After the Toast

On Monday I asked self: "What happens after the hype is gone?" When all that pent up excitement fades just as fast as you swallow the sparkling liquid in your TOAST glass - what do you do? Read on...


Backstory:
As you may know, I started a non-profit organization called Converse 4 a Cure© (C4C) which is blessed with a mission to raise awareness and educate the world about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) through art, fashion, and entertainment.  The objective is to capture the attention of those who are uninformed about the disease and to create innovative forums for discussion while raising funds for research. February 2009 at Babo Teahouse the idea came to me and I shared it with friend/producer/brother Erik B.  Initially, I planned to throw myself this huge birthday party where all attendees were required to wear Converse sneakers. Why? because I LOVE THEM.  Chuck Taylors to be exact! Talking it out with E, we decided that if we were going to 1. bring people together and 2. charge a cover we might as well do it for a communal cause and donate the funds. And THUS Converse 4 a Cure was born and I was going to have my 1st sneaker auction!


The Sparkling Liquid:
Who would have thought a chick from the 'burbs of South Jersey who came to the North for a gig in NYC and had plans to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) to obtain a couple certificates would take on such a hefty to do list? My past tells me that - plans never go as planned and if you're following my posts you already know how I feel about dreams: truthful manifestations. The point is to have a focus and goal in sight - with that you might surprise yourself:-)


So off I went to recruit artists, musicians, DJs, non-profit experts, sneaker junkies, and a caterer in support of the cause. The word spread like wildfire and calls to "be down" started pouring in. - Thank goodness!


The Toast:
Electrifying energy pumped through my veins for 7 months straight! OHHHH how EXCITED I was to nurse C4C to maturity!!! September 19, 2009 (the day of my first fundraiser) at Seed Gallery came HARD! It filled - every blank Converse sneaker with a Sickle Cell Disease inspired design by 17 PHENOM artist,  over 200 attendees ears with the best live jazz, spoken word, song and rap music to date, stomachs with savory dishes from HLS and hearts of those affected by SCD with inspiration and of course POSSIBILITY.  


The Answer: E=mc2
So I swallowed! and the sparkling liquid not only quenched my thirst but it made me thirsty for more! Einstein said - a small amount of mass is converted into an enormous amount of energy.  I am the small mass, 135lbs to be exact, and this effort was energy - be it miniscule in its commencement - it multiplied dramatically into an enormous cause of FUSION REACTION!!! The collaboration of over 35 artists for this cause gave me the answer! They multiplied my small nuclei and powered my sun. SO, what do you do when the hype is gone? Create more energy! Pour yourself some more sparkling cider and drink ON! You probably thought I was going to hit you with some deep anthological lesson or Samurai teaching well, I thought I was too. I started this entry on Monday and it took me until today, Saturday @2:37pm to understand that there are no secrets to life and it is simple. Look within, around and about you for the answers! Nature is one of my favorite teachers.  After the hype is gone determination, dedication and passion are needed to follow through in pursuit of new levels - new FUSION!!! 


As Always with Love,
~Fresh, Fly and Focused~
Ediomi


Shout outs too the original C4C crew you have just made history!!!