It's the summer of women ruling the nonprofit world! One of the fierce ladies that has risen to the forefront of children advocacy in Savannah is Blessings in a Book Bag founder Weslyn "Lady Mahogany" Bowers. Amped to attend her Seersucker, Stilettos and Stogies Day Party on June 26 at Red Gate Farms, I arrive to find the music thumping, vendors set up and Sweet Spice food truck ready to serve.
Looking exquisite in a red-off-the-shoulder dress, Weslyn asks for pics with Adrianne Williams of the Twisted Bar Lab & Hookah Experience and community activist Morris Pollard of We Love Cann Park. Known simply as Mr. Mo around town, this dapper-dressed Savannah native tells me, "Some families don't take trips or vacations. Having our Summer Fun Day offers them entertainment, prizes and food."
Promising to share the word of this August event at Beach High School, I head inside to catch up with my Savannah State University intern Guy Hodge. Zooming around getting b-roll for a video, I follow him over to meet Mary Kay Cosmetics and South Carolina natives Felicia Jamison-Cheeks and Anikia Robinson.
After a mini-posing session with the lovely ladies, I met Lavish Visions Boutique owner Theresa Fisher and her 11-year-old daughter Donjuia Reese. Loving her fitted white sleeveless dress, I am learning about her Tanger Outlet kiosk when I hear local attorney Richard Sanders calling me over for a pic with the petite Stephanie Burgess.
Sporting a blue seersucker jacket, Richard is probably at as many events as I am. Seeing him at the Savannah Jaycees, veterans’ events and the Savannah Exchange Club, the only place I haven’t seen this Richard is in court in Bloomingdale. Hopefully I won’t see the Bloomingdale judge there anytime soon!
Pulling Richard over for a pic with Guy and Weslyn, I introduce him to the scorching hot Erica Scriven. The Eichholz Law Firm administrator is glowing! Thrilled to tell me of her wellness journey that includes training with Weslyn's Busahmove Fitness, Erica is on a self-discovery mission and it shows!
Next up is JIG Cigars George Godlock and his fiancée Vanysha Heath. Loving George's seersucker vest, I watch him handle the table filled with cigars while learning about Vanysha's Class4Jewelry and shea butter business.
With more guests arriving, I detour over to pause "Da House Party Boyz" deejays Tavares Brown and Nathaniel Horton for a pic, hug Citizen Advocacy's George Seaborough and meet Ahlips & Body Butter's DeWanda Evans. The Savannah native tells me of her recent move from Seattle, rubs some seriously strong coconut shea butter on my hands before posing with George and Stephanie.
Out in his colorful Jamaican food truck, Donovan Smith talks about his involvement in the Savannah Food Truck Force and how successful the Pooler Food Truck Festival was last week. Smiling for a pic with him is friend Trudence Morrison, another lyrically sounding Jamaican who makes me want to take a trip to their country to see if everyone is as nice as they are!
Before I leave, I sit back and watch Weslyn work the room. Seeing her indomitable work ethic reminds me of her backstory.
Raised on a half dirt, half paved road out of West Savannah, Weslyn understands hunger. Remembering going weekends without a full meal, she made a choice to either pursue an entertainment career or serve her community. Community won.
“I was broke the first time I went to Otis Brock Elementary and sat outside on a bench to feed 25 kids. Ten years later, we are now serving 300 meals weekly with support from churches, local businesses, sororities and fraternities — all without government assistance,” shares the BIBB executive director.
With money raised tonight, this former radio personality has ensured that children will be fed during the weekend and BIBB continues to offer educational programs and community events like the Aug. 14 Back to School Bash at Tatemville Community Park. Partnering with Savannah College of Art and Design and Eichholz Law Firm, this classy lady and her benevolent team will provide free food, health care services and school supplies from noon until 3 p.m.
I always say one person can change a life. She is granting wishes, giving gifts and changing the lives of the people in our community. We see you Weslyn “Lady Mahogany” Bowers.
Find them on Facebook Blessings in a Book Bag Inc.
Invite Bunny to your gathering, gala or other social event. Contact Bunny at 912-844-1122 or email her at bunnyware@aol.com. See more columns by Bunny Ware at SavannahNow.com/Lifestyle/.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Blessings in a Book Bag planning for August school supply giveaways
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