The Janet Collins Story, presented by Sweet Blackberry

A project in New York, NY by Karyn Parsons
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Funding Successful

Animated short on the little-known story of Janet Collins, the first African American soloist to perform at the Metropolitan Opera.
Backers: 877
Average Pledge Per Backer: $88

Funded: $77,406 of $75,000
Dates: Jun 18th -> Jul 18th (31 days)
Project By: Karyn Parsons
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$77,406

current pledge level
Last Updated: July 18 @ 11:01 -0400 GMT

103%

of goal
funding period ended

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Latest News

Shut up and make the hits?? Kickstarter's best projects are back with a twist

June 20th - via: mashable.com
Kickstarter is bringing back some of its greatest hits. (Read More)

Sooooooo close! Only 18 hours to go!!!!

July 17th - via: kickstarter.com
You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play 00:00 00:00 I woke up this morning (after two hours sleep) to see we made our goal!!! Only to be reminded, a couple hours later when someone withdrew their pledge, and we fell below... (Read More)

Setback and Reminder

July 17th - via: kickstarter.com
Unfortunately, someone pulled their pledge out and brought us just under our goal. This kind of thing can happen, so let's not quite celebrate until the campaign is officially over. Let's keep it up until our deadline of 11am EST tomorrow! Thank... (Read More)

We got to $75K! Now let's make this video even better!

July 17th - via: kickstarter.com
Janet! Thanks to all of you, the inspiring Janet Collins story will be told. There is one day left of the Kickstarter campaign and we'd love to include "bumpers" to this short film as are in the Henry Box Brown and Garrett Morgan stories. These are... (Read More)

Adjustment

July 14th - via: kickstarter.com
Hey, Guys! Just heard from Kickstarter that I can't do the $60,000 raffle, after all. I'm sorry if anyone was banking on it.  Let's keep moving forward! -K  (Read More)

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT!!! Let's go!

July 14th - via: kickstarter.com
Hey, Everyone! Joy Harjo was our winner who took us over the 3/4 mark! Joy will receive 2 FREE TIX to the screening of the fan-voted, favorite episode of the Fresh Prince w/the cast, followed by a Q&A! The NEXT PAIR OF TICKETS will go to the... (Read More)

ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT!!! New Rewards!!!

July 13th - via: kickstarter.com
We have ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT to raise $20,000 or else lose it all! It's going to take ALL OF US to do it! I've been working around the clock, doing everything I can, because I believe in the importance of getting the Janet Collins Story told and... (Read More)

Personalized pictures from Misty and the Fresh Prince cast! PLUS, free FP episode screening tickets for who takes us to 75%!

July 11th - via: kickstarter.com
You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play 00:00 00:00  Just 6 days to go! There's less than a week to reach our goal and use all the incredible momentum we've built into an inspiring film for children on the incredible story of... (Read More)

Carmen de Lavallade talks about her cousin, Janet Collins! Plus, NEW REWARDS!

July 9th - via: kickstarter.com
We have passed the halfway mark and are on our way!  We only have 8 days left so please, if you have friends that you think would be interested in joining the campaign, send them the link. If you're thinking about getting a second reward, or... (Read More)

[PODCAST] Dj Grandpa's Crib: Lean on Me

DJG goes Kode Orange with Casey and Flake, takes on a Faux Life with Ethan, and learns about The Janet Collins Story with Karyn Parsons of Sweet Blackberry. (Read More)

We've crossed the halfway mark!!!!

July 7th - via: kickstarter.com
We have made it to $37.5! There are 380 of you who are now part of this and we have come so far in a little over two weeks. Hurray for people power! Alexandria Green was the lucky person who got us to the halfway point and she won TWO TICKETS to the... (Read More)

Happy 4th! New Prizes from Will Smith and the Met Opera! A bonus for who takes this campaign over the halfway mark! Message from Karyn Parsons!

July 3rd - via: kickstarter.com
You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play 00:00 00:00 Thanks so much for all your support! We're nearly at the halfway mark and could not do it without you. This week, we announced custom voicemails from Will Smith and Janet... (Read More)

Hello?! This is the Prince of Bel-Air!

July 1st - via: kickstarter.com
  WILL SMITH is joining the Sweet Blackberry team and offering CUSTOM VOICEMAILS. 15 seconds, and all your friends will be jealous. Check it out in the rewards! And don't forget, THE LUCKY FIRST PERSON TO GET US TO THE HALF WAY POINT ($37.5k) will... (Read More)

Ask Us Anything!!! Tatyana Ali and I are LIVE on Reddit! Matching Pledge for ONE DAY! Get us to the half way point, and ... NEW REWARDS!!!

June 29th - via: kickstarter.com
Today (Tuesday) at 1pm PST/ 4pm EST, my Fresh Prince li'l sis and I will be doing a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) LIVE chat! Come join us and ask all of those Behind the Scenes questions!  http://reddit.com/r/iama 24 HOUR PLEDGE MATCH!!! If you have... (Read More)

Ballerina Misty Copeland Shares Her Passion for The Janet Collins' Story!

June 27th - via: kickstarter.com
You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play 00:00 00:00 Trailblazing ballet dancer, Misty Copeland--the first black, female soloist to dance for the American Ballet Theatre in two decades--throws her support behind Sweet... (Read More)

Hilary Banks Kickstarter

June 27th - via: hellobeautiful.com
Karyn Parsons, who played the adorable Hilary Banks back in the day on “Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air,” recently created a Kickstarter to raise funds for an educational animated short called “The Janet Collins Story.” Janet Collins was the first African American ballerina to perform solo at the Metropolitan Opera. (Read More)

Karyn Parsons' New Kickstarter Campaign -- I Want To Tell Black Ballerina Janet Collins' Story!

June 26th - via: theybf.com
Remember Karyn Parsons who played "Hillary" on "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air"? Well, she's going behind the lens to bring folks a story of a legendary black ballerina. And she needs YOUR cash.... (Read More)

The Time Is Now! Sweet Blackberry and Janet Collins Need Your Support!

June 24th - via: kickstarter.com
You'll need an HTML5 capable browser to see this content. Play 00:00 00:00 The time is now! We've had tremendous support but that has slowed. Plenty of people have told me they are excited about the Janet Collins film, so I urge all of you to pledge... (Read More)

Misty Copeland and the Met Opera: an incredible legacy and amazing Kickstarter rewards!

June 23rd - via: kickstarter.com
Janet Collins and Zachary Solov, 1951 Janet Collins was the first African American soloist to perform on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera, but she certainly wasn't the last. Huge thank you to Misty Copeland who donated signed toe shoes who will... (Read More)

101 Collaborators! Thank you! Plus, a video about why diverse role models are so important

June 22nd - via: kickstarter.com
Thanks to you all, we’ve had more than 100 people join the campaign since we started five days ago. I can’t thank you enough. Janet Collins Now that you’re part of the team, if there’s any way you can continue to spread the word, please do.... (Read More)

The Entire 'Fresh Prince' Cast Is Still Friends and Here's Proof

June 18th - via: abcnews.go.com
Attention "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" fans - all your hopes and dreams can come true! Karyn Parsons, who played Hilary Banks on the iconic TV show, has started a Kickstarter for her organization Sweet Blackberry and it's glorious! The Kickstarter is supporting the Janet Collins Story and her organization's mission "to bring little-known stories of African American achievement to kids." (Read More)

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