Felecia Gaston, CEO Performing Stars
Kendra and I joke all the time that there is nothing quite like being a FOF. In fact, if there was an election to become the President of her fan club, all of us here at HOTV might all have to battle it out. There is something magical about Felecia. I’m not sure if it’s her wide smile, her natural elegance and glamour or her effusive warmth, but I do know that she has an extraordinary gift for motivating people to get involved and give. I’m not exaggerating. I know people with exhausting careers, a houseful of children plus four pets who make a point of saying yes to Felecia. And it’s not that we don’t have good boundaries. We say yes because we know that whatever the project is, if Felecia created it or is involved in any way, it’s worthy, impactful and fun.
Most of you all probably know Felecia from her wonderful organization Performing Stars of Marin. She started this program in 1990 to bring dance and theatre arts to underserved children. Most theatre arts curricula and performing opportunities help kids develop discipline, character, work ethic and self-esteem, but Performing Stars provides wraparound support and mentors who serve as a conduit to help kids audition and apply for scholarships to more competitive, prestigious Bay Area dance and theatre programs.
Like the maven and true community leader that she is, before we touched base I knew that there was no way on earth Felecia was going to sit with idle hands during the COVID-19 crisis. She’s been working to coalesce her friends and neighbors in Marin City to make and distribute masks to frontline workers. But through her emergency support services and referral program, The Phoenix Project of Marin, Felecia also found a way to raise an impressive $60,000.00 to distribute to Marin City families with diminished, COVID related employment status in order to help them pay for rent and food. This direct, emergency cash assistance is so very important because of the inflexible payment due dates, general anxiety and urgency that are associated with meeting our most human needs.
Rent and food on the table (or car repairs and medical bills for that matter) are the kind of financial obligations that cannot wait. I’ve worked for non-profits who strove to provide direct aid to folks in need, but the bureaucracy of such large organizations were often so slow, that participants had moved on before aid could be distributed. So I was awestruck to see how swiftly Felecia galvanized her small staff and provided immediate relief to so many struggling families. But maybe I shouldn’t have been, because Felecia certainly isn’t new to this-not by a long shot! The Phoenix Project of Marin has been at this work, providing employment training and financial assistance people in need, for over a decade.
Our industrious friend will be honored alongside the Honorable Paul Haakenson and Dr. Tom Peterson of the Marin Community Foundation, with the prestigious Partner of Justice award by Legal Aid of Marin County. She’ll receive this honor at their virtual 7th Annual Jam for Justice. Felecia has received countless awards, but is wonderful for all of us here at HOTV to see her so distinguished because we know how very hard she works and how relentlessly resourceful and creative she is on behalf of her local community.
And now, Felecia has dreamed up a new program: a summer Victory Gardening program that teaches kids not only the joy of coaxing sprouts out of the soil, but it will also incorporate fun lessons and activities that connect directly to Marin City’s WWII roots. Dr. George Washington Carver, perhaps one of the most well-known figures of African-American history, was key in coining the term “Victory Garden.” That phrase comes from the title of a popular tract that Dr. Carver wrote in 1942 entitled “Nature’s Garden for Victory and Peace.” The tract encouraged people to grow their own food as a way to both supplement their war rations and boost national morale.
Now, this blew my mind, and not because Felecia created and executed on this excellent, topical program in record time. No, no. That’s to be expected, the woman is an absolute dynamo. My mind was blown because I know who Dr. Carver is and what a “victory garden” is, but until I wrote this post, I had no idea that one had anything to do with the other! This teeny anecdote illustrates why it’s so easy to say “Yes!” to Felecia. Because no matter what she’s doing to educate and inspire our kids, FOFs (Friends of Felecia) get to go along for the ride.
Consider this post as your official invitation to get like Heart of the Village and become an FOF. We’ve wrapped our arms around Performing Stars and the Phoenix Project and we want you to join in our embrace. Right now, Felecia and the team at Performing Stars are gearing up for a great kickoff of the Victory Garden this June. You can help Marin City launch their new community gardens by donating gardening tools and supplies! Please check our calendar for updates on the Revival of Marin City’s Victory Garden kickoff event in mid-June and of course, follow the Performing Stars of Marin on social media!
Yours in soul, power and love,
Halicue Gambrell Hanna