It’s all Black & White for Young Emerging Leaders

photos and story by Michael Tilley

More than 125 attended the 3rd annual Bella Notte annual banquet and fundraiser Saturday night (Mar. 7) at the Fort Smith Holiday Inn City Center.

Bella Notte, sponsored by the Young Emerging Leaders of the Greater Fort Smith Region, is an event for young professionals to gather and network, said event co-chair Pam Hall.

The event included a silent auction, entertainment, adult beverages, dinner and dancing. Proceeds from Bella Notte support the YEL Scholarship Fund that allows the group to sponsor YEL members who participate in the Leadership Fort Smith program and other community leadership programs.

“(LFS) is a great community organization, and this helps us support that,” Hall said.

YEL launched in September 2006, under the auspices of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, based upon a recommendation of the TIP Strategies report, according to the YEL Web site.

The TIP report noted: “The creation of a Young Professionals Association should be a top priority for the Chamber.” According to the report, the purpose of such an organization should be to “develop networking opportunities for professionals in the area. Now in its third year, YEL has about 260 members.

Bella Notte also has a very practical purpose, according to Tina Wilkinson, the other co-chair of Bella Notte.

“It gives us a reason to get dressed up, come out and dance and just have a good time,” she said.