Celebs partner with local non-profit to promote literacy, higher education

Le Sanctuary, a New Orleans-based non-profit book club, has partnered with Grammy Award-nominated artist PJ Morton and celebrity wardrobe stylist and WE-TV personality, Goo Goo Atkins to present a fresh and sophisticated event to complement the Essence Festival.

The “Stars & Strikes Celebrity Day Soiree and Bowling Bash” will provide a platform for individuals to sponsor Le Sanctuary’s initiative to empower young ladies graduating from high school planning to attend a Louisiana university. The organization will award 10 book scholarships to college-bound freshmen.

The event will take place Saturday, July 4, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Fulton Alley, 600 Fulton Street.

PJ MORTON

Morton and Atkins will host the “Bowling Bash” alongside Le Sanctuary Book Club members. The Le Sanctuary board of directors, Honorary Chair, City Councilmember-at- Large Jason Williams, and hosts are committed to the advancement of the literacy movement in the Greater New Orleans area.

“Le Sanctuary helps young women of New Orleans reach their goals of higher education, and, just as importantly, fosters literacy for a lifetime of learning and the joys of reading,” Williams said.

GOO GOO

“Ten years after Katrina, our city is still regaining, rebuilding and improving,” Angela Young, founder/president of Le Sanctuary Book Club, said last week. “We are doing our part to help move the Crescent City forward by providing literary support to women in the Greater New Orleans area. In years past, we’ve awarded eight scholarships. This year, we’ve increased it to 10 as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of Katrina. We are hosting a party with a unique purpose!”

St. Augustine High School graduate PJ Morton is a Grammy Award-nominated artist, Grammy Award songwriter and producer, and member of Maroon 5. The New Orleans native is also the son of multi- Stellar Award winner and Grammy Award-nominated artist, Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr.

Thomasina “Goo Goo” Atkins, celebrity wardrobe stylist, and WE- TV personality, has draped couture clothing and confidence by designing red-carpet looks for multi-Grammy Award winning Gospel group Mary Mary, actress Niecy Nash, “American Idol” winner, Candace Glover and many more.

The proceeds from the bowling bash will benefit Le Sanctuary Book Club’s scholarship program. Partnerships with sponsors are vital to the continued success of the book scholarship program. Additional sponsors include: Metro Disposal, NKS Enterprises, Louisiana Health Cooperation, Harrah’s Casino, State Farm Insurance, and more.

Le Sanctuary’s mission is to promote simulation for a diverse group of women, both socially and mentally, through reading, culture and outreach.

“I was educated in New Orleans through my high school years and literacy has always been important to me,” PJ Morton said. “Education and literacy combined, helped me to realize my full potential. College books are expensive! Thanks to Le Sanctuary Book Club, this year’s recipients will have a lighter financial load as they embark upon a new journey in life. Katrina can’t keep us down!”

“This event is special to me because it fuels the literacy movement, which is empowering,” Goo Goo explained. “I feel that even with this small gesture, I am contributing to empowering the next generation. I am touched every year to be a part of raising funds for some young lady who perhaps otherwise may not have been able to afford her books for college.”

This article originally published in the June 22, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.