Thursday, June 29, 2023
The Howard Theater
620 T Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
6:30pm -- Cocktail Reception
7:30pm -- Dinner, Program and Fundraising
8:30pm -- Go Go Dance Party
The Soul of Shaw. It's found
in the energy of its youth and the rhythm of its culture!
Come celebrate stories of success like those of Jovan and Frankie, now 15, who have grown up participating in Shaw Community Center's afterschool and summer camp programs. Jovan has always been a good student, but candidly admits that if it weren't for the Center, he would probably be selling drugs. In the safe space that the Center provides, Frankie blossomed from a reticent child into a student voice lobbying City Council. Through their weekly participation in the Center's Real News Media Internship program, they have acquired practical skills operating industry-level hardware and software, conducting interviews, and editing digital and video content for social media. Their creations notably include Jalil Hackett Guns DOWN! Hands UP!, an anti-violence film short. Both Frankie and Jovan leveraged this work and experience to gain admission to two highly selective DC high schools: Frankie to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Jovan to Benjamin Banneker Academy.
The Gala will showcase stories like these and the impact that donor support can have on young people from the time they start school until the time they start their careers. In addition, a senior representative from Meta (f.k.a Facebook) will give a presentation on how youth can use virtual reality technology to learn about civil rights and share their life experiences with others. Finally, there will be food, drinks and entertainment to help you get your laugh on and hips moving, with comedian Preacher Moss keeping the room on its toes as master of ceremonies and Go Go master drummer Ju Ju House of EU leading the dance party with Cherie of Bella Dona and Smoke of Rare Essence up front.
If you have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), you can't miss this! Come for the fun AND support a very worthy cause. Please also consider contributing to the Staff/Community Member Ticket Fund or serving as a Gala sponsor.
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Known as the founder of “Allah Made Me Funny”- The Official Muslim Comedy Tour, Preacher Moss is recognized as the “poor righteous teacher” from his days as a veteran performer coming up in the comedy industry, and college lecture circuit. As writer for Hollywood heavyweights like Damon Wayans, George Lopez, and Darrell Hammond on Saturday Night Live, Preacher Moss has proven his value across many levels of stand-up, activism, and community empowerment. His experiences as a comedian, writer, lecturer, Muslim, African-American, and poor righteous teacher are the sum of all his parts. Ultimately he is the storyteller on the corner that shares the good news, and sometime the bad, but always with sincerity. He is a comedian of the times. So…park yourself on the corner of laugh and think. Share a little time with the comedic stylings of your brother, The Mighty Preacher Moss.
Legendary
drummer Ju Ju House has left his mark on the Go Go movement and still has big
plans to spread its gospel. He started playing with Go Go bands at 18 and since
the early 80’s has played with numerous of the genre’s top acts. He was a
mainstay of Experience Unlimited (famous for the Billboard topper “Da
Butt” and the Grace Jones collaboration “Slave to Rhythm”), and has played with Trouble Funk, Little
Benny & the Masters, Chuck Brown
& the Soul Searchers, and Maiesha & the Hip Huggers. Ju Ju’s resume also includes work with renowned artists Arrested Development, Roberta
Flack, Chaka Kahn, Dionne Farris, Natalie Cole, and The Boston Pops. One of his drum heads is even displayed in the National Museum of African
American History & Culture! Ju Ju's passion for teaching youth about Go Go's beat, history and influence on generations of music has led him on an educational journey that includes a nearly decade-long collaboration with the Shaw Community Center. The Center's youth are always engaged and energized when Ju Ju is in the House!
