The Coca-Cola Foundation Donates $500,000 to Abyssinian Development Corporation to Improve Educational Opportunities for Harlem's Youth11:03 EDT Wednesday, May 23, 2012 NEW YORK (Business Wire) -- The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, today awarded a $500,000 grant to the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC), a Harlem-based not-for-profit community and economic development organization, to establish a student media center within Bread & Roses Integrated Arts High School. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, announced the grant during ADC's Harlem Renaissance Day of Commitment Leadership Breakfast. “The Abyssinian Development Corporation shares Coca-Cola's passion for education—for making sure today's young people get a strong start in life,” Kent said during the announcement of the grant. “It is our most profound desire, in all we do, to create value and make a lasting, positive difference for individuals and families in this community and around the world.” The grant will ensure students at Bread & Roses Integrated Arts High School have access to books, technology software and hardware to support the school's curriculum. The high school had been beset with a severe shortage of materials, supplies, desks, and chairs, and a record of persistently low-achievements, until it was assumed by ADC in 2010. During today's event, ADC also awarded Muhtar Kent the Harlem Renaissance Day of Commitment Leadership Award, recognizing his global commitment to building sustainable communities. ADC is the only community-based organization designated as an Educational Partnership Organization by the U.S. Department of Education. ADC also operates Abyssinian Head Start, and sponsors the Thurgood Marshall Academy Lower School and the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change. The Coca-Cola Company and The Coca-Cola Foundation have a strong legacy of supporting educational programs dating back to the Company's earliest beginnings. In 2011, Coca-Cola invested more than $19 million in educational initiatives to support academic scholarships, first generation college scholarships, mentoring; school drop-out prevention; and reading and literacy education programs. About The Coca-Cola Foundation The Coca-Cola Foundation, a global organization, supports sustainable community initiatives. In 2011, The Foundation awarded more than $70 million to 263 community organizations around the world, including water stewardship, community recycling, healthy active living and educational initiatives. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html. About Abyssinian Development Corporation Founded in 1989, Abyssinian Development Corporation is a not-for-profit comprehensive community and economic development corporation dedicated to building the human, social and physical capital in Harlem. ADC has leveraged over $600 million of investments in the Harlem community, and has over 140 employees. The Coca-Cola CompanyWanda Yancey Rodwell, +01-404-676-2683