Revolution Now! is celebrating Black Excellence next month with its annual party, which raises money for a scholarship for Black students in York Region.
The Feb. 4 party at Market Brewing Company will feature live music from Newmarket musician Glenn Marais and a silent auction featuring Black artists and business people.
"It's incredible energy, and a great chance to be celebrating and connecting the best of what our community is," said Megan Glanfield, founder of Revolution Now.
Funds raised through ticket sales and the auction will go toward the scholarship, which is in its second year.
The local clothing company raises money for charity through sales of its clothing, which also aim to amplify marginalized voices and create community.
Last year, it funded the first scholarship through the York Region District School Board's Alliance of Educators for Black Students, which was awarded to Addisababa O’Brien-Thompson. Now it is fundraising for the second scholarship through the party and sales of a new Black Excellence t-shirt.
The long-sleeve shirt, which can be bought online, was designed by Noah Wright, a young black artist from Aurora. The 17-year-old is currently a Grade 12 student at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School and plans to pursue a career in fashion after graduating.
"I was influenced by a lot of music and how people dressed in music and how clothes themselves can tell you a lot about a person and it can speak loud," he said.
One of his influences is Coco Chanel, who designed a lot of masculine looks for women, freeing them from layers of large clothing and making it easier to work and enjoy daily life, giving her a big impact in the feminist movement.
"I found that very inspirational that I could make a difference with my clothes and designs," Wright said.
His design for Revolution Now! shows a person with an Afro hairstyle, which is filled with words like capable, smart, educated, leader. He said he choose an Afro because it has often been seen as an unprofessional hairstyle but that's just natural hair for many people.
"I want to make sure that that when people look at someone with an Afro and an African person, they see they that they are capable, a smart, powerful, educated, gifted, human leader and elegant, not with the other connotations that are tied to the Afro," he said.
It is also a reminder to himself as a Black student and to other young people like him to be proud of who you are.
Wright was connected to Revolution Now through Glanfield, who was his teacher in Grade 8. He said it is very inspirational that his design is being sold in support of such a good cause and spreading such a strong message.
"I'm very happy that one of my first designs that is being sold is something that has a deep meaning and it's not just something that I'm doing for me, I'm doing this for other people," he said.
The shirts are available online for $44.95, of which $8 from every sale will go toward the scholarship. You can also buy tickets for the party online. It is from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 and tickets cost $25.
Glanfield said last year's party sold out so anyone who is interested in attending should buy a ticket as soon as possible.
