OK SLEIGH; clothing drive & self-defense startup

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Hi friends, family, and allies!

My name is AJ Blankenship and I have a dream, the resources, the tenacity, and a clear plan to build a production company that is fully dedicated to uplifting and giving back to the queer community. My first full-blown event, OK SLEIGH, is a cabaret show that centers around a charity clothing drive for Out of the Closest thrift stores and acts as a fundraiser to kickstart a queer-specific self-defense program called ENOUGH, which will provide free self-defense classes at various queer venues around NYC. I have gathered a ferocious team who is revved up and passionate about this project. It would mean so much to the community and me to have you join our team in the genesis of what I know my life’s work has been building toward.

My story:

I'm from the middle of nowhere Ohio, where I was intensely bullied. My voice was too high, my mannerisms too feminine, and my love for gymnastics, cheer, art, and dance was not what Midwest boys were supposed to love. I could feel so many people trying to dim my light, but I knew I was capable of shining bright. So straight out of college, I moved to NYC not only to pursue my dream of being a professional performer but to find a community of people who would love me for who I am, even if they didn't fully understand me. But what I found was so much more than that. I found the most diverse, interesting, curious, driven, powerful, passionate, connected, and surprising spectrum of colorful people to ever exist. These people embraced me and gave me the strength and courage to attack my life with love at the helm. My mantra is, “Be Silly, Be Kind, Be Grateful,” and I work very hard to enter every situation reminding myself of that. And when I do, things just work out better. I have a better time, and I realize how precious life is. I’m able to connect with more people, and I can see them relax and light up and that makes me feel amazing! It quickly became my core motivator to give everyone around me what they need to thrive and light up the world with their talent and love. We all have it in us, and I genuinely believe in the goodness in people.

I’ve been in NYC for 10 years, working hard as hell. I’ve had some crazy experiences and I’ve learned a whole lot. I’ve trained, auditioned like crazy, and worked as a professional dancer. I created a fitness career through group and personal training and created a queer-empowering fitness event called Werkout. I’ve traveled the country choreographing and inspiring high school cheer squads and show choirs, produced several cheer camps, and created a performance arts education program and competition called Own It. I was the Director of Advocacy for Impulse Group NYC and produced several charity and fundraising events. Most recently, I co-created and choreographed the national tour for globally loved drag artist Alaska 5000. With all this experience and knowledge, I am finally able to confidently attack this dream of uplifting love, diversity, and those around me who need a hand by harnessing my talents, resources, and skill sets.

My vision:

OK SLEIGH is an all body xxxmas burlesque xtravaganza. This crazy, campy, cunty cabaret highlights the sexy audacity of the queer community’s ability to be great at basically everything. From drag, to pole dance, to martial arts, skating, voguing, singing, fashion, dancing, and more, this outrageously talented collection of queers is boldly serving up a hot holiday feast.

OK SLEIGH centers itself around a clothing drive for Out Of The Closet thrift stores. Everyone attending Ok Sleigh is required to donate at least one article of new or gently used clothing. Out Of The Closet gives 96 cents of every dollar to AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s HIV prevention and treatment services. They provide free HIV and STD testing, and other preventative survives and even offer treatment through their in-store pharmacies. Their stores and health services play a crucial role in the wellbeing of many of our community. It’s able to function because of the generosity of its donors. This event could raise over $50,000 from clothing donations alone. Through this sexy strip show, I want everyone to see that taking the shirt off your back to help someone in need isn’t a daunting or difficult task; it’s actually really fun and easy.

OK SLEIGH is also a fundraiser for a program very near and dear to my heart. A year ago, I teamed up with High Kick Self-Defense to create a queer-specific self-defense series called ENOUGH: You are enough. We’ve had enough. Over 100 interviews were conducted by program director Rae Switlick to create classes that queer people felt comfortable attending and would teach self-defense for scenarios that are particular to us. With a greater confidence in our ability to protect ourselves, we can strut through life with the focus and empowerment to accomplish our dreams. As a victim of physical assault myself and with the alarming increase in violence against queer people, I believe it’s absolutely necessary that we all know how to protect ourselves and others around us. That is why Rae and I are extremely driven to get ENOUGH back on its feet and made more accessible to everyone. Our goal is to provide free self-defense classes at rotating queer venues around the city.

***This is why I’m asking out for your help. With your donation, I can kickstart my production company to continue creating events that highlight queer talent while supporting organizations that uplift, educate, and protect our community.