National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter 27th Annual Luncheon To Award $15,000 Plus In Scholarships

National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter 27th Annual Luncheon To Award $15,000 Plus In Scholarships

TV & Film Star Lamman Rucker to Keynote Radio Personality Shirley Strawberry Co-Host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show will Host

ATLANTA, October 27, 2011 – For the 27th year, the National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter (NBMBAA) will present scholarships to high school and college students for outstanding achievements at the organization’s annual scholarship luncheon. Film and TV Star Lamman Rucker best known for roles in Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns” and “Why Did I Get Married” will deliver the keynote address. Shirley Strawberry Co-Host of popular radio show The Steve Harvey Morning Show will serve as host at the event on Friday, November 11, 11:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

"PowerUp Your Education!" is the theme for the program in which more than $15,000 in scholarships will be awarded to high school, undergraduate, MBA and PhD students. In addition, corporate partners will be recognized and the Emory University Goizueta School of Business will be honored as “Education Partner of the Year”.

Since 1982, the NBMBAA's Scholarship Program has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships.

“The NBMBAA, Atlanta Chapter is proud to continue its tradition of supporting deserving students as they aspire to reach their goal for higher education,” said Charmaine Ward, President of the chapter which won chapter of the year in 2010.

“We are so pleased to have Lamman Rucker as our keynote speaker as he has a long history of supporting education and student achievement. We are equally pleased to applaud our corporate partners and Education Partner of the Year for their commitment and support of our efforts. We cannot do it without them,” she added.

Sponsors for the NBMBAA Scholarship Luncheon include: Deloitte, Fifth-Third Bank, Georgia-Pacific, Georgia Power and Wal-Mart

Scholarship Winners

Michael Hollingsworth, MBA UGA

Wayne Nesbitt, PhD, UGA

Carla Armstrong, MBA, Emory

Olatorera Majekodunm MBA, Emory

Katie Walton, MBA CAU

Chris Ortega, Undergrad Morehouse

Darius Green, LOT Lovejoy HS

Enrico Green, LOT Lovejoy HS

Danstavious Zachery, LOT Carver School of Early College

About National Black MBA Association

Established in 1970, the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is a non profit organization of African American MBAs, business professionals, entrepreneurs and MBA students. The Atlanta Chapter, the largest chapter with more than 1,400 members focuses on programming in three areas: Education, Career Advancement and Entrepreneurship. The Chapter is dedicated to establishing partnerships that create intellectual and economic wealth within the African American Community. The Chapter recently hosted the 33rd National Black MBA Conference and Exposition October 4-8 which attracted more than 12,000 attendees. For additional information on the NBMBAA Atlanta Chapter, visit www.atlbmba.org

About Lamman Rucker

Lamman Rucker's major role came in 2002 when he assumed the role of attorney T. Marshall Travers on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns He also portrayed Garret Williams on ABC’s All My Children in 2005. He has starred in Tyler Perry’s productions on House of Payne, the film version of Why Did I Get Married alongside Janet Jackson and Jill Scott, as well as appearing in the film version of Meet The Browns as Vera's adult son, Will. He currently has a starring role on Perry's second sitcom Meet The Browns. Lamman’s commitment to promoting a positive message started while in high school when he was an original member of the groundbreaking youth company - the Washington Area Improvisational Teen Theatre (W.A.I.T.T.), whose primary goal was to promote sexual abstinence to teens and educate young people about their bodies. He continues his mission as an activist and spokesperson for several non-profit organizations and community action initiatives including BET's Rap-It-Up campaign and The Magic Johnson Foundation.

About Shirley Strawberry

Shirley Strawberry is one of the most recognizable voices in radio today. The Chicago native is the co-host of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, one of the biggest nationally syndicated radio shows in the country with nearly than eight million listeners. Shirley can now add author to her title having released her first book in April, “ Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy, giving advice on parenting, relationships and career decisions.

Media Contact: Diane Larche', Larche' Communications LLC, 404 273-3227, diane@larchecommunications.com