Mayor and School Superintendent to Announce "We Believe" Campaign

Marketing Effort to Promote Richmond Public Schools

WHO: Mayor Dwight C. Jones
School Superintendent Yvonne Brandon

WHAT: New Beginning announcement of unified effort and
multi-tiered public awareness campaign to highlight
and promote Richmond Public Schools.

WHEN: 10 a.m. - Wednesday, April 8, 2009

WHERE: City Hall
Second Floor Large Conference Room
900 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

BACKGROUND:

The mayor and the school superintendent will share about efforts toward a multi-tiered schools promotional project that will consist of a creative advertising campaign entitled "The Choice." Such efforts are designed to highlight and promote Richmond Public Schools and to increase enrollment of school-aged children.

Contact: Tammy Hawley, (804) 646-3110

Mayor Receives National "Keeper of the Dream" Honor

Mayor Jones will be honored during the National Action Network’s 11th Annual “Keepers of the Dream” Awards tonight in New York, New York. The Mayor will receive the award from the National Action Network, which annually honors those who share the same vision and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“To receive this award and be mentioned in the same breath as Dr. King is very humbling,” said the Mayor. “I am truly honored and I hope my efforts continue to inspire and make a positive difference in the lives of others as we strive as a nation to achieve Dr. King’s dream.”

Other 2009 Keepers of the Dream honorees are Andre Harrell, Harrell Music; Larry King, Larry King Live; Esther Silver-Parker, Senior Vice President of Diversity Relations for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; Alfred Liggins, Chairman and CEO of Radio & TV One, Inc.; Andy Stern, President of Service Employees International Union; Robin Roberts, Good Morning America; Maurice Cox, VP Diversity & Inclusion Development at PepsiCo.

The National Action Network, founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, is a civil rights organization that currently has more than 45 chapters and affiliates throughout the nation.

Contact: Tammy Hawley (804) 646-3110