Each year, the Urban League of Broward County hosts their signature Red Gala, a highly anticipated fundraising event that honors local community leaders who symbolize the organization’s mission while simultaneously raising funds for various causes supporting Black, Brown, underserved communities. This year, the theme of this “party with a purpose” is Music of Motown. Guests are expected to don their best retro chic attire and prepare to enjoy a night of entertainment, networking, fine dining and, above all, charity.
Among the 2023 Red Gala honorees are three trailblazing women who thoroughly embody the Urban League’s commitment to uplifting the community — Rosalind Brewer, and Jamaican-Americans Felicia Hatcher and Cecile Comrie.
Rosalind Brewer
Rosalind Brewer has been a professional powerhouse for over 40 years. After holding several management positions from 1984 on at global health company Kimberly-Clark, Brewer moved up the corporate ladder to become President of Global Nonwovens Division from 2004 until 2006, before advancing to executive leadership positions with Walmart. Six years later she became President and CEO of Sam’s Club and later COO and Group President at Starbucks from 2017 to 2021 before landing her current role as CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. in 2021.
As if her accomplishments aren’t impressive enough, in 2023 she became Chair Emerita of the Board of Trustees for Spelman College, her alma mater, as the first former board chair to receive the distinction, and is currently ranked #7 on Fortune’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business list.
Brewer is nominated for the Tripp Scott Diversity Champion Award Honoree, an award given annually to the individual who best demonstrates commitment to diversity and inclusion in both business and community.
Felicia Hatcher
Felicia Hatcher is one woman who truly does it all. Her never-ending list of accomplishments include being the CEO of singer Pharrell William’s Black Ambition Opportunity Fund, seasoned transformational speaker to fortune 500 companies, successful author, inclusive innovative strategist for companies like Google, Spotify, Target and more. In 2014, Hatcher received the Obama White House Champion of Change award for STEM Access and Diversity and the following year took home Legacy Magazine’s Trailblazer of the Year. She has also made appearances on NBC’s Today Show, Wall Street Journal and MSNBC.
For all of her success and advocacy for marginalized communities, Hatcher is nominated for the 2023 Margaret Roach Humanitarian Award, presented by JM Family Enterprises, INC. She was previously recognized by the National Urban League in 2018 as a Young Professionals Inclusive Innovator Honoree.
Cecile Comrie
Cecile Comrie is a strong community advocate and proud single mother of two 2014 National Urban League National Achievers Society inductees, Caila and Chai who were a junior in high school and fourth grader at the time of induction. As a motivated highschooler, Caila joined the Student Board and represented the Chapter annually at the NAS Summit competition. Six years later, her sister Chai became president of the Student Board from 2020-2022, as well as Co-Captain of the Culture and Brain Bowl team for three consecutive years.
As her children found their success within the organization, so did Comrie as a dedicated volunteer. Over the years she has served as a parent chaperone for the Summit, on the NAS Parent Board as Vice President for six years, volunteered with the Culture and Brain Bowl Coach for four years, has organized various fundraising events and more. Selflessly, her motivation for all of this stems from a nurturing spirit, love of her children and the opportunity to model the community citizen she hopes they too become.
For her role in community betterment, Comrie is the I Am Empowered Honoree, presented by JP Morgan Chase.
The 2023 Red Gala will be held Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
