Still I Rise and Kool Kids Foundation Join Forces to Expand Youth Music Education Through $10,000 Donation

 

Still I Rise and Kool Kids Foundation Join Forces to Expand Youth Music Education Through $10,000 Donation

RISE Music Academy will provide an eight-week music development program, hands-on instruction, mentorship and instruments to help young people discover their musical potential.

Aaron and Tocarra Eldridge-Robinson of Still I Rise stand alongside Robert “Kool” Bell, Hall of Famer and founding member of the iconic music group Kool & The Gang, at Le Kool Champagne & Kool Kids Foundation 3rd Annual First Woman Awards Brunch in New Jersey, where Tocarra Eldridge-Robinson was being recognized for her philanthropic and community work. (Photo Provided By Shelli Stelmak, Entertainer Reporter)

Access to music education can open doors to creativity, confidence and opportunity. For young people who lack access to musical instruments and formal instruction, however, those opportunities can be difficult to find. Still I Rise is working to change that through a new partnership with the Kool Kids Foundation, founded by Robert “Kool” Bell, legendary bassist and founding member of the internationally acclaimed music group Kool & The Gang.

Through the partnership, the Kool Kids Foundation has donated $10,000 worth of musical instruments and equipment to support Still I Rise and its youth music education initiative, RISE Music Academy. The contribution represents a significant investment in the musical development of children and teens while helping remove financial barriers that can prevent young people from exploring their artistic interests.

RISE Music Academy is an eight-week youth instrument development program designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of playing music in a structured, supportive and engaging environment. The initiative combines hands-on instruction, practical experience, mentorship and access to quality musical equipment to help students develop their abilities while discovering the rewards of creative expression.

Participants will have opportunities to explore keyboards, guitars, drums and percussion while learning foundational musical concepts, including rhythm, timing, notes, chords, scales, instrument care and basic playing techniques. Beyond developing musical skills, the academy seeks to instill discipline, encourage perseverance and strengthen the confidence young people need to pursue their interests and personal goals.

The program also emphasizes continued growth beyond the classroom. Youth who successfully complete the eight-week academy will receive a certificate of completion. In addition, each participating student will receive a basic musical instrument suited to their individual interests and abilities, giving them an opportunity to continue practicing and building upon what they have learned.

For Still I Rise, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to providing young people with resources, guidance and opportunities that can positively influence their futures.

RISE Music Academy is spearheaded by Aaron Robinson, Operations Manager of Still I Rise and owner of They Authentic Records, LLC and Robinson Publishing (Consciousness Magazine), alongside Tocarra Eldridge-Robinson, Executive Director of Still I Rise and a professional recording artist.

Together, Robinson and Eldridge-Robinson bring professional music industry experience, artistic knowledge and a shared commitment to using music as a vehicle for education, mentorship and personal development. Their experience includes working with artists such as Earl LC of Public Announcement, R&B artist BenOne and rap icon Keith Murray.

They have also benefited from mentorship and guidance from accomplished music professionals, including Gary Hines, director of the three-time Grammy Award-winning group Sounds of Blackness; hit producer Aaron Pittman; and Grammy Award-winning producer Vudu Spellz.

Their combined backgrounds help shape an academy that extends beyond teaching students how to play instruments. The program is intended to introduce young people to the value of dedication, creative collaboration, self-expression and the discipline required to develop a skill.

By creating an environment where students can learn, practice and receive encouragement, Still I Rise hopes to help participants recognize their potential while gaining skills they can carry into other areas of their lives.

The partnership also reflects the mission of the Kool Kids Foundation, established by Bell to support music education and expand opportunities for young people. Through its commitment to keeping music alive in schools and communities by providing instruments, educational resources and support, the foundation works to help ensure that young people have opportunities to experience music regardless of their financial circumstances.

Bell's legacy as a founding member of Kool & The Gang adds a powerful connection between professional musical achievement and the importance of nurturing the next generation of musicians. The foundation's contribution to RISE Music Academy brings that commitment directly into a community-based youth development initiative.

For underserved communities, access to instruments and quality instruction can make a meaningful difference. Musical equipment can be expensive, and families facing financial challenges may not have the resources to purchase instruments or enroll their children in music programs. By supplying equipment and creating a structured learning opportunity, the partnership seeks to make music education more accessible to young people who might otherwise be left out.

The initiative also creates an opportunity for students to discover interests they may not have known they possessed. Whether a participant develops an interest in playing drums, learning keyboard, mastering guitar or exploring percussion, the academy provides a starting point for continued learning and creative development.

Still I Rise believes that empowering young people requires more than addressing immediate needs. It also means investing in their talents, providing access to educational opportunities and helping them develop the confidence to envision new possibilities for themselves.

RISE Music Academy brings that philosophy to life by combining instruction, mentorship and tangible resources with the encouragement young people need to grow. The donation from the Kool Kids Foundation provides essential equipment to help make that vision possible, while the organizations' partnership establishes a foundation for expanding youth access to music education.

As the initiative moves forward, Still I Rise and the Kool Kids Foundation are working toward a shared goal: helping young people discover their voices, develop their abilities and recognize the possibilities that can emerge when talent is supported by opportunity.

For media inquiries, Tocarra Eldridge-Robinson, Executive Director of Still I Rise and a professional recording artist, is available for interviews regarding the partnership, the mission of RISE Music Academy and the initiative's anticipated impact on youth.

Learn more: www.Still-iRise.org