NEWS

01-29-07

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 

Contact:

Reginald Grant (323) 376-1057

Everette Pearsall (410) 551-3462

Press Contact:

Tonie Washington (310) 365-5258

 The National Alliance of African American Athletes host 16^th Annual Franklin D. Watkins Awards and Teen Summit 

Model/TV Host, Claudia Jordan, Renowned Artist, Michael Kilgore, Former NBA All-Star, John Starks, Former All-Pro NFL Player, Christian Okoye, and Author, Earl Ofari Hutchinson will participate in the weekend’s activities.

 Los Angeles, CA (January 29, 2007) –The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) will host the 16^th Annual Franklin D. Watkins Award and Teen Summit at the Le Meriden Hotel located in Beverly Hills, California. In recognizing this year’s class of premier African American High School Male Scholar Athletes the weekend kicks off with the VIP Reception on Friday, February 23, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. host by renowned artist, Michael Kilgore. Mr. Kilgore will display his original painting commissioned by The Alliance. The Alliance Annual Teen Summit will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. This year’s featured speakers will be former NBA All-Star John Starks and former All-Pro NFL player Christian Okoye. The Teen Summit moderator will be author/radio host, Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Hutchinson Report. Concluding the weekend at 6:00 p.m. will be The Alliance’s Annual Black Tie Gala and Awards presentation. The former Barker Beauty (on the Price is Right) model/actress, Claudia Jordan will serve as emcee.

The Watkins Award is the most prestigious award given annually to the top African American male high school scholar-athletes in the country. “The 2007 Watkins Award finalists feature another year of fine scholar-athletes. Each of these young men is well equipped for success academically,” Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance, shares. The 2007 “Elite Five” finalists include Joseph Barksdale of Detroit, Michigan - 3.6 GPA, Andrew Davis of Denver, Colorado - 4.0 GPA, Bradley Stephens of McAllen, Texas - 3.7 GPA, Trinton Sturdivant of Wadesboro, North Carolina - 4.1 GPA and Charles White of Columbia, South Carolina - 3.9 GPA.

In addition to the Watkins Award, at the Alliance Teen Summit a group of local high school scholar-athletes will be honored by Los Angeles Chapter. Southern California Regional Awardees - Christian T. Browne-Frazier, 3.0 G.P.A., Verbum Dei High School, Gino Gordon, 3.84 G.P.A., Francis Parker High School-San Diego, Gerald Johnson,  3.96 G.P.A, USC Math & Science Tech. High School, Ryan Scarrllet, 3.2 G.P.A, Santee Education Complex, Lairin K. Taylor, 4.0 G.P.A., Narbonne High School, Phoenix Arizona Regional Winners - Everson Griffen, GPA. 3.3, Aqua Fria High School, and Chazuray Hampton, GPA. 3.2, Santa Cruz Valley Union High School.These young men are being awarded for beating the odds,” said Reginald Grant, National Chairman of the Board for the Alliance.

These presentations are a part of local and nationwide efforts to recognize and help African American males achieve academic success. The mission of The Alliance is to empower African American males through athletics, education and public programs. The Alliance uses sports to motivate and promote scholastic achievement.

The 2007 Watkins Award sponsors and supporters includes Wachovia Securities, Disney, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Remy Martin, Nash Management Group, Chase Bank, Norman Lewis Limousine, Ehlers Cadillac, Tobin & Associates Public Relations Firm, and Jostens Corporation who manufactures and donates the Watkins Award trophy and rings.

For more information about The Alliance or sponsorship opportunities or ticket purchase, please visit our website www.naaaa.com  or email Reginald Grant at eplaybook1@mindspring.com.

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11^th Annual Watkins “Teen Summit” ..information.

The nationwide “Watkins Award “for African American High School Male Scholar Athletes.