July 19, 2010
Lyrical Success Makes Headlines!
Last night's hip-hop themed fundraiser, Lyrical, was an undeniable success. But you don't have to take our word for it, check out the paparazzi pics and read the review from NEXT Magazine!
Last night at Home Sweet Home was an evening demanding attire of Roxanne Shanté-style retro-realness as an enthusiastic and dapper crowd came out to enjoy drinks and beats and show solidarity at Lyrical, the benefit party for the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund. Named after a gay Brooklyn teen who was viciously murdered in 2005, the nonprofit trust awards scholarships to high-school students interested in battling homophobia and other forms of oppression.
William Johnson of Mary literary quarterly organized the night’s proceedings, adding his trademark touch of irresistibility along with out rapper Last O, who spat some fire at the enthusiastic crowd. (Many recognized the hip-hop artist from a delectably shirtless appearance on the cover of Mary’s first issue.) DJ duties were then resumed by four friends calling themselves the Black Female Executives.
Desire Brazell, Rashawn’s mother, said she was “overwhelmed” by the community’s response to her son’s still-unsolved case. “[I like] the fact that my son’s name is associated with helping students go to college, as Rashawn was ready to do.”
One guest, Cedric, who was drawn to the event from the Bronx, said he was inspired to see young people coming together at event because, “our communities are still under siege.” Less solemn was the foundation's Larry Lyons, who was sporting an updated ’80s-era funky-hipster ensemble. He told the crowd, “We’re not letting the mood get too serious. We want to do this in the vibrant spirit that Rashawn would have wanted.” While many battles require a raised fist, it’s comforting to remember that activism need not always be enraged or overly somber.
—Jerome Murphy
Jerome Murphy is a New York-based journalist and the writer of Next Magazine's monthly book column, Outwords.
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June 19, 2010
Brighter Days V: Grassroots Glam!
Since 2005, the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Scholarship has paid tribute to the slain teen's legacy of academic excellence and selfless service by offering a $1500 award to college-bound New York City students committed to the fight against racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of injustice.
As our organization celebrates its 5th anniversary, I’d like to ask for your support of our annual Brighter Days event, an awards banquet to be held on August 19, 2010. Hosted at 320 Studios in Manhattan, this year’s event promises to be our biggest yet. Our 2010 theme is Grassroots Glam and we’re elated to have the Honorable Christine C. Quinn, Speaker of the New York City Council, serving as the event chair.
At the event, we will honor NY State Senator Eric Adams, Rev. Kevin E Taylor and internet radio show host DJ Baker for their unwavering support of our organization and their respective efforts to end violence against LGBT people of color in our community.
To purchase your ticket, click here or visit:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/119289.
100% of the event's proceeds support scholarships with college-bound NYC students committed to the fight against racism, sexism and homophobia.
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June 17, 2010
LYRICAL: A hip-hop party to benefit the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund
Date: Sunday July 18, 2010
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Place: Home Sweet Home Bar
(131 Chrystie St., New York, NY 10002; tel: 212-226-5708).
New York– Lyrical, a hip-hop inspired party to help raise awareness in the fight against homophobia, will be presented by the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund and Mary Literary, a queer literary quarterly, in cooperation with Home Sweet Home Bar on Sunday, July 18 from 6pm-9pm.
In February 2005, 19-year-old Rashawn Brazell’s life was brutally cut short after he disappeared from his home in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Shortly thereafter, the young man’s dismembered body parts were found in garbage bags strewn throughout the borough of Brooklyn. Though his story was initially refused coverage in most mainstream media outlets, it incited overwhelming responses from bloggers, activists and outraged community members alike.
Larry Lyons, co-founder of the Fund, offers that “This event is not only an opportunity for folks to come together and celebrate, it’s also a chance to remember Rashawn’s legacy and remind each other that the fight against homophobia within our community continues.”
Since its inception in April 2005, the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund has used its website, RashawnBrazell.com, its annual Brighter Days gala event, and Speak Out! panel discussion series to educate and provide avenues of action that encourage New Yorkers to join together in the struggle against injustice.
Lyrical will feature drink specials throughout the evening, hip-hop beats by DJ Black Female Executive, and a performance by out-gay rapper LastO. The event will take place from 6pm – 9pm on Sunday, July 18 at Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie St., New York, NY 10002; tel: 212-226-5708).
A suggested donation at the door of $10 will go to support the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Scholarship, which continues to pay tribute to the slain teen’s legacy of academic excellence and selfless service by offering an annual $1500 award to college-bound New York City students committed to the fight against racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of injustice.
Continue reading "LYRICAL: A hip-hop party to benefit the Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund" »
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March 09, 2010
Great Times at the Rubin
The RBMF would like to thank everyone that attended Friday's Mentor Mixer. Those who joined us at the Rubin Museum of Art in Chelsea got a chance to meet Keila Perez (a 2008 Rashawn Brazell Memorial Scholarship awardee), Isaiah and Celeste Sypher (a 2009 RBMS awardee and his lovely mother) and Andrea Hughie (who will be mentoring Nafi Traore, a 2009 RBMS recipient).
A special thanks to Reginald Cociffi-Pointdujour (our current Scholar Selections Coordinator), Julius Pateman (our Communications Associate) and Marie Varghese (our former Scholar Selections Coordinator) for providing remarks during the event and introducing attendees to the work of the Fund. We'd also like to extend our thanks to Terik King for capturing some of the evening's most hilarious moments on film and new RBMF volunteer Phillip Howze for pitching in at his very first RBMF mixer! The evening wouldn't have been possible without your collective contributions!
If you missed the event, don't fret. An opportunity to mix and mingle with the RBMF staff, scholars and supporters is never far away. Add us on Facebook today to keep abreast of the latest developments in the case and all of our nifty programming. We hope to see you soon!
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November 10, 2009
2008 & 2009 Scholar Updates
You may recall that last year, Quindell Evans and Keila Perez wowed us so thoroughly with their applications, we were simply unable to choose between them. Excited by their inspirational stories and their commitment to furthering Rashawn's legacy, we had no other choice than to grant not one but TWO $1500 scholarships!
Well, 2009 found our selection committee in quite the same predicament. The applications from Isaiah Sypher and Nafissatou (Nafi) Traore were so compelling that we've provided BOTH of the young scholars with financial support and mentors.
Want to know exactly what made these four students so impressive and how becoming RBMS scholars has changed their lives?
Continue reading "2008 & 2009 Scholar Updates" »
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November 05, 2009
Let's Mix it Up!
The RBMF invites you to mix and mingle with us on Friday, November 13th at the Ruben Museum of Art's ultra-chic K2 Lounge. While there, you can learn more about our current programs and future plans while enjoying 2-for-1 drink specials, breathtaking Himalayan art and Brooklyn's own DJ Tikka Masala on the turntables.
Also, you can purchase your ticket for the 40" Toshiba LCD television we're auctioning off to support the 2010 Rashawn Brazell Memorial Scholarship. How's that for social justice with a twist?!
RSVP today by emailing info@rashawnbrazell.com, our facebook group or just drop by!
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August 28, 2009
Get in the Mix!
The Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund would like to invite you to join us at our first Mentor Mixer. For those who are just being introduced to our work, we’ll be providing a brief overview of our history and initiatives. For those who have supported our work over the past four years, we’ll be unveiling our fall fundraisers and announcing the winners of the 2009 scholarship award. Most importantly, we’ll use the evening to begin transforming talented folks like you from young professionals and agents of change into mentors for the next generation of scholars and activists.
At the event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the amazing young men and women who have received the seven scholarships we’ve granted since 2006. 2007 scholarship recipient Dashana Payne and her mentor Kemi Ilesanmi will be discussing their experience with our mentoring program, and 2009 recipient Nafissatou Traore (who has not yet been paired with a mentor) will speak briefly about how she’s been inspired by Rashawn’s legacy of selfless service and academic excellence.
We do hope that you’ll join us for this exciting event. Have a drink, bring a friend and learn a little about the role YOU can play in helping us build the New York City that Rashawn wanted to see; a diverse and affirming city free of violent crime.
To RSVP, email us today by clicking here.
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