SHUT UP And Stop Speaking For Me! Single African-American women Say Contrary to Popular Belief, It Doesn't Suck to Be A Black Woman in America.

Online, April 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - LAS VEGAS - It's hard not to miss the intense scrutiny and harsh criticisms recently aimed directly at African-American women. Even the title of this week's ABC Nightline's segment, "Why Can't a Successful Black Woman Find a Man?" is accusatory at best. From Tyler Perry's movie characters, Chris Rock's Good Hair dramedy, Steve Harvey's 'relationship commentary', to the Nightline series, the implication that African-American women are the least desired and have the most social, psychological and economic problems is astounding.

But two African-American women in Las Vegas are on a personal mission to provide a platform for black women to voice their concerns, tell their own story and find relationship solutions. Deborah Porter, CEO of Creativity Made Fresh, and Marla Everson, socialite and event planner, have begun a video tape series of edgy and socially relevant relationship forums that promote open dialogue between the sexes. Porter believes black women and men need more platforms like the relationship forums to stop the blame game, discuss the challenges and map out real solutions. The next forum is scheduled for Saturday, May 8 at Martinis, in Las Vegas. "Love is My Favorite Color" is the new campaign theme encouraging black women to explore interracial relationships and dating options. "Single, successful black women should not be made to feel bad or appear desperate; particularly given the personal and professional success black women have gained in a male-dominated world - often without a husband," say Porter.

Everson admits the challenges many black women face are daunting. There's the latest CDC report that forty-eight percent of black women have the virus which causes herpes (not that they all have herpes) and almost seventy percent of all newly diagnosed HIV-positive women in the United States are black women. Then there are recent stats which claim there are 1.8 million more black women than men; possibly contributing to over-lapping relationships and multiple sexual partners. Couple that with the Insight Center for Community Economic Development's report that single black women have a median household wealth sadly of just $100; the median for single white women is $41,500, and it can be disheartening.

Porter says, "In this new age of 'hook-ups' and casual dating, black women need to identify ways to break the cycle of sexual irresponsibility, single parent homes and the absence of wealth and matrimony in our community. While the relationship forums force many women to have real talk about real issues, it also helps them celebrate their strength and their achievements!" Even though they are anxious to flesh-out and discuss their problems, many black women are turned off by Steve Harvey's new 'relationship guru' and spokesperson status, after two failed marriages himself, according to Porter. Some black women state that the advice that propelled Havey's book, "Think Like a Man, Act Like A Lady" to the top of the New York Times best-seller list is the same sage wisdom given by their mothers and grandmothers. Even Essence magazine, the long-standing black woman's oracle, has been criticized for their disconnection from black women and missing the mark on many critical issues. Everson states, "It's important that African-American women take back their power and their voice."

The 2010 inaugural video entitled, "Black Men Talk: The Problem with Loving You," filmed in Las Vegas, is a engaging 30-minute segment and a rare opportunity to hear first hand responses from black men about staggering changes in dating and love relationships. "We were surprised by the number of women with a sincere desire to learn about attitudes with respect to loving them," said, Ms. Everson. The DVD is on sale on the website, www.intheladiesroom.tv.

In The Ladies Room.tv production is a part of Creativity Made Fresh, an event marketing boutique in Las Vegas. The two-year old agency helps businesses build brand awareness and increase viral marketing with innovative events, video and social media. For more information visit the website, creativitymadefresh.com.