Los Angeles, CA – On Tuesday evening (February 12), Milk Studios was the house to the third annual i.am.angel Basis’s TRANS4M Gala to boost cash for inner-city kids serious about S.T.E.A.M. actions and to honor the legendary Quincy Jones. Standing for Science, Expertise, Engineering, Arts/Athletics, and Arithmetic: it’s a phrase that the inspiration’s founder and Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am champions in his strategy to giving again to the youngsters neighborhoods like Boyle Heights the place he’s from.
The TRANS4M Gala is part will.i.am’s philanthropic efforts to award alternatives to inner-city kids with out them having to depart dwelling. “Most individuals within the ghetto say issues like, ‘I can’t wait to get out the ghetto,’ as an alternative saying, ‘I can’t wait to alter my ghetto,” Will proclaims on stage. Beginning at $2,500 per ticket, the Gala provides individuals a chance to satisfy and work together with the very kids their cash might be serving to. Youngsters from Boyle Heights colleges took the stage to debate the work they’ve been doing whereas attendees participated in a dwell public sale to donate cash. One the evening’s highlights was the $100,000 raised for a 17-year-old Roosevelt Excessive Faculty scholar to attend Brown College subsequent yr.
Because the occasion reached its finish, the person the night emerged from black drapes as will.i.am launched Quincy Jones for an interview session between the 2 males. Discussing every thing from the long run our nation and Quincy’s legacy, the 2 exuded a bond the viewers might inform had been solid over years. “The primary tune I ever recorded was with QD3,” Will remembers as he talks in regards to the generosity and kindness that each Quincy and his household have proven him since he was a teen. Quincy’s phrases and message to the gang, nonetheless, prolonged far past music and into recommendation all of us ought to adhere to, “Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam: if we don’t come collectively we’ll by no means make it. We gotta cease this foolish bullshit.”
The night ended with a efficiency from a star-studded lineup that includes BJ The Chicago Child, Nicole Scherzinger, Robert Glasper, and the Black Eyed Peas all taking the stage in a musical tribute to Jones. Whereas many artists speak a superb recreation about giving again, the TRANS4M Gala proved that can.i.am is a person motion and that philanthropy is actually an element his platform.
Images by Jerod Harris and John Sciulli.