Michael Baisden's 9th Annual Anniversary Celebration Raises $20,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters

PHILADELPHIA, July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baisden's 9th Anniversary celebration with a sold-out crowd at the Apollo Theater this weekend gave the popular nationally syndicated radio host another opportunity to support a cause close to his heart.  As part of the July 14 event, Baisden presented $20,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters to support the national mentoring organization's Mentoring Brothers in Action program. 

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Mentoring Brothers in Action is a national partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters and the nation's three largest African American fraternities -- Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi.  It also includes Stand Up Men, which rallies individuals to work together to address racial disparities, promote education and advocate for health and community development. 

Dale Long, Alpha Phi Alpha; L-Mani Viney, Kappa Alpha Psi; and Charles Matthews, Omega Psi Phi; and Big Brothers Big Sisters Advisory Council member Rodney Davis joined Baisden on stage at the Apollo to accept the $20,000 donation.  While on stage, Davis presented Baisden with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Inspiration Award, established in his honor this year.  Beginning next year, Big Brothers Big Sisters will present the award annually to a person who models the radio host's dedication and generosity in supporting mentoring children of color.

With the anniversary celebration donation, The Michael Baisden Foundation has provided more than $130,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters and its affiliates.  Baisden has partnered with the organization's Mentoring Brothers in Action African American mentoring program to engage more Black men to get involved in one-to-one mentoring to change the odds for African American boys.  In addition, Baisden supports the effort with hundreds of thousands of dollars in air time, special appearances, and through his social media platforms, which have nearly 550,000 followers.

Youth served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are predominately children of color from single-parent and low-income families or households where a parent is incarcerated, and many are children of military personnel.  While African American boys are disproportionately represented among children waiting for Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors, Black men make up only 15 percent of the nationwide mentoring network's male mentors.

The Michael Baisden 9th Anniversary event showcased live music, a mix and mingle session, a time to hang out with artists/comedians, and the ultimate Battle of the DJs final show down. Featured artists included Angie Stone, Johnny Gill, Eric Roberson, Conya Doss, Vivian Green, Will Downing, LD and Karma II Band, with Comedians George Willborn and Tyler Craig.  Special guest appearances included Rev Al Sharpton, the parents of the late Heavy D, and Vy Higginsen's Gospel for Teens Youth Choir and more. 

About Michael Baisden / Michael Baisden Show / Michael Baisden Foundation

Michael Baisden is a nationally syndicated radio personality and has been recognized as one of the most influential men in radio. The Michael Baisden Show is an entertaining four-hour afternoon radio program that airs Monday - Friday from 3-7 p.m. ET and combines the best in music, comedy and social commentary to inspire real change across America. Heard in 22 of the top 25 Urban radio markets, The Michael Baisden Show reaches more than seven million listeners each week and is syndicated by Cumulus Media Networks.

He is also a TV talk show host, filmmaker and New York Times best-selling author with nearly two million books in print. Baisden recently released his 6th book, Maintenance Man II.  He is well known for his philanthropic endeavors including spearheading the famous Jena Six March, promotion of free clinics, partnering on the Trayvon Martin rally, voter registration initiatives and, through the Michael Baisden Foundation, his "One Million Mentors: National Campaign To Save Our Kids" tour where he donated over $350,000 of his own money. Over the past five years the foundation has donated nearly a half million dollars to other 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. to help support Youth Organizations. These initiatives lead to him being awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation "Keepers of The Dream" Award. In October 2010 President Barack Obama publicly congratulated Michael on his efforts. He founded the Michael Baisden Foundation to focus on mentoring, education, and literacy. Michael believes that "books change lives" and he is living proof!

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships.  Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children ("Littles") with screened volunteer mentors ("Bigs") and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course.  The first-ever Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Summary, released in 2012, substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.  This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization's 100-year history.  With about 350 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 630,000 children, volunteers and families. Learn how you can positively impact a child's life, donate or volunteer at BigBrothersBigSisters.org.

SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters