House of Blahnik Scholarship Program 2011
Posted on 07. Mar, 2011 by R. Keith Burns in Educational Information, Feature Slider
For Immediate Release
March 7, 2011
Contact: Damon L. Humes, (215) 431-1790
Email: houseofblahnik@yahoo.com
National Organization Announces Continued Support for Academic Excellence 4th Annual House of Blahnik Scholarship
House of Blahnik 2011 Scholarship
Over the last four years, the House of Blahnik (HOB) has provided financial support to members of the house/ball community who sought academic advancement. HOB forges ahead with the announcement of its 5th year run of this coveted and dynamic program. The house/ball community is an underground subculture within the broader lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Membership is comprised of mostly Black and Latino(a) youth/young adults, of varying ages, in cities around the United States and Canada. This subculture has gained notoriety and mainstream media attention from megastars such as Madonna in her video (affectionately named) Vogue, the popular dance group VOGUE Evolution, the documentaries Paris Is Burning and How Do I Look as well as an episode of the LOGO network-bred television series Noah’s Ark. This sub-culture, like many indigenous to the African American and Latino community, was born out of a need to immortalize its own stars and leaders. “As Black and Latino LGBT persons find hope in the evolving political and social climate around them; the House of Blahnik will be present to provide hope and support as well,” remarked Kevin Bynes, National Board President of the HOB.
Past recipients of this prestigious accolade include Dray Ebony (2010), Grandfather of the Icon House of Ebony and staff person with FACES-NY; YB Chanel (2009) member of the Icon House of Chanel and volunteer with many community-based organizations in the North Carolina area that focused on HIV prevention; Boi Boi St. Clair (2008), member of the Legendary House of St. Clair and active community member; and our inaugural recipient Ajay Balenciaga (2008), active member of the house/ball community and advocate and activist in LGBT affairs. “These recipients have all graduated from four year accredited academic institutions and are making a notable difference in the lives of their families and communities; which embodies the HOB’s model for success ,” comments Damon Humes, also known as Jay Blahnik- Overall Father and Founder of the House of Blahnik.
Established in 2006, the HOB Scholarship Fund has been a pivotal force in breaking down barriers that prevent the attainment of post secondary education. “The development of this scholarship and its continuity has been a process, one which has been solely supported by contributions [internally] from House of Blahnik leadership. We would like to see this paradigm shift going forward, and empower members of the house/ball community and the general public to invest in this valuable program with a proven track record of success,” Humes notes. “When we demonstrate that something we are connected to has value, and we invest in it, we subconsciously given others permission to do the same,” remakes Stephaun Wallace, Vice-President of the House of Blahnik’s Board of Directors. The deadline to submit an application for this scholarship program is Friday, May 6, 2011 at 5PM EST; with an anticipated decision date of June 6, 2011, with the award being made shortly thereafter.
The House of Blahnik is a competitive family structure within the house/ball scene. Founded in August of 1999 and publically debuting on May 1, 2000. The HOB is most known for its ground-breaking and imaginative Broadway-styled productions; as well as its social responsibility to LGBT people of color in communities across the US and Canada. The HOB 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.
House of Blahnik 2011 Scholarship
To inquire about the scholarship program or to make a tax-deductible contribution to the House of Blahnik Scholarship Program, please visit our website: www.houseofblahnik.org or contact Damon Humes at houseofblahnik@yahoo.com or (215) 431-1790.
