THOSE WE SERVE CANNOT STAND AND WAIT
“Empathy is the pathway to understanding. Understanding guides humanity’s steps in serving others.” This quote expresses the deep gratitude we feel from the words of Reverend Linda Lowery. Thank you so much!
WORDS OF APPRECIATION
I would like to express my utmost appreciation to you both, Dr. Smith, COO and Mr. Parham, CEO, for the pure delight and great joy my great grandson experienced upon receipt of his guitar. The moment he began to unpackage his guitar was a rare moment in time and the angels rejoiced with elation. I am attaching his note that he gave to me when I delivered his guitar in a hard case as Mr. Parham suggested. These few words may not encapsulate the pleasure I felt in my heart as I watched him embrace the moments of receiving a gift specifically realizing a dream come true.
I pray for all the recipients of such unique instrumental treasures, and I pray that the angels will carry your mission globally beyond your wildest imaginings. May God continue to bless you both in your every endeavors.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Rev. Linda Lowery
We Create a Smile with Music
There are many ways to “create a smile with music.” One of the ingredients of music is harmony. Gift giving, providing a service, taking a bag of groceries to hungry children, are ways of bringing harmony into a person’s life. But the most important way is to see each person as a child of God. That can be very challenging in the world we live in today. Daily, the television blasts images of hate, murder, theft, and greed. How do we handle them? I find the best way is to fill my own thoughts with love. Doing that, keeps evil images and thoughts from impacting what I think, say and do. Is it easy? No!
Those We Serve
Ukraine is an example of mortal mind’s thinking and doing! The horrors and atrocities are imprinted in thought. Learn to do what the old hymn says, “Take it to the Lord in prayer.” A humbling message the world is revealing is, “those we serve come in all colors, races, religions and genders.” War is destructive to adults, but it’s heart-wrenching to children. Man’s inhumanity to man looms at the forefront. The thought that keeps playing out in my mind is “love and goodness can never be destroyed.” I believe that is the world’s message to President Putin.
Finally, we are worn and weary. But the battle to continue . . .goes on. Those we serve… cannot stand and wait.
Educational Arts Society meets Detroit Athletic League because it desires a partnership with them. This Meeting will focus on what each organization’s mission is and how they achieve it. It will also determine if a partnership is feasible. The video is an overview of how both organizations will move forward.
PAL Director Maria Franklin EAS COO Dr. Mamie Smith
Dr. Smith believes the Meeting was productive and will follow-up with a document that summarizes the discussion. It’s all about kids!
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE
Create a Smile with Music: That is exactly what this guy does. And . . . he creates smiles worldwide, because he is Percussionist Carl Small of “The Four Tops.” You know . . . the internationally-known group from Motown.
SMILES COME IN TWO WAYS
Carl (Butch) Small wears at least (2) hats: Percussionist for the internationally renowned group known as “The Four Tops” and Vice President of Productions for “Educational Arts Society, a 501 c 3 nonprofit. In this video, he is reaching out to you to help “create a smile with music” by making a donation to kids who need an instrument to begin the long journey of becoming a musician.
VIEWING KIDS AS A BOARD MEMBER
Sitting on the Board, gives him a front row seat of children striving perhaps to become the next Carl Small. Music makes everyone’s life smoother and more relaxed. What would we do without the millions of musicians who touch our lives with music? Make a kid happy and give a hand @ https://easzmusic.org/donate. Wait . . . listen to Carl first . . .if you haven’t, by watching the one minute video.
THE CHRISTMAS TELETHON
Give an instrument to a kid. Maybe you were once a kid like this . . . wanting an instrument, but Mommy couldn’t buy one. Now . . . you can.
CREATE A MUSIC WITH MUSIC
The Christmas Telethon will give FREE instruments to children on December 14, 2021. Be there!
Create a Smile with Music Video
Educational Arts Society seeks to create an atmosphere where students will examine who they are, how they got there, and where they choose to go in the future, through self-analysis, determination, courage and inner growth, coupled with a chosen musical skill-set that will provide a pathway to future job opportunities and positive societal values
EAS Gives FREE Instruments and FREE Music Lessons.
Create a Smile with Music
Educational Arts Society gives FREE music lessons and FREE instruments to children. You can too! To give more than $10, use the up arrow. 2 means $20, 3 means $30, 4 means $40 and so on.
$10.00
You may also click here to donate. Checks/money orders should be made payable to “Educational Arts Society” and mailed to: Educational Arts Society, PO Box 70894, Rochester, MI 48307.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
“Twas the night before Christmas,” is a telethon sponsored by Educational Arts Society that will give aspiring young musicians FREE instruments! You know . . . things like violins, clarinets, keyboards. You can join the fun by having your child apply for a FREE instrument here.
WIN $200
Make a $20 donation or more to charity for your chance to win $200. To donate, see the form below.
The Christmas Telethon is
December 14, 2021
The Telethon will be on Youtube, Facebook Live and more. . .
Get ready for Christmas music, Christmas renditions of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” performances by local artists and holiday fun!
Give a gift to a child! Music can determine what path he/she will choose. Give a gift of LOVE.
Educational Arts Society is a 501 c 3 nonprofit that gives FREE music lessons and FREE instruments to children. Donations are tax deductible and can also be sent to: Educational Arts Society, PO Box 70894, Rochester, MI 48307.
Christmas Telethon Donation
Give a gift of Love! Help a young aspiring musician begin the journey of musicianship. Your donation of $20 or more gives you a chance to win $200. To donate more than $20. . .use the up arrow (2 means $40, 3 means $60 and so on) or click the link below.
$20.00
Checks/money orders may also be made payable to: Educational Arts Society and mailed to Educational Arts Society, P.O. Box 70894, Rochester, MI 48307.
A T-Shirt for You or Your Family
Do You Need T-Shirts for an Event?
You can buy a t-shirt ready made or design one yourself. Do one or the other for your family or company event. Here’s how:
Design t-shirts and other items with your logo and artwork for organizational or business events, church fundraisers, picnics and family gatherings that look and reflect quality and style. Use this link to get started: https://www.bonfire.com/welcome/e922d1f454ec4/
Once you design your product, create a campaign and let members, friends, business associates and “the world” know about it. Make a profit on each product sold.
Let Us Design and Set-Up the Campaign
If your “time-clock” does not allow you to design a t-shirt or product and set-up a campaign, let Educational Arts Society do it for you. All you have to do is tell us what you want to say, provide a logo, email, artwork and we will do the rest. To buy a t-shirt…click here.
Your campaign enables you to sell several products reflecting your organization’s goals, while receiving profits on each item sold. Our cost to design and set-up a campaign is FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00) which can be paid via our safe PayPal account by clicking here.
As a young African American child growing up in schools in the deep south, the only people I saw who looked like me, were pictures of African Americans brought in by African American teachers as extra-curricular activities. . . none were in my textbooks and none were children. My love for music made me cling to Marian Anderson like glue.
Conversely, black people were labeled as slaves, people who owned nothing, did nothing and were nothing. How is that for self-esteem? Fortunately, my parents owned something…the land we planted crops on; the black community owned the church, schools and land they sat on, and my parents instilled in us that no one was better or less than we were, but still…it was debilitating to learn at nine years old that the country I lived in, did not share their viewpoint. In spite of it, I was one of the lucky ones. What about the kids whose parents owned nothing and did not teach them about self-worth and self-esteem?
A BEST SELLING STORY
Take a look at “Dream Big, Little One” by best-selling Author Vashti Harrison. It is one of many books that help youth with self-identification, self-esteem, encouragement and self-direction. The premise is “The world is big and you have many choices available to you…think big, dream large, and plot out a course of action that makes your dreams become reality.” It suggests, as this article, that every child, black or white, matters. Even though the dominant culture re-wrote history to diminish African Americans’ worth and contributions, we come from a lineage that makes us proud to be who we are…and each child can be also.
Below, are books children can read, both black and white, to gain a higher and more correct view of one’s self-worth, accountability and truth. Most can be purchased on amazon.
YOUR READING CORNER
Books for All Children Like Read
“God asked me to tell you that . . . everything will be alright from now on. Today, Jesus Christ visited your home.” Janice Slappy
LEADERSHIP! KNOWLEDGE! COURAGE! GRACE!
These four (4) words, coupled with a sense of humor and devotion, define Janice Slappy. Today, as we blink back the tears, let us remember yesterday, and the number of times we saw a half smile carefully form on her lips . . . linger . . . before she reminded us to “get on with business.” Now, we have to translate that “getting on with business,” into getting on with life. It’s hard! It’s painful, and it doesn’t seem fair . . . but she would say . . .”life goes on.”
For years, Janice Slappy served on multiple boards that promoted community development and action. As President of Educational Arts Society (EAS), she initiated grant-writing, shared accounting procedures and financial information the organization deemed essential. Her leadership focused on implementation of non-profit duties and organizational performance. Because fund-raising is a key ingredient in non-profit survival, President Slappy reached out to surrounding communities to assist EAS in reaching its goals and objectives.
A VIDEO CELEBRATION
Because of her devotion to family, President Slappy was a postcard for the mission of Educational Arts Society, which says, “create a smile with music.” One of the children she sponsored was, six-year-old Jesse. When CEO Parham wondered whether six years may be too young to take saxophone lessons, Ms. Slappy exclaimed, “He can handle it! He’s a smart little boy!”
FAMILY AND FRIENDS LAST FOREVER
Sharing family experiences caused a sparkle in Ms. Slappy’s eyes and a glow to her face. Listening to each experience, each nuance, one felt her love, shared her joy, but understood discipline was a key factor in guidance. Her daughter, Sonya, was her “rock” and a partner . . . it was refreshing to see them together!
THE FAMILY REQUESTS THAT YOU HONOR PRESIDENT SLAPPY WITH A DONATION TO EDUCATIONAL ARTS SOCIETY INSTEAD OF FLOWERS OR GIFT CARDS
DONATE
Those of you who wish to honor President Slappy by sending flowers, gift cards and other memorial gifts, the Slappy, Ingram and Rayford families have asked that you do so by donating to one of the causes most dear to her heart . . . assisting young aspiring artists in developing a musical skill-set, taking Free music lessons and receiving Free instruments . . . the mission of Educational Arts Society. You may use the safe Paypal account or all major credit and debit cards. To offer your gift of honor, please click on the word “DONATE” anywhere it is listed.
DONATE
CHERISHED MEMORIES
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN . . .
A Woman of Amazing Grace
Checks and money orders made payable to: Educational Arts Society, PO Box 70894, Rochester, MI 48307.
EDUCATIONAL ARTS SOCIETY CEO WALTER PARHAM PARTNERS WITH CARR CENTER AND DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Founder and CEO Walter Parham takes off his suit, and “dons” his saxophone (Duane Parham) as he partners with music programs at Carr Center and Ramp-Up with the Detroit Public Schools. Both programs focus on youth development in the areas of art and music.
In spite of a pandemic raging across the state and country, Saxophonist Duane Parham finds a way to blow his horn and help young adults blow theirs. He does this by forming a partnership with Carr Center and the Detroit Public Schools with online classes via Zoom. For many years, the Center has blended art and music to form a perfect union, and for many years, Parham has made music around the world to excite loyal listeners. Each entity contributes to the ever-growing musical appreciation of rhythm, color, form and movement. As Center coordinator, Gina Ellis makes it all “hang together.”
GINA ELLIS
IT TAKES A COMMUNITY . . . .
Educational arts Society recognizes the value in working with others. . . others whose visions add a dimension, depth and quality that completes the circle.” Working with Consultant, DSA Pathways Initiative Richard Sperling, Carr Center President and CEO Oliver Ragsdale, CEO Walter Parham increases EAS’s vision for youth development through the arts, acquiring a professional skill-set that lead to positive life direction, and empowering youth to maximize their potential through the acquisition of basic values.
MUSIC SPEAKS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
CONSULTANT RICHARD SPERLING
Richard Sperling is the Lead Arts Consultant at Detroit Public Schools (DPS) Community District and has a historical record of empowering young people to maximize their potential through professional arts training, theater and musical development. He is the director for the “Ramp-Up” program at DPS and CEO Walter Parham contributes to the musical and core value growth as an online saxophone teacher. It does take a community to guide, develop and encourage continued youth growth in the Detroit Metropolitan Area.
PRESIDENT AND CEO OLIVER RADSDALE JR.
As President and CEO of Carr Center, Oliver Ragsdale Jr. has provided arts and programming to the Detroit community for decades. He is a “hands-on” chief executive as well as inclusive, working effectively with the Center’s resident artists. CEO Oliver is not only a leader, but a performer as well–recording many compositions and performing with groups like the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet and Michigan Opera Theatre.
EDUCATIONAL ARTS SOCIETY “CREATES A SMILE WITH MUSIC”
EAS seeks to create an atmosphere where students examine who they are, how they got there, and where they choose to go in the future, through self-analysis, determination, courage and inner growth, coupled with a chosen musical skill-set that will provide a pathway to future job opportunities and positive societal values.
Educational Arts Society 
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