On Tuesday evening “Giving back to the community” themed Atlas Foundation Annual Friendship and Dialogue Dinner commenced with a gathering of friends, state officials, legislators and journalists bidding on unique handcrafted Turkish items in a silent auction at Boudreaux’s.

Program started with Julie Baxter’s opening remarks and followed by opening prayers by Dianne Hanley, Rabbi Barry Weinstein, and Emrah Aktepe representing the Christian, Jewish, Muslim members of our community. Main speaker for the night, Walter Mounsor of East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority, introduced the crowd to the development works upcoming project goals while also using the “broken glass theory” example to motivate the audience to follow human natures desire for repair and restoration that eventually leads to a better environment that benefits everyone in the community. Following dinner, the awards ceremony included a Leadership Award to District Attorney, Hillar Moore, a Media Award to journalist and radio personality Jim Engster, and a Community Service Award to Charlene Montelaro on behalf of Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

The aim of the night’s dinner was focused on seeing the community as a whole, recognizing those who are working towards attainting this goal with their hard work, and inspiring each of us to take responsibility to share in the progress of building up the great state of Louisiana.