DirectTV Black History Event

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: In celebration of Black History Month, DIRECTV, along with BET/CENTRIC Networks and the Partnership for L.A. Schools, will host Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as he addresses students at a special assembly at Santee High School in Los Angeles today. Jazz icon and 14-time Grammy Award winner, Herbie Hancock, will also perform at this once-in-a-lifetime event. In addition, the program will feature Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as a guest speaker, as well as a performance by the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir.

The 75-minute program will be filmed at Santee High School, which is part of the Partnership for L.A. Schools program started by Mayor Villaraigosa, and will be offered as a special broadcast this spring to the 7,500 schools nationwide that receive complimentary educational programming through the DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL program. For information on specific airdates and times please visit www.directvgoestoschool.com.

We are thrilled and honored that Archbishop Desmond Tutu is participating in our Black History Month celebration and sharing his vision of how young Americans can help shape our future leadership, said Mike White, chairman, president and CEO of DIRECTV. This is an invaluable opportunity for students to hear such an important historical figure speak, as well as experience a live performance by music legend Herbie Hancock, and we are proud to be a part of it.

CENTRIC is excited to be partnering with DIRECTV on such an innovative program that marries both music and education and brings it to the classroom, said Paxton Baker, executive vice president and general manager of CENTRIC. BET Networks is committed to advancing our community through educational initiatives, particularly those that infuse African-American culture in the arts with the world around us.

“Black History Month isn’t just about learning from the past,”said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa,”It’s about looking to the future and understanding that no matter one’s race, ethnicity, religion or background, we all have the opportunity to shape the world we live in through the volume of our voices and the power of our actions. I am honored to share the stage with Archbishop Tutu  a true hero of mine  as well as with the legendary Herbie Hancock and the talented students of the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir. Hundreds of students from Crenshaw and Santee High Schools will be able to enjoy today’s assembly, and thanks to the generous leadership of DIRECTV, the special event will reach thousands more.”