Movers & Shakers Gather in the Hamptons to Support Evidence, A Dance Company

Ronald K. Brown (artistic director) and Reginald Canal of HSBC (and Evidence Board Member).


Bernard Hampton Jackson III, Esq. Judge Bernard Jackson II and Nia Gandy of HYT ME



Nadja Bellen-White, VP/Dir, Marketing for Publicis Modem and friends.


Author/Producer Crystal McCrary Anthony, Reginald Van Lee (Chair of Evidence and Partner at Booz Allen Hamilton) and guests




(Photos: Margot Jordan)

The Brooklyn-based Evidence, A Dance Company held their 5th annual summer fundraiser "On Our Toes" in the Hamptons last week at Nova's Ark Sculputure Park. The annual benefit was held to support community outreach activities and educational programs for performing arts enthusiasts of all ages. Highly regarded choreographer and Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown founded Evidence in 1985 and the company tours across the U.S. and abroad 25 – 30 weeks a year.

Numerous prominent philanthropists, celebrities and senior executives of the African-American community were all smiles and looked summer chic as they supported the worthy cause. "On Our Toes" was initiated by Evidence Board Chair, Reginald Van Lee of Booz Allen Hamilton and Susan Taylor, former editorial director of Essence Magazine. This summer's Honorary Chair was writer, producer and activist Crystal McCrary Anthony and TV personality René Syler was the mistress of ceremonies.

Evidence patrons contributed $500 each and enjoyed a cocktail reception, dance performance and a "Dancing with the Dancers" after-party. "On Our Toes" notable sponsors included: HSBC Premier, 10 Cane Rum, Pfizer, Verizon, Bloomberg, Sony OLED, Banyan Tree Mayakoba Residencies, Booz Allen Hamilton, Continental Airlines, Emily and Ashley, Hamptons.com, Dr. N. V. Perricone, The Ark Project, Tiffany & Co. and UPTOWN magazine.

If you missed out on this fabulous charitable event, not to worry, Evidence will be hosting its other major fundraiser: Winter Gala in Manhattan on February 3, 2009 at the Millennium Broadway Hotel.
Special thanks to Andrea Hoffman!!
View my post from Winter Gala 2008

Society Stars: Children of the City Gala

David and Leilah Tyree, Cheryl Rogers with Jesse Tyree


Selita Ebanks and Steve Schirripa


Thomas Gilmartin, David Tyree and Yvonne Riley-Tepie


Selita Ebanks, Chris Gay, Duncan Olde, Katie Walters, Miguel Avalos and Harold Palacios

The Children of the City Gala was held in New York at the Tribeca Rooftop last week. The Gala's 27th anniversary brought out philanthropists, athletes, models and corporate bigwigs. The organization's annual gala honored New York Giant, David Tyree with the Children's Champion Award this year. Sopranos star Steve Schirripa served as the Master of Ceremonies, and New Jersey Nets star Richard Jefferson was a guest of honor. Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks and COC Founder/Executive Director, Joyce Mattera were among the presenters.

Guests enjoyed dinner and entertainment in support of a worthy cause. Notable patrons like COC Board of Director Rocco Basile and Yvonne Riley-Tepie, assistant VP of Marketing for Commerce Bank in Brooklyn and Queens, were in attendance.

Children of the City is a community based organization that has been serving disadvantaged children since 1982. Its mission is to reach at risk inner city children with hope, guidance and resources to positively affect their lives and communities, breaking the cycle of poverty and its effects. Children of the City's outreach provides disadvantaged children with prevention programs, crisis intervention, educational support and healthy activities through small groups and large gatherings of children that continually produce tremendous documented progress and results. It currently reaches over 2,000 children and youth in Sunset Park each year, serves 900 children monthly through home visits from volunteers and counselors and provides daily academic support to those at risk of educational failure.

Flashes: MUSEUM of the CITY OF NEW YORK Director's Council and DIOR's Winter Ball

Maggie Betts

Kelechi Odu

Wednesday night the MUSEUM of the CITY OF NEW YORK Director's Council and DIOR hosted the Winter Ball. Most of New York's high society was on the scene. Guests like fashionable socialites Maggie Betts and fashion designer, Kelechi Odu enjoyed cocktails, dinner and dancing throughout the museum.
(Photos:Patrick McMullan)

Flashes: 27 Dresses Gala in UK

Keisha Buchanan and Amelle Berrabah


Danielle Lloyd and Mica Paris


Beverley Knight
(Photos:WireImage)

The "27 Dresses" Gala Screening in Aid of the Lavender Trust was held Tuesday in London at the Apollo. The Gala was held in support of the breast cancer fund, The Lavender Trust.

British stars including R&B singer,Beverley Knight, Keisha Buchanan and Amelle Berrabah of pop group Sugarbabes, along with model Danielle Lloyd and crooner Mica Paris supported the important cause.

Lavender Trust is the only fund in the UK committed to addressing particular needs and concerns of women under the age of 50 who are diagnosed with breast cancer. There are 8000 women under-50 years of age who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the U.K.

Every March the Lavender Trust holds Lavender Week to raise awareness of issues facing younger women with breast cancer and to raise funding for Breast Cancer Care's services for younger women.

Society Stars: Jayneoni Moore's "Readalicious" Book Bash

Philanthropist and Celebrity style maven, Jayneoni Moore hosted the "Readalicious" Book Bash this weekend in Century City, California. The purpose of the Readalicious campaign is to provide new books to children, as well as raise awareness of the scarcity of literature available to children in economically challenged neighborhoods.

Adult and child celebrities like, Tichina Arnold, Ali Landry and Justin Martin came out and supported the event. Children from various shelters and clubs including the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club had the opportunity to create their own books in a Crayola sponsored arts and crafts area. They also children re-named the celebrities in attendance. Moore was called “Beyonce”, Shar Jackson was re-named “Janet Jackson”, Ali Landry became “Hannah Montana”, Justin Martin became “P Diddy”, Kelly Rutherford was named “Jessica Simpson”, and giant William Romeo (Mayhem) was the pint-sized “Gary Coleman”. When the celebrities read to the children, they took on their NEW celebrity names and personas. ¨ American Gladiators’ Mayhem, a very pregnant Jodie Sweetin (yes the little girl from 80's/90's sitcom Full House), and children actor stars Sammi Hanratty, Jeannette McCurdy, and Madison Davenport blew bubbles and ate peanut butter cookies with kids from the Watts Boys and Girls Club at the Readalicious Book Bash on Saturday.

The Jayneoni Moore Foundation in partnership with Read Across America and The California Teachers Association created the The Readalicious Bag-O-Books Campaign.
This Campaign has supplied over 1,000 children, this spring alone, with school bags bursting with literature from prominent publishing companies such as Kane/Miller Publishing, Blue Apple Books and Simon & Schuster.

Jayneoni is a huge advocate of local non-profit organizations that address domestic violence and terminally ill children. She has hosted other successful philanthropic events including her Jayneoni Moore Children's Fund Big Baby Shower and Hollywood Baby Boom Boom Room.

It's always good karma when one uses their success to help the less fortunate. In the near future I'll tell you more about Jayneoni Moore and her plans.

Society Stars: DAF's 3rd Annual "Don't Stop the Music Gala"

Vernon Jones with guest and Dallas Austin

Shelly Hardrutt-Hill ,Kevin Michael and Catherine Brewton


Valeria Jackson and George Clinton
(Photos:WireImage)


Grammy winning producer and songwriter,Dallas Austin held his 3rd Annual "Don't stop the Music" Gala at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta. Austin founded the Dallas Austin Foundation (DAF)501(c)(3)in 2003 with a goal of exposing youth to the art of music and film. Television anchor Jovita Moore and actor Orlando Jones hosted the gala.

Patrons dined and enjoyed performances by Gladys Knight, George Clinton and Fantasia Barrino. Comedian, Cedric the Entertainer hosted the live auction. Guests bid on an array of items including a private condo for a week in South Beach, a Todd Murphy Original and a one-on-one workout with Atlanta Falcons’ Fullback, Ovie Mughelli.

Music industry insiders, socialites and local celebs attended the philanthropic soiree. Singer, Kevin Michael, V.P. of Writer-Publisher Relations/BMI Catherine Brewton and Shelly Hardrutt-Hill were on the set. Dekalb County CEO and founding member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity/Stone Mountain Alumni Chapter, Vernon Jones also made an appearance. Dallas brought along his 2 adorable sons for the entertaining evening.

Life on the Beach: South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Chef Marcus Samuelsson

Chef Govind Armstrong


Chef Govind Armstrong


Aerial view of Emeril's Sugar Shack

Emeril's Sugar Shack

TV Anchor, Al Roker


John Legend and girlfriend, Christine Teigen with Chef Giada de Laurentis



Rachael Ray's Burger Bash



Rachael Ray's Burger Bash


The weather was perfect this weekend on the beach. The past few days have been such a whirlwind, my husband and I are still recuperating. This weekend was the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and majority of the culinary elite and Food Network personalities were on the scene.

My husband is a food and hospitality executive, so we had several friends and colleagues in town and attended numerous dinner parties and industry insider events the past few days. Some of the events during the festival were Emeril's Sugar Shack (where they ran out of sugar and champagne) poolside at the Raleigh hotel, Rachael Ray's Burger Bash (where Chef Marcus Samuelsson joined in the fun), Bubble Q (where celebs like John Legend and Al Roker hung out) and the celebrity chef after-party at Casa Casuarina (Versace mansion) to name a few.

My favorite culinary event was definitely the Publix Grand Tasting Tent. Celebrity chefs like Chef Govind Armstrong had live cooking demos and there were dozens of food and wine vendors to sample. I had the most delicious Andouille sausage and Duck gumbo, the Barbados tourism served their island's traditional tasty flying fish. Everybody at the tasting was feeling good and saucy with all the wine and liquor being served. The Lucid Absinthe was yummy and intoxicating, but my favorite was the MonteVina Winery's Terra d'oro Zinfandel, perfection!

I'll post some more photos of the South Beach Wine and Food festival in upcoming posts and let you know the deal with Chef Govind Armstrong from the popular Los Angeles/Miami restaurants Table 8.

Society Stars:Elton John's 16th Annual AID Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party

Songstress, Mary J Blige


Host and music extraordinaire,Elton John

TV personality Terri Seymour with her boyfriend and music producer/Idol judge, Simon Cowell


Actress, Jurnee Smollet


Model Mogul, Heidi Klum with her husband and singer, Seal.


Mogul, Russell Simmons with girlfriend and model, Porschia Coleman
(Photos: Getty Images)

The 80th Annual Oscar Academy Awardss were held last night and in tradition, Elton Johnand his partner David Furnish hosted his 16th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at the Pacific Design Center. Black stars shone brightly last night in an effort to support Elton John in his endeavors to combat and raise awareness about the fatal disease HIV/AIDS, as well as the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals, and for programs that provide services to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

The philanthropic gala began with a cocktail reception, then a formal dinner and viewing of the Oscars Awards.

Society Stars: EIF & Sak's 'UNFORGETTABLE EVENING'

Gelila and Wolfgang Puck


Mary J Blige


Darlene Fountaine


Chad Wonder with Kai Milla


Natalie Cole
(Photos: Patrick McMullan)


EIF and Sak's 5th Avenue held it's annual 'UNFORGETTABLE EVENING' Benefiting Entertainment Industry Foundation's (EIF) Women's Cancer Research. The sit-down dinner gala,which raised over $1.5 million for revolutionary cancer research, took place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and featured a live performance by Grammy-award winning Mary J. Blige. This year EIF honored Oscar winning actress Hillary Swank whose lost several family members to Cancer, with the 2008 Courage Award. Fellow thespian Morgan Freeman presented Hillary Swank with the award.

Stevie Wonder's wife, designer Kai Milla and Beverly Hill real estate agent Darlene Fountaine looked gorgeous. Gelila's husband, Wolfgang Puck catered the dinner. Chanteuse, Natalie Cole looked absolutely flawless and younger than ever.

Flashes: More Pics from Evidence Dance "Grace in Winter" Red Ball

Dancers: Khetanya Henderson, Keon Thoulouis, Shani Collins, Arcell Cabuhe, Clarice Young, Donovan Herring, Tiffany Quinn, Juel Lane, and Artistic Director, Ronald K. Brown

Reginald Van Lee with Patricia and Lloyd Howell

Judge Bernard Jackson and Joyce Mullins-Jackson


Dwayne Ashley with Latoya Henry

Valerie and Harriet Michel

James A. Parham with Rene Syler

Pamela Joyner

Susan Taylor

B. Michael with Cicely Tyson
(Photos:NYSD.com)

Here's some more pics from last weeks Evidence Dance Company's "Grace in Winter" Red Ball.
To see more photos and info on the gala and Ronald K. Brown's talented dance company click here to read my post from last week.

Reginald Van Lee of Booz Allen Hamilton was one of the generous sponsors of the event.

Patricia and Lloyd Howell, Vice President of Booz Allen Hamilton looked great.

Honorable Judge Bernard Jackson and his wife, Joyce Mullins-Jackson looked glamorous as ever.

Handsome Phi Beta Sigma brother, Dwayne Ashley is CEO and President of Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Latoya Henry of Thurgood Marshall Scholarship fund looked pretty and petite in a LBD.

Red Ball 2008 Mistress of Ceremonies and journalist Rene Syler glowed.

Valerie and Harriet Michel, founding member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives were all smiles.

Pamela Joyner looked flawless in a beautiful silk charmeuse gown.

Essence's Chief Editorial Executive,Susan Taylor, beamed in a beaded red ensemble.

Evidence committee member and film legend Cicely Tyson sparkled.

Designer B. Michael was dressed to the nines, I love the silver scarf. His whole look was flawless.

It's a good thing anytime the Black community comes out to support each other and have a good time.