For Immediate Release: September 24, 2007
Lil Mama, Bronx Borough president Adolpho Clarion Jr., Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Cassidy, NYC Knicks John Starks, America’s Next Top Model Winner Jaslene Gonzales, Warner Music Group Executive Vice President Kevin Liles, and many more to be announced will team up with Entertainers 4 Education Alliance, HOT 97, and CATAPULT ONLINE for the 2nd Annual Stay-In-School concert scheduled for October 17th, 5pm-8pm at the Manhattan Center.
(New York, NY - September 17, 2007) - Entertainers 4 Education Alliance (E4EA) will team up with New York's #1 radio station, HOT 97, and educational partner Catapult
Online to produce it's 2nd Annual Stay In School Concert on
Wednesday October 17th from 5pm-8pm at the Hammerstein Ballroom located at 311 W. 34th Street & 8th Avenue featuring appearances and performances from Lil Mama, Bronx Borough President Adolpho Clarion Jr., Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Cassidy, NYC Knicks John Starks, America’s Next Top Model winner Jaslene, Warner Music Group Executive Vice President Kevin Liles many more to be announced.
"Our 2nd Annual Entertainers 4 Education Stay In School concert/rally is gearing up to be a huge event as you can see from the line-up and we're expecting to announce many more mega-stars who are putting their voices behind education," explains ENTERTAINERS 4 EDUCATION ALLIANCE Executive Director, TONYA LEWIS. "Our goal with this event is to show our children through entertainment that education is important. We've brought together some of the coolest music, sports, hip-hop and R&B artists who support education and we're especially excited that HOT 97 and Catapult Online have chosen to partner with us along with our many sponsors including fashion company, Lot 29, who are all encouraging our children to stay in school."
Entertainers 4 Education Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization established to provide at-risk youth with positive alternatives to negative behaviors through education. Our purpose is to use entertainment industry connections to enlist and utilize the talents and resources of the music and entertainment community and provide support and encouraging messages for the youth.
While the spotlight will be on the stage as celebrity after celebrity performs and sharing personal messages about the importance of education, Entertainers 4 Education hopes the attention will be on the message. "The goal of this event is to raise awareness of the alarmingly high dropout rate in the United States and send a powerful message to over 2500 New York City inner city youth encouraging them to make smart choices about their future and to stay in school," explains Lewis who adds,
"The drop out rate in NYC is at a shocking all time high; 49% of New York City's Public High School students do not graduate from high school. Everyday 500 students drop out of NYC high schools. New York State has the highest dropout rate for Black and Hispanic students of any state in the nation. Approximately 7,000 students will drop out of school per school day nation wide. I'm concerned about our future and have asked those committed to sending a message to our next generation to lend their voices."
In reaction to the growing drop-out rate and Entertainers 4 Education Alliance's continued program addressing the crisis, Robert Jackson, Chairman on Education and NYC City Council member shared, “The Entertainers 4 Education Alliance is tackling one of our City's most significant civic crises – the high school drop-out rate. By empowering young people through innovative programs, E4EA is helping to make a greater New York City for all of us to enjoy.
Those voices have come from the education, politics, fashion, entertainment and media companies. HOT 97 and Catapult Online are partnering with Entertainers 4 Education Alliance to present The Stay In School Concert.
Ebro Darden, program director for HOT 97 stated, "HOT 97 has worked with Entertainers 4 Education Alliance on several initiatives. We’re honored to partner with them once again on another event that brings hip-hop and education together. Encouraging our listeners to stay in school is a priority for HOT 97!"
Mikki Cruz, The Regional Manager of Catapult Online (www.catapult-online.com), adds, "This concert is an excellent way for students to see artists who value education and learn about our program which can help them improve in school. Catapult Online views our community partnerships, such as with E4EA, as a critical component of how we reach the families who need our free tutoring services."
Leading urban apparel line, LOT 29, who is a sponsor of the Stay In School concert will be presenting 16 looks from their Fall/Winter '07 Collection modeled by a host of models including Jaslene, winner of Tyra Bank’s America’s Next Top Model, the first full-blooded Latina to win the coveted title. Janice Welles, Director of Marketing and Advertising for LOT 29 states, "As a leading urban apparel brand that targets the young adult market, LOT 29 is committed to empowering today's students and tomorrow's leaders. By teaming up with the 'Entertainers 4 Education Alliance' and participating in the "Stay In School" Concert, we have the ability to communicate a very powerful message by combining two things that all kids love: music AND fashion!" The company will also present a special giveaway to the entire audience.
The first ever stay in school concert produced by E4EA last year featured performances from Dipset, Young B & Web Star, Fredro Star & Young Onxy, The students were so encouraged that the producer decided to make this a yearly event.
Official media partners in addition to HOT 97 include: Music Choice, Right On Magazine, Black Beat Magazine, and Vibe Magazine.
Red Carpet begins from 4pm-5pm and show-time is from 5pm-8pm.
