LEARN ABOUT SHINE A LIGHT
Thank you for your support of Shine A Light. Please be sure to tune in to MSNBC Your Business on 10/25 to see Sacred Wind Communications, Inc.
What is "Shine A Light"?
Everyday small businesses are leading our country and their local communities to a new and better way of working and thinking. Through good times and bad, their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit can serve as an inspiration to us all.
That's why American Express, in partnership with NBC Universal created Shine A Light, a forum for the public to nominate, endorse and share about inspiring small businesses. Stories that captured an innovative business approach to surviving tough times, or demonstrated a customer-first mentality or exemplified community dedication are the stories we heard from you in your own words.
Among thousands of inspiring small business stories we received, the finalists were selected based on our judging panel. Public votes determined the recipient of $100,000 in grant and marketing support from American Express.
View S. Epatha Merkerson and Tom Colicchio's stories of the small businesses they find inspiring.
What are the prizes?
The businesses featured in the three (3) Finalists will each receive a $10,000 grant.
The business featured in one (1) Winner, chosen from among the three (3) Finalists, will receive $50,000 grant and $50,000 worth of marketing support.
The submitters of the three (3) Finalists will each receive an American Express Gift Card valued at $3,000.
Click here for details on prizes.
Who are the Judges?
The top 150 nominated stories will be evaluated by three independent judges:
Diane Von Furstenberg first arrived in the fashion world in 1972 with her iconic wrap dress, the seed of what is today a full fashion house.
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By 1976, Diane had sold millions of her dresses, coming to symbolize female power and freedom to an entire generation. In 1997, after a hiatus from fashion, Diane reemerged on the New York Fashion scene with the re-launch of the dress that had started it all and began building her company into the global luxury lifestyle brand it is today.
In 2005, Diane was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for her impact on fashion, and one year later, was elected the CFDA's new president, an office she continues to hold. A firm believer in the power of women, Diane sits on the board of Vital Voices, a woman's leadership organization that empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the world. She is also a board member of the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). As a longtime resident of New York's Meatpacking District, Diane is a vocal member of the local community. She was actively involved in the campaign to save the historical High Line railway and remains committed to supporting the development of the newly-opened public park.
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JJ Ramberg is the host of msnbc's new small business show, "Your Business."
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Before joining msnbc, Ramberg was a reporter at CNN, where she covered a wide range of topics, ranging from breaking news to profiles of the country's top business leaders. Her extensive field experience includes reporting from Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. She also hosted the daytime talk program "The Flipside" on CNNfn and was a producer on CNN's profile program "Pinnacle." She began her television career at NBC News, where she was an associate producer at "Dateline NBC."
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Beloved television icon and entertainment pioneer, Ellen DeGeneres' distinctive comic voice has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances.
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through her work today on television, in film and in the literary world.
Ellen DeGeneres has made a home for herself in the daytime arena with her hit syndicated talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." The show, now entering its seventh season has recently been nominated for twelve Daytime Emmy Awards. The show has won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host four years in a row and has earned a total of 25 Daytime Emmy Awards during its five seasons. Additionally, DeGeneres won five People's Choice Awards for Favorite Daytime Talk Show Host and Favorite Funny Female Star for four years in a row. DeGeneres also won the Johnny Carson Producers of the Year Award in Variety Television from the Producers Guild in 2005 and 2006. Most recently, DeGeneres won her first "Teen Choice Award" for a new Twitter category and won the "Choice Twit" award. Additionally, the show also won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Talk Show Episode.
DeGeneres' career began as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans, which led to national recognition in 1982 when her videotaped club performances won Showtime's "Funniest Person In America" honor. When DeGeneres moved to Los Angeles she filmed her first HBO Special, "Young Comedians Reunion," then in 1986 "Women of the Night." That same year, DeGeneres scored a first by becoming the first female comedian to be summoned by Johnny Carson to sit down with him after her performance.
Since she was first nationally recognized in 1982 as a comedian in New Orleans, Ellen's many contributions to the entertainment industry have earned her numerous accolades including a Golden Apple Award as Female Discovery of the Year from the Hollywood Women's Press Club; a Lucy Award honoring women in Television and Film, as well as an Amnesty International Award.
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For all submissions, please click here.
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Aug 18
Shine A Light LaunchesNominate a small business owner that has inspired you. Or support someone else's nomination. Spread the Word.
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Sept 13
Submissions dueNominations and endorsements completed
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Sept 13 - Sept 23
JudgingThree Finalists are selected.
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Sept 24
Announcement of Finalists, Voting beginsAmerican Express funds the winning small business with $50,000 in grant and $50,000 worth of marketing support.
Finalist nominators will be awarded with $3000 American Express Gift Card.
Cast your vote. Spread the word.
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Oct 16
Voting EndsVoting Completed.
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Oct 19
Announcement of winnerAmerican Express funds the winning small business with $50,000 in grant and $50,000 worth of marketing support.
Please see Program Rules for complete details.