Unleash Your Potential!
Prepare for an Epic Adventure Ahead
Friday, September 6, 2024
Welcome to our Thrilling Newsletter and Blog Post!
Prepare to be amazed as we unveil the electrifying lineup of events waiting for you! Experience the vibrant energy of the Ridgefield Multicultural Festival, immerse yourself in the transformative atmosphere of the Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair, and mark your calendars for our highly anticipated open house showcasing innovative afterschool programs. Discover the power of your voice and the impact of voting as we delve into the significance of civic engagement. Get ready to be inspired, informed, and engaged in these exhilarating opportunities to shape and uplift our community!
$200 Stipends for Middle and High Schoolers in Afterschool Programs
Come and join us at the Bridgeview Resource Center! Transportation options are provided!
Address: 505 Omaha Way, Vancouver, WA 98661
Dates and Times:
Fashion Design (Biweekly on Tuesdays)
Film (Biweekly on Thursdays)
Journalism (Biweekly on Fridays)
Program Highlights:
Fashion Design Program: Learn the basics of fashion design with a focus on print-on-demand fashion, create unique clothing pieces, and participate in two fashion shows over 20 weeks.
PROUD Magazine Journalism Program: Develop writing, research, photography, and editorial skills while producing two magazine issues, both in print and digital formats.
Film Afterschool Program: Over 20 weeks, collaboratively create a short film from scriptwriting to screening with resources like MetroEast Community Media and Open Signal.
Modeling 101 Program: Gain essential modeling skills including runway walking, working with photographers, and professional grooming. Suitable for all ages, from babies to adults.
Sign up for any of our exciting programs today!
Exciting News! Ruby N Lewis to Headline at the Ridgefield Multicultural Festival
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Chairwoman and President, Ruby N Lewis, will be one of the headlining fashion designers at this year's Ridgefield Multicultural Festival! The festival will take place on September 7, 2024, at Overlook Park in Ridgefield, WA, from 9 am to 3 pm. This year's theme is "Food and Fashion," promising a vibrant celebration of diverse cultures.
Event Details:
Date: September 7, 2024
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Overlook Park, Ridgefield, WA
Theme: Food and Fashion
Cost: Free! This is a kid-friendly event.
Festival Highlights:
Multiple nonprofit organizations, including Please Don't Die Black Men (PDDBM) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), will have vendor tables.
Enjoy a variety of food, crafts, cooking classes, dancing classes, drumming classes, a flash mob, and multiple performances.
Join Ruby's Fashion Show:
Ruby N Lewis has 10 spots available for models who wish to participate. If you are interested in modeling, please call Ruby at (360) 241-4479. This is an incredible opportunity, as selected models will also have a chance to model in another fashion show on the same day by Nii Ardey Allotey, owner of Anansi's Beats and Drums in Portland, OR, featuring stunning Ghanaian fashion.
Call for Diversity:
We are seeking models of all ages, sizes, and genders, so don't hesitate to sign up as spots are filling up quickly. Additionally, there has been limited African and African American representation at this event in past years, except for Anansi Beats and Drums. We encourage all PDDBM followers to show up and show out, regardless of your gender, race, creed, etc.
Learn More and Get Involved:
If you would like to participate in the flash mob, you can do so by learning the dance from the attached video. For more details about the festival, visit their website at Ridgefield Multicultural Festival.
Come out and support this wonderful event, celebrate diverse cultures, and cheer on Ruby N Lewis and other incredible performers!
Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair
Saturday, Sept 14, 2024
9 AM – 3 PM
Esther Short Park
605 Esther St., Vancouver, WA 98660
The Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair will showcase the hard work and creative spirit of individuals, social justice groups, peace organizations, faith communities, performers, artists, businesses, and environmental activists who are making the world a better place.
The fair provides participants the opportunity to:
Network with other groups
Showcase their work
Publicize upcoming events
Celebrate with like-minded individuals
Recruit supporters
Solicit donations
Educate the community
PDDBM Sponsorship and Participation
PDDBM is proud to announce that we are sponsors of the Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair. We will have a vendor table and will be hosting a bake sale to raise funds for our Afterschool Programs, which begin in September. Your support is invaluable, and we encourage everyone to come out, enjoy the fair, and contribute to our cause.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Importance of Voting in All Elections
As we approach this year’s elections, it’s crucial to remember that voting extends beyond the presidential race. Here in Vancouver, WA, we have significant local and state issues that require our attention. These elections shape our immediate communities, influencing decisions on education, healthcare, public safety, and more. By casting your vote in these local and state elections, you are directly impacting the policies and leadership that govern our daily lives.
It is essential to recognize the profound struggles African Americans and women faced to secure their right to vote. The long fight for suffrage was marked by courage and resilience, a testament to the importance of having a voice in our democracy. As Alice Walker aptly said, “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” By choosing not to vote, we surrender our power and silence our voices. Let us honor the legacy of those who fought for our right to vote by participating in every election and making our voices heard.
Celebrate PDDBM Chairwoman and President’s Birthday by Supporting Our Mission!
Read The Full Interview
On September 15th, we will be celebrating the birthday of our esteemed Chairwoman and President. In honor of her dedication and tireless work for Please Don't Die Black Men (PDDBM), she has a special birthday wish: for all of PDDBM's followers to donate a minimum of $5 to our organization.
Our Chairwoman recently shared in an interview, "Achieving equity and greatness requires us to work together. At PDDBM, we believe in the power of community and collective effort. Every contribution, no matter how small, plays a vital role in driving our mission forward."
As a nonprofit, the strength and success of PDDBM rely heavily on the support and involvement of our local community. Volunteers and community members are the backbone of our initiatives, and your help is invaluable.
Upcoming Events and Celebrations
Kwanzaa Celebration
Mark your calendars for our Kwanzaa Celebration on December 14th! This event is a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate our heritage, and strengthen our community bonds.
Black History Month Fashion Show
Our much-anticipated Black History Month Fashion Show is set for February 8, 2025. Tickets are on sale now, with special discounted rates for youth:
Ages 3 and under: Free
Ages 4-12: Discounted tickets
Ages 13 and up: Regular price
Take advantage of our early bird ticket prices available now!
Join Our PDDBM Ambassador Program
We are excited to announce the PDDBM Ambassador Incentive! We are looking for motivated individuals to join our team as ambassadors. By promoting and selling event tickets to your network, you'll have the opportunity to earn a fantastic 25% of the total sales value!
We believe that everyone can make a difference, which is why eligibility is open to all from 5th grade to adult. This is a great opportunity to earn money from home while supporting a meaningful cause.
Download our flyer and terms and conditions below to become an ambassador today!
Ruby N Lewis | Chairwoman and President | Please Don't Die Black Men )PDDBM) | 2700 Caples Avenue NUM 3278, Vancouver, WA 98661 | (360) 241 - 4479 | ceochair@pddbm.org | www.pddbm.org | www.facebook.com/PDDBM |www.instagram.com/officialpddbm | www.twitter.com/officialpddbm | www.tiktok.com/@officialpddbm | www.youtube.com/@officialpddbm | www.linkedin.com/company/officialpddbm
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