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PARTYIN' FOR A PURPOSE WITH POR AMOR!

By EvE A. Labi
Editor-in-Chief
November 2005

"When you do it for the right reasons, the entire universe aligns with your vision."

-POR AMOR-

On Friday, October 28, the 8 Rooks Enlightenment and I.S.I.S. CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT family headed out to "party for a purpose" with POR AMOR, celebrating the official launch of their website, www.poramor.ca. The event was also held in honour of 2 group members – Tanika "Insight" R., the birthday-girl who turned "twenty-shhh" – and Rachel "Raydiance" L., who'll soon be travelling to the Dominican Republic to assist with the group's ongoing collective projects.

At 11 p.m., it was pure chaos in the heart of downtown Toronto 's entertainment district! After battling huge crowds of masquerading Halloween-partygoers (we saw a broke-down pimp, an unemployed "night-nurse" and a so-called Egyptian wearing his mom's pyjamas), we dodged $20 parking and made it to Apothecary Lounge...just in time to catch the party in full swing! In typical POR AMOR style, we were greeted at the door by Insight's welcoming smile – and some serious Reggae vibes! DJ Chocolate (host of CKLN 88.1 FM's "Harmonic Convergence" a.k.a. "Rebel Music" show), DJ Empress Divine (1/2 of Empress Eternal – a popular female Soundcrew), DJ Mellow (specializing in 'Ol Skool Hip-Hop and R'N'B) and Mike Stoan worked the hell outta' the wheels of steel all night – each playing lengthy sets that kept the crowd dancing throughout the multilevel venue (even on the cold-ass rooftop patio). With free admission (hey, no complaints), great door prizes (including art by I.S.I.S. CREATIONS and an MP3 Player!) and lots of opportunity to network, the event was a nice change from the usual monotony of the social events that focus more on socializing...than social issues!

Translated as "FOR LOVE" (in Spanish), POR AMOR was conceived in 2003. It began as a communal, Toronto-based initiative that focused assisting impoverished and disadvantaged youth on a global scale...by "building movements piece by peace". As an avenue for social change, POR AMOR fuses art, education and a basic love for humanity to accomplish their mission – whether it be a Live Showcase (the infamous "Party For A Purpose" events that always feature amazing live entertainment)...or one of their many grassroots projects. Currently, POR AMOR is involved with 2 social programs in the Dominican Republic – MicPromna, a medical centre for young mothers – and Ensename a Pescar, an inner city youth centre with a focus on "self-esteem through creative expression".

POR AMOR consists of four members, each one contributing unique talents and skills to one of the most beneficial and heartfelt grassroots initiatives that I've seen in a long time! Tanika "Insight" R. serves as the group's Public Relations rep, handling everything from media relations to inter-community networking. Of Jamaican heritage, Insight is a loving and warm-spirited young woman (she's been that way since Day-care), with a passion for social activism and environmental issues. When she's not blessing the mic as a Hip-Hop artist, Insight's heart lies in Mother Nature's hands, inspiring the U of T Environmental Science graduate to teach children about river ecology, horticulture, recycling and more. Melissa "Goldilok One" G. is perhaps the most serene and contemplative member of POR AMOR. Thought of as Insight's "Sistren In Rhyme" (the duo performs as "Human Dimensions"), Goldilok One is also a Hip-Hop MC, not to mention her substantial role as POR AMOR's Technical/Media Support rep. Like Insight, she graduated (with honours) from U of T's Environmental Science and International Studies programs, which affords her the expertise to assist with related initiatives in the Dominican Republic (where she's currently on assignment). Regarding her work with POR AMOR, Goldilok One's most important goal is to "inspire a heightened purpose in the lives of youth by reintegrating the concept of 'oneness'."

Rachel "Raydiance" L. is POR AMOR's Project Administrator, mainly handling the group's funding proposals. Creativity is Raydiance's Passion, which she implements in her work at Integracion Juvenil ( Dominican Republic ), through art and dance therapy classes. With an honours BA in English and a double minor in Sociology and Philosophy, Raydiance is also a spoken-word artist – as well as a workshop facilitator. As POR AMOR'S Financial Administrator, Erin H. holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, from McMaster University – which supplements her crucial role in pediatric medicine at Toronto 's Hospital for Sick Children. Her professional skills and nurturing compassion are crucial to the success of MicPromna, working tirelessly to care for young mothers and their newborn infants.

PorAmor.Ca has been a long time coming – a simple, yet, informative website that refrains from material or graphic overload. With a bold and colourful layout (a sea of jet-black, accented by a red-gold-and-green shooting star border), viewers can check out everything-POR AMOR – including the latest info on group projects, community events, group partners and photos. While the website is still a beautiful work in progress, the ladies of POR AMOR are constantly on the move, giving viewers the incentive to repeatedly visit the website, in search of the latest updates. As time passes, PorAmor.Ca will (no doubt) grow into one of the vital resources for the latest news, events and info affecting an ever-expanding community of socially conscious individuals. "When we all link up like this, it's powerful, " commented "Yellow" – a popular party-promoter – as he gestured to the crowds of people that had come out to support POR AMOR. His sentiments were individually echoed by many of the launch party's attendees – a variety of financial supporters, event promoters and performance artists who all look forward to the group's continued growth. And, with the success of the launch party, it does seem that the universe is truly aligning with POR AMOR – which will continue to pave the way for many more positive endeavours...that can only serve to benefit us all, on a global scale!

EvE A. Labi is a published freelance writer, as well as the Editor-in-Chief of 8Rooks.Com. A performance artist and event planner, she is also the C.E.O. of I.S.I.S. CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT – a company born of a cultural mission to promote positive images of womben of colour...through performing arts! EvE A. Labi can be contacted at (416) 875.5514 or isiscircle@8rooks.com.