A Better Fort

A Better Fort was a community organization with a mission to provide positive experiences that make a difference in the lives of individuals within Fort Wayne, Indiana. Their focus was on community empowerment and the retention of young talent.[1]

A Better Fort
Formation2010
FounderAlex Smith
Shane Araujo
TypeNGO
HeadquartersFort Wayne, Indiana
Region
Downtown Fort Wayne and surrounding neighborhoods
ServicesService opportunities, philanthropic endeavors, innovative projects, and cultural discovery.
Key people
Christine Fisher (Volunteer Coordination)
Sam DiFlippo (Executive Director / Principal)
Websiteabetterfort.com

Activities

Mission

During the years of 2010 through 2014, A Better Fort had a mission statement to provide positive life experiences that make a difference in the lives of individuals within Fort Wayne, Indiana. The focus is on community empowerment and the retention of young talent. Members can achieve their highest potential through service opportunities, philanthropic endeavors, innovative projects, and cultural discovery. Members prepare to lead the community through service, identity, empowerment, persistence, and education.[2]

#HipHop4theCity

HipHop4theCity was a community driven and collaborative music based project that resulted in the song[3] and music video entitled MY CITY.[4][5] The project brought together over a dozen local artists, producers and volunteers at the time of its creation and release in late 2011 and early 2012. The music video [6] amassed over 250,000 views and press coverage from both local and national publications.[7][8][9][10]

The project showcased local talent, brought awareness to community involvement, the arts, and civic pride which garnered the attention of national economic development publications and blogs. It also sparked a chain of events pertaining to economic development in Northeast Indiana such as The My City Summit[11] and the My City Pin.[12] Nyzzy Nyce, one of the artists on the project, re-released a national rendition of the song on VEVO entitled MY CITY (National).[13][14]

#House4aHouse

House4aHouse started as an annual block party with a focus on Electronic Dance Music. The event donates $5,000 per year to a local non-profit organization, and in the first three years donated over $15,000 to the Mad Anthony’s Children's Hope House.[15] In 2014 the event was carried on under the name, the BAALS Music Festival.[16][17][18]

#Ball4ACause

The annual charity basketball game[19] features Fort Wayne’s Famous, from entertainment to politics.[20] The two teams go head to head against each other to raise funds and awareness for two selected non-profit organizations in the community.[21]

Zombie Prom

The annual Halloween Zombie Prom[22] and fundraiser takes place during Downtown Fort Wayne’s Fright Night festivities.[23]

References
  1. "A Better Fort Presents: #BaaL". Around Fort Wayne 2.0. June 6, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-07-02. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  2. "Community Support". Vorderman Volkswagen. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  3. Katrina Helmer (February 25, 2012). "My City: A Lyrical Movement". 21 Alive. Archived from the original on 2015-01-08. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  4. Rachel Martin (February 24, 2012). "HipHop4TheCity Premieres Music Video". 21 Alive. Archived from the original on 2015-01-08. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  5. Steve Penhollow (March 4, 2012). "Song Unites Rappers Around Love of City". Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  6. Editorial (November 22, 2012). "For These We Offer Thanks". Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  7. Devon Haynie (May 31, 2012). "Can a Rap Video Make Fort Wayne Cool?". City Lab. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  8. Susan Brake (February 27, 2012). "Hip Hop Music Video Shows Community's Passion For Fort Wayne". The DCI Blog. Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  9. "Fort Wayne: My City". Urbanophile. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  10. Kieara Carr (March 21, 2013). ""My City" Message Grows". Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  11. Scott Sarvay (November 2, 2012). "My City Summit Tackles Brain Drain". 21 Alive. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  12. Michelle Love (October 29, 2012). "Fort Wayne "My City" Pins". One Lucky Guitar INC. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  13. Kieara Carr (March 21, 2013). ""My City" Message Grows". Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  14. "Fort Wayne Rap Going National - "My City" by Nyzzy Nyce". Indy Latino. November 21, 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  15. Jaclyn Goldborough (July 29, 2014). "A Better Fort Plans a Pair of Block Parties for Downtown Fort Wayne". The News Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  16. O’Daniel Mazda. "The Gears Behind #Baals". Das Fort. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  17. Kieara Carr (July 11, 2014). "Building a Bigger House Party". Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  18. Dan Stockman (June 7, 2014). "Block Parties Embrace Former Mayor Baals". Journal Gazette. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  19. Rachel Martin and Jake Perrone (January 19, 2014). "A Better Fort Hosts 2nd Annual #Ball4ACause Charity Game". 21 Alive. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  20. "Ball For a Cause". Visit Fort Wayne Indiana. January 19, 2013. Archived from the original on August 15, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  21. "Ball For a Cause To Support Turnstone – Saturday, January 18th". Turnstone. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  22. "Better Fort Presents: The Zombie Prom 2012 OCTOBER 20TH, 2012". Indiana Grind. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  23. "Downtown Fright Night Events". 21 Alive. October 19, 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-02-20. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
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