Key Points:
- Nine students from Gordon Parks Academy were invited to help create a coffee table book in Paris.
- Dr. Michael Cheers wants to create a book and documentary film following in Parks’ footsteps.
- Community members can donate to help finance the students’ trip to Paris in May 2024.
Wilma Moore-Black, publicist for Gordon Parks’ son David, has a dream and she believes it will come true with a little help from friends of Gordon Parks Academy.
Michael Cheers, a San Jose State University professor, has invited nine Gordon Parks Academy students to join him in Paris, where they will help him create a coffee table book titled “Why I Needed Paris.” The book and a documentary film will follow in Parks’ footsteps during his 1950s Paris assignment for Life Magazine.
Moore-Black’s dream is that the community will help students raise the money they need for the May 2024, seven-day trip to Paris.
The students, whom Moore-Black calls the “The GPA-9” will function as Cheers’ junior pro photographers.
David Michael Parks, who is serving as a consultant for the Paris Project, wants the students both empowered and dedicated while they have some fun abroad.
Raising the Money?
It will cost about $4,000 to cover the flight and hotel expenses for each student.
With a collaborative community effort, Moore-Black says the GPA-9 should be able to reach their financial goals by the March 4 deadline.
“So, what if each of the more than 50 neighborhood associations in the city of
Wichita alone just donated?” Moore-Black asked. “Those neighborhoods could challenge organizations across the state. If enough people make small donations, they can make the trip possible.
“They’re representing our hometown of Wichita, and the legacy of Gordon Parks’ fight to end inequality with his nonviolent use of a camera.
How to Donate
The Gordon Parks Foundation, with the help of ARISE, the GPA-9 and their families are spearheading the goal to raise $35,000 for the students. ARISE, a local nonprofit spiritual ensemble, is serving as a fiscal sponsor for the trip, which makes donations to the trip tax-deductible.
Community members wanting to make a donation can follow this link https://linktr.ee/gptfoundation and click on the “Support Us” tab to use the Go Fund Me.
Checks, made out to ARISE, can also be mailed to Mary Delvecchio-Floro, Gordon Parks Academy, 2201 E. 25th St., Wichita, KS 67219.
“All donations are welcome,” Floro says. “Cash will be deposited directly into our 501C bank account through our underwriter.”
Cheers and his San Jose folks, some ARISE members, other GPA supporters and family members will also make the trip. Attending from GPA will be: Mary Delvecchio-Floro, the GPA yearbook teacher; Principal LaTonia Kennedy; and three other GPA staffers Erik Stone, Sara Puertz and Terryl White, who will serve as chaperones.
The Wichita group departs May 27 and returns June 2.
