Morris Chestnut – Right & Responsibility of Citizenship

Speak Easy Speaker Morris Chestnut

Commentary Featured in The Afro Newspaper: Read Full Commentary.

One of the fundamental building blocks of a vibrant democracy is the freedom for men and women to cast their vote and elect their leaders. On the eve of one of the most divisive and important elections of my lifetime, I can think of no better time to point out the fact that 5.6 million American citizens of voting age have been disenfranchised. They have absolutely no say in electing the men and women who will ultimately make decisions that impact every aspect of their lives.

Read Full Commentary.

Alex O. Ellis Leads Personal Branding Workshop

Sep 15, 2011 – On Saturday, September 17, 2011, Alex O. Ellis will lead a branding and image workshop at the Roadtrip Conference, The Miseducation of the Black GreekTM. Hundreds of college students from across the nation will attend the two-day conference being held at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Ellis an authority on style and personal branding will address the issue of image as it relates to the stereotypes that minorities face on a daily basis. His engaging and interactive style of presenting empowers students to better serve their families, campus community and most of all themselves.

What: Workshop Session – The Power of Image: Go From Being Seen To Being Remembered ™
The following questions will be answered:
• Why is image important to one’s success, particularly as a minority?
• What important wardrobe pieces can be acquired on a tight college budget?
• How will my image determine my future professional opportunities?

Who: Alex O. Ellis, CEO and Founder of Simply Ellis

When: Saturday, September 17, 2011; 10:40am – 12:00pm

Where: Howard University – Blackburn Auditorium

Registration Details: Call 202.321.6132

# # #AlexOEllis

Two D.C. Firms Join Forces Launch a New National Speakers Bureau

Bass Public Affairs and Terk Entertainment Group use entertainment industry and political connections to promote real talk.

WASHINGTON, DC – September 20, 2011 –Terk Entertainment Group and Bass Public Affairs (BPA) both firms located in the Washington, DC Metro area announced a joint venture – the launch of Speak Easy Speakers Bureau. The bureau is determined to give organizations a fresh alternative to the standard fare in public speaking.

“Discourse in the U.S. has become polarizing and unconstructive. Speak Easy is founded on the very premise that real conversations will increase the market place of ideas and make us all better,” said Deana Bass a Partner with Bass Public Affairs.

Tarek “Terk” Stevens who is a 20-year veteran of the entertainment industry is just the person to infuse energy into the public speaking world. “I have been blessed to work with some of Hollywood’s hottest stars,” said Stevens, “I’ve gotten to know them when the camera’s aren’t rolling and the conversations are raw, real and inspiring. Those are the types of conversations that we want to promote with speak easy.”

Dee-Dee Bass-Francis and Deana Bass are sisters and partners at Bass Public Affairs. “Launching Speak Easy was a natural extension of what we do every day,” said Dee-Dee Bass Francis. “In our roles as public affairs consultants, we help our clients communicate daily with diverse populations. We have witnessed first hand the power of ‘real talk’ that is sometimes shocking and uncomfortable, but always engaging and inspiring.”

The partners believe that professional motivational speakers often miss the mark on creating engaging life altering exchanges. For this reason, Speak Easy Speakers are not professional motivational speakers. They are engaging speakers who come to the bureau because they have developed valuable insights from living full and unique lives.

The divers roster of speakers includes
• Lamman Rucker star of Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns the series and the Why Did I Get Married franchise. Rucker also an Entrepreneur is co-creator of the skin care line forplai.
• Denise Woods a Julliard trained voice and speech coach who has trained the voices of Hollywood’s A-listers such as Will Smith, Rachel Wiecz, Holly Hunter and Mike Myers.
• Former Congressman Ron Dellums a self-described peace-nick who found himself Chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee.