WS Chronicle

Above: Hispanic League Executive Director Mary Jo Turner and  The Freedom Tree at the Institute for Dismantling Racism Director Rev. Willard Bass.

Special to The Chronicle

The Triad’s first Multicultural Bridal Fair and Fashion Show will be held at The Enterprise Conference and Banquet Center on Saturday, Sept. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. at 1922 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

This event, called “Elegance,” is free and open to the public. The theme is “Building an inclusive community while celebrating love and the union of families.”

“The goal of this event is to bring people of all backgrounds from all parts of our city together to learn how diverse cultures celebrate love and the union of families,” says event organizers, Patricia Degraffinreaidt and Rosa Gilmore.

Event supporter the Rev. Willard Bass, director of The Freedom Tree at the Institute for Dismantling Racism, said, “This event supports our vision for an inclusive community and encourages us to be social in a way that helps us learn about each other.”

One of the event highlights will be a fashion show of elegantly crafted gowns and menswear presented by local businesses. It will feature African, Latin American and Asian wedding attire.

“The Hispanic League is honored to support this event. It aligns with our goal of building bridges through community inclusion, which we believe will assist in lighting the path toward multicultural understanding,” said Mari Jo Turner, executive director.

“We invite not only brides and grooms, but the entire Winston-Salem community to come,” Degraffinreaidt said. Many wedding industry experts will be on hand to offer information about their services – wedding planners, florists, wedding attire designers, decorators, caterers, entertainment and more.

The Multicultural Bridal Fair and Fashion Show is sponsored by a partnership of several organizations, including S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation.  S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization, with a mission to promote community economic development and encourage neighborhood leadership. Other named sponsors include The Freedom Tree of the Institute for Dismantling Racism and The Hispanic League.

Vendor slots are available for cake designers, caterers, florists, jewelry retailers, limousine service, travel agencies and wedding planners.

For more information, visit www.sgacdc.org/wedding.html or contact Patricia Degraffinreaidt at 336-734-6916 or email at sgatkinscdc2@gmail.com.

For more information, about the event visit Facebook at The Enterprise Conference and Banquet Center.