General Colin L. Powell and Alma J. Powell to Recognize Five Individuals for Their Contributions to America’s Young People

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2015 — America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest partnership of organizations, communities and individuals committed to improving the lives of young people, will host its first annual “Promise Night” Awards today at the historic Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C.

The event will recognize the contributions of five individuals spanning various backgrounds and sectors who have made an exceptional difference in the lives of America’s young people. Each will be presented with the “Promise of America” Award, the highest honor conferred by America’s Promise.

“The success of our country depends on the success of our youth. Our honorees are paving the way for many of our young people to thrive in school and in life. Today, we recognize their efforts, the progress we’ve made as a country, and the work that remains, so that every child has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential and pursue their American Dream,” said Alma J. Powell, America’s Promise board chair.

Honorees include:

– Randall Stephenson, Chairman and CEO, AT&T Inc.
– Lamar Alexander, U.S. Senator (TN)
– Wes Moore, Founder, BridgeEdU
– Beatrice Welters, Co-Founder, AnBryce Foundation
– Anthony Welters, Co-Founder, AnBryce Foundation

The “Promise of America” Awards honor champions who have answered the call of every American president for the last 40 years to fulfill the Five Promises for children and youth in their communities and in our nation: Caring Adults, Safe Places, a Healthy Start, an Effective Education, and Opportunities to Give Back.

Host Barbara Harrison is a NBC4 Washington anchor and the creator of Wednesday’s Child, a weekly news program supporting foster care adoptions. American country singer and songwriter Larry Gatlin and local band N’Demand will provide entertainment for the evening.

“As we work toward our GradNation campaign goal of reaching a 90 percent high school graduation rate by 2020 we are seeing tremendous progress on the ground thanks to our honorees and the work of schools, communities, organizations, government, and individuals around the country that are helping to move the needle,” said John Gomperts, president & CEO of America’s Promise. “We must all continue to do our part to keep the promise of America alive for every child. Promise Night is a chance for us to do just that by shining a light on significant contributions that have helped us to reach this milestone in the campaign.”

Major sponsors of Promise Night include State Farm, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Salesforce, AT&T Inc., The Boeing Company, EY, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, The Walton Family Foundation and Beatrice & Anthony Welters.

To learn more about Promise Night visit: www.americaspromise.org/promise-night-gala.

About America’s Promise Alliance

Founded in 1997 at the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future, America’s Promise leads an alliance of organizations, communities, and individuals dedicated to fulfilling the presidential declaration signed on that day, calling upon the nation to keep five promises crucial to the success of every young person in America: the presence of caring adults in their lives; safe surroundings to live, learn, and grow; healthy starts and healthy childhoods; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to serve others. As its signature effort, the GradNation campaign mobilizes Americans to increase the on-time high school graduation rate to 90 percent by 2020 and prepare young people for postsecondary enrollment and the 21st century workforce.

/PRNewswire/

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