Bank of America Gives Financial Boost to STITCHES TECHNOLOGY Expanding List of Supporters in LA.

News/Assignment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2000

2nd Annual Benefit Pays Tribute to Grover Washington Jr. in October

STITCHES TECHNOLOGY: Sewn Products Job Creation Center, Inc, a non-profit organization located in South Central Los Angeles, received another financial donation today from Bank of America, adding to a growing list of corporate sponsors.

"B of A has always supported our community and this check will help continue our dream," said Executive Director Clotee McAfee, STITCHES TECHNOLOGY. "We hope other companies will follow this pattern of success we're sewing together in Los Angeles."

STITCHES TECHNOLOGY offers a training and skills enhancement program in a teaching factory environment, and according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, it is a national model project. Founder Clotee McAfee says she got her vision for this one-of-a-kind, high-tech, automated garment plant concept on the night of the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Earlier this month the STITCHES program was discussed with 1,200 students at the Pasadena Convention Center at "Careers in Fashion/Entertainment Industry Conference." Some 200 students from LAUSD spent the day at the automated garment plant in a school district retail program sponsored by Macy's. "The students were enlightened," said McAfee.

Meantime, STITCHES TECHNOLOGY plans to hold its Second Annual Benefit "A Change for Life" Concert honoring Grover Washington Jr. in October at Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal-State LA, 5151 State University Drive.

"This year's theme is 'Giving People the Opportunity To Dream'," said McAfee "Last year we raised nearly $200,000 to benefit the garment industry thanks to performances by multi-Grammy winning artist Stevie Wonder, who supports this organization. This year we hoping the benefit will bring in $500,000 to continue this dream in Los Angeles. So far we have music giants Kirk Whalum and Dee Dee Bridgewater, and who knows, Stevie Wonder could make a surprise appearance along with other legends. The excitement has been building. We need more sponsors to call."

"It's about hope," said Stevie Wonder. "It's about giving people the opportunity to dream and celebrate the human spirit." McAfee noted that Stevie Wonder plays harmonica on the title song of DREAMS (www.dreams.20m.com/about.html), a groundbreaking music collection CD that will benefit STITCHES TECHNOLOGY. For more information about STITCHES TECHNOLOGY call 323/846-7250, or visit their Web site at www.dreams.20m.com/about.html.