For Immediate Release
Contact: Anthony Twyman
Public Relations Coordinator
Community College of Philadelphia
Office: (215) 751-8082
atwyman@ccp.edu
MEN UNITED FOR A BETTER PHILADELPHIA, COMMUNITY
COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA’S AFRICAN-AMERICAN
MEN’S BOOK CLUB PRESENT:
DR. BILL COSBY, EXHOODUS TOUR AND PROJECT L.I.F.E.
IN AN UNPRECEDENTED SUMMIT: “SAVE OUR CHILDREN”
Atlantic City, N.J. (February 14, 2007) – Dr. Bill Cosby, one of the most influential entertainers of our time, known for his wit and warmth both on stage and off, will take the stage in an exchange of compelling dialogue for an unprecedented event entitled, “Save Our Children.”
Hosted by Men United For A Better Philadelphia, in collaboration with Exhoodus Tour and Project L.I.F.E, this historic event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Wednesday, February 21st at Community College of Philadelphia’s gymnasium, on 17th Street, between Spring Garden and Callowhill streets, in Philadelphia, PA.
A closed meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Cosby along with key representatives from surrounding colleges, Chamber members, and decision makers in Philadelphia to discuss the “next step” for a better and safer Philadelphia as it relates to our children, as well as the educational and employment opportunities necessary for ex-offenders re-entering society.
The day will culminate at 7:00 p.m., at which time all entities will participate in a pivotal meeting at Mt. Airy Church of God In Christ. The founder of the church, Bishop Ernie Morris, boasts a membership of 4,500 with over 80 ministries, including a prison ministry and re-entry program. Mt. Airy Church of God In Christ is located at 6401 Ogontz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. This event is open to the public.
When describing the difficulties our youth face today, Cosby says: “It is imperative that we—inside and outside of the various communities in need—put bodies on these young males and females, never giving up on them. The intention is to reset and heal those whose souls, hearts and minds are broken.”
Men United for A Better Philadelphia is a highly visible organization of men from various ethnic and economic backgrounds. Its mission is to go into some of Philadelphia’s most crime-infested neighborhoods with the message of peace and a new way of life, off the streets. “Sometimes we get resistance,” said co-chair Ray Jones Jr. “But we’ve been around long enough now that people know who we are. We’re the only group who can go into a neighborhood and take over without firing a shot.”
Bilal Qayyum, co-chair of Men United, said that fellow co-chair Malik Aziz had reached out to him. “We saw the murder rate was rising and wanted to intervene in the lives of the young men who were more at risk.”
The Exhoodus Tour is a revolutionary campaign that celebrates the lives of some of America’s most dynamic, charismatic, and successful examples of men and women whose lives have changed since their imprisonment. The Exhoodus Tour, described as one of the best deterrents for crime in America, brings success stories from those who have been in a negative cycle and broken free from this vicious cycle, re-entering society and being a positive force, not just in their own lives, but for all humanity.
Exhoodus is made up of nine panelists: Malik Aziz, Program Director Mayor’s Office of Community Services Philadelphia, Pa.; Antoinette Jackson-Aziz, Executive Vice-President Ex-Offenders Association Philadelphia, Pa.; Pastor Derrick Johnson (aka “Pastor D”), Pastor of Joshua Harvest Church, Wilmington, Del., and National Spokesperson for Project L.I.F.E; Umar Salahuddin, Director of Health and Human Services, City of Atlantic City, N.J.; Simon “One Punch” Carr, Professional Boxer, Contender, Philadelphia, Pa.; Shawn “Frogg” Banks, Phillywood Entertainment; Rick Kennedy, Alpha Media Entertainment; and brothers Lance and Todd Feurtado, Motivational Speakers, King of Kings Foundation, Jamaica Queens, N.Y.
The goal of the Exhoodus Tour is to change destructive mindsets, uplift, inspire, educate our youth and teach them the values of healthy family life. Exhoodus has a dream that the evils that countless youth face in neighborhoods across America will one day turn into life enriching communities.
Project L.I.F.E. (Living In Freedom Everyday) was launched in 2006 as the outreach arm of Inspired by Media Group. It was formed “to inspire, teach, train and proclaim what it takes to be free within (emotionally and spiritually), while yet bound,” said Que English, Program Director of Project L.I.F.E. Its target audiences are those within penal institutions, as well as any man, woman, boy or girl who has become a prisoner of their own circumstances and is struggling to survive. Inspired By Media Group (IBMG) is a Los Angeles based production company committed to serving the faith-based and general markets by creating family oriented products that are culturally relevant in scope. Executive Producers Lou “Buster” Brown, Kyle Bowser, Ron Belk and Robi Reed bring more than 40 years combined in the convergent areas of music, television, film, theater, literature, new media and technology. IBMG is considered an industry leader in delivering contemporary multimedia products.
“Save Our Children” is sponsored and hosted by Men United for a Better Philadelphia and Community College of Philadelphia’s African-American Men’s Book Club.
Media Note: Television media should arrive at 8:30 a.m. to set up so as not to interfere with the opening of the Save Our Children summit, which will start with a procession into the gym.