» NYTimes.com

» www.geffen.com

THE COMMON GROUND FOUNDATION PRESENTS “COMMON & FRIENDS”

Performances by Common, Will i Am, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Bilal, Marsha of Floetry and more to come!!!

Concert benefits Common's charitable foundation, The Common Ground Foundation.

» www.hob.com

» phobos.apple.com

This year MTV is letting the fans decide who the nominees are for the VMA’s! Voting opens today for the Best Hip-Hop and Pop Video categories. Make sure to go to vma.mtv.com to vote for Common‘s videos “Drivin' Me Wild” and "I Want You" in the Pop and Hip-Hop categories.  Voting closes Wednesday 7/30 at 11 AM EST.

» www.mtv.com

The Common Ground Foundation was created by Hip Hop legend, actor and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as “Common,” to serve as an inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.

On Tuesday, August 12 at 7:11 p.m., the Chicago White Sox will play the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field. A portion of every ticket purchased on behalf of the organization via the below link will go toward the Common Ground Foundation.

Please see link for ticket information. Tickets must be purchased by July 14th with a Common Ground Foundation flyer; please use attached flyer. For more information about ordering tickets call the White Sox at 312-674-5304.

We look forward to seeing you on the South Side on August 12^th for a night of baseball in support of a tremendous cause!

» www.commongroundfoundation.org

» think.mtv.com

» www.imeem.com

» www.complex.com

» www.timeout.com

The Corner, provides an interactive way for students, ages 13-18, to learn about and discuss relevant reading materials. Our team works with a list of recommended books that convey messages of tolerance, compassion and non-violent expressions of achieving social justice.

Teens are able to follow along with the recommended book of the month, blog with other members about relevant topics and have the opportunity to participate in a live online chat with Common Ground Foundation staff. Celebrity artists will also be interviewed each month and talk about their favorite books and why reading is so important to them. Each year the Foundation will sponsor a national "Common Ground Challenge" for our book club members. Winners will have an opportunity to meet Common and their essay will be posted on The Common Ground Foundation website. The Foundation is also committed to provide a college scholarship as the first prize award. Through exposure and participation in educational endeavors, The Common Ground Foundation creates a positive atmosphere for learning and understanding.

Common has been selected for the American Library Association (ALA) READ Campaign poster.

Please visit http://www.commongroundfoundation.org The Corner Book Club to sign up.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Common Ground Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States.

VISION STATEMENT:

The Common Ground Foundation was created by Hip Hop artist, actor and children’s author Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known as “Common”.

Common’s social-conscience message is the cornerstone of the Foundation’s vision and serves as an inspiration for equality, opportunity and hope among youth in underserved communities. The Foundation is committed to empowering youth in urban neighborhoods and providing life skills needed to achieve their dreams.

Contact: Daphne E. Ortiz/k101 Agency/323.864.9890/daphne@k101agency.com

» www.commongroundfoundation.org

» www.billboard.com

» www.billboard.com

» www.foxsearchlight.com

» www.votehope2008.org

Common has received a nomination for a 2008 NAACP Image Award for the Recording Category of Outstanding Male Artist.  The 39th NAACP Image Awards will air live on Thursday, February 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

This is the third year in a row Common has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

The NAACP Image Awards honors projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts in television, recording, literature and motion pictures. The theme of this year’s show is “Stand Up and Be Counted.” During this crucial election year, the NAACP encourages everyone to be socially conscious and take a stand on critical human and civil rights issues.

Additionally, in recognition that today’s environmental crisis will become tomorrow’s civil rights issues, this year the NAACP is incorporating eco-friendly initiatives to reduce the Image Award’s carbon footprint and reduce the ceremonies impact on the world’s climate.

Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

Nicole Gonzales /FOX 310-369-0827
Jennifer Price/The Lippin Group 323-965-1990.

The multi-talented Common desires to make a difference in the lives of others, especially youth.  One of his most joyful accomplishments is the three books he has written inspired by his daughter, one of which, “I Like You, But I Love Me,” was recently nominated for a NAACP Image Award. His first book, “The Mirror and Me,” teaches lessons of life, the human spirit and human nature and his third book, “M.E. (Mixed Emotions),” is due for release later this year.  He also started the Common Ground Foundation, an organization dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in the United States through education. Additionally, its support and focus on AIDS/HIV prevention programs targeted toward youth and young adults reach beyond our national borders and serve communities throughout Africa.  His most recent album Finding Forever won the BET Hip-Hop Award for CD of the Year. Look for him on the silver screen in Wanted with Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman this spring.