Hip Hop's Finest Announce Winners of TAG's First Ever 'Make History National Grants Program'

Hip Hop's Finest Announce Winners of TAG's First Ever 'Make History National Grants Program'

Jermaine Dupri, Russell Simmons, Ne-Yo and Other Celebs Join TAG Records and Hip Hop Summit Action Network to Honor Five Deserving Students Nationwide for Their Community Efforts

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- TAG Records, the groundbreaking music label recently formed by Procter & Gamble's TAG brand and Island Def Jam, recently joined forces with the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) to name five recipients of the first ever TAG Make History National Grants Program. With help from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) and a panel of celebrity judges including hip-hop stars Jermaine Dupri, Russell Simmons, Ne-Yo, and Grammy-award winners MC Lyte and Chili, TAG Records honored individuals who have made their mark bettering society.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081021/NY40283 )

"The TAG Records mission is dedicated to mentoring and propelling urban youth through hip hop," stated Adam Weber, brand manager for P&G. "The goal of TAG's Make History National Grants Program is to recognize the extraordinary strides being taken by select urban students, and we're very proud to partner with HSAN and NAFEO to provide them with tools to broaden their remarkable contributions."

After a nationwide search scouring more than 100 college campuses, the chosen student winners each received a $10,000 grant for their exceptional progress in a cross-section of fields ranging from science to the arts.

"As a result of Procter & Gamble's outstanding corporate leadership, an effective and productive alliance was developed with Island Def Jam, one of the world's leading recording labels, along with help from hip-hop icon Jermaine Dupri, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education," emphasized Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President and CEO of HSAN. "Through this partnership we can honor what hip hop is all about and bestow valuable grants to the five most deserving college student leaders who are making history."

A high-profile judging event took place October 17, 2008 at Clark Atlanta University, where top students from historically black colleges and universities were present. TAG's Make History National Grants Program winners included:

Blair Alexander Jr. (Morehouse College of Atlanta, Ga.):

For his groundbreaking research in microbiology pertaining to why humans have become resistant to antibiotics, and how to reverse this trend. Alexander will continue to make history as a premier researcher for antibiotics addressing diseases of African Americans and all races relating.

Paul Dickens (Howard University of Washington, D.C.):

First year medical student who has created health and environmental, youth-oriented programming using original hip-hop DVD's to encourage young people to maintain healthy lives and promoting professions related to this lifestyle.

Chevonne James (Bowie State University of Bowie, Md.):

For her creation and operation of the "Pick A Meal" pilot Program, a program that enables the less fortunate to receive gift cards or "meal vouchers" and allows them to "pick-a-meal" at participating restaurants. This program also provides nutritional supplement bars, mini sanitary kits and bottled water to promote health and hygiene to the public.

Jamel Vanderburg (Wilberforce University of Wilberforce, Oh):

Vanderburg is the 21-year-old founder and CEO of start-up marketing and accounting firm, A & M Financial Services, Inc. This firm assists college students who want to start their own businesses to achieve their dreams, and also focuses on event planning and consulting.

Kiera Thomas (Kentucky State University of Frankfort, Ky.):

Thomas is an award-winning singer and songwriter. She has received this grant for her development and funding of the Kentucky State Show Choir, program committed to team spirit through the finest forms of contemporary vocal music and choreography.

These outstanding students were handpicked from applicants across the country and will use grant funds to continue to develop their projects.

"This year's TAG Make History National Grant winners are making major contributions to society in unique and impressive ways," stated Dr. Lezli Baskerville, President and CEO of NAFEO. "They are shining examples of the breadth and scope of the phenomenal and talented pool of students that make up all of the nation's diverse."

"Procter and Gamble and the TAG brand have created an innovative approach through this grants program to make meaningful contributions to the community," declared hip-hop mogul and philanthropist, Russell Simmons. "I am proud to be a part of this opportunity that inspires and lifts people up."

"TAG is a company that is ready to take a stand and make a commitment not just to music, but to improving the community through academic opportunities," said hip-hop Icon MC Lyte.

To learn more about the TAG's Make History Grants Program go to HSAN and TAG Records' Web sites: www.hsan.org and www.TAGRecords.com.

About Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG)

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Gain(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella(R), Gillette(R), and Braun(R). The P&G community consists of 138,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081021/NY40283
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN9

Source: TAG Records

CONTACT: Carolyn Pilkington of MS&L, +1-212-468-3541,
Carolyn.pilkington@mslpr.com; or Jody L. Miller, jody@jlmpr.com, or Pamela
Lipshitz, lip@jlmpr.com, +1-212-431-5227, both of JLM PR, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.hsan.org/
http://www.pg.com/
http://www.tagrecords.com/

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