Idol's LaKisha Jones Performs at Governor's Service Awards

LaKisha Jones, a stand-out on American Idol season six, will be performing at the 2008 Governor's Service Awards on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.

The Governor's Service Awards are a theatre-style gala hosted by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern to honor and celebrate Michigan volunteers.  The event highlights award presentations for volunteer service and performances by Michigan-based talent, all in honor of the volunteers who give of their time and talent to help strengthen Michigan communities.  LaKisha Jones' performances will open and close the celebration.

LaKisha, raised by her mother and grandmother in Flint, Michigan, smoothly transitioned to the theatre stage with her 2007 Broadway debut in Oprah Winfrey's "The Color Purple" after ending her successful run with American Idol.  She will soon appear as a judge on MTV's upcoming reality show "Legally Blonde" and is putting the finishing touches on her first solo CD.  She handles all of these exciting opportunities while fulfilling her full-time job as a single mother to her five-year-old daughter, Brionne.

The Governor's Service Awards were made possible only through the generous contributions of corporate sponsors.  The Platinum Sponsor is the Ford Motor Company Fund.  To date, W.K. Kellogg Foundation is the Premier Sponsor; Acheson Ventures, Blue Cross Blue Shield/Accident Fund, Comcast, DTE Energy, and MASCO Corporation Foundation are the Pacesetters; Council of Michigan Foundations, Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Lear Corporation, Meijer, and Michigan Nonprofit Association are Governor's Champions; and Comer Holdings, Comerica, Fifth/Third Bank, Health Alliance Plan, Hudson-Weber Foundation, and Mawby Family Fund are Governor's Heroes.

The Michigan Community Service Commission, the organization that handles the behind the scenes logistics for the event, received more than 180 nominations from people all over Michigan who wanted to honor special volunteers from their community.  These nominations were carefully reviewed by a peer review panel who recommended five finalists, including a winner, in each of the eight award categories.  The final award decisions are made by the MCSC board of commissioners and vetted by the Governor's Appointments Office.