Honoring Our Past, Welcoming Our Future
2020 was supposed to be a major year for our foundation. This year is our foundation's fifth anniversary. We celebrated that with our WorldChanger's Blue & White Appreciation Ball at the end of January, an event to review the previous year's accomplishments and progress; show appreciation to our many donors, sponsors, volunteers and supporters; and recognize Ike's birthday on January 26 — this year we would have celebrated his 24th birthday.
We were also eagerly planning our sixth WorldChanger's 5K Run in May, where members of the community participate in a 5k run or 1-mile walk, and enjoy live music, food, and fellowship in honor of Ike's love for running and track. A summer praise concert was in the works, and the foundation was already getting a head start on planning next January's ball.
However, the coronavirus pandemic — as it has done for the entire world — upended our individual lives, and plans for the foundation. Our events for the year have been cancelled. In-person meetings have instead happened on Zoom and by email.
These past few months, we've had to adjust to our new normals of working and learning from home, and virtually connecting with family, friends, and loved ones. But through all of this, we still find ways to thank God. And one of the ways we can do this is by reflecting over this year's Blue & White Appreciation Ball.
It was beautiful evening with such an outpouring of love towards the foundation. Attendees enjoyed performances by local gospel singer Eric Deon Taylor and Oakland University's Confidence Choir. WIWD Foundation's President and CEO, Indira Onwuzurike gave a powerful message of finding purpose in our pain. Board Chairman Robert Barnes gave a presentation on the foundation's progress and impact on the community over the last five years. We had dinner, cut cake to honor Ike's heavenly birthday, and danced the night away.
We also introduced the WorldChanger Award, a new award presented to individuals, businesses, and organizations who have gone above and beyond to support the foundation. We awarded 17 people this year, and plan to present this award yearly.
A little over 100 people attended our ball. We were so grateful to have that support, thankful that our vision for the foundation has been seen by so many, and reinvigorated to keep going. Even over seven months later, we are still feeling the goodness of that night.
Below are more pictures from that night. While there are many unknowns in the future, we are thankful for what we've achieved thus far, and look to God for guidance in our days ahead. The WIWD Foundation encourages you to do the same — in the midst of the chaos, take time each day to find your own peace and joy.
Written by Rachael Thomas, WIWD Foundation program coordinator