Seattle mentoring program turning troubled boys into successful men
Q13 s Alyana Gomez reports.
SEATTLE - When opportunity came knocking, Elijah Williams was willing to take the chance.
The 16-year-old was caught in a vicious cycle, following the school-to-prison pipeline in Seattle. On the path I was headed I really wasn’t going to be nothing, Williams said. I was more of a follower. I wanted to be like everyone else, kids running around trying to gang bang, trying to be like all the older people, looking up to them. I guess I really took a different path even though we were going to end up the same anyways. They were probably going to be in jail, I was going to be living off my mom, and probably get to the point where maybe even be homeless.
The sounds of the “Showtime Marching Band” led the motorcade with Harris during the inauguration parade.
Band director Kelvin Washington has now been a part of three inaugurations, but with Harris being an alum, this one was extra special.
“We, like, led the way we have a special prepared new banner that stated ‘Howard University, home of Vice President Kamala Harris, ” Washington said.
Because of pandemic precautions, only 40 members of the band could take part, so he selected the drum line, dance and flag squads for the performance.
Rehearsals were tough because of social distancing, but Washington said the students and staff stepped up because it was an important moment in history for the historically black college.
Kamala Harris at the 59th presidential inauguration on Wednesday (Jan. 20).
“It is our esteemed honor to be involved in the historic inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,” said Howard President
Wayne A. I. Frederick in a press release. “Throughout her career, the vice president-elect has carried her Howard education with her, ensuring that she adhere to truth and service and inspiring her to achieve unprecedented levels of excellence.”
He continued, “It is perfectly fitting that the Showtime Marching Band, the ensemble that captures and reverberates the heartbeat of our institution, should accompany her on this last leg of her journey to the White House.”
Howard University, University of Delaware marching bands to perform at Biden-Harris inauguration
By Catherine Park
President-elect Joe Biden’s 2020 election win certified by Congress
Congress was forced to abruptly halt its session on counting Electoral College votes won by President-elect Joe Biden as supporters of President Donald Trump swarmed the U.S. Capitol. But the counting resumed, and Biden’s win was certified.
The Howard University and University of Delaware marching bands will be performing at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Jan. 20, according to both universities.
Howard University’s marching band, called the Showtime Marching Band, also plan to have a special drum performance for the inaugural parade to celebrate one of their own alumni being sworn in as the vice president.