The Vietnamese Alliance to Combat Trafficking
(VietACT) is a grassroots organization dedicated to eradicating human
trafficking of Vietnamese victims through collaboration, advocacy, and education
for the purpose of supporting, protecting, and empowering victims. Proceeds will
go towards to help establish much needed offices and shelters to fight human
trafficking. VietACT was founded in August 2004 after several news reports on
cases of human trafficking and modern-slavery in Southeast
Asia created heigthen awareness in the community. Activities include
raising public and community awareness as well as providing active support of
anti-trafficking programs, emergency shelters, and victim’s services. VietACT
has been involved with numerous fundraising efforts to support of the Vietnamese
Brides and Migrant Workers Office in Taipei, Taiwan. Proceeds have gone directly
to aid victims with shelter, health care, counseling, and legal services.
Soul/R&B
singer- YÊN has
joined the effort and will be the grand finale performance at the VVMA. Yen is a
well known singer in the community and has performed at such venues as: Django,
The Apache Café, Edenu Restaurant, and Cafe Tu Tu Tango. Yen is currently
working on a solo CD with Soulnine Records, slated for release in the fall of
2006.
At
the age of one, and the youngest of 10 children, Yen and his family, fled his
homeland of Vietnam. This was at the end of the
very unpopular Vietnam War. The family ended up being sponsored by a church in
Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Yen grew up listening to
Stevie Wonder, James Ingram, Take 6, and other Motown/Soul Legends. They planted
the seed that sprouted his love and life for music. His early years were spent
singing in the gospel scene with the Kalamazoo Mass choir. This training increased his vocal strength
and range; it also gave him opportunities to open for national acts like: John
P. Kee, The Chicago Mass Choir, The Williams Brothers, Albertina Walker, and
many more. Some of Yen’s most recent accomplishments include being selected
“2004 Vietnamese Star Search Winner, Michigan’s Next Rising Star of 2002” on
ABC’s Good Morning America, the opening act for 98 Degrees (a performance he
acquired by beating out hundreds of other performers in Detroit’s WDIV “Say What
Sing Along Contest” summer of 2001), and being a cast member in the nationally
acclaimed Detroit musical “Perilous Times”. This musical featured star acts such
as gospel great: Vanessa Bell Armstrong, William Murphy III, Tommie Ford of the
“Martin Lawrence Show”, and Tiny Lister “Debo” of Friday and Next
Friday.
It is both an endeavor worthy of
your support and an opportunity for the community of Atlanta, Georgia to support and show deep
concern for the human trafficking problems in the world today.
The Rialto Center
May 13th, 2006, 7pm
The Georgia State University Campus
80 Forsyth
St.
Atlanta
GA
Ticket
Prices are as follows:
$40.00
VIP
$30.00
2nd Tier
$20.00
3rdTier
They
can be purchased at:
Atlanta’s
Farmers Market
4166
Buford Hwy. #1115
Atlanta
GA 30345
Hoang
Nhung Cosmetics & Gifts (Next to Pho Bac)
4897
Buford Hwy.
Chamblee
GA 30345
For
more Ticket Information:
www.ga-vvma.com
or
call 404-610-9561