Nominations Kick Off for Top Community Honors at Steve Harvey's 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards

ATLANTA, GA (May 14, 2012) -- Continuing a stellar year in comedy and entertainment for Family Feud and Think Like A Man's Steve Harvey, it's that time of year for the best-selling author, radio and TV host to kick off the nomination period for the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards -- one of the most-anticipated entertainment events seeking the nation's best community leaders, teachers, churches, barbecue and more. Always a fiercely-spirited campaign from communities across the country to nominate their favorite local businesses, churches, educators and leaders to take top honors in twelve categories, the nomination period seeking this year's Top 48 Hoodie Awards nominees start May 14th online at www.SteveHarvey.com.

Running May 14th to May 30th, with submissions open in one category per day, the field is wide open for anyone's nomination to make the final list of 48 nominees -- from communities coming back strong behind past nominees to clinch a repeat or first-time win -- to nominating new people and organizations for their impactful service and dedication. With Best Barbecue and Best Church Choir annually being two of the most hotly-contested categories, this year's Ford Hoodie Awards features expansions in the categories of Best School Teacher and Best High School Coach.

Marking the 10th anniversary of this one-of-a-kind show, Steve Harvey and television/radio producer Rushion McDonald created the ever-popular Hoodie Awards in 2001, which has become the crowning honor for urban communities. Giving star treatment for the everyday men and women who uplift their neighborhoods as independent businesses, churches, educators, and leaders, the twelve Hoodie Awards categories for this year's nominations are: Best High School Coach, Best Nail Salon, Best School Teacher, Best Car Wash/Detail Shop, Best Church Choir, Best Soul Food, Best Barber Shop, Best High School, Best Barbecue, Best Beauty Salon, Best Church, and Best Community Leader.

Steve Harvey says of the nominations, "The Hoodie Awards were created for you -- the real stars of the neighborhood. I look forward to seeing the turn-out on those nomination submissions, who are some of your favorite people and places, and how close the categories will be this year!"

Shawn Lollie, Ford Multicultural Marketing Manager, says: "2012 marks Ford's sixth consecutive year as the automotive sponsor of the Ford Hoodie Awards. Ford will once again present the winner of the "Community Leader of the Year Award" with keys to an all new vehicle -- this year we are giving away the keys to the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion! Ford has enjoyed a great relationship with the Steve Harvey Morning Show over the years. This partnership has allowed us to be involved in events like the Hoodie Awards that enable us to continue to tap into one of the core areas of our company DNA -- which is giving back to the community. Ford is a company that was grown by an entrepreneurial spirit and we acknowledge that same spirit that we see in all of the individuals that are honored at the Hoodie Awards. Our involvement in the Hoodie Awards allows us to play a role in recognizing those that Go Further with positive contributions to the communities in which they both work and live."

Listen to The Steve Harvey Morning Show weekdays on your radio or online live 6 -- 10 AM EST for updates, laughs, daily inspiration, and more, and log onto www.SteveHarvey.com -- the central place to submit your nominations for your favorite people and places, see a full rundown of nomination rules, tickets and packages currently available for the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards, the latest news and more. The final 48 nominees for the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards will be unveiled day-by-day on The Steve Harvey Morning Show starting June 4th, with 4 nominees per category announced each day when voting opens.

Nominations Period for the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards:

• Monday, May 14-- Best High School Coach sponsored by The Marines
• Tuesday, May 15-- Best Nail Salon
• Wednesday, May 16-- Best School Teacher sponsored by Nielsen
• Thursday, May 17 -- Best Car Wash/Detail Shop
• Friday, May 18 -- Best Church Choir sponsored by K&G Fashion Superstore
• Monday, May 21 -- Best Soul Food
• Tuesday, May 22-- Best Barber Shop
• Wednesday, May 23 -- Best High School sponsored by State Farm
• Thursday, May 24 -- Best Barbecue Place sponsored by The Home Depot
• Friday, May 25-- Best Beauty Salon sponsored by Aaron's
• Tuesday, May 29 -- Best Church sponsored by Box Tops for Education
• Wednesday, May 30 -- Best Community Leader sponsored by Ford

For More Information
W&W Public Relations, Inc.
Patti Webster / Patti@w-wpr.com
Jacinda Chen / Jacinda@w-wpr.com
732-469-5955