11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wayne County Community College District
Downtown Campus
1001 W. Fort, Detroit, MI  48226
The event is free and open to the public.

 Tuesday, April 22^nd, 2008
OTHER PEOPLE’S SKIN:  A PANEL DISCUSSION
Elizabeth moderates this provocative conversation on race as part of the Detroit Public Library’s Authors @ Main 2008 Series.

The Disney Yacht Club
Orlando, Florida

The Downtown Hyatt
Atlanta, Georgia

GOVERNOR APPOINTS ELIZABETH TO COMMISSION CELEBRATING CENTENNIAL OF RESORT TOWN OF IDLEWILD, MICHIGAN

 It’s the Up North sanctuary where Elizabeth’s creative juices created the best selling novel Dark Secret — and where she’s working on her sizzlin’-hot screenplay.

The historic getaway is also where Elizabeth relaxes with friends and family to swim in the lake, lounge on the deck, and savor steaks off the grill.

In the turquoise cottage that her grandfather built in the 1950s — which was featured in The Detroit Free Press’s Twist section last summer — Elizabeth cherishes the serenity of the place where Motown greats, Joe Louis, W.E.B. DuBois, Madam C.J. Walker, Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes once retreated to relax and celebrate life and love.

The magic history of Idlewild is something that Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm wants to preserve and commemorate as a state gem and tourist attraction.

That’s why Governor Granholm appointed Elizabeth to a dynamic commission that will host a spectacular celebration of Idlewild’s centennial in 2012.

The town was founded in 1912 as a place where African Americans could purchase inexpensive woodland and build cottages around a beautiful lake.  During segregation, Idlewild was an oasis of fun and freedom by thousands of folks who — in the everyday world — faced the horrors of racism.  It’s playfully called “a place for Idle men and Wild women.”

Elizabeth’s mother, 36^th District Court Chief Judge Marylin Atkins, who helped GrandPop build the cottage from scratch, retreats to the cottage to relax after hectic weeks at court.  Growing up in Idlewild’s heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, Marylin enjoyed Motown shows at The Paradise Club on the lake, roller-skating into the night to hits by the Supremes, and enjoying teenaged fun on the beach with her friends.

The end of segregation in 1964 was bittersweet for Idlewild.  Other vacation spots opened up for African Americans, many of whom abandoned their Idlewild cottages.  But the last two decades have inspired a renaissance in which folks are renovating their cottages and flocking back to Idlewild to celebrate its history and the incredible peace and beauty of its woods and lake.

Now, the happy energy of Idlewild still whispers as the breeze sways the treetops, and sparkles like a million diamonds on the lake.

And it is that magic that makes Elizabeth proud to serve on the Governor’s prestigious Commission to celebrate our state sanctuary called Idlewild.

THE TYRA BANKS SHOW FEATURES ELIZABETH

“Do Light-Skinned Blacks Have It Easier?”

That’s the question that Tyra Banks posed to Elizabeth Atkins during a recent show taping in New York.

Ms. Banks was inspired to do an entire show, she announced, after reading Elizabeth’s essay in Ebony Magazine in February, 2008.  The essay was part of the magazine’s Two Sides feature, in which two people face off with opposing viewpoints on opposite pages.

Ebony Writer Adrienne Samuels, who wrote a compelling essay arguing that darker skinned African Americans have it tougher in life, also appeared on the show. 

Over lunch in the Green Room, Elizabeth and Adrienne clicked and enjoyed a profound conversation about race, identity, life and love.

Then they shared their insights and experiences on the show, which includes graphics of the magazine cover, featuring Eddie Murphy, as well as Elizabeth’s article and photograph.

Several America’s Next Top Model contestants also voiced their opinions on the show about race, identity and how their light skin or dark skin affects their careers as models.

So when can you watch the show?

Check back here for an airdate so that you can check out this provocative hour of insights and inspiration!

EBONY MAGAZINE PUBLISHES ELIZABETH’S ESSAY ON RACE

Celebrity couples in love beam just below the question “Do Light-Skinned Blacks Have It Easier?” on the cover of the February edition of this must-read magazine.  Are light-skinned blacks are happier, more successful and more accepted than their darker-skinned brothers and sisters?

And inside, Elizabeth answers this question with a heart-wrenching anecdote about how a dark-skinned girl at summer camp threatened to cut off Elizabeth’s ponytail while she was sleeping.  Elizabeth also provides a historical perspective on the light-skin/dark-skin drama, by quoting the infamous Willie Lynch letter.  Back in 1712, the wicked slave consultant instructed plantation owners how to instill jealousy, envy and hate into the minds of black folk regarding complexion and hair texture, so that they would be divided and conquered for hundreds, if not thousands of years to come.

Well, here we are in 2008, hundreds of years later, still debating this tragic mentality and reality for too many people. 

Hopefully Elizabeth’s article, and the equally provocative counterpoint written by Ebony Writer Adrienne Samuels in the Two Sides feature, will inspire you to help heal our hearts and minds forever.

ELIZABETH HOSTS PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON RACE, INSPIRED BY LATEST BOOK,
 OTHER PEOPLE’S SKIN:  FOUR NOVELLAS

Admit it, we're all obsessed with the color of Other People's Skin, the texture of their hair, the hue of their eyes.  This racial obsession is as American as apple pie, and as painful as can be for many people.  Especially black women.  That light skin/dark skin dynamic has festered among us since slavery, causing deep psychological wounds for too many of us.  That's why Elizabeth teamed up with bestselling authors Tracy Price Thompson of Hawaii, TaRessa Stovall of New Jersey, and NPR Personality/Detroit Free Press Columnist Desiree Cooper, to compose an anthology called Other People's Skin:  Four Novellas.

The book includes four fictional stories of African American women who triumph over hair and skin issues that have tragically plagued them for a lifetime.  The stories inspire hope and happiness for everyone!

Sadly, though, the issues on the pages play out in real life.  You probably heard about the Detroit party that was free for light-skinned women only (It was cancelled). Then a magazine editor called Afros and dreadlocks a Glamour "don't." And you may hear and see the light skin/dark skin, good hair/bad hair drama explode every day.

It makes millions of women feel hate. From within. From the world. And toward each other.

Now it's time to talk about how to heal and love ourselves — as we are. OTHER PEOPLE'S SKIN: A PANEL DISCUSSION helps us do just that.

By talking.  And by providing tips on how to break free of the paralyzing hate of the good hair/bad hair, light skin/dark skin drama.  Let's stop the hate, start some love, and celebrate!

Elizabeth will moderate OTHER PEOPLE’S SKIN:  A PANEL DISCUSSION, part of the Detroit Public Library’s Authors @ Main 2008 Series.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
6 p.m.
The Old Fine Arts Room
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI  48202

 http://www.empowerourselves.org/home.html

And here's an excerpt of Elizabeth’s story, "Take It Off!"

http://www.empowerourselves.org/take_it_off.html

ELIZABETH AUTOGRAPHS BOOKS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Under the opulent rotunda of the Low Library, Elizabeth joined hundreds of classmates and professors for a booksigning reception to celebrate Alumni Weekend at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. 

As a diverse group of TV, radio, newspaper, magazine and Internet journalists mingled over wine and hors d’oeuvres, dozens of authors autographed books published within the past year.

Elizabeth signed copies of Other People’s Skin and chatted with fellow journalists about writing, news and school memories.

Prior to that, Elizabeth joined a friend who was introducing Ruby Dee at a bustling downtown gallery showcasing images1 of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The April 4^th event, covered by CNN, CBS and other media, commemorated the 40^th anniversary of Dr. King’s  death.

ELIZABETH HOSTS HER “HOW TO WRITE A BOOK AND GET PUBLISHED” WORKSHOP AT THE ANNUAL POWERNETWORKING CONFERENCE

Atlanta, June 19^th, 2008
Hyatt Regency, Downtown Atlanta

NPR PUBLISHES ELIZABETH’S ESSAY ON RACE

Indulge a Short, Sweet, White Chocolate Treat by Elizabeth Atkins, an essay she whipped up for the "This I Believe" feature on National Public Radio.

Published on NPR’s website, you can read Elizabeth’s  perspective on race and identity at 

http://www.thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=36141&lastname=Atkins&city=Detroit&state=MI&yval=0&start=0

 
ELIZABETH SPEAKS ABOUT RACE ON BET!

Sparks fly on the set of the new Black Entertainment Television show Meet the Faith when Elizabeth joined a raucous debate about race, identity and privilege.  Host Ian Smith keeps the conversation crackling by asking questions about passing for white… while Bernie Mac Show Creator Larry Wilmore joins Elizabeth to squash author Bintell Powell’s accusations that light-skinned people “stick together” to oppress darker-hued people. 

This new show – which aired in December, 2007 -- is hot, hot, hot!

ELIZABETH SPEAKS ON BIRACIAL IDENTITY AT NATIONAL JOURNALISM CONVENTION

"What is Race?"  Elizabeth answered that question on a panel discussion at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Las Vegas. 

The discussion focused on the race question in relation to Presidential hopeful Barack Obama's quest for the White House.

Elizabeth showed the packed banquet room her DVD that you can view on the Home page.  And she talked about being a white-looking biracial woman.  At the same time, fellow panelist Pearl Duncan, a writer, who has black hair and dark skin, presented a slide show about her journey to Ireland to connect with her clan after DNA linked her ancestry to the Emerald Isle.

Also on the panel was University of California Riverside Professor Yolanda T. Moses, who helped create the RACE exhibit that’s now traveling America.  The anthropologist talked about the genetic origins of race.

Several other experts contributed fascinating facts and opinions that inspired folks to think and talk about race with new intelligence and insight!

ELIZABETH RAISES $400 FOR AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

Take a deep breath.  Now imagine that you can't.

As a giant fist squeezes the air from your chest...

No air in... no air out.

Just a horrible wheezing sound...

And terror in those witnessing your asthma attack.

It's happened to Elizabeth too many times.

So she asked friends and family to help her share the breath of life!  And they did, quite generously!

In fact, in just a few days, Elizabeth’s supporters donated $400 in pledges for the American Lung Association’s second annual Climb Detroit.

All so Elizabeth could huff and puff up 70 flights of stairs... to help people BREATHE.  Super-fit, as seen on Oprah, Elizabeth and The Man of Her Dreams used their turbo lung-power to raise money for research for better lung health for everyone.

All the while, as they raced up the stairs in Detroit's Renaissance Center... she reflected back 10 years when she was in the hospital with double pneumonia.  Coughing and wheezing, it was miserable...
and potentially deadly.

Now, her super-strong lungs and so many generous contributions will spare others from such misery and danger.

Elizabeth is immensely grateful to her many generous supporters who are joining her to help the American Lung Association fulfill its mission to "improving life, one breath at a time."

ELIZABETH RUNS TO HER HEART’S CONTENT

Finally, it’s Spring!  And that means Elizabeth is lacing up her running shoes and hitting the streets.  She officially kicked off the 2008 running season with the four-mile Corktown Race on St. Patrick’s Day in Detroit.

Running alongside The Man of Her Dreams, it was as exhilarating as the 10K Turkey Trot in November, when she joined thousands of runners on the streets of Detroit to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

The month before, Elizabeth was thrilled to run the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon, which included an amazing sprint over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada, and a return trek in the Windsor Tunnel under the Detroit River.

Most recently, Elizabeth took an awesome sprint through Manhattan.

Running is sheer bliss!

MONTEL!

 Wow... It was truly a moment of living my life purpose to the fullest, by joining Emmy-winning Montel Williams on the set of his phenomenal talk show, to explain my mission as a Princess of Peace whose speaking and writing unites people across all lines of color and culture. Encouraged by Montel's warm, welcoming interview style during the show called "RACISM: WITHIN YOUR OWN RACE," I explained how my father—a former Roman Catholic priest—baptized me and asked God to give me, as the embodiment of two races and symbol of colorblind love, the strength and courage to promote harmony. I also talked about the racial dilemmas I've faced while dating, and Montel shared interesting scenarios that he's witnessed as folks react to the shock value of my appearance. While promoting White Chocolate, the show helped several people work through the pain and predicaments of being misunderstood and mistreated because of how we look. It's my belief that talking about these taboo issues on Montel empowered viewers to transform their angst and anger into positive empowerment. And it's still helping people... the Montel show has been re-run every month since!

CELEBRITY BOOK FAIR!

 I sold out at a booksigning in Los Angeles at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey... I was there in November to autograph copies of Twilight... and support a hospital that helps poor pregnant women and babies get excellent medical care. I joined several celebrity authors at the annual Book Affaire, a fundraiser for the beautiful new neo-natal wing at the Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center in Hawthorne, California. This is my third time participating in this elegant event where I met Max Kennedy, Rachel Ashwell (Shabby Chic), Charlton Heston, Montel Williams and Psychic Sylvia Browne. Nothing like celebrating the successful sales in the warm sunshine overlooking those glimmering yachts in the Marina!