This August 5th will be the 9th annual 24 Hour Musical! What is the 24 Hour Musical? It’s just like it sounds: the cast and crew learn the musical and their roles 24 hours before the curtain goes up. Yes, they have only one day to rehearse, learn, and produce an ENTIRE musical! So why would anyone stay up that long to perform a sleep-deprived musical in front of hundreds of audience members? Besides being tons of fun, the event is for a great cause! Each year, a charitable organization receives the funds collected during the evening of the show. This year Anderson’s Cleo Bailey Experiment will receive donations from the evening.
The Cleo Bailey Experiment strives to break the cycle of generational poverty through research, support, and education. Through projects like the Oasis Garden and the Blight 2 Beauty Art Initiative, the CBE strives to transform Anderson’s community by finding common ground between us. Check out below how the non-profit is changing the city's landscape with co-founder Zephaniah Smith.
How did the Cleo Bailey Experiment begin?
The genesis for CBE began long before the purchase of the property in downtown Anderson. My wife Whitney and I often reflected on ways to make a meaningful impact. We recognized our blessings and acknowledged that we had the means, albeit limited, and the capacity to contribute to a greater cause. While we engaged in small acts we felt a deep longing to do more.
Then, an opportunity arose. We were presented with a property that once served as a vital center for education and community in a neighborhood but had fallen into disrepair and disuse. This property was the Cleo Bailey School, situated on the east side of downtown Anderson. The neighborhood, once a thriving mill village, now confronts various challenges, including numerous homes in disrepair, families facing limited mobility, a lack of essential services, a high incidence of violent crimes, and at times an unsafe environment for raising a family.
How did you identify the problems that you wanted the organization to solve?
At the outset of our journey, we had a general understanding of the issues we wanted to tackle, but we were determined to ensure our focus was shaped by the voices and experiences of the community members themselves. Initially, we planned to engage with groups of neighbors during their monthly meetings, seeking their input and perspectives. However, the emergence of social and physical restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic quickly disrupted our plans. While it posed a significant roadblock, it did not completely halt our progress. Instead, we adapted our approach and embarked on brainstorming sessions to generate ideas that could address the pervasive issues.
It was during this period that the concept of the CBE Oasis Garden took root. We realized that we had ample land available, and we saw an opportunity to establish a small garden in what could best be described as a food desert. By doing so, we could begin tackling food insecurity while providing a space where community members could gather and maintain social distancing. We embraced the challenge of operating on a shoestring budget, and in the process, we aimed to cultivate a sense of community, facilitate educational opportunities, and foster fellowship within the neighborhood.
The inspiration for the art initiative struck me as I spent time securing the building by boarding up accessible windows. Initially, this action seemed necessary to prevent individuals from entering the building and risking harm. However, upon stepping back and observing the results, I realized that I unintentionally contributed to the visual blight. Boarded up windows were not the solution I envisioned, prompting me to seek a more creative approach, which eventually led to the conception of Blight2Beauty. After considering various plans, we eventually settled on one led by my great friend and an invaluable resource to Anderson, Shea Abramo. Shea assembled a talented group of local artists, presented the idea, and thus, B2B was born.
In the long term, we envision the building being utilized by both for-profit and nonprofit entities, all dedicated to serving the surrounding community. Our foremost objective is to establish an afterschool and summer early childhood intervention program, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive. This comprehensive program would consist of academic tutorials, life skills training (including anger management, conflict resolution, financial literacy, and decision-making), and extracurricular activities such as dance and karate. We aim to collaborate with minority-owned businesses, housing their services within the school and offering the space either rent-free or at a reduced rate. Additionally, scholarships will be provided to participants, ensuring accessibility and supporting both their development and the income of the business owners.
Furthermore, we are open to accommodating other entities that align with our goal of providing impactful services to the community, making all additional spaces within the building available for their use.
How many community members are you currently serving?
The Oasis Garden is currently making a significant impact by serving approximately 75-100 families on a weekly basis through a valuable partnership with Anderson First Seventh Day Adventist who operate a food bank and distribution program. This growing season so far, we have contributed approximately 1000 pounds of fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables to the community. Looking ahead, our goal is to surpass 2000 pounds throughout the growing season of 2023, ensuring that even more families have access to healthy produce.
How did you choose the organization's name?
We firmly believe in the power of revitalization rather than replacement, which is why we decided to incorporate the original name of the schoolhouse, Cleo Bailey School, into the name of our project. We are acutely aware that bringing revitalization and subsequent growth to the area can have an impact on surrounding property values. This, in turn, can affect property taxes and rents in the neighboring homes. It is important to note that our project is an "Experiment" aimed at uplifting the standard of living for the residents without displacing them from their community. Through this experiment, we strive to achieve positive change while mitigating any adverse effects. Hence, we proudly identify ourselves as The Cleo Bailey Experiment.
The Cleo Bailey Experiment serves the Anderson community in non-traditional ways. How do you view your place alongside other Anderson non-profits? How does the organization view itself?
We feel incredibly grateful to be part of a community composed of compassionate and generous individuals and organizations. This reality acknowledges the shared commitment to addressing the persistent issues faced by the residents of our town. Recognizing this, The Cleo Bailey Experiment has been deliberate in our approach, ensuring that our efforts serve as a complement to, rather than overlap with, the services already provided by other organizations in town. By working collaboratively and strategically, we aim to maximize the positive impact we can collectively make on the community.
What's the best way for the community to get involved?
Community involvement is the driving force behind the success of The Cleo Bailey Experiment. Our dedicated group of volunteers is the lifeline that propels this operation forward.
We wholeheartedly embrace individuals with diverse talents and gifts in all their forms. As an organization deeply rooted in the community, our purpose is to serve and be driven by the community. If you believe you possess a skill or talent that you wish to contribute, we warmly invite you to introduce yourself via email at support@cleobailey.org. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to connect with individuals who are passionate about making a positive difference and to harness the collective abilities of our community. Together, we can create meaningful impact and continue to drive the mission of CBE forward.
