the only program of its kind, honoring the cable industry's achievements in creating quality, original programming targeted to multi-ethnic audiences. "D. L. is not only one of the best comics on the scene, he is the ultimate entertainer," said Holland, "We are mounting a high-energy show that will be marked by memorable moments, and we are excited that D.L. will be the driving force behind that effort."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060330/NYTH177 )

One of "The Original Kings of Comedy," Hughley has made numerous television and film appearances including hosting the late night talk show, "Weekends at the DL." Next up, Hughley will play "Simon Stiles" in the Aaron Sorkin pilot, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." Set behind-the-scenes of a fictional broadcasting network's sketch comedy show, the comedic drama is anticipated for NBC's Fall schedule. Additionally, Notes from the GED Section, Hughley's comedy CD, was recently released on Comedy Central Records. Hughley commented: "They have vision, I have vision, so this should make for a GREAT night!"

A record thirty networks are vying for NAMIC Vision Awards, which are presented in 11 programming categories. "The record number of nominated networks is indicative of the industry's resolute commitment to creating original content that positively reflects the diverse interests of its viewers," said Manish Jha, president, NAMIC, Inc., and senior vice president and general manager, Mobile ESPN. MTV Networks leads the distinguished group of networks with 8 nominations. BET, HBO and Zee TV each received 4, while Showtime and TNT garnered 3 a piece to round out the top 5 nominated networks. Presenters for the 12th Annual NAMIC Vision Awards confirmed to date include: Obba Babatunde, Irene Bedard, Robert Gossett, Ernie Hudson, Kyle Massey, Zahn McClarnon, Carlos Mencia, Cesar Milan, Shelley Morrison, Arthel Neville, Gina Ravera, Corey Reynolds, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Kym Whitley. Emmy award winning casting director and producer, Robi Reed of Robi Reed Entertainment is this year's Honorary Chair.

In addition to highlighting the best in multicultural, original content in the programming categories, the evening's most coveted honors, the North Star, Quasar and Legacy awards will also be presented. Presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrating a long-standing commitment to promoting ethnic and cultural diversity, Tony Award winning actor-writer-producer, Ruben Santiago-Hudson is this year's North Star Award recipient. A native of Lackawanna, New York, Santiago-Hudson is the writer-producer of the critically acclaimed and award-winning HBO original movie "Lackawanna Blues." Derived from Santiago-Hudson's one man show of the same name where he portrays over 20 characters from his past, "Lackawanna Blues" is up for a NAMIC Vision Award for Best Drama.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. will receive the Quasar Award, which is presented to entities working in the cable and telecommunications arena for their achievements in advancing the cause of diversity in the past year. DiversityInc ranked Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. at #2 on the magazine's 2005 Top 50 Company's for Diversity list. With 250 companies participating in 2006, the Top 50 rankings set the national standard for corporate diversity management in the four areas measured: Human Capital, CEO Commitment, Corporate Communications and Supplier Diversity. Veteran television and film writer-producer, Kyle Bowser is the 2006 Legacy Award recipient. Bowser founded the NAMIC Vision Awards in 1994, during his tenure as Director of Creative Affairs for HBO Independent Productions. The Legacy Award pays homage to a trailblazing individual or body of work that has made an indelible impact on the diversity landscape.

Warner Bros. is the lead sponsor of the 2006 Vision Awards. NAMIC's Annual Corporate Sponsors include Comcast, MTV Networks, Disney & ESPN Media Networks, Lifetime Entertainment Services, Time Warner Cable, Turner Broadcasting System, Cox Communications, HBO, Showtime Networks Inc., Advance Newhouse Communications & Brighthouse House Networks, A&E Television, AZN Television, BET, Discovery Communications, Fox Cable Group, Scripps Networks, Starz Entertainment Group and The Weather Channel.

For more information on the 12th Annual NAMIC Vision Awards, log onto http://www.namic.com/. The 12th Annual NAMIC Vision Awards are presented in partnership by the NAMIC Foundation and NAMIC - Southern California.

About NAMIC

NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications) is the premier organization focusing on ethnic diversity in the communications industry. Founded in 1980 as a nonprofit trade association, today NAMIC is comprised of nearly 2,000 professionals belonging to a network of chapters nationwide. Through initiatives that focus on education, advocacy and empowerment, NAMIC champions equity and inclusion on the workforce, with special attention given to ensuring that the leadership cadres of our nation's communications industry giants reflect the multi-ethnic richness of the populations they serve.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060330/NYTH177
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Source: NAMIC

CONTACT: Charmaine Chapman of BTB Communications, +1-310-242-9407, or
mobile: +1-310-902-8617, char@btbcommunications.com, for NAMIC

Web site: http://www.namic.com/

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