Pistons legend and Detroit Shock Assistant Coach Rick Mahorn is headlining the tour and will be joined at selected locations by personalities including current and former Detroit Pistons players such as Lindsey Hunter and John Long, Detroit Shock star Swin Cash and other distinguished figures relevant to local black history such as former Detroit Lions player Lem Barney.

The tour tipped-off at 11 a.m. on February 2 at First Congregational Church in Detroit, which houses the Underground Railroad Living Museum. WMXD’s Frankie Darcell emceed as students from Cass Tech High School in Detroit participated in a simulated interactive experience of the Underground Railroad.

Following the February 2 launch event, Know Your Local Black History Tour assembly-stops include: February 6 at Clintondale High School in Mt. Clemens, February 9 at Pontiac Central High School, February 13 at Denby High School in Detroit, February 16 at Northwestern Prep Academy in Flint.

"It is very important for kids to know their history and this tour will not only engage them to learn, but also provide a solid opportunity for the future of those who win the scholarship money,” said Mahorn.

“Rock Financial is committed to embracing diversity. We see the ‘Know Your Local Black History Tour’ as a great opportunity to help educate and get involved in the community," said Rock Financial's David Hall.

At each school’s Know Your Local Black History Tour assembly, five pre-selected students will compete in a three-minute oral competition. The players and distinguished guests at each stop will judge the competition, selecting one winner from each school. Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship for higher education. The four runners-up will receive four tickets to a Pistons game and a $100 gift card courtesy of Rock Financial and the Pistons-Palace Foundation.

High school students from around the State of Michigan will also have an opportunity to compete for one $1,000 scholarship in conjunction with this tour. Students can apply on-line at www.pistons.com or www.rockfinancial.com starting February 1. Pistons media partner TV20 will also help promote the statewide online competition via television spots and their website. On Sunday, February 26, all scholarship winners will be honored by Mahorn, Hall and McInnis on-court at halftime of the Pistons game against Cleveland.