BET Networks Hosts Two Powerful Panel Discussions at Clark Atlanta University in Support of the 2008 'BET HIP HOP AWARDS' on Saturday, October 18

BET Networks Hosts Two Powerful Panel Discussions at Clark Atlanta University in Support of the 2008 'BET HIP HOP AWARDS' on Saturday, October 18

On Friday, October 17, a Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Panel Discussion on Financial Empowerment Features Panelists Russell Simmons, Ludacris, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, 106 & PARK's Terrence and Rocsi, and Others, Urging People to "Get Your Money Right!"

Hosted by MC Lyte and Moderated by Michaela angela Davis, Town Hall Event "Fly Girls Vote: Hip Hop Women for Change" on Saturday, October 18 Explores the Legacy and Future Women of Color Hold in American Politics

The "BET HIP HOP AWARDS" Premieres Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 P.M.*

NEW YORK, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks today announced it will be hosting two powerful panel discussions at Clark Atlanta University on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18 during the BET HIP HOP AWARDS weekend in Atlanta.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

In the midst of the current crisis in the American economy, BET Networks will be partnering with the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Enterprise Rent-A-Car to deliver crucial information to young people about how to manage their finances in this volatile market, and the best way to get out of debt and keep themselves out of debt, with the "Get Your Money Right" Summit on Financial Empowerment. This grassroots effort helps to engage young people in discussions about the importance of personal finance and will feature an interactive panel discussion on financial literacy, including such topics as the basics of banking, repairing and understanding credit scores, asset and wealth management, vehicle financing and home ownership. The discussion will take place at Clark Atlanta University on Friday, October 17 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., and panelists will include Russell Simmons, Ludacris, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, 106 & PARK's Terrence and Rocsi, Fat Joe, Yung Berg, Brian Michael-Cox, Monica, Gorilla Zoe and DJ Drama.

In addition to the financial literacy summit, BET Networks will also be hosting a town hall discussion called "Fly Girls Vote: Hip Hop Women for Change" at Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, October 18 from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. From Sojourner Truth to Sista Soulja, Harriet Tubman to Shirley Chisholm, and now to Michelle Obama, women of color have had an illustrious legacy in American politics, and not since the civil rights movement has it been so critical for black people and people of all colors to get involved in the political process.

The dynamic "Fly Girls Vote" town hall will speak directly to the women of the hip-hop generation and feature a diverse group of panelists, special performances by Black Kold Medina (Trouble the Water), graffiti-style art and a lively Q&A discussion. The panel will be hosted by hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte and moderated by cultural critic and journalist Michaela angela Davis, and panelists include Tricia Rose, professor of Africana Studies at Brown University, activist Moya Bailey, and more. The "Fly Girls Vote" program will also feature a clip from the award-winning documentary Chisholm 72: Unbought & Unbossed, followed by a Q&A discussion with director Shola Lynch and moderated by noted journalist Lola Ogunnaike.

"We're so excited to bring the BET HIP HOP AWARDS back to Atlanta for the third year in a row, and we couldn't be more thrilled about partnering with these organizations for these timely and important panel discussions about financial literacy and the role women of color play in politics," said Debra L. Lee, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks. "BET Networks has always had a strong commitment to educating and empowering our audience, and these two forums will provide our audience with a unique and engaging opportunity to discuss and learn about two of the most critical issues of today."

ABOUT THE 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS

This October, BET Networks returns to Atlanta for the annual BET HIP HOP AWARDS. Leading the pack of nominees is Lil' Wayne with an astounding 12 nominations, followed by Kanye West with eight nods and Jay-Z with six nods. In addition, BET Networks will honor Russell Simmons with the "I AM HIP HOP" Icon Award, which is presented to an individual who, during his or her lifetime, has made notable contributions of outstanding significance to the hip hop community. Hosted by the one and only Katt Williams, this year's BET HIP HOP AWARDS will be the preeminent hip hop event of the season. The show will tape on Saturday, October 18 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center and premiere on the network on Thursday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m.*

BET once again teams up with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards(R) and the seven record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS telecast. Stephen G. Hill, BET Executive Vice President, Music and Programming, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, BET Vice President of Specials, are executive producers of the telecast.

For all BET HIP HOP AWARDS information, please visit http://www.bet.com/hiphopawards.

   *All times ET/PT    About BET Networks  

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides ring tones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

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Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: BET HIP HOP AWARDS, Lyntina Townsend, +1-202-608-2745,
lyntina.townsend@bet.net, or Marcy Polanco, +1-212-975-3327,
marcy.polanco@bet.net, or Voncella McIntosh, +1-310-481-3732,
voncella.mcintosh@bet.net, or BET NETWORKS PANEL DISCUSSIONS, Bernadette
Simpao, +1-212-205-3154, bernadette.simpao@bet.net, all for BET Networks; or
HIP HOP SUMMIT ACTION NETWORK, Jody L. Miller, +1-212-431-5227,
jody@jlmpr.com, or Pamela Lipshitz, lip@jlmpr.com, both of JLM PR, Inc. for
BET Networks; or CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, Larry Calhoun, +1-404-880-6040,
LCalhoun@cau.edu

Web site: http://www.bet.com/
http://www.bet.com/hiphopawards

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Profile: International Entertainment