Spotlights
Woodlawn High grad and music executive Kevin Liles brings back to school festival to Baltimore County
08/31/2012

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Kevin Liles (center)

The Saturday before school began Security Square Mall overflowed with students, parents, and community members there to celebrate the new school year. The Back to School Festival they participated in was sponsored by the Kevin Liles For A Better Baltimore Foundation, Inc.

Liles, a graduate of Woodlawn High School and Morgan State University, is a well-known music executive who now serves as executive president and CEO of KWL Enterprises, a company involved in talent management, brand development, marketing, and philanthropy. Liles was accompanied at the festival by surprise guest Raheem DeVaughn, a Grammy-nominated R&B singer represented by KWL Enterprises.

The festival was co-hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Throughout the afternoon, children could participate in educational games, win prizes, and receive free backpacks, school supplies, and haircuts. In addition, participants visited booths for information about college and career options and community resources; the BCPS Parentmobile brought educational and parenting resources; and a Baltimore County Department of Health mobile unit provided vaccines.

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Delegate Adrienne Jones, Kevin Liles, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance, and R&S singer Raheem DeVaughn.
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The Lions Pride Marching Band of Old Court Middle School entertains the crowd.
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Singer Raheem DeVaughn (center) helps distribute free school supplies.

The festival received considerable support from sponsors including:

  • MTA
  • Security Woodlawn Business Association
  • Toyota Financial
  • Senator Delores G. Kelly
  • Delegate Adrienne A. Jones
  • Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam
  • Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr.
  • Councilman Kenneth N. Oliver
  • Carpenter House
  • Maryland Food Bank
  • Verizon
  • Comcast
  • Kiddie Party People
  • Studio A Modeling and Dance
  • Distinct Images
  • Downtown Locker Room
  • Shoe City
  • Sports Zone
  • Empowerment Temple Church
  • Morning Star Baptist Church
  • Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival
  • Laquan Williams of the Baltimore Ravens


Photos courtesy of Joaquina Braithwaite of Distinct Images.