Jefferson Awards: Inner City Music Inspiration

OAKLAND (CBS) - An East Bay woman has been using her musical talents to help inner city children find their own voice. She's served the community for almost 30 years and continues to use music to inspire others.

Rosalin Pugh has made her life producing contemporary Gospel CDs and making music. With the help of her daughter Dessare, music has been a family affair and also Pugh's work.

"I teach piano, I teach organ, I teach vocal, my daughter teaches drums," Pugh said.

Thirteen years ago, Pugh started the B Sharp Academy from her home. She has helped students of all ages and circumstances experience what she calls music's gifts.

"It helps them with their self esteem and it helps them overcome fear because they're in front of people performing," Pugh said.

These needs were also in perfect harmony with the needs of families who've come into the Ariel Outreach Mission, a small woman's shelter in Oakland where Pugh has volunteered for over fifteen years.

"You can't find faithful people like that everyday," said Nadine Scott, the director of the Ariel Outreach Mission.

Scott and her sister Karla started Ariel Outreach to help families in crisis by providing beds, food and resources. They give credit to Pugh for adding another valuable gift - offering healing to families in need.

"It's piano, it's voice, its drums, its drama," Scott said. "You should see the smiles on the faces of the children as they're doing their training."

Dahlia Sorio is a client of Ariel Outreach. She said, "It really helps a lot of kids and my kids also. It teaches them how to be successful in life."

Pugh started her own business teaching music so has become a role model for the teens in the community thanks to the mission-supported entrepreneurial program she runs.

"She doesn't stop with music," Scott said. "She's helped passing out groceries. She's there passing out clothes. Whatever she can do to help somebody, she's right there."

Pugh has inspired others as teacher, role model and volunteer, but she thanked her music for carrying her along the way.

"Give them something positive to do to make them feel good about themselves and something that can carry them in life."

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