By Chit Chat Communications
For just under a year, AVELO Airlines has become the go to aircraft for New Haveners looking for a quick get away; hopping on a flight to many places across the globe, including DC, Puerto Rico, even Atlanta. Last weekend, New Haven native Laurence Chambers, did just that as he visited his mom in Metro Atlanta for her birthday and decided to surprise and support his James Hillhouse High School classmate Carla Morrison, who was producing a Women’s History Month program, “Celebrating Women of Color… DeKalb Women Speak”, in a neighboring suburb outside of Atlanta, DeKalb County, GA.
Morrison, who is a native of New Haven, CT., has been producing “Celebrating Women of Color…” for many years and even produced the program, in conjunction with Alderwoman Jeanette Morrison, Ward 22, at Yale African American Cultural Center in New Haven eight years ago featuring Women History Makers in Connecticut: 1st Gold Medalist in the Hammer Throw, Alexandria Givan; First Black Woman Captain of New Haven Police Department, Patricia Helliger; Alderwoman Tyisha Walker, first woman president of the New Haven Board of Alders; and first woman elected president of the Greater New Haven NAACP, Doris Dumas, with Babz Ivy Rawls as the host/moderator.
This year the program included: A fireside chat featuring DeKalb County Georgia’s first African American woman CEO, Lorraine Cochran Johnson; networking; games; prizes; poetry; visual art; dancing; an amazing cuisine; vendors row and a 360 photo booth. There were youth from DeKalb County Public Schools as well as the City of Atlanta, Fulton County and the newest members of Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, involved in the production.
“DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson was so impressed that she committed to partnering with Chit Chat Communications / Sisters of Today & Tomorrow (SOT) as well as Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry to expand upon the event, making it into the expo that Ms. Carla has always envisioned it to be,” stated Courtney Britton, SOT Alumni & New Haven native, who was there as a supporter.
“We are excited about Madame CEO’s commitment to us,” stated Carla Morrison, CEO & Founder of Chit Chat Communications & Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT). “This partnership will provide the leverage we need to secure the right sponsors, supporters and people, as 2026 will be our 15th Women’s History Month production and we want to ensure an unforgettable experience for all involved”.
The tentative date for “Celebrating Women of Color…” is Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11am-5pm at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in Decatur, GA. For more information, log onto: www.ChitChatCommunications.biz .
“Next year, I plan to come back for the event,” says Chambers. “Especially since AVELO is in my backyard and provides a direct flight to Atlanta.” Britton suggested, “more people from New Haven should plan to attend our women’s history month celebration and make an entire weekend out of it. I know that would make Ms. Carla so happy.”
“Celebrating Women of Color…” is a Women’s History Month program produced by Chit Chat Communications and Sisters of Today & Tomorrow (SOT) to inspire, empower, educate and entertain women (20-65) and girls (11-18), as well as the community at-large. This “feel good” program concluded its 14th year and includes: Food, entertainment, empowerment speeches, poetry, wellness activities, vendors and fun.
Photo by Donna Permell of Prime Phocus
