House of Blahnik Making a Difference

For many, the only reference of the House/Ball community comes from the movie, “Paris Is Burning;” which showed a world chiefly occupied by a melee of artistically talented misfits and criminals. For some, the more recent documentary “How Do I Look” produced by Wolfgang Busch, provides a more accurate snapshot of the community from the eyes of its participants. Through the lenses of the larger society, and even the larger lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual (LGTB) community (especially communities of color), participants in the house/ballroom culture are in many instances seen as outcasts. Although many advances and much notoriety have been achieved on the part of participants in the house/ballroom culture to showcase their community in a more positive light, numerous challenges that face members of this population still go unanswered. Chief among those changes are the efforts made by The House of Blahnik. This house chose to make a difference in the lives of others by awarding the “FIRST EVER” scholarship to students who are pursuing their passions through educational advancement.

In 2007, the House of Blahnik awarded Jimmy Vincent (Boi Boi St. Clair), a student of North Carolina Central University, with a special scholarship to defer the cost of books and supplies. His story was compelling and his mission for success was evident. On May 16, 2009, Boi Boi became the House of Blahnik’s 2nd Scholar, earning a Baccalaureate Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism.

Like his predecessor Ajay Balenciaga who graduated Morehouse College with the assistance of the House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund, Jimmy is a role model for combining academic achievement and ballroom success. Mr. Jimmy “Boi Boi” St Clair plans to attend Graduate School in the next two years; as well as serve as a spokesperson for the House of Blahnik Scholarship. “I am extremely fortunate to have received the help of the House of Blahnik. It’s hard out here and every little bit counts. The scholarship was a great achievement because it came at the right time. But meeting Jay was another BIG win, because he became my mentor. I am going to tell others to apply and take their education seriously,” said Boi Boi.

The House of Blahnik is a real non-profit organization under the fiscal management of the MOCHA Center Inc. The House of Blahnik established its’ House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund in 2006, to support the educational and “ballroom” success of LGBT members of the House/Ball community. The House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund encourages LGBT community members to aspire to positions in which they are able to contribute to society, are open about their sexual orientation and act as role models for their peers in the Ballroom scene.

The 2009-10 scholarship applications and supporting documents are due by Friday, August 7, 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.houseofblahnik.org.

The House of Blahnik: With chapters in New York (NY), Philadelphia, Atlanta (GA), Detroit (MI), Chicago (IL), Cleveland (OH), North and South Carolina, Oakland (CA) and various cities in New Jersey seeks to invest in the future of ball patrons who make valuable contributions to the ballroom community. The House of Blahnik seeks to shift community norms by creating tangible recognition for individuals who make such contributions and highlight these contributions.

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Damon L. Humes at (215) 431-1790 or e-mail at houseofblahnik@yahoo.com.

You can read more about Damon Humes and the scholarship on gayagenda.com by clicking here.