LOS ANGELES, CA -- 09/26/08 --
Black Educational Events LLC will host the
Scholarship Gala, an invitation-only evening kick-off celebration to the
Farmers Insurance Group Angel City Classic on Friday, September 26, 2008.
The event will award scholarships from Farmers and the United Negro College
Fund (UNCF) to deserving students in the Southern California region.
"Our aim is to encourage our young people to go to college," says Black
Educational Events CEO John Fleming. "With high school drop-out rates
continuing to ensnarl minorities at a staggering rate, we want to support
California and other western states' agenda to keep these students on an
educational course. They are our future and we need to lift them up."
The primary focus of the Classic is to increase awareness of the
educational and cultural opportunities offered by Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This year showcases the talents of two
of the nation's most prestigious HBCU institutions on and off the field:
the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers from Atlanta, GA, and the reigning
champions Prairie View A&M University Panthers from Prairie View, TX.
The schools are set to battle it out Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the LA
Memorial Coliseum. This year's game is being nationally televised by Fox
Sports Net and is also being used to promote voter registration through the
"Declare Yourself" campaign, along with relief efforts for victims of
Hurricane Ike and Gustav.
In the aftermath of these devastating natural disasters, Farmers wants to
help with humanitarian aid. Beginning Wednesday, for every two canned or
non-perishable food items donated to the Hurricane Ike relief effort,
individuals will be able to purchase a Farmers Angel City Classic ticket
for just $1 for youth under 16 years of age (special terms and conditions
will apply). "We are honored to be the title sponsor of the Angel City
Classic, the outreach initiative and the Scholarship Gala September 26th,"
noted Farmers Insurance CEO Paul Hopkins. "We strive to be as responsive as
possible to all the communities we serve and our involvement here clearly
reflects that."
"What better way to let them know young people know that they can achieve
their goals in life. We couldn't be more proud about helping others in need
and students striving to achieve their dreams in life," explained Faye W.
McClure, Farmers Vice President of Strategic Markets.
On the morning of September 26th at the Coliseum, the public will be
treated to a taste of what these schools have to offer. Performances will
include the Prairie View Panthers "Marching Storm" Band, who has recently
been selected to appear at the 2009 Pasadena Rose Parade.
This family-oriented event, led by celebrity ambassador actor Nick Cannon
of "Drumline" fame, includes action-packed football excitement, Greek step
shows, youth football, tailgate parties, the much anticipated Battle of the
Bands, and the newly added Stax 5th Quarter Concert featuring N'Dambi,
Tarsha' Hamilton, Anthony Hamilton, Lalah Hathaway, and Angie Stone.
The Farmers Insurance Group Angel City Classic event schedule for September
27th is as follows:
9:00 a.m. - College/Career Expo, Cultural Festival and Vendor Fair
9:45 a.m. - Band Clinic
10:00 a.m. - Youth Football Game
11:00 a.m. - Greek Step Show/Tailgate parties
12:00 p.m. - High School Band Competition, Drumline
2:00 p.m. - Angel City Classic and Half-Time Battle of the Bands
4:30 p.m. - 5th Quarter Tribute Concert to Isaac Hayes
For more information and game day schedule, call 323-293-0940 or visit
www.angelcityclassic.com.
About Farmers Insurance Group
Farmers Insurance Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich
Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a
global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as
well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers® is the
nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group.
Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the insurers
comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies provide Homeowners,
Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10
million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site
at www.farmers.com.
About Black Educational Events LLC
The primary mission of Black Educational Events, LLC (B.E.E.) is to produce
Classic Events on the West Coast that showcase HBCUs. These events combine
the entertainment of bands, dance teams and cheering squads with the
competition and pride associated with a HBCU football game. Because youth
in western geographies are thousands of miles away from most HBCUs, these
classic events also serve a higher purpose: to increase awareness,
particularly among youth, of the educational and cultural opportunities
offered by HBCUs.
Since 2006, Black Educational Events, LLC has continued to partner with
Southern California school districts and other youth-focused organizations
to inspire young people to stay in high school, graduate and continue their
education. B.E.E. believes that by increasing awareness about the
opportunities provided by HBCUs, we can help change the course of this
crisis.
Contact:
Kevin Ross
(323) 337-3487
Email Contact
