GRAND BAHAMA, Bahamas -- Bestselling author Terry McMillan and radio personality Sybil Wilkes have joined The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Turquoise Waters Productions along with medical partners, the Association of Black Cardiologists to present Island Heart Beats Experience: “Take Your Heart on Vacation,” from February 11-14, 2010.

Island Heart Beats Experience is a four-day weekend girlfriend getaway on Grand Bahama Island designed to put a new twist on Valentine’s Day by encouraging African American women and women of color to love and appreciate themselves first and to celebrate and promote healthy hearts. 

“Island Heart Beats Experience gives women of color the opportunity to reconnect with their hearts physically, emotionally and spiritually,” states Sybil Wilkes, co-host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. “A tropical escape filled with fun and engaging activities while highlighting the importance of heart health for African-American women, the group most affected by heart disease.” 

Island Heart Beats Experience: “Take Your Heart on Vacation” is guaranteed to invigorate the mind, body and spirit through a variety of activities, workshops and island nightlife. The weekend program will include a Red Dress Dinner & Movie Screening of “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” on Friday, February 12th at 7:30pm at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club, and sponsored by Burns House. 

On Saturday, February 13th at 4pm at Ross University's Seahorse Plaza location , the ultimate girlfriend, Terry McMillan will host a special conversation about exploring one’s own passion. This unique workshop is sponsored by Ross University Bahamas, The Bahamas Weekly and Island Java. 

Terry McMillan, critically acclaimed author of “Disappearing Acts,” “Waiting to Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and the new soon-to-be released book “Getting to Happy,” says  “All women need to take their hearts on a vacation and what better place than The Bahamas.”   

“The Islands of The Bahamas is honored to be the host destination of Island Heart Beats: Take Your Heart on Vacation,” said Anita Johnson-Patty, communications manager of the Americas, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. “We feel confident that the women participating in this unique Valentine’s Day vacation getaway will fall in love with the warmth and beauty of Grand Bahama Island, the friendliness of the Bahamian people, and our shared history and culture with the African American community.” 

For additional information or to register for Island Heart Beats: “Take Your Heart on Vacation”, visit www.islandheartbeats.com or call 407-574-8633. 

Photo 1: Bestselling author Terry McMillan is returning to Grand Bahama. You can meet her by attending the Red Dress Dinner on February 12th, or the seminar to be held on February 13th, 2010  (Photo: Darien Davis)

Photo 2: Radio personality from the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Sybil Wilkes is returning to Grand Bahama. Meet her at the Red Dress Dinner or the Seminar to be held on Saturday, February 13th.  

Island Heart Beats Experience “Take Your Heart on Vacation” is created and produced by Turquoise Waters Productions, an Orlando, Florida special events production company.