Valarie Pettiford's Bio Continued. . .

When Pettiford is not working in front of the camera she’s busy starring on her first love, the stage. Most recently she co-starred in BABALU, a tribute to Desi Arnaz at the 92nd Street in New York and the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami where she received glowing reviews.

Pettiford is best known for her hit television series HALF AND HALF that earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations for her role as ‘Dee Dee Thorne’. She has been seen in such films as LOVE THAT GIRL, WHY DID I GET MARRIED 2, STOMP THE YARD, GLITTER and started her career in THE COTTON CLUB and THE WIZ. She has guest starred on CRIMINAL MINDS, CSI: MIAMI, BONES, THE WEST WING and she continues to recur on Tyler Perry’s HOUSE OF PAIN.

Pettiford starred on Broadway in FOSSE, which she was nominate for a Tony Award and starred opposite the legendary Chita Rivera in CHICAGO. Other shows include SHOW BOAT, BIG DEAL, and DANCIN. She starred in Des McAnuff’s Broadway productions of THE WIZ and THE WILD PARTY, where she received Ovation nominations.

Pettiford recently completed her life-long dream of completing her album titled, HEAR MY SOUL and currently continues performing her critically acclaimed one-women show around the country. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Dawnn Lewis's Bio Continued. . .

She is on the National Advisory Board of the NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS soon to be breaking ground in Atlanta, Ga, and in the midst of her third term on the SAG National Board of Directors, while continuing to serve as Chairman of the SAG Singers Committee. Dawnn was honored with the 2008 INTEGRITY AWARD from the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival. Dawnn is often called upon to create and establish characters in successful shows in a variety of genres. She starred as “The Voice Of God” in the World Premiere Musical NORMAN’S ARK at the Ford Theatre and also starred in the World Premiere of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David musical LOVE SWEET LOVE. Prior to that she received rave reviews and the BEST ACTRESS: FRED AWARD (Lo s Angeles) and nominated for the 2007 BEST ACTRESS: SUZI AWARD (Atlanta, ALLIANCE THEATRE), for her “knock your socks off!!!” performance in the World Premiere of the Broadway hit “SISTER ACT: THE MUSICAL” as the “outrageous, Nun-On-The-Run”, Deloris Van Cartier. Last summer she re-created her spellbinding performance in Donald Welch’s star-studded cast of THE DIVORCE. Both THE DIVORCE & SISTER ACT were nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards. In 2000 she won the Best Actress NAACP Image Award for her transforming performance in THE MARRIAGE. Dawnn’s record label, Morning Jewel Music, released her successful solo CD Worth Waiting For; the title song is featured in the Disney movie THE POOF POINT soundtrack, in which she starred. She gives voice to animated characters for various TV series including THE CLEVELAND SHOW, THE LIFE OF TIM, FUTURAMA, KING OF THE HILL,THE BOONDOCKS, The X-MEN & SPIDERMAN (to name a few). Musically, she’s recorded with or composed for Everett Harp, Patrice Rushen, Vanessa Williams, Nancy Wilson, Take 6, Weyman Tisdale, Grover Washington Jr,, Quincy Jones & Tom Scott to name a few. Dawnn also finds time to teach Master Classes, mentor youth across the country, give motivational lectures and lend her support to: The United Negro College Fund; American Cancer Society; The March of Dimes; Youth Entertainment Studios; the Inner City Games; Campfire Boys and Girls; The United States Conference on AIDS; The K.I.S. Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease; The NBA/WNBA and other important causes. Look for more detailed information about Dawnn on her Web site www.DAWNNLEWIS.com

Tanika Ray's Bio Continued. . .

While Tanika developed her hosting skills for many years on shows produced for CBS Saturday Mornings, Lifetime, and Soapnet, her career really blossomed when she was appointed the New York correspondent for EXTRA!, NBC’s syndicated, nightly entertainment magazine program. She quickly became one of Gotham’s favorite entertainment journalists; even Barbara Walters couldn’t resist and invited Tanika to fill the famous “fourth chair”– not once but twice – as a guest host on ABC’s morning talkfest, THE VIEW. Tanika has also appeared as an expert panelist on shows such as CNN’s LARRY KING LIVE, CNN’s Headline News program SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, and NBC’s TODAY SHOW. Working as a daily correspondent and co‐host of EXTRA!’s nightly show for five years, she concurrently hosted EXTRA!’s WEEKEND SHOW, CW NOW, and TBS WEEKEND EXTRA!, while she was also hosting & producing EXTRA! on ESSENCE.com. In late 2009,Tanika left EXTRA! to pursue more diverse opportunities.

Since then, she has spread her wings as the host of two different but highly‐charged reunion specials for popular VH1 reality shows, FOR THE LOVE OF RAY J, Season 2 and BASKETBALL WIVES, Season 1. She also hosted two three‐hour, live red carpet specials for the TV Guide Network in 2010 – The OSCAR Countdown and The EMMY Countdown – and has become the go‐to host for their Big Movie Premiere franchise taking the reins of three one‐hour movie specials recapping and celebrating the films PRECIOUS, SEX AND THE CITY 2, AND EAT PRAY LOVE. 2010 hit a high note for Tanika when she was invited to appear on NBC's TODAY SHOW and the CBS EARLY SHOW as an expert contributor on pop culture. In February 2012, she hosted the live, global stream red carpets for Tyler Perry’s GOOD DEEDS film premiere and for the ESSENCE 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Tanika is also often called upon to host and emcee fundraisers, benefit concerts and diverse special events. For the past two years, she has been honored to host the annual gala of BRAG (Black Retail Action Group) in New York. She also presided over the Village Care of New York’s “Tulips and Pansies Headdress Affair” which raises money for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, Tanika is involved with supporting The Jenesse Center, a domestic violence intervention program.

Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Los Angeles, Tanika was 7 when she knew she would thrive in the entertainment industry. Inspired by Alvin Ailey and Debbie Allen, she began her career as a dancer where she performed with top music stars like Will Smith, Aaliyah, and Brandy, later landed plum acting roles on shows like NYPD BLUE & LIVING SINGLE and then found her talent in hosting. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelors degree in Theater Arts from Spelman College in Atlanta and studied theater at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Tanika is dedicated to inspiring young women to live their dreams and follow their passions. Vibrant and energetic, she's a free spirit who loves the adventure life has to offer and always continues to seek new challenges.