Curtis King Honored at the Gospel Goes to Hollywood Awards Luncheon Celebrating the Untold Stories of Faith During Oscar Week

DALLAS, TX, March 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) The co-host actress Wendy Raquel Robinson of the hit show, "The Game" and actor Terry Crews of the popular sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" and the upcoming film "The Expendables 2," honored Loretta Devine, Bill Duke and Curtis King, highlighted some of Hollywood's most inspirational who have overcome hurdles and persevered through faith.

Curtis L King has distinguished himself and his non-profit organization, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Inc. (TBAAL), not only in Dallas, but nationally and internationally, by promoting and perpetuating the Arts and Letters of African Americans in the Fine, Literary and Performing Arts. King founded The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Inc. (formerly the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters) 31 years ago at his dining room table with a personal investment of only $250 to support it. Since its inception, the organization moved approximately nine times before finding it current home of more than eighteen years anchored by a contract with the City of Dallas for 30 years. The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Inc. is the only African American multi-disciplined cultural arts organization in the country housed inside a major urban convention center. It currently occupies 250,000 square feet of space in the Dallas Convention Center, which include: Naomi Bruton Theatre (1,750 seats), Eva Jessye Gift Shop, Clarence Muse Cafe Theatre, James E. Kemp Art Gallery, Rehearsal/Lecture Rooms, and administrative offices.

Under the leadership of Curtis King, TBAAL has become the "cultural icon" of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, presenting over 150 cultural arts programs and events - attracting more than 600,000 people annually. In addition to exceptional administrative skills, King has conceived, created and directed scores of highly acclaimed plays, musical tributes, concerts, and other cultural events aimed at uplifting the Black community, as well as enlightening diverse audiences.

Using an amazing combination of national stars, local talent and a cadre of faithful volunteers from Dallas and the East Coast, King has earned TBAAL respect and acclaim comparable to that of its namesake, the original Black Academy of Arts and Letters, the preeminent cultural organization that was formed decades ago in New York.

Often called the "King of Tributes," the native of Coldwater, Mississippi is constantly developing or being sought after to develop, produce or direct new projects. In October of 2000, King produced a special tribute to comedian/activist Dick Gregory held at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. hosted by Bill Cosby and starring such notables as Cicely Tyson and Stevie Wonder.

Among many producers, King was selected to produce "The National Civil War Memorial Tribute" at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. For TBAAL's 23rd Season Opening, King was the creative mastermind in organizing and producing a stellar Tribute evening, attended by 28 African and Caribbean ambassadors and more than 30 national/international celebrities participated in TBAAL's 30th Anniversary season opening.

King was also the creator and producer of Dallas' first Dallas Arts Tribute Benefit. "Symphony with the Divas," which brings classical, jazz, pop, hip-hop, and gospel stars to the same stage with local symphonies, was conceived and produced by King and has been presented in several major U.S. cities. King was the creative force behind the "I Remember...The March on Washington: 30 Years Performing and Visual Arts Anniversary Salute, 1963-1993." The "I Remember..." concert, arts exhibit, and Tribute in the nation's capital marked the 30th anniversary of the historic March on Washington.

Over the years, King has collaborated with talent such as Debbie Allen, the late artist Romare Bearden, actors Avery Brooks, Robert Guillaume, Louis Gossett, Jr., Della Resse, the late Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Dionne Warwick, Maya Angelou, Roberta Flack, Melba Moore, Nancy Wilson, and Phylicia Rashad. Internationally, King has traveled to Ethiopia, where he produced and directed a musical, "Addis By Night," which was sponsored by the federal government's State Department-United States Information Agency. Recently, King traveled to Turkey, where he hosted the International Interfaith Cultural Dialogue and Tour. Mr. Curtis King ended the night by quoting Langston Hughes poem, Mother to Son.

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Please Contact
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters
http://www.tbaal.org or
call 214 743-2440