GRATITUDE

All -

I just want to thank all of those who attended, lended talent to, and volunteered for the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project's benefit concert last Saturday afternoon at Busboys and Poets.

We had such an incredible turnout - we packed the house with standing room only. Our performers blew the
roof off with their skill, talent, sincerity and beauty. Thank you Samaa, Laila, Fadi, Naudy, Deb, Treasure, Michelle, Cherie, Alan, Luci, Sage, Princess and Triflava, and all the women both young and old who drummed with the Intergenerational Women's Drum Choir.

Thank you to the PRINCESS OF CONTROVERSY for being our impeccable host!

Thank you to our volunteers - John, Jess, Jeff, Ilana, Margaret, Kevin, Mo, and Henry for stepping up to the plate
again and again when we needed you.

Thanks to our artists and businesses who so graciously donated their work and wares to our wonderfully successful auction
and raffle.

Thanks to the YWDEP interns and staff who's hard work and organizing skills made this fundraiser possible: Alexandra,
Julie, Dre, Dena and Indra.

Thanks to our documentarians - ken and rick - for lending your great skills to the recording of this event, and to Askia
Mohommad, for allowing us to broadcast our event on WPFW, and to Luci Murphy who arranged that broadcast for us.

Thanks to Deborah McKinney and INCITE for gracing the stage with purpose and framing the issue so beautifully and being
there to support us - also Amoretta Morris, Eshauna Smith and Johonna McCants - all of you have been such a great
help - thank you.

Thank you to all of our audience members who participated so wholeheartedly in our efforts to embrace a young women who was wronged in our community.

Finally I want to thank Andy Shallal and busboys and poets for making the space available to us for this and other events,
for donating the food, and for giving us such great support in all we do.

-we exceeded our goals and were able to raise enough money to help our she poet settle a host of unpaid expenses which will allow her and her family to get back on track, and which will also allow her to return to her studies at Prince George's Community College in the fall, where she is an honor student-

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
Our community is an absolute blessing.

Peace and Gratitude,
Kristen and the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project
kristen@youngwomendrum.org
www.youngwomendrum.org

Update on August 19th Event

FRIENDS!

We are more than excited about Saturday's fundraiser!

Today we were featured on "Morning Jazz" on WPFW 89.3 FM. The host, Askia Mohammad, played a song from our CD and interviewed me with regard to YWDEP and the details of the fundraiser. In addition, we received a call about the fundraiser from the office of Marie Johns (DC Democratic Mayoral Candidate), and we hear she plans to attend.

Further, we have added an incredible keynote speaker to our concernt program - Deborah McKinney from INCITE: Women of Color Against Violence will bring us her thoughts and reflections on the issue of violence in our city, specifically as it pertains to creating more, safer spaces for young people and especially young women.

That being said, "We get by with a little help from our friends" as the phrase goes - we are looking for just a few people to help out this weekend with some specific needs:

-assisting at the merchandise table
-assisting with the auction
-assisting at the door
-assisting with the raffle

if any of you have the time and interest, please let me know.

otherwise, hope to see all of you there - and please feel free to spread the word

Peace and THANK YOU for supporting YWDEP!

Benefit Concert for a She Poet

BENEFIT FOR A SHE POET: Sat Aug. 19 4-6:30 p.m., Busboys and Poets


Please join the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project and the Princess of Controversy in standing with one of our She Poets, who was recently a victim of gun
violence in our city.

On Friday, June 23rd, a 19-year-old YWDEP project member was shot twice in her back by a gun-weilding stranger. She is now in the process of recovering from her injuries including a broken collarbone, while she and her family are undergoing an enormous financial burden. She is also awaiting major surgery in order to remove one of the bullets.

YWDEP is organizing a benefit concert to assist her and her family and to re-assert that we DO NOT AND WILL NOT tolerate violence in our communities.

Local hip-hop artist the Princess of Controversy will host and perform, along with local poets Michelle Sewell, Margaux Delotte Bennett and Laila Shereen; hip hop artist Cherie Latson; singer/songleader Luci Murphy; dancer Samaa of WeDance Ensemble; actor Deb Randall of Venus Theatre; singer/songwriters Naudy Martinez, Juliana Landim and Alan Scott of the Alan Scott Band; and of course YWDEP along with the Intergenrational Women's Drum Choir.

Please join us - we need your support and solidarity.

WHERE: Busboys & Poets - 2021 14th Street, NW DC /U St Cardozo Metro Station

WHEN: Saturday, August 19th, 4:00 - 6:30 pm

$10-20 suggested donation at the door. For scholarship information, please contact Alexandra at alexandra@youngwomendrum.org. RSVP appreciated.

Refreshments will be served and there will be a raffle featuring YWDEP merchandise, gift certificates, instruments and more. We will also feature a silent auction with original artwork by local artists Hawah, Andres Arango, Alexandra Silverthorne and Christian Perez.

For more information, see our website: www.youngwomendrum.org or contact YWDEP's Founding Director Kristen Arant at Kristen@youngwomendrum.org or 202-213-7810.