Milwaukee-based positive news company Carvd N Stone will host its first-ever gala on Thursday, Dec. 11, as it aims to highlight its scholarship recipients and community members who make an impact in the city.
This gala will be the first time Carvd N Stone hosts a ceremony for its annual Lorenz Martin Hintz Travel Writing Scholarship. It hosted different community events in the past, but its founder, Nyesha Stone, wanted to take a break while Carvd N Stone grew. Now, after Stone entered a residency with social impact media organization Wateringhole Media, she has some funding to put on a community event.
“It’s my first time ever being in any type of residency program,” Stone said. “When we do these events, we have to be very intentional and make sure that they make sense for the business and specifically for news.”
At the gala, Carvd N Stone will present inaugural awards to two community members for their continued efforts to make an impact in Milwaukee. The awards will be for community advocacy and creative impact.
Ranell Washington will be recognized for his work and will receive the Positive Community Advocate Award. Washington is widely known for having his hand in many efforts in community outreach, housing, entrepreneurship, the Milwaukee Film Festival, Culture by Design and many other ventures. Everything he does, he “always puts Milwaukee first,” Stone said.
“I think a lot of times, people like him don’t want the recognition,” Stone said. “I’ve seen his growth and throughout his roles, from going from working for people to now having his own independent business. No matter what he’s doing, it’s always Milwaukee first and community.”
The Positive Creative Impact Award will be given to local artist Olivia Burks. Stone has seen her work more and more over the last year and a half. Burks’ art is centered on the exploration of emotion through a Black lens. Her goal in her art is to spark conversations in her community on how vulnerability is viewed.
“I’m seeing her name everywhere,” Stone said. “We’ve seen the impact her art is making in the community, so that seems valuable.”
The gala will also unveil this year’s recipient of Carvd N Stone’s scholarship, feature music from Grammy-nominated cellist Malik Johnson, an open bar, food and overall an elegant style event Stone wants to see more of in Milwaukee.
The presenting sponsor for the event will be Amazon. Carvd N Stone entered a partnership with Amazon earlier this year to launch an exclusive storytelling series where that gives an intimate look at its employees and small businesses impacted by the company.
The gala will be held Dec. 11 at Radio Milwaukee, 220 E. Pittsburgh Ave., starting at 6 p.m. It is free to attend, but registration is required. It will have a mandatory gala-style dress code.
