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Star Entertainers, Members of Congress to Pay Tribute to 10 Years of U.S. Dream Academy Preparing Children of Incarcerated Parents to Succeed
-(Business Wire)-May 19, 2008 - U.S. Dream Academy: -0- *T WHAT: 10th Anniversary Gala of the U.S. Dream Academy - featuring Grammy and Tony Award-winning Broadway performer Jennifer Holliday, comedian and MTV Award- winning actor Chris Tucker, Grammy Award-winning singer Peabo Bryson, Grammy Award-nominated Hip-Hop artist Keyshia Cole, and U.S. Dream Academy founder and Grammy Award-nominated Gospel singer Wintley Phipps. The U.S. Dream Academy is a nationally-recognized after-school nonprofit charitable program dedicated to breaking the cycle of incarceration through academic, social and character building. It has locations in Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, East Orange (NJ), Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando, and Salt Lake City. Gala contributions will be used to maintain the current locations and to expand its outreach to at-risk youth nationwide. A surprise major donation by a world-renowned celebrity will be announced at the gala. WHEN: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:00 p.m. - VIP Reception 7:15 p.m. - Awards Dinner WHERE: Ritz Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC. WHO: Celebrity entertainers: actor and comedian Chris Tucker (emcee), singer and stage performer Jennifer Holliday, singer Peabo Bryson, hip-hop singer Keyshia Cole, gospel singer and U.S. Dream Academy founder Wintley Phipps. U.S. Dream Academy "Dream Kids" - children from Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia who are benefiting from the U.S. Dream Academy. Gala Co-Chairs: Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) Honorary Congressional Gala Co-Chairs: Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Chair of the Congressional Urban Caucus Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) C. Diane Wallace Booker, Executive Director of the U.S. Dream Academy (Columbia, Md.) 2008 GALA AWARD RECIPIENTS: Dr. Benjamin Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Jim Payne, of Grand Rapids (MI), Executive Vice President of Quixtar in Grand Rapids. Isaac "Ike" Brown, Jr. of Memphis, who became a mentor at the Memphis Dream Academy Learning Center after 36 years at the Federal Aviation Administration. WHY: There is an urgent need to save our children... — One of every 3 ninth graders drops out of school. — High school drop-outs are 8 times more likely to end up in jail or prison than a high school graduate. — 80 percent of the inmate population is composed of high school dropouts. — More than two-thirds of the juveniles in the criminal justice system are children of prisoners or children with a family member in prison. — A 10 percent increase in the high school graduation rate would reduce the cost of crime by $14 billion. *T
FOR MORE INFORMATION about the U.S. Dream Academy and for 10th Anniversary Gala ticket information, please visit: www.usdreamacademy.org
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