BEATBOX STUDIO
COMMON GOOD AWARDS
BEATBOX STUDIO
WINNER , MICRO CATEGORY : 9 employees or fewer LOCATION : Pawtucket , instagram . com / beatboxstudio401
Beatbox Studio is committed to helping artists build their careers and retain the rights to their music .
When Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island contacted Chachi Carvalho and Edgar “ Vertygo ” Cruz of Beatbox Studio to help make a child ’ s wish come true , the two-man operation went over and above the call of duty . Miraya , an eleven-year-old battling leukemia , wanted to record a rap music video . Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island teamed up with Beatbox Studio to put together an all-star team to grant Miraya ’ s wish . Through the music studio , Miraya was able to record her own rap song with a creative music video , and Carvalho and Cruz encouraged her and gave her the confidence to perform .
Miraya ’ s video for her song “ Video Games ” was amazing , but Beatbox Studio took her wish to a whole other level . At Make-A-Wish night at a Boston Celtics game , Miraya and Carvalho took to center court to perform her song before a sold-out crowd at TD Garden . Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island representatives say that Carvalho and Cruz “ are examples of how we can all use our platform and our business to support others .” Because of Beatbox Studio ’ s support , Miraya was able to share her talent and her voice with more than 19,000 fans at the game .
JUDGE ’ S TAKE : “ I really liked Beatbox Studio , which was an entry submitted by one of their nonprofit partners , Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island . The story about how they were able to help the little girl with her music video and performance was very emotional . It showed a high level of commitment to the community from the owners because of the amount of time and effort it took to put that all together .” — Lauren Clem
PHOTOGRAPHY ( THIS SPREAD ) COURTESY OF BEATBOX STUDIO ; WE BE JAMMIN ’; GRACIE ’ S / ELLIE ’ S / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON WESSEL .
WE BE JAMMIN ’
HONORABLE MENTION , MICRO CATEGORY : 9 employees or fewer LOCATION : Warwick , webejamminri . com
We Be Jammin ’ is a local food product company owned by Jason Wood , a young man on the autism spectrum . The company produces jams , salsa and other gourmet foods while giving back to the community . Employees promote and run community events for local police departments ’ community divisions and volunteer at the Rhode Island Brain , Tumor and Spine Foundation .
JUDGE ’ S TAKE : “ When I looked online , I saw that the owner of We Be Jammin ’ has autism , and he encourages everyone in the company to contribute and help the community .” — Carmen Greene
58 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2024