The Black Keys have opened a fund to pay tribute to the man who named the band. The Black Keys Alfred McMoore Memorial Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation honors the life of local artist and friend Alfred McMoore [pictured] who often used the term “black key,” providing inspiration for the band’s name.
The scoop:
Community Support Services, an Akron mental health agency, established the fund in June using the proceeds from a November 2009 benefit honoring McMoore, who suffered from schizophrenia and died that September at age 59. In addition to showcasing McMoore’s artwork, the benefit featured a concert by The Black Keys. In all, it raised more than $20,000 to establish the fund, which will be grown over time to permanently support the services that helped McMoore live an active and independent life.
According to agency President Terry Dalton, Community Support Services acts as a safety net for people in the Akron area who struggle with severe and persistent mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, major depression and personality disorders. The agency supports its clients by monitoring them and making sure they get the medical, psychiatric and personal care they need.
The fund will be used to nurture and unearth talents of clients like McMoore.