MEDIA ADVISORY

January 26, 2006 Contact: Priscilla Clarke: 202-723-2200

"GUNS ASIDE MONTH" ENDS WITH YOUTH FORUMS AND CELEBRITY "JAM SESSION" ON JANUARY 30TH & 31ST

Go-Go Godfather Chuck Brown, National Recording Artist Raheem DeVaughn, "Big G," National Hip Hop Artists and Mayoral Candidates among "Guns Aside" Forum Participants

DC STUDENTS TO CAST BALLOTS FOR MAYOR IN MOCK ELECTION, MANAGED BY JUSTICE FOR DC YOUTH

WHO: Reaching Out to Others Together (ROOT, Inc.), The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); Donatelli & Klein; LJ Management; Radio One (WKYS); BET Rap It Up; WPFW; AirTran; US Army; ANC1B; DC Department of Health, Howard University School of Medicine, Destination U, Madness Connection, Jasmine Niernberger (Miss DC Teen USA), Candace Allen (Miss DC USA), DC Students, and Justice For DC Youth.

WHAT: ROOT, The DC Department of Health and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives will partner to wrap up the Guns Aside Month with a two-day rally that will include candid discussions between youth and celebrity guest panelists regarding how music affects violence, and the role it plays in their lives, family, and in the community. Selected middle and high students will participate in the forum. Secondly, a mayoral forum will be held where students will have the opportunity to discuss issues affecting their communities with the D.C. Mayoral Candidates. Lastly, the rally will conclude with the Guns Aside "Jam Session" with many surprise top music artists, sports figures, and celebrities, both local and national.

WHEN: Monday, January 30th, Music and Violence Panel Discussion (9:30 AM-12 PM)
University of District of Columbia Auditorium
Moderators: Omarosa (from The Apprentice) and Osai "The Dark Secret" WKYS FM Radio

Participants: Chuck Brown (God Father of Go-Go), Anwan "Big G" Glover (The Wire, Backyard Band), Bum B, Slim Thug, Carlton Joshua (Rap-a-Lot Records), Dwayne McClary (Geffen Records), Kenneth Barnes, Sr., MS (Founder, President, ROOT, Inc), Aton Muhammad (President, Real Hip-Hop Network), Prince Dajour (Heaven 1580's On-Air Personality), Record Company Executives and special invited guests Jermaine Dupree and Antawn Jamison (NBA Washington Wizard)

Tuesday, January 31, Mayoral Forum (9:30 AM-12:30 PM)
University of District of Columbia Auditorium
Moderators: Omarosa (from The Apprentice), Damu Smith (WPFW FM Public Radio) assisted by Osai ("The Dark Secret" WKYS FM Radio). Participants: Linda Cropp (Chair, DC City Council), Adrian Fenty (Ward 5 City Councilmember), Vincent Orange (Ward 5 City Councilmember), Michael Brown, Marie Johns

Tuesday, January 31, Guns Aside Celebrity "Jam Session"(8:00 PM - 2 AM)
Fur Night Club, 33 Patterson Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Jaheem, Chuck Brown, Raheem DeVaughn, Calvin Richardson, Avant, Javier, Sisqo, Lissen Band, Big Tony (Trouble Funk), Stinky Dink, Sugar Bear (EU), Tony Blount, comedian Chris Thomas, and hosted by Raheem DeVaughn and Jenny Jones (WKYS Radio Personality), along with special surprise guests to be added.


WHY: The District is currently under a state of emergency due to the recent 11% increase in gun-related incidents and with the recent brutal murders of two teenagers including former Council Member Sandy Allen's grandson. The "Guns Aside" campaign is a collaborative effort between the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and Reaching Out to Others Together (ROOT) designed to educate, inform, and evoke action against gun violence within the Metropolitan communities.

The D.C.'s City Council presented a resolution to proclaim the month of January "Guns Aside Month" in the District of Columbia introduced by Council Member Adrian Fenty (Ward-4). Guns Aside is an initiative under the auspices of ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together), Inc. to directly address the epidemic of gun violence occurring in our city and throughout the nation.

Awareness of gun violence and its severity among the Nation's capital will be heightened as a result of this compelling campaign. The mission is to reduce homicide, suicide, and genocide as the results of gun violence common in young people ages 11 to 25 as well as the overall population in general. The ultimate goal is to reduce incidents of gun violence and homicides by putting guns aside. Celebrities, Politicians, Law Enforcement and Community Leaders will join forces to support the campaign. A National "Guns Aside" Campaign will be launched in March.

Press Info: Priscilla Clarke (pclarkepr@aol.com) Clarke & Associates @ Tel. 202-723-2200 or visit www.clarkepr.com

ROOT Event Info: ROOT, Inc. at 202-332-7668 or visit www.rootinc.org


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