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"Color Splash", the 46th Annual Ebony Fashion Fair, rocked the Grand Ballroom of the Syracuse Oncenter October 22, 2003. The Fashion Fair is sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Syracuse Section to benefit various community service projects. The Syracuse Section was organized in 1952 and now has 147 members while the National organization has 33 affiliates with membership totaling over 4 million. The NCNW pledge is "... to make a lasting contribution to all that is finest and best in America...by working for the integration of all her people, regardless of race, creed, or national origin...". |
Marissa Mims (l), member of Senator Hoffmann's staff; and Mary Lockett, President of the Syracuse Section of NCNW; hold the 2003/04 Ebony Fashion Fair Magazine with details on this year's award-winning show "Color Splash" which will include stops in 180 cities by the time it ends on May 16 in Montreal, Canada. |
(l-r) Onondaga County Legislator Lovie Winslow, a former two term President of the Syracuse Section of NCNW; Senator Hoffmann; Sallie Thompson; and Mary Lockett. "We really appreciated Senator Hoffmann taking time out of her busy schedule to visit our 46th annual Ebony Fashion Fair. I have always admired her strength and concerns," said Lockett. |
Proceeds from the show are used to benefit several of the Syracuse group's community programs and other nonprofit organizations. These initiatives include a Health Informational Forum,Thanksgiving baskets for needy families identified by elementary and middle school social workers, and their "Jack Frost' program which provides warm clothing items to school children. Past recipients of the generosity of the National Council of Negro Women Syracuse Section include PEACE, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Salvation Army. During the Christmas season members hold a joint gift wrapping fundraiser with Vera House and Hope for Bereaved at the Carousel Mall. Senator Hoffmann was pleased to be part of such a wonderful affair. |
Last year's Ebony Fashion Fair delighted over 350,000 patrons in venues throughout the United States, Caribbean and Canada. From 1958 through the Spring of 2003, the fashion show has assisted sponsors in raising $50 million for charity. |