CITY A.C.E.S. (ATHLETES CHANGING EXPECTATIONS) LAUNCHES NATIONAL PROGRAM TO PROMOTE EDUCATION BY PARTNERING WITH TOP ATHLETES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2009

CONTACT:
Keva Tranzor
814-883-2116
kevatranzor@cityaces.org

CITY A.C.E.S. (ATHLETES CHANGING EXPECTATIONS) LAUNCHES NATIONAL PROGRAM TO PROMOTE THE "COOLNESS" OF EDUCATION BY PARTNERING WITH TOP ATHLETES

-- Event Kickoff, April 17th in Harrisburg at Camp Curtain School --

-- All-Star Lineup Includes Hank Poteat of the Cleveland Browns, Leonce Crump (formerly of New Orleans Saints), Several members of the Penn State Football team, Mayor Stephen Reed of Harrisburg, Peter Speaks (Special Counsel to Governor Ed Rendell), Harrisburg's "Drumline" Marching Band and Popular Blue and White Step Team --

Hank Poteat

Frank Igwe

Harrisburg, PA (BlackNews.com) - As the saying goes, "To whom much is given, much is expected," those words resonate loud each day for C. Frank Igwe, PhD, Executive Director and founder of CITY A.C.E.S. (Athletes Changing Expectations). Dr. C. Frank Igwe, is a 2008 Fellow of Harvard University, highly requested speaker and published writer. His work regarding the African American community on health and information technology has appeared in national publications such as: The Christian Science Monitor, Yahoo! News and the prestigious Chronicle of Higher Education.

CITY ACES is scheduled to launch its national campaign, "Dream Makers and Dream Breakers: Why Education is Key!" on April 17th, 9:30AM-10:45AM, at Camp Curtain School in Harrisburg, PA. Expected at the kickoff will be 1,500 middle-school students. Special guests include: Mayor Stephen Reed of Harrisburg, Hank Poteat of the Cleveland Browns; Leonce Crump (formerly of the New Orleans Saints); Several members of Penn State's football team; Peter Speaks (Special Counsel to Governor Ed Rendell) representing the Governor's office; Harrisburg High School's popular "Drumline" Marching Band; acclaimed DJ Godfather; the popular Blue and White Step team; and, Kristal Turner-Childs, popular motivational speaker. Local sponsors have donated raffle items such as movie tickets and sports memorabilia. Autographs will be provided to each participant and, most importantly, there will be a question and answer session for the students.

CITY ACES is a non-profit organization committed to working with Middle School aged youth residing in challenged school districts and distressed communities across the United States. The purpose of the program is to engage students to aim higher, commit to education, and step outside their comfort zones to dream bigger. Realizing the powerful cachet of sports figures, entertainers, and public policy holders, Dr. Igwe called upon his friends to assist him in getting the message out to the students. According to Dr. Igwe, "athletes and entertainers are seen as mini-gods in the Black community, and if their presence can inspire and encourage a child to pursue an education, well it's all worth it."

The event is expected to motivate, inspire, and encourage students often forgotten based upon their circumstances. CITY ACES seeks to instill a sense of purpose and esteem within these children, and influence them to realize their full potential through education. CITY ACES approach is to "harvest" recognizable professional athletic figures (NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAA, etc.) to engage in short term commitments at schools within their communities, and speak on the role education played in their life journey.

CITY ACES is loosely based on events that transpired early in Dr. C. Frank Igwe's life. Many told him he would not amount to anything--it was being in the right place at the divine time and hearing powerful words, which sparked his educational flame. Dr. Igwe says, "Everyone told me I could not make it academically. In the Black community education is not often placed at a premium. These experiences foster the belief that words can change the trajectory of a young child's life, especially at the middle school age where children's psyches are malleable. It's my purpose and mission to make everyone accountable -- from the parents, teachers, administrators, to the students."

For additional information about CITY ACES, their kickoff event on April 17th, and how to become involved with the organization, please visit www.cityaces.org, or call 814-883-2116.

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