Ed Garnes '99 and Sugar Johnson (Ugarhon Serrette) '97 Appearing on TV Show, Launch National Tour

March 24, 2005

March 24, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - Two DePauw University graduates -- writer and activist Ed Garnes '99, and author, vocalist, and actor Sugar Johnson (Ugarhon Serrette) '97 -- are featured in the Black Family Channel program Spoken. In addition, the two alumni have launched the national tour "From Afros to Shelltoes: Art, Action, and Conversation." Garnes and Johnson describe the program as "an inter-generational dialogue and workshop that aims to lessen the misunderstandings between the civil rights and hip-hop generations to inspire new visions for the future."

Garnes, a 2004 Fulton County Arts Council Dialog Literary Finalist, says he hopes the program will "ease the defensive postures of the civil rights generation and hip-hop heads enough to inspire alternative realities and new visions for the future. In these times of democratic unrest, innovative leadership deep-seated in public service and political engagement -- as opposed to greed, individualism, and outdated agendas -- is imperative."

As students, Garnes and Johnson worked together at DePauw's student television operation, DC3TV, as well at student radio station WGRE. The two own and operate Babuke Brothers, LLC, an Atlanta-based entertainment, media consulting, and arts programming firm. Ed Garnes also serves as president of DePauw's GOLD Council.

Access a schedule of "From Afros to Shelltoes" events by clicking here. Spoken can be seen Thursdays at 10 p.m. Learn more about the program here.

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