MIAMI — Members of the Embrace Girls Foundation’s mentoring program got a special treat May 12 when some cast members of Theo London's award-winning play Loving Him Is Killing Me dropped in on their Tea Party Social at Crescendo’s Jazz & Blues Lounge on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.
The play ran for five shows May 13-15 at the James L. Knight Convention Center in downtown Miami. According to Embrace Girls Foundation founder and executive director Velma Lawrence, some of the actors came to town early to spend time with the girls.
They included supermodel Tyson Beckford, soul singers Kenny Lattimore, Angie Stone and Christopher Williams.
“It's not often that we can come into a city and spend time with a local charity. Resources and logistics are really a nightmare in planning something like that but when the opportunity does present itself like it has with this organization, we jump at it,” said promoter George Crooks, CEO of Jammins Productions.
Crooks said he was impressed with Embrace’s ties to the community.
Stone said she, too, was impressed with what she saw.
“When those little girls walked in that room, my heart melted. They were so cute,” Stone said.
Lattimore added, “My jaw dropped when they did their formal introductions and questions. They were mature, serious and poised. This program should be in schools in every city. It's what the world is missing. Starting with girls as young as 4 is an awesome opportunity for them to grow, learn and have these priceless experiences.”
The girls were, in turn, delighted by the presence of the actors.
“It was so exciting when we moved the tables back so that Mr. Beckford could give us modeling lessons. That was my favorite part," said aspiring model, 9-year old Camelia Miles.
“I liked the advice we got from them about their careers and families,” added Abrielle Robinson, 12. “I never knew Angie Stone's passion is playing basketball and Christopher Williams is related to Ella Fitzgerald.”
The Embrace Girls Foundation’s Embrace Girl Power! After School Programs & Camps is a not-for-profit mentoring program that Lawrence started in 2001.
“The idea is to empower elementary and middle school aged girls so they can be healthy, confident, ambitious young ladies who strive for academic excellence,” Lawrence said…
Its activities include the Tea Party Social, where the girls dress formally and welcome a guest for tea, while showing off how much they have learned to be little ladies.
“The Tea Parties are designed to showcase their social, communication and etiquette skills that they learned from mentors who specialize in social etiquette,” Lawrence said.
For more information about the organization, call 305-270-4099 or visit www.embracegirlpower.org.
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