Award-winning actress Tichina Arnold and famed casting director Winsome Sinclair, C.S.A., visit Fayetteville, NC in celebration of Black History Month

(Fayetteville, NC) – With support from Piedmont Natural Gas, The Arts Council is producing a Black History Month film talk entitled, True to Yourself, with keynote speakers renowned casting director Winsome Sinclair, C.S.A., and award-winning actress Tichina Arnold. On Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 7 p.m. at J.W. Seabrook Auditorium (Fayetteville State University, a Historically Black College and University), Tichina and Winsome will be joined on stage by former North Carolina State Senator Dr. Eric Mansfield as moderator.

“We are thrilled that Piedmont Natural Gas has partnered with The Arts Council in this realm,” said Deborah Martin Mintz, executive director of The Arts Council. “It’s the commitment to arts and culture that has made a significant impact in our region. True to Yourself will spotlight the conversation around diversity and the many challenges faced by African American women in television and film.”

“Piedmont Natural Gas is proud to support this celebration of Black History Month,” said Tammy Thurman, community relations manager for Piedmont Natural Gas. “This event will educate and enrich our diverse community, and we thank The Arts Council for bringing Fayetteville this opportunity.”
Long-time film veterans Tichina and Winsome will unmask the challenges and lessons faced while obtaining longevity in the entertainment industry as well as share their contributions to television/film. "One thing that I have learned in life is; sometimes you have to love it when it does not love you. Self- definition is imperative, because if not, you give others the opportunity to define you,” said Tichina Arnold whose work includes leading roles on VH1’s Daytime Divas, Everybody Hates Chris, Martin and STARZ Survivor's Remorse to list a few.

True to Yourself, is a tale of triumph over adversity; it explores diversity in the arts and culture community through the power of storytelling and the sharing of knowledge and wisdom. “For so long, Black people didn’t have a voice, thus I am grateful for Black History Month. For so long, women didn’t have a voice, thus I am grateful for the women’s right movements. As a woman who has had success in a male dominated industry, I implore those aspiring to enter the film industry to come and join this conversation. It brings me joy to impart knowledge and share my experiences with those coming up under me,” said Winsome Sinclair, C.S.A., who has worked with some of Hollywood’s most influential directors, Steven Spielberg, John Singleton, Oliver Stone, Spike Lee and more.

True to Yourself, is sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas, Carolina Vascular Institute PA and venue sponsor Fayetteville State University. Other partners and media supporters include Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation/Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council, The Fayetteville Observer and WRAL-TV.

For ticket purchases or more information, visit http://www.theartscouncil.com/true-yourself

For Sponsorship Inquiries Contact:
UniQue Webster, Director of Development, (910) 323-1776 ext. 242 or uniquew@theartscouncil.com

What: True To Yourself: A Black History Month Film Talk
When: February 17, 2018; 7:00 p.m.
Where: J.W. Seabrook Auditorium - Fayetteville State University (1200 Murchison Rd., Fayetteville, NC)
Release: Immediate
Kill: February 16, 2018

ABOUT TICHINA ARNOLD
Tichina Arnold starred in the top-rated, critically acclaimed television sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, portraying a 1980s version of comedian Chris Rock's real-life mother. Arnold's breakout role came in 1986 when she was cast in the film version of a popular off-Broadway musical, Little Shop of Horrors. She appeared on two ABC daytime dramas, Ryan's Hope and All My Children, and in the 1991 Bette Midler-Woody Allen comedy Scenes from a Mall. Her most notable role was staring as Pam James on the hit Fox television sitcom Martin alongside comic Martin Lawrence. She appeared in the box-office hit Big Momma's House as well as a critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated HBO film, Dancing in September. Beginning 2014, she has played the lead role of Cassie Calloway on Survivor's Remorse and currently has a leading role in VH1’s satirical comedy-drama television series Daytime Divas; based on the book Satan's Sisters by former co-host of The View, Star Jones.

ABOUT WINSOME SINCLAIR, C.S.A
One of the most sought after casting directors on the East Coast, Winsome Sinclair, C.S.A. has collaborated with such directors as Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone and John Singleton, casting principals and extras for the films Being Mary Jane, Nappily Ever After, Amistad, Malcolm X, Waiting to Exhale, The Best Man, She Hate Me, Inside Man, Too Fast Too Furious, Black Snake Moan, Cadillac Records, and Precious, among others. Her most recent projects include the LIFETIME TV movie Seasons of Love produced by Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, as well as the HBO film Bessie starring and produced by Queen Latifah, directed by Dee Rees of the critically acclaimed Pariah. Winsome Sinclair & Associates is celebrated for creating valuable jobs for many African-American and Latino actors.

ABOUT THE ARTS COUNCIL
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County was founded in 1973. As a link between artists, arts and cultural organizations and the community, the nonprofit agency administers programs in partnership with a variety of local agencies to stimulate community development through the arts. The Arts Council supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development and lifelong learning through the arts.

UniQue Webster
Development Director
The Arts Council
301 Hay Street | Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: 910-323-1776 ext. 242 | Fax: 910-323-1727

This release was published on openPR.