Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith
On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2010, Grammy Award Winning R&B Singer-Songwriter, Ne-Yo paid homage to exceptional foster moms with the 3rd Annual Celebration of Mothers
Ne-Yo's new single "Never Knew I Needed" off the upcoming Disney Animated Picture "The Princess and the Frog", is available for download now on iTunes and Amazon.com!
Songwriter, arranger, and vocalist Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Smith in Arkansas and raised in Las Vegas, NV. Ne-Yo emerged into the recording industry as member of the Las Vegas-based quartet Envy.
After the group disbanded in 2000, Ne-Yo was signed to Columbia Records, but, after recording his first album, was dropped from the label before he could even release it. American singer Marques Houston happened to hear one of Ne-Yo's tracks, "That Girl", which was supposed to be the latter's debut single off his then-unreleased album.
Houston re-recorded "That Girl" and released it as a single to his 2003 album MH. The release of the song led to Ne-Yo being recognized as a top songwriter.
Prior to exiting his teenage years, he penned material for Youngstown and broke through in 2004 with Mario's "Let Me Love You," one of the most-played songs on urban radio stations across the U.S. In My Own Words, the second album he recorded but the first one to be released, came out in early 2006 and reached the top of the charts, supported by the number one hit "So Sick." During the same year, he appeared on Remy Ma's There's Something About Remy and Ghostface Killah's Fishscale, and he had a hand in writing a pair of Top Ten hits: Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Rihanna's "Unfaithful."
Because of You, his second album, followed in May 2007. It went to number one on the Billboard 200 and Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts as well, with its upbeat title track topping out at number two on the Hot 100. Year of the Gentleman was issued in September 2008, but not before another series of songwriting triumphs, including Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight."
He has also written for Marques Houston, Cassidy, Heather Headley, Mary J. Blige, Musiq Soulchild, Janet Jackson, and Leona Lewis. Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
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Ne-Yo's new single "Never Knew I Needed" off the upcoming Disney Animated Picture "The Princess and the Frog", is available for download now on iTunes and Amazon.com!
Songwriter, arranger, and vocalist Ne-Yo was born Shaffer Smith in Arkansas and raised in Las Vegas, NV. Ne-Yo emerged into the recording industry as member of the Las Vegas-based quartet Envy.
After the group disbanded in 2000, Ne-Yo was signed to Columbia Records, but, after recording his first album, was dropped from the label before he could even release it. American singer Marques Houston happened to hear one of Ne-Yo's tracks, "That Girl", which was supposed to be the latter's debut single off his then-unreleased album.
Houston re-recorded "That Girl" and released it as a single to his 2003 album MH. The release of the song led to Ne-Yo being recognized as a top songwriter.
Prior to exiting his teenage years, he penned material for Youngstown and broke through in 2004 with Mario's "Let Me Love You," one of the most-played songs on urban radio stations across the U.S. In My Own Words, the second album he recorded but the first one to be released, came out in early 2006 and reached the top of the charts, supported by the number one hit "So Sick." During the same year, he appeared on Remy Ma's There's Something About Remy and Ghostface Killah's Fishscale, and he had a hand in writing a pair of Top Ten hits: Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Rihanna's "Unfaithful."
Because of You, his second album, followed in May 2007. It went to number one on the Billboard 200 and Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts as well, with its upbeat title track topping out at number two on the Hot 100. Year of the Gentleman was issued in September 2008, but not before another series of songwriting triumphs, including Rihanna's "Take a Bow" and Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight."
He has also written for Marques Houston, Cassidy, Heather Headley, Mary J. Blige, Musiq Soulchild, Janet Jackson, and Leona Lewis. Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
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November is National Adoption Month
Nov, 2009NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH; LET’S TAKE A DAY TO CELEBRATE
Did you know the entire month of November is National Adoption Month? The Compound Foundation has teamed with Georgia’s Department of Human Service-Adoption Unit to celebrate all adoptions nationally and throughout the state. 20 new families will be created the morning of November 21 in Georgia, marking the day all adoptions are finalized across the country.
To honor average Americans who have opened their home across the country and have signed on to the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child”, The Compound Foundation, DHS, The Office of Kwanza Hall, Devyne Intervention and the Raise Me Up campaign will host a FAMILY DAY OUT to celebrate the special day, as well as the entire month of November.
Co-Founder and spokesperson for The Compound Foundation, Ne-Yo, will make an appearance to greet the adopted youth and their new families. There will be food, a kids area, music and more!
What: FAMILY DAY OUT; Celebrating Adoptions
When: Saturday, Nov 21, 2009; 1:30pm-4pm
Where: Helene Mills Multipurpose Center 515 John Wesley Dobbs Atlanta, GA 30312
RSVP: programs@compoundfoundation.org; or 1-800-625-9047 to leave a message.
For More info visit: http://www.compoundfoundation.org
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3 TIMES A CHARM; THE 3rd ANNUAL GIVING TOUR
Dec, 2009The 3rd Annual Giving Tour is a project of I.C.H.T, works to deliver bikes and toys during one of the most difficult times of the year to youth growing up in group homes based in major urban and low-income communities each year. This year the Giving Tour will make stops in Atlanta, GA (12/12), Los Angeles, CA (12/19) and Las Vegas, NV (12/20) in December 2009, from 2-4pm each stop.
The holiday season is often the most difficult time for youth growing up in the child welfare system. We are committed to ensuring that youth residing in group homes and foster homes receive the individual support they need during the winter months. The Annual Giving Tour is our response to the needs of thousands of youth growing up without parents of their own. The Annual Giving Tour is not a toy drive but a tour that delivers the toys and other items that youth may need.
The Compound Foundation raise money throughout the year to purchase bikes and toys for youth, however, we rely on individual and corporate support to continue the Giving Tour year after year. The goal of the Tour is to assure youth that they have not been forgotten. We seek ways during the Tour to provide encouragement and to help strengthen the confidence of youth with either a personal message or visit from Grammy-award winning artist, Ne-Yo.
To become a sponsor or donate a new bike for a child in need, please contact Ebony at The Compound Foundation at donations@compoundfoundation.org for more information or call 1-800-625-9047. To make a donation online, please visit http://www.compoundfoundation.org
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Ne-Yo's Mother's Day Bash
May, 2010On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2010, Grammy Award Winning R&B Singer-Songwriter, Ne-Yo paid homage to exceptional foster moms with the 3rd Annual Celebration of Mothers. The annual celebration, in the past, featured acts like John Legend and Chrisette Michele. This year’s performer was none other than Raheem DeVaughn, a fellow singer-songwriter, who helped Ne-Yo honor women who provide a family environment for youth in need. With Mother’s Day being particularly hard for many youth in foster care and May being National Foster Care Month, the Annual Celebration of Mothers seeks to help fill that void, even if just for one day.
“I had the privilege of speaking with some of the moms here and I am so very proud to be sharing Mother’s Day with you,” said Queenyona Boyd, a young mother and Program Assistant (Compound Foundation, Inc.), as she spoke on stage. “Being in foster care for 16 years, it was women like you that helped me see past my situation and encouraged me to become the best woman I can be.”
Developed by Reynell Hay and Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith, The Compound Foundation, Inc. was founded to address issues facing youth in foster care, as well as provide support and resources to the non-traditional family structures the foster care system calls for. Attending the event with his mother and sister, Ne-Yo, addressed the foster moms, commending them all for their efforts with children in need.
“I just want to tell you that I think you are all very special and I just wanted to make this a special day for you,” said Ne-Yo, as he introduced his friend and headliner for the event, Raheem DeVaughn.
Singing his hit songs “WOMAN” and “Customer”, Raheem DeVaughn gave a fitting performance for the moms. But not before Ne-Yo’s Compound Foundation honored 5 exceptional foster moms, with the Luminary Moms presenting gifts on the organization’s behalf, for their dedication and commitment to children in foster care. The foster moms honored have stories that were amazing for the audience to hear.
Doris Flowers (of Fulton County) was honored by Luminary Mom, Sylvia Reed (mother of Mayor Kasim Reed), has been a foster parent for over 25 years; Sandy Bunn (of Spaulding County), honored by Janice Faulkner (mother of NBA star Lou Williams), for dedicating her life to raising children “out of foster care and runs an in-home day care for foster care children; Carsandra Favors (Spalding County), honored by Loraine Smith (mother of Ne-Yo), has been fostering for 11 years and she serves as the President of Spalding County’s Foster Care Association;
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Sandra Ransom (Spaulding County), honored by Nikki Smith (singer-songwriter and sister of Ne-Yo), had been fostering for 18 years before having to close their home due to family illness last month; and Mattie Smith (of Paulding County), was honored by Alfredia Scott (wife of US Congressman David Scott), for her 31 years of service to children in foster care.
Gifts to the over 120 foster moms attending were provided by Carol’s Daughter beauty line and Design Essentials hair styling products, as well as the Atlanta Tribune, O.P.I nail care, Nick Chavez hair care products, and LEAP Frog educational product. Additional performers and speakers including, poets Michael Molina and Crystal Williams, a foster care alumni and advocate. As well as Saniyyah Griffin of Carol’s Daughter and keynote speaker State Representative Alisha Morgan, giving an inspirational words of encouragement to the foster moms and teen moms in foster care attending the Celebration.
About the Compound Foundation:
Launched in early 2007, the Compound Foundation is a national 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization established to increase awareness about the status of children in the child welfare system in America. The aim of the Compound Foundation, Inc. is to support and partner with residential care facilities through programs aimed at teaching entrepreneurship and life skills that will empower them to become productive, successful, independent adults. For more information, please visit http://WWW.COMPOUNDFOUNDATION.ORG.
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