The National Council of Negro Women-View Park (NCNW), will host its Purple Hat Affair High Tea fundraiser to assist local secondary school children in preparing for academic success. The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on May 18, at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, 3740 Don Felipe Dr., in Los Angeles.
The event is taking place, because California students—particularly those of color—rank well below the national average on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in reading. According to research by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, children who do not read proficiently by the 3rd grade, are more likely to fall behind academically and drop out of high school compared to their peers who are reading at grade level. Volunteers from NCNW, tutor students 6-12 years of age on a weekly basis to ensure students are reading at grade-level proficiency, according to the California of Student Assessment Performance and Progress standards. The overall goal of the program is for students to acquire the literacy skills needed to ensure college and career readiness.
NCNW officials anticipate up to 200 guests for the event, including civic leaders, elected officials, business owners, students, and local professionals. The event will feature live music, exotic teas, raffle prizes, an essay contest, and more. The winners of the essay contest will be awarded scholarships towards their college education. Guidelines for students who wish to submit an essay for consideration can be found on their website at www.ncnwviewparkla.com.
Tickets to the event are $40.00 per person and can also be purchased on the NCNW website. For those who cannot attend, but would still like to support, donations can be made via the website as well.
The National Council of Negro Women Incorporated (NCNW) is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of 36 national African -American women’s organizations and more than 230 community-based sections. Mary McLeod Bethune founded NCNW in 1935 with a mission to lead, develop and advocate for nearly four million women, their families and their communities. We seek to harness the collective power of women of African descent, so that they might realize their goals for social justice and human rights through united, constructive action. The legendary Dr. Dorothy Irene Height led NCNW for decades, securing its legacy of enlightened leadership and influence. NCNW addresses issues of human welfare and rights through public education, community service, and advocacy.
Among the NCNW-View Park programs are the Reading Proficiency Program, Health Justice for Women with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention, the Phoenix Leadership Academy for Girls, and Scholastic Education Advocacy.
For more details about The Purple Hat Affair, visit www.ncnwviewparkla.com, contact Stephanie Haynes at (323) 28-5862 , or email fashionblyfit22@gmail.com.
