It was difficult to decide which was more glammed up for the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball – the guests or the venue. Martin’s West was fully decked out in dazzling décor, with more than a thousand glitzy guests gathered within.
For BGV founder and CEO, Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson, this wasn’t simply one of Baltimore’s most glamorous events. It was the most glamorous event. She admitted she tries to “lead from the top” each year by donning an opulent gown by a local designer – this year a stunning cornflower blue number by Steven White.
“People don’t often have something they get excited about getting dressed up for. We’re celebrating Black women and we’re in the room with some of the region’s most prominent people. So, now, women are talking with their girlfriends, planning what they’re going to wear,” she said.
It all led to the leading emotion of the night.
“We’re non-partisan. No matter how you felt about the outcome of the election, people are looking for a little joy,” she said.
Scene ahead
Wednesday:Stuff the Train Toy Drive & Holiday Extravaganza, benefits Greater Chesapeake Foundation. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets $20, Children $10 + new, unwrapped toy donation. gccfoundation.org
Saturday:Best(ish) In Show, benefits Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland. Checkerspot Brewing Company, 1421 Ridgely St., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission, dog show registration $20. checkerspotbrewing.com
From left – J.T. McCray, Breakthru Beverage sales manager, Rhonda McCray, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School senior administrator, Stu Weisshaar, Breakthru Beverage senior vice president, and Katie Weisshaar, Anne Arundel County elementary school reading specialist, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson, Black Girls Votes founder/CEO, welcomes the gathering at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)From left – Jovone Walker, KinderCare executive director, Tracy Epps, Morgan Stanley director, and Niketta Adams, Prince George’s County Health Department director of HR, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)From left – Eric Fenwick, Fenwick Behavioral Services CEO, and Derrick Chase, Everybody Loves Brunch owner, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)From left – Skylar Daniels, student, Kelly Daniels, Trends & Stresses Hair Salon owner, Sean Hendricks, SISCO regional sales manager, and Janis Rooker, retired engineer, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)The ballroom at Martin’s West was as decked out as many of the guests for the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball. (Sloane Brown)From left – Watikqua Lange, T. Rowe Price vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, Sherita Thomas, BGE director of HR operations, Talib Horne, Annie E. Casey Foundation Baltimore Civic Site director, Ganesha Martin, Let’s Meet in the Middle CEO, and Brandon Jacobs, director of operations for NY Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)The colorfully lit dancefloor and signage provided the perfect backdrop for selfies at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball. (Sloane Brown)From left – Ian Smith, The Levels podcast host, and Ricarra Jones, 1199SEIU union political director, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)Among the highlights of the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball were those – literally – lighting the dance floor. (Sloane Brown)Black Girls Vote founder Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson welcomes the sold-out crowd to the 9th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball. (Sloane Brown)The evening’s entertainment included music and dance by several local artists and groups at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball. (Sloane Brown)After a VIP cocktail hour and reception in a side room, guests filled the ballroom for the evening’s program and dinner at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball. (Sloane Brown)From left – Jamaal Jackson, BMore Tuft founder/artist, Jen Jackson, IT consultant, and Tommy Woods, “Visual Cleanse” owner/photographer, in front of one of Jackson’s artworks at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)From left – Shonda McDowell, Real Estate Executives realtor, and Nikia Vaughan, Maryland Sickle Cell Association executive director, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)Lax Vinnakota, Lax Wine & Spirits co-owner, Huisun Chon, Lax Wine & Spirits co-owner, Christian True, Lax Wine & Spirits general manager, and Jen True, Frederick County kindergarten teacher, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)From left – Sydney Gross, University of Maryland Medical System executive office manager/event co-chair, Sharon Eaton, retired informational technology analyst, and Chimere Eaton, Maryland Department of the Environment engineer, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)From left – Sequiell Bolden, Blue Key Haven cybersecurity manager, and Brian Stratton, Breakthru Beverage revenue manager, at the 7th Annual Black Girls Vote Ball (Sloane Brown)
