ARC CIC Wins Community Group of the Year at the Empowerment Awards!
- Keisha Rodney
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
What an incredible night! We are beyond thrilled to announce that ARC CIC has won the Community Group of the Year award at the Empowerment Awards—a wonderful extension of Talks with MS. The night was nothing short of spectacular, a black-tie affair where everyone sparkled in their finest attire.
As we walked into the venue, the atmosphere was set with exquisite decorations and a much-needed welcoming drink—perfect for calming the nerves that were already in full swing. With no seating plan, we had the fantastic opportunity to mix and network with new faces (and as you know, I absolutely love networking!).
Our host for the evening, Sa'btisha, was phenomenal. She had us all laughing and thoroughly entertained throughout the night, making the whole event even more enjoyable.
A Night of Recognition & Celebration
The night kicked off with awards being presented, and my nerves began to build. Thankfully, a food break arrived just in time before our category was announced! We were treated to a mouthwatering meal of Jerk chicken, rice and peas, Rasta pasta, and a single-serve cheesecake—a guilty pleasure that my dietician might not approve of, but my stomach was all in favor of! And did I mention the open bar? The drinks were definitely flowing!
One of the most emotional moments of the night came during the Young Carer of the Year award. The room was filled with tears as we listened to the stories of these incredible young individuals stepping up in ways that would challenge even the most seasoned adults. Their resilience, kindness, and maturity were beyond inspiring. A massive well done to all the nominees and winners—it was truly well deserved!
And Then, It Was Our Turn...
When it came time for the Community Group of the Year category, we were up against some incredible organizations, including Confirmed Anomalies CIC, The Gynae Project, ALL4 Inclusion CIC, Keep Smylin CIC, and The Nerve of My MS CIC. Each of these groups does amazing work within their communities, and we felt honored just to stand alongside them.
And then, the moment arrived… ARC CIC was announced as the winner! We were in complete shock. We never expected to win—after all, our work is rooted in loss. Loss of life. While we strive to remain positive, there is always a cloud that lingers over us. We finance everything ourselves, never receiving any funding despite applying countless times. So, to hear our name called was a surreal and emotional moment.
A New Chapter Begins
Winning this award lifted that cloud. It reminded us that our work is seen, valued, and appreciated. It signified hope, perseverance, and a reaffirmation that we are making a real difference. We are now an award-winning community group—just saying that out loud fills us with so much pride and motivation to keep going.
This award is not just for us; it belongs to every supporter, every family we have helped, and everyone who believes in our mission.
A huge thank you to Terri-Louise Brown, the founder of the Empowerment Awards and Talks with MS, for creating such a powerful platform to recognize the impact of grassroots organizations.
To all the nominees and winners—congratulations! Keep pushing forward, because what you do truly matters.
And to our supporters—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This is just the beginning of something even greater!
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