On October 2, 2026, the JW Marriott Grand Rapids will become the center of a powerful cultural moment as Walk With Purpose takes the stage. This black‑tie fashion gala is more than an evening of beauty and entertainment. It is a transformative experience designed to spark conversation, challenge stigma, and celebrate resilience through the combined power of fashion, art, music, and community.
Mental health affects individuals, families, workplaces, and entire communities. Yet stigma often prevents people from speaking openly or seeking support. Walk With Purpose aims to change that by bringing mental health into a space filled with creativity, elegance, and emotional expression. The result is an evening where healing feels accessible and where guests are invited to connect through shared experience.
The event begins on the red carpet, hosted by Mrs. Universe 2025 delegate Rashmy Nair. Her interviews will highlight designers, performers, and community leaders, setting the tone for a night where every voice contributes to a larger narrative of hope and awareness. Her presence adds global visibility and reinforces the importance of elevating mental health conversations across cultures.
Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand and Commissioner Marshall A. Kilgore will deliver special speeches during the gala. Their participation reflects a growing understanding that mental health is not only a personal matter but a community responsibility. Their messages will emphasize compassion, awareness, and the need for collective action to support mental wellness.
The entertainment lineup is designed to immerse guests in a rich, multisensory experience. The Grand Rapids Symphony will deliver a live performance that demonstrates the emotional power of music. The Michigan Ballet Academy will present a dance piece that uses movement to explore themes of healing and human connection. Spoken word artist Oluwafemi Toure will bring raw honesty to the stage, offering a moment of reflection that deepens the evening’s message. Artist Maivena Gaye will create a live art piece before guests, transforming the creative process into a shared experience of expression and storytelling.
The runway presentations will feature collections from Miracle Glass Art, Luxeon28th, TappedinwithGod, HouseofHarstad, Pieces of Kandakes, and Doro. Each designer brings a unique perspective, yet all contribute to the event’s larger message that fashion is a powerful form of communication. Through fabric, color, and design, these collections express identity, resilience, and emotion, reminding guests that fashion can be a vehicle for storytelling and connection.
A highlight of the evening will be the crowning of the King and Queen of the Gala. These individuals will be recognized for leadership, creativity, character, and community impact. The moment celebrates people who embody the spirit of Walk With Purpose and who use their influence to uplift others.
Walk With Purpose is also committed to making a tangible impact. The event supports be nice or else., a nonprofit dedicated to mental health education, awareness, and suicide prevention in West Michigan. By raising funds and visibility for this organization, the gala ensures that its message translates into real support for individuals and families across the region.
What makes Walk With Purpose truly powerful is its belief in creative expression as a tool for healing. A designer can tell a story through fabric. A musician can express emotions that words cannot capture. A dancer can communicate an experience through movement. A spoken word artist can give voice to feelings that are often unspoken. An artist can turn emotion into something visible and meaningful. Together, these forms of expression create an environment where empathy grows, conversations begin, and stigma fades
