The VIPP Report: Tuskegee Airman & World War II veteran Alvin LaRue Sr.’s funeral was held in Louisville, KY

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The VIPP Report by Sherlene Shanklin: Today friends and family paid their final respects to one of the last living members of the Tuskegee Airmen.  Louisvillian Alvin LaRue Sr.passed away on Monday, February 3rd.  LaRue was a flight officer for the Tuskegee Airmen and World War II veteran.  He retired from the Army Corps of Engineers.
I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to find the Kentucky members of the prestigious Alabama unit about 13 years ago for Black History Month.  The first person I found was Alvin LaRue Sr. I knew him because I knew his son.  We sat down and talked about his accomplishments and how important it was to let people know their history. I remember that he was very humble and so willing to share his story about the segregation in the Army even though they were all fighting for the same thing.
LaRue is a native of Louisville and he was a student at the University of Pittsburgh when he was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1943.  LaRue then went on to become one of America’s first Black military airmen.
LaRue was buried today at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliff, KY. Alvin LaRue Sr. was 89 year old.
During this Black History Month remember those who made sacrifices so that their children, and their children’s children could have a better life.
If you have a story idea send it to TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com

The VIPP Report: Countdown to the Kentucky Derby

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The VIPP Report:  We are 80 days away from the 140th running of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 2nd and Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3rd in Louisville, KY at the historic Churchill Downs.

If you have an event you would like to advertise contact us at TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.  Follow us on Twitter @VIPPComm.

The VIPP Report: Gospel artist Marvin Sapp on tour to help promote school choice in urban communities

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The VIPP Report: Dove & BET award winning gospel artist Marvin Sapp is currently on his “School of Choice Tour”. The 11-city free tour is in Louisville, KY tonight. Sapp along with Sunday Best season two contestant and RCA Inspiration label mate Latice Crawford and the Doctor of Comedy Henn Sapp will be at Christ Temple Christian Life Center.

Sapp will share his inspirational story of his late wife Dr. Malinda Sapp who had a vision to take inner city children from great to greater through education. Sapp says he’s excited about partnering with the Black Alliance for Educational Options Partner (BAEO) again, helping to promote school choice to urban communities. Their hope during the tour is to make parents aware of their options when it comes to public education.

After Louisville’s show, The “Marvin Sap School of Choice Tour” heads to Nashville, TN on the 12th, followed by Chattanooga, TN on the 13th and Atlanta, GA on Friday night, February 14th.

If you have a story send it to TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com. You can also follow us on Twitter @VIPPComm.

The VIPP Report: Grace at The Race announces Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant & Tamela Mann in concert during Kentucky Derby weekend

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The VIPP Report:  Kirk Franklin and the Family will be in Louisville during Kentucky Derby weekend.  It’s the 2nd Annual Grace at The Race featuring Tamela Mann, Amy Grant and Franklin.  The concert will be held on Thursday, May 1st at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in downtown Louisville.  The fly jock Tom Joyner will be the emcee for the evening.

Grace at The Race is an annual Pre-Derby event that will honor three individuals from the corporate, sports and entertainment sectors for their commitment and contributions to community service and raises funds for local and national non-profit organizations that have a focus on at risk children.

“Grace at The Race” will be held on Thursday, May 1st at the Galt House for dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by the concert.  If you would like to have dinner prior to the concert, there will be a “Grace at The Race” dinner which includes a concert ticket.  For both events tickets are $125.00 before March 1st and $150.00 after that date.  During the dinner local gospel artist Cynthia Williams will be featured.

If you would like to just attend the concert you purchase single tickets before March 1st for only $67.00, after March 1st, tickets are $77.00. For group sales call 502-417-1624.

For additional information on “Grace at The Race”, please visit http://www.graceattherace.com.

If you have a Kentucky Derby event you would like to promote contact our advertising dept. at TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.  Follow us on Twitter @VIPPComm for real-time coverage.

We are 95 days away from the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby

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We are 95 days away from the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby

If you have an event you would like to advertise contact us at TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.

The VIPP Report: We are 100 days away from the Kentucky Derby

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The VIPP Report: We are just 100 days away from the fastest two minutes in sports. Countdown to the Kentucky Derby.  If you have an event you would like to promote contact our advertising dept. by emailing TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.

Countdown to Derby 140

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We are just 103 days away from the Kentucky Derby.  The VIPP Report will have exclusive stories about events in Louisville.  To advertise your business and/or event contact us at TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com. 

TheVIPPReport: Countdown to 140th Kentucky Derby

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TheVIPPReport:  We are 112 days away from the 140 Kentucky Derby held in Louisville, KY.  Send your Derby events to TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.

On the "Purple Carpet" at the Grand Gala

On the “Purple Carpet” at the Grand Gala

Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater announces that he will forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft

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University of Louisville releases a statement in regards to QB Teddy Bridgewater entering the 2014 NFL Draft.

University of Louisville junior quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has decided to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility, and make himself available for the 2014 NFL Draft. “After discussing all the options with my family and the coaching staff, I have decided to forgo my senior season and declare for the NFL Draft,” Bridgewater said. “This was an extremely difficult decision for me. I can’t express how much my time at Louisville has meant to me. These past three years have allowed me to mature as a person and leave the university as better person and with my degree in hand, which was one of my goals. I will cherish every moment on the field and off the field, and every bond that I built. I will forever represent the university with the utmost pride and respect. I want to extend a special thank you to my teammates, Tom Jurich, all the academic staff and professors, the coaching staff, support staff, students and the Cardinals’ fan base.

“I didn’t know much about Louisville when I made the decision to attend, but in the end, it was one of the best decisions I could have ever made.”

Bridgewater made the decision following an outstanding 2013 season, which was capped by a standout performance in the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl, where he completed 35-of-45 passes for a career-high 447 yards and three touchdowns.

Bridgewater won 27 games in his three years as the starting quarterback for Louisville, including 12 wins in 2013, which tied a school record. Bridgewater threw for 3,970 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2013, while completing 71 percent of his passes.

In leading the Cardinals to a 12-1 record, Bridgewater developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He opened the season by tying his career high with five touchdown passes in a 49-7 win over Ohio and four more in wins over Eastern Kentucky and FIU. He recorded seven 300-yard passing games and was a second team All-American Athletic Conference selection this season.

In 39 career games at Louisville, Bridgewater threw for 9,817 yards, which is third most in the UofL annals, while his 72 career touchdown passes also ranks as third best in school history. He completed a school-record 68.3 percent of his passes and had just 24 interceptions in 1,142 career pass attempts.

The Miami, Fla., native was the 2012 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year and a first team all-league selection after throwing for 3,719 yards and 27 touchdowns in guiding the Cardinals to an 11-2 record and a win over fourth-ranked Florida in the Sugar Bowl. In earning Most Valuable Player accolades in the win over the Gators, Bridgewater went 20-of-32 for 266 yards and two scores in a win over Florida.

The Cardinals have three returning quarterbacks on the roster in redshirt freshman Will Gardner, freshman Kyle Bolin, and junior Brett Nelson.

 

 

 

The VIPP Report: Giving back to the Kentucky community during the holidays

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As the holiday season comes to a close, there were “Secret Santas” all over Kentucky and Indiana. I received messages about several people we went out of their way to make sure they assisted their community. Some grew up here while others attended college in the area. The one that received alot attention was the $13,000 gift from a local celebrity that helped pay for layaways at a Walmart. They did not want their name released. Several people come to mind but I will not speculate. I called someone and they told me “Sherlene remember angels fly low”. I didn’t push them after they made that statement.

Former U of L and NFL star Deion Branch made sure people who stayed at the Center for Women and Families had Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. He also donated money to help kickoff their gift card campaign. Branch and his family also travelled to Elizabethtown, KY to assist two families who lost everything in a house fire just before Christmas.

Louisville native C.J. Spillman with the San Francisco 49ers donated holiday baskets to people who needed a little assistance during the holidays. This is not the first time Spillman has helped families during the holidays. One year, his mother and sister attended a giveaway on his behalf because he was preparing for a game.

I’m sure there’s a lot of acts of kindness not announced but each and everything done was appreciated. I know these men just hope you “Pay It Forward”.
If you have a story idea send it to TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com. Please follow us on Twitter @VIPPComm.

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Comedian Sommore comes to Louisville on Valentine’s Day

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The VIPP Report:  Valentine’s night will be filled with laughter in Louisville.  “The Diva of Contemporary
Comedy” Sommore will be at the Kentucky Center.  It’s the Standing Ovation Tour featuring the “Queen
of Comedy”, Bill Bellamy and Mark Curry.  The show will be in Friday, February 14th at 7:00 p.m.

Sommore has appeared on Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo,
and BET’s Live from L.A. She was also the first female host of BET’s Comicview.
For her national tour various comedians will accompany her like Tommy Davidson, Tony Rock, Curry and Bellamy.

Tickets start at $48.75.  You can purchase tickets at the Kentucky Center Box Office or online at
http://www.kentuckycenter.org/presents.

If you have a story idea send it to the TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.  You can also follow us
on Twitter @VIPPComm.

Two-time NFL champion Deion Branch helps two families in Kentucky after a major fire

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DSCN0344Super Bowl 39 MVP & former University of Louisville wide receiver Deion Branch heard about two families in Elizabethtown, Kentucky losing everything in a house fire.  After seeing the media reports, Branch and his family went to Elizabethtown on Saturday, December 14th to meet the two families. He wanted to help them get some necessities to get them through the holidays.

With the assistance of the Elizabethtown Red Cross, Branch met the families consisting of eleven (11) members and took them on a shopping spree at the area Target Store.  The families got an opportunity to pick up clothing, home essentials and toys for the children.  

Branch says “To see their faces when we told them to get what they needed were priceless.  To have my wife and children with me was a special moment.  We try to instill in our children to give back.  I was so proud to see my son and daughters helping the children pick out their gifts.  We’re happy that we can be a blessing to them but they were also a blessing to us.  They made us realize as long as we have each other that’s all that really matters.  Material things can be replaced.”   

 The Deion Branch Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer support to children’s mental, physical, emotional well-being and for those inflected with meningitis.  The DBCF’s mission is to help with research and to find a cure to ease the struggles for children like Deiondre, Deion’s son. The foundation goal is to assist by providing programs and initiatives aimed at improving their quality of life. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

If you would like additional photos visit the Deion Branch Foundation at http://www.deionbranchfoundation.org. 

For additional information please contact Sherlene Shanklin at 502-295-0435 or by email at

sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.  

TheVIPPReport: 2 Chainz announces Louisville concert in March 2014

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TheVIPPReport:  Save the date of Tuesday, March 4th for 2 Chainz in concert.  Pusha T, and August Alsina will be his special guests. 

The Platimun selling artist is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rap Song category for the song F***in Problems with ASAP Rocky Drake & Kendrick Lamar.  The Grammy Awards will be held on January 26th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 

The “2 Good To Be T.R.U. Tour”, is his largest solo tour to date as well as his first for 2014.  2 Chainz will tour in support of his critically acclaimed album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. Pusha-T and August Alsina will support 2 Chainz by performing at the Louisville concert.

2 Chainz says , “The best way to describe my tour is to reference a quote from Nicco Machiavelli, The Prince, who once said ‘Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.’ 2 G.O.O.D. 2 Be T.R.U.”.

Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, December 18th at 12 Noon.  Tickets are $35.  You can purchase them at ticketmaster.com. 

Again, 2 Chainz will be in Louisville at The Louisville Palace on Tuesday, March 4th.  The show will begin at 8:00 p.m.

If you have a story send it to TheVIPPReport@vippcommunications.com.  You can also follow us on Twitter @VIPPComm. 

Thicker Than Water Reality Star Jewel Tankard Comes To Louisville

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The VIPP Report: Bravo reality show star Jewel Tankard will be in Louisville later today for a holiday mixer.  The free event will be held at the Holiday Inn East on Hurstbourne Pkwy.  The mixer begins at 6:30 p.m.

I had the opportunity to ask Tankard a few questions prior to her Louisville visit.  The question a lot of people wanted to know is why did she decide to do a reality show?  Jewel says “We wanted to show people that they can fight for their family again, have a successful blended family and that there is no perfect family, so you just need to love your family right where they are.” 

Now since the show has aired several times, I asked Jewel did she regret doing the show and having her life an open book.  “Because I got so comfortable with being vulnerable and authentic, it was more so a mindset of that, it is what it is and I am okay with that. This entire experience brought us closer as a family and I wouldn’t change anything about that because family is very important to me.” 

I always wanted to know if the Bravo stars get an opportunity to see the show prior to their scheduled time and Jewel says yes they do.

The organizers for tonight’s event had to move rooms because the demand has been overwhelming.  They anticipate a great crowd and Jewel says  she’s thrilled to be here. “Extremely excited! I love people and I look forward to sharing with them and loving on them. I am very grateful for everyone’s support and I look forward to hearing from each of them.”

Jewel Tankard is a dynamic speaker and fans will hear her tonight and then at the conclusion of the event there will be a meet and greet.

This Christmas networking event will feature local singers performing, trip giveaways, nutritional samplings, a mini fashion show by Eboni Stephens Model & Video Agency (ESMV).  The entertainment for the evening will be provided by DJ Bruce Wayne, and the soulful sounds of Sheryl Rouse.

This Holiday Mixer is free to the community, with donations welcome at the door on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at 6:30 pm.   Bring your business card and enjoy the start of this holiday season!

TheVIPPReport: Thicker Than Water co-star Jewel Tankard comes to Louisville for a holiday mixer

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Save the Date: Tuesday, December 10th
Bravo Docu-Series co-star Jewel Tankard of Thicker Than Water will be in Louisville for a holiday mixer at Holiday Inn East at 6:30 p.m. For free tickets go to www.jewelt.eventbrite.com

If you have a story idea send it to TheVIPPReport@VIPPCommunications.com.  You can also follow us on twitter @VIPPComm.