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Seagram's Pursuit of Excellence

Daytime TV

Published: February 24, 2009

Seagram's is celebrating Black History Month and African American male achievement with the Seagram's Pursuit of Excellence program. The program is designed to address rising unemployment among Black men in Tampa by providing tangible opportunities and building the skills they need to attain gainful employment.

In the wake of an historic Presidential election and at a time when the nation observes the achievements and contributions of African Americans during Black History Month, the most significant economic and financial crisis in U.S. history continues to affect communities across the country. With the unemployment rate for African American males peaking at 14.8 percent in Tampa, many are seeking opportunities and encouragement to face the days ahead. To address the rising and disparate unemployment rates among African American men in particular, Seagram's is bringing its landmark job training and mentoring program, The Pursuit of Excellence Institute™, to include Tampa along with Atlanta, Chicago and Columbia, South Carolina.

The 2009 Seagram's Pursuit of Excellence Institute will commence this February in observance of Black History Month with grants totaling $100,000 to leading civic organizations across the country. The focal point of the program is a rigorous, four-week training session funded by Seagram's Gin and administered by the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa (CDC of Tampa). This year's program will run from Monday, January 26 through Friday, February 20, 2009, culminating with a special graduation reception on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 with noted local celebrities and civic luminaries in attendance.

Originally introduced in 2008 by the Seagram's family of brands in Atlanta and Chicago in conjunction with the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) and the Chicago Urban League (CUL), The Pursuit of Excellence Institute is designed to provide tangible opportunities to promising individuals. The program also supports the efforts of social service organizations that work tirelessly to uplift and empower underserved communities. In 2008, the program provided grants to the AWDA and CUL; successfully training 20 men aged 25-32 and placing 99% of them into the workplace – leading to the expansion of the program in 2009.

In Tampa, the program will pair participants with successful and inspiring individuals for one-on-one mentoring and guidance. In addition to completing weekly take-home assignments, participants will attend multiple training sessions including computer training, interview skill workshops, self-esteem building exercises, technical training classes, and dress-for-success and financial empowerment strategies. Each participant will receive a $500 stipend, laptop, briefcase with weekly lesson plans and supplies, as well as a suit of clothing. One outstanding participant from each city will receive a $2,500 fellowship prize.

Candidates for the program were selected on the basis of a rigorous application and pre-screening process, including a "boardroom-style" interview with noted figures from the worlds of finance, social service, media, sports, entertainment and design. This year, Seagram's has galvanized the support of major distributor Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., who have offered potential full-time employment opportunities for program graduates. "The Pursuit of Excellence program is a natural extension of the Seagram's brand's long-standing commitment to community-focused initiatives, ranging from adult education, housing development, urban voter registration and anti-hunger campaigns," says Bill Cherrie, Vice President, Multicultural Marketing for Pernod Ricard USA, parent company of Seagram's. "In supporting and expanding this program, our goal is to continue to shine a spotlight on a critical issue while reaffirming our commitment to the communities we serve with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. In this manner, we hope to continue to help guide individuals towards their own paths to excellence."

About the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa

The Corporation to Develop Communities (CDC) of Tampa, Inc. creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to job training and placement, affordable housing, and youth programs. The CDC, incorporated in 1992, for the purpose of alleviating poverty and physical deterioration in Hillsborough County's East Tampa Community. CDC of Tampa is a member of the NeighborWorks® network, consisting of 240 private nonprofit affiliates that work in nearly 4,500 urban, rural and suburban communities nationwide.

For more information please call, The Corporation to Develop Communities: 813-231-4362.

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