The Showcase of HBCU Celebrates 5th Anniversary With Benefit Gala

Online, August 24, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Showcase of HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) marks its fifth year with the "Sapphires & Cufflinks Affair and Showcase of HBCU Honors," a gala to benefit Education First Foundation Inc. The event will recognize business mogul Charlie Johnson, Clark County Schools chief operating officer Marty Bell and Kentucky State University president Mary Sias for their contributions to HBCUs. Comedian Spike Davis, Tony Fish & 4 You Band, DJ Reggie Reg and Lincoln University of Missouri Dance Troupe will provide entertainment. Festivities will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom in downtown Louisville.

Tickets to the event are $80 for individuals, $800 for a table of 10. A portion of the proceeds goes to Education First Foundation Inc. (Visit http://www.ShowcaseHBCU.com or call 502-376-7874 to purchase tickets.)

In previous years, Education First has relied on sponsorship, grants and private donations to fund The Showcase, but Education First president and founder Andrea Houston hopes to use this "party with a purpose" to introduce more of the public to the Showcase.

"I think a lot of people gloss over The Showcase because they don't know about HBCUs or don't think HBCUs apply to them, but we want people to know that our focus is truly making education the first priority for our youth," said Houston.

Additionally, Houston wants to honor publicly a number of people who have made The Showcase possible since the program debuted in 2006. Charlie Johnson, current owner of Immanuel Realty, will receive the Mary McLeod Bethune Pioneer Honor for his philanthropic work at Benedict College in South Carolina for his instrumental role in the Showcase's inaugural year.

Marty Bell will receive the Benjamin Mayes Education First Honor for his achievements in education, and Mary Sias will receive the HBCU Legacy Honor for her long-time devotion to education throughout the U.S.

Learn more about The Showcase by visiting http://www.ShowcaseHBCU.com or follow The Showcase on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShowcaseofHBCU.

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