Funk Parade Raises Money For DC Youth Music Education Programs

DC/VIRGINIA — The Funk Parade raised more than $1,900 from its series of festivities in early May. The money will benefit Washington, D.C. youth music education programs.

Funk Parade programming is supported by The MusicianShip, a D.C.-based nonprofit. The event, which included both in-person and virtual festivities, was sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Humanities DC, DCCAH, The Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation, Chuck Levin’s, District Bridges – U Street Main Street, and Aslin Beer Co.

“Highlighting the history and legacy of our festival’s home corridor on Black Broadway with our sponsors and community partners was an absolute honor and pleasure this year," Jessica Teachey, director of community engagement at The MusicianShip, said Tuesday in a statement.

The Funk Parade has entertained and educated more than 300,000 people since its inception in 2014. Among the 2021 week-long festivities, nearly 200 people enjoyed Beer Day with a Funk Parade-themed brew produced by Aslin Beer Co. and experienced The Black Broadway Mural Walk, an interactive musical tour of 15 different murals in Black Broadway.

With a goal of raising $5,000 to provide free music education programming to D.C. youth, the Funk Parade team is inviting the public to make donations on its website.