NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contacts: Reginald Grant eplaybook1@mindspring.com

323-376-1057

The Watkins Award Gala Announces Speakers

Los Angeles, CA (January 29, 2008) – On Saturday, February 23, 2008, at 6:00pm, The National Alliance of African American Athletes (The Alliance) will recognize another stellar group of high school athletes from across the nation for the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award. The award is presented each year to the nation's top African American male high school scholar athlete.

             Welcome to the City: Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks

       Keynote: William C Rhoden, Sports Writer- New York Times & Author of $ 40 Million Slaves

       Emcee: Claudia Jordan, Model & Actress

       Emcee: Lamont King aka Lazee Lamont, Comedian/Writer & Radio Personality

       Special Guest: Darnell Dinkins, Cleveland Browns, Lorenzo Alexander, Washington Redskins, Andrew Davis, U of Oregon, Myron Rolle, Florida State, Ekom Udofia, Stanford and other scholar athletes.

 Schedule of Events:

       VIP Reception & Community Awards, Friday, February 22, 6 pm ( $ 50.00 )

       High School Athletes Reception, Friday, February 22, 6 pm ( Non Public)

       11^th Annual Teen Summit & Regional Scholar Athlete Awards, Sat. 10 am (FREE)

       17^th Watkins Award Black Tie Gala, , Saturday, February 23, 6 pm ( $ 250.00 )

 Register for all events on line at www.naaaa.com

 The Watkins Award ceremony will be held at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, California.  

 "The 2008 Watkins Award features another year of fine student athletes," Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance, shares.  “Each of these young men is well equipped for success academically. We have continued to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States.”

The five finalists in alphabetical order are:

 *  Matthew Daniels of Atlanta, Georgia - Matthew is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athlete.  He plays football at Fayette County High School and has a 4.0 GPA.

 *  Covaughn DeBoskie of Chandler, Arizona -  Covaughn is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers countless hours for local community organizations.  He plays football for Hamilton High School and has a 4.1 GPA.

*  Brandon Moore of Trotwood, Ohio - Brandon is member of the National Honor Society and plans to study optometry in college.  He plays football and participates in track and field for Trotwood High School and has a 4.25 GPA.

*  Kenneth Page of Columbia, SC - Kenneth is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, President of SECME, Leadership Council, Future Business Leaders of America, and volunteers countless hours in his community.  He plays  football, for AC Flora High School and has a 3.8 GPA.

*  DeVier Posey of Cincinnati, OH -  DeVier has been an academic all-star for four years in football and has volunteered for several local community efforts.  He plays football at La Salle High School where he maintains a 3.4 GPA.

Finalists are chosen based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extra curricular activities, community service, and letters of recommendation. Each winner will be recognized in Beverly Hills, receive an award, ring, and dinner in their hometown.

 Sponsors of this year’s event include Deloitte and Touche, AXA Financial Services, Disney, Peoples Financial Services, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Remy Martin, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Nash Management Group, Norman Lewis Limousine, Ehlers Cadillac, and Jostens Corporation who manufactures and donates the Watkins Award trophy and rings.

  -more-

Media representatives are invited to cover the awards ceremony. For more information about the Watkins Award, The Alliance, or to get tickets for the awards ceremony visit our website at www.naaaa.com or email everedy@aol.com

  ###

The Watkins Award is presented annually to African American scholar-athletes since 1992, the Watkins Award is named for Franklin D. Watkins, the coach of championship football and basketball teams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Previous awardees include Arizona Cardinals Robert Tate, Darnell Dinkins of the Cleveland Browns, LaVarr Arrington of the New York Giants, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry of the Oakland Raiders, Deryck Toles of the Indianapolis Colts, Marcedes Lewis of Jacksonville Jaguars, Ernie Sims of the Detroit Lions, Ted Ginn Jr. of the Miami Dolphins, Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons, and Darius Walker of the Houston Texans.

The National Alliance of African American Athletes was founded in 1989.  The mission of The Alliance is to empower African American males through athletics, education and public programs.

 The Watkins Award ceremony will be held at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, California.   

"The 2008 Watkins Award features another year of fine student athletes," Everette Pearsall, Executive Director of The Alliance, shares.  “Each of these young men is well equipped for success academically. We have continued to recognize and honor the premier African American Scholar Athletes in the United States.”

Finalists are chosen based on their unweighted grade point average, their personal statements, extra curricular activities, community service, and letters of recommendation. Each winner will be recognized in Beverly Hills, receive an award, ring, and dinner in their hometown.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Deloitte and Touche, AXA Financial Services, Disney, Peoples Financial Services, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Remy Martin, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Nash Management Group, Norman Lewis Limousine, Ehlers Cadillac, and Jostens Corporation who manufactures and donates the Watkins Award trophy and rings. 

-more-

Media representatives are invited to cover the awards ceremony. For more information about the Watkins Award, The Alliance, or to get tickets for the awards ceremony visit our website at www.naaaa.com or email everedy@aol.com

  ###

 The Watkins Award is presented annually to African American scholar-athletes since 1992, the Watkins Award is named for Franklin D. Watkins, the coach of championship football and basketball teams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Previous awardees include Arizona Cardinals Robert Tate, Darnell Dinkins of the Cleveland Browns, LaVarr Arrington of the New York Giants, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry of the Oakland Raiders, Deryck Toles of the Indianapolis Colts, Marcedes Lewis of Jacksonville Jaguars, Ernie Sims of the Detroit Lions, Ted Ginn Jr. of the Miami Dolphins, Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons, and Darius Walker of the Houston Texans.

The National Alliance of African American Athletes was founded in 1989.  The mission of The Alliance is to empower African American males through athletics, education and public programs.