Melani Harris’ The Good Turn Gala Benefits Local Nonprofits
Durham, NC – The Good Turn Organization, founded by Melani Harris, hosted its 1st Annual Bull City Benefit Gala on June 1st in honor of Durham turning 150 years old. The mission of this event is to bring more exposure to local nonprofit organizations in Durham and raise donations for their missions.
With a doctrine based on 1 Thessalonians 5:15 “Always try to do good to each other and to all people”, Melani Harris founded The Good Turn in March 2018. The nonprofit organization aims to help those in need in the Durham community through friendly acts of kindness, service and giving. The Good Turn is focused on creating a platform where businesses and organizations will collaborate to assist with fundraising, collecting donations for notable causes, or providing volunteers for an event.
As a Durham native, Melani wanted to create an organization that not only gives back to the community but also partners with the community. With her degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Melani’s desire was to build a platform that encourages the idea that we all need one another and can help each other reach our goals. She strongly believes that collectively we can accomplish great things.
With Durham continuing to evolve, Melani felt it is now the time, more than ever, to reinforce the importance of the community partnering for something greater than ourselves. This led her to host The Good Turn’s first benefit gala on this past Saturday at the Millennium Hotel.
The Gala focused on organizations that help the youth in the Durham community. This year’s honorees were SEEDS and the 100 Black Men of Triangle East. Each organization received a $1000 donation.
SEEDS is a two-acre urban garden and kitchen classroom in the heart of Durham. SEEDS develops the capacity of young people to respect life, the earth, and each other through growing, cooking, and sharing food. SEEDS grows the life and leadership skills of young people in Durham. They use the lessons of growing and cooking food from the garden to prepare youth to be skilled, resourceful and confident individuals with the capacity and commitment to lead in their own lives and in their communities.
The 100 Black Men of Triangle East is devoted to improving the quality of life for African-Americans – particularly young males – through programs focusing on health and wellness, economic empowerment, mentoring and education. They work with individuals and groups throughout North Carolina, primarily in Wake and Durham counties. Their educational programs seek to help youth meet their academic goals and reinforce the importance of academic success. And their economic programs seek to promote financial literacy, wealth building within families, and a sense of entrepreneurship. Al Sullivan, the president of the chapter spoke on the background of the program and delivered how much growth the organization has produced over the last 10 years. “We seek people who care, seek people who want more,” says Sullivan. Triangle East mentoring program has a 100 percent on-time graduation rate. They started with 25 mentors on average to 80 mentors in 2019.
Austin James, an educator, mentor, and Oscar-nominated film producer, delivered a dynamic keynote address. Austin relocated to Boston Massachusetts to pursue a career in education after graduating from North Carolina A&T State University in 2011. While working as an Elementary School Teacher, Austin would travel from Boston to New York on weekends to help a friend make short films at New York University’s graduate film school. His passion for helping people extended beyond his friendships and in 2014 he left the classroom and became the director of a non-profit mentoring organization for Black and Latino boys in inner-city Boston.
Though he loved his work, he loved the idea of being a husband more. In 2016, he married the love of his life and decided to make Durham his new home. Since being here, Austin has worked as a program consultant to his former organization, a 7th Grade English Teacher, and film producer alongside his best friend and Durham native Kevin Wilson Jr. In 2017 Austin co-produced the short film “My Nephew Emmett” which was nominated for an Oscar, Best Live Action Short Film, at the 90th Academy Awards just one year later.
Guests of the Gala were treated to the incredible voice of Jay Renee. Born with the blessing of vocal talent, Durham NC native Jasmine Isaac has been singing since the age of 5. Participating in programs that allowed her to develop her gift, from honor choruses to All-State choirs, Jasmine took advantage of every stage opportunity through her high school years. Understanding the necessity of perfecting one’s craft, she attended North Carolina Central University and graduated with a degree in Music Education, concentrating in Voice. Her passion led her to join The University Choir, The Jazz Ensemble, and The Operatorio while completing her studies. Upon graduation, Jasmine began connecting with different groups while developing her unique brand and sound. This prompted Jasmine to embrace her total artistry, birthing Jay Renee. She has performed at the annual African American Festival, Annual Bimbe Festival, and various venues across the Carolinas. She continues to pursue platforms that will allow her to share her creative artistry worldwide.
Steve Jake, on-air personality at The Light 103.9, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the black-tie Gala.
The Good Turn’s Bull City Benefit Gala will return in 2020. Here are highlights of the 2019 Gala (Photos: Gillian Shaw):
