Barclay Simmons to speak at Alpha Phi Alpha's Black and Gold Ball

THURSDAY, MARCH 1: The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will host its 12th annual Black and Gold Ball next weekend.

This year’s theme is “Why Not You” and the speaker will be Barclay Simmons, managing partner at Attride-Stirling & Woloniecki.

It will be held at the Fairmont Southampton on March 10.

Leyde St Leger, a brother in the fraternity, said each year the turnout is about 300 people.

“What we’re trying to do is focus on the majority of individuals live their lives dreaming based off of what they see people doing.

“It’s a dream.

“I wish I could be that financially successful or I wish my career was going that well.

‘The whole idea this year is to target on why is it that can’t you can’t achieve that dream.

“The goal of this ball is going to assist them in their financial dream.

“So what can you do different from before you came to the ball, moving forward, that can financially put you in the place you want to be.”

Mr St Leger said the fraternity wanted a Bermudian speaker as opposed to bringing someone in.

“Barclay happens to sit on some of the most influential financial boards in Bermuda.

“And without people realizing in one way, shape or form, he manages a good portion of the country’s finances.

“This is a brother who is from back of town, the rags to riches story, Harvard Business School graduate and so we feel like this banquet is one where people will leave it a little bit more educated and motivated.”

In addition to Mr Simmons’ speech, entertainment will be provided by the STARS Foundation, which was created by original Motown member, the late Harvey Fuqua and his wife Carolyn.

Mrs Fuqua will attend the ball along with two women in her team.

Michael Lambe and Seldon Woolridge will be recognised for their work in the community, the “unsung heroes”, as Mr St Leger put it.

Tickets for the ball are $125 and can be bought from fraternity members.

The cocktail hour starts at 7:06pm followed by dinner at 8:06pm.

Rooms are available for the ball at a rate of $149 per night under the Alpha fraternity name.