Recording Artist, Nelly, Teams up with Macy’s

Recording Artist, Nelly, Teams up with Macy’s

Nelly
(photo credit: Silverdollar productions)

 

By Elzena Rankins
Sentinel Intern

Grammy award winning rapper, actor, entrepreneur and humanitarian, Nelly, made a special appearance at Macy’s in Culver City, Friday, May 7. Macy’s and Nelly teamed up,celebrating the newest collection from his cutting-edge woman’s summer line for Apple Bottoms. Nelly also greeted and signed autographs for fans. When asked how is the summer line different from the rest, Nelly explained that the summer line is more sleeker and flyer and Apple Bottoms has really grown as a brand. Nelly believes that a woman should not try to fit the clothes, the clothes should fit the woman.

Nelly was also there for another special reason close to his heart, his mission, in part, to encourage people to sign up as bone marrow and blood donors. In 2005, Nelly lost his sister, Jackie Donahue, to Leukemia. Within her battle of fighting the cancer, together they created a non profit foundation called Jes Us 4 Jackie, a campaign through 4sho kids, which was in hopes of finding Jackie a donor. While finding a donor for Jackie was very important,Nelly and his sister also wanted to educate African Americans the importance and need of marrow and stem cell transplants;encouraging African Americans to register as donors in order to save lives.

After losing his sister, Nelly continued with the foundation pushing to save lives. Nelly stated that the organization wasn’t able to find a donor for his sister but they have found donors for others and its well worth it.

In support, BrittCares was also in attendance. Founders, husband and wife-Jamie and Shirell Henderson, who lost their daughter, Brittiana Renee Henderson to Cancer as well, started the foundation; helping families emotionally and financially with the challenges and uncertainties that accompany their illness. BrittCares will also host their 5th Annual 5k run walk, May 29, in relation to winning the race against childhood cancer.

On site was the Children’s Hospital blood drive truck as well as a bone marrow registry, taking registry and blood donations. The representative for the blood drive spoke on how important it was to donate blood, “there is an incredible need.” When asked about the myth of not being able to donate blood because of tattoo’s, he stated that you can donate blood 12 months after the tattoo, he also stated that every 56 days a person can donate blood.

Bone marrow representative, Donna spoke on the need for bone marrow registry as well, she even cleared up that there is no future health problems for those who donate bone marrow.

Supporting Nelly and his cause alongside with BrittiCares were up and coming artist; rapper Blake Hightower, singers of newest boy group Small Change, and Pop Singer, Destenne. Small Change performed a couple of songs from their upcoming album and Blake Hightower, performed Skate or Die and Head Shoulders. Pop singer Destenee expressed how the event was very important to her because she herself lost a friend to cancer. All will be in attendance at the 5th annual BrittiCare walk on May 29th.

Nelly also spoke about his upcoming album. Nelly explained that the album is due in August and is titled 5.0. “Its fast, it has speed and energy but it’s also laid back,” said Nelly.

The event was a hit, as the second floor of Macy’s was packed. However, Nelly’s main agenda was to encourage everyone who came out to give blood and register as a bone marrow donor.

While Nelly stated that he his trying to do as much for the community as possible. Nelly explained how it is very important that the urban community get out and donate blood and bone marrow. “Sometimes we are a bit timid when it comes to our health and sometimes when we detect things, its a little too late and its not a lot of help that we can get because things are so far along, so what we are trying to do is get a grasp on things a littler earlier,” Nelly said in relation to his organization, Jes Us 4 Jackie and the event.