Music video features 100+ local children, artists

Over 100 children from Wilmington and Greenville will be featured with a dozen local artists in a music video premiering on Tuesday.

The kids, ranging in age from about 10 to 17, recorded and performed a song called "Believe," written by Frederick Reed, who runs the nonprofit Reeds Refuge Center. It will premiere at World Cafe Live on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

"It's talking about unity and how much stronger we are together than separated," Reed said. "I wanted the youth to realize we're all humans and need to learn to respect each other even if we don't agree."

Reed opened the center in 2012 to provide a safe haven and creative outlet for young people surrounded by crime, drugs and violence in their communities.

"Youth were coming to me asking how can we deal with it," he said. "It’s challenging sometimes when so many people are doing those things around them."

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Reed, who grew up in the Riverside Projects, said he realized the youth today could benefit from the same thing he relied on at their age: music.

"It gave me a way to escape," he said. "When you come from the urban community and you're surrounded by those four walls, you think that’s all you're going to see your whole life."

This past summer, Reed wrote "Believe" and partnered with the Imagination Players, a community theater group for youth in Greenville. They bused dozens of children to a recording studio in Philadelphia and filmed parts of the music video there, in Wilmington and at Lincoln and Rider universities.

Deb Johnson, founder of the Imagination Players, said while the young people came from different backgrounds, the music reflects their common goals.

"The song conveys the mission of both our groups: hope for a better world and people getting along," she said. "This song is very timely and much-needed."

Johnson said the children were excited to wear headphones in the recording studio. The chorus calls: "Believe, believe, we got to stick together, no matter what's the weather."

"It was like a recording of 'We Are the World,'" Johnson said. "They were so into it."

Reed and his wife run two childcare centers, Read to Learn Academy Inc. in Wilmington and Ribbons & Bows Daycare in Newport. The couple funded the music video out of pocket, Reed said.

"There’s enough negativity in the world," Reed said. "I try to shine a light on the positive when I can."

The Buccini Pollin Group is sponsoring the premiere, said Pamela K. Gardner, the manager of executive relations and community engagement.

"We are friends of Reeds Refuge and believe in the work they're doing," she said. "We jumped at the chance to help them."

Seating is limited and registration is required. Admission is free but there is a $25 suggested donation to Reeds Refuge Center. Tickets can be purchased at http://conta.cc/2grdN43.

Contact Christina Jedra at cjedra@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2837 or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.