ABC
Family's “ Lincoln Heights” Joins Forces
with Boys & Girls Clubs of America
to Inspire Social Activism in Communities
Across the Country
The Campaign will be Integrated Across All
Network Platforms,
including On-Air through Series Storyline and PSAs, as
well as on ABCFamily.com
Network’s Hit Series Will Return with 10 New Episodes
This Summer
Burbank, CA (April 7, 2009) – ABC Family’s critically
acclaimed and NAACP Image Award-winning drama “Lincoln Heights” will partner
with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on a new social campaign, ABC Family
president Paul Lee announced today. The campaign will be integrated across
all network platforms, including on-air through a series storyline and
public service announcements, as well as on
ABCFamily.com. The series, the only African-American family drama
on television (broadcast or cable), begins its 4th season on Tuesday, August
4, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT with 10 all-new episodes.
“We’re so excited to be partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America on
this important social initiative,” said Lee. “We know that our Millennial
audience has an inherent sense of hope and community, so to be able to
spread the message about the importance of giving back through an ongoing
Boys & Girls Clubs storyline on ‘Lincoln Heights’ was a natural fit for us.”
“We are grateful to ABC Family for this opportunity to increase
awareness for Boys & Girls Clubs through the award-winning show Lincoln
Heights,” said BGCA President/CEO Roxanne Spillett. “The show's focus on the
importance of 'giving back' is critically important to our Clubs given the
current difficult economic environment, when the programs and activities
offered are needed more than ever.”
Boys & Girls Clubs will be seamlessly weaved into this season’s “Lincoln
Heights” storyline, as the Sutton’s teen daughter, Lizzie, volunteers with
the organization. The network will also support the partnership with a
series of on-air public service announcements featuring “Lincoln Heights”
cast members inspiring viewers to become more active within their own
community, a central message echoed within the series. There will also be an
online component at
ABCFamily.com.
The initiative launched on April 4 in Atlanta as series
star Erica Hubbard, who portrays fan favorite Cassie, participated in the
42nd Annual National Keystone Conference attended by over 1,400 teens from
across the country. Erica spoke about leadership and pursuing her dreams,
inspiring other young people to greatness. Various cast members will also
attend upcoming events for the organization.
“Lincoln Heights” follows the lives of the Sutton family led by Eddie, an
ambitious police officer, who moved his wife and three kids to the
inner-city neighborhood where he was raised, with hopes of cleaning it up
and making a difference. “Lincoln Heights” stars Russell Hornsby as Eddie
Sutton, Nicki Micheaux as Jenn Sutton, Erica Hubbard as Cassie Sutton,
Mishon Ratliff as Tay Sutton, Rhyon Brown as Lizzie Sutton and Robert
Adamson as Charles. Kathleen McGhee-Anderson (“Soul Food”) serves as
Executive Producer. “Lincoln Heights” is produced by ABC Family/Disney.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has
helped kids “BE GREAT,” providing hope and opportunity for those who need it
most. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.8 million young people
through Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place
for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S.
military bases worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with
guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained,
professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people
reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. Key programs
emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration;
community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life
skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a
recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their
lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
About ABC Family
Part of the Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over
95 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's
families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories
about today's relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion,
humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a mix of network defining
original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster
theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events
with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas!" ABC Family. A New
Kind of Family.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jan Still-Lindeman, BGCA, 404-487-5739,
jslindemann@bgca.org
Jennifer Verti, ABC FAMILY, (818) 973-2164,
jennifer.verti@disney.com
For More Information on ABC Family, go to
www.abcfamilymedianet.com.
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