Townsend helms MBC Productions

Jet, June 14, 2004

TOWNSEND HELMS MBC PRODUCTIONS: Attorney Willie E. Gary (1), Major Broadcasting Cable (MBC) Network chairman-CEO, congratulates filmmaker-actor Robert Townsend alter he named Townsend president of MBC Productions during a briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. In the new post, Townsend will be charged with developing dramas, reality shows and entertainment programs for MBC.

Already he has launched nine new projects and is embarking on a seven-city tour in search of new talent. Townsend is known for his work as an actor on the TV sitcom "The Parent 'Hood" and in the film The Five Heartbeats. His work as a director includes The Five Heartbeats, Hollywood Shuffle, Eddie Murphy Raw, Meteor Man, 10,000 Black Men Named George, Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story, Little Richard and MTV's Hip Hopera: Carmen, in which Beyonce made her acting debut. The MBC Network is America's first minority-owned and operated, 24-hour cable network whose mission is to empower, embrace and impact urban communities with family programming.