Ashanti, known to the music world as the Princess of Hip-Hop Soul came home to Glen Cove on Friday, June 6, where she is better known as a native, a Glen Cove High School alumna, a former member of the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, Tina and Kenkaide Douglas’ elder daughter, Kenashia’s sister, Cheryl Goodine’s niece, and granddaughter of the late James Davis, a staunch advocate and proponent of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Simply put, Ashanti is a Glen Cove blueblood.

Following an appearance on Good Morning America, Ashanti made her way by seaplane for her hometown appearance at the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club to make a donation of $75,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with $25,000 earmarked for the Glen Cove club.

Many club members were on hand to meet with the star, but the event was not a typical scene of screeching fans all vying for attention. Instead, the singer/songwriter was greeted with sweet young voices all calling out, “Hi, Ashanti!” and waving, just like they would to any other old friend. That’s who Ashanti is at the GCB&G Club. She greeted her fans, commented on how some had grown, hugged and kissed others and remarked that it was “good to be home.”

Accepting the donation was another luminary of the club, Naquasia Pinchback, who was recently named State Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is going on to regional competition this summer. It was a tremendous credit to the Glen Cove club to have two successful, intelligent, lovely role models on the makeshift stage, while wide-eyed young boys and girls watched and listened. After thanking the singer for her gift, Naquasia told Ashanti how important she believes it is for “young women and men of color to have such an extraordinary person to look up to.”

Debbie Brisbane, acting executive director of the club and president of the board of trustees, welcomed Ashanti home and told her that “we are happy to know that we are always in your heart and want you to know that you are always in ours.”

Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi, who had met Ashanti at the pier with a group of young club members, said he was “so proud” to have Ashanti and her family as part of the Glen Cove community, harkening back to the days of her grandfather. On behalf of the City Council and the City of Glen Cove, the mayor presented Ashanti with a sign that read “Ashanti Way,” which will be perched on Continental Place for the summer. That street has also been designated “James Davis Way” for many years.

State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine offered his thanks and presented a citation, Presiding Officer of the Legislature Diane Yatauro presented a citation from the County Legislature and Legislator Roger Corbin of Westbury, an old friend of the Davis/Douglas/Goodine families complimented his “dear friend Jimmy” as well as Ashanti’s cooking skills. Mel Campos represented the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Rev. Roger Williams pastor of the First Baptist Church and many other community leaders were on hand, but none were more important than the children. They were on stage, in and around the feet of the adults and on the floor of the club with signs and smiles. One young girl had a question for Ashanti: “Will you sing us a song?” Ashanti countered with: “Why don’t you sing me a song?” The number became a duet, and in no time, the group of youngsters was singing an Ashanti hit word for word.

According to Ms. Brisbane, the $25,000 donation from Ashanti will be used to create Ashanti Studio, a room in the club for teaching music and dance. It’s a room Ashanti and her sister Kenashia spent a lot of time in as young girls, even before they themselves studied the arts. Mom Tina Douglas taught dance in the room for more than 20 years. Ms. Douglas said it was a pleasure to be back in the town in which she was born and raised, and to share her daughter’s success with their roots. She, too, praised her father, saying that as a result in part of his beautiful, kind, genuine personality, “my husband Kenkaide and I were able to raise two beautiful and talented daughters.”

The club is one of Ashanti’s pet charities and thanks to a partnership with Cartier, her capacity to provide funds to the Boys & Girls club has been augmented. The jewelry company has launched a new charity bracelet, endorsed by accompanying celebrity ambassadors. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the bracelets are donated to the ambassador’s chosen charity. Ashanti’s bracelet is set with knotted royal blue silk cord…royal blue being the color of the Boys & Girls Club, now even more royal thanks to the blueblood Princess of Hip-Hop Soul.