L-R: WEEN/ HSAN Executive Director Valeisha Butterfield, R&B star Mya, and WEEN Senior Advisory Board members Kristi Henderson and Sabrina Thompson. Photos courtesy of WEEN

The standing room only crowd of stars and entertainment industry executives joined the growing chorus of support for this cause, and organizers issued an industry wide call to action for others to become involved.

WEEN, an umbrella organization of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, is a coalition of powerful women and men of all races and ages, founded by women in the entertainment industry, committed to supporting, promoting and defending the positive, balanced portrayal of women in entertainment and in society.

WEEN’s four founding members and Senior Advisory Board is comprised of HSAN Executive Director Valeisha Butterfield; Court TV’s Lauren Lake; publicist Kristi Henderson; and high school teacher/jewelry designer Sabrina Thompson.

R&B star Mya and Sylvia Rhone, president of Motown Records/executive vice president of Universal Records were also on hand to help announce WEEN’s missions, goals and vision. Lauren Lake passionately stated WEEN’s call to action: “Do your part by logging onto weenonline.org and enrolling as a member of WEEN!” The launch event marked the official 12-month countdown to enroll one million women and those who support women into the organization.

Also present was HSAN Chairman Russell Simmons, HSAN President/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Warner Music Group Executive Vice President Kevin Liles, Radio One founder Cathy Hughes, former RIAA head Hilary Rosen, and Virtue Today Magazine Editor Audrey Muhammad.

The recent dialogue surrounding the portrayal of women of color in entertainment, specifically in Hip-Hop music, has propelled women in the entertainment industry to take a proactive stand. WEEN’s mission will target three core areas: 1) corporate social responsibility, 2) media/artist responsibility and 3) community programs/outreach.

In addition to WEEN’s goal to be One Million Strong in one year, WEEN will also publish to action a “Pink List” to spotlight artist, albums, songs, publications, radio and TV programming and films that support women and ask that WEEN members support them in return. In 2008, WEEN will take their message to the streets nationally in the first ever Women’s Empowerment Tour.

The Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN), a program of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, is a coalition of women committed to supporting, promoting and defending the positive portrayal of women of color in entertainment and in society. WEEN is led by women executives in music, television, film, radio and other forms of entertainment and supports the First Amendment rights of Hip-Hop artists united in the belief that artistic expression can be commercially marketable and socially responsible.

(For more information on the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network or Hip-Hop Summit Action Network visit www.weenonline.org and www.hsan.org)