Hip Hop Legend YoYo & R&B Songstress Dondria To Headline Eden Park Community Project

River Rouge, MI) November 7, 2018 – The Eden Park Community Project, a green space initiative in the most polluted city in the state of Michigan, announces benefit concert featuring Hip Hop Legend YoYo and R&B songstress Dondria hosted by comedian COCO with sounds by DJ Yeezy on November 20th.

For decades, plants such as Marathon, DTE, AK Steel and US Steel have been operating within the 48217, 48218 and 48229 zip codes producing severe toxins harmful to its residents. This area, Boynton, is a predominately family oriented African American neighborhood comprised of generations of family members that live within a block of each other. According to the 2017 adjusted census, this community consists of 8,210 residents, 3,216 households, 3.2 average family size and all at a 100% low to moderate income with 40% below poverty level.

Just four years ago, Flint (75 miles away) garnered national attention due to water crisis that exposed residents to high levels of lead and other pollutants.

Coincidently, "Some of the same toxins that were discovered in Flint's water are in the air within this community," says Rev. Dr. Alex Hill, Pastor, New Mt. Hermon M.B.C in Southwest Detroit.

Thought leaders within the city have assembled together to develop a combative strategy of how to restore the community. Last Fall, Michigan Departure of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) installed an air monitoring station behind the New Mt. Hermon Baptist Church with assistance from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The monitoring station test for Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), acids found in air, metals and fine particulates (PM2.5)., all of which cause serious health conditions.

Environmental activist Theresa Landrum, a native of the 48217-zip code that has never smoked or used drugs or alcohol, contends that the toxins in her community led to a battle with Cancer for her. Landrum says: "I'm in this fight to save someone else's life if I can. I do it because I love my community, this is all I know and have. If we, as residents, work closely with the government entities that are charged with protecting the environment to resolve this problem, then there is a chance at a better, healthier, and improved quality of life for everyone that resides in this area."

In partnership with Tri-City Community Development Corporation, Eden Park Community Project will be established in the space that was once occupied by Mark Twain Elementary School.

The mission of this project is to revitalize the community while not only promoting a cleaner, safer environment but healthier living. The word "Eden" derives from the Hebrew word meaning "delight, luxury, pleasantness". The term "Garden of Eden" has sometimes been used as a metaphor for the renewal of land.

The project board members envision acres of well –manicured grass, large shade trees, beautiful botanical gardens, raised vegetable garden; walking paths, playscapes for children, an amphitheater, senior and disability accommodations, and picnic areas where residents can just experience these tranquil surroundings or have easy access to community resources such as nutritional classes, year-round health and fitness activities, live music and cultural events, picnic and play opportunities. Data reveals that green space can offset toxins in the environment. The initial phase of this project will cost $300,000 and community residents will be the direct beneficiaries of every dollar spent as there will be cleaner air.

Hip hop legend YoYo and R&B singer Dondria have agreed to lend support to this initiative. They will be the headliners for the Eden Park Community Project: Fight The Pollution Concert at River Rouge High School on Tuesday, November 20th. While this Pre- Thanksgiving concert event is open to the general public, residents of the 48217, 48218 and 48229 zip codes are being urged to invest in their community by purchasing a ticket.

YoYo is known as Ice Cube's protégé whose 90s single "You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo" and feature on Brandy's "I Wanna Be Down Remix" alongside MC Lyte and Queen Latifah still graces the airwaves today. In addition, she's founder of the Intelligent Black Woman's Coalition and YoYo's School of Hip Hop teaching students how to read and write using music.

With over 19 million streams of her chart-topping lead single produced by Jermaine Dupri and veteran songwriter/producer Bryan Michael Cox, "You're The One", R&B songstress Dondria is slated to take to the stage as well to perform her hit single and music from her forthcoming album. She's also an advocate for preventing child obesity.

Detroit's own Queen of Comedy and veteran radio personality COCO will host this concert with sounds provided by DJ Yeezy.

Tickets are $25 (General Admission) and $35 (VIP/Meet & Greet) with all proceeds going to the Eden Park Community Project. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.EdenParkConcert.Eventbrite.com.