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| Magic City Family Unity Fest, Keeping Love and Hope Alive In Ensley |
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| Religion News |
| Written by Flora Sumone |
| Thursday, 26 July 2012 09:34 |
 Pastor Larry Woodruff and daughter “Local Lady Woo”(additional photos in July 28, 2012 issue) Children, youth and adults of all ages spent a hot and fun filled afternoon at the “Magic City Family Unity Fest” in the beautiful Ensley Park. The crowd played games, socialized, met new people and enjoyed talented performers from greater Birmingham and surrounding counties. Birmingham has been tagged as one of the most dangerous cities in America, but “Your Local Lady” Woo, the event’s organizer remains vigilant in changing that through free venues like the Unity Fest. The first annual event was held as the Magic City May Day in 2009 at Memorial Park in Titusville, with the second and third at Linn Park. Woo said, “there was a dire need to carry the festival and our “Peace the Streets” platform to Ensley to help in motivating change in the midst of escalating crime, that’s out of control in the teen and young adult street culture.” Her hopes and goals have been to unite churches of all denominations and colors in the western area neighborhoods of Ensley, Pratt City, Bush Hills, Fair View, Five Points West, Central Park and Ensley Highlands to help in turning the streets back to a time of love, unity and peace that those communities proudly enjoyed in past decades. Woo said, “Chief Roper, Mayor Bell nor the council can do it alone, it takes people in the communities working together and putting personalities, egos and personal agendas aside to help Birmingham.” The Magic City Family Unity Fest is a component of “Your Local Lady” Woo’s nonprofit foundation that serves the community by holding voter registrations, promoting education and literacy, mentoring and speaking to young people and presenting forums that enrich lives and advocate empowerment and respect of all people. The festival was hosted by the cool, D.J. Strick of 95.7 JAMZ, “GOSPEL JAMZ” and the hilarious comedian, FUNNY MAINE. Hip Hop, Rap and Contemporary Gospel recording artists, spoken word artists and dance talents got the festival attendees out of their seats. The line-up included G.I.MAGUS, LP, TALL T, BIG PROPHET, JOLANDA GREEN, HOLY LIGHT CHURCH PRAISE MINISTRY, NINA, REAL LIFE POETS, THE MESSENGER, LEECON, NAIMAH, OVERDOSE, D.J. JUICE, WOO and many others who gave back to the community with their talents. The MAGIC CITY FAMILY UNITY FEST’S sponsors and supporters were Mayor William Bell, City of Birmingham, City of Birmingham Parks & Recreation, Pastor Larry B. Woodruff and Holy Light Church, Mary K of 95.7 JAMZ, Cheryl Eldridge of The Birmingham Times, Reginald Nall and Jack Smitherman of Birmingham Water Works, Frank Matthews, Sharon Bracy and Patricia Stephens. Dana C. “Woo” Woodruff is a product of Ensley, where her father, Larry B. Woodruff was born and grew up. Dana serves as the Director of the Praise Ministry at Holy Light Church in Central Park. You can hear her on Sunday mornings on 95.7 JAMZ, “Skool of Hip Hop” Talk Show from 7 – 8 and connect with her on Facebook to join forces in making Birmingham the best city to live in. Photos by Ramel TheClubCam James |
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