September 7, 2006

THE LUDACRIS FOUNDATION AND PEPSI GIVE $110,000 IN CHARITABLE GRANTS

Ludacris concludes the Luda Day Weekend festivities with a generous donation to Atlanta non-profit groups

Atlanta, GA – September 6, 2006 – Grammy award winning rapper and actor, Ludacris, concluded his weekend long celebration with a generous $110,000 donation to various Atlanta Charities from the Ludacris Foundation through major financial support from Pepsi.  Ludacris presented the donations during the Luda Day Weekend Celebrity Basketball game in Atlanta.

The Ludacris Foundation contributed $55,000 to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin for the city’s purchase of the (Martin Luther) King Papers. “Mayor Franklin called me personally and I know we had to do something and that’s why I’m here,” stated Ludacris.

The Ludacris Foundation also donated $55,000 to several non-profit organizations associated with arts and education for children including, Rah Rah’s Village of Hope, Moving in Spirit, The Study Hall, Vox Youth Communications and Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta.

Ludacris transformed this holiday weekend into Luda Day Weekend to celebrate with friends and ardent fans before the release of his 5th album, Release Therapy.  Luda Day Weekend notable guests included actress Gabrielle Union, super producers Jermaine Dupri and Jazze Pha, Outkast’s Big Boi, rapper TI, G-Unit’s Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Mobb Deep and Olivia, Danity Kane’s Dee Woods, the NBA’s Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, Jamal Tinsley, Tim Thompson and Eddie Basden, the NFL’s Dorsey Levins, Atlanta Falcon Roddy White and Ray Buchanan, 106 & Park’s Terrance J, rappers Young Jeezy and Lil’ Scrappy, singers Jagged Edge, model Kenya Moore, video vixen Esther Baxter and Flavor of Love’s Buckey to name a few.

The event was produced by Jamal Coleman, former Entertainment Sponsorship Director for Essence and Vibe Magazines and consisted of a DTP Block Party at Clark Atlanta University, “We Are the Champions” Private Affair at Twelve, All White Party hosted by Gabrielle Union at 1150 and the DTP versus G-Unit Celebrity Basketball game.  Sponsors included Boost Mobile, DTLR, DTP and EbonySon.  

Media can direct questions/inquiries on the Ludacris Foundation to Barry Florence at 202-365-5401. Photos can be serviced to publications for coverage pieces.