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Let's Get Etta Back On Stage! #ettasdream

Etta's story is one that contrasts the gut-wrenching ugliness of racism with the healing power of the music that saved her life. I met this beautiful soul in March 2020 when I chaperoned my daughter's school choir trip to Milwaukee.
 
I knew Etta McKinley then as Abigail Turner. My daughter explained to me some months later that “Abby” had reconnected with her birth mother and wanted to be known by the name she was given at birth. I would learn later the compelling story that led up to that decision. This is the part of Etta’s story that can only be told by her:
 
 
I was born April 29th, 2003 in Pensacola Florida. Immediately after my birth my birth mother my birth mother had to make the difficult choice to give up all rights to me due to financial reasons. I was taken from her shortly after that. I ended up getting adopted by an all white family. I started my first year of kindergarten in Kansas. Being the only black kid in a majority white school was very rough. I remember one day during kindergarten a classmate of mine came up to me and said “My mommy said I can’t be friends with Niggers.” Being that young I didn’t really know what that word meant. But in 2nd grade I soon figured it out. After school during my 2nd grade year some 5th graders found me outside by the playground and told me to follow them. I didn’t know what they wanted but I thought it would be so cool to hangout with 5th graders. They walked me over to a secluded area behind the school and proceeded to beat me and spit on me. They told me niggers like me shouldn’t be allowed at their school. This continued on through my 8th grade year of school. But during my 5th grade year was when I decided I didn’t want to be a punching doll anymore. They threatened me if I told the school so they only option I was really thinking of was suicide.
 
During this time in my life the only thing that was giving me hope was music. I started singing on the worship team in church when I was about 6 years old. One day my vocal teacher from school sat me down and asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told her I wanted to be a professional singer and she said “Well then we gotta get you on a stage.” Sometimes I feel like she was my only friend in life. She gave me my first solo in 2nd grade for our christmas concert and ever since then I haven't stopped performing. As soon as 6th grade started I had 2 suicide attempts under my belt. No child should ever even think about suicide especialy at such a young age. The bullying just got worse but not just from the students. Going out in public wasn’t fun for me either. The stares and whispers me and my family would get really took a toll on me. Sometimes I wished I wasn’t black, I always felt like my life would be alot easier. I know it's not common to see a white family with black kids but the fact people thought they had a right to comment on it was horrifying. I chose not to think about it too much and just continued my life as it has always been. By the time I reached 8th grade I finally made some friends who did their absolute best to protect me from the bullies at school. Unfortunately that year my Uncle had passed away and my adopted mom and dad made the decision to move to South Dakota so they could be closer to my adopted mom's side of the family. I was absolutely crushed because I had just made friends, I was doing well in school, and my vocal teacher was still the only person I have ever been able to reach out to.”
 
 
The move to South Dakota ended up being a good one for Etta, though. Her new high school was the largest in the state, with an enrollment far eclipsing that of her schools in Kansas. She made friends with other students of color and blossomed in the expanded opportunities to grow and share her life-saving musical talents.
 
 
Etta’s high school years culminated in her being chosen to address her graduating class and being accepted to the prestigious American Musical & Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City. Acceptance to AMDA is a life-changing opportunity. Breaking into the music business is a daunting task, but AMDA gives students a significant leg up. “Students begin to create their professional network of contacts from the first day of class. Our students have the good fortune to be seen by industry representatives while still in the protected learning environment of school. Many AMDA students graduate with agent representation, ready to hit the ground running,” explains this article from Backstage Magazine.
 
Etta jetted off to NYC soon after graduation and was on her way. She spent six months soaking in the thrill of the experience before the rug was pulled out from beneath her feet. AMDA is expensive. Etta’s scholarships, grants and student loans were not enough to cover the balance. Her funding ran out and she made the heart-breaking decision to return home to South Dakota to work and save money until she could return.
 
 
 
I read on Facebook that Etta was looking for help navigating the world of financial aid and decided I knew enough from being the mom of a college sophomore to contact her and see what I could do. It was then that Etta shared her story with me and I knew in my heart I had to do whatever I could to help her. In a world where incredible sums of money are tossed about for space flights, political campaigns, and wasteful projects, the idea that $60k could absolutely change Etta’s life inspired me to act.
 
Etta is committed to school and a career in music. Any funds raised will go toward that goal. Whether allowing her to return to her first choice, AMDA, or assisting her at another school, your funds WILL make a significant, life-changing, visible difference for Etta McKinley. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
 
Lisa Bjorneberg, Etta’s friend

Organizzatore e beneficiario

Lisa Bjorneberg
Organizzatore
Garretson, SD
Etta Mckinley
Beneficiario

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