“Blues Babe” is the affectionate
nickname given to Jill’s grandmother because of the
bluish tint in her brown complexion. To this day, Blues Babe
continues to provide inspiration for both her family and for
others around her. Of her grandmother, Jill told Essence Magazine:
“My grandmother came from a different era, a different
time, telling her story without saying any words. She would
hum while she cooked and cleaned. But more important, she
would hum and sing praises. To have someone with that kind
of “herstory” express herself without words is
a kind of wealth that you can’t put any price on. Sometimes
when I sing, I get close to that place. Then I can go deep
into the history of who we are as a people.” That the
Foundation was named in her grandmother’s honor serves
as a reminder that multigenerational solutions to community
problems not only link past to present, but can provide a
roadmap for future success.
- June 2006, in conjunction with the city of Philadelphia The Foundation embarked on it’s biggest task to date. The Blues Babe Foundation donated over $100,000 to the Renovation of the Cecil B. Moore recreation center. Earlier that year the city of Philadelphia had compiled a list of recreation centers to be closed due to funding shortages, Cecil B. Moore was on that list. The main reasons were that the conditions were deplorable and the kids were few. Jill after learning of this and having grown up in this neighborhood and community center made it Blues Babe mission to save it from closure. With our donation we were able to renovate the Auditorium, bathrooms, floors, and swimming pool. As well as provide two New outdoor basketball courts and a New Kitchen. Together with the city we were also able to repair the roof. In the spring of 2007 the city of Philadelphia renovated the Gym and made other improvements. Once barely used the center is now a safe haven for many kids. Attendance had more then doubled for most programs. The center also serves as a curfew center for kids. “Once slated for closure, Cecil B. Moore now serves as a model for community renewal.”
- In the summer of 2006 The Foundation sponsored The Philadelphia Youth Track and Field Club. This allowed the team to compete in the National Championships for Youth in North Carolina.
- As part of on-going efforts with our Clean Up Your Neighborhood Program, May 2006, in conjunction with City Councilman D. Clarke The Foundation sponsored a clean up day in the community and at the Cecil B. Moore Community Center.
- In the spring of 2003, the Blues Babe
Foundation made a donation of over $60,000 to the graduating
class of the Creative Arts High School in Camden, New Jersey.
- For Jill’s video directorial debut—for
label mate Jeff
Bradshaw’s single “Slide”—she
incorporated Creative Arts High School’s drama class
and not only provided a memorable experience for these young
people, but behind-the-scenes access and an inside look
at how music videos are produced.
- In 2002, in conjunction with E!
Entertainment Television, the Foundation donated desktop
computer systems to Philadelphia’s Meredith School,
Jill’s elementary school.
|
