The race will take place on Saturday, September 27 at 8:30 AM, at Grant Park in downtown Chicago. There will be a 5K Run/Walk and a 1-Mile Fun Walk to raise funds for non-profit medical facilities and community programs in the Chicago area for breast education, screening and treatment. You can register before the race, if you haven't registered yet on line. Following the race, SGK will award a $1 million dollar grant check to the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force.
For more information, visit www.komenchicago.org.
About Kimberley Locke
Once a small-town girl with big time dreams, Kimberley Locke has evolved into a talented singer, songwriter and business woman. Growing up in Gallatin, Tennessee, Kimberley always sang around the house, with family, at church or with friends in performance groups. Once she headed to Belmont University in Nashville, the business administration major decided to concentrate on studying, not singing. But when a friend's band needed a replacement, Kimberley began performing once again.
Kimberley's more practical nature took over when she finished college. She loved singing, but did not want to continue in bands and nightclubs when she got older. So she stopped singing and applied for law school. Then a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself and she auditioned for American Idol's second season.
Kimberley succeeded week after week, round after round and contestant after contestant until she became one of the last three contestants: the lone female along with two other Southerners, Clay Aiken and eventual winner Ruben Studdard. Although making it to the top three was a huge sense of accomplishment, Kimberley says 'the saddest thing for me when I got voted off was the bubble that I had been living in for 8 or 9 months was bursting." But she adds, 'If you go on that show with the right attitude and the right frame of mind, the possibilities are endless."
The American Idol national tour soon followed as did a contract with Curb Records. Although known for their country superstars, the Nashville based label wanted to get back into the pop arena and Kimberley was just the artist they were looking for. Her debut album One Love hit stores in mid 2004 and spawned the #1 Billboard Hot 100 Sales Single for '"8th World Wonder." Kimberley became the third 'Idol' to enter the chart at number one. In three years, Kimberley has scored 4 top 10 Billboard AC hits including "8th World Wonder," "I Could," "Up On The Housetop," and "Jingle Bells."
In 2005 Kimberley signed with Ford Modeling Agency and became a Lane Bryant spokeswoman. During the same year she could also be found hosting a tour for the Game Show Network / Bank of America's 'Get Schooled' competition where winners received scholarship funds. Kimberley recorded 'A Dream Is A Wish' for the Disney Mania 3 album and appeared on the accompanying TV/DVD special, in addition to recording a duet with Peabo Bryson entitled 'Wishes' for a special Disney / Make-A-Wish compilation. She also serves as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig and has appeared on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club. She's also the co-owner of Croton Creek Steak House & Wine Bar in Croton Falls, NY.
Kimberley began working on her sophomore album Based on A True Story late 2005, writing 10 of the album's 12 tracks. The album was released last year. "I got to tap into another aspect of my creative self as I watched these songs come to life," she says. 'I want to continue to work in this industry and have opportunities come my way. A lot of people shoot up to the top and they are a flash in the pan. I don't want to be a flash in the pan, I want people to remember my name,' just as they do my idols Tina Turner, Patti Labelle and Whitney Houston."
For more information, visit www.kimberleylocke.org and www.myspace.com/kimberleylocke
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® was founded in 1982 on a promise made between two sisters—Nancy Goodman Brinker and her dying sister, Susan Goodman Komen. More than 25 years later, the Komen Organization is a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, they have invested $1 billion to fulfill this promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.
About the Chicagoland Affiliate
The Affiliate was established in 1997 with the first Komen Chicago Race for the Cure held that same year. With the support of the signature fundraiser, Race for the Cure, the Affiliate has awarded grants totaling more than $7 million locally towards the fight against breast cancer by funding grassroots breast health education, screening and treatment programs. Grants are awarded each year to hospitals and community organizations that provide innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved people in the greater Chicago area. For more information visit their web site at www.komenchicago.org
