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BY PATRICE A. KELLY "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." – Luke 2:10-11 NEWS NOTES Allstate Insurance Company returns for a second con- secutive year as title sponsor for the Allstate Gospel Superfest at The Cintas Center, located on the campus of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 9, 2010. The Allstate Gospel Superfest is presented in part by Procter & Gamble. The show will feature some of the nation's most prolific and exciting artists in the inspira- tional and urban fields. Scheduled to appear at the one-day event are Richard Smallwood, Vickie Winans, Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Karen Clark Sheard, Ricky Dillard & New G, Ki Ki Sheard, Rizen, DeWayne Woods, J. Moss, R&B stars The Whispers, Shirley Murdock, Keith Wonderboy Johnson, James Fortune, Professor Wilber Belton & The Ladwec Mass Choir, Bishop Bobby Hilton, Tonya Bake, Melvin Williams, Jonathan Nelson and more. This year's production will be co-hosted by film and television stars Vivica A. Fox and Flex Alexander. Both celebrities return to the production for the third time as co-hosts. Directed by Hollywood director Ryan Polito, the show's stage is designed by Emmy Award winning art director Rene Lagler. Executive producer is show founder Dr. Bobby Cartwright, Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information contact (212) 631-4200 or go to www.gospelsuperfest.com. The 38th RCMA World Conference and Exposition will convene at the Fort Worth Convention Center on January 26-29, 2010. The multifaith event will embrace key religious leaders and industry representatives from throughout North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. American television personality and award winning journalist, Catherine Crier, will present a featured address on "Aim High...You Make A Difference." Recipient of an Emmy, DuPont-Columbia and Gracie Allen awards, Crier was the youngest state judge ever to be elected in Texas. Other personalities who will address the 2,800 interna- tional meeting professionals will be Vince Poscente, Olympic speed-skater; Jim Jacobus speaking on how the "real world fits into what God wants us to be;" Matt Weinstein reflecting on "surviving life's inevitable down- turns;" and Vicki Hitzges, broadcast personality present- ing "Those Are Trees Out There." A special feature of the event will be a range of Behind-The-Scenes Experiences in which the attendees will actively indulge in the inner operations of hotels, the convention center, production companies, public rela- tions firm and advertising agency. The broad spec- trum of daily educational tutorials will range from "Blessed Be They Who Understand The Religious Market," "Who, What, When, Where, How to Plan on Land, Sea and Air," "Blueprints for Successful Meeting and Event Planning," to "Technology Trends Impacting The Meetings Industry," "Best Legal Practices in This Sue or Be Sued Society," and "Social Networking: Today's Marvel of Communications." The event will also be attended by hundreds of convention bureaus, conference centers, hotels, and universities, on hand to provide infor- mation regarding their facilities and services during RCMA's exposition. The opening Tuesday night grand reception will recre- ate the "Wild, Wild West," taking the visitors along the Texas Trail to explore sights, and sounds, from cattle rop- ing to karaoke. The World's Original Indoor Rodeo will perform Wednesday evening, embracing the 114th year for this event in Fort Worth. The traditional Thursday evening gala will feature the President's Award and top talent presenting a variety of musical hits. For more information contact (317) 632-1888 or go to www.rcmaweb.org. WORDS & DEEDS Over 800 people attended the COGIC Charities Scholarship Banquet this year. The event was held during the 102nd Church Of God In Christ Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center Grand Ballroom. Judge Mablean Ephraim, a lifelong COGIC member, was the keynote speaker. The former star of Divorce Court touched on many different subjects in her remarks and received many rounds of applause as she proclaimed 36 Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Continued on page 38