HOUSE OF BLAHNIK NAMES 2ND RECIPIENT OF SCHOLARSHIP

For Immediate Release

January 9th, 2009

Contact: Damon L. Humes aka Overall Father Jay Blahnik
Telephone: (215) 431-1790
Email: houseofblahnik@yahoo.com

2ND INSTALLATION OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUTH OF COLOR
The House of Blahnik Acknowledges Patron of the “Ballroom” Community
For many, the only reference of the House/Ball community comes from the movie, “Paris Is Burning;” which showed a world chiefly occupied by a melee of artistically talented misfits and criminals. For some, the more recent documentary “How Do I Look” which provides a snapshot of the community from the eyes of its participants, produced by Wolfgang Busch. Through the lenses of the larger society, and even the larger lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual (LGTB) community (especially communities of color), participants in the house/ballroom culture are in many instances seen as outcasts. Although many advances and much notoriety have been achieved on the part of participants in the house/ballroom culture to showcase their community in a more positive light, numerous challenges that face members of this population still go unanswered. Chief among those changes are the efforts made by The House of Blahnik. This house chose to make a difference in the lives of others by awarding the “FIRST EVER” scholarship to students who are pursuing their passions through educational advancement.

The House of Blahnik, like those featured in Paris is Burning and How Do I Look, value all of the social contributions made by this marginalized population; but, The House of Blahnik is also a real non-profit organization under the fiscal management of the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project, Inc. The House of Blahnik established its’ House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund in 2006, to support the educational and “ballroom” success of LGBT members of the House/Ball community. The House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund encourages LGBT community members to aspire to positions in which they are able to contribute to society, are open about their sexual orientation and act as role models for their peers in the Ballroom scene.

This year’s recipient of the House of Blahnik Scholarship is Tony Farley known by his house/ballroom friends and family as “YB Chanel”. YB is currently a graduating senior in a Bachelor of Arts program at North Carolina A&T University and an active member in the House of Chanel International and North Carolina Ballroom community. “Tony truly exemplifies our community’s new leaders and has the tenacity to succeed,” states Damon Humes (Co-founder and Overall Father of the House of Blahnik).

Last year’s recipient, Ajmar Millar is known by his House/Ball friends as “Ajay Balenciaga” and holds the unique distinction of being the House of Blahnik’s first scholar. In May 2008, Ajay completed an undergraduate degree at Morehouse College, in Atlanta (GA).

The House of Blahnik: With chapters in New York (NY), Philadelphia, Atlanta (GA), Detroit (MI), Chicago (IL), Cleveland (OH), North and South Carolina, Oakland (CA) and various cities in New Jersey seeks to invest in the future of ball patrons who make valuable contributions to the ballroom community. The House of Blahnik seeks to shift community norms by creating tangible recognition for individuals who make such contributions and highlight these contributions.


For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Damon L. Humes at (215) 431-1790 or e-mail at houseofblahnik@yahoo.com.