Black Lives Matter Seacoast to host third annual gala: Who's speaking, how to get tickets
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DOVER — Black Lives Matter Seacoast is inviting the community to its third annual gala celebrating a night of Black excellence Saturday, Oct. 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Rivermill at Dover Landing.
The keynote speaker will be Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, PhD, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy and core faculty in women’s and gender studies at the University of New Hampshire and a columnist for New Scientist and Physics World. Nature recognized her as one of 10 people who shaped science in 2020, and Essence magazine has recognized her as one of its "15 Black Women Who Are Paving the Way in STEM and Breaking Barriers.” A co-founder of Particles for Justice, she received the 2017 LGBT+ Physicists Acknowledgement of Excellence Award for her contributions to improving conditions for marginalized people in physics and the 2021 American Physical Society Edward A. Bouchet Award for her contributions to particle cosmology.
Her first book, "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred," won the 2021 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the science and technology category and was named a Best Book of 2021 by Publishers Weekly, Smithsonian Magazine and Kirkus.
Gala will have performers, too
The featured performer for the night will Adrienne Mack-Davis, a classically trained singer/songwriter originally from Rochester, New York. She has traveled the world, performing over 1,200 live shows both nationally and internationally opening and collaborating with the likes of Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Rhakim, Red Man, Pharoah Monch, Hannibal Burress, Homeboy Sandman, Swiss Beats and KRS One and has been a featured artist on various major national festivals like SXSW and A3C. Her music is described as hard-hitting soul and R&B melodies fused with infectious hip hop and dance instrumentals.
The second performer is Anthony Bounphakhom and The Block Collaborative. Bounphakhom is known for healing artistry, the love he expresses through his craft and founder/owner of The Block Collaborative, an art and dance studio in Portsmouth.
Doug York of Exeter, who is the owner of 7North Coffee Co., will be behind the turntables. Najee Brown, creator of New England’s first BIPOC theater company, Theater for the People, will be the master of ceremonies.
The dinner will be prepared by Chris Viaud, the chef and owner of Greenleaf and Ansanm, both located in Milford, New Hampshire. Viaud is a James Beard Award semifinalist and most recently known for competing on Season 18 of "Top Chef."
Various desserts will be provided by Viaud and A Southern Girl Bakery. Decor of the Gala is provided by Jewel Reid Decor Company.
A silent art auction will feature creations from various local Black artists.
Black Lives Matter Seacoast event serves as fundraiser
“This gala is our way to celebrate our people, our joy, and our excellence,” Tanisha Johnson and Clifton West, the founders of BLM Seacoast, said in a prepared statement. “The mission of Black Lives Matter Seacoast is to empower, nurture and uplift the Black community. Through our mutual aid fund, we have distributed over $50,000 in monetary donations to Black and Brown families in Strafford and Rockingham Counties of New Hampshire, Essex County of Massachusetts, and York County of Maine in the past year. The gala is a time where we can come together as a community and support our valuable fund.”
Last year's gala raised $30,000, according to organizers.
This event is currently sponsored by the following organizations and businesses with more sponsors to be announced in the future.
Gold sponsors: Kennebunk Savings Bank, SOS Recovery Organization
Silver sponsors: Job Talk LLC, Exeter Hospital, New Hampshire Youth Movement, 350 New Hampshire.
Supporter sponsors: Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire, D.F. Richard, Cup of Joe, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County
In-kind donors: Sassy Biscuit, 7North Coffee Co.
Gala tickets and updates
A ticket to the event includes coffee and tea, access to a bar with specialized wine and beer, appetizers, dinner and desserts. Formal attire is required.
Tickets can be purchased at blmseacoast.com/gala, where updates on the event will be posted.
There are a limited amount of tickets available for those with financial hardship and for Black, Brown and Indigenous college students, both undergraduate and graduate, to attend the gala. If you would like to attend but cannot afford a ticket at this time or to get a student ticket, email info@blmseacoast.com.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Black Lives Matter Seacoast to host third annual gala in 2022
