WDAS Women of Excellence with Susan Taylor, Joe, Eric Benet, Leela James and Yuna

THIRD ANNUAL WDAS WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE LUNCHEON HONORING SUSAN TAYLOR AND FIVE OTHERS TO FEATURE LIVE PERFORMANCES BY JOE, ERIC BENET, LEELA JAMES AND YUNA

105.3 WDAS FM to Also Honor Four Local Remarkable Women in the Community Through Listener Nominations

105.3 WDAS FM, Philly’s Best R&B and Throwbacks, has announced that recording artists Joe, Eric Benet, Leela James and Yuna will perform live at the third annual WDAS Women of Excellence Luncheon, a celebration of local women and their achievements in the community. The luncheon will take place on Saturday, April 1 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Downtown Philadelphia Hotel.

The Women of Excellence Luncheon will honor Trailblazing Woman of Excellence Susan L. Taylor, Editor in Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine, and Founder and CEO of the National Cares Mentoring Movement.  The luncheon will also honor Sue Serio, Fox 29 Reporter and Weather Anchor; Jacqueline Grace, Vice President and Assistant General Manager at Harrah’s Philadelphia; Dr. Ellyn Jo Waller, First Lady of the ENON Tabernacle Baptist Church; Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell; and Julie Coker Graham, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, for their contributions to improving the Philadelphia community.  105.3 WDAS FM’s on-air personalities Patty Jackson, Frankie Darcell, Mimi Brown and Loraine Ballard Morrill will host the event.

“105.3 WDAS FM is committed to empowering and celebrating the women in the Tristate area,” said Loraine Ballard Morrill, Director of news and community affairs for iHeartMedia Philadelphia.  “We look forward to an afternoon of great music, while recognizing the achievements of the most prominent women in our community.”

In addition, 105.3 WDAS FM will honor four remarkable women nominated by 105.3 WDAS listeners, one of which will receive the Mary J. Blige Award for Perseverance and Courage. Listeners can vote at wdasfm.com until Sunday, February 19 at 11:59 p.m.

Joe is a multi-platinum recording artist who is also a seven time Grammy Nominee.  He just released his 12th studio album “#MyNameIsJoeThomas” last November, and his current single “So I Can Have You Back” is the No. 2 record in the country on the Mediabase Urban AC Chart.  Joe is one of the most in demand R&B artists in the world and is scheduled to go on tour later this summer.

Eric Benet is an accomplished, singer, songwriter, actor who is also a four time Grammy Nominee and NAACP Image Award Winner. His self-titled eighth album was released in October of 2016, and his current single “Insane” is flying into the Mediabase Urban AC Top 10.  Eric has also been a regular on the hit BET Television Show “The Real Husbands of Hollywood.”

Leela James is a vocal Powerhouse whose raspy tone is a throwback to the R&B and soul singers of the late 60’s & 70’s.  Her new album “Did It For Love” will be available online and in stores on March 31, 2017, and will be her sixth title as a solo artist.  Her current single “Don’t Want You Back” is her second release to crack the R&B Top 10 on the Mediabase Urban AC Charts.

Yuna is an R&B/Pop singer-songwriter of Malaysian descent who has worked with Pharrell Williams, Usher and others.  She has been a fixture on the European music scene for years, but broke through in the States in 2016 with her debut album “Chapters” which featured her debut U.S. single “Crush” with Usher.  Her latest single “Best Love” is closing in on Top 5 on the Mediabase Urban AC Charts.