New Dawn Gala

Amazing inspiration and on-the-spot commitments to join in the efforts flowed through the ballroom at the Hilton Hotel in Concord on August 17, 2019, as New Dawn Vallejo Corporation held its third black-tie gala. Over 100 community members gathered to celebrate the great accomplishments of the
New Dawn Vallejo Corporation and the event’s honorees.

Gala attendees were led through the program by MC Cheryl Hurd, NBC Bay Area News Reporter. Gala attendees also had an opportunity to hear from four keynote speakers who were youth that participated in some of New Dawn Vallejo Corporations community programs:

Messiah Oates, Participant in the Summer of Success Pre-Kindergarten Academy (funded by First 5 Solano County)
Rayne Lumsey, Participant in the Summer of Success Youth Enrichment Camp (funded by the Vallejo Police Department under the direction of now retired Chief Andrew Bidou, the Solano Community Foundation Education Plus Grant, and Hakeem Brown)
Lydia Mason, Participant in the CSU Summer Bridge Math Institute (funded by California State University Bakersfield)
Serenity Harris-Tyson, Participant in the Summer Youth Internship Program (funded by the City of Vallejo Water Department)

New Dawn Vallejo Corporation, borne from the vision of Reverend Dante R. Quick, PhD, is poised to be the non-profit that builds strong collaborations with various city and county departments and agencies to lead the efforts toward urban renewal in Solano County, literally and figuratively. “To ensure success and sustainability, we have formed multiple strategic partnerships to stimulate renewal and revitalization in the greater Vallejo area. We will forever enhance the self-esteem of our city, which has suffered from a low self-image for too long” says Reverend Dante R. Quick.

Each of the programs is uniquely designed to have a lasting impact on Solano County citizens and to provide them guidance and access to live-changing opportunities. The net proceeds from the gala are used to support the New Dawn Vallejo Corporation programs and initiatives.

New Dawn Vallejo Corporation Gala participants also had a chance to honor the “Building Our Future” Award recipients:
Mr. Hakeem Brown, Entrepreneur and Vallejo City Council Member
Mrs. Rozzana Verder-Aliga, Senior Mental Health Services Manager – Solano County Health & Social Services and Vallejo City Council Member
Mr. Terrance Evans, Partner & Banking Vice Chair, Duane Morris LLP
Honorable Monique Langhorne, Judge, Napa County Superior Court
Mr. Greg Nyhoff, City Manager, City of Vallejo
Mr. Chris Firle, Vice-President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Price Simms Auto Group
Ms. Brandi Aguilar, Solano County Deputy Sheriff

“Rays of Light” Honorable Mentions:
Skip Cole, Voya Financial Advisors and Retired FMBC Trustee
Matthew Olsen, Community Prosecutor, Solano County District Attorney’s Office
A. Marie Young, President, Solano Community College Board of Trustees

Reverend Dante R. Quick, PhD, states, “We are truly thankful to our sponsors and the community for supporting our efforts to improve and enhance the lives of our Solano County community and its citizens. The “Community Investors – Solano County” are leaders in their respective fields who show us that humility and courage are essential to the success of any collaborative efforts”.

Gala Chair and New Dawn Vallejo Corporation Executive Director, Stacey Bowman, stated in her New Dawn Vision, “Through our current and future programs and events New Dawn looks to be an aid in the community to helping its members go from good to great. New Dawn looks to help provide services that will impact the lives of families for generations to come.”