…what a night and what a good cause.

High School for the Recording Arts students, parents, staff, friends, and supporters turned out for a magical evening of celebration and fundraising. It started with pre-party at Brit’s Pub sponsored by LubeTech and moved into full gear at the Dakota with Barbara Appelbaum Portnoy and J.D. Steele. The musical entertainment began with Delfeayo Marsalis and his quartet augmented by Jevetta Steele. The evening transitioned into the HSRA Jazz Ensemble and HSRA Gospel Choir before giving way to C.J. Chenier and his smoking Zydeco rhythms. It was outstanding. Thanks to all for supporting High School for Recording Arts and the Under the Radar Foundation.

They travelled to Nashville to meet with the Meharry-State Farm Alliance team and beef up their knowledge about seat belts, roadway safety, and lobbying activity. That’s right: lobbying activity. High school students by day, radio and recording artists by night, these teens are students at the High School for Recording Arts in Minneapolis. Their partnership with the Alliance integrates their high school studies with their favorite public health issue, seat belt safety, and the result has been full-throttle campaigning for primary enforcement of Minnesota’s seat belt law. You’d be impressed by the students’ radio show, original music CD, web site, public rallies—all for seat belt safety. Go here to hear their music and here to read about “Click 4 Life.”

Photo: Dr. James Hildreth, director of Meharry’s Center for Health Disparities Research in HIV, inspired High School for Recording Arts students during a recent visit. To his right: HSRA director Tony Simmons and students Bukky, Chantel, and Quartney. To his left: Click 4 Life advisor Libby Harris (front) and students Malika, Charles, and Bishop. The “four” sign stands for education, community, family, and respect, the four values behind student projects at the High School for Recording Arts. Read more from the Meharry Medical College Alliance Alert Newsletter HERE.