IAAVS at the Woodruff Arts Center September 5th

IAAVS showed up and made a lasting impact at the Collective Renaissance Guild's (CRG) "Speak Out" Marketplace located at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, GA on September 5, 2009. The Marketplace was described by CRG as an event where "The general public will be invited to explore the opportunities for service and social entrepreneurship available through various non-profit organization information booths; hear prominent leaders and personalities "Speak Out" about their cause of choice; get autographs from key authors and artists whose work reflects the mission of change; and contribute their own thoughts on change through our interactive video booth" (CRG). The event was hosted by CRG, the Woodruff Arts Center and The Andrew Young Foundation.

Markesia Thomas Akinbami, Director of Change and Natasha Foreman, Director of Possibilities represented IAAVS at the event. Markesia and Natasha were accompanied by Alexandra Foreman a volunteer who also helped the team at the "Sneak Peek Preview Party" on August 30th.

Before the doors opened to the public at 2pm Markesia and Natasha walked throughout the center and spoke with each and every vendor, in hopes of establishing future relationships. There were approximately 30 organizations represented at the Marketplace and IAAVS was thrilled to be one of them.

Soon after doors opened other marketplace vendors and guests quickly approached asking questions about IAAVS, the tees and how they could get one. Since no sales were permitted within Woodruff everyone was directed to the IAAVS website and encouraged to join our mailing list. We'd like to acknowledge and thank the Examiner, Bold Magazine Online, All Girl Talk Radio, Energy Fit USA, Chec Pro, A Guiding Hand Mentoring Program, and the other media outlets and vendors that showed IAAVS some love.

We had more than 200 people visit our booth and leave with information about our company, Women for Women International and the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy (the two charities we support). There were performances by Iasia the "Protedgy Poet", OMG Girlz (the girl group starring Tiny and Toya's daughters), Rock City and Verse and many others.

CRG gave special on-stage recognition to Jamie Foxx  for his service in the community; Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Revered Joseph E Lowery presented him with the Phoenix Award. There were plenty of celebrities and personalities in attendance that day including Ambassador Andrew Young, Senator Kasim Reed, Killer Mike, the World Famous Superfriends on the ones and twos, Bryan-Michael Cox and many  more!

Markesia and Natasha were photographed and interviewed by various radio, newspaper and magazine reporters, while Alexandra didn't miss a beat as she continued answering questions from participants and making sure that everyone left our booth with IAAVS on their mind.

Power Forum

That evening CRG hosted the Power Forum where Ambassador Andrew Young and Andre 3000 (who couldn't be there) were honored for civic service and artistic innovation respectively.

The Keynote Address was by Killer Mike who received several standing ovations for his empowering words and his passionate call for change.

By the end of the night the IAAVS team was exhausted yet excited about the wonderful feedback we received on our shirts and the high level of interest from the other organizations who would like to work with us in the very near future....we can't wait until our next event!

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