FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Foundation also Joins with Morris Brown to Present “Absolutely Positive” Play
(Dallas, TX – October 30, 2007) For the second year, the Tom Joyner
Foundation, founded by the nationally syndicated radio personality and
philanthropist, will distribute $25,000 each to eight historically black colleges and
universities to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS.
As part of the effort, the Foundation also is partnering with Morris Brown College
to present the play, “Absolutely Posi+ive”, at 7:30pm Nov. 1st and 2nd in the
Cunningham Auditorium at the Hickman Student Center.
“Absolutely Posi+ive” is a stage production designed to educate and entertain
audiences about HIV/AIDS. The performance encompasses drama, music,
dance and the spoken word, and is presented by Posi+ive Change of Bowie
State University.
The Foundation received the grant from McFarland and Associates and the
Program Coordinating Center (PCC) for the Substance Abuse Mental health
Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention’s
(SAMHSA/CSAP) Minority Education Institution (MEI) Initiative. The institution
will be responsible for conducting the HIV projects.
The following campuses will be participating this year: Prairie View A&M
University, Prairie View, TX; Southern University of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge,
LA; Howard University, Washington, DC; Virginia Union University, Richmond,
VA; Bowie State University, Bowie, MD: Savannah State University, Savannah,
GA; Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS; University of the Virgin
Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We’ve got to do all we can to prevent further spread of HIV/AIDS,” said Tom
Joyner, who created the Foundation and whose four-hour drive-time show is
heard in 120-plus markets and heard by more than eight million listeners.
“Through this partnership, we want to show our students that they have to stay
informed about all aspects of life – not just what they learn in class.”
The Tom Joyner Foundation is responsible for raising more $55 million dollars
and helping some 40 colleges and thousands of deserving students. Each
month, Joyner raises money for a specific historically black college and helps
students currently attending that school.
Throughout the year, the Foundation receives donations primarily from
individuals, but also from several Fortune 1000 companies including Allstate,
Citibank, Nationwide, Budweiser, and Daimler-Chrysler.
Joyner, a graduate of Tuskegee Institute now, University, has been highly
recognized by industry and community groups for the work he has done during
the more than 25 years in radio. Joyner not only was inducted into the prestigious
Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, but he also received the Marconi Award
from the National Association of Broadcasters’ as the top nationally
syndicated/network radio personality. Joyner’s sons are also graduates of black
colleges: Thomas Jr., Howard University and Oscar, Florida A&M University.
FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE FOUNDATION VISIT US AT
WWW.BLACKAMERICAWEB.COM.
For additional information, contact, Neil Foote, spokesperson, Tom Joyner
Foundation, 214.448.3765, neil@neilfoote.com.
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