Interactive One's Elev8.com Debuts "From A Man's Point of View," A New, Exclusive Column By Award-Winning Recording Artist Marvin Sapp

NEW YORK, May 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Interactive One, the largest digital media company serving Black Americans, introduced several upgrades to Elev8.com, its site devoted to family, health and spirituality.  In addition to enhancements that will enrich the mobile experience, the website launched "From A Man's Point of View," a new column by celebrated recording artist Marvin Sapp.

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"Marvin Sapp's column, like his music, will bring new perspectives and awareness to the Elev8 community," said Smokey D. Fontaine, Chief Content Officer, Interactive One. "By sharing his spiritual beliefs and personal journey, he will embolden readers to reflect on their own lives, challenges and choices." 

Marvin Sapp first hit the national stage in the early 1990s as a member of gospel singing group Commissioned before becoming a successful solo artist in 1996.  After a string of top ten radio hits and a considerable gospel following, Sapp realized mainstream success in 2007 when a tribute to his deceased father became a radio hit.  The song, "Never Would Have Made It," was certified platinum and went on to become Sapp's biggest commercial success.  "Never Would Have Made It" was the first gospel song to sell one million ringtones and won Sapp seven Stellar Awards. 

Throughout his life and career, Sapp's wife and best friend MaLinda Sapp was by his side until she passed away in 2010.  "From a Man's Point of View" explores marriage, intimacy and how he deals with life without his wife.  The new column also covers topics such as the experience of being a father, a pastor and a Black man in gospel music.  Sapp will offer inspiration to the men and women of the Elev8 community every week.

"Elev8.com is an excellent online destination for information and entertainment for the African American community, and I'm honored to add a dose of spiritual wisdom and insight to their content," said Sapp. "A Man's Point of View is just that; me sharing what I've learned and continue to learn on my journey, in hopes that it will help make someone else's journey a little easier."

In addition to the new column, Elev8, which has increased its page views by more than 300 percent this year, is rolling out several new upgrades that will enhance the mobile experience so that it is faster, easier and more fun.  Pages now load faster than ever on all devices and flash has been eliminated for better viewing.  A new more responsive page design and HTML 5 photo galleries are optimized for iPads and smart phones in landscape and portrait modes.

To read Marvin Sapp's column, visit http://elev8.com/category/world/from-a-mans-view/

ABOUT INTERACTIVE ONE

Interactive One has more than 15 million members and reaches millions of Black Americans each month. With approximately 3 billion annual page views on its suite of sites, the company has become the definitive online resource for Black America through it's suite of social, content and radio sites such as the iconic BlackPlanet (www.BlackPlanet.com), the newly launched BlackPlanetNEXT (www.BlackPlanetNEXT.com), and the new BlackPlanet RADIO (www.BlackPlanetRadio.com), the digital industry's first social radio website created for the African American community. Interactive One is also home to several leading content sites including: NewsOne (www.NewsOne.com), which provides up to the minute, comprehensive coverage of newsworthy events relevant to Black Americans across the country and the world; TheUrbanDaily (www.TheUrbanDaily.com ), the eyes and ears for Black Americans looking for what's hot online, on the airwaves, in theaters, and on the street; HelloBeautiful (www.HelloBeautiful.com), the definitive lifestyle resource for today's Black woman; Elev8 (www.Elev8.com) a site devoted to elevating the mind, body and spirit. 

Interactive One was launched by Radio One, Inc. in 2008 to complement Radio One's existing portfolio of media companies targeting Black Americans. Since its launch, Interactive One has quickly become the #1 online platform for the African American community.  Interactive One is powered by the mission to create an online community that engages and positively impacts the lives of African Americans.

SOURCE Interactive One