Music, Fashion Mogul Russell Simmons Hosts Financial Seminar at a local D.C. Public School

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May 13, 2010, 03:08 ET

Communities In Schools of the Nation's Capital join Simmons in hosting workshop

ARLINGTON, Va., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Russell Simmons joined Communities in Schools of the Nation's Capital (CIS) Thursday for a workshop on financial literacy and meditation. The event offered valuable and timely financial information to Ward 8 parents, Ballou Senior High School seniors, Ferebee Hope students, faculty and staff. Simmons hosted the workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ferebee Hope Community School, 3999 8th Street, SE, Washington, D.C.

Financial literary is critical as multicultural communities are disproportionately impacted by the economic downtown. Unemployment for African Americans is projected to reach a 25-year high this year according to a study released in January 2010. African Americans as well as Latinos were far behind employment levels even when the economy was booming. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the African American unemployment rate has traditionally far exceeded that of other ethnic groups, especially those whose joblessness is normally half of African Americans.

"Empowering our underserved communities has been central to our mission at CIS," said Tobeka G. Green, CEO of Communities In Schools of the Nation's Capital. "We are excited to host Russell Simmons and to participate in an event that will help contribute to and help educate students, parents, and individuals about the importance of financial literacy."

Russell Simmons is the chairman and co-founder of Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. Founded in 2001, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is designed to provide young people with the basic tools of financial empowerment. He has hosted a popular nationwide financial management tour, "Get Your Money Right," for hip-hop fans as a way to foster economic well being. With proper information about financial literacy, Simmons believes people can still be successful, even during the current economic environment.

Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources, tailored to local needs. Working in more than 3,200 schools, in the most challenged communities, in 26 states and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves nearly 1.4 million young people and their families every year. Communities In Schools has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates.

Visit our website at www.communitiesinschools.org.

SOURCE Communities In Schools