Future CEO Academy Press Release_final

In addition to being one of the most anticipated events of the year, this Giving Tour will also serve as a platform to raise awareness for two important organizations, The Compound Foundation and The Boys and Girls Club of America. Our holiday, Ne-Yo turbo-charged reindeer sled has left the station and is making its way to five metropolitan cities to provide a special holiday for kids and youth in need. “We are bringing the magical experience of Christmas to children that otherwise might not have an opportunity to experience it. I love this time of year and can’t wait to see the excitement in the eyes, and the smiles of joy on the faces of the children as they come out and share in the holiday festivities”, said Loraine Smith, President of The Compound Foundation. The Foundation’s Annual Giving Tour is our biggest charity event of the year. This national celebration brings holiday cheer and a sense of solidarity and belonging to youth in foster care and group homes. “We know the importance of helping others and giving back and we understand that the little things we do can sometimes have a huge effect on these children for years to come.” says Board Chair, Seth Bernstein

“The Giving Tour is rooted in our commitment to the uplift youth growing in the welfare system within underprivileged communities. The Christmas season is all about giving of yourself – That’s the true meaning of Christmas. Helping those that are less fortunate than ourselves – That’s what this time of year is all about. We are pleased to continue the program for a fifth year and are excited to enter new markets in 2011. Our annual events aim to ensure that foster youth experience the rights and privileges of childhood all children are entitled to, such as holiday giving and traditions.” says Ne-Yo, “I am also pleased to be joined, for the second year, by Angela and Vanessa Simmons. They will join us and actively sign autographs, taking photographs with those in attendance and distributing their Pastry products.”

The five-city celebration tour will kick off in Las Vegas on Wednesday, December 7th; then moves to Chicago on Thursday, December 8th; and then to Boston on Friday, December 9th; and then to Orlando on Saturday, December 10th; finally to Washington D.C. on Sunday, December 11th.

These events are private and are not open to the public. Toys and monetary contributions can be sent to: The Compound Foundation, 602 Marietta Street NW, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30313 payable to The Compound Foundation or via Pay Pal on our website www.compoundfoundation.org/.

Media can direct questions/inquiries to Dante Simpson, DSA Media Group at dsimpson@dsamediagroup.com

About The Compound Foundation
The Compound Foundation was founded in 2007 by Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith and his business partner Reynell Hay to enhance the well-being of youth growing up in foster care and group homes. The Foundation’s goal is to support bright futures for young people by helping them to forge healthy relationships, pursue education and training, and realize their dreams. For additional information visit: www.compoundfoundation.org

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Contact:
Dante Simpson
DSA Media Group, LLC
646-417-8198 ext. 704
dsimpson@dsamediagroup.com

New York City [September 12, 2011] –Multi-platinum R&B artist/actor Ne-Yo will host his 2nd Annual Benefit to benefit his charity, The Compound Foundation. This year’s benefit will honor supermodel and foster care advocate Selita Ebanks and fashion innovator and National Foster Care Month spokesperson Tony Shellman. Once again, this year’s fundraiser will be held at the New York City home of Grammy-nominated songwriter and philanthropist, Denise Rich. The evening will include an intimate and private cocktail reception attended by Ne- Yo’ s closest friends and supporters. “Our goal is always to bring smiles to the faces of children, and challenge them to create, define and execute their dreams” says Ne-Yo.

Selita Ebanks is a reflection of beauty inside and out. Discovered at Six Flags Great Adventure at age 17, Ebanks has been part of some of the foremost fashion campaigns and was one of the stunning Victoria’s Secret angels. Ebanks spent much of her childhood in the Grand Cayman Islands, where she was raised by different organizations, and spent a period of time in foster care until her grandmother took her and her seven siblings in while her mother, who was homeless at the time, was struggling. “Having gone through a similar experience, my goal is to reach out to the thousands of young people in foster care. So for me it is not only giving money, but dedicating my time and my energy. Sitting down with these young people and letting them know that they can be successful regardless of their past” says Ebanks.

Tony Shellman was adopted from foster care at the age of two by a Seattle couple. This successful entrepreneur realizes the greatest fortune of his life came out of very unfortunate circumstances. Shellman’s vision and drive propelled him to create the popular Mecca and ENYCE clothing lines which he sold to Liz Claiborne in 2005 for $114 million. As a spokesperson for National Foster Care Month and Casey Family Programs, Shellman is a tireless advocate for youth in foster care. He is especially focused on providing career mentoring, job skills training and employment opportunities. “I beat the odds, but there are thousands of young people in foster care right now who don’t have that kind of support. Not every child in foster care gets the happy ending” says Shellman.

We know the importance of helping others and giving back and we understand that the little things we do can sometimes have a huge effect on these children for years to come” says Loraine Smith, Board Vice Chair.

ABOUT THE COMPOUND FOUNDATION
The Compound Foundation’s goal is to give children in foster care and group homes the tools necessary to be
successful entrepreneurs, empowering them to control their destinies. Founded in 2007, by R & B superstar Ne-Yo and his business partner Reynell Hay to enhance the well being of youth growing up in foster care and group homes,
the foundation provides funding and programming in support of our nation’s more vulnerable youth.

The Compound Foundation operates three signature programs in support of its mission:
Future CEO Academy provides an opportunity for youth in foster care and group homes to participate in a 3 day entrepreneurship training course on a college campus, and participate in an elevator pitch competition to win $10,000. Participants are empowered to develop business concepts and provided with ongoing support to develop and launch their ideas.

Giving Tour visits five cities with high rates of youth in the foster care system to distribute toys and apparel to over 5,000 young people during the month of December.

Charitable Giving the foundation works to identify and support foster care and group home organizations that are innovative in their efforts at family reunification and youth development programming. Additionally, we provide scholarships to youth who are ageing out of foster care and going on to pursue higher education and vocational training.

Media can direct questions/inquiries to Shawn Purdy, Slate Public Relations at shawn@slate-pr.com.

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