Billed as “the biggest show of the year,” the “Rip the Runway Fashion Show” and the “T.I. Welcome Home Party” ended up being more of a rip-off, according to attendees.

The May 22 show held at the Monroeville Convention Center was to feature clothing from T.I.’s new clothing line, Akoo, in addition to other urban wear by Argyle Culture, Coogi, Apple Bottom, Pastries and Rocawear.

VIP?—Those with VIP tickets got to see the rapper T.I. at a distance and fans tried to get photos and talk to him.

Local artists, including the dance group, District 78; Mano y Mano; Black and Gold Boys; Undalords; Lady Homi; Boaz; Streetz; Clark Kent: Kid Klash; Quizzle the Cannon; Waan Santiago and Danielle Yvonne, performed as models strutted across the cat walk. However, T.I. never performed and didn’t show up until after midnight. The show was billed to be from 9-11 p.m.

Founder and board chair Ora Lee Carroll said she is not giving up control of the East Liberty Concerned Citizens Corporation to developer Emmett Miles.

“The memorandum of understanding was never signed,” she said. “The letter (referenced in last week’s Courier) is not an agreement.”

ORA LEE CARROLL

The May 3 letter, congratulating Miles for being selected by Carroll and the ELCCC board as the nonprofit’s director of housing and retail development, indicated a memorandum of understanding was to have been signed May 15. Carroll said that never happened.

She said she felt hurt.

When it comes to school and the parents’ role in their child’s education, many say where are all the Black men? But on May 21, the Pittsburgh Public Schools demonstrated that fathers have a role and are stepping up at the district’s 12th Annual “Take A Father to School Day.”

Schools within the Pittsburgh Public School System invited students to bring their fathers or any male role model in their life to school for a day of activities.

PRECIOUS MOMENTS—From left: Troy and Natala Gonzalez share a bonding moment as he lends a hand with a classroom assignment.

“It was unbelievable. We are extremely proud and happy (at the participation). We are still getting the numbers in, but this event proves that if people want men to get involved, they just have to ask,” said Mark Brentley Sr., event founder and Pittsburgh Public School board member. “This day shows students that someone is interested in them and their education."

For the past three years, young African-American men from the greater Pittsburgh area have come together in a college setting to focus on leadership development. This year the Black Male Leadership Development Institute has expanded to allow for more youths and more development.

TOMORROW’S LEADERS—High school students from the greater Pittsburgh area participate in a college-prep workshop during last year’s program.

“The biggest thing is, last year after five days you were done, but this year it’s year round. The learning will continue, the networking will continue,” said Florence Rouzier, director of education, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. “We want them to feel a part of strong valued community, that’s a community of strong men and nurturing adults. There are going to be so many opportunities for these young men to model these good behaviors.”