The 10th annual Projekt for Progress benefit, headlined by RVA-to-Colorado transplant DJ Williams, is one of the top fun-while-feeling-good events of the year. Funds raised support Africa Community Exchange [ACE] Liberia, a charitable organization supporting teacher development and continuing education in one of the world’s poorest countries.
In Liberia, still reeling from a civil war, Ebola outbreak, and COVID, less than half of elementary school teachers have a college degree, and only a third completed high school. DJ Williams’ connection to the ACE Liberia comes through his mother, Dr. Sophie Williams, one of the charity’s Liberian-born, U.S. resident founders.
The key attraction for this year’s event is the reunited DJ Williams Projekt. The never-quite defunct funk/rock band held court locally for years with a weekly gig at Café Diem and was a springboard for guitarist Williams’s emergence as a featured sideman in Karl Denson’s world-touring Tiny Universe. Since leaving Richmond, Williams has led his own bands, recorded a series of solo albums, and his next big release, “Soldier of Love,” is scheduled for Summer 2023. The band for the event includes longtime collaborators Gordon “Saxman” Jones, trumpeter Mark Ingraham, bassist Todd Herrington, powerhouse singer Samantha Reed, drummer Dusty Simmons, and keyboardist Ben White.
In addition, there will be a silent auction and other fundraising attractions. All of the proceeds go to support the ACE Liberia Mission.
The Projekt for Progress benefit concert takes place at River City Roll on Thursday, April 13th. Tickets are $25, and available for advanced purchase at RiverCityRoll.com.
