Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester is an annual prom dress fair in Rochester, NY that helps financially challenged high school girls find a dress and accessories for less than ten dollars. Inspired by Oprah, Rene Spallina and Cynthia Jackson are two mom that wanted to create a similar program for the Rochester area.
The annual prom dress fair is takes place all through April in Marketplace Mall. Since the opening, the Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester has dressed an average of 500 young ladies a year for a total of nearly 7,500 young ladies.
Each young lady that signs up can choose from a wide variety of evening gowns and accessories that are donated.
Each young lady that signs up gets assigned a volunteer that will help them find the perfect dress.
"The mission is quite simple and that is to make sure that every young lady in the community has the opportunity to experience their high school prom feeling like a princess and that they are the most important in the world if only for that moment." - Fairy Godmothers of Greater Rochester
Participants leave their belongings as they get ready for the Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant at the RIT Inn. This pageant is hosted by the Mu Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
(left to right) Darnae Pauley, Keyanni Bell, Keira Carrington, Erica Coles, and Ayanna Smith pose for the swimsuit segment of the pageant.
Erica Coles does a live portrait drawing of Brother Andre Harris during the talent segment of the pageant.
Darnae Pauley recites a poem during the talent segment of the pageant.
Shaw Baldwin admires the plaque presented to her by the brothers of the Mu Sigma Chapter after they announce a new scholarship named after her in honor of her service to the chapter and their mission.
The Brothers of the Mu Sigma Chapter gather around Ayanna Smith as they sing their hymn.
Ayanna Smith receives her sash and trophy as the winner of the Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant.
Jay'llen Hathman stands and waits for instructions at the Phi Beta Sigma New Member Presentation. This presentation is also known as a probate.
The Brothers of the Iota Phi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. gather for their New Member Presentation in the Student Alumni Union at the Rochester Institute of Technology. This presentation is also known as a probate.
The Sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. support the brothers of the Iota Phi Chapter during their New Member Presentation.
Jay'llen Hathman introduces himself at the Phi Beta Sigma New Member Presentation.
Jay'llen Hathman celebrates with friends and family after the Phi Beta Sigma New Member Presentation.