The Griot Arts program in Clarksdale has held one big fundraiser for the past five years.
This year, the Griot Fall Feast was recently held at Hopson Commissary just off Highway 49 and a record $47,000 was raised.
Approximately 160 individuals were in attendance, according to executive director of Griot Arts Inc. Cali Noland. Of the $47,000 raised, Noland said $22,000 came from individual and corporate sponsor donations, $19,000 was from a silent auction and the rest was ticket sales.
Chefs from around the Delta prepared a specialty dish with nine different food stations for attendees. The chefs all volunteered their time at the event and Griot students put together bands that performed.
Hayden Hall was the chairman of the food for the event and Chanda Peay was the chairman of the event.
“This is just a really big fundraiser for us. It supports the Griot after school arts program,” Noland said. “There are 50 students who are in our program — third-graders through 12th-graders. They are receiving dance and arts lessons that either free or at low cost. We also provide tutoring, college prep and Bible study.”
The Griot after school arts program also supports a Meraki job training program. That is a program to help young people in Clarksdale gain job skills while working at the Meraki Roasting Company. Through selling coffee at the café, children are learning skills to gain further employment.
“This was our most successful fall feast yet. We raised more money than we ever have in the past,” Noland said. “I think that was due to the overwhelming support from our community and especially our sponsors.”
