Salute to the late Floyd Swoope set for July 8

Clarence Floyd Swoope, the late iconic Black beauty products entrepreneur, will be saluted with a birthday and memorial celebration, Saturday, July 8th, 6:30 p.m., at Red Space, 2400 Superior Avenue, in Cleveland. The upscale gala, titled, Mirror Mirror 2017, will feature a red carpet reception, a fashion show including original Swoope models, video presentation of Swoope’s life story, live entertainment, hairstylists and barber showcase and an after party with D.Js. Ellery, Phatty Banks, Bud McFarland and Tony Wade. Floyd’s daughter, Carolyn Swoope said the event also serves as a kick-off for the introduction of the Mirror Mirror Foundation established to ‘pay it forward through mentoring and resources.’

“He (Floyd) influenced the movers and shakers of this generation. We’re in nice positions because somebody else helped us. We can all be influencers, the non-profit foundation’s mission is to provide assistance and awareness to up and coming minority entrepreneurs in their quest for successful business ownership” said Carolyn.

Swoope, a businessman for over 30 years, founder and president of Mirror Mirror Productions, presented fashion shows, trade shows and distributed Black beauty products in the early 1980’s. He had a strong passion for Black businesses and Black ownership said Wendell Swoope, Floyd’s younger brother and tenderfoot.

“My brother called himself 777, he was the seventh child born on the seventh day of the seventh month, he was not lucky, he was blessed, industrious and passionate. He (Floyd) often said, ‘those sevens are working’. He was my ace boon coon, you’d never see him without me. I believe the Rapture took him, snatched away. His heart just stopped. God told him, you’ve done enough,” said Wendell.

Floyd died, November 26, 2006, aged 63, doing what he loved, uplifting the younger generation and he provided an outlet for creativity through his video production studio called WIRE Recordings, located on Superior Ave. in downtown Cleveland, where he offered a venue for events and parties. Following a sixteen- year-old’s birthday party, an altercation convened that Floyd interceded and collapsed as he returned to his office. Wendell said there was talk about charges being brought against the teens involved in the fight.

“Floyd wouldn’t have wanted that, not that stigma placed on those kids. He worked with the worst kids and turned them around. Now, he’s free to roam around the country,” said Wendell.

Ben Holbert, former Cleveland TV news reporter serves as host for the gala that includes “Rapmedian Cool TLC, a DJ battle, an art gallery and portrait artist Michael Kirkpatrick.

Mirror Mirror 2017 tickets, $55 general admission, $75 VIP and $1000 tables of 10, are available at Jazzy Cuts, 4149 Lee Road or call 216-991-8818, 216-773-0528.

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