The Center for Fathers and Families celebrated their 15th Annual Salute to Fatherhood Banquet by honoring five outstanding fathers and mentors in our community: Adan Diaz; Darrell Teat, Jr.; Dave Roughton; Michael Funk and Rick Jennings. Jennings is also CFF’s CEO, and is celebrating his 20th year as leader of the organization.

A crowd of about 13,000 people attended the annual Sacramento Pride Festival and Parade on Capitol Mall celebrating LGBT community and benefitting the Sacramento LGBT Center. More than 200 vendors participated with around 50 local and national companies sponsoring including VSP, Comstock’s, SMUD and Intel.

The Salvation Army honored the Sacramento Republic FC with the Spirit of Caring award during its 26th Annual Community Luncheon on May 30. The award was in recognition of Republic FC’s extensive community service work and philanthropy, including the creation of the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund.

The Midtown Association’s Midtown Love Benefit was on May 18 at Faces Nightclub in Sacramento. The evening attendees enjoyed drinks and food provided by local restaurants. The mission of the Midtown Association is to make Midtown the city’s center for culture, creativity and vibrancy.

Photography: Tia Gemmell

Hundreds of local community leaders gathered for a luncheon on May 19 at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento to celebrate the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement to raise awareness about heart disease. Guests this year were treated to educational sessions and shopping opportunities with local vendors, and heard from a local heart disease survivor.

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, held their annual Person of the Year dinner May 25 at the Golden 1 Center, benefiting City Year. Mark Friedman, president of Fulcrum Property, was named as Person of the Year.

The UC Davis Graduate School of Management’s held their 17th annual Big Bang! Business Competition on May 25. Five finalists — out of a record 70 teams in this year’s competition — pitched their startups to the award ceremony audience for a chance to win more than $60,000 in prizes.

Unity Ball 2017, held April 20 at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, featured a guest performance from singer Freddie Jackson. Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Sierra Health Foundation President Chet Hewitt and Greater Sacramento Economic Council President and CEO Barry Broome were honorary chairs for an evening of celebration and partnerships.

The 4th annual Habitat for Humanity “Hard Hats & High Heels” fundraiser gala was held April 28 at the Sacramento Railyards. The evening included a collaborative project with local artists, VIP reception, gourmet feast, musical entertainment and high-end live auction led by David Sobon.

California Music Theatre celebrated its 65-year history of bringing Broadway musical theater to Sacramento at Music Circus and Broadway Sacramento. More than 400 business and community leaders enjoyed a reception and gourmet dinner on May 6, with performances from Jessica Grove, a nationally-recognized Broadway singer, and the CMT Gala Signers. The proceeds from this event support performing arts and education experiences for our community.