Jade Nelson, student from North High School, recently received scholarship support from General Mills Foundation and ING Companies to participate for a 2nd time, BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture (MBV), a career planning and financial literacy camp.

More than 325 Minnesota high school students from over 100 high schools participated in MBV, held on the campuses of St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud and The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth. Financial literacy, career exploration and entrepreneurship were the focus of the week. Since this was Nelson’s 2nd time at MBV, she applied for and was granted a student leadership position called a CEO. CEOs lead their peers through various activities, with the most challenging being the writing of a business plan. Not only does Nelson need to know the content of the plan, but she uses and develops her communication, responsibility, teamwork, and conflict resolution and time management skills.

Nelson says her favorite MBV experience as a student was, “presenting the business plan to the panel of bankers to be approved. It was exciting, thrilling, scary and fun all at the same time.”

Volunteers from the business community, called Resident Business Leaders (RBL), mentored the students at camp. These volunteers representing fourteen companies and foundations lived on campus for the week and guided a small “company” of students through the curriculum and interactive activities. Nelson’s RBL was Kristen Keran, an employee with the Pohlad Family Foundation and alumni of MBV.

Justin Verke of Ecolab and a volunteer Resident Business Leaders states “Not only was MBV a learning experience for the students but for me as well. The students exemplified the importance of enthusiasm when trying to accomplish a task. They also made it very apparent that FUN and WORK can go hand in hand.”

“Minnesota Business Venture is a great opportunity for high school students to gain real life skills that will help them in the future. The interviewing skills, teamwork, communication, and responsibility that develop during the week help students relate to the real work world,” said Andrea Hanson, Minnesota Business Venture Program Director.

Students learn how to purchase and insure a car, invest and prepare for job interviews. 174 guest speakers and business executives volunteered to share their experiences and business prowess with Minnesota’s future workforce. BestPrep has offered Minnesota Business Venture for 24 years, and has more than 8,500 alumni. In addition to MBV, BestPrep offers three other programs: Classroom Plus, offering volunteer classroom speakers and tours as a free resource to teachers; The Stock Market Gameä, allowing students to invest a virtual $100,000 in the stock market and providing teachers with a complete curriculum to implement the program; and TECH CORPS®, integrating technology into schools through various volunteer initiatives. Approximately 100,000 students are impacted by BestPrep’s programs each year.

For more information about MBV 2006 or BestPrep, please visit the website at www.bestprep.org or call 612.337.5252. BestPrep 2006 - Celebrating 30 years of educating and preparing Minnesota students for life!

Photo caption Top: Jade and her company of students for the week; Bottom L-R: Jade and co-CEO Faraaz Mohammed from North St. Paul High School, along with her Resident Business Leader – Kristen Keran with Pohlad Family Foundation.

www.bestprep.org

-By Joe Sorenson

Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of the legendary Ray Charles, brings forward the strong musical talent of her father while introducing her very own flavor. She remembers loving music since she was a kid going around the house singing to herself and singing in church. Growing up surrounded by music with the influence of her musical mother and legendary father, she loved music. Now, she 's charting her own music career, speaking engagements, and a play. She's written a gospel play that is called Prodigal Praise: A Journey to Salvation. The play is about her life as a crack cocaine addict, and finding the help through God to overcome that.

While she has been involved in music since she was a teenager, Introducing Sheila Raye Charles represents her first commercial release in her career. Although her father discouraged her entering the music business, Sheila has felt compelled since his passing to step forward and claim her inherited right to pursue her passion for music. Her album projects include her “gutsy, in your face” version of Hit the Road Jack and reconnect with all your memories of your dad as Sheila shares her moving tribute to her dad in My Daddy.

As you would imagine, the question people ask most often of her is what was it really like having a famous father? "It is a pleasure-pain kind of thing. It is hard, because of the expectation -- especially because I am a singer. It was always a blessing being a daughter of someone so great as my father because of the fact he did so many wonderful things, not just as a singer, but for the world. He contributed to colleges, helped a lot of people that had hearing issues, and paid for surgeries -- he was a wonderful person."

Sheila Raye is taking charge of her own course and message. She describes her music as message music. "The songs that I write are messages about love. Her music style is categorized as what the world would call secular music. She has written a whole album of gospel songs. "I do intermix some gospel songs in my show, because I think that it is always appropriate to always give God the praise. I wouldn’t be doing any music if it wasn’t for Him."

Joe Sorenson is a well known Gospel music radio personality. Listen to his innovative inspirational phone line -- Expressions of Joy at 651-642-5462 or click on link below to visit his website any time 24 hours a day.

www.joesorensonlive.com

*This edition of GMS ePress is sponsored by "Momma Taught Me How To Cook Soul Food Eatery", located at 2520 Kenzie Terrace (corner of Lowry & Stinson NE Mpls), Tuesday - Sunday 11:00 to 8:00. Phone 612.781.3280 /Fax order 612.781.3380. Tell them you saw their ad in GMS ePress.

*Churches, pastors, ministry gifts, authors, promoters, etc. -- list your event FREE in TGR Weekender calendar today. Keep your event on the desktops locally and nationally. Many are relying on TGR Weekender to plan and book events. Send to: gms_client@hotmail.com.

**Late Night with the Saints Pre-Labor Day Musical... Sunday, September 4, 2005, 10:00 pm. Guest Music artists include James Grear and Nu Friends, Sara Renner, Rachel Hurst, Tonia Hughes, XROSS, Sherri Orr, Chosen Generation and more... Location: First Trinity Church, 981 Marshall Ave St. Paul, MN. The event is Free.

**United Negro College Fund (UNCF)...14th Annual Walk For Knowledge, Saturday, September 10, 2005, 8:00-8:30 am Registration; 8:30 am - Program; 9:00 am Walk Begins. Location: Lake Nokomis Park, Mpls, MN. For additional info: 612.5742 or visit ww.uncf.org.

**Christian Conection Highest Power Presents... 2005 Back To School Sports JAM Festival City-Wide Youth & Family Community Event. Saturday, September 10, 2005, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm. Cost is free to attend & participate. Featuring some of the Twin Cities' hottest Christian Artists James Grear & Co, James Grear & Nu Friends, Alexander, Brian DeWayne, Brigage, Capestany, Starlight Steppers, Ebony, F.A.I.T.H., Ryan Daniels & The Spirit of David, Sara Renner, Sil, The Regiment, Tonia Hughes, Tryenyse & Stacey & The Luv Jonz Theo-Soul Crew, 4Given. Angelicia Roberts, Lutunji Abrams. Location: Martin Luther King Park, 4055 Nicollet Avenue South, Mpls, MN. Contact: 612-370-4908.For more info/vendors: 612.598-2505 or e-mail: christianconnection2003@yahoo.com

**Capitol City District Fine Arts Ministries...Saturday, September 10, 2005, 9:30 am -2:00 pm. “Continual Praise” A Workshop To Enhance Your Music Ministry. Classes will be taught by educated and experienced facilitators. Topics include: The Church Musician; The Life Of A Worshipper; This Business Of Gospel Music; Your Voice: How To Take Care Of It; Choir Part I: Purposes And Procedures; Choir Part II: The Role Of The Member; Dance In The Church: A Form Of Praise; Gospel Music Is A Life Style: Walking The Walk; Organizing Your Church Music Ministry: Structure And Set-Up. Registration is required and FREE. Minimum age 15 to register. Space is limited. For Registration and info email: capitolcitydist@aol.com. Please put “Registration” in the subject line, and include your name and number.

**Twin Cities Revival...September 13-19, 2005 hosted by Pastor Devin Owens, New Creation The Empowement Church and State Director, Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship. More details to come.

**Prophetic Conference...September 16-18, 2005, Fayetteville, NC, 7:00 pm Nightly and Sunday 10:00 AM (only). Guest speaker Prophet Ronald H. Flowers of Mpls, MN. A man compelled to stand in the new millennium as a prophetic voice to the nations. Thankful for thirty-nine years of ministry as a prophet, and teacher, his calling from God has weathered the test of time and discipline.

**Benefit Concert honoring Joe Sorenson...September 17, Saturday 2005, 7:00 pm. Location: St Paul's Lutheran Church, 1901 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN. Hosted by AHH Productions, 952.221.2004. Media Inquiries: 763.221.6894, GMS_client@hotmail.com.

**Community Job Fair @ Shiloh Temple International Ministries (STIM)...September 27, 2005, 10 am to 3 pm. STIM will host another Job Fair. Again, with the participation of hiring employers, we hope to provide job opportunities to area residents from the ages of 16 years of age and up. Participating companies should RSVP by phone no later than September 12, 2005. Location: STIM, 1201 West Broadway Ave N, Mpls., MN. Contact: Tim Campbell 612. 360.3639 or LaKiesha Wright 763.5742164.

**Campaign Literacy Awareness: The Right To READ® (CLA month)...October 1-31, 2005. CLA invites the Twin Cities to participate in the October CLA Book Drive. The Book Drive will kick off on Sunday, October 2, in participating churches and on the following Monday, October 3, in participating community centers, businesses and corporations; Wednesday, October 5 at the Mall of America. Participating organizations will donate the collected family friendly, delicately used and/or new books to their selected shelters, schools, prisons, community centers or a CLA designated drop site. Watch for more details. To request packets and/or inform us that your company, organization or church will be participating in the Book Drive and the literacy awareness media/community blitz through October, you may contact: GMN_partner@hotmail.com or call 763.221.6894.

**New Mt. Olivet Women's Ministry Month...October 2005. This will be an uplifting month in the life of the women of New Mt. Olivet. We will be worshipping each Sunday @ 7:30 pm. Special Guests 1st Ladies, Evangelists, and Missionaries from around Minnesota and our own.

**New Mt. Olivet Men's Ministry Month...November. Celebrate with us the last weekend in November our Pastor's - Bishop D.L. Bryant-Kemp - 17th year in ministry. On Sunday November 26, 2005, 12:00 Noon worship service & 5:00 pm, special guest the norable Pastor Marvin Winans of the Perfecting Church in Detroit and a member of the world renowned WINANS family. Location: The "New" Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church & World Outreach Ctr., Bishop D.L. Kemp, 2120 E. 38th Street Mpls, MN.

**Cruise to Royal Caribbean...February 10-13, 2006. Shiloh Temple Intl Ministries Gospel Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's 'Majesty of the Seas'. Destination - the beautiful private island CoCo Cay and spend a day in Nassau, Bahamas. For more info: Church/Teriece 612.302.1463 or Hobbit Travel, 612.338.8880 x3020. Tell her you saw it on GMS.

*Church Grand Opening...Living Word Church & World Outreach under the leadership of Pastor Leslie Ford extend an invitation to the community for the unveiling of their new facility and site. It begins on Saturday, September 17, 2:00 pm with a Ribbon Cutting ceromony; on Sunday, September 18 will be the Celebration Service for the new building. The new location: 640 N. Prior. Church office 51.644.6929.

*Terrece J. Blair (April 28, 1970-August 8, 1993)

Terrece J. Blair, YiG Showcase™ Honorary Host, was blessed upon the earth on April 28, 1970. She grew up as a hardworking student that paved the way for her acceptance at the University of Minnesota. At the time, Blair was also a mother of two children. She was enrolled in the School of Journalism at the university with ambitions of pursuing a career in the media industry after graduation. At age 23, Blair’s life ended.

Blair was known as an outstanding lady dedicated to her education and her children. She was a powerful lady who overcame her triumphs. Today and hereafter, Youth in Gospel™ (YiG™) continues to celebrate her life in remembrance of what she stood for.

Formed officially in 1992, a year before Blair’s death, YiG™ is an initiative of Grace Media Network that mentors, develops, empower & educates multicultural teen and college student leaders to attain kingdom excellence in media. Through various mentorship programs, it creates platforms to showcase oratory skills and talent, allows students to explore careers in mass communications, fosters community volunteerism and interacts with credible personalities in the media industry with students interested in the field. YiG™ empowers, educate and encourages teens to have a go-getter attitude as Blair did. Blair left not only a legacy for excellence but her daughter who will one day continue what she stood for: higher education, nurturing and to live life to the fullest.

One of the many things Blair last wrote was on the back of a photo (photo shown) was ...don’t trip, just do it©. YiG has adopted 'don't trip, just do it©' as its tag; fosters her motto and promotes it amongst its 'Rising Stars' members. That’s why it is no coincidence that the YiG™ organization is establishing the YiG™/Terrece J. Blair scholarship. The goal is every year a dedicated student will be chosen to receive the prestigious scholarship sponsored by Grace Media Network and in partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

Until this day no one really understands why Blair is no longer a part of the physical world but she will always remain in the hearts of those that loved her. There is no way of predicting what Blair might have achieved. Therefore, YiG™ has committed itself as a support tool to make sure that other potential minds - Rising Stars - will have the opportunity to achieve similar goals.

Let Terrece J. Blair’s life and what she stood for was and still speaks TODAY to be a tutelage to blaze your trail. As she would put it ...don’t trip, just do it©.

Photo caption: (L) Terrece J. Blair

*YiG Showcase™ co-hosts Vanlice 'Vee' Washington (Blaine HS graduated '05) and Jade Nelson (North Community HS) review The Constant Wife at the Guthrie Theater (Mpls)

Vee -- "It would be safe to say that The Constant Wife was directed towards the age mature public. I say this because of the time setting, the humor and the language that was used. The way the actors presented themselves was remarkable. They were very believable as if they were from that time period. The story line itself lacked an interest. In the beginning, I felt that I could have walked out for a few minutes and rejoined the audience and not been lost in the story. What I liked about the story line was how it was an eye opener. It spoke of things still present today -- women who are with their husbands for money and security, but not for their selfworth; it showed those that were still living the life of a person in the household 'just there taking up space' how ridiculous they looked. I give this play a 7 out of 10. I say this because the story line kept me guessing on when The Constant Wife would explode, although it lacked in intrest thoughout the play. The actors were excellent. They had no flaws. I would have to agree that the title of a professional is well suited for this cast."

Jade -- "A comical play written by Somerset Maugham first opened in New York 1926. Making Abrupt success and overtime making its way to Minnesota. The play was about a woman whose goals were to have a husband who could provide for her. Married for fifteen years the marriage began to crumble as her husband’s fidelity hit the fan. His actions indeed repulsive she remains constant to him. She takes up a job marking her independence, after a year of earnings she finally expresses her feelings of her husband's fidelity. She runs off with a companion after being the constant wife for so long. I would give this play a 9 for really capturing the time period with the garments, set and language. Also it was interesting how she didn’t react to his wrong doings but gained her own prosperity first and then found a companion. The Actors and actresses did a remarkable job. But the play wasn’t my style of choice. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to adults."

About The Guthrie Theater
The Guthrie Theater, founded in 1963, is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. By presenting both classical literature and new work from diverse cultures, the Guthrie illuminates the common humanity connecting Minnesota to the peoples of the world.

About YiG Showcase™
YiG Showcase™ (Youth in Gospel™) Rising Stars is an initiative of Grace Media Network to mentor and develop teen and college student leaders to pursue kingdom excellence in media. YiG™ was formed in 1992 to provide a full circle of mentorship opportunities that includes: creating platforms to showcase communication skills and talent; explore careers in mass media & photo journalism; acquire media technology training; foster community volunteerism; interact with credible, positive personalities in media and industry who pose positive images.