The Blackstone Charitable Foundation, Research Triangle Partners to Announce New Initiative Aimed at Fostering High-Growth Companies, Job Creation

Media Advisory

Gov. Perdue, U.S. Sen. Hagan, U.S. Rep. Miller, U.S. Top Technology Chief Among Speakers

Monday, April 25, 11 a.m.

Bay 7, American Tobacco Campus

324 Blackwell St., Durham

Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of The Blackstone Group will join elected officials, higher education and non-profit leaders from North Carolina and the federal government’s top technology officer on Monday (April 25) to announce a new entrepreneurship initiative in the Research Triangle Park region.

Media representatives are invited to cover the announcement starting at 11 a.m. in Bay 7 (Washington Building) of the American Tobacco Campus in Durham.

In addition to Schwarzman, scheduled speakers include N.C. Governor Bev Perdue; U.S. Senator Kay Hagan; U.S. Representative Brad Miller; Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer; Duke University President Richard Brodhead; N.C. Central University Chancellor Charlie Nelms; North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson; and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Holden Thorp.

Availability with speakers:  Reporters can request opportunities for one-on-one interviews with speakers after the event.

Broadcasters: A mult box will be available for audio feeds.

Interested Media RSVP to: Mike McFarland, [email protected], 919-962-8593.

Parking:  TV crews planning live shots may park microwave/satellite trucks in the Carr Street parking lot immediately behind Bay 7. The cable run is about 120 feet from the parking lot into Bay 7. Other media may use the nearby North Parking Deck off Jackson Street.

Driving Directions:  See http://www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com/driving-directions.html

Blackstone Background:  The Blackstone Charitable Foundation was founded at the time of The Blackstone Group’s Initial Public Offering in 2007 with substantial commitments from the firm’s employees. Influenced by the enterprising heritage of the firm and its founders, The Blackstone Charitable Foundation is directing its resources and applying the intellectual capital of the firm to foster entrepreneurship in areas hardest hit by the global economic crisis. Through its investment expertise across several asset classes and geographies, Blackstone has a unique perspective on the global economy and a heightened understanding of how entrepreneurial activity is often the crucial catalyst in the growth of successful businesses, industries and communities.  For more information, see: http://www.blackstone.com/charitablefoundation

Contacts:
Chrissy Pearson
Governor’s Office
(919) 733-5612
[email protected]

Jack Pfeiffer
Senator Hagan’s Office
(202) 224-6342
[email protected]

LuAnn Canipe
Representative Miller’s Office
(202) 225-3032
[email protected]

Christine Anderson
The Blackstone Group
(212) 583-5263
[email protected]

Mike McFarland
UNC
(919) 962-8593
[email protected]
Keith Lawrence
Duke
(919) 681-8059
[email protected]

Keith Nichols
NC State
(919) 515-7159
[email protected]

Myra Wooten
NC Central
(919) 530-7219
[email protected]
Kristi Lee John
Council for Entrepreneurial Development
(919) 270-8054
[email protected]