The Music in Me in the News
Hip Hop Superstar Big Sean
Endorses Young Adult Novel,
Sparkle, as a "Must Read"
The Music in Me Foundation International is proud to announce
its first young adult novel, Sparkle, as part of the organization's
"Rap" on Reading Series. We are honored to have hip hop's
chart topping recording artist, Big Sean's, stamp of approval
through his insightful foreword. The novel was written by
Michele Amira, who was 11 years old when she learned to
read and write. She was only 14 years old when she was
contracted to writeSparkle—the same age as Diamond in the
story. Sparkle is based on the young author’s own struggles
and victories, fighting a rare life threatening illness, confronting
bullying, dealing with school and just being a teen. Profits
from Sparkle will be contributed to Beauty & Quality of Life,
a program she created and oversees to help other teens like
herself (and Diamond) who battle life threatening illnesses.
Big Sean is also the ambassador of this meaningful program.
Sponsored by Office Depot and the Sean Anderson Foundation, Michele recently joined Big Sean in Detroit on a school tour to deliver thousands of her books, The Bully Blues (another "Rap" on Reading Book) and school supplies to public school students to make back to school a positive experience. Today, Michele is a professional hip hop journalist, radio DJ, stand-up comedian and student. She is also vegan dancer with a love of hair products, hoop earrings, hip-hop, and New York pizza! When she’s not writing about what’s hot in hip hop, she’s talking about it on her hip-hop radio show, The Mecca, at University of Maryland where she is an English major. She has been published in The New York Times, The Source Magazine, MTV’s Pardon My Blog, JVibe Magazine, Fran Drescher’s Cancerschmancer’s “We The Future” blog and other notable publications. She is the youngest filmmaker to be screened at The Festival de Cannes in France. She is also the recipient of the Spirit of Anne Frank Student Award and featured in Bethesda Magazine as one of the Nation’s Top Teens. Most of all, she loves to inspire others to “sparkle.”
"This is an important book for everyone to read, especially middle schoolers. It is fanciful and funny enough to stimulate their imaginations, compelling enough to make them want to keep reading, and real enough to touch their hearts." --Hip Hop Superstar Big Sean
Hip-Hip Tastemakers Don Trunk & Uptown XO Roll Out
National Anti-Bullying Movement “Unleash Your Superpowers!” along with School Children at Clarendon Day
Saturday, September 27, 2014 will mark The Music in Me Foundation International’s groundbreaking community event at Clarendon Day that launches the first of its kind anti-bullying movement, “Unleash Your Superpowers!” to unite against bullying. The foundation’s interactive show, Unleash Your Superpowers, is Clarendon Day’s family headline presentation on the Central Park Stage at noon. This hip-hop extravaganza helps youth explore their own special strengths or what the organization calls “superpowers.” The show culminates with a premiere performance of their anti-bullying anthem performed by Don Trunk (Baltimore), Uptown XO (DC) and school children. What better place is there to launch a nationwide anti-bullying movement than the Washington Metropolitan Area? The DMV is truly represented by artists uniting from DC, Maryland and performing with the community in Virginia!
People across the nation are taking the “Superpower Pledge” by downloading the anti-bullying anthem, "Unleash Your Superpowers!" and recording themselves to unveil their superpowers to the music via social media by either chatting about or showing their special talents. Finally, they take the Superpower Pledge by denouncing bullying, “Unleash your superpowers! Unite against bullying,” and nominate their friends or family to do the same. Proceeds all go to making the world a safer place for our children.
The foundation is scaling its programs to reach more disadvantaged youth worldwide. These efforts include the release of the new young adult classic, Sparkle, a captivating picture book for elementary school children, The Bully Blues and the song - "Unleash Your Superpowers" - as part of a national anti-bullying movement.
The 40 grade-to-middle school children singing on the track attend one of the most challenged schools in the DC Metro Area. These talented rock stars have derived empowerment and success through the foundation's programs. Please click on the following SoundCloud link to hear "Unleash Your Superpowers:" https://soundcloud.com/themusicinmefoundation/unleash-your-superpowers
Founder & CEO of The Music in Me Foundation Jane Pinczuk states, “It’s so important to unite against bullying by standing up for one another. Although there will always be bullies in this world, we can all do our share to not only improve the quality of a victim’s life, but save someone’s life by reaching out and being a friend.” She continues, “Let bullies know, as a community, we’re not going to take it anymore! We believe that when children tap into their strengths (aka superpowers) they become empowered and develop a sense of pride. Their superpowers become their armor that leads to success.”
South African Social Activist Desmond Tutu said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
The Music in Me Foundation International is dedicated to maximizing youth through the discovery of their special strengths, aka "superpowers," through hip hop, visual and performing arts. They are working on several projects with the NFL, Big Sean, Bobby McFerrin, Justin Tucker, Dan Marino, Chris Gardner, Levar Burton, The Reading Rainbow, WPGC 95.5 FM, CBS Radio, Giant Foods, J Dilla Foundation and Sirius Africa, as well as the Children's National Medical Center, Hardthaven (Ghana's HIV/AIDS Children's Home), Juvenile Detention Centers and various public school systems.