FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Queen Mother Falaka Fattah

falakafattah@aol.com

(215) 473-5893 THE HOUSE OF UMOJA Presents the First Annual BROTHERHOOD AWARDS Event HOUSE OF UMOJA WILL HONOR SEVEN NOTABLE MEN
Philadelphia, PA (August 13, 2012). In celebration of its 44th anniversary and to kick-off a two year capital campaign, the House of Umoja (HOU) will host its first annual Brotherhood Awards: A Tribute to Seven Men who have been dedicated supporters of the organization and notable social change agents and successful professionals. Men who have impacted the city of Philadelphia in a positive manner. The awards will be presented during a cocktail reception that will be held at the National Museum of Jewish History on Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. The men who were chosen as the inaugural Brotherhood Awards recipients are: Jeff Brown, President and CEO, BROWNS SUPERSTORES; David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation; Kenneth Gamble, Chairman, Universal Companies; Mr. Willie F. Johnson, Founder and Chairman, PRWT Services, Inc.; Dr. Walter Lomax, The Lomax Family Foundation; Mr. Larry Robbins, Robins Book Store; and Mr. Stephen C. Satell, Journalist The intent of Brotherhood Awards is to honor the past and present collaborations between the African American and Jewish communities, which was at its zenith during the civil rights movement of the 50s, 60s and 70s. The House of Umoja founder, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, feels, that the support received from the Jewish community to help gain equal rights and justice for minorities was consistent and strong and should serve as a template for the continuing social struggles of the 21st century. With its motto, FORGING NEW FRONTIER as its continuing mission, the House of Umoja is excited about this opportunity to honor this first group of seven men, who even though they have achieved much professional success have maintain a commitment to social justice, also. About the House of Umoja Founded in September of 1968, the House of Umoja (HOU) was officially organized in 1970 as a youth development agency. At that time gang warfare was a horrendous problem in Philadelphia. When Falaka Fattah and her husband David discovered that one of her six sons had joined a gang, they took a bold step and invited the gang members to become part of their family. The Fattahs realized that many of these youth had limited family support and little or no family values. For many the gang was their only family. The Fattahs promised to keep them fed, clothed and out of jail thus the Fattah home became the House of Umoja Boys Town. During its 44-year history, the House of Umoja has been a leading force in the reduction of gang deaths in the city of Philadelphia. Its success has been widely documented by law enforcement agencies, academia, and the news media.