Actress Phylicia Rashad joins celebrity lineup to host the 16th Annual Urban Wheel Awards

 

Detroit, MI (BlackNews.com) — Award winning Actress Phylicia Rashad, will join ABC News Anchor John Quonines, to co-host the 16th Annual Urban Wheel Awards Sunday, January 8, 2012 at MotorCity Casino Hotel inside the Sound Board theatre during the North American International Auto Show’s (NAIAS) press preview week. The Urban Wheel Awards is the official multicultural event of the NAIAS.

Rashad and a roster of other celebrities, politicians, professional athletes and dignitaries will honor automotive companies, executives, and the winning urban vehicles at the star-studded annual event.

Whether Rashad is bringing laughter to millions of television viewers around the world, moving theatre-goers to tears, thrilling movie fans, offering new insights to students by teaching Master Classes at renowned learning institutions that include Howard University, Julliard, and Carnegie Mellon, serving on Boards of prestigious organizations, or breaking new ground as a director, Phylicia Rashad is one of the entertainment world’s most extraordinary performing artists.

John Quiñones is the Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of ABC newsmagazine “Primetime” and has been with the network nearly 25 years. He is the sole anchor of the “Primetime” series “What Would You Do?” one of the highest-rated newsmagazine franchises of recent years. During his tenure he has reported extensively for ABC News, predominantly serving as a correspondent for “Primetime” and “20/20.”

Emmy Winning phenomenon Debbi Morgan – formerly Dr. Angie Hubbard on “All My Children” – joined the cast of The “Young and The Restless.” Fans are already familiar with Morgan’s character, which was previously known as Yolanda when the role was played by Chene Lawson (2005-06). Ms. Morgan’s career over the past twenty years has shown how diverse her body of work is and has become a household staple across the country.

Other celebrity presenters include: NFL Detroit Lions Starting Linebacker Justin Durant, Celebrity Actress Gina Hiraizumi, Fox 2 News Anchor Roop Raj, NFL Superstar Damian Gregory, Award Winning Radio Host, Author and Business Woman Frankie Darcell and the cast of Wives of Favor. The UWA will also include special musical performances by Celebrity Singer Songwriter Lisa Deveaux, Celebrity Singer Songwriter Beth Griffith and the Citadel Church Gospel Choir and Celebrity Band Larry Lee and the Back in the Day band.

About the Urban Wheel Awards

The 16th Annual Urban Wheel Awards is a world-class awards show, held during the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The only Official Multicultural Event held in conjunction with the NAIAS, the awards promote diversity inclusion in the nation’s largest auto show and brings together celebrities, automotive executives, international media, government representatives and the multicultural community to celebrate diversity accomplishment in the automotive industry. The festivities begin at 2:00 p.m. with a vehicle exhibit, followed by a reception at 4:00 p.m. to honor William “Bill” Perkins, the first African-American Chairman of the NAIAS. The celebrity Green Carpet and VIP reception follows at 5:30 p.m. and the awards show will take place from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. An afterglow networking reception will conclude the evening. Proceeds from the event support the Emerging Diversity Education Fund, which provides internships, scholarship and mentoring to students pursuing careers in the auto industry, communications, and Green jobs. For more information, please contact Marjorie Staten at events@decisivemag.com or (248) 866-8837 or visit www.urbanwheelawards.com for more information.