The Black Women Film Network Salutes Our 2010 Winners

Mo'Niqu

Mo'Nique - Mo'Nique is an award-winning comedienne whose career began 20 years ago in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. She took to the stage for the first time on a dare form her brother. The overwhelming response and standing ovation she received gave her the courage to pursue a comedy career professionally. From there, she gained visibility and immense popularity with performances on "Showtime at the Apollo," HBO's "Def Comedy Jam," "Apollo Comedy Hour" HBO's "Snaps," BET's "Comic View," The Montreal Comedy Festival and Uptown Comedy Club.

Mo'Nique credits her big break as the day she quit her job at the phone company in Baltimore to pursue her comedy dream wholeheartedly. Another pivotal career break came in 1999 when she landed a starring role as Nikki Parker on the hit UPN television series, "The Parkers." During the show's five year run, in which she starred as a single mom who attends college with her daughter, Mo'Nique earned numerous awards, including four NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series in 2001, 2002,2004 and 2005. Since then, Mo'Nique has made memorable guest appearances on shows like "The Game," "Nip/Tuck", "The View", and hosted the popular BET Awards where her opening dance performance brought down the house. Her portrayal in "Precious" has been honored as Best Suppporting Actress for the Screen Actor's Guild and Golden Globe Awards.

The thriving businesswoman recently launched a daily nationally syndicated talk show, Mo'Nique.

jasmine

Jasmine Guy - A celebrated actress, dancer, singer, producer/director, lecturer and arts and social service advocate, Jasmine Guy puts the role of mother at the top of her long list of credits. A consummate performer, Guy has distinguished herself in the industry as a true contemporary artist with her appearance on stage, screen and television. Now, she has returned to Atlanta, where she has spent the past two years on the stage, both as a performer and director. In 2008, Guy directed the 14th Street Theater production of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide WHen the Rainbow is Enuf," to rave reviews. In 2009, she starred in the True Colors Theatre Company's productions of "Blues for an Alabama Sky" and "Miss Ever's Boys," and was tapped to direct a new production of "For Colored Girls," starring Robin Givens for True Colors which, like her earlier staging of the same show, enjoyed a wonderful reception from audiences and reviewers alike. Guy also developed stars in "Raisin' Cane," a one-woman musical/spoken word stage celebration of the Harlem Renaissance. In addition, Guy is thehost of PBS' "America's Ballroom Challenge." In 2006, she was tapped by Turks & Caicos Islands Chief Minister The Honorable Michael Misick to serve as Executive Director of the 2006 Turks & Caicos International Film Festival.

Following her successful Broadway run as sexy villainess Velma Kelly in "Chicago," Guy co-starred for two seasons in the Showtime series "Dead Like Me," along with Mandy Patinkin and Ellen Muth, as well as in the video movie which was released earlier this year. In the critically acclaimed darkly humorous series Guy Played Roxy, a Grim Reaper who, in her former life was an aspiring dancer--until her untimely death. In 2004 Guy's first book was published--"Afeni Shakur; Evolution of a Revolutionary," from Atria, a division of Simon & Schuster. In 2005, Guy was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards; one as Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Dead Like Me" and the other for her book.

A proud Atlanta native, Guy attended the Northside Performing Arts High School and moved into acting and television with her star-making role as snooty co-ed Whitley Gilbert in "The Cosby Show" spin-off "A Different World."

maria

Maria Howell - Singer, Actress, and Voiceover artist, Maria Howell is best known as the choir soloist from the movie “The Color Purple”. Throughout her career, she has shared the musical stage with legendary artists like Nancy Wilson, George Benson and Ray Charles. As an actress, she has also appeared in Tyler Perry’s “Daddy’s Little Girls” and “Meet the Browns” TV show, Lifetime’s “Army Wives” and “Drop Dead Diva”. After a very successful stint in Asia, Maria relocated to Atlanta, GA and performs regularly at Sambuca Jazz Café. www.mariahowell.com and www.facebook.com/mariahowellsings

 


 

ralph

Ralph Wilcox - Is a 30 year veteran actor and has appeared in such movies as Silent Victim, The Cape, Point Man, China Moon. Among a multitude of other film television credits are In the Heat of the Night, I'll Fly Away, Sheena and Good Times.

He founded the Henny Penny Video/Television Production Company, Inc., a 501 (c-3) non-profit organization, which is a certificate program at Bainbridge College and now offered as an add-on certificate as part of Andrew College's curriculum.

He is also the executive producer/CEO of Schusters Cash, LLC, a film/video production company. Wilcox has received various awards such as the 1973 BINACA Award for Best Commercial; the Trailblazer Award in 2005 from the 100 Black Men of Albany, Georgia; and the AGAPE Community Servant Award in February 2007 which he received at the Apollo Theater in New York.

Wilcox is a lover of God, family, Country and all humanity. His goal is to make a difference in the lives of all that he may encounter in hopes of leaving this world better than he found it.

bobb

Roger Bobb - With two hit shows (House of Payne and Meet the Browns) currently on the air and eight films having been released in the last four years, all opening at #1 or #2 on their opening weekends, Tyler Perry Studios Supervising Producer Roger Bobb is without question one of the most successful producers working in the film and television industry.

Roger is the Supervising Prouducer of "Tyler Perry's House of "Payne" which premiered on TBS as the highest rated first run sitcom in basic cable history. He also is the Executive Producer of the new sitcom "Meet the Browns," which premiered on TBS as the second highest rated sitcom in basic cable history. Roger's films include "Diary of A Mad Black Woman" which grossed over 100 million dollars in theatrical and DVD sales to date. He co-produced "Madea's Family Reunion," which grossed over 30 million dollars on its opening weekend and was the #1 film for 2 consecutive weeks and has also grossed over 100 million dollars. He co-produced "Daddy's LIttle Girls," "Why DId I Get Married?", "Meet the Browns," "The Family that Preys." "Madea Goes to Jail" and the recent hit, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." Roger recently wrapped production on "Why Did I Get Married Too?," which is scheduled to be released in April 2010 and is about to start his 10th collaboration with Tyler Perry which is the film version of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide."