LOCAL MUSIC STORE BRINGS THE BEATS BACK TO THE HEART OF BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham, AL

–After a fresh start and with a fresh face, local music store Muzik & More emerges with new music, a new mission and a new man at the helm. Muzik & More, founded and operated by Aquil Abdur-Rasheed, Jr. in July of 2009, builds on the foundation of the legacy of the former Music-N-More which was successfully founded in the early 1990’s by his parents Aquil Sr. and Hafeeza Abdur-Rasheed.

“I’ve learned so much about the industry since my family began in the early 90’s at the Bessemer Flea Market. The launch of this new business is an avenue to bring music back to the city. I also hope the opening of this store is used to help others dream big and accomplish even bigger” said Aquil Abdur-Rasheed, Jr., Muzik & More Owner.

Aquil Abdur-Rasheed, Jr. says one of his main motives is to serve the African-American community of Birmingham with the kind of local and national music and attention people deserve. He notes that some of the unfortunate changes in the music industry have certainly been felt in Birmingham, but Muzik & More is determined to overcome them through the joy of music, the support of local artists and the impact of caring relationships with his customers. “Long-running chain stores have come and gone. That, combined with the digital age, and the economy have all affected people’s access to music. Music is the soundtrack of our lives. We want people to know that Muzik & More is now here and plans to be here serving the community for a very long time,” he said.

Muzik & More is located at 2247 Bessemer Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35208 in Five Points West, across from the Alabama State Fairgrounds. Operational hours are: Monday through Saturday from 10 am -8 pm. For more information on Muzik & More please contact Aquil Abdur-Rasheed, Jr. at: 205.786.7700, by email at: muziknmore@gmail.com or connect at: facebook.com/muziknmore or twitter.com/muziknmore.

Catrena Norris Carter Appointed Associate Publisher for Who’s Who Publishing Alabama Market

Birmingham, Alabama – Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s largest annual directory publisher focusing on the African-American market, proudly announces Catrena Norris Carter as the associate publisher for its Alabama market. Carter, president and chief executive officer of Women of Will, brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience to Birmingham, Alabama.

Her 10 years in management at the Tutwiler Hotel and former role as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Historic Redmont Hotel provided her with invaluable customer service skills supported by her numerous awards; including The Restaurant & Hospitality Association’s prestigious Hospitality Professional of the Year for the state of Alabama in 2003.

In addition to starting her own event planning company, C&C Events, she founded Women of Will (WOW) a statewide organization aiming to advance women into leadership positions at work, in the community and in politics through training workshops and forums. Carter has done radio in Birmingham and Selma, Alabama. Her show, Trena’s Truth, addresses the challenges of male/female relationships.

Carter graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, following two years on a performing arts scholarship at Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado. She is also connected to several professional affiliations, including Birmingham Event and Meeting Professionals, Birmingham Lodging Association, the African American Business Council – Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Exchange, the League of Women’s Voters, and the 21st Century Youth Leadership Training Program.

Honored in the second edition and featured in the third edition of Who’s Who In Black BirminghamTM as an Interesting Personality, Carter understands the Who’s Who mission of highlighting African-American achievement in the Birmingham area. “It brings me great honor and pride to be joining such a wonderful mission,” shares Carter. “To be able to spotlight the accomplishments of the excellence and perseverance of the African-American people in the great state of Alabama is long overdue. Through this publication we will have a living history book for our children and our communities.”

Real Times Media CEO Hiram E. Jackson shares, “We are truly happy to have Ms. Carter join the Who’s Who family.
We are confident that she will take the Alabama market to new heights and continue the strong reputation of Who’s

Whothroughout Birmingham and cities throughout the state.”  A subsidiary of Real Times Media, Who’s Who Publishing Company was founded in 1989 and highlights the achievements of African Americans while providing a valuable resource and networking guide for the entire community. Real Times Inc. is dedicated to sustaining its presence as the leading source of African-American-related news, entertainment, and lifestyle information.

MBI launches new website

Media.Broadcast.Internet (MBI) has launched a new website designed to better share the capabilities and work of the creative firm.  Chief Technology Officer Darren McLaurin spearheaded the redesign effort and says it has taken several years for the company to focus on it’s own website.  “We are always busy working on projects for our clients but we felt it was time to refocus the MBI brand and spend some time on our own website.” says McLaurin.   CEO, Russ McClinton says the new website brings much needed synergy to the company as it continues to build it’s client base.  “Many people are only familiar with our Urbanham.com brand and don’t realize that we are also a top notch web design firm.  We felt with a new website we could give our clients more insight into what we actually do and better showcase some of the great projects we have had a chance to work on.”

MBI offers consulting services to the City of Birmingham, The Florida Lottery, McWane Inc., The Birmingham Jefferson Transportation Authority and a host of small and mid-sized businesses throughout the southeast and Chicago.

MBI is a subsidiary of Digital Arts Inc.  which currently offers creative services, online products and apparel.  You can check out the new website at www.mbi-llc.com.

Birmingham business woman Nichelle Gainey makes TNJ’s 2010 list of 25 Influential Black Women in Business

NEW YORK, N.Y. (January 2010) — The Network Journal (TNJ) will announce its 2010 list of “25 Influential Black Women in Business.”  Included is Birmingham, Alabama business woman Nichelle Gainey, Founder & President, SilverStone International, LLC.  The honorees will be featured in the March issue of the magazine. In addition, TNJ will honor these movers and shakers during Women’s History Month at its 12th Anniversary Luncheon on March 11 at the renowned New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, located at 1535 Broadway (between 45th & 46th streets) in the business capital of the world, New York City from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“The women we are honoring this year are in the forefront of American leadership and symbolize the diversity and advancement that has occurred across industry lines,” states TNJ Publisher and CEO Aziz Gueye Adetimirin.  The program entails a cocktail networking reception, lunch and a presentation of the awards. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be Brenda Blackmon, Fox/My9 News. The event annually attracts a ‘Who’s Who’ of prominent business executives in various industries. This year’s sponsors are AXA, Entergy, L’Oreal USA, Upscale Magazine, WNYC, and WBLS-FM.

About The Network Journal
Founded in 1993, The Network Journal is an award-winning magazine published each month, except for combined issues in July/August and December/January. It provides news and commentaries on issues that affect the growth of business and the advancement of professionals in the workplace for an audience of predominantly African-American professionals, corporate executives and small-business owners. Engaging more than 86,000 readers, The Network Journal is distributed nationwide, with a focus on the northeast region. For more information call 212-962-3791, or visit the TNJ Web site at www.tnj.com.

SilverStone International, LLC
To find out more about Ms. Gainey’s business SilverStone International visit http://www.silverstoneintl.com