Author, lawyer, television host and designer Star Jones has Atlanta in her sights, with a business networking event coming up Monday and the filming of "Satan's Sisters," the VH1 adaptation of her novel coming later this year.
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
The former "The View" co-host is now president of the National Association of Professional Women and Professional Diversity Network. The NAPW plans a Power Networking event from noon to 2 p.m. Monday at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Tickets are $25 and free for members. See full details and get your tickets here.
"Every single stride I’ve ever had in my career has been because I was connected to someone else," Jones said during an interview with the the AJC. "That’s what I encourage with women: parlay that like-mindedness into success!"
On the horizon, Vanessa Williams has signed onto the VH1 series inspired by Jones' novel. From the network:
"Set in the bright lights of daytime television, the fireworks start every weekday at noon when the hosts of 'The Lunch Hour' — a long-running popular TV talk show — discuss life, love, family, politics, and gossip. Ms. Williams will play the role of Maxine, the creator and host of 'The Lunch Hour;' a formidable, powerful, and decisive woman, but fears she's being put out to pasture. Slated for a 2017 premiere, the series will focus on Maxine and her co-hosts, five women with very different points of view, are best friends and sisters…while they're on TV. But behind the scenes, they are 'Satan's Sisters' — a backstage world filled with power struggles, personal demons, diva fits, love affairs, man troubles, cat fights…and cocktails."
While the book and the series it has launched are fictional, Jones drew upon her time at "The View" for inspiration.
"For every character and every story in the book, the inspiration comes from someone I interviewed," she said. "Of course I took dramatic license and made it more over the top!"
She's excited to be working on the project and thrilled that Williams is taking on the starring role.
"I’ve known her personally for 30 years," said Jones, whose enthusiasm at working with a friend was evident early on in the casting process. "I’m not going to lie. I got on the phone and said 'Girl, did you read my book?'I’m very lucky to be working with the best in the business."
Back to business, Jones looks forward to helping women connect with their best selves at Monday's networking event.
"It's my lifeblood," she said. "You often don't know your purpose until you're walking in it," she said. "Two years ago I was hosting the conference in New York and presented the award to ("Good Morning America" host) Robin Roberts. She said 'Star, this is what you're born to do.' I felt my heart want to burst. I celebrate women's achievements. I celebrate women."
