Listen up, Who Runs the 845? It’s Queens!

By Journalist Ms. Jones

MIDDLETOWN – Who “Run the World (Girls)” may be the name of Beyonce’s song, but it was the theme of the night at the first annual All Girls Rock Celebrating the Queens of the 845 on Saturday, March 10. The event was held at The MEV and was produced by Moochie Merchant and Chandra James aka DJ Mizz Official.

“I wanted to come into 2018 encouraging the women to stick together… It’s so many great women in power and position and they don’t really get the accolades and the well-deserved thank yous… I want to do this every year just to show women and inspire women to… be great,” said Merchant who is a radio personality for the online radio station Reporting Live 845 which streams live weeknights from six to eight pm and is geared towards building the community.

Recording Artist Tanisha Castellanos performed her single “Thirsty.”

“This is the first annual… Queens of the 845 celebrating in the Hudson Valley… It’s been a long time coming,” said Castellanos. “International Women’s Day was this month… That’s a powerful thing to be a woman, to possess what God made us to be. The nurturers, the birth givers, the creators… That’s a big deal. It’s empowering to be a woman.”

Singer and songwriter LaShay Dorsett aka Shaylaset performed original music “Sociopath” and “Been There.”

“It feels good… to be a part of this movement… When I think of ‘Queen’ I think of hard-working, loving, nurturing, powerful. It’s just something about a queen. We command, not only the stage, when we walk in a room, our presence… we command [the room],” said Shaylaset who has been singing and writing songs since age twelve. Her EP “Numb” is available on digital platforms and she is in the studio working on a full-length album.
Recording Artist Soleya brought a full band. She brought the house down with her new single “Let’s Talk,” a goodbye anthem to ex-relationships.

“I was very much appreciative to be a part of the start of the… Queens of the 845… I enjoyed… seeing the different grinds of the beautiful 845 women,” said Soleya who will be dropping an EP on April 6 called Epitome of Pain.

Singer and songwriter Angela Rose blessed the stage in song.

“I think this is fantastic. I think that if girls showed more love to each other instead of us being at each other’s throats, the world would be ours… The more we learn and the more we empower each other… we’ll get there,” said Rose who has an EP and is in the studio working on a full-length album.

Other performances were given by Recording Artist Jasmine Parker, Nyasia Chane’l, Bridget Kelly, Seatigha Golden, RoyalT, and Mariah Hasbrouck.

The event was not just about performances. Awards were given. Former Newburgh Councilwoman Cindy Holmes, Author Sally Merced, and Businesswoman Clarice Needham received service awards. The Dance Diamond received the “Business of the Year Award.”

Patrice Shaye Allen received the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Author Francesca Amato-Banfield received the “Woman of Strength Award” for her best-selling book “Punished 4 Protecting.” Author ToniJean Kulpinkski received the “Woman of the Year Award” for her best-selling book “Stop Battling Disease & Start Building Wellness.” Satara Brown received the “Woman of Grace Award” for creating the non-profit organization Rebuilding Our Children and Community, Inc.

The event was hosted by Merchant and co-hosted by Theolonica Monk aka BossLadi.

Journalist Ms. Jones on Facebook