08/01/2026
"Cultivating Leadership While Encouraging Greatness"
Yesterday was a day we'll never forget. We were honored to conclude our Summer Music & Creative Arts Series with the Live DJ Performance & Mixing Workshop, led by the incredibly talented DJ Rayshad "DJ Ray Ray" Wilson. It was the perfect finale to a summer filled with creativity, collaboration, and opportunities for our youth to learn, grow, and discover new possibilities through the arts.
Alongside the workshop, we also hosted our 5th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway, providing 121 students throughout Wilcox County with school uniforms, backpacks filled with school supplies, socks, hygiene kits, and other back-to-school essentials to help prepare them for a successful school year. Students who were unable to attend the event received their items through partner organizations or direct delivery. In addition, we were honored to support the J.E. Hobbs Elementary School and F.S. Ervin Elementary School Uniform & Supply Pantries, helping ensure even more students have access to the essentials they need throughout the school year. We are deeply thankful to the Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation (Birmingham, AL) and Harper & Harper Accounting (Camden, AL) for their generous support, which made both the workshop series and back-to-school initiative possible.
This creative arts series was designed to amplify the voices of rural youth by using music and creative expression to foster leadership, collaboration, and build confidence that extends far beyond the workshop space. Please note that all student participant slots were filled through partnerships with local youth-serving organizations throughout Wilcox County.
During this final session, students got an inside look at what a DJ does beyond simply playing music. They learned about the role of a DJ, were introduced to professional equipment, watched demonstrations of basic mixing, transitions, and reading a crowd, and then had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using a DJ controller.
We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to:
• DJ Rayshad "DJ Ray Ray" Wilson, for his leadership and authenticity in facilitating this important work;
• Our LOTYG family, board members, and volunteers: Lillie Kennedy, Tamara Kennedy (Board Member), Monica Williams (Board Member), and Jacquies Wheeler, for volunteering throughout the event;
• Our community partners: BAMA Kids Inc. and Lily Baptist Community Center and Youth Development, Inc., for their continued collaboration;
• Akeem Dukes (A1 Vision), for your years of unwavering dedication to LOTYG and for consistently capturing our journey through photo and video. Thank you for helping preserve the memories, milestones, and impact of our work while ensuring our story continues to inspire others;
• Lashawnda James, Janice Robinson, and the UAB Pediatric Asthma Program, for providing health education and resources to families;
• DJ Bookie Tee, for providing sound and music support;
• Dr. Neville "Nate" Williams and Rosemary Missionary Baptist Church, for their continued support;
• Alicia Foster and the Southern Rural Black Women's Initiative, for their generosity, partnership, and commitment to investing in rural youth. Thank you for allowing us to utilize The Hope Center throughout our Summer Music & Creative Arts Series and for your continued support in helping make this initiative possible;
• Commissioner's Pit Stop, for providing lunch.
We're proud of everything that has been built through this series and excited to see how our 5th Annual Back-to-School Giveaway has grown into a meaningful investment in rural youth. Together, we're helping young people find their voices, discover their strengths, and realize their greatness.
❤️
