Clayton News Daily

Special photos Mizay Entertainment Hip-Hop artist, Waka Flocka Flame, will lend a helping hand in the company’s annual ‘Thanksgiving Give-A-Way’ event, today. The artist is a native of Riverdale. 

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Mizay Entertainment will host the company’s annual Thanksgiving “Give-A-Way” event, today, at 1 p.m., at the City of Riverdale Center, located at 7200 Church Street, in Riverdale.

Debra Antney, Mizay Entertainment’s CEO, will join Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon, and Mizay artist, Waka Flocka Flame, in distributing 200 Thanksgiving baskets to Riverdale residents.

“This is the first time we are partnering with [Mizay Entertainment],” said Wynn-Dixon. “Because of our budget, [this partnership] is a way for us to meet the needs of the people.”

Antney said the families will receive a turkey and other items to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. “With the help of the City of Riverdale, a targeted effort is being made to ensure that this initiative impacts the most-appropriate segment of the community’s population.”

Mayor Wynn-Dixon said the 200 families have already been pre-selected for the Thanksgiving baskets. She added that the city worked with 11 schools in the community, and the schools’ principles were able to select families who would receive the baskets.

“We have all the names of the people we will give baskets to,” she said. “We will take the baskets straight to the schools and give the families their baskets.”

Hip-Hop artist Waka Flocka Flame, who is a native of Riverdale, will support this philanthropic effort and offer words of encouragement to families this holiday season.

“Contrary to what most people have heard about my hometown, I am from Riverdale,” he said. “It is my belief that it is my duty and obligation to give back, especially to the community that I’m from. There’s no one else checking on our people — so I will.”

Mayor Wynn-Dixon stressed the same philosophy, and said she understands that needs during this difficult economy are county-wide this holiday season, but “Riverdale comes first. We have to take care of home,” she said.

She also commended Waka Flocka Flame for taking the time to contribute to the community. “This will be good [for his] image,” she said. “He really wants to give back.”