Flanked by notable business, community and political leaders, Black Educational Events CEO John T. Fleming officially announced today at the famed Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that the Farmers Insurance Group Angel City Classic will be held Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 2:00p.m.(PDT).To the hot beats of the Dorsey High School Drumline, Fleming went on to say that a major network has expressed "very strong interest" in nationally televising the game.
"In the Los Angeles Unified School District alone, there is a 40% dropout rate among African Americans and over 30% for Latinos. We are here to spotlight the importance of education for our youth," according to Fleming. "This is about more than just a football game. It's about a generation that needs to see for themselves what Historically Black Colleges and Universities truly have to offer."
While his younger brother is on board to sing "Lift E'vry Voice" at the event, acclaimed actor, writer and producer Nick Cannon will also be touting the exciting match-up between Morehouse College and Prairie View A&M University through his "Stop Hating" campaign. "My organization's goal is to erase all negativity in the minds and hearts of our communities. To stop the hating of ourselves, other races, classes and cultures," said Cannon.
"My Wife And Kids" star Jennifer Freeman was also at the press conference to lend her support.
3BAAS Media Group put on the press conference at the Coliseum and is now planning a community breakfast to garner additonal support from the local churches and schools.The 3rd annual Classic will feature a championship Pop Warner football match-up, a tailgate party co-sponsored by Coors, vendor booths, a $5,000 King and Queen Scholarship Competition, the highly anticipated McDonald's "Battle of The Bands" halftime show, and the newly added 5th Quarter concert featuring Oscar-winning music icon Isaac Hayes, courtesy of Stax Records -- a division of Concord Music Group.
With a history of community outreach and activism such as the 1970's Wattstax music festival,Stax has lined up several surprise artists to pay tribute to Hayes. The label is also joining forces with "Declare Yourself" to ensure that the 80,000 people in attendance participate in the upcoming November presidential election. The organization's founder, legendary television producer/philanthropist and Concord Music Group Co-Owner Norman Lear, created Declare Yourself specifically to empower and encourage young people to vote.
Other entities endorsing the Classic include KJLH 102.3, KDAY 93.5, Hot 92 Jamz, 94.7 The Wave, KTLA Channel 5, Time Warner, Tri Destined Studios and both the Los Angeles Sentinel and Our Weekly newspapers.
Popular LA radio personality Cliff Winston will be providing play-by-play commentary of the game, as well as announcing the winner of the Farmers BMW which will be given away to one lucky person who joins the sweepstakes.
"We are honored to be the title sponsor of the Angel City Classic, particularly the Scholarship Gala September 26," noted Farmers Insurance Group CEO Paul Hopkins. "Farmers National United Negro College Fund Scholarship program will announce three scholarships for college students who are in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year attending an HBCU or UNCF school at the gala.""It is Farmers' way of saying we care about young people who could use a helping hand as they pursue a college education. What better way to let them know that they deserve a good education and can achieve their goals in life because scholarships are available to help. We couldn't be more proud about helping these students achieve their dreams in life," explained Faye W. McClure, Farmers Vice President of Strategic Marketing.
Tickets for the event are available through Inglewood Tickets, Nix Check Cashing, Ticketmasters and the Los Angeles Coliseum. For a full list of sponsors, information concerning dates, times, activities as well as important updates, go to Angel City Classic.