On Saturday, September 25th, the North County African American Women’s Association  held their 24^th signature scholarship fundraiser, known as the Gentlemen’s Gourmet, on the new Luna Lawn of the Omni La Costa Resort. For the last 24 years the event has provided nearly $300,000 dollars in scholarships to nearly 400 young women. Though a well-known event, this year’s theme, Color the Night, was something unique and spectacular to have experienced.

Unfortunately, the 2020 event had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, back then, plans for the 2021 event remained unclear. The organization felt that a devastating impact to the program was inevitable and given the effects of the virus on the community, there seemed to be no way to achieve the financial resources necessary to gift 20 to 25 scholarships totaling over $25,000 in time to open the application cycle for 2021. Yet, gradually donations began to come in from various community resources, some with parent companies as far away as San Francisco and Arizona. The sense of gratitude continued to mount.

By the end of 2020, contributions were sufficient to assure the North County African American Women’s Association that the usual number of applications and awards could be made. Therefore, an announcement was made at the end of May 2021 that 31 applicants at all levels – high school, undergraduate, and graduate – would be awarded scholarships. A huge relief to all, especially to those who received the scholarships!

The 24^th annual Gentlemen’s Gourmet fundraiser was able to successfully take place in September 2021. The event turned out to be an amazing night as the sun dropped below the horizon, string lights and lanterns added a continued warmth to the event, and a burst of community camaraderie rose to continue over 4 hours. The joy and vibrancy were apparent from beginning to end, with pictures of the 31 scholarship recipients posted front and center as the festivities began and guests arrived to taste the chefs’ dishes.