2x Grammy-award winning recording artist and songwriter Timothy Bloom returns to Louisville, KY with a headlining performance on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017. Timothy Bloom will bring his blend of eclectic musicianship to the beautiful Gramercy for the 1081 Inaugural Affair alongside sports legends, Heavy Weight Champion Riddick Bowe, Heavy Weight Champion and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Ray Mercer and Super Bowl Champion, Derrick K. Ramsey.
The event will benefit the Brendon P. Bachelor Foundation, benefitting Brendon’s Duffels of Hope. The Gramercy is located at 620 S. 3rd Street #200, Louisville, KY 40202. Doors open at 7:00pm. For additional information, please visit www.BrendonsFoundation.org. “I am honored to be asked to be part of this amazing charity as I love kids and being a parent myself, kids are always a priority and what Brendon’s Duffel of Hope is doing, is simply awesome,” says Timothy.
When Children enter Foster Care, they are only given a trash bag to carry their belongings. Brendon’s Duffels of Hope replaces these trash bags with durable new duffels filled with items of care and immediate needs. A Brendon’s Duffel of Hope provides each child with a sense of security and hope, while providing necessities such as toys, toiletries and clothing. The child will be given something of his/her very own, which gives them a sense of ownership, love and security, while helping to support the community agencies caring for them.
Timothy Bloom recently released disc-one, The Beginning from the upcoming trilogy series, The Life Trilogy. Disc-two will be released later this Summer.
Since 2015, Google.org has committed more than $5 million to nonprofits advancing racial justice, and have aimed to get proximate and better understand how racial bias can lead to exclusion from opportunity.
In May and June of 2016, they supported the #LoveLetters campaign that helped shine a light on the human cost of mass incarceration of families across the country.
Today, they’re doubling the commitment to include $11.5 million in new grants to racial justice innovators across the country working to reform our criminal justice system.
The company believes that better data can be can be part of the solution, which is why they are investing in organizations using data and evidence to reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
Quote from Center for Policing Equity:
“Google’s deep investment will help us think bigger and bolder as to how to make policing more democratic and more American. It’s nothing short of a financial miracle in terms of what it allows us to do.” Dr. Phillip Goff, President, Center for Policing Equity
Check out the blog post on “Doing more for racial justice” HERE.
Kudos to Google for such great work!
Caption: Google.org’s community screening of the documentary 13th at Google’s Mountain View HQ
Also, check out the clip of Bryan Stevenson of Equal Justice Initiative speaking at Google:
On Sunday, December 18th in Atlanta, GA, Billboard chart-topping recording artist Future, hosted his 4th Annual FreeWishes Foundation “Winter Wishland” event. Partnered with his mother and President of the Free Wishes Foundation, Stephanie Jester,Future arrived hand-in-hand with 2 year-old son Future Zahir Wilburn and son Jakobi Wilburn in effort to give back to the community for the holidays.
In the spirit of giving back, the Ford Motor Company presented an Atlanta tribute mural to Bessie Branham Park in celebration of the art, music and magic that is birthed in the city and fostered in the Kirkwood community based recreation center. The mural was created by Kashmir Thompson and brought to life with the colorful interpretations of over 500 Atlantans.
FreeWishes founder and president Stephanie Jester stated:
“It means so much to be able to give back to the community that raised Future, and for Ford to support our vision of keeping art and dreams alive with the installation of this art, speaks volumes as it relates to our overall goal.”
Winter Wish Land provides an experience filled with holiday spirit to the youth between the ages 2-18 years in the cities of Miami and Atlanta. The event will included food, music, games, and lots of amazing gifts. Each person had the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa and leave with wonderful gifts courtesy of Reebok and more.
The purpose of Winter Wish Land is to provide young people in the community of Kirkwood, surrounding areas of Kirkwood and Miami with the joy and love of the holiday season.
FreeWishes Foundation was founded by Award Winning Hip Hop artist, Future alongside his mother, Stephanie Jester and sister, Tia Wilburn. FreeWishes Foundation’s mission is to deliver a message of hope, perseverance and resilience to Atlanta’s community by lending support and making dreams come alive. FreeWishes Foundation’s “Winter Wishland” is sponsored by Reebok, Hot 107.9, Ford Motor Company, Black Celebrity Giving and The Bessie Branham Park of Atlanta, GA.
More photos below.
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For more information visit www.freebandz.com. To join the conversation, follow @future, @freewishesfoundation – use hashtag #FreeWishes.
Comedian, actor, radio and TV personality Rickey Smiley (TV OneRickey Smiley For Real), is using his platform in a major way this holiday season by giving back to less fortunate families across the country, through the non-profit, The Rickey Smiley Foundation.
The Rickey Smiley Foundation serves to impact the lives of children, teens and seniors through programming that is designed to foster family, community and social responsibility. Foundation board member, Tim Mercer, has been personally touched by the work of the foundation leading him to kick off the holiday season by personally donating $3,000 to the foundation live on air The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.
The week of December 12, the foundation has granted one month of groceries, school supplies and paid the mortgage of a St. Louis woman in need. Additionally, this week the foundation has paid the living expenses, gifted Christmas presents, paid graduation fees and provided a years worth of pampers for a straight-A student whose family came across hard times this Holiday.
On Christmas Day, Rickey Smiley will grant ten less fortunate families gifts in partnership with the Birmingham Housing Authority.
Smiley will continue his wave of giving back throughout the remainder of the holiday. For more information on “The Rickey Smiley Foundation,” and how you can help/donate visit: therickeysmileyfoundation.org.
(L-R) Chris Perry, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri State Area, Wendy Hilliard, Founder of Wendy Hillliard Gymnastics Foundation, Linda Dunham McDonald’s Owner Operator and Former RMHC Global Chairman
On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, Ronald McDonald House Charities® New York Tri-State Area (RMHC NYTSA) awarded a $7,500 community grant to the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF), a not-for-profit organization that provides free and low-cost quality gymnastics for inner-city youth based in Harlem, New York.
“In keeping with our organization’s mission of supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children, we have historically supported the Wendy Hilliard Foundation for its groundbreaking program for young women, which incorporates not only gymnastics, but also general education and proper nutrition programming,” said Christopher Perry, Executive Director of RMHC NYTSA.
The WHGF is celebrating their 20th anniversary of successful programming this year. In the past two decades, the WHGF has served more than 17,000 local youth, developing elite athletes and international gymnastic performers in the process. FounderWendy Hilliard, Hall of Fame rhythmic gymnast and the first African-American to represent the U.S. in international competition, also recently announced that the WHGF will be expanding and providing gymnastics programs in Hilliard’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan in fall 2016.
“As a local charity, we are so grateful for this award. It is through partnerships and grants like these that we are able to create opportunities for our local youth to excel in nontraditional sports like gymnastics.” said WHGF Founder, Wendy Hilliard. “With this extra funding, we have the power to support over 250 youth with gymnastics and workshops to provide youth with the tools to become healthy, active and well rounded adults.”
This year, RMHC NYTSA has now awarded over $200,000 in community grants to nonprofit organizations that serve children. To be considered for a community grant, grant applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a specific program that directly benefits children aged 0-21 years, consistent and effective management, clear goals and objectives, and a demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of children in a manner that yields measurable results. For more information on the organization’s grants program, please visit www.rmhcnytristate.org.
Photo Credit: Don Sherrill
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About Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area
For over 20 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area has been creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Their signature programs include scholarships to help provide access to a college education for students who need and earn it, and community grants to support a variety of local children’s charities. The organization also provides needed support to five Ronald McDonald Houses, which are “homes away from home” allowing families to be with their hospitalized children for extended periods of time. To learn more about the organization, please visit www.rmhcnytristate.org.
This past Saturday, August 1st Delaware-based non-profit Duffy’s Hope, founded by former Harlem Globetrotter Allen “Duffy” Samuels, presented its 13th Annual Celebrity Basketball Game in the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware.
Fans and supporters enjoyed a fun-filled evening of friendly competition between celebrities, local community leaders and former basketball players. Celebrities players and honorary were Yazz the Greatest (of hit TV show “EMPIRE”), Diggy Simmons (Recording Artist), Sevyn Streeter (Recording Artist), Tristan “Mack” Wilds (Recording Artist, former star of “The Wire” and “90210”), Jay Ellis (of TV show “The Game”), Bobby V (Recording Artist), Trevor Jackson (Recording Artist, Disney Actor), Kap G and Shameik Moore (Recording Artists, Actors in movie “DOPE”), Kamil McFadden, Trinitee Stokes and Veronica Dunne (of Disney show “KC Undercover”).
Prior to tip-off, VIP ticket holders were able to experience a private celebrity meet and greet receiving autographed paraphernalia and exclusive selfies with the celebrity guests. During halftime local dance troupes performed center court, entertaining the crowd while players were able to rest from an intense first-half. One of the main highlights of the halftime was the presentation of awards to the first annual Duffy’s Hope Hometown Heroes.
These select group of individuals were born in Delaware and have amassed success in their respective fields. This year’s Hometown Heroes were: Jaunice Sills (Director at REVOLT), Heather Lowery (Founder of Agency for Artists), LaQuan Smith (Celebrity Fashion Designer), Stephen Rider (Actor, “The Butler”), Maria Chacon (Corporate Brand and Sr. Marketing Manager at The Chemours Company), Dr. Jason Lowery (Bio-Chemist), Dr. Ellen Pritchett (Dermatologist) and Ashley Deadwyler-Jones (State Farm Owner). After a competitive game, the White team led by Coach Sevyn Streeter took home the 2015 win.
Sponsors of the event included the Delaware Prevention Coalition, Hilton Hotel (Wilmington/Christiana), Wilmington University, City of Wilmington – Mayor Dennis P. Williams, Reebok, Moneyball Sportswear, Pepsi Bottling Company, Wawa and New Castle County Executive – Thomas P. Gordon.
PHOTO CREDIT: NewsJournal/Saquan Stimpson, Color of Life Photography/Andre’ Wright JR, Instagram, NewsJournal/Andre Smith, Gary Johnson & NAZCA/Ed Grobes
Verizon taps industry influencers: Actor/Host Terrence J, Actor Morris Chestnut, Artist Justine Skye and Actor/Artist Omarion for their HopeLine program to fight against Domestic Violence, which made it’s debut during this year’s Essence Festival in New Orleans. Today, the PSA goes viral nationally.
The special quartet are asking people to take action against domestic violence in a very simple way:
By donating a used wireless phone. Verizon is aiming to reach 1 million phone donations to their HopeLine program by the end of 2015. These phones are turned into vital resources for victims and survivors of domestic violence. For more information, please visit http://www.verizon.com/about/hopeline.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Professional football player William Gay and award-winning actress Uzo Aduba. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
Professional football player William Gay and Orange Is The New Black‘s award-winning actress Uzo Aduba joined Verizon’s HopeLine program this week to take action against Domestic Violence. Together they announced a goal of collecting 1 million phones this year to support victims of domestic violence.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Professional football player William Gay, Verizon’s Rose Kirk, Safe Horizon’s Juanito Vargas and award-winning actress Uzo Aduba. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
Joined with William and Uzo were Verizon Executive Rose Kirk, and Safe Horizon‘s Juanito Vargas. With the supporting quartet on-hand the event turned out to be quite the success, which brought an abundance of awareness to this major cause.
A little info on how Helpline works:
HopeLine provides ways for individuals to take action against domestic violence by donating no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any service provider. Verizon turns these resources into support for domestic violence organizations and programs nationwide.
Since its launch in October 2001, HopeLine has donated hundreds of thousands of phones and awarded millions of dollars in cash grants to non-profit organizations and agencies.
**Phones that are provided from Verizon has a tracker and spyware. That would be a phone the victim can keep on them at all times in case of any situation. Each phone has 3,ooo pre-paid minutes of air and text time.**
Rose Kirk spoke more about the initiative with SFPL:
We wanted to have a corporate social responsibility cause that allowed us to take Verizon’s assets and have a huge impact in society. We also wanted to be in a situation where we can actually help victims of domestic violence. We have a HUGE number of employees, whether they’re male or female that we know are probably going to be victims; if you look at the stats of 1 in 4 Women, 1 in 7 Men — so we knew that we had an opportunity. And that opportunity was to create a program where our assets could be used for good, and that’s how this program was created.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Professional football player William Gay. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
William spoke with SFPL on why he participated this year:
I wanted to tell my mother’s story. Her story can help someone out there that are going through the same issues that she went through. And that’s why I wanted to join Verizon’s Hopeline Program. They wanted to get the point across about domestic violence, and that’s what i’m trying to do as well.
His advice to others that have been through domestic violence:
I would advise the victims to just open up about it. Open up about your story. It would help you and in return help someone else that may be going through the same situation; or know someone that’s going through the situation as well. The more we talk about it, the more people would feel comfortable about opening up, getting involved in different organizations, and getting the information that they need to seek help.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 – Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba. Insider Images/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES)
Uzo also spoke with SFPL on her reason for joining in on the cause:
I have a familiarity with domestic violence. So, the advice that I would give to other victims is: #1 – It’s not you fault. #2 – You are not to blame. I understand it’s hard to leave, but if you can find one strongly day, leave on that one strong day. JUST GO. Pack your things and go. It’s not worth it.
Uzo speaks on the recent happenings of the Baltimore Riots:
I think our president said it best when he recently gave his interview. He said something to the effect of; “I think our law enforcement needs to do some soul-searching, I think our community needs to do some soul-searching, and our country needs to do some soul-searching.” And I think he did a fine job at expressing that and I support that idea as well. I think that you can never run away from the truth.
Congrats to Verizon, Uzo, William, Rose, Juanito and others who participated in forming such a great cause! This is absolutely FLY!
Suit Dreams Sets Goal to Provide 250 Male Students of Color with Custom Suits; Hosts 5thAnnual Suit Drive Fundraiser in NYC.
For the past five years, Suit Dreams, has held an annual professional attire drive to collect suits for high school male students of color in New York and Chicago to use for prom, internships and job interviews. With over 1,000 suit donations to date, this year the NY-based charitable organization is raising the bar and aiming to arm 250 young inner city scholars with new, custom suits complete with appropriate shirts, ties and shoes to prepare them for the next step on their journeys to successful careers.
Suit Dreams has set a goal of raising $50,000 to fund the program and is hosting its 5th Annual Suit Drive Fundraiser on May 2, 2015 at Parlor Private Members Cluband Event Space in New York, NY. The event will begin at 12:00 pm and will be chaired by Suit Dreams founder and Wall Street executive, Jerrell Horton. In addition to the fundraiser, the organization has started a GoFundMe page for financial donations.
Suit Dreams aims to transform the national perception of the young urban male by enhancing their professional image, facilitating academic achievement and fostering civic responsibility. In addition to donating suits to inner city males, the organization serves as a mentoring platform and organizes corporate field trips in an effort to expose students to professional environments and executive leaders of color.
Please donate at GoFundMe now to support this great initiative.
We honor Suit Dreams on this week for giving back to the community in such a positive and Fly manner!
The excitement was palpable Thursday, March 28, 2014, at Edward R. Murrow High School when rapper and former student, Joey Bada$$, returned to his old stomping grounds. The return represented a lot of hard work and effort finally coming to fruition.
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