The celebratory proclamation was transmitted at the lovely Questan’s restaurant, located at 2113 Frederick Douglass Blvd, in Harlem, New York. Owner Doris Wade graciously provided the location for the festivities, and a lively exchange of ideas ensued.

NYS Senator Eric Adams states: “It is my pleasure to acknowledge the exemplary actions of those individuals who selflessly give of themselves, in an effort to better the community, and engage and motivate young people. Mr. and Mrs. Epps use the power of their celebrity for a noble and worthy endeavor, and it is my pleasure to present this award on behalf of NYS Senator John Sampson”

As a stand-up comedian, actor, and host, Mike Epps is best known for starring in films like “Friday,” “Friday After Next,” and “The Hangover,” as well as his recent comedy DVD, Mike Epps Presents: Live from Club Nokia. His wife, Mechelle, is an actress, writer, and producer known for roles in “The Fighting Temptations” and for producing and starring in the short “The Hoodling,” official Honorable Mention at the 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards. Mike has used his celebrity status to be involved with charities like the Ronald McDonald House, Stop the Violence campaign, and an annual Thanksgiving turkey drive, while Mechelle is actively involved with Hoops for Hope LA.

With this foundation, they now plan to take a hands-on approach to giving back to the Indianapolis community where Mike is from, and have dedicated themselves not only to the launch of these programs, but also to the importance in maintaining their success and pushing for program expansion across the nation

Comedian Mike Epps and his wife Michelle have started up a reading program for at risk youth. The Michael and Michelle Epps Foundation will work to help the millions of Americans who are unable to read or write.

Also on board with the project is rapper Queen Pen, who has joined the couple in visits to youth in Harlem and those incarcerated on Rikers Island.

“We decided to start the foundation because we know a lot of kids could be great adults, if they had the proper support as children. Last year, NBC reported that nearly 1.2 million teens hit the street every year unable to read or write,” Queen Pen tells AllHipHop.com

“Jumping The Broom” Trailer Starring Paula Patton, Mike Epps & Romeo

“The goal is to improve the vocabulary and grammar of the adolescents, while encouraging them to express themselves through the written word,” continued Queen Pen. “For the last 14 years or so I’ve been working with at risk adolescents and I can not stress enough how much preventative measurements work with these children. What Mike and Michelle are doing is not only necessary, but also brave. Our children deserve a  chance. It’s easier to build a child…Then to repair an adult.”

http://theurbandaily.com/music/theurbandailystaff2/mike-epps-launches-reading-program-for-at-risk-youth

The husband and wife team have launched the Michael and Mechelle Epps Foundation to help educate the millions of Americans who cannot read or write.

The couple has also linked with rapper Queen Pen to visit students in Harlem, New York and adolescents in the Institute for Inner Development (IID) and Faith in Reentry program at Rikers Island.

The outing is part of the Epps’ new foundation’s attempt to promote reading and literacy, as there are over 42 million Americans who cannot read, write or do simple math, according to statistics.

“We decided to start the foundation because we know a lot of kids could be great adults, if they had the proper support as children. Last year, NBC reported that nearly 1.2 million teens hit the street every year unable to read or write.”

The goal is to improve the vocabulary and grammar of the adolescents, while encouraging them to express themselves through the written word.

“For the last 14 years or so I’ve been working with at risk adolescents and I can not stress enough how much preventative measurements work with these children. What Mike and Michelle are doing is not only necessary, but also brave. Our children deserve a  chance. It’s easier to build a child…Then to repair an adult,” Queen Pen said.

The Epps and Queen Pen are planning to hit several other major cities throughout the country, including Epps’ hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mike Epps has appeared in a variety of movies that have resonated with the Hip-Hop audience, including Next Friday, Roll Bounce, The Hangover and Janky Promoters.

He has also hosted the BET Hip-Hop Awards the past two years in a row.E

In related news, Mike Epps will perform at WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, tonight (February 25th).

http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2011/02/25/22593000.aspx

The husband and wife team have launched the Michael and Mechelle Epps Foundation to help educate the millions of Americans who cannot read or write.

According to statistics, there are more than 42 million Americans who can not read, write or do simple math. The duo have teamed up at the right time to make a change.

“We decided to start the foundation because we know a lot of kids could be great adults, if they had the proper support as children,” Epps told All Hip Hop in a statement. “Last year, NBC reported that nearly 1.2 million teens hit the street every year unable to read or write.”

To help promote their foundation’s initiative, the couple linked with rapper Queen Pen to visit students in Harlem, New York and adolescents in the Institute for Inner Development at Rikers Island. The team is planning to hit up other major cities to spread the word,including Epps’ hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mike Epps is hilarious and it’s great to see him become serious about something that is very important in the world!

Full article:

http://gossippond.com/latest-news/mike-epps-and-wife-michelle-launch-foundation-to-help-educate-illiterate-youth/

*New York, NY — In the face of the staggering number of 42 million Americans who cannot read, write or perform simple math, and nearly 1 million in that number being young people who drop out of school each year–stand-up comedian, actor, and host, Mike Epps and his wife, actress Mechelle Epps, are focusing their efforts on improving the lives of at risk youth through literacy arts.

The Michael and Mechelle Epps Foundation’s Youth Literacy Arts program uses art activities from a specialized curriculum that combines music, theatre, and writing. The goal is to improve grammar, expand vocabulary and encourage the ability to communicate through written word.

A special performance that includes poetry, art and music by the students of P.S./I.S. 76 and The Harlem Children’s Zone was held on Friday, February 25, 2011 from 11:00am -12:30pm for the Epps. Michael and Mechelle spoke to elementary and middle school kids about the importance of education.

“We decided to start the foundation because we know a lot of kids could be great adults, if they had the proper support as children. Last year, NBC reported that nearly 1.2 million teens hit the street every year unable to read or write. And according to CNN, 7,000 high school students drop out every year, that’s one every 26 seconds,” says Mechelle, a mother of two daughters with Mike.

Michael and Mechelle Epps also received a Proclamation from New York Senator John Sampson, Leader of the Democratic Conference at Questan’s Restaurant, 2113 Frederick Douglass Blvd, in Harlem from 1:00pm – 2:30pm.

The couple kicked off their initiative under The Michael and Mechelle Epps Foundation Thursday, February 24, 2011 by teaming up with Lynis Walters, also known as, Grammy Award winning hip hop artist, “Queen Pen,” to visit adolescents in the Institute for Inner Development (IID) and Faith in Reentry program at Rikers Island. Walters has been intimately involved in developing at risk teens and speaking in juvenile prisons, group homes, and inner city schools.

Mike delivered a motivational speech to about 300 youth ages 16-18 in Rikers encouraging them to focus on their talents and their ability to succeed regardless of their current circumstances. He also treated them to a 20-minute comedy show.

“For the last 14 years or so I’ve been working with at-risk adolescents and I can not stress enough how much preventative measurements work with these children. What Mike and Michelle are doing is not only necessary, but also brave. Our children deserve a chance. It’s easier to build a child…Then to repair an adult,” said Queen Pin.

The Rikers visit was followed by a reception on Wall Street to introduce the initiative to New York’s philanthropic community.

The Epps plan to hit several other major cities, with plans to start full development in Indianapolis, IN, Mike Epps’ hometown.

Michael and Mechelle Epps visit children from Harlem Children’s Zone and P.S./I.S. 76

source:
Tonja Styles
tonjastyles@celebritycause.net

Malika Manning
malikamanning@celebritycause.net

Full Article:
http://www.eurweb.com/?p=88558