January 14, 2017
The AGBU Young Professionals of Northern California (AGBU-YPNC) had a very busy long-weekend as they set off on their Gala tour, visiting Fresno on January 13th and Los Angeles on January 14th.
The first stop on the tour was historic Fresno at The Standard, a popular restaurant and bar in the area. For the first time since 2012, AGBU-YPNC hosted a mixer in Fresno, with a record turnout of over 40 young professionals in attendance. The mixer brought the YP community together for an evening of mingling and connections, and an opportunity for AGBU-YPNC to personally invite the Fresno community to the upcoming AGBU SF Winter Gala, which is set to take place February 17-19, 2017.
The following day, YPNC board members went on a tour of historic and significant Armenian landmarks and churches in the city. The group stopped at the David of Sassoon statue, the Armenian Genocide memorial on the Fresno State University campus, and Holy Trinity Church to name a few. The group looks forward to making their way back to Fresno again soon.
On Saturday, January 14 AGBU-YPNC collaborated with AGBU YP of Los Angeles (AGBU-YPLA), and the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) Professional Network, for the fifth annual “North Meets South.” The event brought Northern California YP’s together with the YP’s of the southland at Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles. More than 250 attendees connected with like-minded Armenians from all over the state at the popular venue.
For the first time, the event raised funds for Syrian Relief as Golden Road Brewing agreed to contribute 15% of the groups proceeds to the AGBU Humanitarian Emergency Relief Fund for Syrian Armenians.
Also in attendance at the event were filmmaker Naré Mkrtchyan, Director of the short documentary film, The Other Side of Home which is being considered for an Oscar nomination. Nazo Bravo, Armenian rapper, actor, and musician was also in attendance that evening.
The strength of North Meets South continues, as the event is designed to bring together the YP community and various organizations, as well as provide AGBU-YPNC an opportunity to invite the YP’s of the southland to their annual Winter Gala that takes place in San Francisco.
The AGBU-YPNC board will be heading to Sacramento on January 21st for the first ever YPNC Mixer in Sacramento, at Iron Horse Tavern. The group looks forward to another amazing night with YP’s and friends, leading to new connections and an energized YP community in Sacramento.
The success of the first weekend and the excitement of the upcoming mixer in Sacramento will complete the first ever state-wide tour of the Young Profession.
