Rising as One: An Evening of Art, Community and Empowerment

Buffalo, NY | October 4, 2025 — The Teller’s Lobby Bar at Seneca One came alive with rhythm, color, and compassion during International Child Advancement’s Rising as One Art Soirée. This signature event brought together artists, community leaders, and supporters for an unforgettable evening celebrating resilience, cultural unity, and shared purpose.

Honoring the Past, Uplifting the Future

The program opened with welcoming remarks from Aimiamia Amadasu-McCray, ICA Board President, and Evelyn Kessler, Founder and Executive Director of ICA. They set the tone for an evening centered on unity, purpose, and impact. Their reflections highlighted ICA’s mission to empower underserved children through education, economic empowerment and mentorship, both in Buffalo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The funds raised tonight will have a direct and lasting impact. Here in Buffalo, your support will help students access the resources they need to succeed in school and beyond. In the DRC, your generosity will keep children in classrooms, provide daily nourishment, strengthen our vocational training programs, and support the dedicated teachers who guide them toward a brighter future.” said Amadasu-McCray.

“Since 2016, ICA has sponsored education for more than 540 children in the DRC, provided over 1,000 meals each month, and established three vocational training programs that equip youth with employable skills. We also purchased a building for the orphanage, now home to 45 children, with others safely placed in foster care. In Buffalo, ICA has distributed over 800 backpacks filled with school supplies and launched the ICA Academic Empowerment Scholarship to support students’ educational goals. Across both communities, our impact is measured not just in numbers, but in lives transformed and hope restored.” said Kessler.

Following their remarks, Buffalo teens took the stage to read the personal stories of orphans in the DRC; powerful firsthand accounts of loss, resilience, and hope. Their voices brought the mission to life, reminding guests why their support matters and how education can transform the future for children across continents.

Later, the Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble delivered a powerful performance that celebrated the beauty of African heritage and stirred deep emotion throughout the room. Their rhythm and movement captured the very essence of unity and resilience that defines ICA’s mission.

Recognizing Changemakers

The event also celebrated those whose leadership and compassion drive missions like ICA’s forward.

• MarCè Zerrate, founder of Amor and Heritage Dance, was recognized for her lifelong dedication to cultural preservation and youth empowerment through the arts.

• Kelly Marie Wofford, founder of Front Seat Life and Director of Health Equity for Erie County, received special recognition for her advocacy in mental health and community well-being.

• Rosela Sarkissians was honored as Volunteer of the Year for her tireless commitment and exceptional leadership.

  
  

Their contributions remind us that true change begins when individuals come together in service of others.

A Community United

From the moving performances to the energy of UB's Pi Kappa Phi fraternity volunteers helping behind the scenes, Rising as One embodied Buffalo’s spirit—full of love and compassion.

Art with Purpose and Impact

Throughout the soirée, guests bid on beautiful silent auction items, from original artwork and Parisian gift baskets to local experiences, all donated by artists and community partners who believe in ICA’s mission.

Thanks to your generosity and the connections made through the Rising as One Art Soirée, children and youth in Buffalo and the Democratic Republic of Congo are stepping into this school year—and the year ahead—with hope, opportunity, and the promise of continued support.

Here’s what your support made possible:

• Fourteen (14) additional orphans in the DRC will have their 2025–2026 tuition paid in full ensuring continued access to education and bringing the number of children ICA is supporting this school year to more than 85.

• All six (6) of our 2025 high school graduates have each been sponsored to pursue their higher education goals.

• Four (4) teachers at our new learning center at GUAOA Orphanage in the DRC will receive monthly compensation through December. This will provide the teachers with job security and stability, allowing them to feed their families, cover essential needs, and remain devoted to educating children living in the midst of an ongoing conflict. 

• Two (2) additional students in Buffalo will receive scholarships that open doors to education and opportunity, bringing the total number of local scholarship recipients who will benefit in 2026 to five (5). 

  
  

Every sponsorship, auction bid, and donation made during the Soirée represents a shared commitment to building brighter futures through education and economic empowerment.

The journey isn’t over. The needs of underserved children in Buffalo and the DRC remain great. Many more children will require support in the coming year including tuition assistance, school supplies, food, clothing, and other essentials. Support a student’s year of learning: Sponsor, donate, or share to help provide the essentials that keep kids in school.

Make a gift today! Click here.

Looking Ahead

The Rising as One Art Soirée was more than an event, it was a movement in motion. A reminder that when communities come together across cultures and continents, we can rise as one to empower the next generation.

International Child Advancement extends heartfelt gratitude to every sponsor, artist, donor, volunteer, and guest who made the night meaningful. Your compassion fuels our mission to Empower, Educate, and Elevate children in the DRC and Buffalo.

To learn more about ICA’s work or to become an educational sponsor, visit Educational Sponsorship | ICA or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.