Author Jackie Carpenter's Visit To MS: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

(Saturday, January 8, 2011) Day two with author Jackie Carpenter completed what was an amazing visit of inspiration, hope and the assurance of the light at the end of the tunnel of whatever we are going through.

NOTE: If you missed the report from Day 1 of Jackie's visit to Mississippi, read it here: http://conversationsbookclub.blogspot.com/2011/01/frijan-7-2011-cbc-report-author-jackie.html

Cyrus Webb of Conversations Book Club began the day at the Crossgates area Subway Restaurant discussing the message of Carpenter's book THE BRIDGE and the importance of faith when it comes to challenges in life.

Joining the conversation was long-time friend of the book club Jennifer Vess.

From there it was on the Pearl Public Library where for two straight hours, Jackie was able to meet patrons and library employees, sharing her book and what she hopes they take away from it.




OVER 30 COPIES of THE BRIDGE made its way into the hands of individuals who seemed excited to not only meet the author but take home something that could help them as they deal with their own problems in life.

Conversations Book Club wishes to personally thank Ramesh Gajjar and the staff at Subway Crossgates in Brandon, the staff of the Pearl Public Library, book club supporter Annette Brown and all those who made day two of this literary event a success.

To find out more about Jackie and her book, visit www.bridgetoamiracle.com. To stay abreast of other events hosted by Conversations Book Club, visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

Cyrus Webb Named New Entertainment Editor For SDA Network

CHICAGO (SDA) — Mississippi-based Cyrus Webb, also known as C. A. Webb, has joined the SDA Network News staff as Entertainment Editor, covering news and events pertaining to celebrities and entertainers. In addition, Webb’s Conversations LIVE! Internet radio show will be linked directly to SDA Network News.
Webb, a popular Mississippi native, has been involved in the arts for more than a decade as a visual-literary artist, poet, radio and television show host as well as the founder of the magazine Conversations. During that span, he has interviewed more than 1,000 influential and up-and-coming writers, authors and artists about their passions, their journeys through life, and how they are using their skills to make a difference in the world.

SDA Network News strives to be among the world's leaders in online news and information delivery. Staffed 24 hours, seven days a week by a dedicated staff in SDA's world headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and in bureaus worldwide, SDA Network News relies heavily on SDA's global team of news professionals. SDA Network News features the latest multimedia technologies, from live video streaming to audio packages to searchable archives of news features and background information. The site is updated continuously throughout the day.


Read the entire announcement here: http://sdanetwork.prosepoint.com/entertainment

CBC Report: Author Jackie Carpenter's Visit To Mississippi (Day 1)

(Friday, January 7, 2011) Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club welcomed Jackie Carpenter, author of THE BRIDGE, to Mississippi on Friday, January 7, 2011 to begin her two day promotion of the book and how her faith helped guide her through a dark chapter of her life.

Hosted by Conversations' President Cyrus Webb and co-sponsored by Stanley Clark of For The People Productions, the day began at Medgar Evers Library in South Jackson. There Carpenter shared snippets of her life story and how the inspiration for the book came about.


Those in attendance listened intently as she explained that it was never her intention to become an author, but God had other plans.
Before leaving the library, she also donated a copy of her book to them so it can be shared with the patrons.

While in Jackson, Webb and Carpenter stopped by Clear Channel's radio offices to drop off a copy of the book for Nikki Dulaney of Hallelujah 95.5 FM for consideration for her book club selections.


From there, the group was on its way to Pearl, MS where Webb introduced Carpenter to some of the staff at the Pearl Public Library, and she donated copies of her book THE BRIDGE to them for use by their patrons.


As it would be, Conversations Book Club supporter and evangelist Diane Johnston was also present at the library, and was able to get a copy of Carpenter's book as well!

Next stop was Milestone Christian Bookstore where Carpenter was able to talk with management about her book and even laid the groundwork for a future signing at the stop when she returns to Mississippi!


The final stop of the day was at DSI, the renal center where Webb's grandmother is on dialysis. Several nurses from the Mississippi State Hospital had expressed interest to Webb about their love of books, and he was able to introduce them to the visiting author, share her book and the message she hopes they get from it.


The overall message that Jackie Carpenter shared was this: "I had to go through the test in order to have a testimony, and I had to endure the mess so I could have a message." What an incredible way to look at tests and trials that we all go through!

Find out more about Jackie Carpenter and her inspiring book at www.bridgetoamiracle.com. Shadow Play Entertainment and For The People Productions thanks the author, her family and everyone who shared the day with them. Day Two will include events in Brandon and Pearl, Mississippi. Details can be found at www.thebestbookclub.info.

Popular Song By Cash Money Inspires Anthem To Encourage Reading

(Wednesday, December 29, 2010) When Shadow Play Entertainment President Cyrus Webb began looking for a theme song to promote its literacy campaign for 2011, he didn't have to go any further than two of his friends that shared his passion for encouraging reading: Herschel Dixon of Louisville, KY and Chris Ervin aka Dj Down South of Raleigh, MS.

"As a father, Herschel has made books a large part of his daughters' lives," says Webb, 35. "He came to me with the idea to rewrite Cash Money's popular song "Get Your Roll On" to promote reading among young people as part of our Hip Hop and Books Campaign. It made perfect sense, and from there we got together and wrote the song. The only thing left to do was get someone to record it."

Choosing Dj Down South was a no-brainer for Webb. "Down South had been a part of our Hip Hop and Books literacy campaign since I co-founded it in 2008 with Platinum-selling recording artist and bestselling author Corey "C-Murder" Miller in 2008," says Webb. "He saw what we were trying to do, and the rest is history."

The song "Get Your Read On" will be used as the theme for not just the Hip Hop and Books campaign but Webb's entire initiative to encourage reading among all age groups and backgrounds. "We have to do whatever it takes to get people enjoying books again," says Webb. "This song is just one part of my plan to do that in 2011. I am already working on a video for Youtube featuring the song, and we are gathering an impressive body of influential individuals together to promote reading's importance as well."

Celebrities that have already joined the campaign include actress/director/author Cherie Johnson (Punky Brewster/Family Matters), actor/author/recording artist Tray Chaney (HBO's The Wire), Vanessa and Angela Simmons (Pastry), recording artists Fizz and Booz and many more.

"Get Your Read On" is available for free download at www.esnips.com/web/getyourreadon. Webb hopes that people will share the song and use it as a catalyst to make books a part of their daily lives.

For more information about Shadow Play Entertainment's literacy campaign, visit www.hiphopandbooks.net, www.taketimetoread.com or contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Mississippi Native Encourages Others To "Take Time To Read"

(Monday, December 27, 2010) Though a lover of books all of his life, 35 year old Mississippi native Cyrus Webb didn't realize the true importance of words until his adult years. "For me reading was a means of escape and a way to learn about the world," he says. "Today I realize that in many cases it can be the deciding factor between success and failure."

Because of this, in 2006 Webb began what has become the United States largest co-ed reading group, Conversations Book Club. Over the past four years it has hosted literary events across the country, creating spin-offs that embrace sports and music lovers. To date Conversations Book Club has hosted free events featuring 93 authors in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia. "We are all about encouraging reading," says Webb. "Since that is our aim, we have to be all things to all people to get them involved."

Since Mississippi still ranks at the top of the list when it comes to illiteracy, Webb feels obligated to focus his main literary efforts at home. His organization Shadow Play Entertainment recently announced its theme for 2011 as "A Year Of New Beginnings". Though this applies to various areas in life, for Webb, helping others to fall in love with books is at the top of his list of priorities.

On Thursday, December 30, 2010, Webb will be visiting two libraries sharing his organizations message for the New Year and giving out free books for all ages to help others get started reading as soon as possible. From 10-12p.m., he will be at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Rd * Pearl, MS) and from 1-3p.m., he will be at the Margaret Walker Alexander Library (2525 Robinson St. * Jackson, MS). The books have been donated by Shadow Play Entertainment, Great Little Books, LLC and author Jackie Carpenter.

Webb also encourages individuals to visit his webpage www.taketimetoread.com and sign the pledge committing to reading in 2011.

For more information about events scheduled by Conversations Book Club around the United States, visit www.thebestbookclub.info. Cyrus Webb can be reached at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. His website is www.cyruswebb.com.

(December 2010) Cyrus Webb Hosts Month-Long Art Exhibit In Mississippi

During the month of December 2010, Mississippi native Cyrus Webb will be showcasing work from his REFLECTIONS exhibit.

This is taking place at the Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road * Pearl, MS) and is free to the public.

The 15 pieces represent aspects of Webb's work that many have not since in quite some time, and he also share new pieces that are just being displayed this year.

To find out more information about Webb and his work, you can visit www.cyruswebb.com or contact him at cawebb4@juno.com.

POEM: Responsibility 101 (for World AIDS Day, Dec. 1st)

RESPONSIBILITY 101 by Cyrus Webb

She was a woman living in her own world,
Having trained for her role since she was a little girl
And didn’t care what she had to do to get it.
Her life has always been seen as incredible.
The manner in which she lives and conducts herself is impeccable.
There is none like her, and she knows it.
People envied what she represented, and she exploited it.
Money doesn’t define the kind of woman she has become.
She used her influence to diffuse the myth that coming from nothing and becoming something couldn’t happen.
It could, if you only believed in what you wanted to achieve.
In her spare time she would find enjoyment in spending it with girls and boys in after school programs,
Sharing with them tips on how to come to grips with their lot in life and still make a difference.
Many looked up to her for strength and she gave them that.
But the fact still remained that there was another side to her that few had seen.

Remember she was a woman living in her own world,
Having trained for her role since she was a little girl,
And didn’t care what she had to do to get it.
With all the good she did it seemed not to rid her of the vices that had become a part of her life.
You see, she had a thing for bad boys.
It was nothing serious, just something to play with, like a toy.
And then she would leave it where she found it,
Not wanting to seem too attached.

They didn’t have to be handsome or even rich,
Her perfect fit was someone rough and even untamed.
It was a game. She didn’t want them to have any part of her world.

The aim being to keep them in their place. She didn’t even have to know their full names.
They would do things she would never discuss.
Some of them unprotected, just for the excitement or the rush.
Then afterwards she would find herself in tears, plagued by disgust.
One day, though, her perfect health gave way to aches and pains.
The strength she had relied on for years began to wane.
And her doctor confirmed the suspicions of her mind.
With all the wisdom she had acquired it was ignorance when feeding her desires that would be her downfall.
She had conducted her public life so meticulously,
Never thing that the carelessness of her private life could bring HIV.
But that became her reality.
A woman who lived in her own world,
Having trained for her role since she was a little girl.
Now educated in a new course called Responsibility 101.