Actress Susan Sarandon, MLB's Wendy Lewis, Fox Sports' Pam Oliver,
USTA's D.A. Abrams, National Book Award winner, Jacqueline Woodson,
and RLJ Enterprises' Traci Otey Blunt are Among the Top 10

BROOKLYN, NY; December 31, 2014 - What's The 411TV, a Brooklyn-based media company, today released its list of 25 Most Interesting People of 2014, and NFL Hall of Famer and media personality, Michael Strahan tops the list.

What's The 411TV's 25 Most Interesting People of 2014 was developed from interviews conducted by What's The 411TV reporters between January 1, 2014 through December 12, 2014. The list consists of celebrated personalities to artists seeking to break through to ordinary people doing extraordinary things to New Yorkers rallying for the return of the more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram. Many people on the list are local to the New York City metro area, while others are national or global figures.

"Once again, What's The 411TV reporters have selected so many amazing and interesting people for What's The 411TV's list of 25 Most Interesting People of 2014," said Ruth J. Morrison, CEO and Founder, What's The 411 Networks. "This is our way to say thank you to those on the list, to congratulate them and to celebrate their accomplishments. Similar to last year, it was not an easy task for our reporters and producers to narrow down the list to 25 and since we couldn't, we also have a list of three honorable mentions."

Below is a list of What's The 411TV's 25 Most Interesting People of 2014 falling into the categories of sports; film; literature; music; television; fashion and style; and business and entrepreneurship.

1. Michael Strahan – Pro Football Hall of Famer (NFL) and media personality; on his way to becoming "King of All Media" – Interviewed by: Andrew Rosario

2. Wendy Lewis - MLB Senior Vice President, Diversity & Strategic Alliances; for being able to play with the boys - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

3. Traci Otey Blunt – Corporate Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, RLJ Enterprises – leveraged political communications to transition to corporate communications, marketing, public relations and investor relations, as well as the promotion of the Urban Movie Channel. Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam using a Samsung S4

4. Kyle Donovan – Inventor; Founder, NV Magazine; entrepreneur motivating others to make a difference - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

5. D.A. Abrams - Chief Diversity Officer USTA; helping to make diversity a reality within tennis - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

6. Pam Oliver – NFL and NBA sportscaster; for treading where few women have gone in sports and for taking the high road during a public demotion – Interviewed by: Andrew Rosario

7. Jacqueline Woodson – National Book Award-winning author; gracious after a fellow author muddied her introduction as the winner of the National Book Award for Young Adult Literature for her book, BROWN GIRL DREAMING – Interviewed by: Luvon Roberson

8. Bring Back Our Girls Movement (NY) – rallying cry to rescue over 200 girls kidnapped in Nigeria by Boko Haram; lesson learned: sustaining a movement is hard work, particularly when it seems that no one else cares– Interviewed by: Kizzy Cox

9. Susan Sarandon – Academy Award and BAFTA award-winning actress; committed to human rights causes; worked with Amnesty International – Interviewed by: Bianca Peart

10. Melanie Few-Harrison - Founder of Super Bowl Gospel Celebration; creator of the first and only gospel event sanctioned by the NFL for Super Bowl Weekend– Interviewed by: Cristina Twitty

11. Remembering Ruby Dee - Memorial Service; friends and family celebrate the life of award-winning actress, Ruby Dee– Interviews by: Kizzy Cox and Rita Obi

12. Frank Savage - former investment banker and author of THE SAVAGE WAY: Successfully Navigating the Waves of Business and Life; a highly accomplished Global Wall Street Financier with a distinguished career in international banking, corporate finance, and global investment management - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

13. Melba Moore – singer and actress; her faith keeps her going - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

14. Jamal Joseph - artist, poet, director, producer, educator, and founder of Impact Repertory Theatre; developing leaders– Interviewed by: Christopher Graham

15. Lionel Hollins - Head Coach, Brooklyn Nets; a real standup guy, deeply connected to family and community - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

16. Brian Smith - NY Yankees SVP Corporate/Community Relations; merges baseball and community development - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

17. Daisy Llewellyn – Stylist, reality television star of Bravo's Blood, Sweat & Heels; and author of Never Pay Retail Again: Shop Smart, Spend Less, & Look Your Best Ever; She is the Queen of Effortless Chic - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

18. Richard Sherman – cornerback for Seattle Seahawks (NFL); Did we say, FEARLESS! – Interviewed by: Andrew Rosario

19. Teddy Bridgewater - NFL Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings; made it to the big stage; still grounded and fulfills promise to family - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

20. Mark Jaffe - President/CEO Greater NY Chamber of Commerce; a business leader who supports raising the minimum wage - Interviewed by Glenn Gilliam

21. Khary Lazarre White - Founder and Executive Director, Brotherhood Sister Sol; creating the next generation of leaders - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

22. Claudia Rankine – poet and National Book Award Finalist for Poetry for Citizen: An American Lyric ; her images show the violence of American racism's "micro" assaults – Interviewed by: Luvon Roberson

23. Michelle Miller - CBS Correspondent; proud advocate of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam using a Samsung S4

24. Ericka Pittman - VP Brand Strategy, Blue Flame Agency; a leader in business and personal branding - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

25. Christopher Chaney, Publisher of NV Magazine; creator of NV Magazine's Movers and Shakers Awards - Interviewed by Glenn Gilliam

Honorable Mentions

Yamina Collins – first time novelist, author of sci-fi romance novel, THE LAST KING; bringing episodic novels back into vogue - Interviewed by Luvon Roberson

Skoolie Escobar – Alabama rapper and entrepreneur trying to bring consciousness back to hip hop through the use of thought provoking visuals in his music video that accompanies his new single, Check Out My Watch – Interviewed by: Rita Obi

Tren'Ness Woods Black - President and Chief Strategist of Tren'ness Woods-Black, LLC; one of the keepers of the flame of Sylvia Woods' legacy. Sylvia Woods was the founder of Sylvia's restaurant in Harlem - Interviewed by: Glenn Gilliam

Previous personalities on What's The 411TV's list of Most Interesting People include: the late Maya Angelou; Motown Founder, Berry Gordy; Brooklyn Nets principal owner Mikhail Prokhorov; Willis Reed; Jeremy Lin; Mike Tyson and more.

About What's The 411TV

Based in Brooklyn, New York, What's The 411TV is a division of What's The 411 Networks, a media/news, marketing, and events company. What's The 411TV connects sophisticated multi-cultural audiences with its content through its distribution platforms of television, online, mobile, and social media.

What's The 411TV produces two weekly television shows, What's The 411, an award-winning entertainment and lifestyle television show and What's The 411Sports, a sports news and commentary television show.

What's The 411TV's celebrity portfolio consists of interviews with Magic Johnson, Beyonce, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Hudson, and many, many more.

About Ruth J. Morrison

Ruth J. Morrison is the CEO and Founder of What’s The 411 Networks, an integrated media, marketing, and events company, which produces the award-winning weekly news and information television show, What’s The 411 and What’s The 411Sports. The company covers the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, New York Giants, US OPEN, and other sports events. A video streaming pioneer, she developed and launched from conception the City of New York's multi-channel cable television network and served as a Communications Director and Legislative Advisor to a New York Member of the U.S. Congress. She is the first African-American independent television producer to have a weekly television show on WNYC-TV and for three years, she worked in Brasil as an entertainment and television licensing consultant for an American company. Ms. Morrison earned a master's degree in Interactive Telecommunications from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and she was a Communications Fellow at the Annenberg Washington Program of Northwestern University. She taught courses in telecommunications at Fordham University and she completed her coursework towards a Ph.D. in Political Science at Columbia University.

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In this episode of What's The 411Sports, the panel of Chris Graham, Gregory Alcala, Bianca Peart and Glenn Gilliam discuss sports news and events of the week, as well as, stories that are flying under the radar.

This week they are talking about:

• Little League Baseball player, Mo'ne Davis, is in the Baseball Hall of Fame
• Brooklyn Nets Media Day shows a revitalized and focused team
• Deron Williams and Derrick Rose are Feeling Charitable
• NFL Week 4 Roundup: Teddy Bridgewater, Steve Smith, Kirk Cousins, RG III, and Geno Smith
• The Pennsylvania Legislature Unanimously Approved September 14 -20 as Taney Dragons Week
• Tony Stewart Walks Away From Criminal Charges
• Derek Jeter Makes His Final Appearance at Yankees Stadium
• In the Doghouse (Unofficially): John Idzik, Jr. GM, New York Jets

and more...

Watch this episode of What's The 411Sports

VIDEO CONVERSATION: Teddy Bridgewater, NBA FINALS, Serena and Venus Williams, Deron Williams, Anthony Mackie, and more 

The DONALD STERLING saga: SHELLY STERLING sold THE LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS to former MICROSOFT CEO, STEVE BALMER

The NEW YORK RANGERS playing the LOS ANGELES KINGS for the STANLEY CUP

NBA FINALS: a repeat of the MIAMI HEAT V. THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS

LANCE STEPHENSON’S antics. Immaturity or much ado about nothing? Is STEPHENSON taking zeroes off of his next check?

BROOKLYN NETS GUARD DERON WILLIAMS underwent successful ankle surgery. BIANCA PEART gives a rundown of D-WILL’S recuperation period and his expected time to return to the team. GLENN GILLIAM asks did WILLIAMS get surgery on his heart. CHRIS GRAHAM says he’ll be back before DERRICK ROSE.

SERENA, VENUS, STEPHENSON, and FEDERER are out at the FRENCH OPEN. According to GLENN GILLIAM, the FRENCH OPEN commentators treat the foreigners better than the Americans; GLENN’S also disturbed that SERENA was in and out because she didn’t bring her a game. BIANCA added that SERENA was sitting courtside at GAME 6 of the MIAMI V. INDIANA PLAY-OFF GAME.

LOOKING AT WHAT’S FLYING UNDER RADAR

Eighteen-year-old tennis sensation TAYLOR TOWNSEND beat 21st-ranked ALIZE CORNET in the FRENCH OPEN.

The 205th-ranked TOWNSEND'S feat made her the youngest U.S. woman to advance to the third round at the FRENCH OPEN since 2003 -- is even more impressive considering just two years ago, the U.S. TENNIS ASSOCIATION attempted to keep her out of competition at the U.S. OPEN. It was suggested they would not restore their support until the teen, then the top-ranked junior player in the world lost weight.

RAPPER 50 CENT

It looks like TAYLOR TOWNSEND has better aim than 50 CENT. The rapper was on a publicity tour and displayed his poor pitching abilities at a recent METS game. He threw the ball very wide left; 50, stay in your lane!

WHO IS IN THE DOG HOUSE?

It’s DOG HOUSE time and it seems like by the end of the segment, GLENN GILLIAM put both FLOYD MAYWEATHER and T.I. in the DOG HOUSE for MAYWEATHER’S inappropriate relationship with T.I.’S wife, TINY and for telling T.I. that he needs to check his “BITCH.” T.I. seems to be in the DOG HOUSE for seemingly boasting that he went toe-to-toe with MAYWEATHER.

WHAT’S IN THE SPORTS PIPELINE:

Actor ANTHONY MACKIE is shopping a JESSE OWENS biopic.

ANTHONY MACKIE, of CAPTAIN AMERICA fame, is shopping around a JESSE OWENS biopic with WE ARE MARSHALL writer JAMIE LINDEN, ACCORDING TO DEADLINE. The would-be movie, which MACKIE would produce and star in, focuses on the lead-up to the 1936 BERLIN OLYMPICS, where OWENS won four gold medals in the shadow of HITLER'S REGIME.

The NBA DRAFT is on Thursday, June 26, 2014

FIFA WORLD CUP starts Thursday, June 12, 2014.

NOTE: What’s The 411TV hosts' comments are their own and not necessarily the opinion of What’s The 411 Networks.

"You are setting the bar high," What's The 411Sports host, Glenn Gilliam, said upon greeting NFL Minnesota Vikings Draftee, Teddy Bridgewater.

Was there a team you felt more of a connection with going into the pro (NFL) workouts?

"I felt the same about every team," Teddy Bridgewater, an NFL Draftee, said about his NFL pro workouts. "That's amazing. You hear stories about guys feeling uncomfortable in one environment, at one organization, but with me, every team I visited, every team that I worked out for, I left there feeling the same."

So how does Bridgewater feel about which type of offense would suit him best?

"I can play in any offense," Bridgewater said with confidence. "I'm coachable, so I will be able to adjust to great coaching; tough coaching; soft coaching; an I formation offense; a shotgun spread offense; option offense, anything. I am just that multiple and that gifted.

All of the NFL draftees were looking rather dapper; so which designer was Bridgewater wearing?

"I can't even tell you, but I know it's from Saks Fifth Ave," he responded.

Inspired by Kevin Durant? 

Since everyone was talking about Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kevin Durant's NBA MVP acceptance speech, Glenn Gilliam asked Teddy Bridgewater if he received any inspiration from Kevin Durant's speech.

"Kevin Durant is my favorite athlete," Bridgewater responded. "I feel like he and I are somewhat similar; how special his mom is in his life and how special my mom is. He is down to earth and very humble. He is one of the greatest athletes in the NBA and he doesn't get the credit for it. I feel that he and I relate in those ways that I admire him and everything he said about his mom and his teammates stands out."

Check out video with Teddy Bridgewater 

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