Living Legends A Hit!!

Youth Pride Center honors living legends
by Yasmin Nair
2009-03-04

Several renowned African Americans got their due as Youth Pride Center ( YPC ) —an organization geared towards helping LGBTQ Black youth—held its 2009 Living Legends Black History Gala Feb. 26 at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood.

This year, the group's six honorees included DJ Frankie Knuckles and Affinity Community Services.

This year, founder Frank Walker was unable to attend because of recent heart surgery. Walker is on the mend, but his illness meant that youth members of the organization had to put the program together on their own. Interspersed with dedications to honorees were performances by several youth and a soul-food dinner. Tony Taylor read poetry; Randall Walker and Dejon Smith entertained with a Billie Holliday medley; and Anshae Lorenzen performed a dance number.

Knuckles, an internationally known and openly gay DJ, was clearly impressed with YPC. He said that the youth reminded him of what it was like to grow up in New York, in the arts: “I don't think I turned out badly,” he said with a smile, “But I wonder what it would have been like to have something like this when I was their age.” He commented on “how focused and how clear-minded they are about what they have and what they try to do. In this day and age, when there's so much ugliness, it's a small oasis but it's a great one.”

Kelly Saulsberry, a board member of Affinity, was also there to receive the award, along with fellow board member Linda Doss. She said that besides being “honored to be honored,” she was also impressed by the “incredible talent they exhibited, as well as their passion. The fact that they pulled off the event by themselves speaks to their leadership skills and how they take ownership of the organization.”

Heaven

come join Ypc in a nice romantic candle light dinner- mood music and soulfood will set the tone for you and your valentine- couples tickets $5.00 singles $7.00

Date:	Saturday, February 14, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	YPC
Street:	5480 S. Kenwood
City/Town:	Chicago, IL

Living Legends

YPC Idol

YPC began another exciting season of "Idol" as contestants and YPC members met at pie hole on this very cold night. Our contestants were Lauren, Tony and Brandon. Lauren started things off with her rendition of "Should Have Known", followed by Brandon with a great performance of "Ordinary People" and Tony finished up round one with a song he wrote himself.
Round 2 followed, and our exuberant host, Steven, gave the crowd some lighthearted humor. In round 2, we were treated by another round of great performances. Lauren sung some song written by some girl, Brandon song a crowd favorite (the name escapes me), and Tony song a catchy tune he wrote himself. Who will make it closer to the grand prize?! Find out SOON!

Teen Test Day

YPC gathered in the huge hall of the South Shore Cultural Center for the annual teen test day presented by walgreens. Teen test day is basically a huge convention type thing were various social groups set up tables with a plethora of valid information such as how to prevent STD'S, the proper way to use a condom, and information about LGBTQ outreach programs. YPC had the only table that was indeed LGBGT related. There was alot of fun things to do such as enter raffles, play games, sing, and get wonderful Mary Kay facials. There were also oppurtunities for people to get tested, and getting tested was the only way to get food...so alot of people got tested. "Think Fast" was a trivia type game and of course, YPC won. How suprising, since YPC tends to come out on top.

Also, Lauren entered a raffle and won a ipod mini, so YPC rained supreme throughout the whole day. The concert was great, with performances by Ben 1 and The Pope. Being the artsy individuals which we are, we had to give the crowd a sample of our great talent. Dance troup "Geek Squad" and "3D" gave wonderful show-stopping performances, and made it known that YPC was indeed in the building.

So all in all, it was a great day. Not just for YPC, but for everyone who came out to support such a positive event.

New Attitude, New Members, and a New YPC!

Tonight, YPC gathered in the beautiful space of the University Center for the new 2009 new member orientation. As expected, we started a bit late and we seemed to have a good turnout. About 20 people showed up, and the meeting got off to a good start. We spent the first hour talking about some of the issues that have been concerning the integrity of the YPC name, and we tried to figure out how to get things back to the way they were, back in the YPC golden days.
The 2nd hour Frankie (the founder) talked about all the events planned for january, new jobs, and some exciting changes we have coming to YPC.
It would appear to me that we are about to doa complete overhall of YPC. We have a great commitee, great members, and a wonderful new attitude!

Key Lime Cove

YPC took a nice little trip to key lime cove over the weekend, and I personally must say it was a great experience. Key Lime cove is a indoor waterpark, with a spa and indoor waterpark Everyone who went seemed excited about getting away from the horrible weather of the city, which could be draining. Me and Tony rode with Frankie, so we got there significantly earlier than everyone else. The ride wasn't that long. We arrived to a huge building with people all outside. I didn't know what to expect, and I was excited to actually go inside.
We walked in, and the one thing we both noticed was how bright and vibrant the atmosphere was. We just wanted to get to our room. The rooms were very, very nice and cozy. We got to our rooms, jumped on our beds, and relaxed until everyone else arrived. They finally did. Once everyone was here, that's when the fun really started. I believe photo's would be more appropriate to display, rather than me rambling.

Here are some member's reactions to Key Lime Cove:

Dejon: "It was fun for the little time I was there, i loved the waterpark and the rooms setting were so appropriate and i was just really fun"

Alex: "I loved it"

Anshae: It was fun. The waterpark, being with my ypc family, and the escape from the cold of the winter. I had a blast!!!!

Tierra: for the amount of time that I was there it was a blast, we had a lot of fun. I would defenitely go again:)

Lawrence: When is the next trip because i had a marvelous time darling....

Sirez: I had a wonderful time at key lime cove n I would love to go again

Lauren: I had a blast getting to know other YPC members and just being with friends it was so relaxing.

Tony: i had a blast- since we've been back everday has been about YPC- cuz i luv yall :-)