Richard Wright Black Tie Gala Recap
Back Story: Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts for students in grades 8-12. They provide an environment that connects the students with classics and modern languages along with a curriculum focused on strong writing skills and vocabulary. Translation: They are teaching our next round of TV producers, actors, entertainers, visual arts, models and more. Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts has been named one of the 41 most innovative schools in America! This is the only journalism and media school in the area.
I’ve always loved an ice sculpture; I need to get me one of these. They had a variety of art work on display that was done by the students. I’m telling you, they had all kinds of levels to their talents.
DC’s own Laz Alonso kicked off the program. I’m so mad I missed out on meeting him. I so dig his style, he used to be on Verses & Flow, it was a spoken word show that I loved. He is currently starring in NBC’s The Mysteries of Laura. He talked about how it was not the “cool” thing to be in the arts when he was growing up and how he could have used a school such as this one to help him focus on his dreams.
That was followed up by a wonderfully talented young lady that did Spoken Word. OH MY GOSH!!! She was so freaking good. Here are a few words that stayed with me. “Silencing your voice out of fear is the worst kind of violence.” – Ms. Sheri Booker, Author & Poet
Bre-Z, who plays Freda Gatz on Fox’s hit show Empire, was also in the building. She performed one of her songs from the show and spoke about the importance of supporting our kids in these films. Everyone isn’t cut out to be doctors; everyone doesn’t want to be doctors. We have to support our arts because they are always the first to go. As a creative type this event spoke to my heart.
Not only is this man fine, he is so freaking smart. He is so tuned into where he was and what was going on. It was refreshing to hear him get real with us because you could tell it was come from a good place. From a place that meant something to him. His road to Hollywood wasn’t paved with gold; he endured his “fair” share of struggle.
The students put on a fashion show with the PRISM Modeling Team. They were styled by a local store in Temple Hills, Maryland. They had a really cute black and white theme going on. They also had these really cute lace bunny ear headbands on. You can’t really tell from this picture, but I’m so going to get me one. In addition to the fashion show the students shared a lot of their short films from ROXIE Film Productions. Some of them were stories they created and others were about legends in the industry. They did a really nice one on Oscar Macheaux; he was a Black author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films. He is regarded as the first major Black feature filmmaker, and the most successful Black filmmaker of the first half of the twentieth century. He produced race films, silent films and “talkies” after the industry changed to include actors. I so didn’t know any of that prior to this event.
Omari brought out his POWER co-host Michael Rainey Jr.; he plays the role of his son. Michael was recently in Barbershop 3 The Next Cut. He talked about mentoring Michael and how far he has grown since they started the show. It was great that the teens could see someone their age being successful in an industry they want to be in.
This moment right here… yes GAWD! Omari smelled amazing, so much so I had to let him know. He told me he took a lot of showers. hahahahaha He also told me my haircut was dope. *BODY ROLL* I hope to see him again in a few weeks at the Essence Festival in New Orleans.
Dr. Clark thanked everyone for attending, supporting, the students and staff for all of their hard work. He should be proud, the students did a great job.
DC’s hottest all-female band closed out the show. Be’la Dona, took the stage in their heels and all and I was here for it.
WHAT I WORE!
I knew I was wearing a black dress so I wanted to punch things up a bit with accessories. Pink was my color of the evening.
My hair, my shoes, my sunnies and my handbag were the perfect pop of color ever. I got so many compliments. My shoes were a Nordstrom Rack find from my last trip to Miami. My new hair color was a perfect match for my color choice.
Dress: Choies Shoes: Nordstrom Rack Hand Bag: Gucci Belt: H&M
Overall the event was nice, the meet and greet was a bit chaotic but I had a great time. I met some great ladies while we waited. I attend a lot of events, but I enjoy these types of events in a different way. They so need to bring me on board next year so I can help them out a bit.
Chat with me in the comment below or FB, IG or Twitter.
Tell my boo to take his hands off of you! Him so cute. Love this to see kids achieve things and to be able to put that energy into the arts is a good thing.
Hahahahaha It was really nice to see them living out their dreams.
What a wonderful night for a great cause. It is awesome that there is a school dedicated to children who have interest and talent for journalism and media arts. And I have to say you looked awesome. Loving those pink shoes. Too stylish.
Thanks Chrishelle, it was nice to see so many come out and support the kids and the arts. I can’t wait to wear those shoes again.
Whoa! Love the quote about silencing your voice. What a great gala and fantastic message
Yes Laura, I was like WHOA! It was a great reminder for sure.
You looked so great! I really loved the way you styled your hair and your dress, too. Events like these are so fun to attend. I’m glad you had a good time!
Thanks Aly, I love to have fun with my look.
Bre-Z is SO incredibly talented in Empire. It is one of my favorite shows. I hope she puts out some more music so that I can buy it! I’d love to see her go on tour too!
Krysta that show is taking her places for sure. She should totally ride out this rise to stardom. It is nice to see her give back in while on the rise.
What an exciting night! You looked awesome. Love the pink! The ice sculpture is amazing and the fashion show looked like so much fun. Sounds like a great charter school for journalism and arts.
Thanks Alli, the ice sculpture was dope. I would have loved to watch see to the process. I wish there were more of these type of schools around.
What a great event for a great cause. And you looked amazing. You were rocking those shoes. Love the whole look.
Thanks Chrishelle, I love to get dressed up. I felt all kinds of fancy in my shoes too.
Oh you will be the envy of many women after your encounter with Mr. Alonzo. I love that this school is training the next generation of creatives how to excel with their talent and passions. They are doing something right to be named in the Top 41 in the country for innovation.
Right Tia, he is a movement by himself girl. It was really inspiring to see the kids work.
It look like you had fun at the gala. I’m sure you also stood out with your great outfit.
I really did Franc, thanks.
Star studded….and the TV stars look cute too! I’m loving your color pops!
Yes girl, it was nice to see the celebs come out for the kids.
This looks like such a fabulous event. It sounds like you had a great time. I love you chose a black dress and then added some fun with pink accessories!
Thanks Jenn, it really was.
I try to go for a different look when I can. I hardly ever do black.
What a powerful quote! I’m definitely writing that one down so I can keep it fresh in my mind. This looks like a great event for a great cause! Love, love, love your shoes and bag! The pop of color looks amazing with your dress.
Yes Kristy, me too. I feel like I should write it everywhere.
Thanks
Great cause and you looked cute!!! Oh, heeeyyy Omari! LOL!
Thanks Donna. Right, Hey Omari!!!
Seeing Be’la Dona perform must have been great. I love the look you went with for the event! That splash of pink was a great idea!
It was all kinds of good girl power going on.
I’m so jealous that you got that close to my Omari! #IJS Great recap. I knew nothing about this event until you mentioned it. I’m so going to steal that purse from you at some point. lol
Hahahahaha, thanks Kirstin.
Girl yaaasss!!! You looked cute standing next to MY boo lol! No seriously seems like a great event. I love when the youth are poured into and it is positive!
It was a full night to celebrate the youth. Girl he is everything.
Looks like a great time. Love the outfit!
Thanks Sarah.
This looks like such a fun gala! I am in love with you dress. I really love how you adding little pops of color with your bag and shoes, so cute!
Thanks Angelic, it was cheap to girl. I like to dress up high end and low end pieces.
What an exciting night. You were wearing some fantastic shoes. I love the color. It sounds like a great school, good luck to those students. I’m sure they have great futures ahead of them.
Heather they really do have great futures ahead of them.
Thanks, I love fancy shoes.
This sounds like an amazing event. Omari!!! Girl 🙂
It really was but Omari was a nice cherry on top for sure.
That couldna been me with Omari the picture would have been of him resuscitating me from fainting. That is one fine specimen of man. Dear gawd!
Girl, I was trying to keep it cute. hahahaha
This sounds like a great event and a great school. I love seeing more non-traditional schools that develop the special talents of students.
Yes April I agree with you. Everyone isn’t cut from the same cloth. We need to change things up a bit and meet them where they are and still teach them to be great.
This looks like an amazing event. This school looks great! I wish there were schools like this down here in Georgia. You looked fabulous! I love your outfit.
Thanks Katherine, I so hope the concept catches on and it become a thing. So many kids would benefit from it.
Thanks hun.
That is so awesome that you got to experience that. I love your shoes you wore!
Thanks Bonnie.
A great fundraising event for a great cause! You look so stylish in your outfit. And yes, you’re right, your accessories were a great pop of color to break the color of your dress.
Thanks Markandkate8. It always feels good to give back especially when it is kids.
What a great cause! It looks like you had a great time, and I LOVE the shoes!
I totally did Stephanie, I was the belle of the ball. lol
What an awesome event to attend, love all the pics. And ohmahgawd – those shoes!
Thanks Heather, you know I like to get all cute and stuff.
This looks like such a great event and cause. Young people living out their dreams is just amazing.
It really is Robin, they just go for it and I love that.
What a good cause and fab event! I’m loving the pink.
Thanks Nikka, it really was.
That’s amazing that the celebs came out for the kids! Yassssss for being so close to Omari! I would’ve had to let him know he smelled good too! LOL
Yes, I always love to see celebs give back to the kids.
I’m sorry was there an event going on? I got a little distracted by Omari lol
Hahhahahahahaa girl he has that type of hold of the ladies.
Those fringe heels are giving me life! I was watching Wendy Williams today and she mentioned that wearing black shoes with a black dress is so predictable. I agree and love that you went with a bold shoe and accessories.
I really wish I had gone to an art school or two or three, lol. I would have loved it. What an incredible event to keep the dreams of our little ones alive.
Yassss Sheena, live in it. You and me both girl.
You looked amazing! Love. Love. Love those shoes! Looked like it was a fabulous night for a great school 🙂
Thanks, I love that everyone had to get all dressed out to come out and support.
That event looks really cool, but I just adore the way you dressed for it! Those shoes! 🙂
Thanks Kate, I built the outfit around the shoes.
That looks like such a fun event. And YOU! You rock that outfit girl. Love love those shoes!
Thanks Peachy!
Love those shoes! Looks like you had a great time!
Thanks Jess, I really did. Great shoes makes everything better.