Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Teams with UNCF Establishing New Mentoring Service Scholarship Awards

Scholarship Named for Actor, Author and Big Brother, Hill Harper
PHILADELPHIA--(Business Wire)--
A new Big Brothers Big Sisters of America scholarship administered by UNCF-the
United Negro College Fund-aims to encourage students to commit to service
through mentoring. The Hill Harper Mentoring Scholarship is named for actor,
best selling author, mentoring advocate and longtime Big Brother, Hill Harper, a
Harvard Law School classmate of President Barack Obama.

"I am honored to have a scholarship that represents so much that I believe in
named for me. This comes at a time when President Obama is urging Americans to
serve and First Lady Michelle Obama is asking us to consider making that service
mentoring at-risk children," Harper said. "Children served by Big Brothers Big
Sisters are among America`s most vulnerable - kids who live in poverty or
single-parent homes or households where a parent is incarcerated. Research finds
having a Big Brother or Big Sister increases a child`s chances of succeeding in
school and staying away from negative influences."

Scholarship funding will come from 10% of the sales of Freemind Ventures` The
Black List Vol. 1, which premiered on HBO in August 2008 to a wave of excitement
and critical acclaim. The Black List Vol. 1, featuring profiles of African
American leaders from P. Diddy to Colin Powell and Serena Williams, enhances the
understanding of each subject to really become a transformative piece. The Black
List Vol. 2 will feature T.D. Jakes, Tyler Perry, Suzanne DePasse and others
premiering on HBO February 26, 2009.

The Hill Harper Mentoring Scholarship criteria will be based on unmet financial
need and will be awarded exclusively to college bound seniors who are "Bigs" or
"Littles" in the Big Brothers Big Sisters` program. The Black List series is
currently available on DVD exclusively at Target and Target.com, as well as
promoted through viral marketing communications.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

Headquartered in Philadelphia and with nearly 400 agencies across the country,
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than a quarter million children. Big
Brothers Big Sisters helps vulnerable children beat the odds. The organization
depends on donations to help recruit volunteers and reach more children. Funding
is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety; and
provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and
sustain long-lasting relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to
increase children`s odds of succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently,
avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking negative cycles. Learn how you can
change how children grow up in America by going to BigBrothersBigSisters.org.

About UNCF

UNCF-the United Negro College Fund-is the nation`s largest and most effective
minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation,
UNCF supports students` education and development through scholarships and other
programs, strengthens its 39 member colleges and universities, and advocates for
the importance of minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically
black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of
African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs,
including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment,
and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than
60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. Its
logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely
recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at
www.UNCF.org.

Freemind Ventures

Freemind Ventures is a ground-breaking pro-social media production house that
creates and markets enlightening educational entertainment content and products
derived from and furthering the single truth that everyone has a story, a
defining moment, a narrative that illuminates our unique connection and
importance to our fellow man. The Black List series, detailing the African
American experience, is the first installment of influencers aimed at
"Transforming Diversity into Unity." Inspiring stories focusing on Hispanics,
Women, Faith, Sports, Patriotism with more to follow.

For more information please visit: www.blacklistproject.com

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Kelly Williams, 215-665-7795
Kelly.Williams@bbbs.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009