Too Black Too Fast
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Too Black Too Fast
America's First Athletes
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Donna Binkley
donna binkley
legal
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Richard L Gant
Michael McBride
michael j. mcbride
Michael J. McBride, a native Tennessean, earned his undergraduate degree in art, from Tennessee State University and his graduate degree in painting from Illinois State University, where he credits Dr. Harold Gregor with providing a world class artistic mentorship. Currently, as an instructor of art at Tennessee State University and former Adjunct faculty at Watkins College of Art and Design and Film school, his commitment to the Nashville art world's future has always been at the forefront of his own career. McBride has served as lead artist on many community-based projects in Nashville, Sister Cities Mural Projects as well as Nashville International Airport's Arts in the Airport program. Michael is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for the Frist Visual Art Center in Nashville and the Board of Family and Children Service.McBride was featured in Visions of My People, sixty years of African American art in Tennessee, an exhibit organized by the Tennessee State Museum and one of his pieces was purchase for their permanent collection. He was one of twelve Nashville artists selected by The Tennessean newspaper for inclusion in the Millennium 2000 Collection, a signal honor. Another honor was the Side by Side sister cities exhibition with Belfast, Northern Ireland, featuring 17 artists from Nashville and 17 artists from Ireland. His most recent honor was the summer of 2005, a ten weeks artist in residence in Bermuda with the MasterWorks Museum of Bermuda Art. His current body of work titled Too Black Too Fast is a traveling exhibition of art about African- American jockeys and trainers. McBrides work is included in both private and corporate collections in the US and abroad. His work has been featured on television sitcoms, such as "Living Single", "The Wayans Bros. Show", and "The Jamie Foxx Show". Michael has also illustrated children's books and book covers for several publishing groups. Currently McBride is under the management of Derell Stinson.email: michael.mcbride_tooblacktoofast.com
artist/executive producer
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Darryl G. McClain
darryl g. mcclain
Nashville native Darryl McClain is the Assistant Project Director for the Too Black Too Fast multimedia project. Brought onto the project in 2006, he has since collaborated with team members to aid in preserving the legacy of the African American in horse racing including research and writing. An alumnus of Tennessee State University, he has utilized his English and Interdisciplinary Studies background on several notable humanitarian and culturally focused projects including the Nashville Civil Rights Legacy Foundation which is working to publicize the monumental role Nashville played in the Civil Rights movement. Instrumental in the recent honoring of "Tennessee State A&I 14" Freedom Riders with honorary degrees, he traveled at personal expense to conduct interviews, collated biographies and worked tirelessly behind the scenes with his mother, historian Elizabeth McClain and her colleague, Dr. Hoyt King.Politically active, McClain volunteered on behalf of candidates, Howard Dean, John Kerry and Barack Obama traveling throughout the South, phone banking, blogging, hosting events and attending events. He utilizes his social networking memberships to keep friends and colleagues around the country updated on what is happening in Washington.Recently, McClain started Quantum to Virtual Consulting, a business services consulting firm. Recognizing that African Americans and Latinos in his community had ideas for entrepreneurship but did not know the foundational necessities, he set out to equip them with the necessary tools, to empower them and bring their ideas to fruition. His clients include a Music Row urban label, a local semiprofessional football team and a medical sector business as well as a client in Central America and South Africa.A voracious reader, Darryl reads on average 3 hours a day on subjects as diverse as politics to spirituality. Married to his college sweetheart, Dr. Janea McClain, they presently reside in Baltimore. email: darryl.mcclain_tooblacktoofast.com
assistant project director/ researcher
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Carolyn McDonald
carolyn mcdonald
Carolyn McDonald has had a diverse and extensive career in the film industry. Most recently she was Head of Production at Country superstar Big Kenny Alphins (Big & Rich) LoveEverybody.com, where she executive produced his documentary Bearing Light airing on National Geographic Channel, as well as his music video, "Share the Love," generated from a student film competition she created. Prior to that she executive produced and directed P.N.O.K., a film chronicling a day in the life of two soldiers on Casualty Notification Detail, featuring Irma P. Hall (LADYKILLERS), Danny Glover, Robert Richard (COACH CARTER) and Elle Fanning (BABEL), which was a 1st round Oscar contender for Best Live Action Short. She recently directed Shannon Sanders music video "Run" for the"Too Black Too Fast" project and produced & directed "Who's Real," the documentary & short film for Nashville Film Festival's Youth Outreach Project.As partners with Danny Glover at Carrie Productions, she executive produced the Emmy-nominated TNT civil rights saga, "FREEDOM SONG". Written and directed by Oscar® nominee Phil Alden Robinson (FIELD OF DREAMS), the film features Vicellous Shannon, Vondi Curtis-Hall, David Strathairn (GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK) and Loretta Devine (CRASH). McDonald also co-produced the critically acclaimed Western BUFFALO SOLDIERS starring Glover, Glynn Turman and Mykelti Williamson (FORREST GUMP).Earlier, she executive produced the prestigious HBO trilogy "AMERICAS DREAM." Comprised of powerful short stories by celebrated African- American authors, Maya Angelou, Richard Wright & Dr. John Henrik Clarke, the film featured Wesley Snipes (BLADE), Danny Glover & Jasmine Guy, with segments directed by Bill Duke, Kevin Sullivan & Emmy-winner Paris Barclay. The program won 4 Cable Aces and an NAACP Image Award for Best Made-for-TV Movie.Fresh out of New York Universitys Dramatic Writing/Film Program, Carolyn joined the East Coast advertising/publicity division of Warner Bros. Television. There she ran buyer screenings and developed network publicity campaigns for such films as THE ROAD WARRIOR, CHARIOTS OF FIRE and BLADE RUNNER, and conceived marketing campaigns for the Warner Bros. cartoon catalogue.Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, McDonald served as Creative Executive at Cinecom Entertainment Group, where she was involved in various stages of development & production on such films as THE HANDMAIDS TALE, ONCE AROUND, MISSISSIPPI MASALA and TUNE IN TOMORROW. While at Cinecom, Carolyn also co-created two television pilots in association with Propaganda Films, THE RAGE and BACKBEAT.A prolific screenwriter, McDonald co-wrote the comedy RETURN OF THE SWEETBIRDS from her story for Fox 2000, and recently scripted the feature romantic comedy, ROCKET LOVE which she will direct. Creating in a variety of genres and formats, her present projects include, THUMPT™, an interactive web reality series; 5 EAST BROADWAY, a drama based on her transition, as a teenager, from living on a farm to the inner-city; a music documentary series called JOINED AT THE STRINGS; and SEW FABULOUS, a dramedy about competing students at a prestigious New York City fashion school in the late 70s. Carolyn was a mentor for the American Film Institute Digital Content Labs team developing a broadband network for SiTV. She also continues to compile photos for a multimedia exhibit entitled NOUNS IN THE ROAD, comprised of photographs shes taken on her lifes journey since she was 11 years old.Carolyn studied acting with Uta Hagen, Earle Hyman, the late Geraldine Page, and at SUNY Purchase, and is a part of Judith Westons Actor/Directors Lab.Shes also a mentor & advisory board member of Film Independents (FIND) Project: Involve, counseling and assisting young women looking to break into the film industry. A native of Wade, North Carolina, Carolyn is committed to creating provocative, unique stories that entertain & enlighten audiences universally.email: carolyn.mcdonald_tooblacktoofast.com
exec. producer/motion picture
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George Nock
george nock
Former NFL Running Back Turned Sculptor George Nock, former running back with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins was destined early in life to become an artist. His has been a fascinating career from maneuvering his powerful torso, to swift moves on the Gridiron, to positioning his big, strong hands to delicately mold objects of intricacy and perfection. Self-taught, Nock has distinguished himself among the greatest sculptors of the twentieth through twenty-first century, due to an intrinsic ability to capture with versatility highly original bronzes reflecting lifes experiences. The brawny, broad-shouldered ex-athlete found his real victory in shaping exquisite sculpture. Inspired by junior high school teachers, one a sculptor, the other a painter, the multi-talented Nock etched, sketched, sculpted and painted throughout high school amid stellar performance on the basketball court and football field. In 1964, on a sports scholarship, the mild-mannered jock attended Morgan State University, where he majored in Psychology. By 1969 he had been drafted by the New York Jets. The team would be going over game strategy in the training facility in Shea Stadium, and would find Nock working on preliminary drawings for sculptures. After 5 years in the NFL, Nock retired. A natural instinct to eye a field and to scheme an entire play transformed fluidly -- to the ability to look at a clump of clay and envision a masterpiece. Whereas, immediate productivity was demanded on the playing field, the average sculpture required 2-7 months of labor to complete. Yet, the euphoria of the vision the creativity poured into the 3- dimensional structure exceeds the thrill or rush one feels in running a touch down, Nock maintains. In fact, his first bronze cast "ScatBack" depicted his very playing position -- a running back. I knew all mechanics of the moves so I was inspired to recreate them in 3-D. Nock's admiration of the human form and firsthand knowledge of the feats it can achieve is spectacularly recognized in the compelling realism of his work.Through hands-on practice, Nock devoted his life to the creation of realistic figures in bronze. I feel a responsibility to breathe life into untold stories, usually women, the culture bearers of any society. Oftentimes my subject will be African-Americans, whose way of life seems to have remained in touch with their heritage. One can still observe many of our traditions and ways of times past. Our history is reflected in our faces. His bronzes seem to embody a definite feeling of humility and passion regardless of vast subject matter. Much of Nocks work is derived from some indelible experience stored in the crevices of his mind. Whether sculpting a figure from world history, a forgotten people, or a famed athlete Nock possesses the uncanny ability to capture the essence of his subject with a characteristic pose or expression. Perhaps its Nocks early coursework in psychology that comes into play, leaving us with the feel that his bronze works are more than mere representations but lifelike intimate glimpses into the very core of who his figures are.email: george.nock_tooblacktoofast.com
sculptor
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Fred Reaves
fred reaves
Fred Reaves, owner of Clicks Photography and co-owner of Models, Makeup, and More, Inc., is a native Tennessean, now residing in Maryland.Fred brings a very unique background to the project, in that he earned his undergraduate degree in a field of study totally unrelated to photography. His degree work is in the field of agriculture, and he has used that background to work with small and limited resource communities and African-American farmers throughout his career. From 1993-1996, Fred served as Civil Rights leader for the USDA-NRCS in the State of Indiana, and from 1996-2004, he served as Regional Outreach Coordinator working throughout the Midwestern States, bringing awareness of government programs and services to minority groups and communities across the area. In 2001, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the National Organization of Professional Black Employees for outstanding achievements in outreach and diversity.In 2004, Reaves moved from the Midwest to Washington, DC, where he was ask to serve as his agency’s Federal Coordinating Director for 5 Centers of Excellence, and two Engineering programs at the 1890 Black Land-Grant Schools of Florida A.M. University, Langston University, Lincoln University, North Carolina A&T University, South Carolina State University, and Virginia State University, where he coordinated and managed the outreach efforts and oversaw the funding for scholarships, education and research.During his career, Fred has never strayed very far from his passion and love of photography. In 1984, while still working in the agriculture field, he opened Clicks Photography Studios, and in 2006, co-founded the Models, Make-up, and More Talent Agency, and continues to juggle both careers very successfully. In his never ending desire to better his craft and to gain more knowledge in the field of photography, in 2001, Reaves enrolled in the New York Institute of Photography and upon finishing there, enrolled in the Washington School of Photography in 2004.Reaves has shot for a diversity of companies and magazines. In 2004, he was one of four photographers selected to travel to the Island of St Maarten in the Netherland Antilles to shoot a layout for the magazines Braid and Beauty and Hype and Hair. In 2006 he was one of only ten photographers selected worldwide to travel to Cancun, Mexico to shoot the Corona Beer Spokes Model competition, for the Corona Beer Company, and to also do the Swimwear layout for Sophie Swimwear Magazine. He also shot for Swimwear Illustrated Magazine from 2000-2006.In 2007, the State of Maryland’s Prince George County was host to the “World Ambassador’s Day, where over 300 Ambassadors from around the world attended, and Reaves was selected to do the promotional photography work for the official brochures and booklets. Some of his most recent work can be seen on the UPTOWN Magazine Website.When Fred is not engaged in photography or other professional endeavors, he is involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization, mentoring young men who aspire to have a better life and looking to have professional careers.
chief photographer
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Shannon Sanders
shannon sanders
As a producer/songwriter/musician, already, Shannon Sanders has earned two Grammys: India.Arie's Voyage to India (2002) and Jonny Lang's Turn Around (2006). His talents have also afforded him the creative opportunity to work with a myriad of other artists including John Legend, Marc Broussard, Eric Benet, Jesse McCartney, David Archuleta, CeCe Winans, The Temptations, Rissi Palmer, Mandisa, Nicole C. Mullen (for which he received a Dove Award in ) and many others.Sanders has also received notable success thanks to his contribution to Robert Randolph & the Family Band's 2006 LP Colorblind, which featured the highly-commercialized smash, Ain't Nothing Wrong With That (co-written and produced by Sanders). In late 2005, Heather Headley's title cut, In My Mind was a US Hot 100, R&B/Hip Hop and Dance Club Play hit. The single was originally featured on Sanders' 1999 debut release, Outta Nowhere.Currently, he serves as India.Arie's music director. And, Sanders is working on his follow-up to Outta Nowhere. Among from his behind-the-scenes gifts, The Grown Man's Handbook showcases his uncanny singing ability and the revelations, as both an artist and man, he has experienced over the past decade.email: shannon.sanders_tooblacktoofast.com
music supervising producer
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Molly Secours
Molly Secours
As a writer/filmmaker, Molly Secours has been called an "uncompromising fighter for racial equity and social justice" who has used her artistic talents to address public policy regarding inequities in health care, education and criminal justice.As a recent cancer survivor, Secours writes and speaks about issues from a healing perspective and draws the parallels between battling a deadly disease and confronting and disrupting systemic and institutional privilege--a symptom of an imbalanced and unhealthy society.From 1995-2010, her writings have been published in over 50 mainstream and internet magazines and newspapers and she is currently a regular columnist in both the Huffington Post and Nashville City Paper. During 2000-2007, in addition to writing a bi-weekly column for the daily Nashville City Paper, Secours commentaries have appeared in z-net magazine, blackcommentator.com and numerous others. As a contributing writer in a book published by Harper Collins "Should America Pay"? (Jan 2003), Secours essay entitled: entitled Riding the Reparations Bandwagon, addresses issues of white privilege and reparations for the African Slave Trade.In Fall 2001, The Scene, Nashville’s alternative weekly identified Secours as one of "Nashville’s most influential public intellectuals". As a strong presence in the community she has used her skills as a writer and orator to challenge state and local officials--as well as members of the community—to carefully consider the state's position on the death penalty and the racial disparities in the criminal justice system.Through her film company One Woman Show Productions, she has earned national recognition in the world of social justice for having produced videos about the death penalty as well as a healthcare documentary titled Faces Of TennCare: Putting A Human Face On Tennessee’s Health Care Failure--which is currently being aired on The Documentary Channel.Since 1998, she has appeared in numerous local and national television and radio talk shows--including CNN's Paul Zahn Now--and is a weekly co-host of "Freestyle" with veteran Nashville journalist Ron Wynn on 88.1 WFSK FM. In 1998 Secours was invited to serve as an Advisory Board Member at Fisk University's Race Relations Institute in Nashville Tennessee and during the Summer of 2001, she attended the United Nations Prep-com in Geneva Switzerland and, as a journalist, covered the World Conference on Racism in Durban South Africa (August 2001).In a previous life, Secours worked in theater, film and television as an actor/producer/writer in Los Angeles where she partnered with A Fish Called Wanda, producer Steve Abbott on a feature film project. She is also founder of YVTV (Youth Voice Through Video) a video-making and screenwriting program for juvenile offenders and incarcerated youth in a Nashville prison.If you are interested in seeing clips from her films or viewing her writings you may visit http://www.mollysecours.com Email: molly.secours_tooblacktoofast.com
Documentarian
Derell L. Stinson
derell l. stinson
Derell L. StinsonThrough his ups and downs in the entertainment arena, he has worked with the heavy weights of music, comedy, theater and now movies and documentaries. For over two decades he has worked in some capacity in the entertainment business while earning a living in other arenas in corporate America. To date, nothing has come close to the satisfaction he says is derived from working with talented clients such as visual artists Michael J. McBride and James R. Threalkill. Born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee, later raised in Racine, Wisconsin, Stinson wants to level the playing field for all persons, regardless of ethnicity to have the opportunity to tell their stories. As a product of Tennessee State University, he says, "The one thing I can say is that learning about other cultures through my friends, colleagues and traveling has helped me truly appreciate being an African-American male, even with our struggles. Yet, I still appreciate celebrating, actually submerging myself in another's culture. It helps me to truly appreciate and take stock in my own!"Having worked for major and boutique record labels, as well as events, shows and tours of such artists as Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, Sinbad, D.L. Hughley, MC Hammer, Will Downing, Impact Music Convention, Shannon Sanders and others, he relishes the opportunity to use his anything that will have a the legacy of African-Americans and global society as a whole.When he is not working on entertainment related projects, he enjoys volunteering as well as his new number one passion: helping others maximize their "destiny" (disorders) to live vibrant lives with A.D.H.D, a personal subject for him. In addition, he sits on Pearl Cohn Comprehensive Entertainment Magnet High School Advisory Board and the Arts Council of Williamson County Executive Board in the state of Tennessee.He resides/works in Nashville where he manages McBride along with James R. Threalkill, Elisheba Israel, Michael Mucker and Abshalom Waters.email: derell.stinson_tooblacktoofast.com
project director/executive producer
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James Threalkill
james r. threalkill
Native Nashvillian, Artist, Teacher, Advocate, LeaderA man of humble origin, he earned his way to Vanderbilt University as an athlete and scholar. Upon graduating from Vanderbilt, James returned to the public housing community of his youth as a Leader. He used his gift as an artist and teacher to develop neighborhood youth art programs. He was also involved with community outreach and fundraising efforts for the community.In 1995, James was asked to serve as Special Assistant for Community Affairs and Arts in the Office of the Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, Philip N. Bredesen. This endeavor allowed James to use his experience and connections in the Nashville community to help bring diversity awareness and policy to local Nashville government.James has served as Executive Director for 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee; managing the organizations administrative support services, recruiting members and coordinating the youth activities. He has also served as the Community Services Director of Edgehill Center, Inc., where he established several successful programs for youth. He used art as a teaching tool to educate youth on the importance of staying drug-free and in school.James became a nationally recognized artist and advocate of the arts and has received many awards in his career not only for this gift, but also for his involvement with numerous organizations. In 1994 he received the Metropolitan Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. He has received national recognition for a mural program he established and received an Emmy Award in 1994 for a mural created for the Viacom Television Network. He was named CSAAM Man of the Year in 1997 and in 1998 the YMCABlack Achievers Program named him "Achiever of the Year".James' gift as an artist took him to South Africa in 1995 to create a mural with South African art students. During his trip he also had the opportunity to visit with President Nelson Mandela. James was also the coillustrator of a successful children's book series that has been featured on Sesame Street.James' past experience in community program development and community relations make him a valuable asset to Skanska as the Diversity Program Director. In this role, James will be responsible for identifying Women and Minority-owned businesses to participate in procurement opportunities with Skanska. Jameswill also serve as a community liaison working with youth organizations, mentoring programs, and marketing initiatives.email: james.threalkill_tooblacktoofast.com
artist
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Elisha Vernon
elisha vernon
Elisha Vernon, Creative Assistant, was born and raised in Chicago, IL. At a very young age she became enchanted with the rich arts and diverse cultures throughout the Windy City, and she found her passion in visual and creative arts. Living in Nashville led her to a chance meeting with Michael McBride in 2006, where she was introduced to the Too Black Too Fast concept. While her background is in Fine Arts, Elisha holds a degree in Graphic Design/Multimedia. She is a freelance designer as well as an author, mentor, and proud mom of two.email: elisha.vernon_tooblacktoofast.com
creative services-graphic artist
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EducationB.A. Biology & Art, Western Michigan University M.S. Conservation Education & Interpretation, Michigan State UniversityResource Planning & Management, completed PhD course work & exams, Michigan State University (ABD)CITM, Certified International Tour Manager International Guide Academy (graduated, top of the class)CFEM (Certified Festival & Event Manager), MN Festival & Event AssociationExperienceCEO/Founder Grant Guidance (2008 present) consultant for non-profits, provide research, advice, training, and proposal development servicesPresident and Founder, FilmNashville Foundation (2008 present) developed charter, planning documents and forms; provide fiscal agent services for documentary filmmakers; provide educational services and training for individuals and organizations in the arts Director of Development, FilmNashville (2004-present) Grants Coordinator, City of Columbia (FT 2004-2008) Research opportunities for supplemental funding for city projects, services and facilities, develop & submit grant proposalsGrantwriting Consultant (2001-present) Contract consultant for researching, writing grant proposals for non-profit agencies and organizations; teach workshops regarding grant research and proposal writing Principal Planner, Resource Initiatives. (1994-2004) Consultant responsible for management of interpretive planning contracts for a variety of agencies, including scenic & historic byways. Provide training in heritage area planning, marketing, special events, program planning & evaluation.Executive Director, National Association for Interpretation. (1992-1994) Responsible for all services & business for 4,500 member professional organization for interpreters who are employed by museums, historic sites & heritage areas, parks, nature centers and other similar facilities. Managed planning, business & training functions, national & regional conferences & events, member services, publications, communications, & marketing.Instructor, Colorado State University (PT 1996-1998) Taught various classes and courses related to interpretation, interpretive planning. Also included developing and teaching Event & Conference Planning, Fundraising, Public-Private Partnerships. Organized numerous university events and annually managed 20-40 events planned by students.Bobbie has been involved with natural and cultural resource interpretation all of her career. A recognized innovator and creative person, she is a self-motivated, organized & detail-oriented individual with exceptional skills in interpretive planning and management. She has the ability to maintain accuracy & productivity while managing numerous projects in a team environment. Bobbie has developed & taught courses at the university level for Colorado State University, Michigan State University, and is comfortable within the academic world as well as working with the public. She has also provided international interpretive training & planning assistance, as well as special event & conference planning services for countless organizations. She has strong customer service skills and has worked effectively with diverse groups of people from preschool to senior citizens. AwardsLeadership Maury, Maury County, TN. Nominated to participate in Leadership program. Completed 12 months of leadership training.Governor of Minnesota, Strive Toward Excellence in Performance Award (STEP) for developing the DNR Outdoor Recreation Information Center & the DNR Information Center, including development of statewide databases.Minnesota Office of Tourism, two Travel Marketing Awards & a Certificate of Merit for Travel Marketing.The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators, Northern Lights Silver Pen Award for Excellence in Communications.Excellence in Performance Award for Outstanding Public Service, MN DNR, Enos Mills Award, National Association for Interpretation for service to the profession Lions Club International, Outstanding Young Leader Award and International Service Award for establishing first nature trail for the visually impaired Songwriting & Poetry Awards: First Place, Georgia Pacific Songwriting Contest. Third Place, Just Plain Folks Lyric Awards Contest (32,000 entries). Spotlight featured lyricist 6 times. Writing song lyrics is an application of the same skills that form the foundation of good interpretation. Poem, Blizzard Calf, was selected for inclusion in the multi-award winning anthology of cowboy poetry, THE BIG ROUNDUP.
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