My name is Gwendolyn Burris Powell, I recently moved back to Atlanta in November.   I had lived in Atlanta for 10 years as a single mother raising 4 boys and 1 girl before I became sick and had to relocate back to Chicago to be near family for their support.  I always had the desire to return to Atlanta but shortly after arriving back in Chicago I was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease.  Polycystic kidney diseases is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. This disease resulted in me having both my kidney removed and requiring me to have kidney dialysis three times a week. While living in Chicago one of my doctors told me that I would have a better chance of getting the kidney transplant I need in Atlanta.  So I contacted the Emory Kidney Transplant Center and they confirmed what I had been told.  That was the only confirmation I needed to make my pilgrim back to Atlanta.  So I saved enough money to move and trust in the Lord in for the rest.    One day I was at the Emory Dialysis Center located in Greenbriar Mall when I heard that there was an event outside.   While I waited for my transportation company to pick me up after my treatment I decided to walk outside to see what was happening.  I found out that Foundation Focus was presenting the IV Thanksgiving Carnival hosted by Polow da Don, Ludacris and Big Boi.   I met Ms. Mary Welsh a volunteer from Focus Foundation.  I told her I needed furniture and my main concern was a bed to sleep in.    She took my name and number and within two day Ms. Welsh called me and told me she had a bed.  They even delivered the bed and set it up in the bedroom.  I know it wasn’t easy getting it up to the 2nd floor.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank  Mr. and Mrs. Welsh and Foundation Focus for my king size bed that I now sleep in and for the Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey, collard greens, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce, a complete meal.  There are still good people in the world doing great things and I thank you!

Thanks again and may God continue to bless you so you can continue to blessing others,

Gwen Burris-Powell

Timothy Bloom is as talented as he is good looking — and that’s saying something. Charming as this combination may be, Bloom manages to remain humble. Raised in his father’s church in Fayetteville, N.C., his musical style is influenced by the gospel music he was immersed in as a child, and rock’s secular greats — including Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye and Jimi Hendrix – whom he discovered during a period of adolescent rebellion. The result of this amalgamation of influences is a sound that you’d be hard-pressed to define with traditional genre labels.

The multi-talented musician admittedly feels “naked” on stage without his guitar, but had no problem stripping down to his birthday suit and showing off his ripped body in a beautifully simple video for his single, ‘Til the End of Time’ featuring V. Bozeman. As the video generates buzz for Bloom and his debut album, ‘Life Without Music,’ set for a June 2011 release, he is no industry newbie. He released the EP, ‘The Budding Rose,’ earlier this month, won a Grammy for Ne-Yo‘s ‘Say It,’ and already has collaborations with the legendary Smokey Robinson and a production cred on Chris Brown‘s new album ‘F.A.M.E.’ under his belt. A seasoned vet, it’s now Bloom’s solo career that deserves the limelight.

Read the rest of the AOL interview here.

Atlanta, GA (November 24, 2010)- Last night, Atlanta bred super-producer Polow da Don and co-founder of Foundation F.O.C.U.S. along with Mia A. Welsh, (General Manager of Zone 4, Inc. and co-founder of Foundation F.O.C.U.S.) hosted what could easily be billed as the most talked about community event of the Atlanta holiday season. The 4^th Annual Thanksgiving Carnival and Turkey Giveaway has established itself as a mainstay in the Atlanta community and is supported by the entertainment and political communities alike. The official hosts of the evening were Atlanta natives Big Boi from Outkast and Ludacris. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed presented Polow da Don with the prestigious Phoenix Award, an honor set aside for community leaders who are working diligently to make Atlanta a better place. Alongside Mayor Reed were Councilman Kwanza Hall (District 2) and Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms (District 11).

Neither torrential rain nor cold weather could keep thousands from attending this year’s event, which took place at Southwest Atlanta’s historic Greenbriar Mall.  Greenbriar Mall is Atlanta’s oldest shopping mall and is nestled in the heart of Polow’s hometown Southwest Atlanta neighborhood. Participants enjoyed free amusement rides, games, food and over 1,000 turkeys were given away to attendees.  Through a partnership with Ludacris’ imprints, DTP and The Ludacris Foundation, vegetables such as yams and collards were added to each turkey given away.

This year’s event was a huge global success and featured performances and appearances by Big Boi, Ludacris, Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane, Bow Wow, Lloyd, Keri Hilson and Chris Brown. Mia Welsh states; “Thanks to our sponsor Everywhere, we took the carnival to another level this year. We went Super Global!  We partnered with UStream and had Brazil, Nigeria, London, France, England, Mexico, Ireland and Spain all watching the concert simultaneously.  #Zone4 was one of Twitter’s leading trending topics yesterday and garnered 17,000 total views with our live feed on UStream.  We are humbled by the outpour of love and support shown by our city and everyone around the world.”

“This is why I work so hard, it’s a dream to be able to give back to my family and the community that I came from,” stated Polow. The carnival ended with a firework show surprising everyone, including Polow. “My staff surprised me with the fireworks, it was a perfect ending for the way I feel about this year’s carnival. It’s all a dream to me.”

Sponsors of the event include: Beats by Dre, Everywhere, UStream, Pyrotechnics, Greenbriar Mall, Interscope Records, The Ludacris Foundation, Disturbing Tha Peace, JJ’s Rib Shack, Miller Coors, Enterprise Rentals and Atlanta Audio Visual.

For Media Inquiries:

APRIL LOVE
770-374-6288
ApRIL@ASKAPRILLOVE.COM

Melanie mitchell
404-403-2315
MELANIE@ASKAPRILLOVE.com

Enter for a chance to perform for Polow as the “Opening Act” live on the S.W.A.T.S. Soundstage

Registration Online: www.zone4inc.com/unplugged &  at the “I Keep It Classic” Showcase

When & Where:

Each & Every Tuesday at the M Bar 257 Peters St. Atlanta, GA 30318

Dates: November 2nd, 9th, 16th

Submission Requirements: Create profile by uploading Performance, Demo, (no longer than 5 mins) Photo and Brief Bio/Description

Registration Fee: $20

-After profile is created contestants are encouraged to increase their visibility by getting people to vote

-Contestants will be judged based on the online submission and criteria including votes.

-Four finalist will be selected to perform at the UNPLUGGED Grand Finale Sunday, November 21st @ Club Opera 1150 Crescent Ave., Atlanta GA 30309

-Winner receives grand prizes an opportunity of a lifetime to perform on stage for Polow da Don and open up for National Recording Artist

-Other Grand Prizes Include: Beats by Dre Headphones, Photo Shoot, Magazine Feature and More!!!

*All contestants must create a profile even those who sign up to perform at the weekly ” I Keep It Classic” Showcase

For More Information Log On to zone4inc.com/unplugged

The whos who of urban music was represented last Thursday night as the 9th Annual BMI Urban Awards took place at the esteemed Fredrick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz, at the Lincoln Center in the heart of New York City. Super-producer Polow da Don was awarded for his work on Marios, Crying Out For Me, and Ushers number one single, Love In This Club, in addition to receiving the ultimate honor of BMIs Producer of the Year for 2009.

In previous years, Polow has been awarded for his success on hits such as Rich Boy’s “Throw Some D’s,” Ciara’s “Promise,” Fergie’s “London Bridge,” and Chris Brown’s “Forever,” as well as his most notable honors with BMI; being named Pop Songwriter of the Year for two consecutive years.

The evening began with the intimate BMI and Coca-Cola #1 pre-award show hosted by Letoya Luckett and Adrienne Bailon where BMI-affiliated writers and artists were acknowledged for reaching #1 on the Billboard charts.  Keri Hilson, who is signed to Polow’s Zone 4, Inc., received an award for her hit single “Knock You Down” which features Ne-Yo and Kanye West, who was also named BMI’s Producer of the Year. The pre-award show featured performances by Keri Hilson, Mario and Sean Garrett.

The 9th annual awards ceremony was hosted by BMI President/CEO, Del Bryant, and Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations, Catherine Brewton. The show opened with performances from Rick Ross followed by Plies, Bobby Valentino and an all-star tribute to George Clinton performed by artists such as Big Boi, Dallas Austin, Cee-Lo, Janelle Monae and Bootsy Collins.

Recently, Polow has been preparing the release of Lebron James’ “More Than A Game” soundtrack which features his newest addition to the Zone 4, Inc. lineup, Ester Dean. The first two singles from the soundtrack are Mary J. Blige’s “Stronger” which was written by Dean, as well as “Drop It Low” which is both written and performed by Dean.  Dean has already written for artists such as T.I., Pussycat Dolls, Keyshia Cole and Keri Hilson. However, “Drop It Low” marks Dean’s debut as an artist under Zone 4, Inc./Interscope Records.

Alongside his musical success, Polow is also giving back to the communities that raised him. He is currently preparing for his 3rd annual Thanksgiving Carnival in Atlanta’s Zone 4, which will be held on Tuesday, November 24th under his newly founded youth driven non-profit organization, Foundation F.O.C.U.S. (Focusing On Completion Until Successful).

For more information, please visit www.zone4inc.com and www.foundationfocus.org

Website: http://www.foundationfocus.org
Contact: Mia A. Welsh, General Manager
Phone: 404.941.7369

Tuesday, November 23
Greenbriar Mall – Macy’s Parking Lot
4-10pm

Submissions begin: Wednesday, November 3

For complete rules, visit: http://www.foundationfocus.org/polow-da-don-free-rent.cfm

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