The 4th Annual Gatsby Showcase Foundation Awards Gala Honors Changemakers, Offers Call to Action

In its fourth year, the Gatsby Showcase Foundation Awards Gala has become a highly anticipated event for D.C.-area residents to don stunning black tie, watch models strut their stuff on the runway to the latest fashions, and honor those working toward equity through the arts, media, business and social and political advocacy. 

While the event is a classy, fun-filled celebration, this year’s event, held at the Organization of the United States in Northwest D.C. on Dec. 14, offered more than just entertainment, but a call to action to support Black businesses and work to help others and combat inequities.

“We cannot expect other people to solve our problems or lift us up, or change the narrative. That’s our responsibility,” said Cathy Hughes, founder and chairman of Radio One/Urban One and one of the awardees of the evening.  

In her acceptance speech, Hughes challenged Black Americans to work toward addressing issues not only in the United States, but in Africa, where she encourages visiting, connecting and collaborating with people, and finding ways to help and empower others– a notion that aligns with the mission of the Gatsby Awards.

Featuring musical performances from Grammy-nominated singer Raheem DeVaughn,  opera singer Aria Austin and harpist Anna Elsworth, runway shows from JL Michael’s Custom Clothiers and Jody Davis, and art by Reggie Gillumo, the evening was a party with a purpose. The event raises funds to support several causes that Dr. Bertrand and Laura Fote — the husband and wife duo behind the Gatsby Showcase Foundation and annual awards — have been working to address.

“We’ve seen the positive impact and the smiles that [the awards and our work] put on people’s faces — especially the kids,” said Laura Fote. “This year we gave out 46 scholarships to marginalized groups, we’ve also helped businesses import their stuff at reduced costs, and their businesses are thriving, the kids are thriving through the scholarship. We have to keep going and we have to make sure that we’re making a difference.”

Dr. Fote also said combating challenges in health care was a major part of the foundation’s mission.

“We’re trying to narrow that disparity in health care. The underserved communities are the ones that suffer the most, [and] as a physician, that’s near and dear to my heart. So we’re doing a lot to try to see how we can educate, how we can get access,” Dr. Fote told The Informer.

The event highlighted others working toward similar causes, including Hughes; Cora Masters Barry, former D.C. first lady and founder and CEO of the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center; Ron Busby, president and CEO of U.S. Black Chambers Inc.; Melanie Campbell, resident and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; actor, comedian, producer and Steve Harvey Morning Show co-host Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles; Edie Fraser, chair and founder of Women Business Collaborative,” and Christina Cherry, chair of Cherry Luxe Properties, LLC.

Busby told The Informer it was an honor to be celebrated, but that the work he’s doing to support Black businesses and communities never stops.  He hopes his work can be an inspiration for others to do the same.

“I always feel like we celebrate each other and we celebrate those people that are doing amazing things, but we cannot lose focus of what we do on a day-to-day basis… It is a priority for me to move our communities, families, and businesses forward,” Busby explained. “We all have to make sure that we’re doing the work.”

He encouraged all those in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area to make an intentional effort to support Black-owned businesses, not only during the holiday season but year-round.

The Fotes also offered a call to action for those in the Washington area and beyond.

“If you are blessed, God blesses you so you can be a blessing to others,” Laura Fote told The Informer.

Her husband emphasized the importance of giving back.

“Every single person can make a difference,” Dr. Fote said. “You can make a difference by doing your part, by working together with other people, and by supporting organizations like ours that have a platform to make that difference.”

This post was originally published on this site