by guest contributor Naomi Ho
Photo credit: Kevin Allen
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” Khalil Gibran
N Street Village’s Impact Committee welcomed an incredible line up of live music last Thursday, October 9 at the Black Cat for their annual “Night Sessions” benefit to support the nearly 1,400 homeless and low-income women that the local DC nonprofit serves. There was music for everyone – local folk favorites 19th Street Band and songwriter Tom McBride and electronic artists Ryan Mosel and Josh Odmark – and beverages from local brewery Chocolate City.
Village Committee chair Elizabeth Bernstein and Impact Committee Co-Founder Justin Fishkin spoke of their passion and commitment to supporting their homeless neighbors.
N Street Village Impact Committee members: Lindsey Stout (Capitol Counsel), Elizabeth Bennett (Fruit Cycle), Stuart Allen (N Street Village Chief Development Officer), Elizabeth Bernstein (Bureau of Economic Analysis), Courtney Morris, Katie Quinn (Baker Donelson), Holly Foster (Baker Donelson), Ilana Cookler (N Street Village), Megan McCafferty (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Joanna Calabrese (Booz Allen), Schroeder Stribling, (N Street Village)
The event also honored Omar Popal of the Popal Group with the Evan H. Bliss Award for his philanthropic efforts in the city. The award was established last year to honor the memory of Evan Bliss, a young DC philanthropist and musician who passed away in August 2012.
Aaron Flavel, Fatima Popal, Zubair Popal, Shamim Popal, Omar Popal
A highlight of the evening was an a capella version of “Lean on Me” performed by the N Street Village and Luther Place Ambassadors of Praise homeless women choir and Tom McBride.
