NBPA Press Release (June 12, 2012)

June 12, 2012

*** MEDIA ADVISORY***

11-YEAR NBA VETERAN AND AUTHOR ETAN THOMAS HOSTS CELEBRITY PANEL ON FATHERHOOD THIS WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY


Panelists Include NBA Legends Earl Monroe, John Starks and John Wallace
 
New York, NY – In light of Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, 11-year NBA veteran and father of three Etan Thomas will be hosting two celebrity panels on the topic of fatherhood featuring a number of high-profile dads who are sports, entertainment and media personalities, as well as poets, executives and more. The panels, taking place this Wednesday, June 13 and Friday, June 15, in Manhattan and Brooklyn, respectively, are open to the public. *Details below.


Thomas, a leading participant in President Obama’s Fatherhood Initiative, recently released his latest book, the critically acclaimed Fatherhood. , Etan has donated much of his time reaching out to young men (many of whom are fathers) in the juvenile detention system and in various local communities.


“As a father of three, I know firsthand the difference having a father in your life every day can make.  As a leading participant on President Obama’s Fatherhood Initiative and the author of the book Fatherhood, my goal is to continue the discussion about fatherhood and its importance to our children and community.”
*PANEL DETAILS
PANEL 1: MANHATTAN
Wednesday, June 13th – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Crenshaw Christian Center East (corner of 96th St. and Central Park West)
 
Opening Poets:
Messiah Ramkissoon (3-time Apollo Champion)
Julian Thomas (actor, poet)
J. Ivy (award-winning poet)
 
Panelists:
Abiodun Oyewole (The Last Poets)
Billy Hunter (Executive Director, National Basketball Players Association)
Tito Puente Jr. (entertainer and son of Tito Puente)
Jorge Andreas (ESPN)
Malcolm Shabazz (grandson of Malcolm X)

PANEL 2: BROOKLYN
Friday, June 15th – 7p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hope Christian Center (369 New Lots Ave., Brooklyn)
 
Opening Poets:
Quadir Lateef (appeared on national TV)
Julian Thomas
J. Ivy
 
Panelists:
Earl Monroe (NBA Legend)
John Starks (NBA Legend)
John Wallace (NBA Legend)
Billy Hunter
Pastor Tyrone Stevenson (Hope Christian Center)
 
Dave Cummings: 862-202-3554 / dcummings@dekmedia.com
 

###