Tiara Crawford has come a long way from being a runaway teenager with all kinds of ideas in her head. As major life disruptions tend to do though,it was the running away part - and her great friend Natalie - that got her going in the right direction. Today, Tiara and her production company, Selah Productions, have taken what she learned about fashion, health, and growing up, and they are making a difference with that knowledge in the community.
Strut is a fashion play now in its sixth year. What is a fashion play, you ask? It is a fabulous production combining music, drama, and of course fashion that - with Strut - focuses on a serious issue in the community. So far, Strut has addressed issues such as sobriety and endometriosis, and this year the play will raise awareness of breast cancer.
Not only does Strut raise awareness of major issues, the production gives talented high school students the chance to work with professionals and to begin learning their craft in a real-world scenario. Students in drama, music, fashion, and visual arts programs can take part in a major production to learn the ropes both onstage and in the wings. This year, they can now even get credit for taking part in the Strut productions, and have a chance to earn a position working with Tiara after graduation.
I asked Tiara what inspired her to work with high school students. She planned to work with her former high school, Booker T. Washington in Tulsa (go Hornets!) and then heard about the fine arts program at another high school in the city and decided to work with both schools. She wanted to give kids a chance to learn something that would inspire them to go for their dreams, and in the process found that the high school students were "hungry for it." They worked hard, did a beautiful job, and were happy to show up every day to make sure it was done. Now she is happy to work with them on a regular basis.
The program is so popular that the shows are standing room only, packed to the gills, and oh-so-bad-ass that everyone wants to be part of it.
I love Tiara's story, as she is one of the best examples to kids and young adults of why you should never give up. She hung in there and is now giving back and inspiring others to do the same.
Thanks Tiara!
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