Event poster for the 2026 Cultural Gala and Village Leader Awards, featuring a blue and patterned background, with details about tickets, date, time, and location in Lincoln, R.I.
Group of diverse people holding hands and dancing at a social gathering in a banquet hall with wooden floors and purple lighting.

Join us as we celebrate Higher Ground International with West African-inspired food, music, dancing, attire, and entertainment!

This year’s event theme is “Rooted in Resilience, Lifted in Joy.” When we honor and celebrate our joy, we lift up those around us and stand strong in the resilience ingrained by our history and ancestors. 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.

Event Details

Cultural Gala & Village Leaders Awards

Friday, October 9, 2026 | 6:00 PM

Bally’s Twin River Casino, Lincoln, RI

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Evening Program
6:00 PM
Cocktail Hour
7:00 PM
Welcome • Fund-a-Need • Seated Dinner
8:00 PM
Village Leader Awards
9:00 PM
Grand March & Dancing
A woman with short black hair, wearing a teal dress, stands at a podium with a microphone, smiling and raising her hands. Beside her, another woman with glasses and brown hair, dressed in a beige blazer, appears to be speaking into a microphone. The
Two women standing side by side, smiling at the camera. One woman is wearing a navy blue lace dress, and the other is dressed in traditional orange and white African attire with an elaborate headwrap. The background features patterned curtains, green
Group of five people standing indoors, dressed in formal attire, posing for a photo.
A group of people at an indoor event, with a woman dressed in a vibrant orange and white traditional African attire and headwrap, standing next to a man in casual clothing. The background shows other attendees and colorful lighting.
A band performing on stage with various musical instruments, decorated with plants and colorful fabrics.
People dancing and holding hands in a circle at a celebration inside a decorated event hall.
A woman in a strapless, colorful patterned dress and beaded jewelry standing at a bar counter with glasses, while three men, one holding a camera, are behind her in a room with white walls and open double doors.
Three women standing together at an indoor event, smiling at the camera. The woman on the left is wearing a blue traditional dress with white embroidery, the woman in the middle has black braids, glasses, and is dressed in black, and the woman on the
People dancing and socializing at a festive indoor event with decorative string lights and draped fabric ceiling.
Group of people attending an indoor event, dressed in colorful traditional and formal attire, with some dancing and socializing.
A woman with glasses and earrings speaking into a microphone at a podium with a colorful maple leaf and bird logo, in front of a backdrop with patterned curtains, in a setting labeled as the Higher Ground International.
A group of women standing in a line at an indoor event, some with their hands on each other's shoulders, appearing to be dancing or participating in an activity. The background features colorful lighting and decorated tables.
Three women posing together at an indoor event with a colorful patterned carpet and a stage with black curtains in the background. The woman in the center wears an orange and white traditional dress with a matching headwrap, the woman on the right we
A priest wearing glasses and a black clerical shirt with a white collar is speaking into a microphone while seated at a glass table. There are plants and a blurred background behind him.
Two women posing together in front of a backdrop with green tropical leaves and African map logos, at an event for Higher Ground International. One woman is wearing a long blue dress with floral embroidery, and the other is wearing a colorful pattern
Two women dancing together at a celebration, dressed in vibrant colorful traditional African attire. The woman on the right is wearing a yellow dress with red and black patterns and a matching headwrap, while the woman on the left is wearing a blue a
Two women dressed in vibrant traditional African attire, smiling and posing for a photo at an indoor event with lush greenery in the background.
A man in a suit and tie standing behind a transparent podium with greenery at the base, speaking at an event with a sign reading 'Higher Ground International.' The background has black curtains and stage equipment.
A joyful woman in a silver dress is dancing at a lively indoor event with many other women in colorful dresses, some with traditional African patterns, and a DJ is playing music in the background.
Two individuals, one male and one female, standing behind a clear podium with a flower and plants in front of it, speaking into handheld microphones during a formal event. The backdrop has colorful drapes and a drum set is visible behind them.
Chachi Carvalho
Edward Brady
Sandra Cano

Village Leader Award Honorees 2026

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.

Carolyn E. Belisle
Lisa Pina-Warren
Linda Finn
 Tracey G. Wiley
The Policy and Impact Team at UWRI

Join the Celebration

Your ticket does more than grant admission—it helps empower Liberians, West African immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities through advocacy, education, and life-changing services.

Come celebrate with purpose. We can't wait to welcome you!

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Thank you to our sponsors

Social Activists

Logo of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, featuring a blue cross, a shield with a dollar sign and snake, and black text.
Brightstar logo with blue star inside a circle and the word 'BRIGHTSTAR' in blue capital letters.

Mitch & Luann Edwards

Graphic of a blue square with rounded corners and a green checkmark overlapping the right edge

Linda & John Finn

The Tribal Chiefs

The image features a logo with the text 'Socially Professional' in a stylized font, with a dark blue background and white and purple lettering.

The Wise Elders

Stylized teal logo with the word 'Amie' in cursive font.
Logo for Bank Newport featuring a stylized marsh grass and water, with the company name in blue

Buff Chace

Logo for Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island featuring a stylized green heart symbol and black and green text.
The image features the logo of RGC - a chest logo with a stylized American eagle in white, red, and blue, alongside the text 'RGC architechts' in white on a dark blue background.

The Townspeople

Charis logo with stylized arrow shapes pointing upward and the word 'CHARIS' beneath.
Logo of The Foundation for West Africa, featuring a green map of Africa on a blue background with the initials 'fwa' in yellow, blue, and orange text beside it.

John & Michelle Rego

U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo

Rhode Island Secretary of State, Gregg Amore

Become A Sponsor

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.