On the evening of December 18^th, Girl Be Heard held its first gala ever, arguably the best party of the holiday season, the joy-filled event was a fitting tribute to how far this powerhouse theatrical group has evolved in the five short years since its inception. What began in 2008 as the Project Girl Performance Collective of 12 girls from diverse backgrounds in a one-time-only performance, is now 170 members strong and touring worldwide.

Girl Be Heard is a non-profit theatre company that brings global issues affecting girls center stage, empowering young women to tell their stories. If a girl can change her own life, she can change the lives of others. There was much to celebrate as the organization has demonstrated brilliant success in adhering to its mission.

The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by a performance. Celebrity “Fairy Godfather” Nigel Barker introduced the show, which was written, choreographed and performed by the Girls. After the moving performance, which featured step, rap, song, guitar, and monologues, the co-founders thanked contributing sponsors as well as two “Fairy Godmothers,” Katharine H. Parker, Esq. and Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee.

In keeping with the goal of Duggal Big Picture: Community, to provide the inspiring power of imagery to organizations that need it most, Duggal employees worked tirelessly to create banners and posters for the event. As suggested by Duggal’s creative team, the main logo banner was printed on sparking metallic canvas in order to get the attention it deserves. Some of the other banners and posters featured beautiful portraits of the girls printed as large as 10’ x 10’. The organization was so pleased with the imagery, that Duggal’s prints and banners will be used as permanent decoration on the walls of the brand new Girl Be Heard headquarters, which they have yet to move into. Girl Be Heard co-founders Jessica Greer Morris and Ashley Marinaccio graciously remarked in their speech that Duggal “made their dreams come true.”

 

After the speeches guests were ushered into an upstairs dance space, where the party began. A deejay spun hit after hit as sponsors, guests, and Girls alike broke it down. The night concluded with an impressive buffet catered by Whole Foods and Wichcraft.

We at Duggal Big Picture Foundation were delighted to participate in such a lively and exuberant gala and we were honored to celebrate alongside an organization that has come so far in its worthy mission. Now we have the opportunity to support the Girls once again as sponsor at the premiere of I Am A Girl, the new documentary about the group, on February 5^th, 2015 at the Chelsea Bowtie Cinema.