Scene from Music and Millennials, Dennis Reed pictured in the center.
Although the festivities are waning down, people are still on social networks, talking about the week-long activities from the ITF Xperience.
From July 25 until July 31, 2016, the ITF [Inspire The Fire] hosted their annual, interactive, seminar in the Pease auditorium at the Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC.
The cultural fellowship/workshop was free to the public. It welcomed many youths from different walks of life, to participate in song, dance and rigorous conversations about positive change.
On Thursday July 28, the ITF, along with Hope for Harvest hosted the Music and Millennials [open] panel discussion with vocalists Justine Sky, Kent Jones, and Avery Wilson.
Catherine Brewton, Vice President of BMI (http://www.bmi.com/), moderated the symposium between the musicians and audience members.
At the beginning of the presentation, Founder of ITF, Dennis Reed spoke to the excited audience. He said, “You have to feed yourself positivity every day. There is greatness on the inside of you!”
Judging from the applauds, it's assumable that the kids needed to hear that encouraging message.
The ugly reality is that while some children might be living the good life, others aren't. Growing-up in urban communities doesn’t always offer a positive resolve for the minority, which is why growing-up in unfortunate conditions or what is considered to be the hood, is painful in the first place.
Life can raise a person up and drop them off into a moot and barren space of remorse. Somehow, this is when an adolescent takes a damaging path because they’ve either followed the wrong crowd or they’ve figured it out that life isn’t fair. Kids finally learn that “happily-ever-after” doesn’t exist and it’s only vindicated in cartoons and Hollywood movies.
The sentence that Dennis shared was powerful and it was motive enough to give anyone the strength to work hard for what they wanted regardless of their circumstances.
Reed interrelating with the kids during a monologue
The remainder of the evening was upbeat and sanguine. Therefore, when the speakers came out, the audience [children] were bursting with intrigue and anticipation. They were ready for the information that the guest was willing to share.
During the panel discussion, each narrator shed light from their perspective on the good and the bad aspects of becoming an entertainer in the industry, sparking great dialogue about being in the spotlight and maintaining an amicable identity.
A few affirmations from the speakers:
Catherine Brewton: Don’t miss your blessing by hanging in the back all the time-- come to the front.
Justine Sky: People will think they know what’s best for you, even though you may have your own ideas. The older generation don’t understand that. I say if you fail; hey, try again. Always give thanks.
Avery Wilson: Keep doing what you are supposed to do and God will bless you. Stay true to your voice and follow your heart.
Kent Jones: Think about the people invested in your life. There is always a team of people. The most difficult thing that you can do is make music, right now, in the moment—write what’s free, natural, and from the heart. Be transparent.
The segment ended with Q & A between the audience and artists.
Closing:
Inspire The Fire is a positive and faith-based, non-profit organization, that work hand-in-hand with the at risk youth, by amplifying their minds with various elements of the arts.
Another fact is that many of the Hope Coaches/mentors were once students that joined ITF when they were younger... This is proof that their [ITF] methods work.
In addition to that, ITF has partnered with other agencies within the Charlotte area and abroad for over a decade—that’s over 10-years and they still don’t receive the positive eminence that they deserve.
Reference text [http://inspirethefire.org/dennis/
If you'd like to interview Dennis Reed, please reach out to Tangi Davis at: imerge1@aol.com