LUDACRIS AND FRIENDS RAP WITH 100 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR DREAMS AND FUTURE

Ludacris, The Ludacris Foundation, Jeff Johnson and several of the Atlanta based celebrity’s friends host a Town Hall discussion for100 at risk students to talk about their dreams, resources, and reality

Atlanta, GA – Ludacris, The Ludacris Foundation, Jeff Johnson – BET talk show host and motivational speaker, Eric Troy – Educational consultant, and several other friends are teaming to host a Town Hall discussion for approximately 100 high school youth.  The Town Hall discussion is for selected students to talk about their dreams, the challenges they face, and the potential resources available to them. The students were selected from Douglas High School in Atlanta.  The Town Hall will take place on Friday, November 2, 2007 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Douglass High School, 225 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.

“At the Ludacris Foundation, we understand the importance of turning back, reaching back, and giving back” said Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges.  “We understand that the little things we do can sometimes have a huge effect on young people for years to come.  We understand that every youth has dreams and aspirations. We understand that many of these same youth have challenges in realizing their dreams and goals.  We understand!!! That’s why we do what we do.”

Mayor Shirley Franklin will open the session by welcoming students and encouraging them to keep their dreams alive and at the forefront of their educational pursuits. Ludacris will lay out the purpose of the session and Jeff Johnson will facilitate a panel discussion with Ludacris and several other panelists, surrounding their dreams as youth and how they went about achieving them.  The students will then break out into smaller groups to discuss their own dreams; and goals then come back together as a whole to share their thoughts and insights.

“Reaching out to youth is not new to us” said Roberta Shields, President of the Ludacris Foundation. “Our foundation programs and support initiatives have directly impacted thousands of youths’ lives. I am extremely proud of the fact that Chris and the foundation personally get involved with youth in the community; we talk with youth directly – not talk at them or around them.”

This event is a private event and is not open to the public.  Media wishing to attend should direct questions/inquiries to Barry Florence, BDC World Public Relations at 202-365-5401 or Katena Keno at 404-510-3897. Photos can be serviced to publications for coverage pieces.

About the Ludacris Foundation

The Ludacris Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization created to help young people achieve their dreams through the encouragement of “Principles of Success.” We aim to show young people in America that they are the builders of their future. We primarily use music and the arts to connect with young people by listening to their views, issues, and challenges. Our efforts reach youth at all age levels.

Founded in 2001 by multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY® award winning artist and actor, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, TLF has achieved notable success. TLF has been named as one of the top twenty "Leading Philanthropy Foundations" by Black Enterprise magazine and featured in The Robb Report’s Worth magazine and The Chronicles on Philanthropy, The Newspaper of the Non-Profit World, for outstanding efforts provided to urban communities. For more information, visit www.theludacrisfoundation.org.

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