HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - Mar 17, 2014) - Actors Tatyana Ali, Idris Elba, and Lance Gross were in attendance at the 2014 SWAC Basketball Tournament March 13-15 in Houston. Ali and Gross along with other Toyota Green Initiative (TGI) Coalition members promoted green awareness to college students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

On Saturday, Golden Globe Award-winning actor Idris Elba gave the half-court welcome for this year's SWAC Basketball Tournament finale; he even took to the court to make a slam-dunk! Throughout the weekend, fans were invited to attend a wide array of events during the TGI tour stop. There were DIY workshops on creating affordable natural cleaning products and natural beauty consultants who educated attendees on greener skincare and beauty product alternatives.

Lance Gross, star of the new NBC series Crisis, premiering Sunday, March 16, is the longest serving TGI Coalition member. Ali has been involved with TGI for two years. Other members in attendance at the tournament include: 2010 TGI Campus Contest grand prize winner, Stephen Graddick, who created his school's first recycling program, CEO of Skin, Mind, and Body Essentials, Lake Louise, and environmental educators Pandora Thomas and Zakiya Harris of Earthseed Consulting.

Now in its fourth year, the TGI tour includes stops at 27 different HBCUs. 22 of those schools will be receiving a one-year lease for a Toyota Prius to further students' understanding of the importance of creating an eco-friendly campus environment. The tour travels to participating HBCUs each fall to educate students and alumni on the benefits of adopting a sustainable lifestyle.

Also part of the initiative is a "Green Your Campus" contest where students enter to win prizes ranging from green vehicles for their college campus, to scholarships and mentorships.

For Hi-Res Honoree Bios: TOYOTAGREEN.COM/COALITION

Video Source: Toyota Green Initiative

Updated B-ROLL Link: https://akamediainc.box.com/s/rksyj53vied6puozt5l7
Contents:

• Lance Gross, Tatyana Ali & Idris Elba at the SWAC Basketball Tournament

• Footage of TGI's DIY Workshops

• 2014 SWAC Basketball Tournament Championship games

• Sound bites with Lance Gross, Tatyana Ali, and Idris Elba

Hi-Res TGI SWAC Recap Web Video:
https://akamediainc.box.com/s/bfew7j46clt6s8nd0t8i