RADIO ONE ANNOUNCES KEYSHIA COLE UPDATE FOR 2009 WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

- New Keynote Speaker To Be Announced Soon -

Radio One Raleigh announced today that due to circumstances out of their control, Keyshia Cole is unable to attend Women’s Empowerment 2009. Please stay tuned to k97.5, Foxy 107.1 / 104.1 and 103.9 The Light radio stations for a special announcement of the new keynote speaker! Fans can obtain a refund at the original point of purchase.

The one-day empowerment fest will feature performances by Academy award-winning songstress Jennifer Hudson, an inspirational message and performance by Vickie Winans and also hitting the stage is newcomer LaShell Griffin (the winner of Oprah Winfrey’s Pop Star Challenge), among others. Additional performers will be announced each week leading up to the conference.

Radio One Raleigh’s Women’s Empowerment Expo is the city’s most anticipated event of the year, with an expected gathering of thousands of men and women who come together for a full-day of entertainment, education and empowerment. The annual expo was launched in 1994 in honor of Women’s History Month. Its goal is to have a direct impact on the lives and culture of African American women, with a particular concentration on their “health, hearts and pocketbooks.” Aside from live performances, attendees will be treated to exclusive seminars, workshops, demonstrations and shopping.

The featured areas of the 2009 expo is the Literary Lounge-- which will offer all of the most recent released books, a book signing from nationally acclaimed authors, and a spoken word segment-- and a Men’s Lounge (which is being sponsored by Frank’s Red Hot) that will offer a relaxing environment for the men in attendance to kick back and watch the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Previous keynote speakers include Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former U.S. Surgeon General; Susan Taylor, former editor in chief of Essence; Rolanda Watts, North Carolina native and former talk show host of Rolanda; Phylicia Rashad, from The Cosby Show; Iyanla Vanzant, noted inspirational women’s author; Debbie Allen, actress and choreographer, Queen Latifah, recording artist/actress; and awarding winner actress, Angela Basset. Last year’s keynote address was delivered by famed singer Natalie Cole.

The 2009 Women’s Empowerment Expo is being sponsored by Duke Health Care System, State Farm and the local Radio One station(s) in the Raleigh area.

Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone 1-800-745-3000 or at the RBC Center Box Office.

For more information on the 2009 Radio One Women’s Empowerment Expo, please visit www.WomensEmpowermentExpo.com