Greater Metro

Best in Black Awards update

Well TSD family, we are out of the gates and running with the 2012 Best in Black Awards Memphis! The entire TSD staff and I are extremely excited about the community's response to this initiative and the forthcoming awards show on Aug. 30.

I want to provide you with a quick update:

Nominations: Our nomination process opened up on July 20 and ended on July 31. During that time, we received over 280 nominations across the 45 categories that we have this year. From the feedback we've received, if we would have had more time we would have had a lot more. To those who wanted to nominate someone or be nominated, 2013 will be here before you know it, so mark your calendars!

Voting: As of press time we had received over 16,000 votes, with nearly 1,000 people registered on the site and over 700 casting votes over the various categories. We did have some technical difficulties, which kept some people from voting; we apologize immensely for any inconvenience. However, we want to invite you to go back now and or later and vote at www.bestinblackawards.com. We have made it as easy as possible for you to vote with a simple registration process. We hope to reach 50,000 votes online by the end of voting at midnight on Aug. 16.

Results: The purpose of the awards show is to reveal our top nominees and the number one vote getter in the most popular categories, and again we invite you to attend the event. Many of you have asked about the standings. Who is in the lead? We have decided to give a sneak preview at the midway standings on Friday (Aug. 10) at noon. We will post the current standings on the website, www.bestinblackawards.com, from noon to 1 p.m., exactly one hour! If you want to see whose leading in each category, this will be the only time you get a glimpse until the night of the big show!!

Casting Call: We are looking for dancers/performers to be a part of the opening act for the 2012 Best in Black Awards Show: The Best in Black Awards Show Casting Call for Dancers will be Sunday (Aug. 12) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Sub Roy Studios, 644 S. Highland.

Applications to this casting call require: A phone number; a profile photo and completed profile sheet (available at the casting call); a one-minute dance piece to perform at the audition. (Bring your music in CD format.)

Experienced and versatile dancers needed: Dance ability: Intermediate – expert; Any gender, ages 16 to 30.

Questions: Contact the Best in Black Awards Show Entertainment Coordinator, Viara Boyd, at 901-721-5757 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Tickets: Pre-sale tickets go on sale Friday (Aug. 10) at the offices of The New Tri-State Defender, 202 Beale St., Ste. 200; call 901-523-1818. All pre-sale tickets include a $5 discount and are only available until Aug. 15. VIP reception and preferred tickets are $54.99 (orchestra seating) and $44.99 (parterre). General admission, mezzanine and lower balcony tickets are $34.99. General admission/upper balcony tickets are $29.99.

During the pre-sale period all tickets are $5 off and only available by cash or credit card purchase at the TSD offices or via phone reservation. After Aug. 15, all tickets will be regular price and available only through Ticketmaster locations and the Cannon Center box office. The first 400 people to buy tickets for this event will get a six month home subscription to The New Tri-State Defender as part of your ticket purchase.

Sponsorships and Ads: Special sponsorship offers to include presenting roles at the event, print ads and electronic ads are available. Congratulatory ads for nominees or for others seeking to market their businesses in the show program or post event special edition are also available. Contact our sales team at 901-523-1818 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Volunteers: We have a few select volunteer opportunities available for the event and leading up to the event. Contact Nina Johnson at 901-679-8545 if you are interested in being a volunteer/TSD Ambassador!

That does it for Best in Black Awards updates for now. There are certainly more big ANNOUNCEMENTS to come before the big SHOW!!!

I look forward to seeing you looking your best on the black carpet on Aug. 30!