UNC groups work to aid Mississippi education project

T.J. Abrams decided two summers ago to go to Mississippi, step out of his comfort zone and into an area where he had never been before.

Abrams, the president of the UNC chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., became a part of the Sunflower County Freedom Project, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the education and leadership skills of seventh- to 12th-graders.

He said Sunflower County is an area with a lot of need because the community is not very strong.

"(The students) are a victim of their surroundings. They don't have many positive role models," he said. "I wanted to have an impact on kids who don't see people like me every day."

Now he, along with several other UNC students, is raising funds to keep the Freedom Project running.

"Our responsibility in college is to get involved and help others, and this is a type of movement I wanted to get involved with," Abrams said.

Alpha Phi Alpha and the Black Student Movement sponsored a benefit concert to raise money for the Sunflower County Freedom Project on Sunday evening in the Great Hall of the Student Union.

The Freedom Project now accommodates 55 students and is looking to double its size with an expansion of its headquarters, which will begin in January 2005.

Abrams said the goal is to raise a minimum of $2,005. He said group members also will be contacting businesses to ask for donations.

Conitras Houston and Joseph Jones, both affiliated with organizations that support the Freedom Project, hosted the concert Sunday night.

Jones opened the event with a biblical reference to the apostle Paul, emphasizing the potential benefits when different groups join together to support a cause.

"We are from different groups, different organizations all called to one vision, a like mind," he said. "We are serving together, aligning our ministries together, to benefit Sunflower County."

UNC groups performing at the concert included the Black Student Movement Gospel Choir, Psalm 100, Saturdays in Christ's Mime and Dance, and Heels to Heaven.

A young female rapper from Duke's Divinity School performed under the name Compton Virtue at the concert.

"Compton is where I'm from, and virtue is how I live," she said. She stressed the importance of living with integrity.

"How many of you know that being a woman of virtue is what it's about?" she said, emphasizing the meaning of the song she performed, "Ride or Die Chick."

After the performances, Abrams, BSM President Erin Davis and five members of the Freedom Project staff who have served as teachers at the center spoke about the importance of the program.

Many of the staff members said they were moved by the success of the program and the dedication of the students they served.

Davis said she was inspired by a young girl who worked diligently to do well, because she not only wanted to excel but also wanted to set a positive example for her sister.

Carmen Harris said she was touched by a first-year student in the program. She said when the student first entered the program, he was one of the most troubled students, but by the end of his first year, he was one of the most dedicated and determined.

"The whole process gave me a lot of hope that our youth can change if they are given the opportunity," she said.

After the concert, baskets were passed around the audience for donations. Jones and Houston encouraged everyone to remember how blessed they all were and to give what they could to those less fortunate. Houston held up a trash bag to demonstrate the goal to raise as much money as possible.

"I see a trash bag because those baskets aren't big enough. We are raising money for a program that is really making a change," Houston said. "If you can dig deeper, dig deeper."

The audience donated $678 to the Sunflower County Freedom Project.

Abrams said that the event was a great start but stressed the need to continue fund-raising efforts.

To make donations, contact Abrams at arthura@email.unc.edu.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.