AKAs, Deltas Team Up for “Pumps and Pearls for Prevention” American Heart Association Walk
The Omicron Lambda Omega, Rho Pi Omega and Alpha Beta Omega chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. have partnered with the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated to host the third annual “Pumps and Pearls for Prevention” walk from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 on Fulton Street at Harrah’s Hotel.
The walk benefits the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women Campaign”. The event will be held on Fulton Street at Harrah’s Hotel.
The event is free and begins with a walk on Fulton Street, followed by multiple activities and events in the ballroom of Harrah’s Hotel, such as a line dance, a silent auction featuring donated artwork by Terrance Osbourne, a healthy cooking demonstration, free health screenings, prevention awareness tips and the signature “Fierce Pumps” competition.
Bring your most creative and fierce pumps for the chance to win prizes. There is a $10 entry fee for the competition.
Through the sale of event t-shirts, silent auction items, general donations and the entry fee for the “Fierce Pumps” competition, 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association.
For more information, contact Michaela King at kidsdoc820@yahoo.com or (662) 347-8121.
The Bridge House/Grace House Fundraiser set for Feb. 21
The Bridge House/Grace House will host its seventh annual Recycled Fashion Show 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21 at Rock N’ Bowl located, 3016 S. Carrolton Ave. There will be entertainment, food vendors and a cash bar.
The Bridge House/Grace House help men and women who have become dependent on drugs achieve sober living. They provide their services to those in need regardless of their ability to pay.
Their program is designed to cater to the individual need of its participants based on gender.
Tickets start at $25 and are available at www.bridgehouse.org/support-us/events/recycled-fashionshow/ or by calling (504) 821-7288.
This annual fashion show gives local designers the opportunity to showcase their skills by creating unique outfits from the Bridge House and Grace House thrift store finds. The items modeled on the runway will then be available for purchase via a silent auction.
Chaka Khan Headlines Third Annual UNCF New Orleans Mayor’s Masked Ball
The United Negro College Fund’s New Orleans Area Office and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will host the third annual UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball on Saturday, March 12, at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Emceed by Kevin Frazier, co-host of Entertainment Tonight, the event brings together more than 800 business, civic and education leaders in support of UNCF’s work in providing area students the resources to get to and through college. Presidents from two of the 37 private historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that UNCF supports will also be in attendance: Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough of Dillard University and Dr. C. Reynold Verret of Xavier University of Louisiana.
Ten-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan will provide entertainment for this signature fundraising event. Known for hits such as “I’m Every Woman,” “Through the Fire” and “I Feel for You,” the legendary Queen of Funk has a career that spans over four decades. In 2011, UNCF recognized her contributions to music and education with the Award of Excellence, UNCF’s highest honor, at the 32nd UNCF An Evening of Stars.
“We are elated to have long-time UNCF friend and supporter Chaka Khan provide entertainment this year, and we’re grateful for the continued support of Mayor Landrieu and the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. We are guaranteed an electrifying evening in The Big Easy, as we bring supporters and stakeholders together to invest in Better Futures,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., President and CEO, UNCF.
United Way Report Brings Plight of State’s Working Poor in Focus
The Louisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW), along with 11 United Ways across the state, recently released the United Way ALICE Report for Louisiana. The United Way of Southeast Louisiana held a press conference at its Canal Street office to discuss ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
The United Way ALICE Report is the most comprehensive depiction of financial need in the state to date, using data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census. The report unveils new measures, based on present-day income levels and expenses that show how many Louisiana workers struggle financially and why. The report spotlights the difficulties faced by a large number of hardworking residents who are struggling to make ends meet, have little or no savings, and are one emergency away from falling into poverty.
In Louisiana, 695,719 households — 40 percent of the state total — are unable to afford basic cost of living, with conditions still lagging behind pre-recession levels, according to the report. For Black Louisianans, the numbers are disproportionately high. Although Blacks comprise about 30 percent of the state’s population, they make up 45 percent of Louisianans living in poverty and 42 percent of those considered ALICE.
In Orleans Parish, 48 percent of the 158,354 households are either living at poverty or in conditions defined by ALICE–essentially the brink of poverty.
Vicki Mack, a senior research fellow with The Data Center, says “This United Way ALICE Report for Louisiana reminds us that too many individuals and families live on the brink of financial disaster and crisis every day and that we can and should do more to protect them, especially the most vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. The strategies provided in this report can improve the well-being of many people in each parish, and the state as a whole.”
To download the 263-page report that provides parish-by-parish and town-level data, go to www.launitedway.org.
