Monday, January 28, 2013

It Takes A Village



This has been a very productive week for The Billingsley School of Music & Arts (BSOMA). We have made great strides since beginning the nonprofit in October 2012.

Here are the cool things that we have been able to accomplish so far:


  • Completed Business Plan
  • Completed & Submitted 501(c)3 Application to the IRS
  • Received Our 1st Donation of $100!
  • Completed A Successful Photo & Video Shoot
  • Over 200 Likes on Facebook
  • Developed Important Relationships With Prominent Community Figures & Politicians
  • Successful BSOMA Branding
  • BSOMA T-Shirts Made & Distributed
  • Completed Board of Directors 

This is only the beginning, but we are off to a great start. 
Continue to keep us in your thoughts!




Photo & Video Shoot
On Friday, January 25th we shot a video at The Ritz Theater in NE Minneapolis. Over 50 people came together from across the metro for one cause: Arts Access For Under Served Youth! We had an AMAZING time, everyone had so much fun! And the kids had the opportunity to participate in a professional Video & Photo Shoot for the first time. They enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes work that takes place when shooting a video and taking photos. 


It took a great concerted effort to pull this video & photo shoot together. The venue had to be booked, videographers and photographers had to be scheduled, the taping had to align with all of the student's and parents' schedules as well. What I realized was that it truly takes a village to raise a child.

So thank you to the village of people who came together to make this dream a reality!


Here is the village I'm talking about:

Ronie George - An AMAZING art teacher who changes the lives' of her students everyday.

Lonte Hill - A passionate, dedicated, and talented dance teacher, businessman, philanthropist.

Kenneth Caldwell - Art exudes from him and students have no choice but to develop a love for it.

Melissa Briggs - A highly talented actress and extremely engaging theater educator.

Brandon Commodore - My brother and best friend who has been there through thick and thin.

Courtland Pickens - A passionate, loving and caring person with a heart for inner-city youth.

Senator Amy Klobuchar - A brilliant mind who is willing to help and support all people.

Susan Campion - A brilliant board member that oozes ideas, connections, and creative innovations.

Gary Hines - Founder of The Grammy-Award Winning Sounds of Blackness & Community Activist.

T. Mychael Rambo - Amazing community leader, arts advocate, and highly accomplished Actor.

Amy Oksnevad - A sweet-spirited dance teacher that truly loves and breathes the art of dance.

Malcom & Sarah Schaus - Parents of current students who have been so supportive on this journey.

Marie Chante - Amazing spoken word artist who has a huge heart for the arts & underserved youth.

Corey Stampley - A student and friend that I have had the opportunity to mentor.

Yanni Davis - Another student that I have had the opportunity to mentor.

Justin Blair - Photographer Extraordinaire that really brought the BSOMA vision to life and fruition.

Carl Martin - Extremely talented Videographer with an amazing drive, and work ethic for excellence.

Tyaira Hayden - A young ambitious entrepreneur that is excelling at creating her own path and brand.

Thank you to each and every person involved!

Our 1st Thank You!
BSOMA would like to extend our 1st Official Thank You to Lucy Newcomb for donating $100.00! Lucy, your contribution is going toward a GREAT cause! Thank you for being the first to make a contribution. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts.




BSOMA Meets With Amy Klobuchar's Office
I had the honor of visiting with the great people at Amy Klobuchar's office this week. I went in with an expectation and they far succeeded anything I could have ever dreamt of! Thank you so much to Senator Amy Klobuchar and staff for going above and beyond the call of duty! We are partnering together to bring arts access to underserved youth. Be on the lookout for some really great things with this new partnership!



Thursday, January 3, 2013

2013...The Biggest Year Yet!

I'm REALLY excited about this new year! Why? Because I'm doing what I love and following the path that I know is right for me. 2013 is the year that The Billingsley School of Music & Arts (BSOMA) officially launches! I've been working really hard to make this dream a reality and it's coming faster than I could have imagined. When the stars align, everything just works, fits, and makes sense. That's how I feel right now. Don't get me wrong, there already have been many ups and downs, but the progress and progression towards Arts access for ALL students is right around the corner.

UPDATES


  • I have officially completed all State & Federal Paperwork! We will be a certified 501(c)(3) in less than 6 months.
  • The Board of Directors has been assembled and they are all awesome visionaries and leaders who have a passion for Arts access for disadvantaged Youth.  The Board consists of professors, doctors, world renown musicians, business entrepreneurs, and highly skilled and experienced educators.
  • Look for an official BSOMA launch in the spring! 
  • My Trip to Baltimore was AMAZING! I learned so much and made some awesome new friends, advisors, and consultants.
BSOMA
Christmas Came Early! BSOMA T-Shirts! More Info Soon!
What I'm Reading...
All of these books are wonderful and cover everything from board governance, to management, leadership, and fundraising for nonprofits. I highly recommend them all. 

Built to Last by Jim Collins
Boards That Make a Difference by John Carver
Good To Great by Jim Collins
The Wild Woman's Guide to Fundraising 
by Mazarine Treys

My Personal Life...
In retrospect 2012 was a great year. Learned a lot, experienced a lot, and played a ton of music. Everything that happened last year has prepared me for this moment. I've been blessed to travel to different parts of the country and share the gift of music with others. 

TWIGS Band Class Grades 5-8
Baltimore, MD | TWIGS 
Baltimore was an amazing experience! I visited the Baltimore School for the Arts. This is the high school Jada Pinkett Smith and Tupac Shakur attended while growing up. They have an after-school arts program called TWIGS. 

I met with the Executive Director of TWIGS, Georgia King and she was amazing! We took a tour of the school then visited various classes. I was able to observe a band full of kids from different schools in Baltimore, a top-notch dance class, musicianship classes, and also view their drama facilities. We talked a great deal and I came away with so much information. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity. What else was cool was that this is the only program like this in the USA. Over 500 students audition every year for 300 spots available. THERE IS A HUGE NEED.

Christmas Concert With Robert Robinson & Sara Renner. A lot of Minnesota's Most Talented Musicians. Honored To Be In The Number.