Gary teen part of elite NYC troupe
Raivyn Jenkins | Photo provided
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While I was covering the post-Memorial Day program at Buffington Park, the father of 15-year-old Raivyn Jenkins told me she will be part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Summer Intensive 2012 in New York City from June 19 to July 27.
Jenkins is joining Wirt-Emerson Visual and Performing Arts Academy dance majors Diamond Harris and India Maynor in the prestigious program.
Jenkins is a student at DancExcel Champion Center for Creative Arts Education, 2345 Grant St., Gary, and has performed in many productions, including “The Spirit of the Baobab Tree.”
Jenkins said she auditioned in Chicago for a role.
“I was number 13,” she said with a laugh. “This is something I’ve wanted to do. I really enjoy dancing.”
† From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 2, at Ivy Tech Community College’s Gary campus, 1440 E. 35th Ave., the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana chapter, will present a free program to raise awareness and understanding about dealing with Alzheimer’s among minorities.
“Confronting Memory Loss and Legal and Financial Matters in the Black Community,” will provide African-Americans with critical information about helping people living with dementia.
Joanna Rosenthal, communications director for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana chapter, said blacks are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as whites.
My family knows this story too well, as my oldest sister was diagnosed in 2005 at 53 years old. If you are struggling with how to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, I suggest attending this program.
Call (800) 272-3900 to register or visit the website www.alz.org/indiana for more information.
† At 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2, the Gary branch of the NAACP is hosting its 47th annual Life Membership Banquet at the Genesis Convention Center, 1 Genesis Plaza. The keynote speaker will be renowned author the Rev. Michael Eric Dyson.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson is the honorary chairwoman, and the event will be hosted by Gary native and journalist Felicia Middlebrooks of WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM in Chicago. Tickets are $60 for adults or $30 for ages 17 and younger.
For more information, call 949-1222.