Grammy Award Winning Artist Common Launches Common Ground Foundation to Help Urban Youth

Grammy Award Winning Artist Common Launches Common Ground Foundation to Help Urban Youth

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy winning artist, actor and children's author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as "Common", has announced the launch of The Common Ground Foundation, Inc. The foundation will be overseen by Executive Director Jodie Blum, and is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth through education.

Common, whose socially conscious music serves as inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities, states, "I always believed that if we started with the youth then we would be planting the seeds for our future to blossom."

Additionally, The Common Ground Foundation supports and focuses on AIDS/HIV prevention programs targeted towards youth and young adults, reaching beyond our national borders to serve communities throughout Africa.

About Common:

The Grammy Award winning artist just released his critically acclaimed seventh album FINDING FOREVER, which debut at #1 on Billboard 200 Album Chart. Additionally, he made his acting debut earlier in the year co-starring opposite Jeremy Piven, Ben Affleck, and Ryan Reynolds in "SMOKIN' ACES" for Universal Pictures. In November 2007, he'll co-star opposite Denzel Washington in "AMERICAN GANGSTER", Directed by Ridley Scott. He recently wrapped filming on "WANTED" with co-stars Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie and David Ayer's "THE NIGHT WATCHMAN" starring Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker.

Additionally, Common has written children's books. The first one, entitled The MIRROR and ME, teaches lessons of life, the human spirit, and human nature. His follow-up book, I Like You But I Love Me, was recently nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and his third book, M.E. (Mixed Emotions), will be out later this year.

About Jodie Blum:

Executive Director Jodie Blum will direct the Foundation's national and global programs. Blum joins the team with over 12 years of experience and leadership in the event production industry, specializing in non-profit consulting and fundraising. Her clients included world leaders, celebrities and professional athletes that supported programs focusing on disadvantaged youth, education, social justice, health issues and environmental conservation. She operates the Common Ground Foundation in San Francisco, CA.

For further information on The Common Ground Foundation please visit http://www.commongroundfoundation.org/.

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Source: The Common Ground Foundation, Inc.

CONTACT: Jodie Blum, Executive Director of Common Ground Foundation,
+1-415-571-8975, fax, +1-415-738-5434, jodie@commongroundfoundation.org

Web site: http://www.commongroundfoundation.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment