Monday, October 23, 2017

Youth Engagement Gala - Little Black Dress, October 20, 2017

Writing and photos by Colleen Tsoukalas

I want to begin the description of the Youth Engagement Gala, with photos of the kids because this is truly for them and about them. I met students from Templeton, Kitsilano and Magee, although there were many other schools, elementary and secondary, in Metro Vancouver, represented. Four Magee student photographers helped capture the runway looks and much more, throughout the morning. When Alpha asked for volunteers to share their public speaking skills, they did, coming up with on the spot jokes suitable for all ages. A 17 year old, Sahara, emceed the event, with Alpha and Christine. Sahara spoke about going from the protected world of home schooling to a big high school for grade 8. She felt so alone but getting involved at school, helped her to find her community. A talented vocalist and song writer, Naomi, performed at the Youth Gala as well as at the Women's Lunch. Three students, Nadia, from Burnaby Mountain Secondary, and Cindy and Mateya from Templeton Secondary, Vancouver, were awarded scholarships of $500 each to further their studies and spoke eloquently about their goals. The band, Her Brothers, are a dynamic young band of men who think a lot about their sister and send the heartfelt message that  all women should be treated with just that kind of love and respect. Karen Kobel, from Kahlena Movement Sutdio, danced a powerful solo. The Marlowe Winsor Dance Company danced on stage and down the runway. How often does a dancer look down and smile at the audience? In this case, often. The fashion show (co that followed, was a great display of where interest and training in design, performance and music might take you. This is a platform for emerging designers and established designers to show their work, free of charge. Imagine! The Designers are: Bikini Empire, Ghren, Couture Therapy, Connally McDougall, Kslam Clothing, Giovanna Ricci, Pillar Heights, Kim Legler, Julie Blaney, Miechie, Garth Asham, Yiling, Shyan Couture, AK Home and Kalau Interiors Fabric Partnership, House of Bahareh, Carolyn Bruce, Susan Harley, Chalett,  and Dasha Volokhova.

Alpha B. Kirabira, Founder/CEO/Producer of Help Change My City Alliance, and Christine Michelle, Assistant Producer/President spend a great deal of their time meeting with youth in lower mainland schools, and many other places, as they say, "wherever they are in the community". They provide mentorship and support to help young people to realize their value as positive contributors to and shapers of a flourishing, vibrant world. How this event and its impact have grown since it began in 2015 here.

The Gala events now take an entire day and evening. In the morning, is the Youth Engagement Gala, at noon, The Women's Luncheon and at night, The Little Black Dress Gala, unfolds with A VIP Dinner, Silent Auction, Photo Ops, and finally the music and dance performances and the fashion show. And, the fashion show happens, a magnificent display of creativity and craftsmanship, at all three events.

The Hotel Fairmont Vancouver was all ready for so many Little Black Dress volunteers, students, parents, teachers, photographers, performers, and all of the equipment and questions that accompanied them. Such enthusiastic greetings and helpful directions! So early in the morning, there was Marketa Newbery, Marketing and Sales, Little Black Dress Gala, already in her pearls, dressed up and setting the stage for a grand celebration of youth, so deserving of all the support we can give.
We want them to share Christine's journey: "You grown into places, you never thought you'd be." We want them to know that they also have a very important place to be, next Spring! We look forward to seeing them shine and being part of the next Little Black Dress Gala. We know that they will be part of the movement Help Change My City.


















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