FASHION EN VOGUE, DIVERSITY TRENDS

Greater Hartoford Association of Realtor 

The Greater Hartford Association of Realtors and its Bridge committee organized their first Realtor's En Vogue: a Charity Fashion show on October 18th at the Sheraton Hotel in Rocky Hill. The fundraiser aimed to raise funds for My Sister's Place in Hartford, an organization that helps women and children who have escaped domestic violence. The event's theme was a celebration of diversity pride among the realtor community in the Hartford area.

The Hartford Yard Goats Foundation Executive Director Tiffany Young served as the master of ceremony during the runway show while the invitees enjoyed delicious food and music. Small owned women businesses and vendors were present during the evening.

The Greater Hartford Association of Realtors Holly Callanan and Shanilee Young talked to Boceto Media about the event.

Boceto Media: Holly, tell me about your organization and the reason of tonight’s gathering.

Holly- We have many committees in the organization, but the original idea came from the Bridge committee. The Bridge committee's mission is to build alliance, diversity and help other realtors to be inclusive. The core of the fashion show is to show the lifestyle of the diversity of realtors have, the excitement they put in their jobs, the passion for what they do and people in general.

Boceto Media: Who were the models that walk the runway tonight?

Holly: In the first segment, we had kids on the stage. They are the children of our realtors. We called them the future realtors of tomorrow. The adult models are our realtors. We opened it up to anyone that wants to have fun and a good time. This event is a charity to raise money for My Sister’s Place in Hartford.

Boceto Media: Why did your organization want to get involved with My Sister's place?

Holly: My Sister's place is an organization that helps women that escaped from domestic violence. We have other charities that we support in our organization, but for this event in particular, people were very passionate about it.

Boceto Media: How did you connect with the women owned small businesses?

Holly: One of the committee members was tasked to find vendors for the event. This is the opportunity for powerful women to get out, connect with other people and to show their business in a fun environment.

Boceto Media: Tell me about your role at the CT Realtors?

Holly: My industry is association management I used to run up a small board in Connecticut, and I came to my new role about two years ago. I love this job because I get to work with realtors. They are the most diverse and most passionate and business-oriented. We have 43 hundred members and to have all these people and work with them is really fun.

Boceto Media: Shanielle, tell me about your role at the GHAR.

Shanille:  I am the owner of the New England Insurance Alliance, and member of the Bridge Committee of Greater Hartford Realtor’s

Boceto Media: What inspired you to do this event? 

Shanielle: We came up with the idea of the event about 6 months ago. The last 3 months were all about hard work. This is our first fashion event, and we hope to continue doing it for more years to come.  We don’t have many events where we see diversity, so this event was very important to us. We wanted to be very diverse, very inclusive.

Boceto Media: Tonight's models represent cultural diversity. How did you inspire them to participate?

Shanielle: We put out a call for all realtors interested. We were strategically calling diverse people. We wanted people who are proud, and who can show it. There are a lot of women here tonight they are broker-owners and entrepreneurs. This event is for anyone

Boceto Media: Thank you.

Holly and Shanielle: Your welcome, we hope to see you next time. 

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