Philanthropy in Action
Philanthropy is one of the most important parts of being a Big Thinking Woman and a very crucial factor in building a legacy. Our members improve their own lives by making life better for others. It takes more than good intentions alone. BTWs have the energy and spirit to turn the contents of their hearts into tangible action.
At each monthly event a different member has the floor to share her special cause. Meet this month’s featured member below.
Member Spotlight...a BTW and her Legacy>>Download a receipt for clothing donations
Eyvette Jones and Urban Possibilites
When TV producer Eyvette Jones met Charlotte Austin Jordan, Dee Sumpter, Yvonne Pointer and Frances Davis, she was forever changed. These four courageous mothers lost children to inner city violence and were tirelessly working to improve the lives of other families in cities across the country. Their heroic efforts were being honored at the Essence Awards (Fox Television). Eyvette was producing their story, "Four Mother's Stand Against Violence."
"The space inside my body which demanded I do something just got
bigger and bigger,"
says Jones.
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As Eyvette worked, her obsession to help these women and other families deepened. She asked herself, "how can I use my skills to support the work of woman like these?" Eyvette decided to apply what she had learned in television... use the visual image to effect human perception.
In 2003, Eyvette founded Suited For Success to provide upscale business clothing to build self-esteem and help inner-city men and women land jobs. The name has now been changed to Urban Possibilities and creative classes added to reflect a more comprehensive approach - helping clients see new possibilities for themselves both inside and out.
Eyvette describes a homeless man, tentatively grasping the skills of his job prep program, slipping into a new suit provided by Urban Possibilities: "He looks in the mirror and sees a new person and starts to believe that a change can happen. A seed of worthiness is planted that starts growing inside him. Then he enrolls in our Published Writers Program, Acting or Fine Art programs where we use the pain of living in poverty as a powerful tool to create art, restore dreams and see what it feels like to thrive."
Eyvette and UP's Associate Director Jackie Wolf combine their talents to bring innovative programs to their clients. With 20 years of experience as a graphic designer and art director, Jackie brings a creative component to the organization. Combined with Jones¹s vision and TV production/entertainment experience, Urban Possibilities offers out-of-the-box programs with top-notch instructors to its clients. Jones says, "...you will be amazed by what happens when you open the channel of giving in your life; a source of pure joy and magic appears."
To find out more about Urban Possibilities visit www.urbanpossibilities.org or contact Eyvette Jones at Eyvette@urbanpossibilities.org
>>Download a receipt for clothing donations
Starting building your legacy today!
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