HOUSE OF BLAHNIK SCHOLARSHIP

For Immediate Release
June 12, 2009

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




2nd BLAHNIK SCHOLAR GRADUATES
The House of Blahnik Makes a Difference in 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” produced by Wolfgang Busch, provides a more accurate snapshot of the community from the eyes of its participants. 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.


In 2007, the House of Blahnik awarded Jimmy Vincent (Boi Boi St. Clair), a student of North Carolina Central University, with a special scholarship to defer the cost of books and supplies. His story was compelling and his mission for success was evident. On May 16, 2009, Boi Boi became the House of Blahnik’s 2nd Scholar, earning a Baccalaureate Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism.


Like his predecessor Ajay Balenciaga who graduated Morehouse College with the assistance of the House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund, Jimmy is a role model for combining academic achievement and ballroom success. Mr. Jimmy “Boi Boi” St Clair plans to attend Graduate School in the next two years; as well as serve as a spokesperson for the House of Blahnik Scholarship. “I am extremely fortunate to have received the help of the House of Blahnik. It’s hard out here and every little bit counts. The scholarship was a great achievement because it came at the right time. But meeting Jay was another BIG win, because he became my mentor. I am going to tell others to apply and take their education seriously,” said Boi Boi.


The House of Blahnik is a real non-profit organization under the fiscal management of the MOCHA Center 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.


The 2009-10 scholarship applications and supporting documents are due by Friday, August 7, 2009. For more information, please visit www.houseofblahnik.org.


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.


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Stephaun Clipper-Wallace (aka Stephaun Elite Manolo Blahnik)
www.stephaunelite.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/christianelite

"The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house"~ Audre Lorde

"Those who say it can not be done.....should not interrupt the person doing it"~Chinese Proverb

Story on Leshon Douglas Jr (aka Ary'el Elite Manolo Blahnik)

http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline/2009/04/investigators-probe-death-of-20-yo-dumped-in-trash-bin.html

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.

House of Blahnik Needs You!!!!!!!

The House of Manolo Blahnik Needs You!

November 21, 2008

Photos: Damon Humes (Founder/Father Jay Blahnik) and Stephaun Clipper Wallace (National Board Member-Stephaun Blahnik)

Dear Friend:

By now, you have heard of the economic crisis in the United States and globally. The implications of the crisis have far reaching effects that have unfortunately and exponentially, impacted small indigenous groups who work tirelessly to improve the lives of our youth, our communities and our nation.

With a record $9 trillion US budget deficit, health, wellness and civic programs for youth as well as critical access to education are in jeopardy. As the US’s fiscal problem heighten, the needs of disenfranchised and impoverished communities continue to grow. Because people are living in desperate times, are under stress or in pain and lack the money to care for themselves and/or their families; violence and/or violent crimes increase in our homes and community, education is under prioritized and rates of HIV, STDs and other health-related problems implode.

The House of Blahnik (HOB) has, and continues to respond to these issues and many more since its inception in 2000. HOB is a premiere national health and human service provider, specifically addressing education, leadership development, advocacy, HIV/AIDS and provides ongoing mentorship to at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. The HOB has membership in fourteen states; including: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North & South Carolina. The HOB’s mission is, “…to positively affect the overall development, health and wellness of its members, the larger lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of color and their allies; while providing nurturing safe spaces for self-expression and continued growth.”

The HOB is one of the few places left for LGBT youth who participate in, or are affiliated with, the house/ball community. It is the only indigenous house who works with local not-for-profit organizations (in several states) to conduct research, health education and intervention to its peers. Lastly, the HOB has the unique distinction of providing the only national scholarship opportunity for persons in house/ball community. Last year, its first scholarship recipient graduated from Morehouse, a historically black college in Atlanta, GA; while another scholar is presently attending North Carolina Central University.

We are asking that you consider giving what you can. You contribution, of any size, will make a huge difference in the lives of over 5,000 people who are positively affected directly by our efforts. A $50 donation could provide two hours of intensive sexual health education or counseling to a young person who may be struggling with their sexual orientation that could decrease the likelihood of becoming HIV and/or STD infected. A $200 donation could ensure that one LGBT youth gets to our annual leadership development retreat; while $1,000 could help to ensure access to college; which keeps our youth and young adults off the street- giving them access to a computer lab, counselors, homework assistance and ongoing support.

We do all of this and more because of you. Your support is what allows us to make a difference in the lives of so many youth. Please consider making an end of the year tax deductible contribution. With your help, the HOB can continue to provide access to education, mobilize community, and support health & human services throughout the country during national budgetary cutbacks.

The HOB is under the fiscal management of the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project, Inc., a New York State non profit organization. Please send your tax deductible contributions to:

MOCHA Project, Inc.
c/o HOB Scholarship Fund
531 Virginia Street
Buffalo, New York 14202

If you would like to learn more about our programs and services, please do not hesitate to contact me at (678) 913-8629 or visit our web site at www.houseofblahnik.org. We thank you in advance for your support.
Again, thank you,

Stephaun Clipper Wallace, BS

National Board Member

The House of Blahnik

2nd ANNUAL HOUSE OF BLAHNIK SCHOLARSHIP- TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

2nd INSTALLATION OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUTH OF COLOR

The House of Manolo Blahnik Seeks to Acknowledges Another Patron of the "Ballroom" Community

On behalf of the House of Blahnik, I am extremely excited to announce Year II of the House Blahnik Scholarship Fund 08-09. Our mission is… "to positively affect the overall development, health and wellness of our members, the larger lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of color and their allies; while providing nurturing safe spaces for self-expression and continued growth.." We are proud to forge a national agenda that includes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people of color within the ballroom/house community. We are honored to advance our people through supporting individual aspirations, upholding education and promoting pride. We are glad to be pioneers in the ballroom community.

The House Blahnik Scholarship Fund is granted to LGBT individuals of color, who participate in Balls, and are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning and/or individuals who are graduating seniors who have been accepted to an accredited institution of higher learning.

ELIGIBILITY

African Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and other racial/ethnic minority persons who participate in the "ballroom/house" community who are enrolled at an accredited college; graduate or professional/ technical school, or who are accepted to an accredited college, university or technical school.

Members of the House of Blahnik are not eligible to apply. Former 'House of Blahnik' Scholars are not eligible to apply.

AWARDS DESCRIPTION

The House of Blahnik will issue a one time award in the amount of $1,000 to $5,000 to each student selected.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications are due October 31, 2008. Recipients will be announced on or before December 1, 2008. Award checks will be sent directly to the school or institution of the award recipients by January 1, 2009.

HOW TO APPLY

The House of Blahnik is pleased to announce the online scholarship application processes for 2008-09. For scholarship applications and guidelines, please e-mail info@houseofblahnik.com. or go to www.houseofblahnik.org

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Stephaun Clipper-Wallace

Community Activist-Health Educator-Empowerment Specialist

www.stephaunelite.com
www.myspace.com/christianelite www.groups.yahoo.com/group/southeast_ballroom_scene

"There's always someone asking you to underline one piece of yourself -whether it's Black, woman, mother, dyke, teacher, etc. - because that's the piece that they need to key in to. They want to dismiss everything else." -Audre Lorde