(From left to right) Neiman Murrell (BMC vice president), Chevara Orrin (BMC advisor), Milton Rhodes (President & CEO Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County), Justin Redd (BMC president) and Rudy Jones (BMC Student Representative)
to Chevara Orrin, director of Conferences and Institutes and advisor to the student organization Black Men for Change. At The Arts Council of Winston Salem and Forsyth County annual meeting held Wednesday, Oct. 28, Black Men for Change received special recognition for their volunteerism in the arts. The meeting was held at the Old Salem Visitors Center.
Since 2007, Black Men for Change have been members of the Winston-Salem Symphony Encore Society. They have served as ushers and hosts for the 60th Anniversary gala, Kicked-Back Classics, Classics, Pops, and Discovery Concert Series. In addition, they have volunteered with RiverRun International Film Festival, Piedmont Craftsmen, and Piedmont Opera. Black Men for Change also served as volunteers for the 2009 WSSU Patti Austin benefit scholarship concert.
As campus cultural leaders, the organization hosts an annual event that promotes music, spoken word and visual art – Cool Relax III: An Evening at Arts at Diggs Gallery to raise awareness and encourage other students to participate in the cultural offerings at WSSU. A percentage of this year’s proceeds will benefit the Arts Based Elementary School.
In addition to their commitment to the arts, BMC has a year-long mentoring initiative with students at Petree Elementary School. They recently donned women’s shoes to raise awareness about sexual violence and will be exhibiting at the Faces of a Healthy Future Conference to raise awareness about sickle cell anemia and trait. One of their signature events, the Walter Harley Scholarship Winter Ball is in honor of a BMC member that died from this disease.
Black Men for Change is leaving a legacy of service for future young leaders.
