The crowd together was dominated by uncomplicated and middle school aged children who all came extinct to experience the first 'Let The Kids Grow Day' at Mud Island Amphitheatre. The entertaining case, held August 1, 2008, was complete with music and messages about education, positive influences and turn away from gangs and crime. The day also invigorated kids and prepared them for back-to-school.
Entertainer and enterpriser P. Miller (a/k/a Master P) and son, Romeo, brought the event to Memphis, affirming their loyalty to communities through forward-looking education and sports programs. The positive, fun-filled, and free program, sponsored by P. Miller Clothing, Jim Finkl Enterprises, Heal the Hood Foundation, and Wal-Mart, embodied the message of positive change and besides provided bags of free school supplies.
Memphis City Mayor, Willie Herenton, presented Miller with the key to the city in recognition of his positive change and commitment to youth education and empowerment.
"No other rapper or entertainer is as committed to the community as Master P and I am proud of him," aforesaid Mayor Herenton. "Master P changed his life and took the negativity out of his music simply stayed true to the hood."
"My commission is to give inner city kids a jump on education and the best possible embark on," said Miller. "I need those kids and my own kids to be better than me. I've been luckier than near to feature a sec chance at life. We train our kids to be dear athletes, wherefore can't we train our kids to be good students?
"Being a leader is authoritative so I stress to kids that joining gangs just makes you a follower. Believe in yourself and allege 'no' to gangs & drugs and 'yes' to education. It's time for us parents to break the negative cycle and give kids a jump-start on aliveness through education."
Memphis resident David Dowell brought his two sons to the event because he did non want them to end up in prison as he did several years earlier.
"I'm supposed to be at work, merely I brought my boys," Dowell said. "It's beautiful."
Memphis City Schools Supt. Kriner Cash attended the event, as did actor and Memphis native Morgan Freeman who brought his granddaughter with him.
"Hopefully this will catch young citizenry to understand that didactics is important and likewise to help them be in a peaceful guild. Memphis is ranked number one in crime. We need to stop," aforementioned Shirley Thompson of Heal the Hood.
The La Petite Academy in Hickory Hill brought the 35 kids ranging in age from 6 to 12 enrolled in their Summer Treasures program.
Younger kids came to see Romeo, Gee Gee the Giraffe and to get motivated for the upcoming school year. There were also older teens, like Shankira Mayhew, 18, who came to view the stars and left with positive messages around education and life.
Mayhew was on the brink of dropping out of school, just after attending the 'Let The Kids Grow' curriculum has decided to return to high school in the accrue and further her training. She is now considering college to follow in the footsteps of her role theoretical account, Romeo.
"'Let The Kids Grow' is a consummate example of what a community can achieve when they place their minds to it," said Miller. "I feature to give thanks Percy T, Jim Finkl, LaDell Beamon, Romeo, Gee Gee the Giraffe, and all the volunteers wHO made this possible. Education is so important we need to make certain our kids can catch up now so they won't take to get up later."
Later that clarence Shepard Day Jr., Master P and Romeo got up close and personal with their fans and signed autographs at a local Wal-Mart where their affordable clothing argumentation, P. Miller, is like a shot available.
More info
