JAY Z Carnegie Hall Concert Tickets Go on Sale to the Public on Monday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. EST

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In his most intimate performances in years, Shawn "JAY Z" Carter will headline at Carnegie Hall, in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, raising money for United Way of New York City and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation on February 6, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and February 7, 2012 at 9:30 p.m.  Tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. EST.  Concert goers will get a once in a lifetime experience as JAY Z takes the stage at the New York landmark to raise dollars that will help fight poverty, boost on-time graduation rates in underserved New York City schools, and put college within reach for low-income students across the five boroughs.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120126/NY42948 )

Tickets will be available on Monday, January 30 at 11:00 AM EST at www.carnegiehall.org, CarnegieCharge: 212-247-7800, or at Carnegie Hall's Box Office at 57th Street and Seventh Avenue. VIP ticket packages that offer exclusive access to pre- and post-events are also available during the public ticket sale.  For information on sponsorship opportunities or VIP tickets, please contact [email protected]. 

Poverty has the strongest correlation to dropout rates. New York City has the largest income gap in the U.S., and thirty percent of children in New York City live in poverty. Because of statistics like these, coupled with the fact that thirty-nine percent of New York City students who enter high school will not graduate on time, United Way of New York City, The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation and Shawn "JAY Z" Carter are coming together to get children and youth the education they deserve and to put higher education within reach.

ABOUT SHAWN "JAY Z" CARTER

Since 1996, 13-time Grammy award winner, Shawn "JAY Z" Carter has dominated the evolution of hip-hop.  Between multiple businesses and accolades spanning the recording industry to global investment leaders such as Warren Buffet, JAY Z personifies the "American Dream." Indeed, as the Founder and Chairman of Rocawear, he is a co-owner of the NJ Nets, the majority owner of the 40/40 sports clubs. He also has a major interest in Translation Advertising and Carol's Daughter skin line, as well being involved in a partnership with the Iconix Brand Group.
 JAY Z served as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West before entering into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation.  With his collaborative effort with Kanye West, WATCH THE THRONE, his 12th #1 album, he has secured the record for most #1 albums by any solo artist.  JAY Z continues his philanthropic work through his Water For Life initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF NEW YORK CITY

United Way of New York City fights poverty across the five boroughs. We design and invest in evidence-based programs that help low-income New Yorkers achieve educational success, income stability and good health.  We rigorously evaluate our work and use lessons learned to advance citywide policies and practices that support New Yorkers in overcoming poverty and achieving their potential.

We believe that poverty's greatest antidote is education.  We partner with educators and families to ensure that children from low-income neighborhoods are reading proficiently by the time they complete third grade—a vital foundation for success in middle school, high school and beyond.  We also work to improve on-time graduation rates and college readiness in 60 underserved public schools through intensive academic, social, and emotional support for students at high risk of dropping out.

ABOUT SHAWN CARTER SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation was conceived of in 2002 and officially established as a 501(c)3 public charity in 2003 by Shawn & Gloria Carter. With an original vision and mission to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships further his or her education at institutions of higher learning, Shawn and Gloria Carter kicked off the Foundation's efforts by awarding one student with full college tuition in 2002. From 2003 to 2005, each year the Foundation provided 50 scholarships to students in 50 different states. In 2006, in addition to providing scholarship awards to a growing number of students in need, the Foundation launched the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation College Tours. Since the Since Foundation's inception, over 750 students have received awards totaling over $1.3 million dollars. The Foundation is currently on the precipice of growth and is reviewing its current grant-making priorities as it plans for expansion as the Shawn Carter Foundation.

This concert is presented by the United Way of New York City and The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

SOURCE United Way of New York City