Della Miles Performs in Obama the Musical in Germany

When Della Miles was a student at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, everyone knew she was destined for stardom.


Well, Della's star is shining bright in Germany where she set the stage on fire as Michelle Obama in the world premiere "HOPE-Obama the Musical." Dell plays the role opposite Jimmie Wilson, who plays Obama. Incidentally, Dell starred with Wilson in "Sisterella" the long-running musical executive produced by Michael Jackson and directed by Grammy Songwriter Robert Hart, at the LA Playhouse theater in the 90's.

HOPE opened to rave revues in January 2010 and is set for a possible pre-world tour run on August 19-20, 2010 in the “Fliegende Bauten” in Germany.

When asked why a play about president Barak Obama, American writer Randall Hutchins had this to say, "I had the idea the musical during the presidential campaign . . . It was fascinating and the mood at the time fired my imagination." Further in the news release provided by the organizers, Hutchins continued, "All the people were hoping for a change for a better life and there was such a great, collective emotion. Hutchins has assembled a well known cast of players including Miles and Wilson. http://www.hope-musical.com/english/cast_en.htm The play opened to rave revues and is expected to go on a world tour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs9_PfeGc_g&feature=related

Dell began singing at 3 and grew up in the church choir. She is a graduate of Houston's acclaimed High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Dell further enhanced her vocal stylings and performance as a member of the famed Charles Gilpin Players, directed by C. Lee Turner, at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, where she earned the Bachelors Degree. Upon graduation, Della moved from Houston to LA to pursue her career following her own path ethos: "there is no one rule in life – I live day by day."

The youngest of 6 (3 brothers and 2 sisters), Della is the pride and joy of the family and members of her church, Mount Corinth Missionary Baptist in Houston. Miles exudes graceful power through her performances, which she demonstrated in her starring role as Ella (Sisterella). This role would take her to Berlin Germany for a two-year run and landed her in commercials for Mercedes Benz, McDonalds and others.

Currently recording in Germany, Della elevates your soul as her harmonies tunefully awaken your spirit – backed by orchestral melodies and the angelic whisperings of a beautiful choir. "I’m touched by music that actually says something – musical stories," says Della. She's fulfilled her dreams by working with many of her greatest inspirations – Joshua Kadison, Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. Her hearts desire of working beside Robert DeNiro in film indulges her to further her dreams as an actress.

Dell is a favorite among the Germans and aside from Obama the musical, performs around the country, where she's lived for the past ten years.

Della is certainly one of "Prairie View's Productive People."

Check Della on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqWIcwChiaQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8qCWh3Tl0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs9_PfeGc_g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlYoHY6N8R8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4HIEVobTzQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlYoHY6N8R8&feature=PlayList&p=0C494F04EE39F193&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=3
PHOTO CREDIT: some pics made from video presentations

Mayor Jackson Reminds PVAMU Graduates who Came Down that Road

Mayor Frank D. Jackson Reminds Graduates to go down that Road

The 2008 Fall Commencement Exercises at Prairie View A&M University, held on December 13, is now history.

In one of his most eloquent and passionate messages, Prairie View's Mayor Frank D. Jackson told the graduating class "that they must remember that they came down University Drive for an education and as a result of what the university did for them, they had a responsibility to do the same for others." It was down that road he said that major decisions were made that affected the slaves, the freed slaves, the past and current students. It was down that road that the eight young Black men showed up to be educated. Jackson electrified the audience with his eloquent recount of the eight Principals and Seven Presidents who came down that road and impacted the life, culture, climate and the physical make up of the university. It was down that road he said that the Texas Legislators came to decide on what PVAMU would become.

It was down that road that more than 5,000 persons marched to Hempstead and Waller County Courthouse to protect their right to vote. He continued that it was down that road that 90 percent of the student voters walked to the Community Center and cast their vote in the most historic election in the Nation's History with the election of Senator Barack Obama, the first African American ever elected as President of the United States.

The commencement message was not your typical one and Jackson, noted for his passionate delivery of the Prairie View History, interspersed within the Texas History, kept the attention of the graduates from beginning to end. In his concluding remarks Jackson shared the Eagle and Chicken story and told them that they are eagles and they need to spread their wings and fly. "You have a responsibility to take this newly acquire intellect and soar to great heights in your chosen fields."

Jackson is a noted historian, author, retired Captain in the United States Navy, Fire Chief, Director of Auxiliary Services, former Council Member and County Commissioner, and Director of Government Relations at Prairie View A&M University.

PVAMU Bell releases “Pockets of My Heart”

When Collis Sherman Bell was growing up in Bimini, Bahamas, her family and members of the town knew that she was destined for success. However, they never saw the writer she’d become today. “Cookie”, as she is affectionately known, was a numbers girl and loved analyzing and putting things together.

You could say that those days prepared her for penning her first book of contemporary poetry in “Pockets of My Heart”. Bell whets your appetite by using humor, wit and strong emotions to paint vivid and colorful pictures of herself, her family, special friends and relationships. As a wife and mother, she has drawn from more than twenty-five years of family life experiences and personal relationships. While a new writer to the genre, Bell credits a former church member for encouraging and praying with her for the realization of her goal.

Bell writes amazingly engaging scenarios about those closest to her heart. She allows you to peek into her family life with poems like “It’s Only Fair!” which tells of her husband’s love of football and “Winner”, which celebrates her daughter’s college graduation. Her colorful reflections on college life at PVAMU are filled with anecdotes Bell also includes numerous poems which speak of her belief and trust in God, offering hope and encouragement to readers. Her book motivates you to reflect on and find poetry in your own family, friends and relationships.

Collis Bell grew up in Bimini, Bahamas and graduated from Saint Anne’s High School in Nassau, Bahamas. The eldest of nine siblings, Bell believes that the years of family gatherings, story telling and humor contributed to “Pockets of My Heart”. In the final analysis, you could say success in the writing world is written in “for whom the Bell tolls”. No pun intended.

“Cookie” was among 33 students from the Bahamas, who enrolled in Prairie View A&M University in September, 1973. They all came under the Bahamas-Prairie View Friendship Program. While at PVAMU, she studied Economics and Business and was involved in many activities and organizations, such as Bahamas-PV Association, Economics and Geography Honor Societies, Alpha Mu Gamma Foreign Languages Honor Society, Kappa Diamonds, Ms. Semper Fidelis; to name a few. She was also listed on the President’s Honor Roll for eight semesters and graduated with honors (BA degree 1977, MA degree 1978). Collis also worked as a student assistant in the Department of Economics and Geography and the Unversity's Utilities Department.

Bell is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Broward County Alumnae Chapter) and also works in her community with the Kiwanis Club of Weston and with several ministries in her church, The Fountain Ministries.

Currently, her spiritual calling is working with autistic children. Why? “Because there is a feeling of fulfillment and purpose when working with special needs children.” Bell says that it takes a special kind of heart to work with her children and admits that they give her as much love and joy as she gives them.

She is married to Willie J. Bell, III. (PVAMU 1977). He is the son of Esel and Willie J. Bell, Jr. of Prairie View, Texas. Her family has had many job relocations, both in and out of the USA. They currently reside in Weston, Florida with their two children, W.J. and Candice.

Collis Sherman Bell’s book “Pockets of My Heart” can be purchased by calling 1-800-AUTHORS or online at www.iUniverse.com.

Copyright 2008 Prairie View Today. All right reserved.