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On the Stage, On the Page, & On CameraI like words. Tiny words and humongous words. Potent words. Illuminating words. Words that are jovial, but never prolix. Words that logophiles and philomaths exchange with giddy delight. Words that choose to be frabjous instead of fabulous.I've built my career by wielding words--as a speaker, writer, and TV personality. It's what I do best, and it's all I want to do. I work on projects that provoke thought, inspire action, and solicit smiles.I do it on the stage, on the page, and on camera. If you wanna know more, you can peruse my "official" bio below, which shows that I have some sort of credentials... Happy Reading!___________________________________________________________"When I was a kid, I wanted to become a teacher, then a college counselor, and then a lawyer," Chanté recounts, laughing, But in high school, I joined the Speech & Debate Team and realized that I love to communicate; I discovered that I love to use words to teach and to debate, and that communication was a strong component of every career I had considered. As cliché as it may sound, since I was young, I wanted to make a difference using my words."Chanté began competing in speech competitions throughout Los Angeles, learning how to use words to entertain and persuade. At fifteen, she confided in her classmates that she wanted to become a motivational speaker for youth. They laughed at her; She herself was still young. But two years later, as Miss Teen of America, she found herself travelling throughout the U.S. and abroad speaking to youth and adults. Admission to Pomona College ushered in a wealth of experiences: immersion into international cultures, experience as a television host and producer, a semester at Atlanta's Spelman College, and years studying how TV, film, and emerging communication mediums intersect with culture and gender, as a Media Studies major.After graduation, Chanté turned down a job at NBC and opted to use her voice to influence young adults' lives. She worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA as a spiritual life coach for college students at the University of Southern California and UCLA, serving as a mentor and speaker.Since then, Chanté has used her words to carve out a career in the media. Her work has been published in The Claremont Courier, The Corsair, and Inside Black Hollywood. She has coached students throughout Los Angeles, as well as contestants on MTV and TLC, helping them with their public speaking and presentation skills. She has spoken for HBO, the Los Angeles Community College District, and SaysMeTV. Look familiar? Maybe you've seen her hosting a live event or on a commercial. When Chanté isn't working, she can be found reading a good book (autobiographies are favorites), discussing some current event with friends, or dancing barefoot around her house.

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I'm speaking on behalf of one of my favorite non-profits, Junior Achievement of Southern CA, at a fundraiser. January 2012Love coffee? I shot a commercial for Keurig. December 2011Red carpet interviews for "George & Kim Plus Twins." December 2011I now get paid to share my opinion! I joined BlackWorthy.com as a contributing writer. November 2011Just call me Julia's Child, cause I'm debuting my culinary skills on Hilshire Farm's the Kitchen Cookoff! October 2011Who me? Preggers? Singing, acting, and performing spoken word for a gala fundraiser for Harvest Home. September 2011Resting, Rejuvenating, & Refocusing. August 2011Need a new bed? A new couch? If so, keep a look out for my latest Living Spaces commercial. July 2011"Jumping, and turning, and swinging, oh my!" I put on my swing dancing shoes for a new media project. July 2011I got booked on an upcoming CBS show. June 2011I was the host and m.c. of my Aunt's 50th Birthday celebration. Happy B-Day Aunty Nay Nay! May 2011Mwari, a magazine for young African American women, is out! Working with this team was one of the highlights of my career. Peep some behind the scenes photos on pages 4 & 5 here. April 2011I signed with a new talent agent. Yay, Polygon Group! March 2011I got to model for my sister's new jewelry line, Endless Couture. Click here to check-out the photos! January 2011"Run, Chante, Run!" I took some time off, braided my hair, and ran my first 5K! December 2010I led two seminars at The REAL, InterVarsity SoCal's annual black student conference. November 2010Need a new dining room table? Keep an eye out for my newest Living Spaces commercial. September 2010Knitting It Old School hits shelves August 30, the day after my birthday! Sneak a peek at my model moves in this fun, retro-themed clothing book. August 2010I learned more about the craft of writing during my interview with Maaza Mengiste, author of Beneath the Lion's Gaze. July 2010What's cooler than modeling at the 2010 X-Games on a beautiful, sunny day? Modeling in the shade. July 2010I got to perform spoken word at the Walt Disney Concert Hall at a graduation ceremony for United Friends of the Children. The best part: celebrating these youth as they foray into the world of higher education. June 2010Keep a look out for me in an upcoming Living Spaces ad! May 2010Got insurance? I booked a commercial for The General. April 2010I performed stand-up comedy at the Westside Comedy Theatre. Ha! March 2010Yay! I joined JA as a trainer. February 2010I performed spoken word at a fundraiser for the Fregenet Foundation. January 2010Unlucky in love? Look out for me on iluv.net! Coming in 2010. January 2010Need a good laugh? Check out the shows I host at the Westside Comedy Theatre. December 2009My interview with Death Row Records V.P. was featured in Inside Black Hollywood. November 2009I worked as a spokesmodel for Redbook Magazine's Love Your Life Tour. October 2009I got to model for a cool retro clothing book coming out Fall 2010. September 2009I joined AthoGen as a spokesperson. August 2009

Contact

You can contact me via phone, e-mail, text, mail, fax, or the Polar Express. Holla at ya girl!

Chanté Griffin

yougochante_yahoo.com

(818) 714-1594

The Polygon Group, Inc.

(818) 567-6190 ext. 149

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About Actin I'm an actor, darnit!It has taken me a while to say, "I am an actor", not just because it feels so cliché, (I grew up in L.A.), but because the term has felt limiting. The term has felt shallow, as if all we do is pretend, when that isn't what we do at all. To me, acting is about relationships: the relationship the actor has to the character, the relationship that character has to the other characters, and the relationship that character has to the audience. I believe that my job as an actor is to meet my character first - to find her (through the pages of the script, my experiences, those I've known and those I've only heard or read about). Second, to inhabit her, and third, to give her a voice. This voice is a intricate combination of hers and mine: It is my interpretation of her and my experience of her. My goal is to show the world who she is, to explain her to them. When I do this well, it is real. The audience meets her; The audience responds to her. There is no pretend. Why do I act?I act because I love connecting through communication. I love the feeling of inhabiting a character. I love offering a gift (even though I can be anxious about how it will be received). And I love feeling the audience talk back. Oh, and did I mention that it's fun?

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Why Chanté

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About Around the age of fifteen, I realized that I loved the stage. I began speaking at school and at church, became President of my high school's Speech & Debate Team, and began competing as part of the California High School Speech Association and the National Forensic League, winning awards. I trained with Toastmasters International and entered college prepared to be "the next Oprah, but better."Many hosting jobs later, I am still eyeing Oprah's media empire, and I'm doing what I love to do - communicate. If you're looking for a lively, engaging, thoughtful, hard-working host, then you wanna work with me!

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Breakin out of the Box

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Breakin Breaking out of the box has landed me in some interesting places: in Wagga Wagga, Australia, as a national spokesperson, on the pages of the L.A. Times Magazine as a model, on the stage as a stand-up comic, and more!My desire is that folks break out of their boxes--whether the boxes are other people's expectations, career obligations, societal norms, distorted lenses, or even religion--so that they can live free.I'm known for dynamic, inspiring "tell it like it is" messages, as I like to mix humor and the performing arts in ways that challenge, educate, and motivate. Seeing people grow and develop (personally, spiritually, and professionally) is at the heart of all that I do. Although I like to speak about just about anything, I especially love speaking about personal development, education, and issues that affect women and the African American community.

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Topics WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENTGo On Girl!Hear my signature message for women! Using humor, song and dance, it inspires women to go forward in their careers, relationships, and lives.I'm just a black woman tryin to make it!Perfect for a conference, this series propels black women from surviving to thriving. It includes four messages: "Break out the Box," "Girl, you bleeding," "Jill Scott was right," and "The Myth of the Essence Man."PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTBreak out the Box!It's never too late to do something different--to kick down barriers, exceed expectations, and surprise everyone, including yourself. Pink is the new black, and sixty is the new forty. Change stands beckoning, "Go on-Break out the box!"Living Life LIVE! Lessons for living life and loving it.At some point in our lives, each of us asks ourselves, "Why am I here?" This series of presentations teaches you how to "Discover Your Why," overcome obstacles, and live a life filled with more meaning and fulfillment. Really.COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTThe 411 on the 911: Understanding the Crisis in Black AmericaBlack communities are in crisis throughout the U.S. Lack of education and opportunities are often the main reasons cited. This speech examines three factors within the Black community that contribute to the crisis and what we can do to implement change.Who am I & Who is We? The establishment of identity is arguably the most defining element of the African American community. This speech discusses how identity has been defined, perceived, and created in African American communities by insiders and outsiders.

Quotes "Chanté Griffin is a gifted speaker with a passion to challenge her listeners to look up, stand tall and move forward. A real breath of fresh air. Her energy was contagious and her insights gave our students much to reflect on. With clarity and real life experiences to illustrate her points, Chanté is a speaker that will inspire you."-Glen Kinoshita, Director of Multi-Ethnic Programs, Biola University

Organizations Partial List of Organizations I have spoken for:Colleges & UniversitiesUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of RedlandsUCLAPomona CollegeEast Los Angeles CollegeBiola UniversityOtherThe City of Angels Film FestivalTeen Achievers of America ProgramWest Angeles C.O.G.I.C.Some Companies I've worked as a spokesperson for:HBOLos Angeles Community College DistrictVideoJug ProductionsFlorida Technical CollegeIllinois School of Health Careers

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Photography Christine CiszczonVinicius PhotographyAngela MeansAngel HernandezMake-UpDanielle Deeva JonesMannyHair BobbieWeb Design designsbyk.style_gmail.com

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