RENO – Local singers, poets and dancers gathered at the Sibayan Youth Center in Reno to showcase their talents on Saturday. 

The Martin Luther King Jr. talent show, hosted by the Reno-Sparks NAACP youth group, raised money for the group.

The winners in each age group were awarded cash prizes for their performances. The show began with 7-year-old Tevein Porter. Singing Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There,” Porter belted out notes in a voice that rivaled Jackson’s, warranting a standing ovation.

Porter’s musical skills weren’t limited to singing, though. He came back on the stage to pound out a drum solo as well.

“I’ll have to get his autograph now before he’s famous,” Reno resident and audience member Ellen Remiere said.  “This is great because it gives these kids a chance to show off their talents and it gives the (NAACP youth) group a chance to raise some money.”

There were 13 acts in total, ranging from a performance by the Reed High School dance team to singing duets.

“I would guess that the duet will win,” Reno resident Darren Borden said. 

The R&B duet was sung by 17-year-old Trey-van Wrights of Hug High School and 16-year-old Aliyah Wrights of Reed High School. 

Alto clarinetist and another crowd favorite, Emmanuel Williams, began the show with the national anthem and also played "Amazing Grace" during the show. 

Money raised by the show will help fund other events hosted by the organization.

“During the summer, we had our Back to School, Stay in School fair,” NAACP youth president Jamilah Shepard said.

The organization currently has 38 members.

“We didn’t really know what to expect, but more people came than we expected,” Shepard said.

For more information about NAACP in Reno and Sparks, visit www.renosparksnaacp.org.