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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Priscilla Hawkins - 850/877-0453

November 12, 2007 Capital City Chamber - 850/224-0152

BlackHistoryMonthFestival@hotmail.com

priscillahawkins@hotmail.com

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA PARTNERS PREPARE FOR MONTH-LONG BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™ IN FEBRUARY 2008

Capital City Chamber of Commerce and Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication are preparing for the 4th annual month-long BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™ program which will take place next February in communities throughout North Florida/South Georgia.

As Lead Community Partners for BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™ (a month-long celebration of Black History), the Chamber and the School of Journalism welcome back WCTV/Channel 6 and PEOPLE In The Community as Media Partners; and the United States Postal Service, Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department, and Wakulla County Christian Coalition as Community Partners. Several other media and community partners from the 2007 program are also expected to return.

Media and Community Partners help identify, plan and coordinate an entire month of educational, social and civic events to highlight the contributions and achievements of African Americans to this country. The local festival will cover Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, and Jefferson counties in Florida; and Thomas, Grady and Decatur counties in Georgia.

Originally started in Central Florida in 1991, BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™ has also been held in Atlanta, Georgia; and made its debut in Tallahassee in February 2005.

The purpose of BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™ is to make it fun and easy to learn about and understand the contributions and achievements of African Americans to this country. The program seeks to foster collaboration and partnerships among community organizations, local, regional and national companies; and encourages local groups and businesses to plan and become involved in activities to commemorate Black History Month.

Activities will take place every day in communities throughout the selected counties. These activities are designed to provide enriching cross-cultural experiences for adults and youngsters; and to serve as wonderful learning experiences for individuals of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. And best of all, many of these events are FREE.

"We encourage everyone to attend these events," says Priscilla Hawkins, a diversity consultant specializing in cultural and heritage events, and founder of BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™. "Bring your children, your family, your friends, your neighbors -- even strangers. Share the joy of learning and increase your knowledge of our history. And, when we say ‘our history’, we’re not just referring to African Americans because ‘Black History is An Important Part of American History’," she added.

Events will be listed in the official BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™ Souvenir Journal -- and 10,000 FREE copies will be distributed in the area. Organizations and businesses are encouraged to begin planning their Black History Month events now to have them included in the official Souvenir Journal.

Businesses, groups and organizations that have planned or intend to plan events can have their events listed in the Souvenir Journal FREE if they provide the required information by November 30th. In addition, Upcoming Event events for March 2008 through January 31, 2009 will also be included for FREE. After November 30th, the cost for including events in the journal will be $35.

A major highlight of the program will be designation of local Honoree organizations, that will be profiled in the Souvenir Journal, their reps introduced at Featured Events, and their selected projects featured in televised Black History Moment videos throughout February 2008. Honoree nominations are being accepted now through December 10th.

To receive an Event Listing Form to have your Black History Month events or other events scheduled through January 2009 listed in the Souvenir Journal, an Honoree nomination form, or to request information on sponsorship, advertising, vendor space or how to become a Community Partner – contact Priscilla Hawkins at 850/877-0453 or by e-mail at BlackHistoryMonthFestival@hotmail.com. Or visit the website at www.blackhistorymonthfestival.com. Completed Event Listing Forms or Honoree Nomination Forms should be mailed to:  

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FESTIVAL™

c/o Capital City Chamber of Commerce

1602 South Monroe Street – P. O. Box 7541

Tallahassee, FL 32314-7541