[Party Pix] Inside the 9th Annual Becky’s Fund ‘Walk This Way’

Last week, domestic violence prevention nonprofit Becky’s Fund hosted its 9th annual “Walk This Way” charity fashion show at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. TV personality Tamron Hall served as emcee for the evening, which raised more than $200,000 towards the organization’s effort to end domestic abuse.

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DC-based bespoke suit brand Brimble & Clark outfitted the region’s top pro athletes, including footballers Vernon Davis and Chris Carter, D.C. United’s Steven BirnbaumKofi Opare and Sean Franklin, international goalie Bill Hamid, Washington Mystics player Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and former NFL stars Gary Clark and John Booty, among others. Female models, including WPGC’s Sunni and the City, Washington Spirits player Estelle Johnson and sports commentator Christy Winters-Scott sported dresses by DiDomenico.

WPGC's Sunni in the City hits the runway during Walk This Way Charity Fashion Show at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on October 27, 2017 (photo credit Fasil Haile)

Walk This Way benefits the Becky’s Fund’s “Men of Code” program, an initiative devoted to engaging and educating coaches and young male athletes about becoming leaders and allies in the movement to end domestic violence.

DC United players Sean Franklin - Kofi Opare - Steven Birnbaum - Bill Hamid at the Beckys Fund Walk This Way charity fashion show. Photo credit - Fasil Haile

With the heightened visibility of the #METOO campaign which has prompted women to come forward with their stories of assault and abuse, Becky’s Fund is doubling its efforts to teach young men and boys that no means no. Men of Code members from DC’s Ballou Senior High School varsity football team shared impactful and personal stories during the Walk This Way event and the funds raised during the evening will help bring the program to three new local schools in 2018.

Redskins tight end Vernon Davis hits the catwalk at this years Beckys Fund Walk This Way charity fashion show by Fasil Haile2

With the help of event chair Mark Ellington and top sponsors Pruitt Foundation, JSON ARTS, Verizon, Dr. A Brion Gardner, Alivia Franzone, Break Thru Beverage, Peroni, Samba Sol and more, guests were provided with exquisite masquerade masks to wear as an homage to the event’s theme and message: taking off the “mask” of domestic abuse everywhere.

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*Final image credit Reggie Bell, all others credit Fasil Haile