Comcast welcomes two more Multicultural channels to their roster, ‘Afro’ and ‘Cleo TV’ with a celebration at the Newseum in D.C.

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Photos and article by Jovanna Reyes

On Thursday, March 14, Comcast celebrated the new media additions to their cable systems, Afrotainment’s ‘Afro’ channel and TV One’s ‘Cleo TV’. The event held in Washington D.C.’s Newseum was hosted by Comcast, represented by Keisha Boyd, Executive Director of Multicultural Products and featured Urban One founder Cathy Hughes, Urban One President and CEO, Alfred Liggins III, Michelle Rice(General Manager of Cleo TV), Yves Bollanger(CEO/founder of Afrotainment channels) and talents from both channels.

Comcast’s David Cohen, Afro Channel CEO and founder Yves Bollanger, Urban One founder Cathy Hughes, General Manager of Cleo TV Michelle Rice, Keisha Boyd, Comcast Executive Director Multicultural Products and guest.

**Urban One President and CEO, Alfred Liggins III**

**Rahsan Rahsan Lindsay, TV One EVP, Ad Sales & Marketing**

Comcast made a commitment to include ten multicultural channels as part of their 2011 acquisition of NBCUniversal. Those channels include Revolt, El Rey, with Afro and Cleo TV rounding out their fulfillment. Michelle Rice was the lead to bringing Cleo TV to fruition. Her goal was to create a channel that fully engages Black women 24/7. “Cleo will offer content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes.” Yves Bollanger shared the goal of his ‘Afro’ channel. “We are excited to showcase all shades of the Black culture…:”

Here are some of the offerings available on the ‘Afro’ and ‘Cleo TV’:

‘Cleo TV’ http://www.mycleotv.com:

Sister Circle, a live mulitplatform talk show featuring Rashan Ali, Trina Braxton, Syleena Johnson

Tough Love, NYC millenials navigating love in the city.

Lens of Culture with Tai Beauchamp

Just Eats with Chef JJ with host JJ Johnson

Chef JJ Johnson

New Soul Kitchen with Jernard Wells

Chef Wells with Cathy Hughes

Cleo Speaks with April Reign

‘Afro’ http://www.afros.tv:

Katrina Lee
Candice Cruz
Gigi Moorman
Sandy Laborde
Kaya Chihombori
Sisaundra

The Lowdown, a late night show with James Yon

POINT OF VIEW-A talk show for women hosted by Erika Washington, Kaya Chihombori, Sandy Laborde, Candice Cruz and Sisaundra.

KAYA CHIHOMBORI @KAYA_DAILYH

SANDY LABORDE @SANDYLABORDE

HSISAUNDRA @SISAUNDRA

CANDICE CRUZ @CANDICE.TALKS

Style Check-featuring Katrina Lee and CL Freeman

KATRINA LEE @STYLESBYKATRINA

CL FREEMAN @CLTHEBRAND

Information below provided by PR for Cleo TV and Afrotainment.

For more information on CLEO TV, visit CLEO TV’s YouTube Channel and check out exclusive, behind-the-scenes content on www.mycleo.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on CLEO TV’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@mycleotv) using the hashtag #CLEOTV.

About Afrotainment
Afrotainment, a Florida-based company edits, operates and distributes eight networks from its state-of-the-art film and television studios in Orlando and Queens, New York. Afrotainment channels are available in the US and Canada via cable, satellite, fiber-optic and OTT platforms. Visit www.afrotainment.us for more information.

Brandy, D.L. Hughley, Jade Novah, Elle Varner, Marvin Sapp and more celebs grace the Urban One Honors Stage to be aired on TV One in January 2019.

December 15, 2018December 15, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Cahty Hughes, the media maven behind TV One and Radio One, has done it again. She’s created another outlet that exemplifies the best of the African American community in media, music, education, politics and activism. The inaguaral Urban One Honors Awards was held in Chocolate City, Washington D.C. and sponsored by MGM National Harbor.

The event started with a robust red carpet hosted at La Vie at the Wharf, with April Ryan, Symone Sanders,Tom Joyner, Elle Varner, Jade Novah, Brandy, Ray J and the list goes on.

Brandy, Actress and Singer, was presented with the Cathy Hughes Excellence Award, while June Ambrose, stylist and resplendent in a mermaid style luxe gown, received the Fashion Icon Award. She mentioned that TV One was the first channel to air her reality show, so she felt this award was a full circle moment. Jade Novah, Comedian and Singer, was awarded the well deserved, Viral Sensation Award. She was glowing as she described her new album and how grateful she is to be in the moment and knowing that she is headed in the right direction.

Symone Sanders, pictured above with the Social Change Award recipient, Shaun King, was a presenter along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh. Ms. Pugh presented April Ryan the Media Personality of the Year Award.

Jermaine Dupri, received the Living Legend Award presented by Da Brat and Bryan Michael Cox. Mr. Cox also a music producer took the time to grace the red carpet. The hardest working man in showbiz, Rotimi, was honored with the Generation Next Award by Traci Braxton, who was gorgeous is a red fringe leather ensemble. Marvin Sapp received the Inspirational Impact award for his work as a Gospel Radio DJ and his consistent release of gospel hits.

The Urban One Honors event will be aired on TV One in January 2019 with Reach Media’s D.L. Hughley as host of the star studded, celebrity event.

All photos supplied by James DeMarco with Strategic Heights Media.

Article written by Jovanna Reyes @jovannareyesphotography

Synergy Global Forum with Sir Richard Branson, Robin Wright, Guy Kawasaki and influencers in tech, business and social media.

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

This past weekend was a tidal wave of information at the Synergy Global Forum in New York City. All the speakers, from Guy Kawasaki to Richard Branson, had a golden nugget to share on entrepreneurship and life lessons. The weekend started off with ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ author, Guy Kawasaki, an Apple enthusiast and Venture capitalist. He was followed by panel discussions and talks with top influencers, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists like Gary Vaynerchuk, Jack Welch, Robin Wright, Steve Forbes, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Malcolm Gladwell, Ray Kurzweil, Jimmy Wales, and Kimberly Guilfoyle. In other words, the functioning top ten percent that are running the world in science, tech and influence.

Richard Branson explained how he came to become such a successful and fearless CEO. He blames his mother for it. He said he had to do a lot to impress her. Most impressive fact is the future space giant, he revealed his moon jet is the only one designed with wheels for easier landing. It gives passengers the opportunity to land on earth without using a parachute and into the sea.