The Black Suit Initiative Hosted 2nd Annual "GRAND ENTRANCE"

The Black Suit Initiative hosted its signature fundraising, The Grand Entrance,  on Saturday, April 9 at the Elm & Bain Event Center in downtown Greensboro. This all-male fashion show, featured 19 men from the Triad who are making a positive impact in the community. 


Dillard's at Four Seasons was the clothing sponsor and outfitted these super (role) models with the latest in spring fashions. These men broke out of their comfort zones to take to the runway in support of the young men in The Black Suit Initiative. 


The first scene was "virtual fashion". This segment had models wearing attire for a virtual meeting.  Models wore conservative tops and fun bottoms such as pajama pants, basketball shorts or comfy jeans and socks. The other 2 scenes were more traditional attire with some precious little models who wore spring dresses to match their dad's outfit. 


Most models took the traditional runway walk, while some were a little more creative. Dr. James Osborne, a sleep physician, invited his wife to an impromptu ballroom dance on the runway. There was nothing "sleepy" about his runway performances. 


The final scene featured some unsung heroes. These men worked in careers that were vital during the peak of the pandemic. A police officer, grocery store employee, custodial technician, physician, food delivery driver,  truck driver , and a school bus driver were represented in this final segment. 



A Big Thank You To Our "Grand Entrance" Major Sponsors!

Your generous support made this event a HUGE success!  Thank you for believing in our vision. 

MEET OUR SUPER (ROLE) MODELS

    GRAND ENTRANCE RECEPTION & PRE-SHOW

      Others Scenes From The Evening

      We are currently not accepting new members. Our application period will reopen in May 2022.

      Thank You For Your Year Round Support!

      A big thank you is extended to our major program sponsors for 2021-2022. This year's expansion would not have been possible without you! 

      their futures depend on your support.

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      About Us

      The Sparrow's Nest, Inc.

       The Sparrow’s Nest , Inc. was developed to engage youth in leadership  initiatives in an effort to prevent crime and drug activity and develop  educational, artistic and character building skills to better prepare  them for their transition to college or career. 



      The Black Suit Initiative

      In 2016,  The Sparrow’s Nest, Inc., launched their new, all male  program, “The Black Suit Initiative”. 

      This leadership and community engagement program allows young men in middle and high school, the opportunity to improve academic performance, explore their career interests and participate in positive team building exercises. The successful completion of program modules allows these young men the opportunity to earn their own full black suit at the completion of the first year. 

      Young men are selected to be in the program through an application and interview process during the month of June. Members can remain in the organization until they graduate from high school.



      Why A Black Suit?

       The logic behind the black suit is based upon a new study conducted by  the psychology department at California State University. They  discovered wearing a suit does change thought processes. The study found  formal clothing improved confidence levels and changed the basic way  respondents perceived the world. Wearing a suit encourages people to use  abstract processing more readily than concrete processing. 

      Meet The Founder

      Evainna W. Ross

      Born in Lynchburg, VA, Evainna W. Ross has dedicated most of her life to helping youth secure better educational and economic opportunities through the development of her nonprofit organization, The Sparrow's Nest, Inc.


      Upon graduating from North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Public Relations in 1991, Ross began her journey working with youth under the leadership of the late civil rights pioneer, Rev. Prince E. Graves. Ross spent six years volunteering as the youth director of St. James Baptist Church increasing their youth programs' participation substantially.


      Ross took what she learned at St. James Baptist Church and developed a community based model and launched The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. in Claremont Courts, a public housing community in Greensboro in October 2008. The Sparrow's Nest , Inc. was a mobile service which provided free programs on Saturdays such as ballroom dancing, sculpting, culinary arts and public speaking directly to youth in 4 of the largest public housing communities in Greensboro. Because of the growing popularity of these programs, Ross felt she wasn't making a lasting impact only seeing youth in these communities once a month. For that reason, in 2010, Ross, with a panel of educators and business owners, interviewed and selected 50 middle and high school youth to be members of a leadership program called The Chosen 50. The majority of these youth were selected from the communities she had served prior. These youth remained in the program until they graduated high school.

      During their time in the program, these youth were empowered to make positive decisions for their lives as well as their communities. These youth have developed their own small businesses, developed political campaigns, created a stock portfolio and learned how to purchase their own homes and cars.


      In 2014, Ross was recognized nationally by the Ascena Retail Group as an "everyday hero" who has dedicated her life to making the world a better place by empowering children in the areas of education, social support and self-esteem.


      The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. has continued to evolve into a program which addresses the need of an ever-changing society. In 2016 they launched their newest division, The Black Suit Initiative, an all male leadership and community engagement program for middle and high school students.


      Ross has been married to Kevin for 33 years and they have one daughter, Amariah.

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      The Black Suit Initiative

      908-A N.Josephine Boyd Street

      Greensboro, NC 27408 336.549.0146

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