For Immediate Release
November 03, 2011
Contact Information

Tyrha M. Lindsey
UniWorld Group
(212) 219-7145
Tyrha.Lindsey@uwgny.com

(BPRW) Johnson Products Company Addresses Congressional Briefing on Domestic Violence as Part of Its 3rd Annual No Excuse! Stop the ABUSE!â„¢ Initiative

- JPC's Uses Its National Movement to Promote the Importance of Genuine and Gentle Treatment to Women of Color -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – New York, NY – November 2, 2011: Last month, Johnson Products Company, Inc. (JPC) broadened its national No Excuse! Stop the Abuse!™ initiative in October to support National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with its co-sponsorship of a Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill in support of continued federal funding of domestic violence programs for women and children. JPC’s CEO, Eric Brown, spoke in the Judiciary Committee Room where the Congressional Briefing was held and asked for Congress to not waiver in its support of women of color and their children who are often “voiceless” on this subject. U.S. Representatives Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), John Conyers (D-MI), and Gwen Moore (D-WI) were on hand to listen to Mr. Brown, along with leading experts in the field, from Harvard Medical School to the Pew Charitable Trust, as well as domestic abuse advocates, who presented to Congress the need for continued support and federal funding of domestic violence programs and services.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to come before Congress as well as proud that Johnson Products Company co-sponsored the Congressional Briefing in partnership with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Makers of Memories Foundation,” said JPC CEO, Eric Brown. “In my statement to Congress, I urged them to not make women of color and their children an after-thought in their support of domestic violence issues in this country. It is very important to support programs for all victims of domestic violence. However, we hope Congress will not leave behind the women and children because in communities of color with today’s challenging economic times, both need help more than ever before on this issue.”

In addition to the Congressional Briefing, this month, JPC is using its signature brand, Gentle Treatment,® to increase awareness of the issue of domestic abuse towards women of color as well as to empower women to use their voice to take a stand against this type of treatment. This year’s No Excuse! Stop the Abuse!™ initiative will consist of JPC’s support of4 women’s shelters and foundations in Chicago, Dallas and Washington, DC with multi-year grants of $25,000; and the national distribution of 75,000 Gentle Treatment® No Excuse! Stop the Abuse!™ purple bracelets inside specially marked relaxer kits. With every purchase of a Gentle Treatment® No-Lye Conditioning Crème Relaxer kit, JPC will donate $1 to benefit shelters and foundations that serve, save and improve the lives of domestic abuse victims.

JPC also awarded last week a multiyear grant of $25,000 to Bethany House of Northern Virginia, Inc. (BHNV) in conjunction with the Knock Out Abuse organization. BHNV was founded in 1979 in response to the unmet needs of victims of domestic violence. The organization provides families with primary support through its shelter services, psychological fellowship and its follow-up support services all designed to assist in preventing the return of women to an abusive relationship. BHNA will join past JPC’s past awardees of its 5-year grants of $25,000 who include Chicago-based, Family Rescue Center Inc., and Dallas-based Ina Mae Greene Foundation, and the Genesis Women’s Shelter.

Finally, the third annual No Excuse! Stop the Abuse!™ initiative kicked off on October 1st with the launch of the customized Gentle Treatment® Website that features the “SHEROS” campaign. In an effort to recognize everyday women who have used their voices to stand up against domestic violence, each week during the month of October, JPC is featuring the Gentle Treatment® “Shero of the Week.” Lisa Miller-Baldwin of Oklahoma City has been named as JPC’s 2011 SHERO. Lisa is the founder of the Wonderfully Made Women's Shelter in Oklahoma City. She was given an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC and was recognized during Congressional Briefing as well as treated like a Queen for a day.

The Gentle Treatment® Website also features helpful information on domestic abuse with links to resources on how to get help as well as highlights President Obama’s national 2009 proclamation of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 81% of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner. “Sometimes the first step in seeking help as a woman of color is confiding in a trusted friend or family member and being vocal about what is happening to you,” said Renee Brown, JPC executive vice president of sales and marketing. “Taking our initiative to Capitol Hill and being vocal as a company regarding this issue illustrates that JPC truly cares about this issue and its effects on our consumers - all women of color.”

For more information on JPC and No Excuse! Stop the Abuse!™ visit www.johnsonproducts.com/noexcuse.   

About Johnson Products Company
Originally founded in 1954 and newly established as an independent company in 2009, Johnson Products Company focuses on strategic brand and business development in the ethnic hair care market. The company has been a leading brand in the African American community for more than a half-century and currently offers more than 60 hair care products under the Gentle Treatment® and Ultra Sheen® brands.

For more information on the newly acquired Johnson Products Company, its family of brands and to download photographs of the new management team, visit the company’s Website at www.johnsonproducts.com.