Jillian Ellis, a 2010 graduate of Lakota West High School, will perform songs from her debut album at a CD release party this Saturday at 9 p.m. at 86 Club in Clinton, 2820 Vine Street.
The album, “The Journey”, is the first released by the West Chester record label Positive Message Music, which focuses on producing uplifting messages through its music.
“We are excited about our first new artist as she debuts, ‘The Journey,’ a rich, R&B album with both riveting ballads and exciting dance music,” said Eric Ellis, Jillian’s father and founder of Positive Message Music.
“Jillian co-wrote most of the songs and they reflect her journey to womanhood. Jillian is a powerful and refreshing new voice for this generation.”
Tickets for the CD release party can be purchased in advance for $5 at the 86 Club, 513-341-8686 and by contacting Positive Message Music at 513-874-6836. Tickets are also available at the door for $8. CDs will be available at the event, through Positive Message Music and through iTunes.
After Lakota West sophomore Amber Robinson was fatally stabbed in September 2009, Eric Ellis was asked by then-principal Richard Hamilton to talk to the student body about making good choices.
“As I thought about what I wanted to do, I decided that music was what I wanted to go after,” said Ellis, who is the president and CEO of Integrity Development Corporation, a consulting firm specializing in diversity solutions.
“I really thought that the music was sending messages to young people that were often times resulting in violence and bad choices.”
At the end of Ellis’ presentation to Lakota West students, his daughter, Jillian Ellis, who graduated from West in 2010, sang a song her father wrote for Robinson called “One more day.”
After the song, many students were left in tears.
The message was received.
Four years later, Ellis of West Chester Township is still trying to spread that message through his local record label, Positive Message Music.
“I believe that music is the language of this generation,” Ellis said. “Too often adults are talking about adult solutions to problems that relate to young people. I really want to give young people a chance to speak to their peers through music and we are seeing that happen.”
Ellis’ four kids didn’t share his vision. In fact, when he came up with the idea for Positive Message Music, his children teased him.
“At the beginning we thought he was insane,” said his 18-year-old son Eric Ellis II. “We thought he had lost his mind. He was just sitting in front of his computer every night, making up songs. He sounded like a maniac.”
Their opinions changed, however, when two of his children were among the first seven local artists to sign with the record label in August of 2011.
“When things started to come together, my sister and I thought that this could be something,” Ellis II said. “Once we realized that, we have been in the studio, writing music and enjoying it ever since.”
Ellis’ son, aka “E2,” and daughter, aka “J. Faith,” are among the 12 artists signed with Positive Message Music. Other artists include Chris Douglas (rap – “Chris D.”), Aaron Collins (rap – “Double A”), Kendra Northgrad (country), Jerron Long (rap – “K. Starr”), Constance Dee (gospel r&b) and Chris Brokamp (rock). The label also has a group called the Mudd Gang, which is made up of Marisa Moore, Jakhaari Blackmon, Quentin Walker and Tenise Propes.
Eric Ellis talks about his business and his music company in his West Chester office at Integrity Development Corporation. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.
Barnes & Noble, 9455 Civic Centre Blvd., will host a book signing on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. featuring local author and national diversity expert, Eric Ellis. His new book is titled, “Diversity Conversations.”
Below is information about the book provided in a release:
Diversity Conversations was written with the goal of reducing the amount of conflict that exists between people who have dramatically different points of view.
Ellis views the recent national, emotionally charged, political discourse as just one example of how woefully under prepared we are as a nation to engage in productive conversation with people who have different perspectives. This book is viewed as part story and part recipe for finding common ground.
Diversity Conversations challenges readers to manage their personal beliefs and biases, recognize the legitimacy of opposing perspectives, and find common ground.
This book encourages personal growth through examining the conversations we have on diversity with ourselves, those who are like us and those who are different. A balance of real-life experiences, useful research, and practical tips are presented that enable readers to become more thoughtful when facing diversity conflicts.
“This is an honest book, loaded with learnings and insights expressed in real-world terms,” John E. Pepper, former chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble. “It will be a rare reader who leaves this book without being more aware of his or her own beliefs and better able to appreciate those of others and, as a result, being able to live a more satisfying life.”
The book has been released by Integrity Publishing and is available through www.amazon.com.
Ellis is president and CEO of Integrity Development Corporation, a management consulting firm in West Chester specializing in diversity, inclusion and other organizational development services. He has provided strategic diversity solutions for organizational leaders at companies like Toyota Motors Mfg. (TEMA), Honda, The U.S Air Force, Plante & Moran and Lexmark for more than 25 years.
Ellis has also recently developed a music company, Positive Message Music, which has the mission of encouraging young music artists to focus on producing uplifting messages that would distinguish it from today’s mainstream music.
Darryl and Carol Denham sit with their son, Daniel, 21, in the bedroom of their other son, Sam, who they say committed suicide in 2011 because of bullying. Enquirer file photo
Educators, parents and West Chester and Liberty township residents attend pre-screening
Jessica Brown reports
Carol and Darryl Denham, of Taylor Mill, left a pre-screening of the film “Bully’’ last week hoping those in the audience would now understand what their son Sam, 13, went through.
The eighth-grader at Woodland Middle School in Kenton County committed suicide in October. Students said he had been bullied.
“Kids aren’t learning empathy or compassion or respect,” said Carol Dunham, who wore a photo of her son on a chain around her neck. “They’ve got to see what these kids are going through.”
She also hopes the film prompts those doing the bullying to get the help they need.
That’s what the documentary, which opens to wider audiences Friday, aims to do.
The Dunhams were among nearly 200 educators, community leaders, politicians and youth advocates who attended the pre-screening Wednesday evening at the School for Creative & Performing Arts. It was intended to galvanize the community into action around this hot-button issue. A panel discussion followed the film.
The film’s goal is to get local leaders to talk more about the problem and plot ways to combat bullying in their communities. (more…)
The album, “The Journey”, is the first released by the West Chester record label Positive Message Music, which focuses on producing uplifting messages through its music.
