**A link to all Red Carpet photos is at the end of the article.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 – Westport, CT – Alliance for Community Empowerment’s 3rd Annual Love Our Community Event, Celebrating Hope in Action took place on February 10, 2023, at the Inn at Longshore in Westport, CT. In attendance was M&T Bank Senior Vice President, Head of Multicultural Banking & Diverse Market Strategy, Business & Professional Banking Regional Manager for Fairfield County & Southern CT, David Femi, Housatonic Community College CEO, Dr. Dwayne Smith, among many more community partners of Alliance.
The sold-out event featured a red-carpet experience, silent auction, dancing to the sounds of The Rahsaan Langley Project, and a video presentation, all to support the important work Alliance for Community Empowerment offers across Fairfield County. Over 250 guests came dressed up and ready to support the cause and have a good time.
As guests entered the venue, they were greeted by Dr. Monette Ferguson, Executive Director of Alliance for Community Empowerment, with her husband Larry Ferguson. After registering, the red-carpet experience starts with photographer snapping shots of everyone’s stunning cocktail attire and then guests enter the grand ballroom for drinks and appetizers while socializing before they venture into the adjacent room full of amazing auction prizes, a photo booth, and a 360-video booth.
Rahsaan Langley, of the The Rahsaan Langley Project, also a CT based artist and producer for some of the biggest names in R&B and Hip-Hop, performed throughout the night while also adding fun quips as emcee and hyping up the attendees for an amazing time.
“Tonight, is the night we all do something special,” exclaimed Dr. Ferguson as she takes to the mic and kicks off the night’s festivities. “This is just a fraction of a great group of individuals that LOVE our community.”
Attention was then turned to a video showcasing clients and staff of Alliance describing the positive impact the organization has had on their lives, families, and their communities. The video directed by Emmy Award winning producer, Frank Borres, touched on clients of Early Learning, Energy Assistance, and the various Supportive Services provided throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut.
“This is such an amazing organization and I thank you for taking the time to support us this evening,” remarked Sharon Skyer-Jenkins, Boardchair of the Alliance Board of Directors. “The sole mandate of Alliance is to assist the underserved and we can’t do it with you, we can’t do it without the support of our community and partners.”
Following the Alliance program videos, the first ever ‘Love Our Community Award’ was presented to TV & Movie star, Michael Jai White, with a recording of him accepting the award and wishing he could be there, but due to filming schedules, was unable to show his love in person.
“Bridgeport provided me the diversity, balance, and the strength that it took for me to succeed, and I want to provide that to others.”
—explained Michael Jai White.
After the award presentation, dinner was served and then the celebration was able to really take off. The dance floor soon became filled with people dancing to the soulful sounds coming from The Rahsaan Langley Project. Eventually the floor turned into a huge line dance with everyone coming together to create something beautiful, much like the reason why everyone was together celebrating Alliance’s accomplishments.
For the event page and digital program book, please click here.
For all photos from the event, please click here.
To watch the YouTube video, please click here.
For an Instagram Reel, please please click here.
Once again, thank you to all our generous sponsors and supporters of Alliance for Community Empowerment.
