Fri Feb 14, 2014

by Maxwell Harewood
in New York

The disaster relief effort continued in New York, Saturday, February 8, 2014.

About 34 young people of Vincentian heritage, between the ages of five and 13 years, displayed impressive performances in a highly successful fashion and talent show dubbed “Runway Rippers With a Difference”.{{more}} The event was held at the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center in Brooklyn, New York, and it was organized by BMZ Entertainment and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Consulate General in New York to raise funds for the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital Pediatric Ward.

BMZ is led by three Vincentian young women in New York – Bernadette, Monique, and Zulema (BMZ).

Monique Neverson, member of BMZ Entertainment, was very pleased with the outcome of the show. She expressed her joy by saying “I am still in awe at how successful the show was. The show was overwhelming from beginning to end. I am extremely happy with the show’s outcome.”

She added “The kids were amazing, and the audience participation when the kids came out on the runway was beyond belief. I personally was not expecting such a heavy turnout.”

Zulema George, another member of the BMZ Entertainment team, was also joyful at the outcome. She exclaimed: “The show was amazing! An absolute success! The kids far surpassed what I expected! I am so proud of each and every one of them. I commend their parents and providers for instilling that confidence, the level of respect and for teaching them to love one another and their country.”

The young people were very excited to perform in support of the relief effort for the hospital. Kadijah Prince, who performed a solo, stated “I felt the show was exciting and it was a good opportunity for the kids to show others their talent.”

Njeri Haywood, another of the young singers, said: “The show was a great experience, especially for the Vincy young people to do something to help those in the disaster in St Vincent and the Grenadines. It can be the show for the next generation.”

The parents did not hide their joy at seeing their children perform so well for such a worthy cause. Tricia Reddock, mother of two of the young performers, said: “Definitely it was an excellent family event that showcased the talents of the young people. It would be wonderful to continue to cultivate and expose our children’s creativity and skills in the arts, and to promote our culture to Vincy Americans.”

The intention of the organizers is to conduct the show each year. George said “Yes! We have already discussed having another event next year. The response was overwhelming! Our supermodels and super talents are already geared up for next year. Not to mention that several parents came up to us after the show to express interest in having their child, children, nieces, nephews etc participate at our next event.”

She was supported by Neverson, who said: “With the continued help and support from parents, the show will go on. There aren’t many events like this for our kids and BMZ Entertainment would like to change that. Our kids are talented in so many ways and we need to showcase, encourage, expose and support them in their arts. There are so many other kids who would have liked to be a part of the show.”

The show was well attended and is positioned to grow in the future.