DaimlerChrysler Showcases Aspiring Philadelphia Poets and Writers

Auburn Hills, Mich. -- What's a global automotive company doing calling for aspiring poets and writers in Philadelphia?

Showcasing the local talent and expanding its successful promotion of the fine art of poetry across the U.S. through DaimlerChrysler's "Spirit in the Words" poetry program.

Aspiring Philadelphia poets and writers are invited to participate in a poetry program on Thursday, May 27th from 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. at the Brasserie Perrier, 1619 Walnut Street.

The theme of the event is "Moving People Through Poetry."

"It's programs like this that foster a renaissance in written and spoken art," said W. Frank Fountain, DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. "We're committed to the support of the arts and share in the hopes and dreams of many people who enjoy the art of the spoken word."

According to the National Endowment of the Arts, 24 million people in the U.S. write creatively for their own fulfilment. Of those, 2.3 million reported having published their work.

Nearly 300 U.S. universities have established graduate poetry programs since the mid-1970s and the best ones are overflowing, according to the Seattle Times.

DaimlerChrysler has published and distributed over 10,000 copies of "The Spirit in the Words" poetry book that includes the works of more than 50 aspiring U.S. poets and writers. The company published the first edition in 1997 with "The Spirit in the Words: A collection of African-American poems." It also honored Detroit's poet laureate Dudley Randall with a $20,000 endowment at Wayne State University.

DaimlerChrysler's poetry program was started in 1994 in Detroit, Mich. during February Black History Month with 47 journalists-poets and has grown to over 200 participants that include DaimlerChrysler senior management, poets and city officials.

In 1998, "Spirit in the Words" poetry events were held in Detroit and Atlanta, Ga. during the National Black Arts Festival, which brought together over 400 artists who specialize in theatre, dance, music, literature, and visual art.

"DaimlerChrysler made a commitment to not only the arts but also literacy because the appreciation of art and reading is a part of our daily ritual," said Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati, President of The Literary, a Philadelphia-based

Public Relations agency and local coordinator of the May 27 event. "I'm impressed with the company's efforts to provide an artistic avenue of expression for aspiring poets and writers. Art speaks to the soul and spirit in all of us."

Aspiring Philadelphia poets and writers who would like to read their original poetry during the program and have their poetry considered for publication in book three of "The Spirit in the Words" should submit a one-paragraph biography and no more than three original one-page poems to Alan Miller at DaimlerChrysler at: aem@daimlerchrysler.com or fax (248) 512-3002. Because of limited space at the Brasserie Perrier, the deadline is Monday, May 24.

Aspiring poets and writers should contact Alan Miller at (248) 512-2668 or RSVP to Ms. Sgambati at (215) 878-BOOK.

The best culturally dressed poet will receive a week in a Chrysler 300M along with dinner for two. The most dramatic poetic delivery during open mike will receive all expense travel to Seattle, Wash. in July to present their poetry at Unity'99: a journalist of color convention that includes nearly 6,000 members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). DaimlerChrysler is a major sponsor of Unity'99.

Philadelphia is the first stop of the five-city tour that includes Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.