Port City’s Rip the Runway sends more students to college

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A community of fashion lovers filled CFCC’s Windell Daniels Hall on Saturday for the annual Port City’s Rip The Runway but why is this event so important to Wilmington?

“This was an answer to my prayers for a wife who dealt with a husband who’s a big personality in the community who is dealing with depression,” said Co-Founder Suprena Hickman.

Hickman is the wife of WMNX Wilmington’s 97.3 Brandon “Bigg B” Hickman. Nine years ago, Bigg B’s mother suddenly passed.

Hickman says it was difficult to watch her husband go through it but, this show changed the face of his pain.

“You have to find some inner something that you can celebrate the person you are missing,” said Bigg B. “…and our thing was ‘Rip the Runway’ so we’re able to celebrate my mom once a year.”

He says his mother was a fashionista. The family all agreeing that this event is a perfect way to celebrate the life of Lillie Ann Heggins. It’s a mix of their philanthropic and entertaining skills.

“We’re using our natural gifts that we do,” said Hickman. “We always inspire and impact people, naturally and so, we are pushing a movement and also healing in the process.”

Bigg B says his mother was an educator for over 40 years. This year outstanding educators from across the Cape Fear were recognized.

“Our excellence in education is way greater than our color,” said Bigg B. “It’s just what we want to do and there’s some people who are dedicated to that.”

At the end of the night,  it’s not just glitz and glamour. Port City’s Rip the Runway funds excelling high school students from the region.

If you’d like to donate to the scholarship fund, check out their website at http://betterispossible.org/port-city-rip-the-runway/.