Community Outreach

R&B Icon Mark Morrison Empowers Local Students

Published

5 months ago

August 10, 2025

South Florida Insider

MARK MORRISON MAKES HIS “RETURN OF THE MACK” IN A POWERFUL WAY.

The British R&B Mogul Took Local Youth On A Back-To-School Shopping Spree at the Mall at Wellington Green

British R&B star and Palm Beach Gardens resident Mark Morrison, known globally for his multi-platinum anthem “Return of the Mack,” recently staged a meaningful return — this time, in the spirit of generosity and giving back.

On Monday, August 4, Morrison hosted a back-to-school shopping spree at The Mall at Wellington Green for more than 30 children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties and Coastal Middle and High School. The mall opened early so kids could shop for school shoes, socks, and select clothing at Foot Locker and Foot Locker Kids.

One especially touching moment came when young, 8-year-old Apollo Acevedo began crying after realizing he wasn’t on the list to receive shoes. “I wanted to get shoes, but I wasn’t on the list, so I started to get sad,” he shared.

Upon hearing this, Mark Morrison immediately stepped in and bought Apollo a new pair of sneakers on the spot.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Morrison, I really appreciate this!” Apollo beamed.

“When I was young, I could never afford name-brand trainers, and I never forgot how that felt. No child should have to walk into school feeling like they don’t belong. If I can change that for even one kid, it’s worth it,” said Mark Morrison.

Morrison’s legacy goes beyond music. While “Return of the Mack” hit No. 1 in the UK and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over 8 million copies worldwide, his current focus includes mentorship and community impact. His catalog has now surpassed 1 billion Spotify streams and 1 billion views on TikTok.

Community Leaders Respond

Yvette Acevedo Flores, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, expressed deep appreciation: “Families are trying to stretch every dollar for back-to-school shopping, so when Mark Morrison offered each of our kids a new pair of shoes, we were so happy. Everyone had a great time shopping at Foot Locker and we’re so appreciative to Mark for giving our kids this wonderful opportunity.”

Julie Schalm, Marketing Director at The Mall at Wellington Green, added: “The mall opened early so the kids could enjoy a special shopping experience before we opened to the public at 10 a.m. Creating joyful, confidence-building moments like this is exactly the kind of impact we’re proud to support.”

Lisa Collum, owner of Coastal Middle & High School in Lake Park, also shared her gratitude: “Back to school isn’t easy for every kid, so to be able to provide shoes for students is so exciting for them. Something as normal as shoes can really change a student’s life as they enter the school year. This has been an amazing opportunity and we’re grateful.”

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Thelma Gibson Turns 99 and Raises $70K For Her Non-Profit in Coconut Grove

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Miami Shines for the Luminous Advocacy Project

Published

4 months ago

September 29, 2025

McKaela Lulic

The Light Up the Night Gala brought stars, changemakers, and supporters together for a magical evening dedicated to breast health awareness.

September 28, 2025

Miami knows how to throw a party with a purpose, and on Friday, September 26, the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden bloomed into The Enchanted Garden for Luminous Global’s 4th Annual Light Up the Night Gala. The evening was equal parts glamour and heart, with guests arriving in style to support a mission that is transforming breast health awareness.

Supermodel and Real Housewives of New York original star Kelly Killoren Bensimon turned heads on the pink carpet, where she was joined by Luminous Global founder and CEO Marylin Dans and Florida House Representative Fabian Basabe. The arrivals set the tone for a night that was as celebratory as it was meaningful.

Inside the garden-inspired ballroom, the setting was pure magic. Guests sipped champagne beneath twinkling lights, live music floated through the air, and conversations flowed as advocates, changemakers, and community leaders came together. The energy of the room made it clear that this was not just another Miami gala. It was a gathering of people determined to make a difference.

The program honored this year’s awardees whose dedication to advocacy continues to shape the future of breast health. Their stories brought both smiles and tears, reminding everyone of the power of education, awareness, and early action. Proceeds from the evening directly supported The Luminous Advocacy Project, a nonprofit focused on promoting early detection, advancing education, and ensuring women everywhere have access to equitable medical care.

Highlights of the Evening

Guests were introduced to Luminous, the first breast familiarity tool designed to give users a visual reference of their own breast health. Presented as an app and awareness lifestyle guide, it helps women and men build consistent habits for self-familiarity. Luminous does not replace medical exams but complements them by empowering people to recognize changes early.

The gala also spotlighted the organization’s global outreach efforts. Upcoming missions include Medical Mission Honduras 2025: Pathway to Wellness, where volunteers and medical professionals will bring diagnostic care, health education, and vital breast health services to underserved communities abroad.

On the educational side, guests learned about the project’s commitment to spreading awareness through multilingual resources and school outreach programs, ensuring that communities both local and international have the knowledge they need to take charge of their health. The initiative’s vision also includes working toward FDA Class III approval for its device, a milestone that would make this technology more widely available.

A Night That Truly Glowed

By the time the music quieted and the last glasses were raised, it was clear that the night had lived up to its name. The gala was beautiful, it was fun, and it carried a glow of hope that left everyone inspired. Guests walked away with more than memories of an enchanting evening. They carried with them the reminder that awareness is action, and that together, Miami’s community can shine a light on change.

To learn more about The Luminous Advocacy Project click HERE!