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DR. BILL WINSTON AND BILL WINSTON MINISTRIES PRESENT OPERATION TEN CITY: GREATNESS UNLOCKED
Empowering Communities to Transform Cities
Dr. Bill Winston and Bill Winston Ministries Announce the Operation Ten City (OTC) campaign, Stopping in Ten Cities Across the United States Over a Span of Eighteen Months
The next stop of Operation Ten City (OTC) is Los Angeles, CA.
LOS ANGELES — Dr. Bill Winston, a globally renowned pastor, entrepreneur, and business leader, and Bill Winston Ministries announce that Los Angeles, CA will be the fourth stop of the Operation Ten City (OTC) campaign that began in 2022 with St. Louis, Detroit, and Cleveland.
Operation Ten City: Los Angeles will take place on Friday, February 24 through Saturday, February 25, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall B,1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required.
“Our goal with Operation Ten City is to bring economic restoration and prosperity to ten cities of our nation, including Los Angeles, and to close the wealth gap in black and brown communities through entrepreneurship and ownership,” says Dr. Bill Winston.
“One of the main reasons for poverty is the absence of self-production. So, OTC is coming to empower and turn people who primarily have been consumers into producers.”
Dr. Bill Winston and Bill Winston Ministries Present Operation Ten City: Greatness Unlocked is a ten-city initiative to inspire faith-based communities to activate hidden potential and pursue the fullness of God’s calling for their lives, businesses, and organizations. Through programming centered on community outreach, business, and entrepreneurship, as well as faith and the supernatural, Operation Ten City supports the development of people and communities with a vision to help them access true economic prosperity and self-sufficiency through wealth-building and ownership.
Operation Ten City: Los Angeles Event Schedule
Friday, February 24, 2023
State Bill 731 Sealing and Expungement Filing Event
(*Exact times may change slightly before this event.)
Location: Los Angeles City Hall
Times*: 10:00 a.m.— 12:00 p.m. Press Conference
1:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. Petition Filing Event
This event kicks off a series of state-wide filing events in 2023 to support the landmark SB731 that enables comprehensive record sealing. California is the first state in American history to allow almost all old convictions on a person’s criminal record to be permanently sealed.
Through SB731, more than one million Californians now have the opportunity to pursue gainful employment, stable housing, educational opportunities, safety, family stability, and economic security. Event partners include Crossroads UMC, REPAC (Reentry Provider Association of CA), Californians for Safety and Justice, and the LA Law Office of Public Defender.
Youthpreneur: Developing Next-Generation Entrepreneurs
Times: 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, 2nd Floor
This half-day, interactive entrepreneurship workshop for middle school and high school students will teach on such topics as social media content creation, influence, marketing, and more.
Greatness Unlocked: A Next-Gen Experience
6:00 p.m. Doors open & Pre-Party
7:00 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. Worship Concert and Message
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall B
This evening event is for youth, ages 13 to 25. Includes a pre-party; praise and worship, prayer, a message by keynote speaker Kel Mitchell, famed actor, hip hop artist, and youth pastor; a time of personal ministry; and a musical concert by Christian hip hop artist Miles Minnick. Exciting giveaways all evening include college scholarships ($2500, $1,000, and $500); Apple products (MacBooks, iPads, watches, AirPods), gift cards, and more!
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Heaven’s Pantry Food Distribution (Two Locations)
At two separate locations, 1,000 free food boxes (for a family of four); new designer clothing for men, women, and children; and gas, Uber, and Lyft gift cards. Items are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Centennial High School, 2606 N. Central Avenue, Compton, CA
Susan Miller Dorsey High School, 3537 Farmdale Avenue, Los Angeles, CA (Crenshaw District)
Greatness Unlocked: R.I.S.E. Reentry Resource Fair
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall B
This event continues the filing event from Friday, February 24, with onsite lawyers, LiveScans, and registration for future filing events. It also includes information sessions on housing, employment, and healthcare services for those re-entering the community.
Business Pitch Competition
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall B
During the Pitch Competition, local entrepreneurs, especially in the faith community, will have the opportunity to showcase their business products and services and win a cash award. Criteria for winning include the potential for commercialization and scalability, fulfilling a need to better the community or humanity, and solving a real problem(s) in the marketplace.
The three highest-rated contestants in the final round will win a cash award. First prize is $10,000; second prize is $5,000 and third prize is $2,500. Winners will be announced at the event on Saturday. If a winner is a member of a local Los Angeles church, the church may qualify to win an additional cash award.
All applicants must be registered attendees of the Greatness Unlocked: Operation Ten City. The initial submission should be completed electronically via Judgify. The link will be sent to attendees after registration. The deadline to enter the Business Pitch Competition is Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 11:59 PM PT.
Business Opportunity Expo & Career Fair
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall B
The Business Expo provides a platform for emerging and established entrepreneurs to share their products and services with the community. Attendees will network with companies, government agencies, and funding sources offering employment, procurement, and access-to-capital opportunities. The deadline for exhibitor registration is Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 11:59 PM PT.
Operation Ten City: Los Angeles continues Saturday afternoon with workshops on entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial investing; and giveaways of high-valued prizes.
Time: 12:45 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
12:45 p.m. Praise and Worship
12:50 p.m. Signature Session (a panel discussion)
1:45 p.m. Power to Get Wealth/Dr. Deloris Thomas
2:30 p.m. Praise and Worship
2:40 p.m. Supernatural Entrepreneurship: Anointed for Business/
Dr. Bill Winston
3:40 p.m. Giveaway Opportunity
4:00 p.m. Break Out Sessions
(Workshops on youth leadership and wealth-building through home ownership, Investing, and entrepreneurship)
Saturday Evening Session
5:30 p.m. Doors Open
6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Praise and Worship Concert/ Donald Lawrence and Company
7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. “Night of Miracles” Healing Service/ Dr. Bill Winston
All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. For a complete event schedule and to register, please visit operationtencity.com.
Operation Ten City: Greatness Unlocked will make stops in more cities across the United States through the summer of 2024. After Los Angeles, the next city will be Philadelphia.
MEET THE VISIONARY BEHIND OPERATION TEN CITY
About Dr. Bill Winston
Dr. Bill Winston is the founder and senior pastor of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois. He is also the founder of the nationally accredited Joseph Business School, which has a global impact on six continents and an online program; president of Bill Winston Ministries, a partnership-based global outreach ministry; the Living Word School of Ministry and Missions; and Faith Ministries Alliance (FMA), an organization of more than eight hundred churches and ministries under his spiritual covering in the United States and around the globe. The ministry owns and operates two shopping malls: Forest Park Plaza in Forest Park and Washington Plaza in Tuskegee, Alabama. He is married to Veronica and is the father of three children and the grandfather of eight.
ABOUT OPERATION TEN CITY: GREATNESS UNLOCKED
Dr. Bill Winston and Bill Winston Ministries present Operation Ten City: Greatness Unlocked is a ten-city initiative to inspire faith-based communities to activate hidden potential and pursue the fullness of God’s calling for their lives, businesses, and organizations. Operation Ten City supports the development of people and communities with a vision to help them access true economic prosperity and self-sufficiency through wealth-building and ownership, closing the wealth gap in black and brown communities for generations.
We Speak Entertainment
Thirteen-Time Grammy Winner Babyface and Six-Time Hip Hop Award Winner Busta Rhymes Join 2025 Apollo Spring Benefit Honoring Music Legend Clive Davis
Benefit Marks Last Fundraiser in the Apollo Theater Before Historic Renovations. Teyana Taylor to Receive Inaugural Innovator Award
New York, NY–May 19, 2025 – Thirteen-time Grammy-Winner Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will join Grammy-winning, multiplatinum recording artist Monica to present music legend CliveDavis with the Apollo Theatre’s special Legacy Award honor at the 2025 Apollo Spring Benefit on June 4 at 7:00 PM. The Apollo simultaneously announced that six-time hip-hop Award winner, Busta Rhymes all headline a special performance tribute to Davis featuring Deborah Cox, Shosahna Bean, and others.
The widely anticipated event– the last before the globally renewed 91-year-old theatre’s historic renovation –will also feature the induction of Davis into the Apollo’s Walk of Fame by Gamma Co-Founder, Larry Jackson and iconic music executive, L.A. Reid, as well as the presentation of the inaugural Innovator Award to multi-talented singer, songwriter, actor and director, Teyana Taylor.
Clive Davis is being recognized by The Apollo for his pivotal role shaping the careers of many of contemporary music’s most iconic Black artists. With a career spanning over six decades, Davis visionary leadership and unwavering belief in talent, equality and bridging gaps between audiences have left and indelible mark on the soundtrack of our lives.
“It’s a deeply meaningful moment,” said Michelle Ebanks, President & CEO of The Apollo. “To see visionary leaders and legendary artist unite on the stage–honoring the remarkable work of Clive Davis, the ingenious spirit of Teyana Taylor, and the iconic legacy of The Apollo. It will be a powerful celebration of music’s transformative influence on culture and boundless creativity that shapes our world.”
From the earliest days at Columbia Records, through his groundbreaking work at Arista and J Records, and currently, as Sony Music Entertainment’s Worldwide Creative Director, Davis has consistently championed Black artists. His keen ear and deep respect for artistry have helped launch, elevate or reenergize the careers of such legends as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Earth, Wind & Fire, Miles Davis, Dionne Warwick, Usher, Gamble & Huff, Ray Parker, Jr., Jennifer Hudson, Herbie Hancock, Fantasia, Toni Braxton, Outkast and TLC, among many others.
Davis has a special personal connection to “Babyface” Edmonds and Larry Jackson. In 1989, Edmonds cofounded Laface Records with L.A Reid through a major joint venture with Davis’ for Arista Records. The record label was a catalyst for Atlanta’s burgeoning music industry, signing renowned global artist such as Usher, TLC, Toni Braxton, and more. Davis mentored Jackson which culminated in his driving critical A&R work for RCA Music Group and Sony Music that propelled the superstardom of Santana, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin,Dionne Warwick and many more.
Other performances throughout the evening will include an opening sequence from Martha Redbone and Grammy-winning singer Avery Sunshine, tributes to the late and great Richard Parsons featuring 8x Grammy nominee, The Baylor Project, and other special features from 4x Tony nominated director and choreographer, Camile A. Brown & Dancers. D-Nice will return to DJ the Spring Benefit’s official after party.
This year’s Spring Benefit will be The Apollos final fundraiser before embarking on the first full-scale renovation in its 90-year history. The renovation marks a new chapter for the iconic theater – continuing to honor its rich legacy while bringing forward the new enhanced audience experiences.
All proceeds will support the non-profit organization’s year-round, world-class artistic, education, and community programs, as well as its commitment to articulating and projecting the African American narrative using arts and culture and creating a 21st century performing arts canon.
The Spring Benefit begins with red carpet arrivals at 4:30pm, Clive Davis’ induction ceremony at 5:30PM, followed by the Benefit concert and awards ceremony at 7:00 PM.
Watch for upcoming announcements as the Apollo unveils a thrilling line -up of special honorees and performers. Visit www.ApolloTheatre.org for more information. To purchase benefit tickets, make a donation, or for more information, visit https://www.apollotheatre.org/benefit-2025.
For exclusive photos, updates and more use hashtag #ApolloSpringBenefit and follow The Apollo:
About The Apollo
The legendary Apollo –the soul of American culture –plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artist and launching legends. Since its founding, The Apollo has served as a center of innovation and creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York,and the world. In 2024, The Apollo opened The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theatre,making the first ever expansion in its 90-year history. The Apollo also has plans to renovate its Historic Theater. For more information about The Apollo visit www.ApolloTheatre.org.
With music at its core. The Apollo’s programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more. This includes the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at The Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; and the annual Africa Now! Festival. The non-profit Apollo is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend The Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations.
Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, The Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artist working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres–including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at The Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R. D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari, and The Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For More information about The Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.
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