The House of Blahnik Makes a Difference in the “Ballroom” Community

For many, the only reference of the House/Ball community comes from the movie, “Paris Is Burning;” which showed a world chiefly occupied by a melee of artistically talented misfits and criminals. For some, the more recent documentary “How Do I Look” produced by Wolfgang Busch, provides a more accurate snapshot of the community from the eyes of its participants. Through the lenses of the larger society, and even the larger lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual (LGTB) community (especially communities of color), participants in the house/ballroom culture are in many instances seen as outcasts. Although many advances and much notoriety have been achieved on the part of participants in the house/ballroom culture to showcase their community in a more positive light, numerous challenges that face members of this population still go unanswered. Chief among those changes are the efforts made by The House of Blahnik.  This house chose to make a difference in the lives of others by awarding the “FIRST EVER” scholarship to students who are pursuing their passions through educational advancement.

In 2007, the House of Blahnik awarded Jimmy Vincent (Boi Boi St. Clair), a student of North Carolina Central University, with a special scholarship to defer the cost of books and supplies. His story was compelling and his mission for success was evident.  On May 16, 2009, Boi Boi became the House of Blahnik’s 2^nd Scholar, earning a Baccalaureate Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism.

Like his predecessor Ajay Balenciaga who graduated Morehouse College with the assistance of the House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund, Jimmy is a role model for combining academic achievement and ballroom success.  Mr. Jimmy “Boi Boi” St Clair plans to attend Graduate School in the next two years; as well as serve as a spokesperson for the House of Blahnik Scholarship.  “I am extremely fortunate to have received the help of the House of Blahnik.  It’s hard out here and every little bit counts.  The scholarship was a great achievement because it came at the right time.  But meeting Jay was another BIG win, because he became my mentor.  I am going to tell others to apply and take their education seriously,” said Boi Boi.

The House of Blahnik is a real non-profit organization under the fiscal management of the MOCHA Center Inc.  The House of Blahnik established its’ House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund in 2006, to support the educational and “ballroom” success of LGBT members of the House/Ball community. The House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund encourages LGBT community members to aspire to positions in which they are able to contribute to society, are open about their sexual orientation and act as role models for their peers in the Ballroom scene.

The 2009-10 scholarship applications and supporting documents are due by Friday, August 7, 2009.  For more information, please visit www.houseofblahnik.org.

The House of Blahnik: With chapters in New York (NY), Philadelphia, Atlanta (GA), Detroit (MI), Chicago (IL), Cleveland (OH), North and South Carolina, Oakland (CA) and various cities in New Jersey seeks to invest in the future of ball patrons who make valuable contributions to the ballroom community. The House of Blahnik seeks to shift community norms by creating tangible recognition for individuals who make such contributions and highlight these contributions.
For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Damon L. Humes at (215) 431-1790 or e-mail at houseofblahnik@yahoo.com.

As you know, I work for the COLOURS Organization, Inc. COLOURS has over a seventeen year history/herstory of taking a stand and caring for the critical needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/ Same Gender Loving communities of color in the Philadelphia region and around the country. We at COLOURS have much to be proud about related to our many years of service to our diverse communities. However, we continue to be concerned about the overall improvement of our communities in the areas of physical and mental health, as well as social and political networks.

As we bring closure to yet another transformative year with phenomenal events such as the election of President-Elect Barack Obama, it is imperative that we ask rededicate ourselves by embracing personal commitments to ourselves and our community to help improve our well-being. Our special request to you is that you take a stand and identify five friends/family/associates (including yourself) to take the COLOURS challenge and start the New Year off knowing your HIV status. 

Taking the test and/or referring your loved ones for testing is not a judgment, rather an acknowledgement of your heart felt value and care for them and yourself. The test will be done professionally and confidentially. It will take only a few minutes and knowing will empower you to make sure that you remain healthy moving forward. To join us in taking the challenge, either stop by our office at 112 North Broad Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA or call (215) 496-0330 by December 31st, 2008 to inform any staff member that you are ready to “Take a Stand”.Please take this time to refer five of your friends/family/associates by providing their e-mail addresses below so we can forward this letter to them and encourage others to “Take a Stand”. Just send the addresses back to me and I’ll do the rest.

Save This Date!

November 13th, 2008 at 6:00 PM

Arch Street United Methodist Church

Home of Unity Fellowship Church of Philadelphia

55 North Broad Street

(Corners of Broad and Arch Streets)

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Please contact Lawrence Fraizer at the information listed below for more information:

Lawrence H. Frazier, MA
Community Advisory Coordinator
The COLOURS Organization, Inc.
112 North Broad St., 11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Office (215) 496-0330 ex.64
Fax (215) 496-0354

This year, The House of Blahnik which was founded in 2000, delivers the 2^nd installation of its annual scholarship program. This scholarship is intended to help LGBT people who have a house/ballroom affiliation with college expense and education. As the premier house providing holistic services to the house/ballroom community; the House of Blahnik recognizes the need to break down the barriers that society that has placed upon the LGBT community (especially communities of color). These roadblocks often appear in education, career/job opportunities, and health care.  One of the newest crowned legends of the House of Blahnik is breaking down some barriers of her own as well.

Lady Blahnik, one of two Overseers of the Philadelphia region of Blahnik is not only breaking down barriers, but she is also working with members in her region to do the same. Lady, more affectionately called “Da Body of Blahnik”, embodies a truly nurturing spirit and zest for life and knowledge that can only be measured by her enthusiastic energy and commitment to see her region and the entire House of Blahnik reach its objectives. Being the overseer can be challenging, especially in a climate that is dominated by males. Lady states that she feel no pressure from the male dominated culture of the scene and adds, “I’m a leader, and mother whether I have the title or not. People treat me as such because it’s who I am.”

When asked about her attraction to the house/ballroom community and does being a female have any impact on her relationship with the scene, she replied, “Being around talented people, seeing there’s a place for us to have and show our talent without being gay bashed by ignorant people. Being a female doesn’t have an impact on me or my prospective on the ballroom scene. I think because I don’t view it as male vs. female, I view it as we all are the same (family)”.

She admits that she had observed the House of Blahnik for sometime before decided to approach them as a member, noting that, “they are respected, talented, and powerful on the runway”, also stating, “I’m very much a leader and not a follower…..Being a winner is what we already are, its staying a winner we have to work on” in response to what concepts she instills in the youth in her area. Some of her personal goals include a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, to own her own social service agency that provides services to children with mental disabilities, paying for her own child’s education, and “getting out of debt”. Of the programming and social services that Blahnik offers to house/ballroom participants, Lady comments, “I think Blahnik as always done a great job with given back and the scholarship is BEAUTIFUL! It allows people to further their lives and not depend on the ballroom scene. I think we should always remember we got here by someone giving to or helping us.”

When asked about her sexual orientation and whether that’s a factor in her relationship with the house/ballroom community, she replies back that she is a lesbian and, “No I’m a born leader whether lesbian or not. My sexuality plays a role in the ballroom scene. I think the ballroom scene is designed for the males. I don’t think they give us (females) enough categories in the ballroom scene. This is why we have woman’s balls now”.

Lady is in fact legendary, winning numerous trophies for Women’s Body, and even some for Women’s Sex Siren; winning the covenant Women’s Body of the Year (OTY) in 2006 and 2007. In regards to her history in the scene, she says she has been active since 2000, and was formerly in the House of Prestige as their Philadelphia chapter mother.

Regarding the house/ballroom structure and the leadership in it, Lady states, “I love that we all can be under one roof and have fun. I like being with my kids, I like to see them happy and winning. I dislike people being negative toward my kids and I dislike my kids being sad or hurt. Overall, the leadership of the ballroom scene is HORRIBLE. Why don’t we have a board where there’s someone from every house get together and meet like we do in our house meetings? They will discuss what’s going on in the ballroom scene and how we can make it better for everyone. They will also discuss who’s given a ball, when and where. Then we don’t have to worry about two different houses giving a ball in the same state or city, 2 hours away and people having to choose which one to storm. We all can have the chance to make money and be able to give back to other organizations.”

Switching gears slightly to a more personal part of the interview, Lady was asked about a few things that many ballroom people outside of her circle don’t know about her or her life, and she replied, “Wow! What has happened to me? Well, I’ve been shot in my back at the age of 16, I’ve sold drugs, lived on the streets, been raised by a fem queen and didn’t know she was a man. She left me in 94′ because she had AIDS. I was my mother’s problem child, but the only child with a college degree on her wall. I’m married to Ron Blahnik and miss the shit out of her!!!!!!!”

Wrapping up the interview, Lady wanted to make one final statement regarding her love life, stating that she is involved with someone and, “I miss my husband”.

Thank you Lady Blahnik for your time, and we all wish you the best in your journey.