Newport Living and Lifestyles 2021 Annual Influencer Award Winners with host Christon Gibson SHP
AND THE WINNERS ARE… 
We were inundated with nominations for the Newport Living and Lifestyles 2021 Annual Influencer Awards… and with good reason.
There are SO MANY inspiring trailblazers in Newport County who continue to work tirelessly every day to give back to our City by the Sea—and it is an absolute honor to be able to showcase just a few of them here, as the worthy winners that they are. 
THANK YOU for submitting your nominations for outstanding philanthropic initiatives, efforts, and contributions. Here are just some of the ways you described these incredible nominees:
“A creative force and a positive force for a better, more cultural Newport!”
“Always available to help a friend or neighbor.”
“Easily summed up in one word: SELFLESS.”
“Committed to Newport on so many levels.”
This is only a small portion of people that make our community what it is, and we cannot wait to recognize even more of you at the 2022 Awards.
Please join me in congratulating our winners in the comments below. 
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Drew A Carey, PhD is the CEO of INSPIRE Environmental and a scientist who is a fierce advocate for our oceans, with 30 years of experience addressing issues in marine science, environmental monitoring, and marine policy. Drew takes particular pride in INSPIRE’s culture of innovation, quality, and compassion and its commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion. Drew Carey Inspire Environmental
Jared Vance is the Principal of Rogers High School and an educational leader whose focus has always been students FIRST—from ensuring his students had internet access during the pandemic, to going out of his way to get food to the families who need it most. Jared Vance Rogers High School
Elizabeth Kahane is a fine art photographer and philanthropist recognized for her dedication to supporting several local institutions, charitable causes, and foundations—including the big public exhibition, free to the public during the pandemic to support the Historic Spring Park, Art & Newport, The Audrain Automobile Museum, Newport Irish Museum, Newport Art Museum, The Preservation Society of Newport County, the Newport Historical Society, and the Newport Hospital. Elizabeth Ann Kahane Historic Newport Spring Audrain Automobile Museum
Pauline Perkins-Moye grew up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Newport and has been tirelessly dedicated to her mission to fight for the less fortunate, as director of Resident Services of Newport Housing Authority, a member of the Newport County NAACP, Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, Newport Partnership for Families, a church and Newport Hospital volunteer, and more. She has crusaded against injustices in housing, food and employment. Newport Housing Authority
Theresa Guzman Stokes is the President and founder of the 1696 Heritage Group, a historical consulting firm dedicated to helping persons and institutions of color to increase their knowledge and access to the light of truth of their unique American heritage. She currently serves as the Managing Director for the RI Black Heritage Society and Executive Director for Historical Writers of America. @1969 heritage Rhode Island Black Heritage Society – RIBHS Historical Writers of America
William Heydt is the artist behind the “Newportant” art series, which has portrayed hundreds of Newport residents over the years in situations when they are giving back to the community. He holds art classes for local residents, encourages artists of all ages to take paint to canvas, and is “always available to help a friend or neighbor.” William Heydt
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Thank you to our sponsors, who graciously contributed an unbelievable amount of time, effort, and resources.
PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTO STYLIST
WOMEN’S STYLIST
MENS STYLIST
JEWELRY
DOCUMENTARIAN
MEDIA/PR
LOCATION
Carolyn Rafaelian
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Brigid Rafferty
HAIR AND MAKEUP
HOST
