Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 November 2003 — Page 22

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2003

Fans are raving about' the multi talented Raven Symone

Electronic Urban Report Haven Symnne was the little tyke who took the reigns as the adorable star on “The Cosby Show” just when Keislia Kni^htI’nllmansebaraeter. Rudy, bcj$an to blossom. And if you’ve been following Haven's eareer, you know that the now grown-up aetress is starring on her ow n show on the Disney Channel, “That’s So Haven. ” The show is one of the highest rated on the mouse network, but her popularity w ith the pre-teen/ early teen set doesn’t stop there. She reeently starred in the Disney Channel movie "Cheetah Curls,” which is so popular on the channel that insiders are whispering about a follow-up. “I'm very proud to be a part of something that is one of the hottest movies on the Disney Channel right now,” Raven said. "I had a fun time working on it and I think it showed. I think fans enjoyed it as well.” Raven fans were not surprised about her comedic range on the set, but her performance skills opened their eyes to yet another talent. “The Cheetah Curls” follows a band of singing friends. So could a real live tour be far behind? Way behind. Haven tells us. “I think the Cheetah Curls are going to just be on the screen. None of the touring thing or anything like that,” she assured. Hut as for a big screen, that is a possibility, she says. “There might be (a movie). It's doing pretty good so we re looking at it. Nothing is in the plan or anything, but I could’ve seen it on the big screen. If w e do do a second one... we ll see w hat happens with the second one." Next up for the starlet, she’ll get to sparkle on the big screen for the remake of "Sparkle." The actress is preparing to take the starring role in the remake of the 197b musical flick. "Deborah Martin Chase and

my father are executive producing the movie," Raven revealed. “Warner Bros, tried to remake it and Chase thought I should be a part of it and Whitney Houston, too, and that’s how it kind of came about." Raven has not actually seen the original film. She says she’s holding out on doing her research. "I'm going to wait for my leeway into the movie and then I’m going to start doing my Sparkle’ research. Right now I’m trying to stay focused on That's So Raven.”' That’s So Raven ” is in its second season right now, and is expected to wrap up at the end of the year. Then the show is signed up for just one more season - for now. But Raven has no worries about growing out of her role as a teen on the hit show. “As'long as I can put my hair in pigtails, I can play it because I'm short. I’m 17 (she turns 18 this month), but if they want me to play someone IB or 14,1 can play that.” That’s no surprise to her dad and long time supporter. He chimed in on some of the other

projects the young actress is doing. “All American Girl' is coming out on Disney Films where Raven saves the president and becomes a nat i< >nal hero,”he added. “So we’ve got a lot of exciting things coming through. Raven's been around for lb years in this business and very fortunate to work all these years. Her time is coming. ” I lesaid that he’s worked closely with Chaseand feels that the partnership has been quite successful. "It was a Warner Bros, picture,” he explained, “and it had been floating around. It was slated for Aaliyah, but you know unfortunately she died.” It’s obvious how the project moved from casting the late Aaliyah Houghton, but what of the stories about "Sparkle” going to R&B singer Ashanti? "I hadn't heard anything about that,” he confessed. “I don’t’ make comments on speculation, it has no meaning. To be honest with you, 1 really don’t know. I don’t know what the thing was with Ashanti and Ja Rule.”

Black legends honored af Kennedy Center

From NNPA WASHINGTON - Ray Charles, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dec, Dick Gregory, Jimmy Heath, Geoffrey Holder and Odetta were recently celebrated for their achievements in the arts and contributions to society by the National Visionary leadership Project (NVLP) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event was hosted by Phylicia Rashad and featured tribute performances by distinguished younger artists who are continuing the legacy of the elders. The co-founders of the NVLP are Dr. Camille O. Cosby and Renee Poussaint. Actor/hip-hop artist Mos Del’sang a new composition in honor of Dick Gregory, who was saluted for his pioneering comedy and lifetime of social activism. Odetta, the legendary folksinger of protest and spirituals credited as an inspiration to Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin and countless others, including Grammy Award-winning songwriter/singer Tracy Chapman, who performed in her honor. World renowned dancer/ choreographer Desmond Richardson offered a solo work in tribute to dancer/ choreographer/actor/painter/ designer Geoffrey Holder known best for being the voice of “Uncola” and a James Bond villain. Ray Charles’ protege Ellis

Renee Poussaint (left) and Camille Cosby

Hall, recently featured singing in “Catch Me if You Can,” gave a stirring rendition of “You Don’t Know Me.” Because of health reasons, Ray Charles was unable to attend. His manager, Charles Adams accepted the award on his behalf. Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis introduced an explosive performance by their favorite young actor, Daniel Beaty, most recently seen on HBO’s Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry. Earlier in the day, the first Intergenerational Summit on the State of Black America w as held at the Library of Congress. Participants in this unprecedented panel discussion

included former U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke; Card is*. Collins, former U.S. representative from Illinois; David Dinkins, former mayor of New York; civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy Height and Dr. John Hope Franklin, historian and educator. All five were also presented with NVLP Visionary Leadership Awards for their contributions. Two students from NVLP’s college fellowship program, Kenny Pardovia.' turn Nyack College and Safiya Morgan from Howard University also sat on the panel. Award-vrinning broadcast journalist Bernard Shaw served as moderator.

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