Gala

Higher Ground International | Non Profit Organization | Rhode Island > Gala

On Friday October 18th, 500 guests gathered at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in support of Higher Ground’s mission of providing life-changing services to West African immigrant, refugee, and other marginalized communities

We are thrilled to announce that together we raised over $130,000 during the Annual Cultural Gala and Village Leader Awards!

The event, emceed by German-based, Liberian-raised Michael Jentzsch, aka The Giant German Gina, celebrated the theme of “However Long the Night, The Dawn Will Break” – an African proverb reminding us that change takes time, patience, and dedication. The evening began with The Village Foodways – a medley of local food purveyors and Hope & Main makers from the African diaspora providing appetizers, followed by a seated dinner by Distinguish Catering, the 2024 Village Leader Awards, and culminating in a traditional Liberian grand march.

The evening hosted the Village Leader Awards honoring outstanding leaders in the community for their dedication and work impacting the West African immigrant and refugee community in Rhode Island. Each of these leaders live out Higher Ground’s mission of restoring dignity, empowering lives, and keeping peace.

We look forward to seeing you on October 17th, 2025, for our next Gala at the Omni Hotel in Providence (complimentary parking included)!

VIEW GALA PHOTOS!

Thank you for joining our 16th Anniversary Gala

This year’s theme was; “However Long the Night, The Dawn Will Break” – an African proverb reminding us that change takes time, patience, and dedication.

Proceeds will support Higher Ground in advocating for, empowering, and providing life-changing services to Liberians and West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities.

A celebration of West African-inspired food, music, dancing, attire, and entertainment!

VIEW GALA PHOTOS!

Led by Founder and CEO, Henrietta White-Holder, the organization will utilize event proceeds for its capital campaign, helping to complete Phase 1 of construction for its new Rukiya Center. The new location, which is over 10,000 square feet located in the West End of Providence, was purchased outright in the Fall of 2022 and is undergoing Phase 1 renovations to allow Higher Ground to move in and be fully operational at its current capacity. Over the next five years, the organization will be raising funds to renovate the remaining 7,000+ square feet and ramp up their services in order to bring the entire building to life. White-Holder’s vision for the community shines a light on currently unmet basic needs and provides hope and dignity for all those who enter the Center.

Village Leader Award Honorees 2024:

Each of these leaders live out Higher Ground’s mission of restoring dignity, empowering lives, and keeping peace. In Liberian tradition, it is said that you know a chief by what they carry in their hands.

Proceeds from the event directly support Higher Ground in advocating for, empowering, and providing life-changing services to Liberians and West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities.

VIEW GALA PHOTOS!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

SOCIAL ACTIVIST

Mitch & Luann
Edwards

THE TRIBAL CHIEFS

THE WISE ELDERS

Helena & Bill
Foulkes

THE TOWNSPEOPLE

Rhode Island Secretary of State
Gregg M. Amore

City of Providence

John & Michelle Rego

Jack Reed

THE VILLAGE SUPPORTERS

Congressman Gabe Amo

The Economic Progress Institute

Graphic Innovations

Karen A McGovern, LMT Bodyworker

Incred-A-Bowl Food Company

Barbara J. Silvis

Valerie Tutson

AV SPONSOR

You can restore DIGNITY. You can EMPOWER lives.
You can help to keep PEACE.

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    ABOUT US

    Higher Ground International is a forward-thinking and culturally grounded social impact nonprofit organization. We are dedicated to advocating for, empowering, and providing life-changing services to Liberians and West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities. We seek to restore dignity, empower lives, and keep peace through work that centers and celebrates the cultural heritage and unique individuality of those we serve.

    OUR HISTORY

    Higher Ground International was founded in 2008 by Henrietta White-Holder, a native of Liberia, to help support the vast needs of refugee arrivals who had experienced the traumas of civil war. Click Here to learn more about our History.

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