Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2004

Contact: Marisa Ramirez
713.743.8152 (office)
mrcannon@uh.edu

HOUSTON, Oct. 25 – Mathew Knowles, entrepreneur and founder of the Grammy Award-winning vocal group Destiny’s Child, will be the guest speaker at The EVENT 2004, the annual University of Houston conference for college-bound minority high school students.

Now in its ninth year, The EVENT gathers top-performing seniors from more than 70 area high schools and introduces them to the college admissions process, financial aid and ways to adjust to the culture of college life.

The EVENT will kick off Thursday, Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UH University Center.

Knowles, a Houston resident and graduate of Fisk University, is credited with crafting the sound and image that rocketed daughter Beyoncé and her friends Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams to pop fame. In the competitive and sometimes brutal world of pop music, Knowles is known for his astute business sense, keen eye for talent and sharp ear for hit music.

Knowles walked away from a six-figure salary at Xerox Corp. to manage Destiny’s Child. He credits the band’s success to hard work and straight talking.

“I believe in setting goals and getting the job done, and having everybody understand that this is where we've got to go. If there are some issues that need to be addressed, then I'll put them on the table,” Knowles said. “They always know where I'm coming from.”

In 1989, Knowles founded Music World Entertainment (MWE), a music management company, as a vehicle to direct the burgeoning musical careers of members of Destiny’s Child. Headquartered in Houston, MWE also managed the careers of singers Solange Knowles, Eve, Mary Mary, Angie Stone and Floetry. In 2003, Knowles sold MWE to London-based Sanctuary Group. Knowles remains in Houston as president of Sanctuary Urban Holding Group. He also has established a tour agency and Sanctuary Urban Records Group (SURG) label to develop new acts.

Knowles will speak to an expected 800 students about his journey through the entertainment industry and the importance of perseverance on his road to success.

“I think successful people will have success at whatever they do. They love what they do, and they do it with a passion,” Knowles said. “They work smart and hard, and they’ll go the extra mile to achieve their goals.”

In addition to Knowles’ presentation, The EVENT will feature sessions on Contemporary Issues in Higher Education; Life Skills: Surviving College; Introduction to Greek Life; and an academic fair. Other speakers include James Conyers, director of the UH African American Studies program, and Louis Williams, president of the Black Leadership Network. Def Jam Blaster of 97.9 The BOX will provide entertainment.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.