Speaker 15
0:51:05
My name is Alfredo Colon.
0:51:06
I'm a saxophoneist composer, music curator, New Yorker, I grew up in public housing getting Harlem and was a student of the Afrilatin Jazz Alliance's fat Afrilatin Jazz Cabs program where they would teach us how to perform every Sunday at Fat Cat Jazz Club.
0:51:24
This program has changed my life for the better.
0:51:27
There I received free education, free music education at a time when my family could not afford to put me in lessons.
0:51:34
I've met lifelong friends of mine, Zach being one of them.
0:51:38
And I changed my life in so many ways.
0:51:41
I'm now a professional musician with a robust touring schedule I've won multiple awards.
0:51:47
I have many endorsements under my belt, and none of it would have been possible without the Afrilatin Jazz lines.
0:51:53
Being a Harlem resident myself, this or someone who grew up in Harlem, this is something that hits very close to home.
0:51:59
And someone who's worked with them and been a part of the community.
0:52:02
I can attest to all that they've done for the community, and I can see how much they brighten everything in the community.
0:52:08
So I know I'm like, I kind of breeze through that, but that's all I have to say.
0:52:12
If they could do that for me, I can only imagine what they can do for an entire community with a building.
0:52:17
So thank you all.