Operation HOPE Launches FIVE MILLION KIDS (5MK)

Celebrities and community leaders kick off financial literacy education
initiative to keep five million kids from dropping out of school

LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
Financial literacy and empowerment nonprofit, Operation HOPE (HOPE) launched a
national campaign to reduce the high school drop-out epidemic and create a
holistic way of thinking about education. FIVE MILLION KIDS (5MK) National
Co-chairs, music icon Quincy Jones and Ambassador Andrew Young, Digital Chair
Quincy (QD3) Jones III, 5MK Celebrity Ambassadors actor/singer Tyrese Gibson,
and actor director Robert Davi, and social commentator Jeff Johnson, along with
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines, California
State Superintendent Jack O'Connell, and other community leaders and business
decision makers joined HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant, for a
kick-off event at Bret Harte Preparatory Middle School on September 29, bringing
attention to the value of learning.

"Statistics show that one child in America is dropping out of school every 26
seconds. HOPE believes the drop out epidemic is ultimately a huge drag on the
American economy. It is critically important that we change the cultural tide
and Make Smart Cool and Sexy," said Bryant. "At the core of the 5MK is a
national campaign to re-brand education in the minds and hearts of young people.
The 5MK initiative will teach five million kids, their parents and teachers how
to get rich legally through financial literacy, the language of money, free
enterprise capitalism, and ownership."

The morning started as some 1,200 students and 200+ leaders and luminaries filed
into the school auditorium wearing 5MK t-shirts and wristbands, anxious to learn
how they could benefit from the program. The day`s activities included four
unique activities with celebrities, government leaders, and education officials
to engage in and discuss the program. During the rally, students and invited
guests were treated to an address by Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, Vice Admiral
David Brewer, and Dr. Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray, emceed by K-DAY Radio
Personality Devi Dev, and hosted by event sponsors Pacific Western Bank and
Comerica Bank, the kick off received rousing cheers from the audience.

During the lunch hour, a Fireside Chat was hosted by co-chair Andrew Young.
Panelists from the nation`s second largest school district, Los Angeles Unified
School District (LAUSD) Supt. Ramon Cortines, Supt. of Instruction, Jack
O`Connell, and America`s Promise executive, Elaine Leibsohn dialogued about
education and the impact that high school drop outs have on the economy.

Guests were invited to observe four focal classroom sessions. Featured were:
iHOPE, Dignity, BOOF.org, AIMP learning, or a standard youth financial literacy
Banking on Our Future session. To close out the day`s activities, entertainment
legend Quincy Jones, Robert Davi, QD3, and Tyrese were on stage as John Bryant
debuted the Banking on Our Future: Celebrity edition, Quincy Jones` curriculum,
as the first of many slated to be produced.

Additionally, QD3 talked to the students about digital empowerment and profit
through iHOPE. Designed by Tech2000, the program prepares kids to become
certified Apple programmers with the ability to sell their applications through
Apple`s web store. iHOPE is a critical part of 5MK goal to inspire
entrepreneurship. Closing out the event was hip-hop sensation Boog & Fizz.

Through 5MK, the organization`s five year plan intends to:

* launch a 5% Movement, working to get the percentage of role models in our
urban communities up to 5% or higher by placing a minimum of 25,000 volunteers
in the classroom.
* partner with community based organizations and financial institutions to open
Starter Savings Accounts for the youth.
* secure $50 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) for parents, teachers
and adults.
* open 50,000 new bank accounts for the unbanked and under-banked using the
proceeds of their EITC benefits.
* produce 5,000 iHOPE Program graduates
* recruit 5,000 grassroots leaders

Wells Fargo Bank was the signature sponsor for the afternoon Fireside Chat.
Other program supporters include Bank Leumi, Tech 2000, America`s Promise
Alliance, National Education Association, National Alliance of Black School
Educators, LAUSD, Toyota, Premiere Radio Networks, the Associated Independent
Music Producers and Brianne Pins of The Pins Group Communications.

The launch is just the beginning; afterwards HOPE will continue to work with
LAUSD to fulfill their pledge to Bret Harte and partners to attack this issue
and, ultimately, to have a positive effect on the high school dropout rate
nationwide. In the next five years the program will launch nationwide and be
implemented in cities throughout the U.S. To keep up to date on the progress,
visit us again at www.5MK.org.

Images from the event can be accessed through this link.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Operation HOPE is America's leading nonprofit social investment banking and
financial literacy empowerment organization. With more than 400 private sector
partners, 1500 nonprofit organizations and schools, and 100 government partners
in 68 major U.S. cities as well as South Africa, HOPE has raised more than $500
million in its pursuit of educating, assisting and inspiring the next generation
of global stakeholders. Through international initiatives and its three
principal programs, Banking on Our Future (teaching school children about
money), HOPE Coalition America (Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline, 1-888-388-HOPE,
financial emergency preparedness and disaster relief), and Walk-In HOPE Centers
(loans, bill pay, computer literacy, understanding banking principles),
Operation HOPE has delivered services to more than one million low-wealth
individuals and assumed the responsibility of piloting the Silver Rights
Movement towards making free enterprise and capitalism relevant to all
underserved communities. To learn more about HOPE, visit www.operationhope.org
or read our blog at www.operationhope.org/blog.

About FIVE MILLION KIDS (5MK)

FIVE MILLION KIDS (5MK) is Operation HOPE`s national "silver rights" initiative
to break the cycle of the high school dropout epidemic by rebranding education
in a "Making Smart Cool and Sexy" campaign. The project centers on giving
students feasible options for financial independence through entrepreneurship
training; providing accessible role models as a catalyst to making school
relevant to students; and offering HOPE`s financial literacy portfolios as a
commitment to financial empowerment for parents and educators. In 5 years 5MK
expects to reach, teach and touch 5 million students, their parents and teachers
about how to get rich legally through financial literacy; the language of money,
free enterprise capitalism, and the dignity of ownership. Visit www.5MK.org for
more information.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6065047&lang=en

Operation HOPE
Sherry John, 213-891-2908
sherry.john@operationhope.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009