|
|
 |
|
|
|
Event Raises Money for Education & Awareness
|
Mary DeBerry
May 13th 2007 |
|
On Sunday evening, May 7 at the Jewel Lounge in downtown Providence, a different kind of charity fundraiser took place. Usually, a public fundraiser plays up one key event to bring people out, hoping they will open their wallets for a cause. But event organizer Tacuma Vanterpool expects much more from people. He expects them to open their minds as well. Vanterpool is a remarkable young man working hard to bring awareness of today’s social needs to the community.
Reuben Tillman III was co-host and responsible for the fashion aspects of Sunday’s event. The Jewel Lounge was decked out in colorful flags from different countries since guests were asked to bring a flag from their own country (hand made was acceptable). The Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Brothers volunteered to help with the event and welcomed guests as they arrived.
Musically diverse sounds played throughout the event entertaining people with beats from the Caribbean Islands to South Africa. And Vanterpool was quietly but deeply inspirational in his words to the crowd of over 120.
This Flag Party/Fashion Show is the seventh event staged by Providence resident and Rhode Island College Alumnus Tacuma Vanterpool. His many previous events, including one where he collected more than 800 pounds of food for the homeless in one night, always strive to bring awareness along with its entertainment to the community.
Social networking was also a goal of his first event, but Vanterpool chose to put this goal center stage with the Flag Party. "The flag is a symbol to identify groups in the community. The intended audience is college students and urban professionals. The event allows people to network and contribute to the progression of cultivating resources in the community." Vanterpool also believes that the more we know about each other’s cultures, the easier it will be to resolve issues in a peaceful manner.
The event raised more than $400 for Vanterpool’s favorite cause – money to educate the youth of the community. Vanterpool has established a scholarship in his name that goes to a graduating senior at Hope High School. Vanterpool says that his scholarship is a reflection of the Malcolm X quote: “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”.
To qualify for the scholarship the committee does not just look at grades, emphasizes Vanterpool. “We look at the whole individual. They must be accepted into a college or trade school. We look at their resume, and they must complete an essay about homelessness”.
Vanterpool is a natural event organizer and highly motivated humanitarian. What would seem like a complex and daunting event to some comes naturally to Vanterpool. He grew up in a family that included political activism, strong spiritual beliefs and constant works of charity as a natural way of life. Vanterpool is carrying on the humanitarian work his family inspired him to many years ago.
Vanterpool speaks with ease about the causes he works for. At the Jewel he told the crowd: “We (African-Americans) were brought to the United States as slaves against our will. But now we have free will to come to this event tonight. Think if you went to just a few houses in your neighborhood and asked for $25 from each house to donate to education for youth or for the homeless. You would easily raise several hundred dollars. Think of how much you could raise if you went to several neighborhoods”.
The music chosen for the event was chosen from genres that mirror the diverse ethnicities of the communities in RI who enjoy music, dance, and other expressions of culture. The DJ's for the evening included Alvin Bixon, Corey Taylor, Didikan, and Amando. Musical sounds included reggae, salsa, dancehall, bachata, zouk, and more.
To make a contribution or to learn more about Vanterpool and Tillman’s events visit myspace.com\rebirth_06. Or email Vanterpool at tacumav@hotmail.com. |
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
