Over 200 members, guests, and partners joined us for our Partnership Appreciation Event on July 1. The event was held at the Quartyard downtown and featured “The Buses Are Coming” an exhibit curated by the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art (SDAAMFA) honoring the 1961 Freedom Riders. Gaidi Finnie, Executive Director of SDAAMFA, offered guests a moving introduction to the museum exhibit. Following Gaidi’s welcome, Chinyeh Hostler presented the Ambassador Charles Hostler Partner of the Year Award to the SDSU Wendy Gillespie Center for Advancing Global Business. This award recognizes the Wendy Gillespie Center’s important work promoting dialogue and connecting academia with international commerce, as well as their strong partnership with the San Diego Diplomacy Council and commitment to supporting San Diego youth interested in international business and affairs. Delicious (or self-described “dank-ass”) vegan food was served by Rollin’ Roots, and cocktails were flowing. As the sun set, Lenny “Fuzzy” Rankins and his band kicked off, and the dance floor immediately filled. Guests of all ages swung each other around while a dance train spontaneously took shape.
Our team left with full hearts and sincere gratitude to all of our guests, including our members and donors (old and new), our partners who host our visitors for dinners, meetings, and fellowships, our board members, staff, and interns, and our international visitors. We have many people and groups to thank for their vital roles in this event: Gaidi Finnie and the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts for serving as the anchor of the entire event, the Quartyard for being a terrific venue to work with, Rollin’ Roots for the delicious food, Lenny “Fuzzy” Rankins for filling the dance floor (you were incredible!), those who helped to sponsor our event including Global Ties U.S., Leslie Bassett, Fern Nelson (who was also the original visionary for the event), and Jill Schillinger, and finally our members and partners for whom the event was created to thank and honor. Our work of connecting San Diego to the world would not be possible without our strong network of members and partners.
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