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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Yvette McPherson (718) 385-3133
Adrianna Kinslow (718) 598-1052
Email: pr@earsentertainmentgroup.com
Website: www.e4ea.org
“911 STATE OF EMERGENCY – SAVING OUR STUDENTS”
THE MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY, CITY SCHOOL OFFICIALS, EDUCATORS AND POLITICIANS TO ADDRESS THE ENORMOUS DROP-OUT RATE IN OUR NYC SCHOOLS
NEW YORK, NY SEPTEMBER 8TH 2006
The EARS Entertainment Group is prepared to make a significant impact on the tri-state area and the country with the official launch of the EARS Entertainers for Education Alliance by hosting: “911 State of Emergency: Saving Our Students”, a public symposium addressing the alarming drop-out rates in New York City public schools on Wednesday September 27, 2006 from 7pm-10pm at the CUNY Graduate Center (at 365 Fifth Avenue, Prohansky Auditorium). The forum will bring together key figures in the music/entertainment, educational and political community to discuss and develop methods to encourage students to stay in school and pursue higher education. This event which is sponsored by Broadcast Music Incorporated, HOT 97 FM, VIBE magazine, will explore the gap between school, government policy and pop culture. The event is open to invited guest and the media only.
Invited Panelists Include:
Sean Combs (Music & Fashion Mogul), L. Londell McMillian (Celebrity Entertainment Attorney) Randi Weingarten (President United Federation of Teachers) Ebro Darden (Music Director/Asst. Program Director Hot 97 Radio Station) Jamie Foxx (Oscar Award winning actor) Ja Rule (Recording Artist) Joel Klein (NYC Public School Chancellor) Fat Joe (Atlantic Records Recording Artist) Steve Rifkin (CEO SRC/Universal Records) Remy Ma (Recording Artist Universal Records) Rev Al Sharpton (Community Activist Leader) additional participants to be announced.
The 911: State of Emergency: Saving Our Students Educational Forum is extremely important because it marks the first time the music/entertainment community, city school officials, educators, and politicians will come together to address the enormous drop out rate in our New York City public schools. The drop out rate in NYC is at an astounding all time high. The United Way of New York reports that only 32.8% of 12th grade students graduated in 2006. USA TODAY reports that, students in a handful of big-city school districts have a less than 50-50 chance of graduating from high school with their peers. Among the nation's 50 largest districts, the study finds, three graduate fewer than 40%: Detroit (21.7%), Baltimore (38.5%) and New York City (38.9%). Approximately 7,000 students will drop out per school day nation wide.
Tonya Lewis co-founder of EARS Entertainers for Education Alliance states “We are extremely excited and fortunate to provide this forum, we are greatly concerned about the growing drop-out rate across the country, if we don’t all pitch in the consequences will be devastating for our nation. Reaching our youth and developing effective strategies to combat the extremely high drop out rate is top priority to us. We are extremely grateful to partner with HOT 97 as they are dedicated to utilizing their airwaves to promoting staying in school. Finally we celebrate the panelist who will utilize their status, celebrity, or positions to draw attention to this issue”.
About The EARS Entertainment Group:
The EARS Entertainment Group is a New York based firm that offers comprehensive services specializing in event production, event design, brand development, publicity and marketing strategies. TEAM E.A.R.S and its founders Tonya Lewis and J.P Taylor also serve as the producers of LIFEbeat’s Hearts & Voices Concert Series. E.A.R.S has also produced events for artist like Jay Z and Kanye West and corporate events for Sears, BMI, Ashley Stewart and Avirex just to name a few.
About the EARS: Entertainers for Education Alliance:
The EARS: Entertainers for Education Alliance is a not-for profit organization established to provide at-risk youth with positive alternatives to negative behaviors. We mobilize the talents and resources of the music and entertainment community to provide support and a positive message. EARS: Entertainers for Education Alliance provides internships and employment opportunities for youth in the music and entertainment industry, we enlists celebrities and athletes to attend city schools to discuss the importance of staying in school, pursuing higher education and following their dreams through the Stay in School Program. The Careers in Music, an in classroom curriculum designed to introduce students to the many career options available in the music and entertainment industry is another staple of our program. Additionally, EARS facilitates the Y.R.A.P. Program: Youth Recording Apprentice Program, which exposes and educates students on engineering, producing, recording and composing vocal music and the TEENKONEC :Student Forum Newsletter” a bi-monthly free newsletter created for student by student which features, topics pertinent to today’s teen issues, celebrity interviews, latest trend and an event section. All of the aforementioned components are designed to combat the extremely high and rapidly increasing drop-out rate in New York City schools.
Together we can make a difference! For information on how to attend, volunteer or to sponsor the upcoming event please contact us at (718) 385-3133 or visit our website at: www.earsentertainmentgroup.com
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