Auntie Karen Foundation

Legends of...Concert - On February 23, 2024, The Auntie Karen Foundation proudly presented the 20th Annual Legends ofConcert at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, South Carolina. This milestone event, themed A Testament to Our Faith, featured legendary gospel artists Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp, and Hezekiah Walker. The concert drew a diverse audience for an inspiring evening of music, cultural celebration, and spiritual unity. In addition to the main performance, the event included a vibrant art exhibit, a VIP reception, and a silent auction, all supporting the foundations youth-based arts and education initiatives. This years concert also debuted a powerful original painting by visual artist Raymond Burton, who captured the spirit of gospel music and faith in a stunning 40 x 40 acrylic on canvas. The artwork depicted the featured artists in worship, symbolizing the healing and uplifting power of music. The Legends ofConcert is the foundations signature annual fundraiser and plays a crucial role in preserving the legacy of African-American music while supporting year-round programming. Proceeds from the event helped fund arts education, youth conferences, and outreach campaigns. The Legends series continues to inspire new generations, build cultural bridges, and uplift communities through the universal language of music.

Gordon Sales - In 2024, the Auntie Karen Foundation launched the Cousin Zetta Costume Campaign to raise awareness about sickle cell disease in children and families, particularly in African American communities. This initiative utilized Cousin Zetta, one of the Foundations original characters, to provide age-appropriate education through storytelling, puppetry, and live appearances. The centerpiece of the campaign was the creation of a life-sized Cousin Zetta mascot costume, used during school visits, health fairs, and community events to engage young audiences with compassion and creativity. Accompanying materials included animated videos, storybooks, and printable educational guides that explained what sickle cell is, how it affects the body, and how children living with the condition can thrive with support. The campaign was launched in partnership with the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation and served as both an educational tool and a platform for advocacy. The interactive format made it easier for young children to understand complex medical information while promoting empathy, inclusion, and health awareness. The Foundation is seeking additional funding to expand the campaign nationally and develop more multimedia resources. The Cousin Zetta initiative reinforces the Foundations commitment to combining the arts with public health messaging in a culturally relevant and engaging way.

Young Entrepreneurs - The 19th Annual Young Entrepreneurs Conference took place in October 2024 on the campus of Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Organized by the Auntie Karen Foundation, the one-day event brought together more than 150 youth ages 7 to 22 from across the Southeast to explore business leadership, innovation, and economic empowerment. The 2024 theme, Bridging the Entrepreneurial Divide: Merging Traditions with Innovation, guided a series of workshops, panel discussions, and mentorship sessions designed to give students tools to succeed as the next generation of business leaders. The conference emphasized financial literacy, digital marketing, and product development, offering hands-on training often unavailable in underserved communities. The event also featured Successville, a youth business expo open to the public, where young entrepreneurs showcased and sold their products. This gave students real-world experience in pitching ideas, managing transactions, and engaging customers. The Foundation also awarded the Deborah Woodward Memorial Scholarship to two deserving students demonstrating outstanding entrepreneurial potential. Through strategic partnerships with Benedict College School of Business, local businesses, and sponsors, the conference remained free for participants, removing financial barriers to access. The program is a key part of the Foundations long-term strategy to foster economic equity and encourage entrepreneurship among minority youth. Now in its 19th year, the conference continues to create life-changing opportunities for young people by teaching them how to transform ideas into action and passion into purpose.