Wowed by ‘The Wiz Live!’

Hundreds attended end of summer stage show and viewed art exhibition

Hundreds from the community of Richmond Heights joined the SBC Community Development Corp. for its summer culminating musical production, “The Wiz Live!” and art exhibition dubbed There's No Place Like Home at Second Baptist Church.

"The outcome of all the events, children performances, and attendance was a success," says SBC CDC Program Coordinator Sharon E. A. Coleman. "But the real success was seeing 10-15 businesses, organizations, and nonprofits work together to serve their community as one body. Community collaboration is the key to impacting people on a larger scale and is priceless to families in need. In Richmond Heights, we really are one!"

For three days, Bart Mervil and the Miami Urban Contemporary Experience curated a display of art pieces from local artists and students. The M.U.C.E. organization is known for art pop-up exhibits. Artists include Erica Appleby, Nate Dee, Bermy Dorvil, Tavares Hill, Anthony Lumpkin, Robert McKnight, Joe Wesley, Art by Nuno and Lavish -n- Looney. The gallery also featured the work of community students from Kindergarten to 12th grade attending and/or interning at the five collaborating summer programs: SBC CDC Youth Zone S.T.R.E.A.M.S Summer Program; Richmond Park: Fit to Lead; Youth Impact Inc.; A Place of Refuge Academy; and Children's Learning Center of Richmond Heights.

The SBC CDC began serving the Richmond Heights community in 2003. SBC CDC is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to build a solid community through collaborative efforts and partnerships.

"This was truly one of the most impactful events we've held for our community. With the art gallery, food trucks, musical production, school supply giveaways and more, this event really meant a lot to the Richmond Heights community," said SBC Development Corp. Executive Director Mark Valentine.

On the final night of events, the students from the SBC Community Youth Zone Summer program performed "The Wiz! Live!"

"The children from SBCCDC, Youth Impact Inc. and Richmond Park are amazingly gifted and talented. It was a delight to watch them grow and transform to make the Wiz live production a success with so many characters in different age groups," said attendee Berlaine Rameau-Celestin.