About Us

The "UPLIFTIING MINDS II" started in April, 1999 for The Baltimore Times newspaper by Eunice Moseley - its promotions director. It was named initially Uplifting Minds with a goal to reach young people and introduce them to The Baltimore Times newspapers.

That year the event offered one entertainment business seminar, hosted by Mathew Knowles (Destiny's Child founder/manager), and a free concert which was headlined by Jazz of Dru Hill.

With the permission of The Baltimore Times in 2000 Eunice took ownership of the event and renamed it "UPLIFTING MINDS II" entertainment conference offering various seminars and the concert became a talent competition showcase with judges such as Jazz and Woodie from Dru Hill, MC Lyte, Mathew Knowles, and the A&R (at the time) at Epic Records. Moseley also started to host the event in others across the country such as Houston, Atlanta and California. Today the event is held annually in Baltimore and Los Angeles offering three to five dates a year.

The talent competition showcase categories are in vocal, songwriting and dance. Aside from the ULMII Best Vocal, Songwriting and Dance Award there is a list of prizes donated by sponsors. PRIZES that vary per year include a free music video; free tracks and studio recording time; free radio air-play; free vocal coaching; free consultation with an entertainment attorney, free studio recording time, and much more.

The panel of five to ten judges give advice and suggestions on the performances. COMPETITORS of the come from all over the world. In the past talent has come from London, UK, Virgina Islands, Hawaii, Chicago, Mass., Virginia, Maryland, New York (Buffalo, NY), South Carolina, Atlanta, PA, Florida (Miami, Kissimmee), North Carolina, Philadelphia, Seattle Washington, Washington DC, Texas (Forth Worth, Houston), California (Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Inglewood, Union City, Ontario, Long Beach, Stanton and San Rafael), Ohio, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, and Arizona just to compete in the showcase.

GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS to be in theshowcase line-up are simple. Click the "Talent Competition" to the left for the list of the guidelines. Admission is free and competitors are encourged to invite family and fans to support them.

Competing in "Uplifting Minds II" gives talent a chance to showcase their talents before an audience of peers and entertainment industry professionals, to get feedback so that they can measure theirs skills or a particular performance routine. It's not about whether you win, it's about taking advantage of the opportunties presented to showcase and developing your talents.

The DEADLINE to enter "UPLIFTING MINDS II" talent competition showcase is normally a month before each event date but is often extended so call to see if any slots are open (note slots in the competition showcase is limited and based on "first come first serve" bases). The deadline for sponsors is as soon as possible, to take advantage of all sponsorship opportunities because the first 10 approved acts will be confirmed per date.

SPONSORS received early not only give an expanding the exposure they receive from being sponsors because their sponsorship is immediately mentioned in our news/press releases, in print, radio, visual and wire sponsored advertising used to promote the event and on the website (which includes links to your site) or logo on the website - depending on the level. Some SPONSORS also receive seminar seat(s) at the conference.

COMPETITORS of the "Uplifting Minds II," as a result of competing in the event, have gone on to write/produce a platinum selling single, "I Should Be," for Dru Hill (Def Jam Records); performed in a musical on Broadway; opened up for 3LW, LL Cool J, Angie Stone, India.Arie and Faith Evans; signed with Def Jam Records and Columbia Records; performed and won at Showtime at the Apollo; became finalists in the American Idol search; performed at the African-American Heritage Festival; performed on CBS's WJZ - TV and MPT in Maryland, and had their songs played on KDAY 93.5fm, Spirit Radio and Hit Center Radio - to name just a few successes.

PANELISTS/JUDGES and SEMINAR HOSTS, in the past, have included MCLYTE (SGI/CMM/BMG); BRENDA RUSSELL; FRED CRAWFORD (CMM/Creative Music Management - management for MC Lyte); JAZZ (Dru Hill/Dragon Music Group); KEVIN PECK (Dragon Music Group/manager of Dru Hill); TROY PATTERSON (3rd Street Entertainment/Mario-J Records); NORMAN GIBSON (Gray Starr Entertainment); entertaiment attorneys DEDRA DAVIS, ESQ. (http://www.listenandexchange.com/); NADIYAH KAREEM (president of Superstar Entertainment - management for producer/singer Talib Kareen (Solange'); syndicated radio host LEE BAILEY (and president of EURWEB.com); two-time Smoothie Award winning guitarist VERNON NEILLY (Boosweet Records); actor/comedian KEL MITCHELL; film producer/writer TIM GREENE (Tim Greene Film); entertainment attorney PAUL GARDNER, II; concert producer ANTHONY JETER (Jeter Entertainment); producer JAE DEAL (Jae Deal Productions); entertainment attorneys RICHARD JEFFERSON, ESQ. and JOHN W. FAGERHOLM, ESQ. (Fagerholm & Jefferson); actress/singer KEKE PALMER (Akelah and the Bee, Madena's family Reunion, TNTs The Wool Cap/Barbershop 2), NOEMI TORRES (A&R Rep for SONYBMG International and president of Kestebray Entertainment); talent agent GWYN FOXX (GF Talent Agency/Burbank); producer/song writer/author VAUGHN MASON (The Game/Roll Bounce), publicist/image consultant ANGELO ELLERBEE (The Ellerbee Group/Double Xxposure),

WOODY (Dru Hill/Dragon Music Group); songwriter/producer team CARVIN HAGGINS/IVANS BARIAS (Karma Productions: Musiq, Chris Brown); talent agent LARRY WILLIAMS (Williams Talent Agency); comedian/actress LUENELL (BET Comic View/Borat); film producer/director BEN FOSTER (Ben Foster Films); comedian/actress ANNIE MCKNIGHT (Comedy Store/Hereos/The Soloist, actor/producer ERNEST THOMAS (What's Happening/Every One Hates Chris), and celebrity Fitness trainer SAM BELL (Ray J).

For more information on the "Uplifting Minds II" Conference, entertainment seminars and national talent competition, call (562) 424-3836, or toll free (866) 938-5220 or email info@upliftingminds2.com.