
The 2023 3rd Annual DC Black Tie Experience took place on Saturday, May 20, at the National Harbor Pavillion, with over 400 attendees including former NFL players Gary Clark (Washington Redskins), Brian Mitchell (Washington Redskins), John Fitzgerald (Washington Redskins), John Fitzgerald (Washington Redskins), and Kyle Arrington (Baltimore Ravens).
A red-carpet evening, the event consisted of fashion, food, drinks, a runway show, and a performance by award-winning singer Kevin Ross. The night ended with founder Miguel Wilson, a celebrity menswear designer, receiving a Governor’s Citation from Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
The Governor’s Citation reads, “Be it known. Because of your demonstration of high integrity and ability, meriting our great trust and respect, we are most pleased to award you the Governor’s Citation in appreciation of your outstanding services to the citizens of this State.”
Wilson and Gov. Moore became acquainted during the Governor’s campaign, which resulted in the designer creating both his inauguration and inaugural ball looks.
“Anyone who knows me or my brand knows that I am a D.C.-area native. I’ve traveled the world and I take the pride and spirit of where I’m from everywhere I go,” Wilson said. “When I created the DC Black Tie Experience three years ago, I knew it was going to be something big. What I didn’t know was the overwhelming among of love and support I would receive. When you can make an impact in your own hometown, it hits differently.”
The DC Black-Tie Experience serves as a fundraising event for Ride to the Olympics Foundation (RTO), a non-profit organization that is dedicated to changing history by empowering underrepresented youth throughout the country.
The organization is committed to increasing awareness and exposure to equestrian sports (polo, show jumping and dressage) to overcome barriers, strengthen communities and help youth reach their full potential, who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to do so.
Special guest reality star Martell Holt (OWN’s Love & Marriage Huntsville) was also present to officially announce his collaboration with the Wilson to create his own signature suit collection. Holt, a friend of Wilson, has continuously supported fundraising efforts for the Ride to the Olympics Foundation.
For more information on The 2023 3rd Annual DC Black Tie Experience visit https://dcblacktieexperience.com/.To learn more about the Ride to the Olympics Foundation, please visit https://www.ridetotheolympics.org/.