National magazine to feature Boatwrights

JACKIE BOATWRIGHT

Jackie Boatwright Enterprises recently announced that JET Magazine will cover Juan's Story, Juan's Law, The Ant hony DeJuan Boatwright Act, Juan's meeting singer Patti Labelle who sang to him on his

sixth birthday and the movie based on Juan's life, "For the Love of Juan," in its Monday, Feb. 11, issue.

JET Magazine, one of the oldest African American magazines, is published weekly. Jackie interviewed with the magazine's feature editor, Margena Christian, Wednesday, Jan. 23. Jackie and Juan were photographed by JET photographers at their home Friday, Jan 25. This is the first time in years that Jackie has allowed Juan to be photographed, and the first time ever for a national publication. He is 7½ years old.

The Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Act passed the United States House of Representatives on October 29, 2007 and it's presently in the Senate Committee on Education, of which Jackie is impressed that both Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton are members. She has been in contact with several legislators' offices who are working toward moving the bill forward for hearing. The bill, when passed into law, will require all states that do not require

liability insurance for daycares issue licenses to disclose this information to unsuspecting parents. States that do not implement this act will not receive the Federal Child Care Block Grant.

In addition, Jackie has been named honorary chair of the Arts and Literature Division of the 2008 Sweet Auburn Festival. The annual event attracts nearly a half-million people. The three-day event will be held Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 11.

That Sunday, Jackie will be the keynote speaker at the Auburn Avenue Research Library. The event, titled a "Mother's Love," will be held annually. Ms. Boatwright is the first speaker. She will discuss her book, sign copies and discuss her steps in getting legislation passed on the state and federal level. This event is open to the public, but seating must be reserved due to limited capacity.

The Auburn Avenue Research Library is a special library of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System. It is the first library of its kind in the southeast offering specialized reference and archival collections for the study and research of African studies. The library is a public facility.

"For the Love of Juan," slated to begin production in Atlanta the first week of March, stars Deanna Brown, Mel Jackson, Alaina Reed Hall, Jon Biggs and Kelsey Scott, and is directed by Darryl D. Lassiter. Juan's Story can be purchased at a local bookstore or online at www.jackieboatwright.com.