When we first announced the creation of TAG Records, you know the joint venture between Procter & Gamble’s TAG brand and Island Def Jam, many of you probably rolled your eyes or responded with a yawn.  After all, with Jermain Dupri at the helm many of you were skeptical that the whole thing was just another marketing ploy/ gimmick.

However as many of you know I’ve been waiving the TAG Records flag from onset primarily because of the corporate backing. Generation Hip Hop is inherently good however in most instances their initiatives fall short because the lack the funds to really follow through.  Hip Hop is often left holding the bad looking silly and very juvenile.   However with only early returns to go on TAG Records may be laying the blueprint for music/corporate partnering for the future.

Part of being a leader in the future means having the ability to INVEST in the future.  To that end, today  he label, in conjunction with the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO)  announced five recipients of the first ever TAG Make History National Grants Program.

“Through this partnership we can honor what hip hop is all about and bestow valuable grants to the five most deserving college student leaders who are making history,” said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President and CEO of HSAN.

The $10,000 grant awards mark the culmination of a nationwide search spread over more than 100 college campuses for the nation’s elite.   Earlier this week, a panel of celebrity judges including Jermaine Dupri, Russell Simmons, Ne-Yo, MC Lyte and Chili convened at Clark Atlanta University to select the honorees who have made their mark in a cross-section of fields ranging from science to the arts.

“The TAG Records mission is dedicated to mentoring and propelling urban youth through hip hop,” stated Adam Weber, brand manager for P&G. “The goal of TAG’s Make History National Grants Program is to recognize the extraordinary strides being taken by select urban students, and we’re very proud to partner with HSAN and NAFEO to provide them with tools to broaden their remarkable contributions.”

TAG’s Make History National Grants Program winners included:

Blair Alexander Jr. (Morehouse College of Atlanta, Ga.):

For his groundbreaking research in microbiology pertaining to why humans have become resistant to antibiotics, and how to reverse this trend. Alexander will continue to make history as a premier researcher for antibiotics addressing diseases of African Americans and all races relating.

Paul Dickens (Howard University of Washington, D.C.):

First year medical student who has created health and environmental, youth-oriented programming using original hip-hop DVD’s to encourage young people to maintain healthy lives and promoting professions related to this lifestyle.

Chevonne James (Bowie State University of Bowie, Md.):

For her creation and operation of the “Pick A Meal” pilot Program, a program that enables the less fortunate to receive gift cards or “meal vouchers” and allows them to “pick-a-meal” at participating restaurants. This program also provides nutritional supplement bars, mini sanitary kits and bottled water to promote health and hygiene to the public.

Jamel Vanderburg (Wilberforce University of Wilberforce, Oh):

Vanderburg is the 21-year-old founder and CEO of start-up marketing and accounting firm, A & M Financial Services, Inc. This firm assists college students who want to start their own businesses to achieve their dreams, and also focuses on event planning and consulting.

Kiera Thomas (Kentucky State University of Frankfort, Ky.):

Thomas is an award-winning singer and songwriter. She has received this grant for her development and funding of the Kentucky State Show Choir, program committed to team spirit through the finest forms of contemporary vocal music and choreography.