Executive Leadership

For my Leadership Portfolio, I have chosen to take part in the International House Of Blues Foundation Chicago (IHOPE). The Foundation was established in 1997, in the heart of Chicago’s historic Marina City, and now has ten locations in the United States. The IHOPE program’s goal is to increase the public awareness of the African American influence on folk art and blues music on American culture. This organization was created from the vision of the House of Blues founder Isaac Tigrett, who imbued this company not just with a great concept, but also with values and principles that give the achievements greater meaning than just monetary success. Isaac created the business based on the Vedic Principles. (Sathya, Prema, Shanti, Dharma, and Ahimsa) The greatest lesson Isaac learned was “Never miss a chance to be kind.” These are the same principles that make up the International House Of Blues Foundation.

I have chosen to participate in the International House Of Blues Foundation because I wanted to take an active role in bringing more awareness of the African American influences on art to students and teachers in the Chicago area. I want to contribute to IHOPE because arts are becoming less known to the youth of America and this program brings art into young kids’ lives and helps them understand it. IHOPE – Chicago has reached over 40,000 students and teachers and community groups with music and arts educational programs and this city is the founding location for the Make An Impression Guitar Program, now in its fifth year.

By being apart of International House Of Blues Foundation, I intend to build my leadership skills and help young kids appreciate art and music. I plan to use the activities that are in place to educate young America about the influences African American culture on the arts. IHOPE uses different programs to reach out to students and other community groups; these programs include Blues School House, Blues Ambassador Scholarship, Make An Impression and Make An Impression Guitar Program. Additionally, by getting involved in this program I will learn and understand more about the arts. I am positive that my involvement in this program will generate more ides and will help the International House Of Blues Foundation reach more people.

IHOBF