Okay.

I love when we can focus on the kids.

And this is a great opportunity to do that.

The Rising Stars youth talent show is coming up.

Cici thank you so much for joining me today.

Thank you for having me today.

This is like a new venture for you.

This is the first time we're doing something like this, right?

Yes it is.

Okay.

So tell me about the the performance itself as a talent show.

What age group is it for?

It's always from ages 5 to 15.

Okay.

And for those kids, I mean, you have a kind of a special, unique nest of what you're wanting from these kids, right?

Yes.

Talk to us about that.

We have a not for profit organization, so we work with all youth is all inclusive.

So basically we want the talent show to include all the youth.

So no matter what your talent is, whether they're singing, dance and art modeling, even if you're good in math, whatever your skill is, whatever the child think their talent is, we want to showcase that at Howard park.

July 26th I know I have some kids out there who are really good at long division, so let's get them.

Get this right.

Others do.

Yes, yes, because it all matters.

Yeah.

And this is all part of a broader organization too.

And you're originally from Chicago.

Yes.

And talk to us about bringing what you're doing in Chicago here to Michiana.

So I'm from Chicago and I work with all youth in Chicago from about 2020 to about now.

I started the organization, so I had the opportunity to train different children how to play instruments, how to sing.

I gave lesson guys love that.

In many areas.

I want to find our schools.

So we focus on educational arts.

So I wanted to bring a program here to South Bend, that will include all the children where they can feel included, because I'm noticing that a lot of the schools in general, they have lost their passion for the arts.

And I want to we channel that in our children.

I want our children to say, hey, we have somewhere we can shine on.

Absolutely.

Yes.

It is important to have something like that right to work off of.

And I know you have kids too.

Yes I do, right.

So talk to us about what it means, what it looks like for kids like yours.

What does that mean for them in the long term when they see I can do something cool?

So my five year old, he is artistic and I have seen my son go through a lot of things where a lot of people have excluded him because they didn't know how to work with him, or they didn't know that he had an issue.

So of course, when you meet a child, you don't know if there's something wrong.

But I've seen I've also worked with a lot of special needs children, and I see what the families go through.

I see how they're excluded from activities because they're different.

And so I want us, the community, to come together to say, hey, it doesn't matter who you are, doesn't matter what's going on.

You literally have a safe place of belonging and you can artistically express yourself.

You matter.

Yeah.

I mean, really, that's the story.

You matter.

You definitely matter.

Okay, so we're putting together this event.

When is it happening?

So it's happening July 26th.

And how we're part okay okay.

And what is the time frame that you're planning to shoot for here.

So you're welcome Jake.

It look like I guess so we're planning to start from 12 to 6.

So we have a good range of time.

And we're going to have all different acts in between and try to get some things going.

Well, yes.

We literally have six hours to literally showcase this entire thing.

That's amazing.

And registration is still open.

Yes it is okay.

How can people get registered.

So you can register a few ways.

For one, you can contact our email which is Prolific Arts 1122@gmail.com or they can call the number (815) 714-0166.

Okay.

And that's the best way to register for this.

Yeah.

And there is a registration cost.

Right.

But there's also opportunity for scholarship.

Yes there is.

Talk about that okay.

So we have a few people that have donated money for families that may not be able to afford the pre-registration fee.

So if you have a child or if you know a family that needs help or want to participate in a showcase, we literally want you to still register, okay?

Register your child no matter if you have it or you don't.

We have so many sponsorship opportunities available, I love that, and is there a limit to how many kids are going to be accepting?

So as of right now, I know like my family will be there for hours there.

Hey, like he just keep going kiddo.

Yes yes yes.

I mean as of right now, no, because we still have a lot of room for more kids to register, so we definitely just need kids.

But coming in, we really want to make this as big as we can.

And I love that you said like, this is an opportunity.

This is not a singing competition.

Per se.

This is not, you know, get up there and do a gymnastics act.

Those are welcome.

But like this is an opportunity for you to for the children to showcase like what they're all about.

What is their passion.

Yes.

I think that's so important to thank you I love I love what you're doing.

It's just so great.

It's so great.

And add on to that, I think you're going to have vendors there.

Yes.

Talk to us.

About what?

Like the afternoons going to look like it's going to be outside right.

Yes.

Okay.

So the event is going to take place outside in the park.

And basically we're we're still looking for vendors as well.

So they can also contact the same information.

However, we're looking for vendors.

We're looking for everyone to just come out.

So it's going to be family food, fun.

We're even looking to have games as basic, like a whole entire event itself, if that makes sense.

Yeah, it's like a fair like a fun fair.

Like a fun fair, I love that.

So probably are you going to have chairs out there or do people need to bring lawn chairs if they want to watch so they can bring them if they want to.

But I believe that we're going to have everything set up a place for everybody to say that is our plan, that is our goal, and that's where we're looking for it to have.

But hey, if you want to bring your lawn chair and be comfortable in your own set up for the day, yes, please, by all means bring it and then.

Do you guys have a rain date or is it rain or shine?

As rain or shine as of right now?

Okay, so we're hoping for good weather for that day.

We hope everything goes well.

And, you know, just talk to us about your originally from Chicago, right.

Coming here to Michiana.

What has that transition been like for you in regards to both the children's community but also into the art community?

So it's definitely been challenging, if I could be honest, because Chicago is so big, where you literally can do whatever you want, if that makes sense.

Like is is is a broad variety.

So I'm always used to getting people to participate.

I'm always used to getting people to sign up for things or, you know, and I guess because his home is so familiar territory.

So out here, I'm just trying to get used to the environment itself.

So however, though I think it's a great transition because sometimes you need to bring something new.

Yeah.

So the community.

So I'm used to getting participants up there but not out here.

So I'm looking forward to actually just spreading the word around.

Hey, I'm actually here to help children out no matter what that looks like.

And, honestly, this is just amazing.

I love any opportunity.

I have very talented kiddos too.

I know I have one kiddo who's going to be all about this.

Yes, she is like a singer songwriter.

Oh, that's right, I know she's going to be on this.

I think she's just amazing to like, talk to us about what your organization does because this is one avenue that you're talking about, right?

Yes.

So what is your organization do?

What is your mission.

So we're not for profit organization.

And our mission is basically to give the children a place of belonging and to give them a safe place.

And so our mission is to awaken the brilliance inside of all children.

It's all inclusive.

So this is a this is an educational arts program, again, where we work with special needs children.

We work with at risk youth, and we also work with diverse learners.

So when you talk about education, arts is literally dealing with like even audio record, even dealing with art history poetry.

Yeah.

Dance art, singing, literally anything that you can think of.

We basically give a variety of programs within one setting.

We're even expanding our program to even cause children to be able to record music and do photography.

So yes, we want them to start young.

I love it.

And so anything that they want to be, anything that they want to do, we're giving them that place and that space where they can come in and literally shine in that space, whatever it looks like.

These are the rising stars.

These are the rising star, rising stars.

It's coming out on July 26th.

Yes.

Right.

So make sure you bring your kiddos out for that.

Bring your family out to watch it, but get your kiddos registered for this.

Let them shine.

Yes, let them show their talents.

And again, what was the age range for the age range again is from ages 5 to 15.

Perfect, perfect.

All right.

Well thank you so much.

So you thank you so much.

I'm so excited for you for doing this.

Something like this is amazing for our community and for them to be able to come together and really showcase our incredible children in this community who are going to be our future.

Like, that's what it's all about.

Thank you.

I really appreciate everything.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.