The Ruby Gala Returns for an Alluring Evening of Fundraising

Elegantly attired guests arrived at Marathon Music Works for an evening of community support. Founded by Sean Kelly — one of Nfocus’ 2024 Fresh Faces of Philanthropy — the annual Ruby Gala raises crucial funds for the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic. The clinic is a space for people living with HIV and provides respectful, compassionate, affordable medical care beyond focusing on HIV status. In addition to medical care, the organization provides patients transportation to their doctor’s appointments, a food pantry for those in need, a dental program and more.

As the dazzling crowd visited and enjoyed Champagne, official gala stylists Emily Bache and Abigail Breslin — The Wanderlust Girls — visited with guests. The energy throughout the event was jubilant as all moved to the dining room to find their tables and have their portraits taken by Anthony Romano. Hosts cleverly displayed the silent auction in the dining room, ensuring more than one passing glance at the enticing auction lots. 

As revelers took their seats, Sean came to the stage to present this year’s Raffanti Award — named for Stephen Raffanti, who created the clinic. Before the presentation, Sean shared some statistics about HIV. “Out of every 100 people living with HIV, only 67% are living undetectable,” he said. “Our goal is to get to 90% in the next few years.” The 2025 award went to Tiye Link, the Healthy University program director at Nashville CARES. Tiye told the story of how she found Nashville CARES and why it means so much to her. “I love what I do,” she said. “I am going to keep doing what I am doing until the wheels come off.” 

After Tiye’s moving speech, it was time for the live auction. The first lot was the famous ruby pendant necklace that the Ruby Gala auctions each year to raise funds. And raise funds, it did. This year, the necklace surpassed previous years’ donations — all to help the clinic. After the auction, it was time for a band and dancing. For many, the party continued well into the night at The Westin Nashville Hotel’s trendy L27 Rooftop Lounge.