Robert Townsend's V-Studio and One Economy Launch Special Release of "Diary Of A Single Mom" Season 1
Cutting-Edge Web Series Combines Entertainment with Delivery of Critical Resources to Underserved Communities
Los Angeles (PRWEB) May 22, 2009 -- One Economy Corporation and award-winning actor, director and producer Robert Townsend (''Hollywood Shuffle,'' ''Meteor Man,'' ''The Five Heartbeats'') today launched "Diary of a Single Mom," a ground-breaking online series that chronicles the lives of three single mothers trying get ahead despite obstacles that all single parents face, such as childcare, health, education and finances.
Monica Calhoun and Billy Dee Williams in Diary of a Single Mom
"Diary of a Single Mom" fills a noticeable void in today's media. It is the first dramatic series on the Web with a cast of legendary icons from the silver screen. It will be aired exclusively on One Economy's Public Internet Channel.
The series centers around 27-year-old Ocean, played by Monica Calhoun (''Sister Act II,'' ''Love and Basketball''), who juggles raising her son, daughter and teenage niece with earning her GED, finding a new job, and coping with an illness during the show's first season.
The show spotlights One Economy's innovative efforts to connect low-income families with online resources to help them improve their lives. Townsend's experiences growing up in a single-parent household in Chicago inspired the seasoned director to create this Web series in partnership with One Economy.
"Having been raised by a single mom myself, I know first-hand the kind of struggles these women encounter," said Robert Townsend, the show's executive producer and director. "I'm especially proud to bring a show of this caliber to the Public Internet Channel, which allows viewers to be entertained by the program while providing access to critical resources. In today's economy--where we have an unemployment rate twice as high for female-headed households as it is for married women--this is more important than ever."
"'Diary of a Single Mom' is the newest extension of One Economy's decade-long effort to improve people's lives through use of technology," said Rey Ramsey, chief executive officer of One Economy. "It's not enough to provide broadband access to underserved communities. We must also develop content that is relevant and meaningful to people if we expect widespread Internet adoption. This is what we mean by 'public-purpose media'- programs like 'Diary of a Single Mom' that engage, inform and inspire action."
Ramsey continued, "The Public Internet Channel and 'Diary of a Single Mom' represent the potential that exists to deliver resources and information when traditional entertainment combines with the Internet."
For example, as viewers watch a character work to obtain her GED or struggle to find a job, they can immediately click on the Web site's ''Make It Easy Toolbox'' to access resources in their own communities addressing those very issues.
Janice Lynde (''Six Feet Under,'' ''General Hospital'') and Valery Ortiz (''South of Nowhere,'' ''Date Movie'') round out the trio of single mothers as Lupe and Peggy, who live with their families in a triplex managed by Ocean. Acting icons Richard Roundtree (''Se7en,'' ''Shaft'') and Billy Dee Williams (''Star Wars,'' ''Lady Sings the Blues'') play Ocean's mentor and uncle, respectively. The series is written by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Cheryl L. West (''Before It Hits Home,'' ''Jar the Floor'').
"Diary of a Single Mom" was first screened in January in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Today's launch provides an opportunity for viewers to see episodes and become new fans of the series prior to fall 2009 launch of Season 2.
About One Economy and the Public Internet Channel
One Economy Corporation is a global nonprofit organization that uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people. More than 16 million people have used One Economy's online tools and resources, including the Public Internet Channel, an online network of public-purpose media--programming that engages, informs and inspires action. Launched in 2006 by honorary co-chairs now-President Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, the Public Internet Channel features fiction and non-fiction programming that addresses topics such as health, money, and sustainable living. For more information visit: www.one-economy.com and www.pic.tv.
About V Studio
V Studio is the virtual studio for public-purpose media. The multimedia studio is a hub for the creation and development of informing, engaging media that has the defined purpose of inspiring the American public to take action around issues related to health, welfare, and safety. For more information on V studio visit: www.v-studio.tv.
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