Larry Rasberry and Wendell Span are the co-chairs of The Unique Sundresses & Seersuckers occasion. They’re additionally members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Delta Mu Mu Chapter.
The occasion derives its identify from the apparel: ladies are inspired to put on their prettiest sundresses; males their snazziest seersucker fits.
The co-chairs defined how the occasion combines vogue, music, Black-owned companies and neighborhood.
What was the inspiration for The Unique Sundresses & Seersuckers?
Larry Rasberry: Initially … we needed one thing subtle and also you don’t discover too many occasions the place the boys costume very nice for an outside live performance. Sometimes they may have on shorts, T-shirts, or a Polo, however that is a kind of occasions the place the boys truly outdress the ladies. The women come to see what the boys have on. As Wendell talked about, it’s rising annually, and it turns into nearly like a vogue present. It’s a kind of occasions that in case you are unsure, reminiscent of placing stripes and polka dots collectively, paisley or no matter it’s, that is the occasion the place you push the restrict of vogue. It’s all the time very thrilling simply to see what the women and men have on. Regarding the ladies, what woman doesn’t look good in an aesthetic sundress? It initially began off as Seersucker simply to sort of set the stage nevertheless it expanded into an upscale out of doors occasion.
How does this occasion help the neighborhood?
Wendell Span: [Through the Delta Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.], the proceeds go to scholarships. I believe we’ve given out near $500,000 or $600,000 in scholarships over time, then we have now a program referred to as Black Rhinos for Black males. Black rhinos are nearly extinct animals, so we need to ensure we protect these males. We take [the men in the program] on area journeys and numerous school journeys. We train them the way to write resumes, we train them the way to interview, and the way to costume professionally. These are the place our funds are going. How can the general public get in? They could be a sponsor. We now have numerous company sponsors, they’re donating to not the social gathering, they’re donating to the trigger to help our scholarship.
LR: On this case, yeah, we had over 70 company sponsors, and that quantity continues to develop annually. We’ve been lucky, as a result of the neighborhood and different massive companies within the space and all through the nation, have undoubtedly taken an curiosity in collaborating within the occasion. It’s gone over very nicely.
