On Saturday approximately 275 Atlantans joined together with ONE and CARE to Take a Stand Against Poverty. It was an amazing event, featuring Fredrika Whitfield from CNN, CARE CEO and President, Dr. Helene Gayle, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, and ONE CEO David Lane. Mayor Shirley Franklin was also in attendance.

The event began in the atrium of the American Cancer Society Center with cocktails and a buffet provided by local Atlanta restaurant, Six Feet Under. As guests mingled, they had the opportunity to shop the microfinance marketplace which showcased handmade goods made by women from around the world including handbags from Guatemala, paper beads from Uganda, candles from India and beautiful beaded work from Kenya. Guests also had the opportunity to meet with author Mary Cantando and purchase a copy of her new book “Leading With Care,” a look at how women around the world are inspiring businesses, empowering communities and creating opportunity.

ONE volunteers staffed a sign up table and talked with guests about the importance of the advocacy work that ONE is engaged in. Local ONE’rs also had an opportunity to chat with David Lane as he mingled with the crowd and took part in the evening’s festivities. The CARE Action Network and Join My Village also had tables. At 7:45 the Burundi Drummers entered the atrium and treated everyone to a rousing performance of dancing and great African drum beats that continued as they lead the guests, conga line style, into the theatre for the rest of the evening’s entertainment. Philanthropy awards were presented to two local Atlanta young women for the work they have done to raise money and awareness on anti-poverty initiatives.

But the biggest surprise of the evening was the musical guest Hanson! We were treated to a 30 minute mini-concert by these incredibly talented men as they sang and played some of their newest songs for us. With a piano, a guitar and a cajon (a Mexican drum box) as accompaniment, Hanson’s well blended vocals and thought provoking lyrics were a perfect reminder of the reason we had all come together: to renew our commitment and show solidarity for actions that lead to ending poverty in our lifetimes.

What can you say about an event that is not only inspirational but fun? All I want to know is what do we get to do next year?

-Nancy Bauer, Atlanta ONE Member