Feb
14
Wed
Mervis Diamonds Valentine Giveaway @ Mervis Diamond Importers
Feb 14 @ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MERVIS DIAMOND VALENTINE’S DAY GIVEAWAYJoin Paul Wharton and Sarah Fraser from the Hey Frase Podcast for a fabulous night of Valentine’s Day shopping, book signing, and someone is WINNING diamond studs from Mervis!

Need the perfect Valentine’s Day gift!? We got you. Buy your boo diamond studs starting at $400, gorgeous bangles, and timeless rose gold necklaces for the most romantic day of the year.

Paul Wharton will be doing an exclusive book signing of his NEW book “Pulling It All Together!” Don’t miss this fun night.

Cocktails and light appetizers will be served. We can’t wait to see you!

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Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:

Friday, February 9, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EST)

Mervis Diamond Importers
1700 K Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20006

Feb
22
Thu
NOVA BOSSA Pop-Up @ Union Market
Feb 22 @ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Union Market will get a little taste of Brazil when internationally inspired lifestyle brand NOVA BOSSA pops up at the thriving retail and culinary district.

Offering art and photography, bain couture, books, women’s clothing, handbags, home decór, jewelry and scarves, the NOVA BOSSA pop-up will feature a wide selection of globally sourced items from international designers, including Adriana Degreas, Artiz, Catarina Mina, Cecilia Prado, Mercedes Salazar, Mola Sasa, Paula Mendoza Jewelry, Scarf Me, Wymann Rio and more.

From intricately handmade bags to 24-carat gold-plated statement jewelry to colorful baskets from the Amazon, NOVA BOSSA’s assortment of luxury-leaning goods orbit around founder and CEO Carolina Furukrona’s passions for travel, design and entertaining.

She launched NOVA BOSSA last year following 100 international adventures and a business certification from Harvard, in an effort to both pay homage to her São Paulo roots and enable top lifestyle brands — especially by women designers and artisans — from her native Brazil and other emerging markets to go global.

“NOVA BOSSA is delighted to celebrate our one-year anniversary by partnering with Union Market DC for this pop-up,” Furukrona says. “We believe that Union Market’s focus on culture and commerce, on showcasing the very best new businesses in the region, and on serving a dynamic and diverse clientele makes this a unique opportunity for our brand. We are excited to showcase rising international women designers − most of which have never before been available in the United States or the D.C. region – and to prove that the creativity, craftsmanship and design emanating from places like Brazil can be just as good, if not better, than what’s coming out of Europe. After spending so much time abroad I feel D.C. is lacking some bossa, so it’s an honor to present new products that can give a daring and fresh update to the wardrobes and homes of our great city.”

As home base for 40+ award-winning restaurant and retail concepts, northeast D.C.’s thriving Union Market District continues to grow its reputation as a brand incubator, giving small businesses the solid footing they need to get to the next level.

The NOVA BOSSA pop-up launches February 22, and will operate as follows:

  • Thursday, February 2211a-8pm
  • Friday, February 23: 11a-8pm
  • Saturday, February 24: 10a-8pm
  • Sunday, February 2510a-8pm
Feb
23
Fri
NOVA BOSSA Pop-Up @ Union Market
Feb 23 @ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Union Market will get a little taste of Brazil when internationally inspired lifestyle brand NOVA BOSSA pops up at the thriving retail and culinary district.

Offering art and photography, bain couture, books, women’s clothing, handbags, home decór, jewelry and scarves, the NOVA BOSSA pop-up will feature a wide selection of globally sourced items from international designers, including Adriana Degreas, Artiz, Catarina Mina, Cecilia Prado, Mercedes Salazar, Mola Sasa, Paula Mendoza Jewelry, Scarf Me, Wymann Rio and more.

From intricately handmade bags to 24-carat gold-plated statement jewelry to colorful baskets from the Amazon, NOVA BOSSA’s assortment of luxury-leaning goods orbit around founder and CEO Carolina Furukrona’s passions for travel, design and entertaining.

She launched NOVA BOSSA last year following 100 international adventures and a business certification from Harvard, in an effort to both pay homage to her São Paulo roots and enable top lifestyle brands — especially by women designers and artisans — from her native Brazil and other emerging markets to go global.

“NOVA BOSSA is delighted to celebrate our one-year anniversary by partnering with Union Market DC for this pop-up,” Furukrona says. “We believe that Union Market’s focus on culture and commerce, on showcasing the very best new businesses in the region, and on serving a dynamic and diverse clientele makes this a unique opportunity for our brand. We are excited to showcase rising international women designers − most of which have never before been available in the United States or the D.C. region – and to prove that the creativity, craftsmanship and design emanating from places like Brazil can be just as good, if not better, than what’s coming out of Europe. After spending so much time abroad I feel D.C. is lacking some bossa, so it’s an honor to present new products that can give a daring and fresh update to the wardrobes and homes of our great city.”

As home base for 40+ award-winning restaurant and retail concepts, northeast D.C.’s thriving Union Market District continues to grow its reputation as a brand incubator, giving small businesses the solid footing they need to get to the next level.

The NOVA BOSSA pop-up launches February 22, and will operate as follows:

  • Thursday, February 2211a-8pm
  • Friday, February 23: 11a-8pm
  • Saturday, February 24: 10a-8pm
  • Sunday, February 2510a-8pm
Feb
24
Sat
NOVA BOSSA Pop-Up @ Union Market
Feb 24 @ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Union Market will get a little taste of Brazil when internationally inspired lifestyle brand NOVA BOSSA pops up at the thriving retail and culinary district.

Offering art and photography, bain couture, books, women’s clothing, handbags, home decór, jewelry and scarves, the NOVA BOSSA pop-up will feature a wide selection of globally sourced items from international designers, including Adriana Degreas, Artiz, Catarina Mina, Cecilia Prado, Mercedes Salazar, Mola Sasa, Paula Mendoza Jewelry, Scarf Me, Wymann Rio and more.

From intricately handmade bags to 24-carat gold-plated statement jewelry to colorful baskets from the Amazon, NOVA BOSSA’s assortment of luxury-leaning goods orbit around founder and CEO Carolina Furukrona’s passions for travel, design and entertaining.

She launched NOVA BOSSA last year following 100 international adventures and a business certification from Harvard, in an effort to both pay homage to her São Paulo roots and enable top lifestyle brands — especially by women designers and artisans — from her native Brazil and other emerging markets to go global.

“NOVA BOSSA is delighted to celebrate our one-year anniversary by partnering with Union Market DC for this pop-up,” Furukrona says. “We believe that Union Market’s focus on culture and commerce, on showcasing the very best new businesses in the region, and on serving a dynamic and diverse clientele makes this a unique opportunity for our brand. We are excited to showcase rising international women designers − most of which have never before been available in the United States or the D.C. region – and to prove that the creativity, craftsmanship and design emanating from places like Brazil can be just as good, if not better, than what’s coming out of Europe. After spending so much time abroad I feel D.C. is lacking some bossa, so it’s an honor to present new products that can give a daring and fresh update to the wardrobes and homes of our great city.”

As home base for 40+ award-winning restaurant and retail concepts, northeast D.C.’s thriving Union Market District continues to grow its reputation as a brand incubator, giving small businesses the solid footing they need to get to the next level.

The NOVA BOSSA pop-up launches February 22, and will operate as follows:

  • Thursday, February 2211a-8pm
  • Friday, February 23: 11a-8pm
  • Saturday, February 24: 10a-8pm
  • Sunday, February 2510a-8pm
Feb
25
Sun
NOVA BOSSA Pop-Up @ Union Market
Feb 25 @ 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Union Market will get a little taste of Brazil when internationally inspired lifestyle brand NOVA BOSSA pops up at the thriving retail and culinary district.

Offering art and photography, bain couture, books, women’s clothing, handbags, home decór, jewelry and scarves, the NOVA BOSSA pop-up will feature a wide selection of globally sourced items from international designers, including Adriana Degreas, Artiz, Catarina Mina, Cecilia Prado, Mercedes Salazar, Mola Sasa, Paula Mendoza Jewelry, Scarf Me, Wymann Rio and more.

From intricately handmade bags to 24-carat gold-plated statement jewelry to colorful baskets from the Amazon, NOVA BOSSA’s assortment of luxury-leaning goods orbit around founder and CEO Carolina Furukrona’s passions for travel, design and entertaining.

She launched NOVA BOSSA last year following 100 international adventures and a business certification from Harvard, in an effort to both pay homage to her São Paulo roots and enable top lifestyle brands — especially by women designers and artisans — from her native Brazil and other emerging markets to go global.

“NOVA BOSSA is delighted to celebrate our one-year anniversary by partnering with Union Market DC for this pop-up,” Furukrona says. “We believe that Union Market’s focus on culture and commerce, on showcasing the very best new businesses in the region, and on serving a dynamic and diverse clientele makes this a unique opportunity for our brand. We are excited to showcase rising international women designers − most of which have never before been available in the United States or the D.C. region – and to prove that the creativity, craftsmanship and design emanating from places like Brazil can be just as good, if not better, than what’s coming out of Europe. After spending so much time abroad I feel D.C. is lacking some bossa, so it’s an honor to present new products that can give a daring and fresh update to the wardrobes and homes of our great city.”

As home base for 40+ award-winning restaurant and retail concepts, northeast D.C.’s thriving Union Market District continues to grow its reputation as a brand incubator, giving small businesses the solid footing they need to get to the next level.

The NOVA BOSSA pop-up launches February 22, and will operate as follows:

  • Thursday, February 2211a-8pm
  • Friday, February 23: 11a-8pm
  • Saturday, February 24: 10a-8pm
  • Sunday, February 2510a-8pm
Mar
10
Sat
Leukemia Ball @ Washington Convention Center
Mar 10 @ 6:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Celebrating more than three decades as one of the Washington area’s most prominent charity events, the Leukemia Ball is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The event is dedicated to raising money for life-saving cancer research and patient programs funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Since the first Leukemia Ball in 1988, the event has raised nearly $60 million toward finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and efforts to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

 

Guests at the 2018 gala will enjoy entertainment from Grammy Award nominee, bestselling author, radio host, and comedian Jeff Foxworthy, known best for his blue-collar humor and comedic storytelling style that has been compared to Mark Twain’s. In addition to hosting numerous television programs including the FOX game show “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader” and the CBS reality series “The American Baking Competition,” Foxworthy has his own comedy channel, “Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup” on SIRIUSXM, showcasing some of the best in American comedy.

The crowd will also dance the night away to the sounds of Phil Vassar, one of only a handful of musicians to have multiple hits as a songwriter and as an artist. His country chart toppers include “Just Another Day in Paradise”, “Carlene”, “Six Pack Summer”, and others performed by Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, and Jodee Messina.

 

“LLS is changing the landscape of cancer research now more than ever, as the FDA has approved 13 new blood cancer treatments in 2017. LLS has supported nearly all of them,” said Beth Gorman, National Capital Area Chapter Executive Director. “Fundraising events such as the Leukemia Ball make that research possible, are critical to raising awareness, and directly impact the lives of blood cancer patients everywhere.”

 

The 2018 Leukemia Ball is co-chaired by Rob Copito, Vice Chairman, CBRE, Inc., and David DiLuigi, Market President, Greater Washington & Central Virginia for Wilmington Trust, N.A. They lead an esteemed volunteer Executive Committee of more than 45 high-ranking executives representing major organizations across the Washington, D.C. area who volunteer their time and efforts to create a memorable evening and raise millions of dollars in support of LLS’s mission.

 

Seventy-four cents of every dollar spent by LLS funds its mission, and LLS’s commitment to funding innovative research projects has contributed to an unprecedented rise in survival rates over recent years. For example, today, the five-year survival rate for the most common form of childhood leukemia is more than 90 percent, up from 3 percent in 1964.

 

“LLS has been on the forefront of advances in blood cancer treatment since 1949, with nearly 40 percent of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA since 2000 first approved to treat blood cancers,” said Copito. “However, the fight is not over. Nearly one-third of all blood cancer patients still do not survive five years past diagnosis. As 2018 Leukemia Ball Co-Chairs, Dave DiLuigi and I are honored to lead the charge as we aim to raise $3.2 million for this very important cause.”

 

In addition to top-notch entertainment, the Leukemia Ball also features an unparalleled silent auction and Mercedes-Benz raffle. The silent auction, which raised nearly $250,000 in 2017, is one of the area’s largest, featuring a variety of travel packages courtesy of hotel partners and the Official Airline of the Leukemia Ball, American Airlines. The Mercedes-Benz raffle features a grand prize of a 2018 GLC300 Coupe 4Matic Sedan (MSRP $46,600) and a first prize of 2 spots at AMG Driving Academy at Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas, CA including hotel and airfare (Value: $6,300).  Tickets are $100, and only 5,000 are printed.

Mar
15
Thu
FGI DC Cocktails & Conversation @ Chicken & Whiskey
Mar 15 @ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Cocktails & Conversation – Spring 2018

Come welcome our new board members & network the DC’s fashion and beauty influencers

Monette Corrigan

Retail Director, Tiny Jewel Box


Barnette Holston

Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger, The DCFashion Foo

Joy Kingsley-Ibeh

Founder, Kingsley Model + Talent Management


Baille Gelwicks
Founder, Cadence Event Planning

Chicken + Whiskey

1738 14th St NW, Washington DC

Thursday, March 15, 2018

6:30pm – 8:30pm

FGIDC Members: Free/Non-Members: $10
* Membership will be validated

Apr
17
Tue
Impact of Advertising Workshop @ Canvas
Apr 17 @ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Purchase your ticket today to secure your spot at FGIDC’s next workshop, Impact of Advertising. Set up your brand for success with the newest, most impactful advertising tools.

Panelists:
Kerri Larkin, Director of Marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue
Stephanie David, Founder of POPNOD

Moderator: Jen Walawender, Media Buyer/Planner at JRA Advertising Agency

Date: April 17, 2018
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Location: Canvas
1203 19th Street NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20036

FGIDC Members – $15
Non-Members – $25
At the Door – $30

Apr
18
Wed
America’s Promise Gala @ Newseum
Apr 18 @ 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest network dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth, will honor six exceptional leaders with its Promise of America and Promise Hero Awards on April 18.  The awards will be presented by General Colin Powell and Alma Powell, the founding chair and chair of America’s Promise, at the fourth annual Promise Night Gala which will be held at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

The Promise of America award, the organization’s highest honor, recognizes extraordinary individuals who have made an exceptional difference in the lives of young people and, through their work, have demonstrated the power of the Five Promises – caring adults, safe places, a healthy and safe start, an effective education, and opportunities to serve – to change the odds, transform lives, and build positive futures.

“Our honorees are extraordinary leaders, working diligently to make the promise of America real for every child,” said Alma J. Powell, chair, America’s Promise. “As we enter our third decade of work on behalf of young people in this country, these individuals remind us of the impact we can have if we use our time, talents and influence to make life better for the next generation.”

“Promise Night is an opportunity for us to celebrate the successes of our honorees while being inspired by their community and national impact,” said John Gomperts, president & CEO of America’s Promise. “Their commitment to the advancement of young people is essential to keeping youth on the path to adult success. America’s Promise is proud to recognize such a dedicated group.”

2018 Promise of America Honorees

  • Katherine and David Bradley are co-founders of the CityBridge Foundation, a private family foundation based in Washington, D.C. In 2000, CityBridge began investigating successful practices for combating entrenched, multigenerational poverty—all with the intention of launching a new, signature program in Washington, D.C. CityBridge Education, a nonprofit enterprise dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for all children, was launched out of CityBridge Foundation as an education incubator that seeks out the teachers, leaders, and school teams with the ideas and the drive to create new, better models of school in Washington, D.C.
  • Dr. Michael Lomax is president and CEO of UNCF, the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships and other educational support to African American students and a leading advocate of college readiness: students’ need for an education, from pre-school through high school, that prepares them for college success. Under his leadership, UNCF has raised more than $2.5 billion and helped more than 92,000 students earn college degrees and launch careers.
  • Sondra Samuels is the president & CEO of Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), a collaborative of over 40 partner non-profits and schools. Along with parents, students, partners, and staff, Ms. Samuels is leading a revolutionary culture shift in North Minneapolis that is focused on ending multigenerational poverty through education and family stability. The NAZ collaborative is working toward a single goal—to prepare low-income North Minneapolis children to graduate from high school college and career-ready.
  • Jeff Weiner is the CEO of LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network with more than 546 million users in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Under his leadership, LinkedIn for Good has reached more than 1 million underserved youth, veterans, refugees, employees and nonprofits, connecting them to greater economic opportunities. Most recently, they’ve introduced LinkedIn Coaches, their signature program to connect underserved young adults and other underrepresented communities to the mentors, networks, and jobs they need to succeed.

2018 Promise Hero Honoree

In addition, this year America’s Promise will also recognize one individual who has made a sustained commitment and unheralded contributions to young people.

  • Dr. Wintley Phipps is founder and CEO of US Dream Academy, an organization dedicated to helping  the nation’s children reach for their dreams through academic, social, and values enrichment; empowering young people most at risk of incarceration to believe in themselves and to succeed.  In addition to his role with the US Dream Academy, Dr. Phipps is a world-renowned vocal artist, education activist, motivational speaker, pastor.  For his work at the U.S. Dream Academy he has received numerous service awards, among them: The Excellence in Mentoring for Program Leadership Award from MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnerships; the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network Use Your Life Award; and Philanthropist of the Year Award from The National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc.

Last year’s Promise of America Award recipients included Kenneth I. Chenault, former chairman and CEO of American Express Company; Common, hip-hop artist, actor, and founder of the Common Ground Foundation; Arne Duncan, managing partner of Emerson Collective; Bryan Stevenson, executive director of Equal Justice Initiative; and Dorothy Stoneman, founder of YouthBuild.

In 2017, the Promise Hero Award was given to singer and songwriter Andra Day, and New England Patriot Malcolm Mitchell.

The title sponsor for the 2018 Promise Night Gala is the Ford Foundation. This year’s platinum sponsor is Salesforce. Gold sponsors include Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault, College Board, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Say Yes to Education, State Farm and the Walton Family Foundation.

A Taste of Shaw Gala @ Howard Theatre
Apr 18 @ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Shaw Main Streets will host its annual A Taste of Shaw Gala on Thursday April 18, 2018, from 7pm to 9pm. The annual event celebrates the neighborhood’s status as a nationally-recognized dining and drinking destination and is a fundraiser for initiatives that enhance and promote commerce within the Shaw neighborhood, such as the two neighborhood-wide open house events and Art All Night in Shaw.

A Taste of Shaw returns to the Howard Theatre which will be the backdrop for live music by internally-renowned Ethiopian artist Yehuni Belay ad his band, libations and delicious bites from some of DC’s best bars and restaurants. Proceeds from the event support Shaw Main Streets’ economic revitalization and historic preservation activities in the Shaw neighborhood of DC, which have helped bring about the transformation of central Shaw since 2003. Shaw’s hashtag #LoveShaw, represents the comradery of Shaw’s business owners and the citywide support and accolades the neighborhood continues to receive. Yehuni Belay

A hospitality renaissance led by top chefs and mixologists has been under way in recent years, bringing fresh concepts and perspectives in cuisine and beverage, as well as a host of new talent, making Shaw the city’s top dining and imbibing destination. This year’s A Taste of Shaw welcomes new arrivals Gaslight Tavern by the Hilton Brothers, an expansion of Po Boy Jim from H Street, the District’s only Georgian cuisine restaurant; Supra and the latest additions to the Convention Center, The Morris American Cocktail Bar and Unconventional Diner.

Shaw Main Streets invites the entire region to explore some of the best the neighborhood has to offer at one venue, on one special evening. The full list of 2018 A Taste of Shaw host committee members providing sips and noshes include the following bars and restaurants: Beau Thai & BKK Cookshop Espita Mezcaleria Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee Chercher Ethiopian Cuisine Etete Supra Declaration Gaslight Tavern The Dabney & Dabney Cellar Dino’s Grotto La Jambe Farmers & Distillers Drink Company Pop Up Bar PoBoy Jim Fish Scale Dolci Gelati Service Bar DC The Morris American Bar Seylou Bakery & Mill Unconventional Diner

Tickets are $80 in advance and can be ordered online at www.smsgala18.eventbrite.com. On the day of the event, tickets will be $100. Tickets include unlimited food and cocktail tastings, beer and wine, and complimentary valet parking.