BET Networks Taps Blair Underwood To Narrate New Original Series Exalted

A gang of boys dragged Rivers into a school bathroom, dumped him head first into the nearest bowl, and attempted to drown him to death.  He was saved by a teacher who over heard the commotion and rescued him.  His newly found rage and hardened spirit led him into the meanest street gang in Philadelphia.  His initiation beat down of one of the town bullies led to a near-stabbing (with a 12 inch kitchen knife) at his own front door.  Rivers’ says that he intuitively felt that he shouldn’t answer the door and it was this decision that led him to believe that God wanted more from his life then to be a hoodlum.  That night marked the first catalyst for what would be an extreme transformation in Rivers’ life, for the better.

 

Future EXALTED episodes will profile:

Bishop Charles E. Blake
Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles) / premieres October 30, 2007

Episode Description:  Born in San Diego, California Bishop Charles E. Blake grew up in the church community.  As the son of a Pentecostal bishop, Bishop Blake was expected to carry on his father’s legacy as an extraordinary preacher.  In grade school however, a teacher recognized that young Blake had a speech deficiency.  Instead of allowing these words to shape his future, he instead overcame them and ultimately became one of the most powerful, influential preachers in the world.  He takes us back through his challenging days as an activist during the racially charged Civil Rights period and we also go on his journey to becoming a pastor and later a bishop. 

Currently, leader of the Church of God in Christ denomination, Bishop Blake presides over 8 million people including celebrities such as Magic Johnson, Denzel Washington, Sam Jackson and Natalie Cole.  He walks us through one of the most difficult seasons of pain in his life when his son Larry almost loses his life after being shot point blank range in his chest.  We talk to Larry and learn how his father helped him survive this dark period of his life.  Finally, we travel with Blake to Africa as he visits children who have been affected by the AIDS epidemic there.  With all of his humanitarian efforts abroad as well as his economic development projects at home, he is an honorable man of God whose life has been a portrait of what it truly means to be a Christian.