Miami Beach, Fl-March 12, 2019- The Cultural Conversations series powered by Yvette N. Harris( Founder, Harris Public Relations) and The Betsy Hotel celebrates women’s history month with their “Pioneering Women in Hip Hop and Spoken Word: Reflections and How Is The Torch Being Passed on Today panel on Sunday, March 17, 2019, at the Betsy Hotel(1440 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139) at 2pm. The event is free and open to the public by [email protected]. The historical contributions of women to the hip hop and spoken word arena are tremendous. They have always moved the culture forward with amazing lyrics, standout feature performances, and overall swag that has helped each narrative grow over the past 40 years.

“I’ve worked at The Betsy Hotel for almost a decade, watching the emergence of so many exciting cultural programs. I’m so honored now to be co-curating this brand new program with my colleague Yvette N. Harris It’s a program that highlights the vibrant world of African American culture, through panel conversations, multi-media presentations, and great food”, noted Ed Ponder, Director of Food and Beverage at The Betsy, and a well-known thought leader in South Florida for his charitable and community building work.

“Hip hop and spoken word would not exist without the support and participation of women. I grew up in the era of Queen Latifah, Jessica Care Moore, Monie Love, Roxanne Shante, and Salt and Pepper to name a few, states Yvette N.Harris, co-curator. The Nuyorican Cafe and Def Poetry Jam show in New York were spots I frequented to get my spoken word dose. We are excited to celebrate these amazing women and help support the ones currently charting their path in the industry now”.

Moderator: Marie Vickles-Director of Education, Perez Art Museum Miami
Panelists:Elora Mason-CEO, Publicist,Lorenzo Ice Tea Thomas-Veteran Radio & TV Personality,Deborah Magdalena,CEO, SpokenSoulFestival,Mark Gordon,Artist / Entertainment Influencer,Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns-Spoken Word Artist,SHE-J-Hercules,Air Personality, 99 Jamz,DJ Fly Guy,Celebrity DJ,Donald Jones-Law Professor, UM,Loni Johnson- Visual Artist

4 pm Screening of “My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip Hop-Directed and Produced by Ava Duvernay

** Guests are invited to continue the conversation at LT Steak and Seafood, at an a la carte dinner, hosted by Ed Ponder, Director of Food and Beverage –RSVP to [email protected] for details.

About the Betsy Hotel
The Betsy-South Beach (www.thebetsyhotel.com-Well regarded for its promotion of culture and art, recently expanded into a 130 room boutique resort hotel, debuting two new public art pieces in 2017: The Betsy Orb and Poetry Rail. Recent awards for luxury hotel excellence include Travel and Leisure’s Top Boutique Hotel on Miami Beach, and Conde Nast Gold List, among many others. The Betsy – South Beach is on a mission to redefine hospitality with music, art exhibitions, readings, book signings, guest room libraries, poems placed on pillows at turndown each night, and charitable collaboration (since 2009) with hundreds of charitable organizations in South Beach, and beyond. The Betsy-South Beach is family owned and operated. The Betsy-South Beach – 1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, 33139 – 305-760-6900 – press inquiries –[email protected]

About Yvette N. Harris
Yvette N. Harris, the guiding force behind the innovative boutique public relations consulting firm Harris Public Relations has developed a national footprint and strong track record in the arts, and culture, community, Business, Caribbean and lifestyle arena for the past 20 years.
A savvy businesswoman, Yvette’s approach is distinctive. Her purpose-driven results-oriented company has a very hands-on approach, and innate understanding of the traditional and new media landscape harnessed with a passion for positivity and enthusiasm has resulted in her unique network of real, long-term and mutually beneficial partnerships. Indeed
the go-to-publicist who has her finger on the pulse of today’s media landscape, Yvette has contributed significantly to the positive press and storytelling on behalf of many communities and organizations throughout the nation and globally. Above all, as a proud and involved mother of a beautiful daughter, Nya, whom she deems as her most significant accomplishment,
Yvette truly believes in the company’s tagline “Culturally Driven, Community Minded” as the foundation of how she does business. Follow her on Twitter @YvetteHarrisPR