By Brittany Rotondo
Grammy-nominated and North Philly native Tierra Whack partnered with Vans Gives A Band! to honor five Philadelphia public schools with $100K total in musical equipment and to reserve the school’s music programs. Tierra, who attended The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, knows firsthand the school district of Philadelphia. “We have so many legends from Philly and just to be able to follow in their footsteps is amazing. I’m just so happy to give back to these kids. Visiting their schools and talking to them was such a surreal moment.”, explains the singer.
Vans were eager to present the awards to Samuel Fels High School, Frankford High School, Philadelphia High School for Girls, John Bartram High School, and South Philadelphia High School. Every school had a
group of budding band members and musicians to accept the award, with each performing its unique arrangement.
Frankford emphasized their drum-line, as School For Girls displayed their talents on the strings. A Bartram student flaunted Tierra Whack their rap skills, while the school band performed a Juice WRLD track for onlookers. South Philadelphia’s cheer team was spotlighted as the lineup presented a cheer line and concluded with a rap concert.
The event reconnects with last year’s House of Vans Philly Pop-Up. It was a nod to Philadelphia and it’s lush support of the occasion which saw tailored skate parks, food trucks, workshops, and live music, all of which Tierra Whack headlined.
“’ It’s made me realize – wow, I’m really doing what I’ve always wanted to do, which is help give back to my city.”, Tierra describes the devotion to her ancestral metropolis.
Nearly over a dozen schools submitted applications to Vans for the gift that keeps on giving: Music. Vans has a deeply rooted commitment and optimism to keep the arts and creativity alive in local districts across the country, even awarding schools in Detroit, Brooklyn and New York, an abundance of music equipment and $10,000 grants. Each city has previously hosted the House of Vans’ popups and programs, all dedicated to the composition of local lineups, loyalty, and learning.
Vans has shown both intimately and on a much larger national and international measure that music education, appreciation, and the arts are the cornerstone of generations to follow. Just follow the rubber sole.
