Soiree raises money to help students get ahead

By Donna Marbury
Staff Writer
Columbus Post

Graduate and professional students strutted their stuff, putting on their best to start out the holiday season at this year’s Holiday Soiree, sponsored by The Ohio State University’s Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus.
The event raised money for the organization’s Slater/Johnson undergraduate scholarship, which doesn’t base its reward solely on grade point average.
“Regular scholarships are based on a 3.0 grade point average. But our scholarship is more obtainable,” said Esther Jones, president of the caucus. “A lot of people who are struggling financially are also struggling academically.”
The caucus awards two $500 scholarships each spring, and Jones says that they are looking to increase the dollar amount and participation.
“We’ve had an annual scholarship banquet each year to congratulate and award graduate students who do good things,” she said. “We’re trying more creative ways to increase our funds and spread the effort throughout the year.”
Middle Child’s vocals blended smoothly over the evening, with the accompaniment of the progressive sounds of the band Attention Disorder. Middle says that events like these are important to her because it gives her another way to use her voice for good.
“Anytime something comes up for our people, it’s important, especially dealing with education,” says Middle who adds that her focus now is singing for charitable organizations over the holiday season.
She sang original songs from her upcoming release, called Barefeet and Pregnant. Poet Ed Mabrey performed a special selection with Middle to the tune of Floetry’s “It’s Getting Late” which continued the soulful evening to a different tune. The band also rocked out to covers of “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan, “Bag Lady” by Erykah Badu and “What’s It Gonna Be (Don’t Let Go)” by En Vogue, proving that it is in black folk’s soul to groove, regardless of the dress code.

Dain Thorpe and Monica Hobbs partied to raise money for scholarships.

“I’m glad to see everybody let their hair down so we can have fun,” Middle said. “Everybody was down to earth, no matter how upscale the event is. It’s almost like we’re sitting on the front porch.”
Several types of art from Columbus to Brazil were auctioned during the event to raise funds for the scholarship. Raymonn Daniels, who donated a piece from his Black Love Series for the event that went for the highest amount, says that being able to show his art and help students is good for his career and the community.
“There are so many ways to make an impact and do good things for other people,” he said. “Using art is just one way to not only communicate, but to show love to black students who are trying to make a difference. Once they graduate and make it big, it will be their turn to help someone out. I’m just happy I can be a part of the cycle.”
Scott and Natasha Davis, who attended the event, agreed saying that they are happy to have the opportunity to give back to the caucus because it provided so much to Scott’s law school career.
“The caucus was his lifeline as an African-American student,” said Natasha, Scott’s wife. She says his membership provided support when law school became extremely competitive.
“The competition with African Americans in law school was a force to be reckoned with,” she explained. “With this group there is support, everyone has a good time and everybody gives back.”
Natasha added paintings to her home and celebrated Scott’s achievement of passing the Ohio State bar exam and landing a position at a law firm soon after his May 2004 graduation.
“We bought art and tickets for others,”’ she said. “It’s good to have fun with friends and allow OSU to experience our excitement.”
Jo-Van Nicholas, who chaired the committee for the event, says that she is looking to have a bigger event in the years to come.
“I’m very excited for the second annual soiree,” said Nicholas. “Hopefully as the event grows we can brig in more of Columbus’ black professionals. I’m absolutely thrilled about the entertainment and the whole process.”
For more information on the Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus, visit www.bgpsc.org.ohio-state.edu.