JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER

Diahann appeared at Lincoln Center on the evening of November 16, 2009 along with Wynton Marsalis and Michael Feinstein; in the annual "Jazz at Lincoln Center" Fundraiser.  For more information, please visit www.jazzatlincolncenter.org.

THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW

Watch for Diahann to be a guest on the MY network talk show on Friday, November, 13, 2009.

National Abolition Hall of Fame Presents
the Documentary Film
Over the River...Life of Lydia Maria Child, Abolitionist for Freedom
at Colgate University

Celebrated filmmaker and author Constance L. Jackson's well-regarded documentary, Over the River...Life of Lydia Maria Child, Abolitionist for Freedom premiered in upstate New York at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Ho Science Center at Colgate University. This event was sponsored by the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (www.abolitionhof.org). The screening commemorate the life and death of prominent 19th century female abolitionist Lydia Maria Child (February 11, 1802 - October 20, 1880), who in 1833 wrote the very first cutting-edge book on immediately abolishing slavery in America, An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans. Mrs. Child was a prolific writer, writing many of the first books in America on life-changing social issues that are still engrained in our society today. She was also the editor of Harriet Jacobs' slave narrative, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Today Mrs. Child is best known for her Thanksgiving Day poem turned song, "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go."

Jackson's film, Over the River..., narrated by notable actress Ms. Diahann Carroll, shows Child's unwavering commitment to Indian Rights and Black suffrage. Child, coined "The First Woman in the Republic" by the great 19th century abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, was also the bridge to the women's suffrage movement. Written in 1835, her groundbreaking book, History of the Condition of Women helped set the course for women's rights.

Filmmaker and author Constance L. Jackson was instrumental in getting Mrs. Child inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York in 2001. In a personal letter of appreciation to Ms. Jackson, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed her gratitude to Ms. Jackson for sharing Child's life with her and the world via the Over the River... book and film.

On Friday, October 23, Ms. Jackson will discuss "Becoming Agents of Change: Then and Now" at the Center for Women's Studies Lounge on the Colgate campus from 1:30 to 3 p.m., in the East Hall located at 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, New York.

updated information about the Over the River, DVD and book, please visit www.OverTheRiverMovie.com

Breast Cancer Examined: An African American Perspective
A New National Cable-TV Special About Breast Cancer

In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, TV One premiered "Breast Cancer Examined: An African American Perspective," a one-hour original special promoting early detection and treatment on Sunday (Oct. 11, 2009) at 7 p.m.  The documentary, produced as part of a collaboration with Susan G. Komen for the Cure (www.komen.org), focuses on the organization’s African American breast cancer initiative, “Circle of Promise.”  The show travels from Washington DC to Dallas to Los Angeles, probing into the areas of prevention, detection, treatment and empowerment for survivors, their families and friends. 

Its focus is promoting early detection by dispelling myths and fears that disproportionately discourage African-American women from seeking checkups and treatment. A few celebrities are included in the story -- actress Diahann Carroll among them -- but "Breast Cancer Examined" is built around the personal stories of regular women who've survived, or are still undergoing treatment for, the disease. "We learned early on, in reading and talking to people, that there were so many myths and fears in our community, " producer Jamie Balthazar said. "We felt like showing these women, who are dealing with the disease and saying, 'Look, I had fear, but I had to overcome my fear. I have children, a husband. I had to overcome my fear. We can all overcome the fear.' "What we learned from researchers is that overall, African-American statistics have worsened, and it's a growing epidemic in our community. We're not going to the doctor."

Balthazar said it is atypical for African-American women to share personal health information -- even with loved ones, no less for TV. "African-American women tend to not want to divulge that part of their lives, " she said. "In our community, it's just not talked about enough." One African-American woman didn't hesitate to talk when asked.

Diahann Carroll -- an iconic figure for being the first African-American actress to star in her own TV series, 1968's "Julia" -- is a breast cancer survivor. "She immediately responded, 'What can I do? I will tell my story. If this helps one woman, I'm more than happy to do it, ' " Balthazar said.

The 519 Church Street Community Center Benefit

Diahann appeared at The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto Canada on the evening of March 21, 2009 in a benefit performance for “The 519 Church Street Community Center”. For more information, please visit them online at www.the519.org.

PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S
HOLLYWOOD

Diahann is featured in the People magazine Hollywood
portrait & write-up published Feb. 25, 2009

2009 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards

Diahann was the headline entertainment at the 2009 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards for the Desert AIDS Project Feb. 21, 2009 at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California. For more information, visit www.desertaidsproject.org.

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