Charles “Chuck” Hicks is the founder and director of the DC Black History (https://dcblackhistory.com/) Celebration Committee which celebrates black history year-round.  He is a community activist focusing on issues that directly affect the community. Hicks serves on several Martin Luther King Jr. committees providing guidance, leadership and support.  His work includes serving on the executive committee of the Martin Luther King Jr. DC Support Group, Inc.and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Award Committee. Hicks co-chaired the DC Host Committee for the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.  He was co-chair of the DC Host Committee for the opening of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. Hicks is also a member of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Hicks is also a member of the DC Commission on Aging and the newly appointed DC Commission on African American Affairs.  He also serves on the Commission on Black Men and Boys under the purview of the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton. He is also a devout member and trustee at Greater New Hope Baptist Church in Ward 1. Hick co-hosts with Joni Eisenberg the “Heal DC” radio broadcast on WPFW 89.3 FM. His service to the community also included work as the coordinator of labor for the District of Columbia for the Million Man March in 1995. Hicks was also a member of the 50^th Anniversary of the March on Washington Committee. He is the president of the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation which advocates for human and civil rights. 

Hicks is also a proud member of the NAACP.  He is also well known for providing 35 years of service to the DCPublic Library’s Black Studies Center. Hicks is a supporter and advocate of the African American Civil War Memorial &Museum. He is also founder of Bread-for-the-Soul Toy & Book Party – an HIV and AIDS organization which provides toys and books for Christmas to children whose parents have HIV/AIDS and to children who are diagnosed with HIV.

He is the former president of the AFSME District Council 20 and is a current member of the retirement chapter.Hicks continues his work as a member of the DC Democratic State Committee and is a dedicated member of two organizations that advocate for statehood for the District of Columbia – Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC) and DC for Democracy. Hicks is a member of the Waterside Tenants Association where he advocates for tenants’ rights and information transparency.  He is widely recognized for his support for the arts and community programming. Hicks is also an active member of several study groups.



Chuck recently received the 2017 Community Cornerstone Award from DC Councilmember Anita Bonds.

P   A   T

V   E   G   A   S

BASSIST, SONGWRITER,AUTHOR AND

CO-FOUNDER

OF

LEGENDARY NATIVE AMERICAN ROCK GROUP

R   E   D   B   O   N   E

According to co-founder,bassist,singer and songwriter Pat Vegas, it was Jimi Hendrix who talked the musicians into forming an all-Native American rock group. Vegas told Record Collector writer Jeremy Isaac, "Hendrix was a friend of ours.... and he was half Indian. Once he knew that we were Indian too he used to come and hang with us because of that. Jimi made me aware of my roots: He'd say, 'Native American is beautiful, man, be proud of that.'"

Redbone's story is interesting from more than one point of view. The band itself of course, who had a great career, with ups and downs. The fact that the musicians were all native Americans from different origins (Cherokee, Yaquis, Apaches and Shoshones...). Their political implication and the fact there were censored that shows a very interesting political and social background of the US nation. All this plus the fact that they produced a unique, powerful and soulful music!

The name Redbone itself is a Cajun term for a mixed-race person ("half-breed"), the band's members being of mixed blood ancestry. The band referenced Cajun and New Orleans culture many times in their lyrics and performing style.

The mid-seventies were the period of big success, not only in the USA but even more in Europe and especially in the Netherlands. Maggie, The Witch Queen of New Orleans, Come and Get your Love, Wounded Knee and even Suzy Girl were big hits in many European countries, some reaching Number One. This led the band to tour and play almost non-stop during this period.

They shared the stage at various times with Dr. Hook, Albert Hammond, and others. Highlights on U.S. tours include playing at Carnegie Hall in New York with Argent and Kiss, opening for Marvin Gaye at the Forum in Inglewood, California, sharing the bill with Parliament Funkadelic in Philadelphia, and playing with Steely Dan at the Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Pat Vegas has continued to write music over the years. Some tunes had been recorded since 1980, with Lolly of course, but also with Tony bellamy for some songs. Finally, in 2005 Pat puts this work out on a new CD called One World. It was released in 2005 by a small independent record company. It was reedited in 2009 and retitled as Peace Pipe. At the same period Pat Vegas recreates the band with new musicians. They tour mainly in the west of the United States since.

Redbone was inducted into the Native American Music Association Hall of Fame in 2008, as well as the New York Smithsonian in 2013.

In 2014, "Come And Get Your Love" experienced a resurgence in popularity – and has been thoroughly embraced by a new generation - when it was featured in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy as the very first, and many say most important song, on a mixtape made for the film’s hero, Peter Quill- “Starlord” It was also included on the film's soundtrack album, which reached the Number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, where it remains.  When released as a single in 1974  it went certified Gold, selling well over one million copies, and it is a song that just does not fade away-- there have been over one hundred million hits on YouTube alone.

Since 2015 "Come And Get Your Love" has been used as the theme song for Netflix produced cartoon series “F is for Family” and the TV series “Big Shrimpin”.

Joel Franco tells compelling stories with an elegant voice, a crisp Italian sensibility and beautiful pictures. Franco’s experience, vision and intensity bring leadership, heart, and an eye for detail to his films. His understanding of the human condition and his passion for authenticity combine to create artistic, highly commercial works that draw the audience in and make them feel. Franco’s genuine desire to protect the integrity of each story and to bring out the best in the actors and crew have made him a trusted source for getting the job done. Colleagues trust his refreshing character and understand that he is a man of commitment and does what he says he will do, when he says he will do it.



Joel Franco was born in Italy and came to the United States in his late teens where he quickly immersed himself in American culture and film. According to Franco, “I have always admired American films. The American school of acting has a long history of producing great actors and I wanted to be a part of the world of film–a place where captivating stories are unveiled. The creation of film plays into my strengths: I love that magic is the result of the creative process. There must be passion to nurture the momentum of the story. And one must have intense focus to get the job done.” 



Influenced by American filmmaker Sidney Lumet for his vigorous storytelling and Italian director Robert Rossellini for his social realism, Franco is dedicated to staying true to the story in a fast paced, realistic and refined style. 



In 2006, Franco partnered with Solidaris LLC to found Chesapeake Films, LLC. Chesapeake Films has option agreements to produce several feature films and plans to produce two features per year in-house and to collaborate with established film companies for additional opportunities.



Joel Franco is a graduate of University of Maryland/Baltimore, a graduate of the USC-Universal Producing and Directing Program, and holds an M.F.A. in film production from the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

joelfranco@youthsports-themovie.com

I first experienced The Exercise Coach’s patented Smart 20 minute workout during my senior year at Trinity International University. A family member of mine talked me into trying out two free sessions to experience the workout. As a member of the Basketball team for Trinity, I couldn’t believe how effective 20 minutes of exercise could be! I began an internship with the Exercise Coach at their Corporate Headquarters in Lake Zurich. I also became Trinity’s strength and conditioning coach during my senior year, in which our team made it to the elite 8, set a school record for most wins and most importantly for me, had no missed games by any players due to injury! Towards the end of my internship and my time at Trinity, the opportunity developed to be part of The Exercise Coach here in Naperville. I graduated from Trinity with a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Wellness Management with a minor as a fitness specialist and a minor in business. Being able to help people achieve their personal goals and seeing first hand their quality of life improve because of increased energy levels, reduction of chronic conditions and many other ways that The Exercise Coach impacts people’s lives has proven to be one of my most rewarding experiences ever!

Mary Rodwell is the Founder of ACERN - Australian Close Encounters Research Network.  Mary is a co-founder of the Dr. Edgar Mitchell Foundation for Research into Extraterrestrial Encounters, or FREE.  Mary is a nurse, hypnotherapist and professional counselor who started explorations into ET experiences due to the "strange happenings" in the lives of her clients.  Her research has guided her to write about our "cosmic heritage" and the "new kids".