Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 10-29-21

Feature
Famed Saxophonist Is Guest Artist For Univ. CDC Gala
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
The University Area CDC (Community Develop- ment Corporation) will hold its annual gala, A Mas- querade Affair: Aladdin, on Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., at the University Area Community Park Pavilion at 14013 N. 22nd St. in Tampa.
The gala is the University Area CDC’s largest fundraiser of the year, along with celebrating a suc- cessful year. The proceeds will fund operations and programs.
This year’s event will feature fire dancers, a per- formance by Prodigy Cultural Arts youth, a silent auction and musical performance by star saxophon- ist, BK Jackson.
Jackson has a special connection to the Univer- sity CDC. As a youth, he participated in many pro- grams at the CDC. The programming helped keep him on the right track.
“I was at the University CDC many days as a youngman.Itmeantalottome,andIamgladI have the chance to perform to raise money for the CDC’s continued success.”
BK Jackson ... famed Saxophonist
Jackson is a graduate of Howard W. Blake High School for the Performing Arts. He is also a proud Rattler, having graduated from Florida A&M Uni- versity and has been electrifying audiences all over the world for a number of years.
He has received multiple accolades over the years.
As a sophomore in college, he took a semester off to tour with the legendary Prince.
Jackson said Prince taught him a lot as a mu- sician, primarily how to operate and exist within a
funk groove.
He has also opened for numerous nationally
renowned artists, including Brian McKnight, Fantasia, Kirk Whalum, Wayman Tisdale, and renowned blues artist B.B. King at Ruth Eck- erd Hall. He is also a fan favorite at Tropicana Field during the Rays playoff stints.
Achieving such huge successes early in life would make some people coast through, but not Jackson. He emphasized that his experience with the Univer- sity CDC and his learning experience with Prince have taught him lifelong lessons.
“I would like to tell young people to keep going and be consistent. You must keep working at what you want to do. Even now, I am still striving for my goals. It may not happen right away, but just keep at it.”
The University Area CDC is celebrating more than 22 years of serving and supporting thousands of Tampa residents through youth programs, adult education, and resource assistance.
Ticket purchases, sponsorship opportuni- ties, and more information for the event are available by calling 813.558.5212 or by visit- ing www.uacdc.org/gala.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY PAGE 11-A