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(Photo: Robi Reed, Sheilah Belle and Holly Carter)

Beverly Hills, CA — Relevé Entertainment announced today that The Merge Summit 2014 will be held August 21-23 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The event is presented in association with partners: Walgreens, Wellness Interactive, Inc. and Entertainment One.  Integrating faith and entertainment, The Merge Summit provides a platform for men and women of faith to interface, learn and partner with leading executives and talent in the entertainment industry.  

The Summit is one of the largest events for people of faith and its multifaceted program includes a complete weekend of education, inspiration and entertainment. Nearly 100 of the industry’s top entertainers and executives will lead more than 20 interactive panel discussions, workshops and Master Class sessions covering music, television, film, creative development, branding, marketing and new media.

This year, The Summit kicks off its weekend events with Opening Night At The Merge, hosted by actor and E! News co-anchor Terrence Jenkins with special music performances by Mali Music and Jonathan ButlerBET Music Matters in association with eMerge is a new offering of the summit weekend which will showcase and recognize new unsigned poets, artists and spoken word performers. The weekend boasts the Wellness Lounge sponsored by Walgreens and Wellness Interactive, Inc.  Freedom: The Merge Concert Experience sponsored by E-One Entertainment featuring Michelle Williams will culminate the weekend activities.

Master classes, panels and other event highlights include:

Glide: The Splash Theory – moderated by Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper

The It Factor – moderated by Sherri Shepherd – a panel with the industry’s most talented women

The Anatomy of The Writer’s Room – formats of shows, rewrites and the final script process

Faith, Love & Success – an open discussion with power couples about faith, family and career

Actors Workshop with Harry J. Lennix – intensive scene study and cold reading session

Ministry Beyond the Pulpit – featuring cast members and producers from Oxygen’s hit show “Preachers of L.A.”

Creating Hit Music – presented in association with E-One

Producer’s Workshop: The Driving Force – how to take your project from script to screen 

The Merge will also host the Fourth Annual Awards Luncheon on Saturday, August 23rd, honoring those bridging the gap between faith and entertainment. The 2014 honorees include Bishop Charles E. Blake (West Angeles Church of God in Christ), Aundrae Russell (KJLH 102.3 FM), Tina and Harold Lewis (HRL Group LLC), and Suzanne de Passe (de Passe Jones Entertainment).

“We could not be more excited about this year’s gathering,” said The Merge Founder and Chair Dr. Holly Carter.  “We’ve grown and evolved each year while always staying to our original purpose: to provide a platform for creative men and women of faith.  I have no doubt that this year’s powerful speakers and sessions will empower attendees to be bold and on purpose in bringing their dreams to life.”

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.–Romans 8:19 

“What a better place to bring the Word than amongst the brightest of stars and influencers in the entertainment industry,” said The Merge Summit Co-Founder and Co-Chair Robi Reed.  “We need as many beacons of love and hope as we can find to light a path in these days and The Merge Summit is the place where those like minds meet.  I’m excited to see us climb to a new plateau this year.”     

“Year after year, The Merge Summit enhances lives and careers by providing access to knowledge and opportunity,” adds Traci Blackwell, The Merge Summit Co-Chair and SVP, Current Programs, The CW Network.  “This year will be no different and I look forward to seeing attendees grow during this powerful weekend.”

 Other confirmed speakers include:

 Austyn Biggers – Senior Director of Development, BET Networks

Bishop Lester Love – The City of Love Church, New Orleans, Louisiana

Bre’ly Evans – Actress, BET’s “Being Mary Jane”

Common – Rapper/Actor   

Dondre Whitfield – Actor, ABC’s “Mistresses” 

Edwina Findley – Actress, OWN’s “If Loving You Is Wrong”

Harmony Samuels – Music Producer for Maroon 5, Jordin Sparks, Kelly Rowland, Mary J Blige, Arianna Grande

Issa Rae – Producer, Writer, Director, Actress

Jacque Edmonds Cofer – Creator/Co-Executive Producer, BET’s “Let’s Stay Together”

Jawn Murray – Entertainment Journalist and Pop Culture Expert, Always A-List.com

Lynn Whitfield – Emmy Award-winning Actress

Nikkole Denson-Randolph – Vice President, Specialty & Alternative Content, AMC Theatres

Paula White – Paula White Ministries, Orlando, Florida

All Under One Roof, Terrence Jenkins, Mali Music, Paula White, Bishop Charles E. Blake, Common, Sheilah Belle, Lynn Whitfield and More  was originally published on praiserichmond.com