“People say ‘how do you have the energy to volunteer and support?’ I say ‘How do you not?” - Louise Chernin, former CEO of GSBA.

It was a night of celebration and extravagance as the GSBA Impact Awards took over Seattle’s McCaw Hall to honor individuals and businesses in the community. Hosted by Besa Gordon and Deaunte Damper, the event featured performances, fashion, food, music and more.

“Our goal is to really support any businesses that have maybe been left out in the past,” GSBA President and CEO Ilona Lohrey said.

This year’s event also featured a focus on BIPOC owned business, with outreach and increased visibility. Founder of Puckduction, Mx. Pucks A’Plenty, wasn’t even aware of the opportunity to be involved with GSBA but was grateful for it.

“I feel really fortunate that we have people of Color that are working with GSBA and reaching out to try and bring other people of Color on board. If it wasn’t for people looking out for each other and bringing other people in the community in I wouldn’t have even known that GSBA was a think I could be a part of.”

Watch the video to see Besa and Deaunte and hear from community members and business owners during the night of celebration. Honorees included the Seattle LGBTQ+ Center, Perfect Copy and Print, Mx. Pucks A’Plenty, T-Mobile and Queen Anne Beerhall, as well as Lifetime Impact Award recipient Louise Chernin.

The event was made possible in part by Carter Subaru, Alaska Airlines, McCaw Hall, and BECU.

Photos by Seattle photographer Jordan Somers on behalf of Converge Media.