TOLEDO, Ohio — It's been said that music is a unifier of all people.
That's why for the last three years Tracy Haynes, Lance Self and Ryan Noble, together known as TRL Productions, have been focused on uplifting the greater Toledo community through music.
This year, it's through the Strictly R&B Park Jam at Promenade Park on Saturday, Aug. 17.
"One year we did homelessness. I think that was one of our biggest years," Noble said.
"That was the biggest one. We were able to help over 1,000 people at Cherry Street (Mission) alone," Self said.
"If we're gonna flex, let's flex. We were able to sign up over 1,700 families to get their pipes in their house changed," Haynes said.
For the past three years, the Park Jam sessions went from raising awareness for local homeless veterans, to focusing on getting the word out about their clean water initiative, to the importance of mental health awareness. They said the reason they cover such varying topics from year to year is simple.
"These are issues that I feel like everybody can relate to," Noble said. "Everybody can relate to how they need to be, how awareness needs to be brought to them. We're just taking the platform we have to do our part."
Leading up to the R&B concert, event attendees can expect to find roller skating, a yoga event and a couple of mixers at local bars in and around downtown Toledo. During each outing, there will be talks about mental health.
"We can have those talks," Haynes said. "Have you considered therapy? Maybe that little bit may spark something in somebody to go get the help they need at that moment. Who are we not to do that and give it to the community?"
While these events are open and available to everyone, they said they try to make sure the Black and brown communities come out. Since music can be a great connection, their goal is for attendees to find value in mental health conversations.
"Rhythm and Balance because music is - you know what I mean- it can help your mental," Self said. "I know it has for me in my own right. That's what we're bringing together."
To learn more about the events happening throughout the week into the weekend, visit the website HERE or go to the Facebook page HERE.