For Immediate Release
March 29, 2007
Contact Information
Cynthia Morris
African American Experience Fund of the National Park Foundation
202-238-4200
cmorris@nationalparks.org
AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE FUND OF THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION CELEBRATES LITTLE ROCK NINE
Third Annual Gala Event to Honor Little Rock Nine and the Legacy of African American Patriots
WASHINGTON, DC---March 29, 2007---The African American Experience Fund (AAEF) of the National Park Foundation (NPF), the Congressionally chartered non-profit partner of America’s National Parks will commemorate the 50th anniversary of THE INTEGRATION OF LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL at its third annual fundraising gala, “Celebrating a Tradition of Courage”. The event will honor the nine students who in 1957 dared test the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Ruling that overturned the “Separate but Equal” law, memorializing their courage and patriotism in the rich heritage of America’s National Parks. The event will take place Thursday April 12, 2007 at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, New York.
President William J. Clinton who signed into law legislation designating Little Rock Central High School a National Historic Site and authorized the award of the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal to the Little Rock Nine will serve as Honorary Chairman of the event and Earl Graves, Chief Executive Officer of Earl G. Graves, Ltd., Founder and Publisher of Black Enterprise magazine and Barbara Graves, Vice President and Board member of Earl G. Graves, Ltd will serve as Honorary Co-Chairpersons.
Other distinguished guests include keynote speaker, Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., recognized attorney and civil rights leader, National Park Foundation President and CEO, Vin Cipolla, National Park Service Director, Mary Bomar and award-winning journalist Gwen Ifill serving as Mistress of Ceremonies. Honored guests, The Little Rock Nine include; Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Brown Tricky, Thelma Mothershed Wair and Melba Pattillo Beals.
According to Trustee Chairman, Barry Williams, this fundraising event, supporting National Parks and Historic Sites is “a crucial measure in preserving American history, culture and tradition.” Additionally, “It is our responsibility as citizens to protect and maintain these important landmarks that illustrate the very best of American ideals.”
Proceeds will benefit education, volunteer and community engagement programs in the twenty National Parks and Historic Sites supported by the African American Experience Fund that welcome more than 2.5 million visitors annually and house one of the nation’s largest repositories of African American history. AAEF supported programs including Junior Rangers, traveling exhibits, workshops, after school programs, and community lectures expose all Americans to our shared heritage and engage new generations in preserving the story of African Americans through our National Parks for the future. For a complete list of sites supported by the African American Experience Fund, visit www.aaexperience.org.
The fundraising gala for the 50th anniversary of the integration of Little Rock Central High School will celebrate the contributions of the Little Rock Nine, preserved forever at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Arkansas. The site, which still operates as a High School memorializes this group of brave African American students that entered Central High School under the protection of the U.S. Army in 1957, despite threats of bodily harm and death. Today the Nine are not only leaders in their chosen professions, but they inspire anyone who dares to stand up for freedom and challenge injustice.
Members of the media interested in attending the event should contact Anne Marek for credentials at (202) 238-4200 or AMarek@nationalparks.org. Space is available, but limited.
About the African American Experience Fund
Established in 2001, the Washington-DC based African American Experience Fund (www.aaexperience.org) is an official fund of the National Park Foundation.The mission of AAEF is to connect all Americans to the role of African-Americans in our country’s history by raising funds and establishing partnerships that support awareness of and programs at National Parks and Historic Sites that celebrate African-American history and culture.
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org) is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy and raise essential funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the National Park Foundation strengthens the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.
President William J. Clinton who signed into law legislation designating Little Rock Central High School a National Historic Site and authorized the award of the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal to the Little Rock Nine will serve as Honorary Chairman of the event and Earl Graves, Chief Executive Officer of Earl G. Graves, Ltd., Founder and Publisher of Black Enterprise magazine and Barbara Graves, Vice President and Board member of Earl G. Graves, Ltd will serve as Honorary Co-Chairpersons.
Other distinguished guests include keynote speaker, Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., recognized attorney and civil rights leader, National Park Foundation President and CEO, Vin Cipolla, National Park Service Director, Mary Bomar and award-winning journalist Gwen Ifill serving as Mistress of Ceremonies. Honored guests, The Little Rock Nine include; Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Brown Tricky, Thelma Mothershed Wair and Melba Pattillo Beals.
According to Trustee Chairman, Barry Williams, this fundraising event, supporting National Parks and Historic Sites is “a crucial measure in preserving American history, culture and tradition.” Additionally, “It is our responsibility as citizens to protect and maintain these important landmarks that illustrate the very best of American ideals.”
Proceeds will benefit education, volunteer and community engagement programs in the twenty National Parks and Historic Sites supported by the African American Experience Fund that welcome more than 2.5 million visitors annually and house one of the nation’s largest repositories of African American history. AAEF supported programs including Junior Rangers, traveling exhibits, workshops, after school programs, and community lectures expose all Americans to our shared heritage and engage new generations in preserving the story of African Americans through our National Parks for the future. For a complete list of sites supported by the African American Experience Fund, visit www.aaexperience.org.
The fundraising gala for the 50th anniversary of the integration of Little Rock Central High School will celebrate the contributions of the Little Rock Nine, preserved forever at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in Arkansas. The site, which still operates as a High School memorializes this group of brave African American students that entered Central High School under the protection of the U.S. Army in 1957, despite threats of bodily harm and death. Today the Nine are not only leaders in their chosen professions, but they inspire anyone who dares to stand up for freedom and challenge injustice.
Members of the media interested in attending the event should contact Anne Marek for credentials at (202) 238-4200 or AMarek@nationalparks.org. Space is available, but limited.
About the African American Experience Fund
Established in 2001, the Washington-DC based African American Experience Fund (www.aaexperience.org) is an official fund of the National Park Foundation.The mission of AAEF is to connect all Americans to the role of African-Americans in our country’s history by raising funds and establishing partnerships that support awareness of and programs at National Parks and Historic Sites that celebrate African-American history and culture.
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org) is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy and raise essential funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the National Park Foundation strengthens the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.
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