by Shannon Woodward

“Woah Woah Woah … before I let go…before I let go…”

I hope for just a moment those words flashed you back to a great time on somebody’s dance floor as Frankie Beverly & Maze intended you to do so. Now that we have all found our happy place, it is time for another slightly commentary filled event recap by yours truly.

On Dec. 19, Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals (ULGA-YP) hosted our Annual Holiday Soiree. From candy apples to popcorn stands, to sideshow themed drinks and a  circus performer on stilts, ULGA-YP did not disappoint in meeting our Night Circus themed event. As the 10th-year anniversary of the Holiday Soiree, it was beautiful to see the meticulous attention to detail in everything – from raffle tickets to the photo booth props – to make this event feel one of a kind.

As a young professional, December can become a draining month full of mounting deadlines, pending project deliverables and back-to-back holidays seasons that somehow manage to snatch budget and waist line dreams simultaneously. At this stage in the game of life, my attempts at going out usually include a few signature phrases in discussions with my closest friends, such as:

• “Are we going to be able to get a nap in before we get there?”
• “Will there be seats? I just don’t know how long I can stay in these shoes.”
• “We gotta leave now…If I sit down again. I won’t be able to get back up.”
• “I’m going to need to get a good meal in first. Do you think there will be some snacks there?”

As still being a bit new to ULGA-YP, I wasn’t sure what to expect for my first Holiday Soiree, but I am happy to report my pre-party nap was well worth it. DJ Supreme did not disappoint in playing all my favorite songs, and I found my way to the dance floor and stayed there most of the night.

So many times in life we party for various reasons like being dragged out of the house by well meaning friends, the allure of free drinks before 11 p.m., or the desire to just make sure you still got “it.” You know the “it” I am talking about, “it” generally  manifested in your early 20s and included a level of energy you can’t seem to find much these days. Compared to the plethora of reasons stated above, ULGA-YP’s Holiday Soiree is unique in providing the opportunity for a slight turn up while also giving back to the Greater Atlanta area community we are blessed to serve.

This year we were able to raise more than $10,000 for the Dream Catchers Scholarship.. The Dream Catchers Scholarship & Awards Reception, which will take place in May, awards scholarships to high school students in the metropolitan Atlanta area who are participants of the Project Ready program. Project Ready, an initiative of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, provides students with cultural, social, leadership and academic support through mentoring. The event also  honors businesses and individuals who  exhibit excellence in their fields.

Special thanks to our gracious sponsors (listed below) and our members, supporters and friends of ULGA-YP that came through to party with a purpose with us. This was my first Holiday Soiree and definitely will not be my last.

2020 Holiday Soiree Sponsors:

• VIP Title Sponsor: $5,000 UPS Capital
• Gold Sponsors: $1,000 Millennial Properties & Delta Community Credit Union
• Bronze Sponsor: $250 Assurance Wellness
• Liquor Sponsor: Tito’s Vodka
• Liquor Tasting: Rivulet Liqueur

In Kind Sponsors: Monday Night Garage, Events by Amaris Janelle, Inspire Aerial Arts, Cinnaholic, Studio Movie Grill, Tower Beer Wine and Spirits, Oriental Trading, Lush, Anthem Inc

Raffle Sponsors: Makers Mark, Fogo de Chao, HIGH Museum, Atlanta Movie Tours, XOCOLATL, Luxury Love Events LLC, Baked Beans Creations

To learn more about our ongoing community service feel free to check out the Community Service Committee or reach out to service@ulga-yp.org.