Giving Great Gifts....

I had the pleasure of attending a great birthday bash of a good friend of mine last Friday, February 12, 2016 in Dumbo, Brooklyn. You might remember him from the 2^nd Annual ‘Making A Difference” Award benefit we held last May. Terry Robison served as our Master of Ceremony for our annual fundraiser. He did a great job of warming up the crowd and guiding them through a memorable evening.

Did I say Terry is a performer? The same energy he brought to our event was in full effect on Friday. The qualities that make him such a great MC also make him a great performer. He’s warm, affable, outgoing, and has a very direct way of engaging an audience. That’s something I envy…his moxie! With a full band in tow, he belted out a few Prince tunes as well as a heartfelt tribute to David Bowie. He moved the crowd to tunes that served as the backdrop to many of our younger lives. Even if we weren’t Bowie aficionados, you couldn’t avoid singing along to tunes that permeated the sound waves of America.

Did I mention Terry has a big heart? In the many years I’ve known him I’ve never encountered any negativity. He has the talent to look on the brighter side of things, and an ability to laugh at oneself - that keeps even the best of us sane. He has an innate understanding of the needs of people because of his generous spirit. That’s why it was his idea to donate, in lieu of gifts, contributions to Project Brownstone to ensure students get the necessary textbooks and supplies for college. I’m blown away at his selflessness and generosity.

I have to say this was the easiest and most fun I’ve had thus far raising funds for the organization. Great friends, great party, amazing entertainment, food and drink, and funds for PB, that’s what I consider a win-win situation!

Importantly, Terry is a VP at Douglas Elliman. He is an exceptional real estate agent. If you're looking to work with someone with integrity, especially, in something as serious as buying, selling or renting property, he is your man!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Terry Robison for his generous support of Project Brownstone. Thank you!!!

A Workshop Worth Taking!!!

On January 9, 2016 Project Brownstone held its semester end workshop for students participating in the Textbook Stipend Project. It was an amazing day filled with great ideas and insights into their new college environments. We heard stories about campuses, roommates, and even food plans. Quite enlightening!

We started the day with a visit from the West Harlem District Leader, Alicia Barksdale. She came and spent a good deal of time speaking about civic duty registering our students to vote. She also took time to enroll our students with the local NAACP. She explained what the connection to this agency can be for each of them. Did you know students can summer internships? Go figure...they have their finger on the pulse of what's going on in the community.

Margarita Cruz of Open Moments NYC conducted a workshop that consisted of role play. Students were able to confront some of the stereotypes they encountered during their first semester in these new environments known as college. Some of it was shocking. Sadly, some of it is a continuation of what we hear and see in the media. By expressing and acting out these false stereotypes, we dispelled some of the myths told about young people of color. To conclude the workshop, each of the students created a 'declaration' of what their world would consist of if they set the standards. Illuminating!

The afternoon was just as amazing with a panel of professionals that came by to sit and talk with each of the students. We had an array of talent to present. We had Suzanne Rust, the Lifestyle Editor of Family Circle Magazine as well as TV Personality; Crystal Hall, Broadway Actress and Singer/Songwriter; Carol Watson, Consultant with Tangerine-Watson with a pulse on advertising, media and marketing; the Honorable Sheila Abdus-Salaam, Appellate Judge of NYS; and, Marc Wilson, of MWD Lifestyle. They each brought their stories to the students and showed them how they made a life out humble beginnings with tenacity, professionalism, a positive attitude, and hard work. What was supposed to be an hour and a half panel went on for three hours!! The students were enthralled.

Each student walked away from the workshop satiated with new ideas of where their lives can go. From each of our panelist, they took away with them gems of information that will make a huge difference in their futures. And something even more valuable than gold.....they now have access to information and people that will propel them into powerful lives. What more can we ask for?!

Bravo!!!