The VIPP Report: MELANnaire Marketplace celebrates one-year anniversary Labor Day Weekend

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Immediate Release:

August 29, 2021

(Louisville, KY) During one of the toughest times in the City of Louisville a group of business owners found a way to support themselves. From the pandemic to the social unrest that spilled into the streets due to the Breonna Taylor case and other cases across the nation. One community leader and entrepreneur Nachand Trabue, owner of Manhattan on Broadway rallied area businesses to work together to generate wealth in the Black community. 

Now, the MELANnaire Marketplace invites you to come out and celebrate it’s one-year anniversary on Saturday, September 4th from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Manhattan on Broadway located at 716 E. Broadway.

The MELANnaire Marketplace showcases products and services of Black-owned businesses.  Many of the entrepreneurs do not have the capital for storefronts or office space so this marketplace is critical for their growth, and it puts them in front of consumers, both local and tourist looking for shopping opportunities in downtown Louisville. 

According to local census, only 2.4% of businesses are Black owned while they make up 22.4% of the population.  That’s why are requesting your support as consumer and/or sponsor.   

When you visit the marketplace you will see all type of vendors from homemade pet treats, artwork, clothing, accessories to soul food and healthy food options and produce. 

There will be a live DJ and band playing throughout the event.

The founder and creator of the MELANnaire Marketplace Nachand Trabue says “This was birthed out of love for community and to see other Black-owned businesses reach their ultimate potential.  We are literally sitting in a food desert, and no one is coming to the aide of the residents in the Smoketown and downtown residents.  We had an urgent need, so I contacted businesses and we all agreed that we needed to help ourselves instead of waiting on someone to help us.  

Over this past year, we have had people from all over the city and surrounding communities come out and support us.  This is truly a community effort.  I just feel so blessed to be able to spearhead the initiative. I had no idea that when we started that the MELANnaire Marketplace would become so important in the community. That’s a testament for the need and the quality service our businesses bring to the table.” 

We would like to thank all the Black-owned businesses, sponsors, and community leaders who have participated and supported us over the past year.  We look forward to the next year. 

We currently have more than 30 local businesses participating on Saturday, September 4th:

We invite you to stop by and see what the entrepreneurs have to offer.

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

The VIPP Report: Remembering Muhammad Ali, the GOAT five years later

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I’ve covered Muhammad Ali for many years since I’m from his hometown of Louisville, KY. Even receiving an EMMY nomination. When i received that call five years ago preparing me for what was about to happen I will never forget. Then one day later, the champ passes away. Only a handful of people outside the family received that call. I will forever be grateful that the Ali family trusted me as a journalist, a person who really cared and someone that grew up in the same Black neighborhood he grew up in.

Sherlene Shanklin

By Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 ABC Louisville

Five years ago today, boxing legend and Louisville native Muhammad Ali passed. In today’s Your Story, we remember his legacy. I talk to Marilyn Williams.  Ali’s caregiver and sister-in-law who shared some fond and funny moments about the champ. 

Williams says “When he would have visitors over to the house he would play possium.  He would sit with his eyes closed. He knew if they were leaving he would wake up so they could take pictures and autographs and they were excited. Muhammad knew…everybody knows he was Muhammad Ali is. He’s known around the world and he wanted to know who you are and I thought that was really neat about him.”

Williams got to witness so many things up close that some people had no idea.  She remembers one doctor who liked to make house calls to see Muhammad because they both shared a common interest. She says  “He would come every other Sunday. Muhammad and I were always watching westerns.  And Muhammad always thought he was a Black cowboy.  With Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Kris Krostophenson. Those were actually his friends.”

Williams also tells me that legendary musician Sam Cooke and Ali were best friends. I found tons of footage and photos of the two talking about things they were working on even a singing project. 

When Marilyn was a teen Muhammad gave her some advice.  That she still cherishes. “I got a problem. He said what’s your problem.  So, I told him. He said that’s not a problem.  And I said its not? To me it is..but he would tell me he said a problem is when you can’t solve it.  When you can solve it, it’s not a problem.”

Another fond memory. Marilyn and Muhammad would take rides all over Louisville.  She reflects on the reaction when people would recognize him. “We would get in the car we would go in the Westend to Shively the Eastend and we were all over riding and every now and then somebody would notice him and say Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali. He would wave and give them that bite like he was going to fight.  He would blow them kisses.”

As the family continued to learn about his Parkinson’s diagnosis.  They took it one day at a time. Williams says  “The only thing I could tell Lonnie at that time was Lonnie were gonna push him as far as we can and eventually he’s going to come back. But if we get him so far he will live long and that exactly what happened”

Williams did get a chance to say goodbye to Ali and she shares a little of what she said to him. She tells me “The last word I said to Muhammad was that he was going to go to heaven. I whispered in his ear and I was going to meet him and they would do this again.”

And still today….

Williams says “His legacy lives on.”

If you have a story about Muhammad Ali you would like to share send it to sshanklin@whas11.com. 

►Contact Your Story’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

To see my story click the link-> https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/5-years-after-muhammad-ali-death/417-7d8da576-5081-46bd-be9e-d50f737ac8c8

The VIPP Report: Louisville church surpasses the silver and gold anniversaries and now Mount Olive hits a historic number of 119 years

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Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church 

(Louisville, KY) There’s only been three pastors who’ve served at the helm of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church.  On Sunday, February 24, 2019 the church will celebrate it’s 119th anniversary.

The anniversary will begin at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday School, followed by morning worship at 11:00 a.m. featuring the Anniversary Reunion Choir and Rev. Chris Hagan, pastor of Second Baptist Church of Owenton, Ky.

Dinner will be served. Following dinner, members and guests will return to the sanctuary at 3:00 p.m. for a special tribute for our retiring pastor Rev. Shanklin.

Shanklin, only the third pastor after 119 years has served 35 years as pastor and on Easter Sunday he will preach his last sermon at Mt. Olive.

The church along with our family life center is located on several acres on East Kentucky Street.

Please post and/or announce Mount Olive’s 119th Church Anniversary.  We also invite you to come worship and fellowship with us on Sunday, February 24th.

We will also update you closer to Easter Sunday plans for Rev. Alex Shanklin’s retirement.  If you would like to setup an interview with Rev. Shanklin and/or some of their members, please contact Sis. Barbara Leavell and/or Sherlene Shanklin at VIPP Communications by email at info@vippcommunications.com.

If you have a story idea, send it to thevippreport@vippcommunications.com.  Follow us on Twitter @thevippreport @vippcomm and Instagram @vippcommunications.

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  http://vippcommunications.com/

 

The VIPP Report: A Louisville church with a rich history celebrates their pastor’s 34th anniversary

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By Sherlene Shanklin

(Louisville, KY) The Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church made the decision some 34 years ago that Rev. Alex Shanklin would serve as the pastor of the congregation.  On Sunday, October 14, 2018 we are requesting your presence as we celebrate during our 11:00 am service.

It’s been a good year for Mt. Olive, from their humble beginnings, as the founders of the church wanted to worship together gathered in a small house to presently in 2018, Mt. Olive is located on several acres on East Kentucky Street. They built the church and family life center.  Then doing the impossible during difficult economic times, this congregation burned their mortgage when the loan was paid off.  Mt. Olive has proven to be a leader in the growth of the community under the guidance of Rev. Shanklin.

There will be a mid-week service if you are unable to attend Sunday’s service.  It will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

Please post and/or announce Mount Olive’s 34th Pastor’s Anniversary celebrating service not only for the church but the community, especially the Smoketown neighborhood where the church is located.  If you would like to setup an interview with Rev. Shanklin and/or some of their members, please contact Sherlene Shanklin at VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com.  We will try and accommodate your requests.

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  

Follow us on social media.  Twitter: @vippcomm  Instagram & Facebook: @vippcommunications

 

The VIPP Report: Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church celebrates their 118th church anniversary

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As they extend their “olive” branch to the community to come be a part of their celebration

(Louisville, KY) Mt. Olive has been a vital and a stable entity in the Smoketown neighborhood.  On Sunday, February 25th, Rev. Alex C. Shanklin and its members will celebrate their 118th Church Anniversary.

From their humble beginnings, as the founders of the church wanted to worship together gathered in a small house to presently in 2018, Mt. Olive is located on several acres on East Kentucky Street. They built the church and family life center.  Then doing the impossible during difficult economic times, this congregation burned their mortgage when the loan was paid off.  Mt. Olive has proven to be a leader in the growth of the community.

So, on Sunday, February 25th, we invite you to celebrate the history of the church, its deep roots in the Smoketown community and their compassion to give back.  This year’s theme says it all, “Love One Another,” from the scripture, I John 4:20-21.

Rev. Samuel L. Whitlow Jr., Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Louisville will be the guest minister and will preach the 11:00 am service. Jackell Jackson and Natasha Rudolph will serve as the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the morning service.

We would love for you to come out as we set the example of loving one another. It’s not always about the gift of money, but of time and love.  You will feel welcomed as soon as you walk through the doors of our church.

Please post and/or announce Mount Olive’s 118th Church Anniversary.  If you would like to setup an interview with Rev. Shanklin and/or some of their members, please contact Sherlene Shanklin at VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com. We will try and accommodate all your requests.

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VIPP Communications is your one-stop public relations firm.  We are your complete communications business with over 25 years of industry experience.  From news release creation to social media marketing we have the team that can execute that job for you.  Contact us at info@vippcommunications.com.  If you would like to advertise with The VIPP Report we have a sales team awaiting your marketing and advertising needs by contacting us at thevippreport@vippcommunications.com.  Follow us on Twitter @thevippreport and @vippcomm.  

 

The VIPP Report: Darnell “SuperChef” Ferguson host first book signing on one year anniversary of his new restaurant

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Darnell

ENTREPRENEUR & TELEVISION PERSONALITY ADDS AUTHOR TO HIS TITLE WITH THE RELEASE OF HIS NEW BOOK “KNOWING IS HALF THE FIGHT…COOKING IS THE OTHER.”

(Louisville, KY) Have you even seen the Louisville entrepreneur and owner of one of the most notable restaurants in Louisville do anything on a small scale?  Your answer is likely “no” because he does everything in a big way or should we say “supersized”?  Darnell “Super Chef” Ferguson releases his new book on the one year anniversary of the opening of his restaurant Super Chefs. On Saturday, July 15th, Darnell and his Super Chef team will celebrate overcoming obstacles from fire to flood but their faith is what got them to see this day.

At 11:00 am Darnell will host a book launch & signing session of his book entitled “Knowing is half the fight…Cooking is the other”.  This was the brainchild of “Super Chef” when he was in culinary school.  Fast-forward several years later with a successful business and frequent appearances on several national cooking shows this was the perfect time to finish the project.

Ferguson says “When you read my book, it will give you healthy cooking tips, smart serving sizes to assist with portion control and mental food tips.  When customers come into my restaurant they always stop me and ask general questions about food, preparation and dieting so I put many of the answers in the book.  Knowing is half the fight. I hope when you read it that you will have several “I didn’t know that moments.”

We invite you to come taste great food including free appetizers and pick up an autographed copy of the book for $20.00. Breakfast and lunch is served 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday-Sunday and Dinner is from 5:00 pm to 10:00pm Thursday-Saturday.  Super Chefs located at 1702 Bardstown Road with street parking and convenient parking in the back of the restaurant for customers.

You can also purchase “Knowing is half the fight…Cooking is the other” online at http://eatsuperchefs.com/ and/or www.iamsuperchef.com.

If you would like to setup an interview with Darnell “Super Chef” Ferguson, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-295-0435 or by email at info@vippcommunications.com.

DarnellSuperChef

 

VIPP Communications is your one-stop PR/Marketing/Production/Event Management firm that works with business leaders, professional athletes and entertainers.  With over 25 years experience in the field, our work speaks for itself.  To have one of our V.I.P. consultants assist you with your next project, contact us at info at vippcommunications dot com.

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