5th Annual World Connect Benefit Dinner

May 2019. New York City, Current at Chelsea Piers

On Wednesday, May 15th, 2019, Empire proudly produced the 5th Annual World Connect Benefit Dinner at Chelsea Piers’ waterfront venue, Current.

World Connect invests early-stage funding in grassroots, locally designed and led projects that drive transformative, self-sustaining development in the most under-resourced areas of the world. World Connect success stories were integrated throughout the event with enlarged photos and informational signage explaining their mission connecting the attendees to opportunities to support specific initiatives.

A hand pan performer welcomed guests into a vibrant, waterfront space where bold and colorful activations were featured. Vinyl decal paths on the floor guided guests from point to point, designed to tell stories of various World Connect initiatives and their impact. Some paths led to beautiful imagery from their sites, while others led to experiential stations where guests could purchase items made by World Connect-supported businesses and sample their handmade products.

There was also a Portal, which was a live-stream media room for guests to interact live and in real-time with two World Connect project leaders on site in Lagos during the cocktail hour. Music by the World Guitar Duo, Jason and Elysa Hochman, played music while guests enjoyed cocktails overlooking gorgeous views of the Hudson River.

Guest entered the dinner room where tables were set with beautiful glass globe centerpieces, set amid nests of greenery and fairy lights. These were surrounded by white, modern candles warming the room with a grounding energy.

The thoughtful stage program featured the Executive Director, Pamela Nathenson, Board Chair, George Biddle, and Dinner Co-Chair, Christoph Becker, who shared the powerful impact of what World Connect can achieve with minimal funding.

The program’s feature was an incredible conversation between Dinner Co-Chair, Clara Bingham and honored guest, Chief Theresa Kachindamoto, who was the first female Chief of the Dedza District in Malawi, overseeing over 900,000 people. Chief Kachindamoto has successfully annulled over 5,000 child marriages, encouraging children to go back to school. World Connect has launched three projects in her district – a primary school with $3,000, a reforestation project with $3,000, and a maternity house with $10,000.

The evening helped World Connect raise $600,000 which will launch 135 projects across the globe to catalyze locally-led development. To learn more about World Connect and to donate or get involved, visit https://www.worldconnect.global

Empire Entertainment is proud to support World Connect and their global initiatives to connect the world.