Tori Slade was born on July 19, 2003, to Brenda Baker and Art Slade. She was a beautiful girl who adored music and loved to play her toy piano. She also had Down syndrome and epilepsy. Sadly, when she was almost five, she died of leukemia.
Kids of Note was created in 2005 so that one day Tori would have a choir where she could explore her talents. Along with The Notations, these integrated choirs for children, youth and young adults who love to sing, are now her legacy.
In perpetuity, The Tori Slade Fund will generate grants for arts programs for those with intellectual disabilities. Preference
will be given to integrated arts initiatives – projects that bring people of all abilities together to express themselves through the arts. Preference will also be given to projects that can be seen and enjoyed by the general public.
The fund was created in part by a donation from Brenda and Art, and was subsequently grown by proceeds from Brenda’s original show The Old Elephant’s Christmas, presented in December of 2013, as well as additional gifts from various friends and members of the Baker, Slade and Phillips families.
Even though she’s gone, Tori continues to bring love into Brenda and Art’s lives in a variety of ways. Creating The Tori Slade Fund has certainly magnified that feeling for them, and they would like to offer thanks to those who have so generously supported their desire for a more inclusive world.