1

Champion Cyclist Rahsaan Bahati Inspires School Kids in Glencoe and Chicago and Attends Benefit Dinner for Bahati Foundation at EJ’s Place in Skokie Glencoe, IL (May 11, 2010) – Pro cyclist Rahsaan Bahati visited 6th, 7th and 8th graders on Monday morning, May 10th at the Central School in Glencoe, and then traveled to the Bridgeport community on Chicago’s South Side to visit 6th, 7th and 8th graders at the Holden Elementary Chicago Public School. Bahati talked to assemblies of almost 200 children in both locations. He told the kids how he tossed a chalkboard eraser at his teacher when he was in 7th grade in Compton, CA. As punishment, he was given the option of either taking up golf or biking after school. He elected biking – thinking it was dirt biking. The kids laughed when Rahsaan explained how appalled he was to find that he signed up for track cycling at the LA velodrome – riding around in circles in tight shorts and funny helmets. But this was how his cycling career started. Bahati showed the Glencoe kids a clip from his “Out of Compton” video production that included a scene of two young cyclists training in LA in the rain. He told the kids, “To achieve greatness, you must sacrifice. Sometimes that means getting a little wet.” He advised the students, “Dream big, set goals and reach for your goals.” The Q and A session prompted many eager questions from the students, like what country that you visited is your favorite? “Switzerland,” Bahati responded. How fast can you ride you bicycle? “I’ll have to go 65 to 70 KPH to win a race,” he responded. “Now, as a math assignment figure that out in MPH,” he challenged the kids. There was a collective groan. “Mr. Bahati started his foundation to help others,” Central School Principal Ryan Mollet told the assembly. “What difference will you make? Mr. Bahati didn’t get to where he is without focus, passion and dedication.” After lunch, Bahati traveled south into Chicago – past Chinatown – into the Bridgeport community on the South Side of Chicago to visit 13 and 14-year old kids at the Holden Elementary School. He was greeted at the front door by Principal Andrew Wawrzyniak and escorted down to the school auditorium. Principal W. said, “I’m taking you into the new section of the school, built in 1929. The old part of this school was built in 1891!” Principal W. explained to Rahsaan that many of his students do not aspire to continue school after 8th grade. Bahati told the students, “Many of my peers from Compton are either dead or in jail. But when I started cycling, for the first time in my life I realized that if I set goals, wrote them down – I could achieve my goals…but it takes a lot of hard work.” He added, “In cycling, it’s not always about how fast you are, but also how smart.” The Holden students had many questions for Bahati: did you feel peer pressure when you took up cycling? “Yes, but I choose cycling.” Do you have to watch what you eat? “I stay away from sodas, and haven’t had McDonald’s in seven years.” Do you smoke? “No, but I drink lots of water.” Do you like peanut butter? “No!” Do you have any inspirations? “Yes, coming here to

2

the Holden School and speaking to you students is my inspiration. I want to give back and this is my way to give back, “ Bahati told the children. When the assembly ended, the kids gave Rahsaan a standing ovation. Principal Wawrzyniak said afterwards that Bahati had a positive impact on his students. “He held their attention for an hour, they asked many questions. The kids need to hear this message from someone like Rahsaan Bahati.” The day’s final event was a dinner to benefit the Bahati Foundation hosted by the Glencoe Educational Foundation and EJ’s Place Restaurant in Skokie. Former US Postal rider Kenny Labbe emceed the event and led a discussion with Bahati about his cycling career to date. About 35 cycling enthusiasts attended the benefit, including Rahsaan’s former Team Saturn manager, Tom Schuler, and Illinois Cycling Association President Steve Hansen. Special guests from Wisconsin were Giro d Grafton promoter Michael Martens and teacher Paul Zettel of the Riverside University High School in Milwaukee. Martens and Zettel participate in an urban bike program for the underserved Riverside students called “Tiger Fitness”. One of the students from the program had the chance to sit right next to Bahati during dinner. Bahati’s school visits and the dinner benefiting the Bahati Foundation were arranged by the Glencoe Educational Foundation in conjunction with the Glencoe Grand Prix cycling event, now in its fourth year. “We were thrilled Rahsaan was able to visit us in Glencoe. His life story and many successes to date resonated with everyone he met. He is really inspiring to be around and we can’t wait to have him back in August to do what he does best – race his bike,” said Jon Knouse, GEF president and promoter of the GGP. The Illinois Cycling Association named Knouse Illinois Promoter of the Year in 2008 and 2009. Rahsaan Bahati, a 28-year old professional cyclist, is the founder of the Bahati Foundation, a 501c3 charity (http://www.bahatifoundation.org/ ), as well as the founder of the OUCH-Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team (http://www.bahatiracing.com/ ). The mission of the Bahati Foundation is to support youth in inner city and underserved communities through cycling outreach programs designed to inspire and empower youth through the sport of cycling. The foundation’s GIVEBack programs are coordinated with its corporate partners to supply health and fitness gear, educational supplies and musical instruments for youth. Forming the Bahati Foundation was Rahsaan’s dream for many years. He strives to show kids in underserved communities that they don’t have to be relegated to a life of crime, gangs and drugs; they have the ability to accomplish their dreams. The OUCH-Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team is a professional cycling team that races primarily in the United States and also abroad. Bahati is the 2008 US Professional Criterium National Champion. He is a graduate of Indiana University and he resides in the LA area with his wife and three children. The Glencoe Grand Prix will host the AT&T USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championship in Glencoe on Saturday, August 14th. Professional cyclists from across the globe will compete in this high-speed spectacle, and the first American to cross the finish line will be awarded the Stars and Stripes national champion’s jersey. The GGP will also present a full day of amateur bike racing plus a pro women’s race featuring some of the best female cyclists in the U.S. After the racing is done, the GGP will host a block party on the streets of downtown Glencoe with food, live music and other family-oriented attractions. -Glencoe Grand Prix-

3

For More Information, Contact: GGP Race Contact Jon Knouse, Race Director Cell: 847-987-0819 Email: jon.Knouse@gmail.com www.glencoegrandprix.com -or- Marco Colbert, GGP Steering Committee Member Cell: 847-644-0277 Email: marccolbert@comcast.net About the Glencoe Educational Foundation:

The Glencoe Educational Foundation (GEF) is a non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 1996 by parents seeking to enhance the rich tradition of educational excellence in Glencoe School District 35. The GEF sponsors projects that sharpen the classroom experience and funds these projects through a variety of programs and events (such as the Glencoe Grand Prix) that benefit all of Glencoe. The GEF also works with school district officials to teach students the value of giving back not only to their community, but also to those outside of Glencoe that need assistance.

About AT&T:

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verseSM and AT&T │DIRECTVSM brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T’s Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies.