Campaign to Create Carver Theme Song at a Time the Nation Needs WeR1

Racial violence in Charlottesville and elsewhere hastens the need for a new song called WeR1 that the Carver Foundation of Norwalk is recording with world-renowned artists and Carver’s own vocalist. Everyone involved is donating in-kind what they can. The crowdfunding campaign at TheImpactVine.org will support: Recording Carver’s alumnae Gabbie Pierre-Louis on We R1; Finishing the musical instrument recording for the song; The final mix and master of We R 1; Filming a short video of Gabbie and Carver students in the studio for a behind the scenes look; and Releasing We R 1 as a worldwide single on iTunes, Spotify, and all major retail sites.

About the Song. Carver alumnae Gabrielle Pierre-Louis will join renowned music artists Michael McDonald, Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, and other international star vocalists to produce the song “We R 1” for worldwide distribution. “We R 1” was written by Morris Pleasure and his wife, Lori, in 2002, and recently gifted to Carver. Over the years, Morris Pleasure captured recordings of the artists named above for the future release of the song. The song is sung in the style of the charity single “We Are the World” written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The advent of Gabrielle’s powerful voice brings the professional recording of “We R 1” now to completion.

About the Recording. Factory Underground Records is a Norwalk-based independent recording studio. Universal Music Group distributes Factory Underground’s label worldwide. “We R 1” will be available soon on Spotify, iTunes, and on many other platforms available in 115 countries. Carver after-school students will observe the recording process at Factory Underground as part of Carver’s STEM programming.

About Gabrielle Pierre-Louise. Carver alumnae and Norwalk resident Gabrielle Pierre-Louise (Gabbie, 21 years old) is currently studying to be a dentist at the University of Bridgeport, inspired by years of helping her mother and father and other family members deliver humanitarian relief and dental care in particular to Haiti and other places in need. Gabbie is a gifted vocalist who is using her prodigious talent to support Carver.

About Morris Pleasure. Mr. Pleasure received Carver’s Child of America award at a performance at Carnegie Hall in 2014, the only time Carver ever conferred this honor apart from Carver’s annual gala. The award recognized Pleasure’s volunteer support of Carver’s “Youth Voice” initiative, WeR1Voice (named after his song). Born and educated in Connecticut, Pleasure is an American composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and touring musician. He has recorded and performed with artists such as Ray Charles, Najee, George Duke, Earth, Wind & Fire (a band member for 10 years), Roberta Flack, Christina Aguilera, Peter Cetera, Mary J. Blige, David Foster, Bette Midler, and many others. Pleasure appeared in the documentary, This Is It, and Janet Jackson’s film, Janet: Live in Hawaii.

About the Carver Foundation of Norwalk

Carver is the largest provider of after-school programs for middle and high school students in Norwalk. Carver’s college-prep Youth Development Program is conducted at the Carver Community Center, in Norwalk’s four middle and two comprehensive high schools, and in Side by Side Charter School. Carver summer learning programs include Summer Enrichment for 5- to 13-year-old students; Freshman Summer Success Academies for graduated 8th-grade students transitioning into 9th grade; and a summer learning experience for 5th-grade students transitioning into middle school.

 

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Submitted by Norwalk, CT

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