Jackson Free Press

By auctioning lunch dates with local celebrities like civil-rights legend James Meredith, Ward 2 Councilman Chowke Lumumba and Miss Jackson State University Christen Scott, Georgia Cohran hopes to raise money for educational and art opportunities for children in Jackson.

Cohran, 58, is the executive director of Arts Klassical Inc., a non-profit organization that works to eliminate violence by providing more opportunities for youth to take part in art projects. Cohran is putting out a call for artists and musicians to attend a reception tomorrow at the University Club where they can share artwork with the public or perform live.

"It's an opportunity to display your talent, and gives you an alternative to violence," Cohran says. "Instead of being frustrated because you don't feel appreciated, we will provide an opportunity for you to share. All you have to do is muster up the courage to come."

Cohran, who lives in west Jackson, says she is certain if that there were more opportunities and support for classical musicians her two sons Tim, 29, and Kwame, 27, would have continued to play in a symphony. She enrolled her sons in cello and guitar lessons when they were small children. They both went on to study classical music in college but switched to hip-hop after graduating.

"There wasn't a place for them to make a smooth transition and stay with that type of art form, and we are trying to change that so you don't have to try and be rough and tough when your not," she says. "... I said no one else's child is not going to have an option. We are creating more options for children."


Cohran came to Jackson by way of Oxford more than 20 years ago after gaining her LPN at Northwestern Mississippi Community College. She is currently a substitute teacher for the Canton Public School district, where she has worked since 1997.

The Art Klassical Inc. reception is Saturday, April 24, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The University Club ( 210 E. Capitol St.). The event is free, but celebrity raffle tickets are $10 each. A drawing for the raffle will take place May 7. For more information, call 601-291-8804.

Previous Comments

ID

157407

Comment

Go Ms. Georgia. Looking forward to the reception.

Author

Meredith

Date

2010-04-23T14:25:55-06:00