NEWS

11-17-06

PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Watkins Award Returns to Los Angeles and Announces New Chairman

Los Angeles, CA – November 17, 2006, The National Alliance of African American Athletes, the “Alliance” announces that its 16^th Annual Watkins Award Gala Banquet will be held in Los Angeles on February 24^th, 2007. The Watkins Award is the premier award in the country for High School African American Male Scholar Athletes.  This will be the second year in a row that the weekend’s activities will be held in Los Angeles at the luxurious Beverly Hills Le Meridien Hotel. One of the many celebrities expected to be in attendance is last years keynote speaker NBA Champion John Salley the Chairman of the “Alliances” Athletes Advisory Board.

 The “Alliance” continues to shake-up its management as Reginald “Reggie” Grant is named the Chairman of the Board. Grant has worked with the organization since 1996 and is a former NFL player (NY Jets).  Grant is a Los Angeles area teacher and coach.

Former co-chairman Andrea Warner of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association will continue to work closely with the executive board of the organization. Ms. Warner has been with the organization since its inception in 1989 and has been a tremendous resource.

 The board has added several other new members in the past year including high powered Attorney Darren Parr of the firm Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C., Tony Duckett, President of Building a Champion – producers of the instructional video with Los Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, CPA and Author Shannon Nash, Entertainment and Sports Financial Planner Marc Cohen of Wachovia Securities, Edward Ransom of  Brunson Technical, the new president of the Phoenix Arizona Chapter of the “Alliance” and Ms. Robbie Butler has joined the organization as Executive Assistant to the Chairman.

 The weekends events will include the Wine Tasting & VIP Reception on Friday, Feb 23^rd , our Annual Teen Summit on Saturday, morning and concludes with the Annual Watkins Award “Black Tie Gala” Saturday evening the 24^th.

 For sponsorship and ticket information visit us online at www.naaaa.com.

 Watkins Award Alumni include :

 Current Collegiate Stars:

 Ted Ginn, Jr. - Ohio State , Justin Blaylock – Texas, Darius Walker  - Notre Dame, Ekom Udofia – Stanford, Mohamed Massaquoi – Georgia, Vincent Oghobaase – Duke, Darryl Richard – Georgia Tech,  Aaron Henderson - Northern Colorado and the list goes on …for a complete list check out the game of the week or Watkins Alumni section on our website at www.naaaa.com.

 Professional Athletes:

 Darnell Dinkins, Browns, Ronald Curry, Raiders, Robert Tate, Cardinals, Shane Battier, Memphis– NBA, Deryck Toles, Colts, Lorenzo Alexander, Panthers, La Var Arrington, Redskins, Grant Irons, Raiders, Nick Maddox, Panthers, and others.  

 Athletes Advisory Board

 John Salley – Radio/TV Host, NBA Champion and Chairman of the  Athletes Advisory Board, Clyde Simmons, Eagles (Retired), Warren Moon, NFL Hall of Fame, Chiefs, Oilers, Frank Thomas, White Sox, Mario Elie and Charlie Ward-NBA (retired)  and others.

 About the “Watkins Award” and the NAAAA

The goal of the National Alliance of African American Athletes ("The Alliance"), established in 1989, is to empower young African American males through athletics, education and public programs. As unavoidable role models on the "image" front lines, talented athletes-especially in football, basketball and baseball-define what the emerging generations of African-American males will value, and the aspirations they will have. The Watkins Trophy Award is a means for recognizing exceptionally talented African-American male athletes who, by their example, help promote high academic standards and a commitment to community service. www.naaaa.com