Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club and The Write Stuff Reality Show are pleased to announce their support of The Common Ground Foundation as part of their literacy campaign.
The Common Ground Foundation was created by Hip Hop artist, actor and children’s book author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as “Common”. Common’s social-conscience message is the cornerstone of the Foundation’s vision and serves as an inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The F! oundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.
The Common Ground Foundation’s “Read for Change” program addresses the national problem of illiteracy among urban youth. In an effort to encourage and inspire youth to read and to use the power of their voice, the Common Ground Foundation has launched The Corner, a national online book club. This platform provides youth across the country wi! th an opportunity to discuss current reading selections, while! fosteri ng the development of critical thinking skills. It was this program that got the attention of Conversations Book Club Founder Cyrus A. Webb.
"I am excited about the work that The Common Ground Foundation is doing for young people, especially when it come to encouraging reading and the arts," says Webb, 33. He contacted the foundation's Executive Director, Jodie Blum, and informed her of his desire to partner with Common Ground in promoting literacy. Webb, who is also the Creator and Host of The Write Stuff Reality Show, will be hosting literary meet and greets throughout the country beginning in May 2009 and wanted to make a donation towards the foundation during its stop in San Francisco, CA.
"As part of our effort to support the Common Ground Foundation's work, we are pleased to donate $1500 in books to be used as the organization sees fit," says Webb. "It is our hope that this will aide in the work they ! are doing as well as encourage other groups to support them in whatever way they can."
The public is invited to this event that will be held in San Francisco on Friday, May 29, 2009 at the San Francisco Marriott (55 Fourth St. * San Francisco, CA 94103) from 6-9p.m. Also present will be New York Times Bestselling author Scott Sigler, Derrick Hargrove and Nikki Shallwani from MTV's show 50 CENT: The Money & The Power as well as other sup! porters of The Write Stuff Reality Show and literacy in genera! l. Jodie Blum of the Common Ground Foundation will be present to receive the donation of $1500 in books as well as to be recognized for the work she is doing through the organization.
Blum had this to say: “We are honored to partner with The Write Stuff Reality Show in an effort to encourage and inspire youth and young adults to read and to use the power of their voice.”
To see how you can assist the Common Ground Foundation, call 1.415.571.8975 or visit http://www.commongroundfoundation.org. To find out more about The Write Stuff Reality Show and their associated events, visit http://www.thewritestufftv.com or contact Herschel Dixon at 1.502.994.7852.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MUSIC ARTIST COMMON ANSWERS AMERICA’S “CALL TO ACTION” WITH FIRST NATIONAL ONLINE BOOK CLUB TO PROMOTE TEEN LITERACY
Program Created in Part with Grant received by Best Buy’s @15
March 9, 2009 (San Francisco, CA) In an effort to encourage and inspire youth to read and use the power of their voice, Grammy® winner, actor and children’s author Common, launches the first national online book club at www.commongroundfoundation.org/thecorner.html. The Corner book club is an interactive way for 8th-12th grade students to learn and to talk about reading materials that are relevant to their life.
Each month, The Corner educational team chooses a book-of-the-month that conveys messages of tolerance, compassion and non-violent expressions of achieving social justice. Through lively discussions about the world of books through “Let’s Talk,” The Corner book club blog, members are encouraged to discuss, debate, critique, and comment on the selected material. A monthly spotlight of celebrity interviews focus on artists’ favorite books, why reading is important to them and issues that teens face today. The questions come right from The Corner youth members. In addition, members have the opportunity to participate in a live online chat with the author of the monthly book selection, which further strengthens relationship between young people and reading.
Common explains, "My mom was a teacher, and growing up she always stressed the importance of education. So when I look back it's not a surprise for me to use words as a tool to make change, and to inspire children for the future."
For March, War Child by Emmanuel Jal, is the featured “book-of-the-month”. War Child is the true story of Emmanuel Jal’s experiences as a child soldier in Sudan, before being rescued by a British aid worker, and his near-miraculous rise to international stardom as an African hip-hop artist. The book was released by St. Martin’s Press in February 2009 and Jal’s interview can be read in Chloe’s Corner on The Corner website.
The Corner book club reaches out to parents, educators, librarians and youth providers, through a dedicated email list where ideas and suggestions can be submitted and discussed in regards to reading promotions, ideas and books.
The Common Ground Foundation continues to show support through partnerships, events and programs reaching many dynamic groups. Recent initiatives have included the recipient of Cartier’s LOVE Charity program; the Chicago White Sox’s – Common Ground Foundation day at Cellular Field; the Emmy-award nominated “A Minute” campaign, and the Common and Friends “Start the Show and Bowl” fundraiser in Chicago that featured Will.i.am, Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Bilal and many other artists.
About The Common Ground Foundation
The Common Ground Foundation is extremely committed to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States. Through exposure and participation in educational endeavors, the Common Ground Foundation creates a positive atmosphere for learning and understanding and fulfills objectives of increased learning outcomes in reading and writing. For more information, please visit www.commongroundfoundation.org.
About @15
Best Buy believes in the power of teens, and @15 is a new platform to connect with them, give voice to their perspectives, and invest our resources – including the energy and talents of our employees – to turn their ideas into action and support their efforts to lead social change. Teens bring passion and enthusiasm to tackling tough issues. They’re also important to our business – they shop in our stores, and they’re our future employees. There’s a real opportunity to listen to – and learn from – what teens have to say. And through the @15 Fund, we’ll put the philanthropic power of @15 directly into their hands. To learn more, visit www.at15.org.
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For immediate release:
Grammy award winning artist Common launches Common Ground Foundation to help urban youth
Tuesday October 9th, 2007 – Grammy winning artist, actor and children's author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as "Common", has announced the launch of The Common Ground Foundation, Inc. The foundation will be overseen by Executive Director Jodie Blum, and is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth through education.
Common, whose socially conscious music serves as inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities, states “I always believed that if we started with the youth then we would be planting the seeds for our future to blossom.”
Additionally, The Common Ground Foundation supports and focuses on AIDS/HIV prevention programs targeted towards youth and young adults reaches beyond our national borders and serve communities throughout Africa.