As the holiday season kicks into full swing, nationally acclaimed media personality and political activist Kevin Powell is set to kick off his 6th Annual Holiday Party and Clothing Drive at the famed Tribeca Cinemas in New York City.
Taking place on Friday, December 8th, the one-day event is geared to helping young homeless people.
The holiday party is expected a draw up to 1,000 supporters with donations going to the Safe Horizon Streetwork Project.
“I have been blessed in my life, but I definitely come from a world of serious hardship and serious displacement, so I was thinking of ways I could help homeless young people in New York City, and literally stumbled into someone who recommended the Safe Horizon Streetwork Project to me,” Powell told AllHipHop.com. “After meeting with them, and helping them get over the surprise of what I wanted to do, a partnership was born.”
Sponsored by AllHipHop.com, Vibe, Vibe Cares and Karen’s Body Beautiful, the yearly event will also feature a first-run movie preview, as well as unplugged performances by young musical talent from New York City.
“My thinking was that entertainment industry folks love a good party and the opportunity to network, so why not create an environment where admission would be a clothing donation rather than a monetary fee,” Powell said.
“We could get sponsors involved, have a DJ, live music, gift bags, the very same elements we’ve become accustomed to at the typical entertainment function.”
The Safe Horizon Streetwork Project works with over 7000 homeless youth each year, across New York City, providing everything from meals to temporary shelter to psychological, sexual, and drug counseling.
“At the end of the day,” says Powell, “this holiday party and clothing drive is a way for me to merge the two great passions of my life: being a public servant who helps others; and being someone who is deeply involved in entertainment and American popular culture.”