Teens With a Purpose deliver a stellar four part Masquerade Charity Ball on November 1st, 2014 which feature Al Roker of NBC’s “Today Show” at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott at 6:00 p.m. This epic evening of magical proportions which included the unveiling of our future generation of leaders – a celebratory highlight of Hampton Roads youth who are persevering and beating the odds? This FUNdraiser included live entertainment with a house band, dancing and poetry, award ceremony, exquisite dinner, guest speakers, and an exciting silent auction. The 2014 TWP Masquerade Gala featured local celebrities such as Nicole Livas of WAVY-TV, and Julie Garner VP of The Martin Agency, the marketing geniuses behind popular commercials such as the Icky Shuffle and GEICO Gecko, and No Malice, an internationally known Hip-Hop Artist with a positive message, who is best known for his work with The Clipse and Pharrell Williams, the Happy rapper.

L-R: Congressman Scott Rigell, Michael Daniels, Deputy City Manager Wynter Benda, Robert Johnson, TWP Executive Director Deirdre Love, Richard Love, Julie Garner, Tyrell Taylor, Al Roker, Nicole Livas, Congressman Bobby Scott

The evening began with a special Teen Talk segment featuring No Malice who shared his personal climb to the musical charts, life story and choices he made. He shared his change to become a more positive role model and conscious artist which included leaving behind the flashy hip-hop artist lifestyle. Once the Gala program started, it was kicked off by TWP Director Al Roker, America’s favorite weatherman. During the event, Cox Communications received the 2014 Corporate Citizen Award, an award given to organizations who make an outstanding contribution to the organization. Congressman & Mrs. Scott Rigell received the award in 2013 and passed the torch to President of Cox Communication, Gary McCollum. The special guest speaker Julie Garner offered up her personal success story as a top executive but more importantly shared her journey to encourage young people and starting her own non-profit organization which increases awareness about distracted driving, a personal venture started after losing her own son to a driver trying to beat the yellow light. Subsequently, Teens With a Purpose member Tyrin Cooper also had a face-to-face experience with a driver trying to beat a yellow light. Tyrin survival is nothing short of a miracle. He was presented an honorary award and his picture graced the 2014 TWP Commemorative Magazine.

No Malice (center) with Teens

The evening celebrated youth in Hampton Roads and their Mentors – Move Makers who have beaten the odds and triumphed over adversity, and to raise money for programs. Two young winners of the 2014 Move Maker Award were honored Malik Jordan, a TWP member who has overcome the pressures of his neighborhood and still has achieved many great accomplishments like being a peer educator and a camp counselor and Stephanie Diego who was nominated by ForKids, for her outstanding and exemplary leadership during their afterschool homework program despite the personal challenges that she has had to overcome. The magical night also included a thrilling performance by Teens With a Purpose that had gala guests out of their seats dancing and enjoying the space with teens. The energy the whole evening was electric and contagious. An educator in attendance said “I have never seen adults and teens so happy to be in the same space.”

The City of Norfolk School Board also recognized  the Norfolk Move Maker winners, nominees and Teens With a Purpose program participants.

L-R: Jobynia Caldwell, VBCPS, Deirdre Love, Teens With a Purpose, Stephanie Diego, Malik Jordan and Al Roker

Sponsors included: GEICO, City of Norfolk, McDonald’s of Hampton Roads, Stihl, Hampton University, Elite Presentations, EVMS AIDS Resource Center, WAVY-TV/FOX-43, CATCH For Kids, Inc., and Old Point National Bank.

 

Chozen Johnson and Alijah Johnson Perform