This week I wanted to take the time to acknowledge a
not-for-profit organization that has contributed to its community by keeping
the music alive. Based out of Harlem New York, and founded by Vy Higginson
radios first African American disc jockey, The Mama Foundation school of Gospel,
Jazz vocal and R&B arts has been helping talented teenagers and musicians
make a loud sound in Harlem New York.
The Mama Foundation welcomes voices at any stage of
development whether beginner or seasoned. However, most importantly the foundation
provides a place where musicians can go to learn the craft, become more
confident and learn how to interpret songs better by learning how to find
emotional release. In addition, the foundation provides a place for teenagers to
join their own gospel group.
The gospel for teens by far is one of the many attributes
the Mama Foundation possesses. Learning the background story of some of the
teens and learning the many different trials and tribulations the teens go
through in their daily lives becomes moving when you witness the positive
effect the school has offered the them. In many cases the foundation has helped
some of them become more confident about who they are as a person and taught
them to be proud by shouting their name out loud. The Mama Foundation not only
provided the gift of music but the gift of learning how to be comfortable in your skin, know and learn how to love yourself.
Amongst being a service to the community, the foundation
also found success by having the longest running black Off-Broadway play in history.
Mama I Want to Sing is a classic musical that has been widely recognized and
has had an impressive star line up since its creation including Tisha Campbell, Chaka
Kahn just to name a few. Current versions of the play that has been brought to film people can
find music greats such as Pattie la belle and pop artist Ciara playing roles in
the musical.
2012. The Mama Foundation. About. Retrieved from http://mamafoundation.org/index.html. Sunday 23, 2012
2011. Gospel for teens. CBS 60 minutes. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7361574n Sunday 23, 2012
