Photos by staff photographer Harris Jeter.
The inaugural For the People Party BeneFEST was an impactful day filled with music and entertainment from Charlotte’s music community, all to raise money, awareness and visibility for the immediate needs of the city’s displaced and transitional neighbors.
Now one month later, efforts are still underway to help those in need after Charlotte’s growing Tent City was evacuated in February. The City of Charlotte just announced plans to allocate nearly $6 million to help the homeless, including a year of housing for 75 Tent City residents.
With an immediate need for boots on the ground to help those with nowhere to go, the For the People Party was formed. The collaborative effort was created by community leaders Tierany Griffin-Purdie (Suite Spot Communications), Greg Jackson (Heal Charlotte), Travis P. Jackson (HBCU Pride Nation), Ohavia Phillips (The OH Show) and Davita Galloway (Crown Keepers), with the assistance of others.
The BeneFEST concert and community event was an extension of the group’s #HellaHohmeProject with the goal of addressing immediate needs among homeless and displaced neighbors—and ultimately positively impacting their health and wellbeing.
Through his organization Heal Charlotte, Greg Jackson (above) has been doing the work through food distribution and emergency housing efforts to help revitalize both neighbors and neighborhoods in Charlotte.
By the end of BeneFEST, nearly $4,500 was raised; enough to house another family for three months. Several bins of donated physical items also meant more care packages could go to people in need.
Jessica Macks (above left) played an integral role in planning the BeneFEST, which was organized in less than a month. Camp North End and Blumenthal Performing Arts Center were among the sponsors.
Dozens of Charlotte-based artists (many of them native to the city) performed on two stages for the BeneFEST concert. In addition to great entertainment, food trucks and vendors were on site for attendees to enjoy.
The event brought together Charlotte residents of all ages for a worthy cause. Singer, songwriter and Charlotte native Jay D. Jones (below) was among the performers on the main stage.
Within 10 days of the city of Charlotte’s announcement that Tent City would be evacuated, creative entrepreneurs and community leaders organized efforts that raised more than $13,000 and enough physical donations to package over 500 care packages. From this, the For the People Party was born.
Though the city of Charlotte plans to intervene to help fight homelessness in the Queen City, a timeline of the pending assistance is not yet available. In the meantime, the For the People Party will continue to connect those with resources to the individuals who need it most. Learn more about the latest needs, efforts and how you can help.
