Dear Family, Friends, Fellow Alumni, and Partners,

With a heart full of gratitude, pride and joy, I welcome you home.

For many of us, Nakawa Estate was more than a place where we lived. It was where our stories began — where friendships were formed, dreams were nurtured, lessons were learned and unforgettable memories were made.

Life has since taken us in different directions. We have become professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders and parents. Yet, wherever life has taken us, the foundation of those early years remains part of who we are.

The 2026 Black Tie Gala is an opportunity to reconnect — not simply to remember where we came from, but to consider what we can build from those roots.

Our vision extends beyond one evening. We want to build a sustainable institution that connects generations, creates opportunities, supports members, promotes mentorship and entrepreneurship, strengthens professional networks and contributes to meaningful community impact.

Our community has already demonstrated this spirit. We have supported one another during difficult times, mobilised resources for families and community needs, created professional connections and continued to stand together through moments of both celebration and difficulty.

The opportunity before us now is to give that spirit greater structure, sustainability and reach.

Through the Black Tie Initiative, we can do more — more mentorship, more professional connections, more entrepreneurial opportunities, more support for women and children, more attention to wellbeing and more meaningful community impact.

To our members, partners, businesses, friends and supporters: I invite you to help us build this vision.

The Gala is where we gather.
The Initiative is what we build together beyond that evening.

With gratitude,

dnafuna@neablacktiegalainitiative.org