CIGNA Announces 'Philadelphia Young Dreamers' to be Honored at Gala Dinner in Support of MLK National Memorial.

10 Youths Chosen for Service to Community

PHILADELPHIA -- Poet Langston Hughes once wrote, "What happens to a dream deferred?" CIGNA Foundation wants to help ensure that young people throughout the Philadelphia area will realize their dreams, and has selected 10 "Philadelphia Young Dreamers" to be recognized at a gala dinner in support of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C. Young Dreamers recommended to CIGNA by community organizations with whom CIGNA works will be honored at the dinner for overcoming obstacles, achieving success in their personal lives and serving their communities.

The Young Dreamers will attend the Philadelphia Dream Dinner Wednesday, November 14 at the National Constitution Center, a celebration held in cities that have provided outstanding leadership in the drive to complete the historic monument. Earlier this year, CIGNA - through the CIGNA Foundation - became the first local company to contribute one million dollars to the National Memorial and has taken a leadership role in bringing the event to Philadelphia. H. Edward Hanway, CIGNA Corporation chairman and chief executive officer, will chair the Philadelphia Dream Dinner.

"Our goal in selecting the Philadelphia Young Dreamers to attend the dinner is to identify, publicly recognize, encourage and nurture these future leaders who represent a living memorial to the life and work of Dr. King," said Gianna Jackson, executive director of the CIGNA Foundation. "The Young Dreamers have faced significant odds, but, inspired by Dr. King and others like him, did not give up and are making a difference in their communities."

At the dinner, the Young Dreamers' accomplishments will be featured through a video presentation that will be shown to the dignitaries in attendance. They also will have an opportunity to share their stories at the dinner with diverse leaders from business, politics, sports and entertainment.

Here is a glimpse of the Young Dreamers:

Ciera Bass, 18, recommended by AchieveAbility, was once homeless and lived in a shelter with her family. She went on to become the student council president in high school, where she helped students take action to improve their school. Ciera is now a freshman studying communications at the University of Pittsburgh.

Emma Bullock, 22, recommended by Children's Crisis Treatment Center, grew up in the child welfare system. Her mother died when she was 9, and Emma found herself in and out of detention centers and group homes. Despite a difficult start, Emma graduated in 2007 from Cheyney University with a degree in business marketing and began her own pre-college program for inner city youth.

Khalil Clark, 12, recommended by City Year, grew up in a violent neighborhood and joined the Young Heroes program to have a safe and structured place to go on Saturdays. He graduated from the program with 140 hours of service, earning a Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Xiomara Cosme, 15, recommended by Big Brothers Big Sisters, has a cousin with special needs, which motivated her to volunteer to work with her special needs classmates. She is on the honor roll and has never missed a day of school.

Justin Faulkner, 16, recommended by the Settlement Music School, has chronic asthma. Recently, he learned that his mother is terminally ill. Justin overcame his limitations through music and is an honors student who performs regularly in and out of state, at his local church choir, at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and other community organizations. Last month, Justin played drums on tour with jazz musician Branford Marsalis.

John Westley Gilbert, 20, recommended by Sustainable Global Leadership Alliance, shuttled regularly between homes until he was too old for the foster care system. He created Teens Enduring Multiple Problems Together to address the problems of youth aging out of the foster care system.

Kareem Goodwin, 19, recommended by Point Breeze Performing Arts Center, lost his brother to gun violence and witnessed his mother suffer with addiction. He is a recent graduate of Archbishop Carroll High School where he was an honor student, and has won numerous dance scholarships. Kareem is active in community outreach through his church.

Daniel Hackett, 14, recommended by Drexel Neumann Academy, is an eighth grader living in Chester. He volunteered to help re-establish Drexel Neumann Academy, which had been on the brink of closing, and leads by example to other students in his neighborhood.

Charles Rambert, 13, recommended by Drexel Neumann Academy, lives in Chester and is in the eighth grade. Charles volunteers at Forwood Manor with senior citizens and is an active member of his school and parish community.

Jamie Lynn Tomkowicz, 13, recommended by Big Brothers Big Sisters, lives with her mother, who is coping with a chronic illness. Jamie Lynn is a high-performing student at the Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic School. She was nominated to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference and is an active member of the Catholic Youth Organization.

For more information on the Dream Dinner November 14, contact Rica Orszag at [e-mail] or call 202- 253- 8975. For information specifically on the Philadelphia Young Dreamers, contact [e-mail] or call 215.761.4758. To learn how to contribute to the National Memorial, go to www.buildthedream.org/philadlephia.

About CIGNA

CIGNA (NYSE:CI) provides employers with benefits, expertise and services that improve the health, well-being and productivity of their employees. With approximately 47 million covered lives in the United States and around the world, CIGNA's operating subsidiaries offer a full portfolio of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits and group life, accident and disability insurance.

About CIGNA Foundation

"CIGNA Foundation" is a separate not-for profit entity, wholly funded by CIGNA Corporation and its operating subsidiaries. The CIGNA Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those communities where CIGNA employees live and work. "CIGNA" is a registered service mark of CIGNA Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by CIGNA Corporation, its operating subsidiaries and the CIGNA Foundation.