“Leaving something behind other than songs or music is so much more,” said national recording artist Terisa Griffin. “You are really making a difference in somebody’s life.”
For the past seven years the Chicago based soul singer has been giving back to worthy students in several cities through her Better Love Yourself Foundation. And Griffin returns to St. Louis on Sunday continue encouraging rising college students and inspire all ages with an afternoon of activities that culminates by bestowing a trunk full of dorm room necessities.
Comforter, pillows towels a back pack, paper, flip flops cleaning products toiletries and more are included in the super-sized care packages.
Workshops by speakers on topics that include health and finances will be woven into an afternoon that will culminate with the presentation of trunks to 35 rising college freshman and a soulful performance by Griffin.
“It will be a good 45-50 minutes of nothing but soul,” Griffin said. “I love performing and I want the kids to understand that music is such a powerful healing instrument for them in life and that’s what I want to convey with the music.”
What’s interesting about Griffin –who is working on her third studio album –is that she is reaching out and giving back before she “blows up.”
“You never know when your last day on this earth is going to be,” Griffin said. “Waiting to do something – until you go platinum, become a superstar… or whatever – to me is a waste of time. If I can do this then my life and my career have not been in vain.”
In the seven years since Better Love Yourself – an organization that, as the name suggests, seeks to build and encourage self-acceptance and empowerment – Griffin has given away more than 1400 trunks to students in St. Louis, Chicago, Cleveland and Memphis.
She says her strong and supportive local team is what keeps her coming back to St. Louis.
As far as the trunk recipients, students must apply on her organization’s web site and submit an essay as a part of the process. Griffin says that she tries not to turn any student in need away.
“I hope that students walk away feeling loved and that someone really does believe in them,” Griffin said. “We want them to know that we have not given up on them and we don’t want them to give up on themselves.”
She saw first-hand the impact her efforts have had when she was opening up for the O’Jays at Alabama State University a few years back.
“I was on stage and this young lady said ‘Ms. Griffin’ from the crowd,” Griffin said. “People don’t call me that when I’m performing. I looked down and she said ‘you gave me a trunk.’ I saw the look of gratitude on her face and I instantly started crying because what’s the likelihood of some kid coming up screaming. It was so rewarding. It’s like the ultimate reward to have them still touched. That’s a blessing – it’s one of the things that makes it worth it.”
That expression was probably similar to the one those who attend the trunk event on Sunday will see when students pick out their trunk before Griffin’s concert.
“This is a tangible thing – you see the children walking away with their gifts,” Griffin said. “And we’re making sure that it’s inclusive for everybody.”
Proceeds from ticket prices will be paid forward to purchase trunks for students and for operating costs for the multi-city Better Love Yourself events.
“If you help them I think they will get the point of what community service means and can do for you,” Griffin said. “Then you see them graduate from college and come back to you and say ‘what can I do now to help you?’”
The Better Love Yourself Trunk event takes place on Sunday, July 14 at the Missouri History Museum. Student registration begins at 3 p.m. The workshops kick off at 4 p.m. and are followed by a dessert reception, trunk presentation and Terisa Griffin performance. For more information visit www.betterloveyourself.com.
