VOGUING Continues to Evolve: 3rd Annual House of Blahnik Scholarship
Posted on 12. Mar, 2010 by R. Keith Burns in Educational Information, Featured Content
The popular dance group VOGUE Evolution and the documentary Paris Is Burning are two of the phenomenon that have offered outsiders in the mainstream a peek into the underground world of the House/Ball community. This community of predominantly Black and Latino lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) performers has long been known for its color and pageantry. But this sub-culture, like many indigenous to the African American and Latino community, is one born out of a need to experience the success and opulence that many poor people of color only get to see on TV. The House of Blahnik is changing this “As Seen on TV” success into tangible opportunity; which yields real success for members of the ball community by offering the House of Blahnik Scholarship. “VOGUE Evolution and Paris is Burning gave the mainstream a peek into our world, now the House of Blahnik Scholarship is going to give some of us, in the ball community, a peek into the mainstream,” remarked Kevin Bynes, Board President, for the House of Blahnik.
This year’s winner of the House of Blahnik Scholarship is a ballroom celebrity and is affectionately known to all as the Icon, Dray Ebony. The Grandfather of the “Immortal” House of Ebony has been walking balls for 23 years and currently attends the University of Phoenix where he majors in Human Services. “I am so honored and touched to receive this scholarship that you just can’t imagine,” remarked Ebony. “As a former member of the House of Ebony and a student of Dray’s teachings, I am personally moved by his transformation and all that he is doing with LGBT youth in NYC and around the country. We could not have given this year’s scholarship to a more deserving individual,” said Mr. Humes. Aside from being inducted into the ballroom Hall of Fame, winning the prestigious Icon of the Year award 3 years in a row, being legendary for and winning many fashion and every realness award imaginable and having enough awards/trophies to decorate the mantels of an entire generation of ball patrons, Grandfather Ebony is a AIDS activist, inspirational speaker and leader for social and political change within the House/Ball community. In his role with FACES-NY, Dray works with the STAR Project to provide health education and facilitate support and discussion groups that target the house/ball community and the larger LGBT people of color community.
The Blahnik Scholarship was established in 2006 after the house leadership had several discussions about a disturbing trend of academic failure within the ballroom community. “We couldn’t understand why so many individuals who could be so dedicated and disciplined in competition weren’t able to transfer these skills to their academic pursuits,” remembered Damon Humes, Founder and Overall Father of the House of Blahnik. “What we were able to recognize was the huge amount of support, affirmation and encouragement that these young people received from this community when they could vogue, or walk the runway; we wanted to honor that while celebrating folks for excelling academically as well,” Humes went on to say. According to the Board President, Kevin Bynes, “the real world endeavors and achievements may be valued above the artistic and social achievements, but from a human development point of view they are all equally important. The ball scene has done an amazing job of supporting the artistic and social development of individuals. Now we want to support their academic real world achievements as well!”
The House of Blahnik is a competitive family structure within the house/ball scene. Founded in August of 1999 and debuting in May 2000, the house has become known for its virtually unstoppable voguers and runway walkers as well as its community and social responsibility. The House of Blahnik is under the fiscal management and oversight of the MOCHA Center, Inc. a registered non-profit organization in the State of New York and is governed by a Board of Directors. With chapters in New York (NY), Philadelphia (PA), Atlanta (GA), Detroit (MI), Chicago (IL), Cleveland (OH), North and South Carolina, Oakland (CA) and various cities in New Jersey, Blahnik seeks to invest in the future of ball participants who make valuable contributions to the ballroom and LGBT communities.
