With Fashion and Cultural Celebration, Council Member Candyce Scott Seeks to Inspire Empowerment

New Britain City Council member, Ald. Candyce Scott (D-3) held a fashion show in the Town of Plainville Juneteenth Celebration on June 19th and later a photo shoot for CT Fashion in New Britain at the Rose Garden.

Scott is the creator of Gorgy By Candy and is a licensed professional counselor. In celebrating her African heritage, she says that she would like to inspire people to, “start to free their minds and start to be hopeful about their futures.”

Scott designed clothing with the Pan African flag colors and added some “fun speaking fabrics” and flowers to her designs. She says that she uses flowers to represent peace and love and unity.

Scott says that, “The Gorgy by Candy fashion line purpose is to celebrate culture, and empower our youth.. This fashion show is special to me and Gorgy by Candy because Juneteenth is a celebration of freeing people from slavery.”

Scott says that she, “wants everyone to remember that the struggle is still real and that we have a lot of work to do in our communities to overcome racism and inequalities.”

“My story as a Black woman is sad,” said Scott. “My people did not come here for a better place to live, to participate in immigration, or a love story. They were raped, enslaved, and force to build this country. I do not want people to cry or feel bad about what has happened. Instead I am asking for unity and for all humans to start treating each other with kindness. I am making clothing and doing the work I do in my community to honor my ancestors, elders and build a better future for our youth.”

Scott adds that she wants everyone to pay attention to the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

“I live my life by this quote,” said Scott. “You may not see the whole staircase but you still need to be hopeful and take chances. I do this everyday.”

Scott says, of her work,

I do this because I see a lot of people who have learned to be psychologically hopeless and feel they can not do anything to change their situation or improve things in our community. I think we can make things better for all of us. I think it is time to call on our elected officials and engage in improving our communities.

Scott says that she, “encourages everyone to work together, be creative, and also to attend and watch city meetings that are taking place in our city. Participate, call in or come to the meetings because your voice matters and is important.”