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About Metasoft Systems: Connecting Non-Profit Foundations to Funding Opportunities
Learn about Metasoft Systems and our commitment to helping non-profit foundations find funding. Discover how our solutions support charitable organizations in achieving their goals.
Visit us : https://www.foundationsearch.com/about/index.aspx
#nonprofit fundraising#foundation funding#fundraising campaign#online crowdfunding#individualfundraiser#funding services#crowdfunding campaign#MetasoftSystems#NonProfitFoundations#FundraisingSupport#GrantFunding#CharitableGiving#NonProfitGrowth#FundingOpportunities#NonProfitSuccess#Philanthropy#NonProfitResources
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#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – ‘All We Want Is Him Back.’ Pioneers Of #College Football’s #MentalHealth Movement, Mark & Kym #Hilinski Continue To Share Son’s Story
By Theo Lawson [email protected](509) 939-5928 Four days after Tyler #Hilinski died by #suicide, former #WashingtonState wide receiver CJ Dimry approached the quarterback’s father, Mark, at a funeral service in Southern California. Dimry, Hilinski’s former teammate and roommate, began by telling Mark he didn’t own a car during his time in #Pullman. Somewhat puzzled by the remark, Mark Hilinski responded, “Yes, CJ, I know.” The story would come full-circle eventually, but over the next few minutes Dimry explained that his mother died from cancer when he was 5 years old – something the Hilinskis already knew. The part they weren’t aware of: For nearly 15 years, Dimry had sought out counseling to help him cope with the loss. Dimry’s visits ranged from weekly to monthly to annually, but he had regular counseling during his three-year stay in #Pullman. Almost without exception, #Hilinski was the one who’d drive his friend to the appointments. #Hilinski would normally pass the time by finding dinner and waiting in his car. When Dimry finished, it wasn’t unusual for the #WSU teammates to recap the counseling session on the way home. More than four years removed from their son’s #suicide , it’s one of the painful questions that still lingers for Mark and Kym #Hilinski, who understand they may never get the answers they’re seeking. “He’s 20 feet from a door,” Mark said. “Why didn’t he ask for help?” With Dimry’s blessing, it’s a story the Hilinskis have shared hundreds of times speaking to #football players and #studentathletes around the country while representing their #nonprofitfoundation, #Hilinski’sHope. The foundation was launched not long after Tyler’s death with a mission of educating and advocating for #mentalhealth and wellness, while working to eliminate the #stigma associated with #mentalillness. Mark and Kym have made this their life’s work. From their standpoint, they had no choice. For more than three years, they have delivered “Tyler Talks” to various groups. They traveled to the Inland Northwest for a visit with Whitworth’s #football and women’s volleyball players Wednesday afternoon. Roughly 80 miles from where their son played #college #football at #WashingtonState, the Hilinskis still express an affinity for the region, even if it does bring some complicated emotions. “I feel like we’re home,” Mark told a crowd of roughly 200 at Whitworth’s Weyerhaeuser Hall. “We loved it here.” Mark and Kym were in Reno, Nevada, on Tuesday speaking with Nevada’s football team – now coached by Ken Wilson, the former #WSU assistant once responsible for recruiting Tyler to #Pullman. They flew from Reno to Spokane the same evening, met with Whitworth #athletes from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday and caught a 5 p.m. flight ahead of Thursday’s “Tyler Talk” with a group of #highschoolathletes in Portland. The Hilinskis plan to visit 17 states over the coming months, including a trip to Hawaii. Later this month, they’ll wedge in a flight to Ireland to watch their youngest son, Ryan, a junior quarterback at Northwestern, play against Nebraska in the “Aer Lingus #College #Football Classic.” Ryan, Northwestern’s presumptive starter this season, is still wearing his brother’s No. 3. “We jump on planes, we sleep a bit and we do it all over again,” Kym Hilinski said. “… I think there’s a need and I think these coaches and these universities are realizing it. Maybe it’s Tyler’s story, too. We always say, if it can happen to Tyler …” The Hilinskis uprooted their lives to spread Tyler’s story, raise funds for #mentalhealthawareness and bring light to issues that are often untouched, particularly when it comes to #male #collegeathletes. The family sold its Southern California home and two vehicles, and Mark stepped away from his job in retail technology so he and Kym could focus on #Hilinski’sHope. “Retail technology is a lucrative business, telling this sad story is not,” Mark said. “It’s not meant to be, that’s not the purpose. So I did start a new company this year to help on that side. But to the bigger point, we weren’t planning for this growth and we’re sort of caught flat-footed with the amount of requests.” Whitworth coach Rod Sandberg was connected to the Hilinskis through Ian Furness, a KJR Radio host, FOX 13 sports anchor and #WSU alum whose son, Kiefer, plays on the Pirates’ offensive line. In 2019, Furness hosted a golf tournament in Maple Valley, Washington, that raised money for #Hilinski’sHope. “I said, ‘I don’t have any money,’ ” Sandberg said. “They do this to raise money to make a difference. I said, ‘You choose the date, I’ll make the time.’ “I can talk about it all I want. They experienced it. The courage they have to stand up there and share is unbelievable. You can just tell, they had all our players’ attention and able to say go get help in a way I can’t do.” #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleOrder your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Although many are still reluctant to engage in #mentalhealth conversations, the Hilinskis receive constant affirmation that they’re making an impact on young lives. “Someone comes up and whispers in my ear, ‘You just saved my life,’ ” Kym said. “That is so humbling and it just floors you and honestly it happens after every ‘Tyler Talk.’ Every talk I would say, ‘You changed my life’ or ‘You saved my life.’ ” Solo Hines, a junior running back at Whitworth, admitted he’s confronted #suicidalthoughts and battled #depression in the past. Wednesday’s “Tyler Talk” hit close to home for the Kent, Washington, native, serving as a reminder that resources are always available to those struggling. “It really felt welcoming, it felt like home to me to hear that,” Hines said. “I didn’t really know this at the time, or at the time I was going through my #depression and #suicidalthoughts, but it’s good to know there’s people that love me for me, that will help me and care about me as well.” Kym Hilinski acknowledged the pressure facing #studentathletes in 2022. As a projected Pac-12 starting quarterback in the midst of the #socialmedia era, Tyler encountered his share of those pressures at #WSU, but Kym believes the transfer portal, as well as new name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, have added to the strain of being a modern-day #collegeathlete. “So much pressure and #stress that I don’t think they realize how much pressure and stress they’re under,” she said. “Or they do and they’re #athletes and they suck it up,” Mark said. Through in-person and virtual visits with more than 150 universities, the Hilinskis have seen an evolution in the way college athletic leaders – particularly head football coaches – approach #mentalhealthissues. Some of the earliest “Tyler Talks” were athlete-only affairs, but Mark and Kym notice coaches in the audience more often. It’s not uncommon for them to hold exclusive meetings with coaching staffs that are eager to learn what they can do for their players. “We had somebody that needed attention during the middle of a talk, head football coach on the West Coast stopped the thing, they all loved on this #kid, the players got around him,” Mark said. “If you could bottle that, it would snap the #stigma in #college #football.” “If your coach knows and believes you have to take care of your #mentalhealth,” Kym said, “then I think the #studentathletes say, ‘I do, I have to.’ ” Whitworth defensive back and junior captain Colten Chelin agreed conversations surrounding #mentalhealth and #mentalwellness have become more prevalent since he joined the #football team in 2018. “They’re always going to tell you, ‘Oh be tough, you’re fine, put some dirt on it,’ and you can’t do that with #mentalhealth,” he said. “So the #stigma is slowly going away, but this was a great reminder of it.” Even with all the work they’ve done, Mark and Kym Hilinski know their job is nowhere near finished. In 2020, they earned a Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award from ESPN during ESPYs week. They’ve made multiple appearances on NBC’s “Today” show to share Tyler’s story. They recently made an ESPN.com list naming “The 11 biggest power brokers and advocates shaping the future of #college #football.” Others on the list included SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Jackson State coach Deion Jackson. Recognizing the website probably considered them “advocates” more so than “power brokers,” Mark still couldn’t resist the joke: “Kym Hilinski and Greg Sankey, the power brokers of #college #football.” Through #Hilinski’sHope, the couple launched “Game Plan,” an six-part online #mentalhealth course that can be purchased for $6. Their “Unit3d” podcast, sponsored by #Hilinski’sHope and hosted by #sports #psychologists and #mentalhealthprofessionals, just completed its 150th episode. This year alone, they’re scheduled to deliver more than 100 “Tyler Talks” – a stark increase from the 18 they gave in the first year. “We don’t have answers. We’re not telling people, ‘Go drink this water and everything will be fine,’ ” Mark said. “It’s just, if you give them enough of a story that hurts, it tends to just resonate a little bit. … There’s no amount of work we can do where it fixes it.” Near the end of an interview Wednesday, Mark Hilinski pulled out his phone to make sure he and his wife were still on track to catch a flight to Portland. With a photo of Tyler in place as his wallpaper, Mark couldn’t help but grin upon noticing the time: 3:33 p.m. Tyler, as noted, wore No. 3. “All we want is him back,” Kym said. “We’d give everything to have Tyler back.” Read the full article
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Have you heard of Nadia Comaneci? This amazing gymnast not only jumped hoops, but also established her own non-profit organization! Remember, she's not alone in this feat. It's time to channel your own influence, launch a non-profit of your own and make a difference! #NadiaComaneci #GymnasticsLegend #InspiringLeadership #NonprofitFounder #EntrepreneurialSpirit #MakeADifference #StartYourOwnNonprofit #InspireAction #ChangeTheWorld #EmpowermentThroughSport #OlympicGold #GymnasticsInspiration #ChampionMindset #PhilanthropyWorks #LeadershipDevelopment #MotivationMonday #CreateImpact #DreamBig #AchieveGreatness #InspireChange #YouthEmpowerment #WomenInLeadership #RoleModel #SocialImpactNow #EmpowerOthers #CommunityLeadership #LegacyOfExcellence #DareToDream #BelieveInYourself
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5x7 signed silver gelatin darkroom print. Needs a home at $125.00. . . . Help us bring fine arts programming to farming families in rural areas. . . @iloveny . . #oilpainting #oilpainters #WIP #fineartists #fineart #nonprofitorg #nonprofitlife #nonprofit #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitorganisation #nonprofitfoundation #nonprofits #nonprofitaccount #nonprofitcafe #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitsupport #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitleadership #nonprofitpl #nonprofitsrock #nonprofitevents #nonprofitpr #nonprofitevent #marketing #nonprofitlove #nonprofitwork #nonprofitmanagement #nonprofitorganization (at Medusa, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B043YgiFXLP/?igshid=4y5e8yyhihj8
#oilpainting#oilpainters#wip#fineartists#fineart#nonprofitorg#nonprofitlife#nonprofit#nonprofitfundraising#nonprofitorganisation#nonprofitfoundation#nonprofits#nonprofitaccount#nonprofitcafe#nonprofitsofinstagram#nonprofitsupport#nonprofitorganization#nonprofitleadership#nonprofitpl#nonprofitsrock#nonprofitevents#nonprofitpr#nonprofitevent#marketing#nonprofitlove#nonprofitwork#nonprofitmanagement
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Thank you to Miss Rose for letting @donnamvp and I give her a new look as she fights on to beat her cancer. Rose is a former teacher and loving mother, wife and aunt of @donnamvp owner of @beyondbridalbeauty in Mesa. Beyond Bridal Beauty specializes in makeup and weddings, as wedding season approaches here in Arizona please keep them in mind! 💕 Rae Black Extensions “The Beauty That’s in Your Hair” ❤ Life After Hair Loss👑 www.raeblackextensions.net SHOP NOW! Email: [email protected] ❣ Braiding, Wigs and Extensions classes available for more information please email me at [email protected] #entrepreneur #volunteer #nonprofit #nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #fundraising #nonprofits #charity #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfoundation #nonprofitaccount #donate #nonprofitevents #nonprofitsrock #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitevent #nonprofitmanagement #nonprofitlove #nonprofitorganisation #nonprofitstrategist #love #nonprofitrescue #nonprofitsofinstagram #501c3 (at Phoenix, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOjUhshquN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12vn1ccjvnpqd
#entrepreneur#volunteer#nonprofit#nonprofitlife#nonprofitorganization#fundraising#nonprofits#charity#nonprofitconsultant#nonprofitwork#nonprofitorg#nonprofitfoundation#nonprofitaccount#donate#nonprofitevents#nonprofitsrock#nonprofitorganizations#nonprofitevent#nonprofitmanagement#nonprofitlove#nonprofitorganisation#nonprofitstrategist#love#nonprofitrescue#nonprofitsofinstagram#501c3
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Good Afternoon my people I need your Help! Did you know I am the founder, owner, and educator for @unityfashioninstitute. We have started this campaign to assist with our non-profit journey. Unity Fashion Institute also known as (U.F.I ) is an educational platform that provides online and in person courses that revolutionize the youths perspective and give them the experience to learn and develop new life skills to last a lifetime. Fostering creativity to thrive in life using the arts positively. U.F.I. focus on Apparel Design, Construction, Draping, Fashion History, Fashion Illustration, Pattern Making, Tailoring, and sewing, with the emphasis on the Fashion Business. Unity Fashion Institute provide courses, workshops, mentorship and real life experience with our internship collaboration and sponsorship with Sheridonna Designs LLC. The youth ranging from Seven to Seventeen years of age. We are located in the Burtonsville, Maryland area now expanded to serve world. #greatnessonpurpose #sheridonnadesignsllc #unityfashioninstitute #nonprofitfoundation #communityleader #communityadvocate #fashion #design #fashiondesigner #educator #dmv #syracuse #impactfulwom #syrcuseuniversity #alumni #sheridonnatheonlyandonly #happy #2021campaign #gofunndme #gofundmesheridonnadesigns (at Burtonsville, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRiLmUdnojx/?utm_medium=tumblr
#greatnessonpurpose#sheridonnadesignsllc#unityfashioninstitute#nonprofitfoundation#communityleader#communityadvocate#fashion#design#fashiondesigner#educator#dmv#syracuse#impactfulwom#syrcuseuniversity#alumni#sheridonnatheonlyandonly#happy#2021campaign#gofunndme#gofundmesheridonnadesigns
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During the biggest interview I ever had in my collections career, my boss at the time asked me, "Jeannie, you know you are up against some big contenders. What makes you different than all the others?" I thought about his questions for a second, I question I actually feel is like a double edge sword but I went with my instinct. Confidently I responded, "I embrace change... Actually I am an advocate for change. I don't get complacent. I have a proven track record of being the innovator. I always find ways to stay ahead of the competition, and when a process changes, I am able to quickly adapt, which sets me apart from others." I may have rambled on some more, but I landed the job. Definitely one of my biggest career highlights. Today, even though I have completely shifted careers, my ability to adapt to change hasn't. It keeps me refreshed. And while I'm not completely redoing my logo, I am switching it up for a bit. You know breaking EVERY branding rule out there. 😉 . . . . #nonprofit #nonprofitlife #nonprofitorganization #fundraising #nonprofits #charity #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitwork #nonprofitorg #nonprofitfoundation #nonprofitcoach #nonprofitaccount #donate #nonprofitevents #nonprofitsrock #nonprofitorganizations #nonprofitevent #philanthropy #nonprofitmarketing #marketing #nonprofitmanagement #nonprofitlove #nonprofitorganisation #nonprofitstrategist #love #grants #socialimpact #nonprofitsofinstagram #socialgood #501c3 (at Woodland Park, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwTgwWABLCn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=f235dg6z9sb8
#nonprofit#nonprofitlife#nonprofitorganization#fundraising#nonprofits#charity#nonprofitconsultant#nonprofitwork#nonprofitorg#nonprofitfoundation#nonprofitcoach#nonprofitaccount#donate#nonprofitevents#nonprofitsrock#nonprofitorganizations#nonprofitevent#philanthropy#nonprofitmarketing#marketing#nonprofitmanagement#nonprofitlove#nonprofitorganisation#nonprofitstrategist#love#grants#socialimpact#nonprofitsofinstagram#socialgood#501c3
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You don't have a solid succession plan, one person leaving can cause your entire operation to crumble. www.tvacon.com . . . . . . #nonprofitexecutivedirector #nonprofitexecutive #nonprofitfounder #nonprofitvolunteer #nonprofited #executivedirector #nonprofitleadership #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitleaders #founder #nonprofitstaff #professionaldevelopment #fundraiser #boardofdirectors #nonprofitboardofdirectors #socialentrepreneurship #socialentrepreneurs #socialenterprise #socialenterprises #socialentrepreneur https://www.instagram.com/p/B0kvfw4J6pN/?igshid=xvoomo9i9aiz
#nonprofitexecutivedirector#nonprofitexecutive#nonprofitfounder#nonprofitvolunteer#nonprofited#executivedirector#nonprofitleadership#nonprofitorganization#nonprofitleaders#founder#nonprofitstaff#professionaldevelopment#fundraiser#boardofdirectors#nonprofitboardofdirectors#socialentrepreneurship#socialentrepreneurs#socialenterprise#socialenterprises#socialentrepreneur
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unlock your business potential|wordpressdeveloper service
Apoorva is a WordPress Development Company, offers reliable WordPress development services with a secure and precise installation that reflects your business values.
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Foundation Search's Metasoft Systems: Unleashing Non-Profit Foundations for Your Cause
Foundation Search's Metasoft Systems: Unleashing Non-Profit Foundations for Your Cause Foundation Search revolutionizes nonprofit fundraising with Metasoft Systems - your gateway to non-profit foundations. Seamlessly navigate through a vast array of funding opportunities tailored to your cause. Our user-friendly database provides in-depth insights into foundation profiles, application procedures, and funding preferences.
Read More- https://www.foundationsearch.com/about/index.aspx
#MetaSoftSystems #NonProfitFoundations
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Your Gift of Life Foundation
Your Gift of Life Foundation
Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention
http://www.yourgiftoflife.org
I’m getting ready for my book release this summer regarding mental health and suicide prevention, detailing my own personal journey (anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations) of going through some very difficult times in 2018.
It took me 12 months to work through it all, and now I devote all of my time to…
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#501c3#Facebook#JamesDonaldson#JamesDonaldsonMentalHealth#JamesDonaldsonNotes#JamesDonaldsononMentalHealth#MentalHealthAwarenessandSuicidePrevention#NonProfitFoundation#SuicidePrevention#YourGiftofLifeFoundation
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Jackie Joyner-Kersee is not just a phenomenal athlete, she's an incredible woman who started her own non-profit! Be inspired to take action, create something meaningful today! #JackieJoynerKersee #PhenomenalAthlete #InspiringWomen #NonprofitFounder #RoleModel #WomenInSports #AthleteExtraordinaire #EmpoweredWomen #TakeAction #CreateChange #MeaningfulImpact #AthleteTurnedActivist #Leadership #SocialChange #EmpowerOthers #LegendaryAthlete #WomenWhoInspire #CommunityLeader #WomenInLeadership #InspirationEverywhere #BeTheChange #InspireOthers #SportsPhilanthropy #CreateYourLegacy #ChampionForChange #MakeADifference #GirlPower #AthleteWithPurpose #BuildingCommunities #PositiveImpact
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This little drawing needs a home. $125 with frame and mat. DM to purchase. 1 available. . . . . . . Help us bring fine arts programming to farming families in rural areas. . . @iloveny . . #oilpainting #oilpainters #WIP #fineartists #fineart #nonprofitorg #nonprofitlife #nonprofit #nonprofitfundraising #nonprofitorganisation #nonprofitfoundation #nonprofits #nonprofitaccount #nonprofitcafe #nonprofitsofinstagram #nonprofitsupport #nonprofitorganization #nonprofitleadership #nonprofitpl #nonprofitsrock #nonprofitevents #nonprofitpr #nonprofitevent #marketing #nonprofitlove #nonprofitwork #nonprofitmanagement #nonprofitorganization (at Medusa, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zS5xvFfBi/?igshid=11ol0fqlxfof5
#oilpainting#oilpainters#wip#fineartists#fineart#nonprofitorg#nonprofitlife#nonprofit#nonprofitfundraising#nonprofitorganisation#nonprofitfoundation#nonprofits#nonprofitaccount#nonprofitcafe#nonprofitsofinstagram#nonprofitsupport#nonprofitorganization#nonprofitleadership#nonprofitpl#nonprofitsrock#nonprofitevents#nonprofitpr#nonprofitevent#marketing#nonprofitlove#nonprofitwork#nonprofitmanagement
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100% natural wood poster! Your participation means that our work will be spread around the world even further! Check it out... it's really pretty! >>> https://www.phoenixvoyage.org/give-a-way.html
#humanitarianaid#humanitarian#teamwork#humanitarianwork#philanthropyday#nonprofitevents#voyager#makeadifference#nonprofitorganizations#futureready#endhunger#givebacktothecommunity#global#cleanearth#nonprofitwork#k12#makeadifferenceday#change#nonprofitfoundation#dogooder#helponeanother#nonprofitlife#nonprofitorg#humanitarianism#giveback#rafflecopter#bethechange#floweroflife#humanitarianmission
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What is Success? Success is not how much money you make or how much power you have. Success is how well you do what you do when no one is looking and keep on doing it. Having #purpose is success ✅💥✨💯👏🏾❤️♥️🔥🔥🔥🔥💎✅ Quote of the day 👑💡Go and do what you love ❤️ period. 💰💰💰💰comes to you ✨✨✨✨ #greatnessonpurpose #sheridonnadesignsllc #unityfashioninstitute #nonprofitfoundation #communityleader #communityadvocate #fashion #design #fashiondesigner #educator #dmv #syracuse #impactfulwomon #syrcuseuniversity #alumni #sheridonnatheonlyandonly #happy #2021campaign #gofunndme #gofundmesheridonnadesigns https://www.instagram.com/p/CRhywwuLI2H/?utm_medium=tumblr
#purpose#greatnessonpurpose#sheridonnadesignsllc#unityfashioninstitute#nonprofitfoundation#communityleader#communityadvocate#fashion#design#fashiondesigner#educator#dmv#syracuse#impactfulwomon#syrcuseuniversity#alumni#sheridonnatheonlyandonly#happy#2021campaign#gofunndme#gofundmesheridonnadesigns
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Blue Bird Inn spared from demolition after historic designation
One of the most fabled sites in Detroit music is off the endangered list.The long-abandoned Blue Bird Inn - a vital nerve center for homegrown jazz and visiting artists during the heyday of bebop - has been formally designated a Historic District by the city of Detroit.The classification spares the Blue Bird from a demolition that had been threatened since 2017, when the building at 5021 Tireman was placed on the city's dangerous structures list.The designation, approved by the Detroit City Council in October and signed by Mayor Mike Duggan's office, clears the way for a planned restoration by the Detroit Sound Conservancy (DSC), which bought the property in spring 2019.It's a relief for members of the DSC, a nonprofitfounded in 2012 to preserve Detroit music history.More: Alto Reed, longtime saxophone player with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, dies at 72More: Dick Kernen, influential Detroit radio programmer and broadcasting guru, dies at 82With funds from a Kresge Foundation grant and the cooperation of residents of the west-side neighborhood, the DSC purchased the foreclosed building for $8,500, hoping to ultimately redevelop the dilapidated site into a community center and music nightspot. It would also house the conservancy's ever-growing collection of artifacts - pieces of Detroit history from the ballroom era, techno, rock, hip-hop, blues, gospel and more.Then, while finalizing the purchase early last year, the group discovered the grim reality: The Blue Bird was on the demolition list.And so began a race for historical designation, which would protect the site and let the DSC move ahead with its plans."The Blue Bird would be a home and a presence for us in the community where we can provide access to what we've collected and what's so precious to Detroit music," said Michelle McKinney, the conservancy's recently appointed executive director. "Why not an iconic place that meant so much to music and the community?"McKinney, who is also an education specialist with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, has some extra motivation for preserving the Blue Bird: Her late husband, celebrated pianist Harold McKinney, was a regular there, and he had toyed with the idea of restoring the club before his death in 2001."So to get this together would be something else," McKinney said. "And here we are."First on the agenda: a new roof to replace the one now in danger of collapsing and rendering the property unusable. That work alone will cost about $50,000, McKinney said.The public may contribute at the Detroit Sound Conservancy's donation page, and McKinney is hoping a major benefactor - "a magnificent angel," she said - will step in to provide a substantial fundraising boost.In the ‘40s and ‘50s, the Blue Bird was the hotbed of bebop in Detroit, and the club's reputation made it a name still revered by jazz cognoscenti around the world.In a departure from the bigger, more formal jazz establishments in town, the Blue Bird was working-class, intimate and organic, a place where jam sessions took flight: "Great place. Great atmosphere. Nothing phony about it any way," as saxophonist Pepper Adams once described it.The Tireman Street club hosted top national talent such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker and Art Blakey. Davis was also a regular during his six-month Detroit residence in 1953-54, playing with a house band led by Billy Mitchell.More than anything, the Blue Bird was a crucial hub for local players. A who's-who of Detroit jazz took to the club's cozy stage through the years - Tommy Flanagan, Thad and Elvin Jones, Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller.Live music was revived at the Blue Bird for several years in the '90s, including a house band led by Rodney Whitaker, but the club ultimately went under and has remained idle since the early 2000s.Many of the building's interior fixtures are gone - stolen or deteriorated through time - but the DSC did manage to salvage at least one key piece of history: In 2016, with permission from the p...
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