The
Bill Pinkney
Foundation©
Report of The Bill Pinkney Foundation© - 2014
Maintaining the forward vision of Ambassador Bill Pinkney, D.F.A.H, The Entertainment Hall of Fame Foundation of South Carolina a/k/a The Bill Pinkney Foundation© celebrates its fifth anniversary of formal organization. A not-for-profit entity, it represents his well-established humanitarian legacy.
We have achieved a national presence, and we have made good faith efforts to remain visible in the State of South Carolina, especially on the State-recognized Bill Pinkney Day (May 14), and in Dr. Pinkney’s native Sumter County by finalizing the Bill Pinkney of The Original Drifters Memorial Highway and working to promote the Bill Pinkney Park.
From the 2007 organizational meeting called by Bill Pinkney among himself, Maxine Porter, and Ed Miller, to the formal incorporation, the focus has been on Dr. Pinkney’s past community outreach and involvement and his stated goals for the future.
“We Remember Bill Pinkney”, the inaugural event, was an all day celebration including worship service, a memorial wreath-laying, the official unveiling of “Bill Pinkney of The Original Drifters Memorial Highway” at Bill Pinkney Park, and a concert featuring Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters® and The Crystals®. This event kicked off The Original Drifters® 55th Anniversary and was held on the 20th Anniversary of The Drifters® Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
A 2009 Las Vegas event focused on education, establishing a scholarship focus. Note that a Greenville, SC organization has presented Bill Pinkney scholarships in the past, and we encourage their continuing and their involvement with us.
We participated in the “Hall of Fame Collaboration” in 2010 and 2011, along with Twin City Outreach and Champion for Kids, conceived to further the collective legacies of Bill Pinkney (entertainment), Mary McLeod Bethune (education), and James “Bonecrusher” Smith (sports).
In cooperation with Original Drifters, Inc., the Foundation Board worked with the South Carolina Legislature toward the successful amendment to the Truth in Music Law. The 2004 legislation is respectfully referred to as “The Bill Pinkney Law,” the Nation’s landmark legislation to address imposter proliferation in the live entertainment market. The 2011 action updates that law with verbiage that is consistent with subsequent laws, now existing in 34 States. We appreciate the loyalty and the support of Representative Grady Brown, the Legislature, and Governor Nikki Haley.
Bill Pinkney Foundation© scholarship recipients to date are Alitalia Adams (Rutgers University), Shanelle Bacon (NYC Technical), Sean Smith (CT), and LaNaya Watree (Louisiana State University,) all of whom have been graduated.
Looking to the immediate future, the Bill Pinkney Foundation© has a visible presence throughout 2013 and 2014 in The Diamond Drifters© 60th Anniversary Celebration, The Art of Drifting©.
At the end of the Chairman’s 5-year commitment to advance underwriting revenue, the Fund Development Committee was charged in 2013 with securing funding sources to insure the financial independence of the organization.
We welcome the involvement of all who are committed to the goals and objectives of the organization, and we thank you in advance for your support. Additional information is online at www.OriginalDrifters.com/billpinkney.html and www.Drifters1.com, or by telephone at 803-614-0413 or 702-642-2300.
Remember Bill Pinkney.
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