CheyneyStrong Part 2
Junious Ricardo Stanton
“While HBCUs have been inclusive, an emerging concern is to provide a comprehensive curriculum that addresses both current society needs and emerging needs. Noteworthy is the fact that the majority of HBCUs have always focused on service and outreach to the community and the nation to address and alleviate problems encountered by African-Americans and other minority groups. In this regard HBCUs have consistently been in the forefront in what the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges refer to as ‘engagement’”. Toward the Evolution of Dynamic Polices for Equity from the Quest For Equity In Higher Education edited by Beverly Lindsay and Manuel J. Justiz page 281
Two weeks ago I wrote about an initiative called CheyneyStrong that is designed to establish partnerships between Cheyney University and the surrounding school districts. The goal is to recruit their top students for dual enrollment also called concurrent enrollment programs whereby those students take college courses taught by Cheyney instructors and professors which can be transferred to Cheyney or any other accredited college or university when they graduate from high school. The unique aspect of what we are doing is, we are raising funds so the students and their families will not have to foot the costs to take the college courses.
Our initiative is part of an overarching strategy to save our Alma Mater Cheyney University. In addition to the political/judicial advocacy and agitation provided by Heeding Cheyney’s Call, innovative scholarship fundraising, outside the box recruitment strategies and visionary and transformative leadership are also required to set a higher bar and implement transformative changes at the historic institution. CheyneyStrong is providing the outside the box student recruitment and marketing. In fact we made a presentation to the University’s Council of Trustees they commended us on our initiative.
To this end we are having a fundraising event on February 29 on Cheyney’s campus. It is a theatrical performance of Mr. Joy starring Debra Walton (no relation to Cheyney’s president). Mrs. Walton is an accomplished performing artist, a singer, dancer and actress who has appeared in Broadway, and in Off Broadway productions as well as on television series such as Law and Order SUV and Blue Bloods.
Mr. Joy is a play by Daniel Beaty an award winning playwright, actor, singer and social activist best known for exploring complex social issues in his art. In Mr. Joy, Mrs. Walton plays nine different characters. The play takes place in Harlem and it deals with a myriad of present day social issues: gentrification, race relations, socio-economic disparities, community and family. It is a thought provoking, relevant and modern work of art.
In town to do a walk through of the venue Mrs. Walton shared how excited she was about the upcoming performance. “This is actually my second time at Cheyney. The first time I came here was to look for a space to do Mr. Joy in with Derian Threadgill. In checking out the stage right now for our preparation; we are looking for set pieces, props, listening to acoustics seeing what we need to do lighting wise and visually to help tell the story. I’m hoping with great anticipation that we have a wonderful audience to come out and support this as we do this fundraiser because it benefits the children and it passes along a legacy that is great and powerful. So my anticipation and hope is that people come out and support Mr. Joy and have a wonderful time for a beautiful cause.”
Proceeds from this one day performance at Cheyney University on February 29 go towards the dual enrollment program. Sponsorships are available. Sponsorship levels range from $10,000 to $1,000. Playbill ads full page and half page are also available. The various levels include eight to two tickets to the performance, full page or half page ad in the playbill, Cheyney University lapel pin, a picture with Debra Walton, early access to the silent auction and other perks.
Tickets are $150 and $100 dollars. The $150 ticket includes a pre-performance wine and cheese reception, the luncheon, early access to the silent auction, photo with Debra Walton, VIP seating and the after event gathering. The $100 ticket includes the silent auction and the performance. Cheyney Strong is a 501C3 charitable organization so your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the IRS code. For more information call (484) 631-6041. More details to follow.
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Posted By: Junious Stanton
Friday, January 24th 2020 at 4:14PM
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