In less than two weeks, the Show Me the Way Foundation, in conjunction with African Pride Dreams, will bring you the Runway Red Kids Fashion Show. This celebrity-filled charity fashion show, benefiting AIDS/HIV research, will take over Zoo Atlanta in what looks to be an event to remember.
BCK had the great opportunity of getting first-hand insider information on how the event came together and what supporters and can look forward to at the event. We spoke with Show Me The Way’s founder, Tashawnya Menefee, and African Pride’s Dream Kids Marketing Director, Charlene Bastein, for the scoop.
BCK: How did the Show Me the Way Foundation come about?
Ms Menefee: While working at the Center for Disease Control in the HIV/TB Department I gained passion like no other about starting an organization for youth in the community educating them about the seriousness of HIV/AIDS.
BCK: What motivated the partnership with Walk for a Cause and African Pride Dreams Kids?
Ms Bastein: DreamKids strongly believes in the mission of the Show Me The Way Foundation and that we want every child to know that no matter the adversity they face in life, they all have the right to dream and to embrace beauty inside and out.
BCK: How did you two come together?
Ms Menefee: Charlene [and I] sat down at a meeting to learn more about Show Me the Way Foundation held in Atlanta, and we both learned then the passion we had for helping kids affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS.
BCK: What does this collaboration mean to you?
Ms. Bastein: I have always been a major supporter of HIV/AIDS infected/affected families. It is a disease that has impacted the African American Community for over 2 decades. Losing friends and family to this disease, I have learned the value of organizations that provide education, prevention methods and supportive services to families. It should be incumbent upon all that want to see this epidemic washed away get behind these organizations. As such, Strength of Natures makers of African Pride Dream Kids is a corporate company which understands the need to be grass root. To get involved with the communities that support our brands, it is important to know participate in activities that help the community. I am truly delighted they too feel the need to support prevention, educational and supportive programs that strengthen and support the families/communities. I wish more corporations would participate at this level as well.
BCK: Where did the name Wonderland Safari come from?
Ms. Menefee: Every Year we decide on a cool Theme for the Wonderland Kids Fashion show. This year we choose Safari and selected the Zoo Atlanta to Make History there.
BCK: How were the designers for this show selected?
Ms. Menefee: We have two stylists this year, Robert Flood (Style Sessions,) who’s like a brother to me, and his partner, Frisscanni. They have amazing relationships with designers and were super excited to volunteer their time this year.
BCK: What celebrities and celebrity kids can we expect to see in this show?
Ms. Bastein: Akon’s, Chilli’s…
Ms Menefee: Evander Holyfield’s, TI’s, and many many more
The Runway Red Safari Wonderland event takes place Saturday, August 11th, 2012. Red Carpet & VIP Reception are from 7– 8pm with the Fashion Gala at 8:15 – 9:15pm. You can purchase tickets for $20 for the event being hosted at the Historic Zoo Atlanta located at 800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E. Atlanta, GA. 30315.
Stay tuned for more on the event as BCK will definitely be there to cover many of your favorite celebrity kids and their participation in the historical charity fashion show.
