Thug Life Army

The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) has emerged as the premiere organization for the education and empowerment of women worldwide. WEEN is spearheaded by stars and executives from the entertainment industry and advocates for the balanced, positive portrayal of women in entertainment and in society. WEEN will launch the "Don''t Judge Me...EmPower Me" national tour at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on June 28, 2008 at 1:30pm.

Entertainment icons, hip-hop notables and executives will discuss health, financial literacy, leadership, career development and relationships with thousands of young adults in a series of intimate, interactive panel discussions. Anheuser-Busch, Inc. is the presenting sponsor and Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the supporting sponsor.

WEEN was founded by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network's (HSAN) Executive Director Valeisha Butterfield. The WEEN Advisory Board consists of hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte, TV personality Lauren Lake and television producer turned public school teacher Sabrina Thompson. Kimora Lee Simmons is the National Spokeswoman for WEEN.

Joining the "Don''t Judge Me...EmPower Me" kick-off in New York City is LeToya Luckett, Lil Mama, MC Lyte, Melyssa Ford, La La Vasquez, Lil Mo, Julissa Bermudez, Free, BET television personality Alesha Renee, Vibe Magazine Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith, Primetime Omnimedia CEO Marilyn Crawford, Universal Motown Executives Shanti Das and Phylicia Fant, 5WPR executive Tracy Nygen, Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Director of Talent Relations Jasmin Franjul, Model Agent Davida Williams, Dr. Nicole Roberson, Dr. Catrise Austin (Dentist), Activist Maria Davis, Lynn Richardson of Wealth n Real Estate, Lori Gibbs of Genworth Financial. The WEEN event is also supported by actor/author Hill Harper, renowned video director Lil X, Warner Music Group Executive Vice President Kevin Liles, BET's host of 106 & Park Terrence J and Hip-Hop Summit Action Network President Dr. Benjamin Chavis.

"Our tour begins in New York City at a most opportune time given the unprecedented national debate about the leadership of women in American society. WEEN's fast growing network of artists, executives and professionals will deliver vital and exciting information to thousands of young women on June 28. After many months of preparation, we are enthusiastic about the launch and our goal is to provide young women with the tools necessary to make informed professional and personal life choices," exclaimed Founder Valeisha Butterfield.

The community partners include The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), Girl Scouts of America, the National Urban League, Latinos in Fashion and Entertainment (L.I.F.E.), T.E.E.N. Diaries, Carifest Cares and Melyssa Ford's Less Is More. The exclusive radio partner is Power105.1. The production partner is Bird's Eye Entertainment.

For more information and to join WEEN, log onto www.weenonline.org