**A link to all Red Carpet photos is at the end of the article.

Friday, February 14, 2025 – Monroe, CT – Alliance for Community Empowerment’s 5th Annual Love Our Community Event took place on Valentine’s Day on February 14, 2025. This is the first year the event has been hosted at The Waterview in Monroe, CT. 

The sold-out event featured a red carpet experience, four-course dinner, raffle, 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 does serving the underserved in Fairfield County. Over 250 guests dressed up to support the cause and have a good time.

Dr. Monette Ferguson, Executive Director of Alliance for Community Empowerment, greeted guests as they entered the venue. After checking in, guests entered a red carpet experience with a photographer capturing everyone’s stunning cocktail attire. Then, visitors entered the grand ballroom for drinks and appetizers, auction prizes, a photo booth, and a 360-video booth while socializing with others.

After guests settled in at their assigned tables, Lamond Daniels, Board Chair of Alliance for Community Empowerment, introduced Dr. Ferguson. He said, “Love Our Community is more than just a phrase. It’s who we are: it’s about showing up, taking action, and making sure no one is left behind. The challenges are real these days, but so is our power to create change together.”

Dr. Ferguson presented the Love Our Community Award to the Willie and Sandra McBride Foundation, which former Connecticut State Senator Marilyn Moore and members of the McBride family accepted. The foundation works to improve the lives of Bridgeport’s youth by empowering them to develop leadership skills, self-sufficiency, and positive health behaviors through an after-school fencing program. 

She said of the McBride family, “When I first became Executive Director of the Alliance, one of the first people who came to see me was Mr. Willie McBride. And he didn’t just come to see what he could get; he came to see what he could do. And that is the testament of this family. For decades, they have wrapped their arms around the children and parents of this community, and they continue to do good no matter what.”

Sean McBride, Executive Director of the Sandra and Willie McBride Foundation, accepted the award and said, “This recognition holds special significance as it highlights the shared mission and unwavering dedication of organizations like ours that strive to create a brighter future for the Bridgeport community.”

Guests turned their attention to screens around the room for a special video presentation highlighting two newer programs offered by Alliance: the Financial Wellness Program, which empowers people through financial education, and the ECE Workforce Program, which trains early childhood educators.

When the video concluded, Dr. Ferguson emphasized the positive impact of these programs on people’s lives, saying, “What you saw was evidence of what happens when we stand together in love. We have to demonstrate that love with action. And these programs help us move people out of poverty into plenty.” She also happily announced that both programs will be expanding for the upcoming year. 

Rahsaan Langley of The Rahsaan Langley Project, 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 a fantastic time.

After the program concluded, dinner was served, and the celebration kicked off. Guests filled the dancefloor to celebrate and dance the night away. Many guests walked away with amazing prizes from the teacup ticket auction, which included tickets to the Bridgeport Islanders, a Dooney & Bourke tote, and more, and the silent auction, which included a 4-Day Carnival Cruise and $500 Southwest Airlines gift card and travel basket.