7th Annual O’Jays Celebration Weekend & Scholarship Fund in Canton, OH August 12-15, 2011

Canton, OH, June 24, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The dream began in Canton, OH and now Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, Sr., and Eric Nolan Grant, known collectively as The O’Jays, return to their hometown of Canton, OH to host the Seventh Annual O’Jays Celebration Weekend & Scholarship Fund, August 12-15, 2011.

The 4-day celebration will kick off on Friday with “The Celebrity Love Train” ride from Canton to the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” in Cleveland for dinner and a show. On Saturday, 10-time NBA champion and Hall Of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, will hold “The O’Jays 3 on 3 Celebrity Basketball Tournament.” Saturday evening will continue with “The O’Jays Benefit Concert” featuring The O’Jays with special guest Patti Labelle and other friends. On Sunday The O’Jays will host “The O'Jays Family Reunion” at Nimisilla Park in Canton, OH which will include a special performance by National Recording Artist Shirley Murdock. Monday at 8:30 am the celebration continues with “The O’Jays Celebrity Golf Tournament” at the Glenmoor Country Club’s Jack Nicklaus designed course with special guest celebrity golfer, comedian Mr. Steve Harvey. Following the golf tournament, at 6:00 pm, the festivities conclude with the presentation of scholarship awards to the 2011 recipients at “The O’Jays Scholarship Banquet” at the Pro Football Hall of Fame with special guest author Rose Rock (mother of comedian/actor Chris Rock).

Earvin “Magic” Johnson is one of the most celebrated NBA stars in the history of the league. With 5 NBA championships and induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, not to mention numerous MVP selections, ALL STAR appearances and a gold metal as a member of the 1992 Olympics USA Basketball “Dream Team.” Magic Johnson continues to make his mark in this world off the court as a business man and humanitarian. In 1991, with his motto being “we are the communities we serve,” Mr. Johnson founded Magic Johnson Enterprises and Magic Johnson Foundation. MJ Enterprises focuses on businesses in the community, providing the knowledge and tools to empower them to be successful. The MJ Foundation works to develop programs and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. As a 501©3 nonprofit public charity MJ Foundation has had a major impact across America over the past 20 years providing education, outreach programs, financial assistance and many other services in the minority communities.

The O’Jay’s successful career spans over 50 years with 10 gold, nine platinum albums and a Rock and Roll and Grammy Hall of Fame induction to their credit. They are one of the most vital and beloved R&B vocal groups of all time. Now in their 50th year making music, The O’Jays have released over 25 albums, their hit song, "For the Love of Money" is the theme song for the popular Apprentice Show with Donald Trump. In 2009, The O’Jays were awarded the BET 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2011they were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 19th Annual Trumpet Awards. Presently The O’Jays continue to tour and perform before sold out audiences around the world. And it all started right in Canton, OH.

The O’Jays Scholarship Foundation was established in 2006 when Eddie Levert and Walter Williams of The O’Jays realized that they could make an impact on Canton/Stark County students by providing financial support to further educational pursuits. 2011 marks the seventh year since the inception of the scholarship fund which has raised over $600,000 with support of such contributors as The Timken Company, Aultman Hospital, Mercy Medical Center, Joy 1520 AM, A.B.L.E. Inc., Outback Steakhouse, Fifth Third Bank, The Timken Foundation, Steve and Sondra Perry, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Canton Negro Oldtimers Association. Each year Stark County residents – both traditional (high school seniors) and non-traditional (local community college attendees) students have received scholarship of $2,000 each.

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