Dayton Community Block Party hosted by Dave Chappelle
#DaytonStrong
Summary
The Premise:
Late Sunday night on August 4, 2019, lives were devastatingly changed. A mass shooter took the lives of 9 people and injured 27 in Dayton Ohio’s Historic Oregon District.
Comedian Dave Chappelle took it upon himself to step in and help us take back our city. What does he do? Plan, organize and host Dayton’s first massive block party in the same area where the tragedy happened….Gem City Shine was born. Wanting to not only honor the victims but to bring everyone together to face our fears head-on while raising funds for the families and showing the area businesses that we’re still here for them.
As quickly as it came together with many aspects being figured out along the way, what resulted was simply spectacular! Dave called upon his friends for entertainment, who showed up and showed out in support. The days leading up to the event, many rumors were running wild about who was coming to perform. The evening’s headliner was the legendary Stevie Wonder! Other performers were Chance the Rapper, Teyana Taylor, Talib Kweli, and Thundercat. Also special appearances by Fonzworth Bentley, comedians Jon Stewart, and Michael Che. The man spinning the tunes throughout the day was DJ Trauma.
You had to be there to feel the total vibe of the day but it was truly a beautiful and humbling sight to see 20,000 Daytonians together in peace & love. The day before the event was Dave Chappelle’s birthday and he chose to give us a gift…his time, his resources, his love for the community where he, too lives. Dayton, OH Mayor Nan Whaley proclaimed August 25th, “Dave Chappelle Day“.
Gem City Shine was about much more than the music and celebrities. It was about US coming together, to lift each other up, love on each other and reassure that no matter how hard we get hit or knocked down…we’ll forever be #DaytonStrong
