Posted under General on 12/15/2007
Wiley College, an HBCU in Marshall, TX is richer and better today because of the hard work and graciousness of donors like Mr. Denzel Washington, director and star of the new movie, The Great Debaters. Denzel donated $1 million dollars to Wiley College to reinvent their Debate Team that has not existed since the early 1930s and 1940′s. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Films and Harvey Weinstein, Weinstein Company, and starring Forest Whittaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whittaker it reminds me of my parents hard work as college professors and teachers of tomorrow’s leaders. It is Denzel’s best work!
“This movie is also the most powerful movie I have ever seen,” said Suzanne Mayo, CEO of Mynette Management Co. The work Mynette Management Co. did in three (3) weeks for Wiley College is a true testimony to being trained to craft your gift. I thought the movie was so powerful people would go and it would be #1 at the box office, but the $1 million that Denzel donated to Wiley College is what only God can do with hard work, determination and favor. I look forward to the future accomplishments that will come in for Wiley College. Mynette Management is proud to have been associated with this extraordinary project and for the great work to be continued as we help to develop the New Wiley College Great Debaters!
Posted under General on 12/14/2007
MARSHALL — Residents of this northeast Texas town reveled in showbiz excitement with Denzel Washington on hand to screen “The Great Debaters,” the story of Wiley College’s 1930s debate team.
“This is something to see in this little town here,” said the Rev. Charles Jereniga, who gathered with a crowd outside a movie reception at the Marshall Hotel. “Denzel is pretty popular in a little town like Marshall. It’s pretty exciting.”
On the red carpet leading to Marshal Cinema on Thursday night, Washington wore a purple Wiley baseball hat and smiled and waved at fans. At least a hundred people gathered outside the theater in this town of about 24,000 people located 140 miles east of Dallas.
“This is where it started,” Washington said. “You can feel it. These are real people. It’s a small-town story. I’ve done a few screenings of this movie, but this is the best one.”
Washington directed the film, which on Thursday was nominated for Golden Globe Award for best drama. He also stars as educator and poet Melvin Tolson, who led the all-black Wiley College debate team.
The film chronicles the story of Tolson as he helps shape a group of Wiley students into an elite debate team.
“We’re here to celebrate the accomplishment of your town,” Washington told an audience at the screening. “We’re really proud of it. We’re excited about bringing the film back home where it belongs.”
Earlier in the day, stars of the film Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whitaker held a news conference on the campus of Wiley, which has a population of about 900 students.
“We hope people see the film and get touched by it,” Smollett said. “So far, people are getting so much joy from it. That’s food for our soul.”
The debate team at Wiley has been defunct for years. Washington said he’d like to see team resurrected.
“I’m pleased as punch for these young people and people that came before us as we celebrate with this town and this school,” he said. “We’ll try to help the school and get the debate team back on its feet. It seems like the right thing to do. It’s time for another winning streak.”
[via Associated Press]
Posted under General on 12/01/2007
Mynette Management Co. has agreed to partner with the Girl Scouts Program Beyond Bars and Beta Sigma Chi Sorority to promote re-entry and unification of families among girls whose parents are incarcerated. This national program, BEYOND BARS started in 1975 in Maryland and is now operating in 27 states. In Topeka, KS, there are some 175 girls/families affected by incarceration and are actively involved in the Beyond Bars Program. This important work is now spreading into communities across America as the mothers return home and are reunited with their children. Today, some 19 college students in Beta Sigma Chi Christian Sorority are mentoring girls scouts in Troop 2038 each week and are actively involved in these young girls lives. Truly this program is ONE OF A KIND in the United States and will have positive implications for generations to come. Our Hats GO OFF: To Margaret Moore of Girl Scouts and the members of the Beta Sigma Chi Sorority. Mynette Management Co. donates $250 a month towards this important work in our community in uniting families. “I will always support this important program because it truly helps families in transition,” said Suzanne Mayo, CEO of Mynette Management Co.
Posted under General on 09/01/2007
Suzanne Mayo, CEO announced today that Mynette Management Co. had adopted McDonald #28 Elementary School in an effort to assist them in securing band instruments and books for the library. This effort is result of attending Essence Editor’s Susan Taylor’s Day of Service and Day of Presence held on August 29, 2007 commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. “Our energy will go into securing wind instruments and books for the school by their Christmas Break. Several persons from across the country have contributed and are seeking used instruments having them repaired. On December 8th, I will go to McDonald #28 Elementary and present the instruments to the students that we have collected so far. We will let the students know personally of our commitment our love, support and energy towards helping them rebuild their band program. “We have reached out Grambling State University’s Band Director, Dr. Parnell who has joined us in this effort to help McDonald #28 March in the 2008 Mardi Gras Parade,” said Suzanne Mayo, CEO. For more information, contact Suzanne Mayo or Ms. Stephanie Jordan, The Arts Director at McDonald #28 at (301)448-6264.