2026 Women's History Month Tea

March 21, 2026

The 2026 Women’s History Month Tea, sponsored by Project RISE and DCJS and led by Regional Director of Teen Programs, David Gordon, was a resounding success and a landmark event for our Club. The event saw overwhelming community engagement, with 362 attendees at the Massry Center for the Arts, making it one of the most highly attended events in Club history. Attendees experienced a dynamic showcase of youth talent and community artistry, including performances by Lyricism 101’s “Tymless,” the Club Mixy Middle School Dance Team, Lyricism 101’s Faheem “The Dream” Johnson, a community choir, and the Royal Motion Dance Team. Our program was energized by guest host STORM of The Red Bookshelf, reinforcing the event’s vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

A main highlight of the event was the Women’s Empowerment Panel, which featured influential leaders including Shailan Gracia, Gabriella Romero, Valerie Johnson, Valerie Mosley, and Demetria Canty. Their collective insights provided inspiration, mentorship, and powerful perspectives on leadership, resilience, and community impact. The event also recognized outstanding leaders, including Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs and Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello, who each received Trailblazer Awards, and Wanda Willingham, who was honored with the 2026 BGCCA Lifetime Achievement Award. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Tracy Moore and Tarasha Darden McCoy for their exceptional contributions.

The success of the event was made possible through the collective efforts of all BGCCA departments, which contributed to youth artwork displays, event programming, logistics, and overall coordination. Our event was further strengthened by the support of numerous community partners, including the Albany County Youth Bureau, Albany Symphony, Live Limitless Refuge Center, Albany Community Land Trust, The Red Bookshelf, and many others across the Capital Region.

Photo credit: Darrell Camp