THE LENS OF INFLUENCE
By: Dante Obligacion and Dr. Eric Zuley
History has shown us that the proverbial eye in the sky is ever-present and everywhere at once. In an era where technology, media, visibility and connectivity reign supreme worldwide, those optics ultimately led to the First Annual Lens of Influence, held at Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles, where entrepreneurs, entertainers, creators, media personalities and innovators gathered to experience and help shape the future of influence.
The inaugural event welcomed hundreds of attendees throughout the day, establishing Lens of Influence as a new gathering point for entertainment, entrepreneurship, technology, media, humanitarianism and the creator economy. The event also carried an important charitable mission, benefiting Better Vision For Children (BVCCharity.org) and using the power of influence, media and community to help support a meaningful cause.
The First Annual Lens of Influence was led by Executive Producer Dr. Eric Zuley and Co-Executive Producer Jouslyn “Jay Kay” Kirtdoll, bringing together entertainment, technology, entrepreneurship, media and influence under one roof.
Recognizing emerging patterns that reflect intrinsic ingenuity and next-level technology is a talent Dr. Eric “EZ” Zuley has demonstrated since the inception of eZWay Network. A centerpiece of the event was the eZWay Connect App, an expanding digital ecosystem designed to connect creators, entrepreneurs, businesses, media and consumers while integrating programming, networking and promotional opportunities with the eZWay.TV App and Network.
Lens of Influence was created around a central mission: teaching people how to turn influence into income, content into currency and visibility into greater impact. The event provided attendees with opportunities to increase their visibility, strengthen their brands, build meaningful relationships and expand their media presence through television, digital, social and live-event platforms.
The event was proudly sponsored by LANGERS JUICE, a nationally recognized American brand, whose support helped contribute to the Lens of Influence experience. A spectacular stage presentation was provided by Crystal Note DJ Company
One of the biggest attractions was the spectacular 20-foot Gold Carpet, welcoming more than 50 celebrities, influencers, entrepreneurs, creators, media personalities and VIP guests. The Gold Carpet transformed Hotel Indigo into a major media experience, with interviews, professional photography, celebrity appearances, content creation and networking taking place throughout the event.
The 20-foot Gold Carpet received extensive media coverage from eZWay News and eZWay.TV, The Newscasters Studio, CIE TV, JKTV, FML TV, Getty Images, Shutterstock, Michele M, Jennifer B, Heart of Hollywood Magazine and TV, Ayla Events TV, Da Radio Show AM 900, Westwrld, Kate Linder TV, Courageous Woman Magazine, Black Beat Magazine, TAP Interviews and MattJDoyle.com, creating a powerful convergence of television, photography, digital media, magazines, radio and online coverage. Supervised by James Darius.
Promotions and public relations for Lens of Influence were provided by eZWay Promotions (eZWayPromotions.com), with promotional and PR team members Freddy K and James Darius helping support the event’s outreach, awareness, media visibility and promotional campaign.
Adding to the Hollywood experience was an exclusive Celebrity Gifting Suite produced by Jouslyn “Jay Kay” Kirtdoll, producer for JKTV and host of THE JAY KAY SHOW. The suite brought invited celebrities, influencers and VIP personalities together with participating brands, products and entrepreneurs. Combined with the 20-foot Gold Carpet and extensive media presence, the Celebrity Gifting Suite created additional opportunities for brand exposure, celebrity interaction, photography, social-media content and valuable relationship building.
The experience extended far beyond the carpet. The program featured six speakers — Christine Curran, Shyla Day, Dr. Lori, Jenny Forth, David T. Fagan and Vince Baker — plus two dynamic panels, bringing together perspectives from entertainment, entrepreneurship, media, technology, personal development and influence.
Guests were also treated to four live performances, including appearances by Christine Marie and Shevyn Roberts, along with the original Soul Train dancers participating in the special “Dance to Donate” segment. The entertainment included a featured celebrity performance by Zaina Juliette Jackson, sister of Michael Jackson, adding another memorable element to the day’s celebration.
Photo by: Jennifer Bissell
Lens of Influence also featured a special eZWay.TV and eZWay Connect App presentation, demonstrating how television, technology, community and digital media can work together to help creators and businesses expand their reach and connect with new opportunities.
Celebrities in attendance were Eugene Parker actor in Tyler Perry’s SISTAS, Influencer and model Carla Marie, actor on ABC’s 9-1-1, director Trae Ireland, Eli Jane actress in Mandalorian, Actress, Entrepreneur, Performer, Sister to Michael Jackson Zaina Juliette, Star of Young and The Restless Kate Linder, Actress Kathy Kolla, Award winning music Historian Tyrone Debose, Netflix actor and reality star, Michael Ferguson Influencer Lolita Melina, actress Amber Martinez, Singer, National Anthem Singer and reality star Ranella Ferrer, Death Row Records executives Mannchester and Mace, Soul Train Alumni Dancers, Speaker TV Produce Christine Curran, Speaker, Film producer David T. Fagan, Ted X Speaker and Influencer Shyla Day, Teen Sensation Christine Marie, Award winning performer Shevyn Robert’s, actor Brandon Larkin, publisher for Courageous Woman Magazine Amb. Telishia Berry, Award winning Grammy Considered performer John Michael Ferri, actress model Nadia Dawn, speaker trust, taxes, law entrepreneur co-owner of the Las Vegas Stirling Club Dr. TJ Marrs, Youtube Consultant, CEO of Agora Advantage and Business manager to Dr. Eric Zuley Vince Baker
Another major production component was a special THE JAY KAY SHOW taping, hosted by Jouslyn “Jay Kay” Kirtdoll, bringing a television-show experience directly into Lens of Influence and capturing conversations and personalities from the event.
Photo by: Jennifer Bissell
The event also featured a special Universal Peace Federation recognition, where Jouslyn “Jay Kay” Kirtdoll, Telishia Berry and Ranella Ferrer were honored as Universal Peace Federation Peace Ambassadors on the Lens of Influence stage. Their recognition highlighted the event’s commitment to humanitarian values, unity, service and positive global impact.
The event featured humanitarian recognition, inspirational speeches, expert panels, live entertainment, television production, technology demonstrations, networking, a Celebrity Gifting Suite and a 20-foot Gold Carpet filled with more than 50 celebrities and influencers. With hundreds of people coming through the First Annual Lens of Influence throughout the day, the inaugural event combined entertainment and opportunity with a philanthropic purpose through its support of Better Vision For Children.
Photo by: Amy Graves/Getty Images
Hosts included Kate Linder, star of The Young and the Restless, Eugene Parker of Tyler Perry’s “Sistas,” and television host Nadia Dawn. Entrepreneurs, personalities and influencer honorees included Jouslyn “Jay Kay” Kirtdoll, TJ Marrs, Telishia Berry, Yeniffer Behrens, Ranella Ferrer, Kennie Leggett AKA MannChester, Jenny Forth and David T. Fagan, among many others. City Certificates presented by Reem Samawi founder of Ayla Events and TV
Lens of Influence demonstrated what can happen when entertainment, technology, entrepreneurship, media and humanitarian purpose converge under one roof. It brought together the people in front of the lens with those working behind it — creating an environment centered on collaboration, exposure, education and opportunity.
As eZWay continues expanding its channels, digital community and media ecosystem, its focus remains on pioneering new frontiers while embracing the power of inclusion, connectivity and visibility.
Lens of Influence represents the influence both behind and in front of the lens — and the education, technology, media and relationships that can transform influence into income, content into currency, and visibility into lasting impact.
WATCH THE INTERVIEWS: Watch interviews and coverage from Lens of Influence at eZWay.TV, or download the eZWay TV App FREE through Google Play and the Apple App Store, and watch eZWay.TV across Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.
Learn more about Lens of Influence at LENSOFINFLUENCE.COM and Better Vision For Children at BVCCharity.org.
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