College Bound Brotherhood 2.0 Celebrates African American Males Headed to College

By Tokiwa T. Smith
San Francisco Bay Area Contributor

The College Bound Brotherhood 2.0 will celebrate the accomplishments of young college bound Black men throughout the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, June 19th at a special graduation ceremony.   The event will be held at 6pm at the Oakland Museum of California.

Young men across the country can join the celebration online by posting pictures in their caps and gowns to the Brotherhood’s Tumblr blog, along with a brief caption about the college or university they are attending.

“A college degree is a staple of success in the 21st century.  We are excited to celebrate the emerging talent of college bound Black men in this unique way.  These are the next entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders, and contributors to our communities” said Cedric Brown, managing partner of the Kapor Center for Social Impact.

The Kapor Center for Social Impact (formerly known as the Mitchell Kapor Foundation) has joined forces with the College Access Foundation of California to establish the College Bound Brotherhood 2.0 (also known as the Brotherhood), which is expanding community partnerships to advance college success for African American young men.

The Marcus Foster Education Fund serves as the intermediary responsible for guiding the vision and strategy for the Brotherhood.  The partnership is investing more than $1 million in grants and other resources to support the Brotherhood’s efforts to reach 500 African American young men this year. The Brotherhood will also provide $150,000 in scholarships to high school graduating African American males who will enroll in college in the fall of 2013.  The scholarship application process for 2013 closed on June 7, and scholarship awardees will be announced at the graduation ceremony.

To RSVP for the ceremony, please visit: http://brotherhoodgradcelebration2013.eventbrite.com.

Apollo Theater Honors Chaka Khan at Apollo Spring Gala Benefit and Concert, Raises 1.5 Million

Apollo Legend Hall of Fame inductee, Chaka Khan and Paul Tudor Jones, Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Tudor Investment Corporation and Apollo Theater board member on stage at the Apollo Spring Gala 2013


New Legends Hall of Fame Inductee Chaka Khan joined on stage by Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Jessica Parker and Erykah Badu

Harlem, NY – The Apollo Theater, one of the nation’s greatest cultural treasures, held its 8th annual Apollo Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 10, 2013.  Tastemakers from both business and entertainment gathered to support the Apollo’s educational programs in New York City, preservation of the non-profit Theater’s unparalleled legacy and its current initiatives for emerging artists. The Gala raised $1.5 million for the theater’s performing arts, education and community programs.

Erykah Badu presented Chaka Khan with the Apollo’s highest honor.  An international music icon and an American institution, the ten-time GRAMMY® Award winner is the recipient of numerous awards for her extraordinary achievements in music and entertainment.  In 1999, she established the Chaka Khan Foundation, which includes a variety of programs and initiatives that assist women and children at risk.  This year, 2013, marks the 40th anniversary of Chaka’s career in music and entertainment.

The cultural icon joined past inductees including Lionel Ritchie, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Gladys Knight, Little Richard, and Ella Fitzgerald, in the Apollo Legend Hall of Fame.   After the gala, Ms. Khan was presented with her plaque which will be installed on the Apollo Walk of Fame under the Theater’s iconic marquee on 125th Street in Harlem.

During the event, several artists took the stage, including Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Holliday, Deborah Cox and Alexandra Burke, to honor Ms. Khan and her induction by performing some of her greatest hits.  In the evening’s finale, Ms. Holliday, Ms. Burke and Ms. Cox joined onstage for a stunning performance of Ms. Khan’s 1978 classic, “I’m Every Woman.”

 

Wayne Brady, Emmy Award-winning comedian and star of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, hosted the evening.

 

Alexandra Burke, Jennifer Holliday and Deborah Cox perform at the Apollo Spring Gala 2013

 

Singer, Mary J Blige performs at the Apollo Spring Gala 2013

Sarah Jessica Parker presented Time Warner, Inc. with its Corporate Award, accepted by CEO Jeff Bewkes in recognition of the company’s generous support of the Apollo.  Carol’s Daughter Founder & President Lisa Price received The Percy E. Sutton Civic Leadership Award, named in honor of one of New York City’s legendary leaders and a champion of Harlem and its cultural institutions. This award is given to an individual or group who has demonstrated extraordinary support for and understanding of the value of the arts.

Time Warner CEO, Jeff Bewkes accepts the Corporate Award presented by Sarah Jessica Parker, at the Apollo Spring Gala 2013

Among the celebrity attendees were Rosie Perez, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Williams, Debra L. Lee, Ron Perelman and Ana Chapman, Marcus Samuelsson, Wendell Pierce and Tamara Mellon.

 

Paul Tudor Jones, CBS This Morning Co-Anchor Gayle King, Apollo Theater president and CEO, Jonelle Procope and Sonia Jones

 

Actor, Wendell Pierce with friend and Apollo Theater board member, Marcus Samuelsson

 

CEO of BET, Debra L. Lee and Paul Tudor Jones

 

Jimmy Choo Co-Founder, Tamara Mellon, OBE (right) and guest

The evening included the gala concert and awards ceremony, produced by Ron Weisner for Ron Weisner Entertainment, and a post performance party featuring a stylish lounge created by celebrity event planner Bronson van Wyck.


The Apollo Theater gratefully acknowledges its Spring Gala Sponsors: Time Warner Inc., MacAndrews & Forbes, Macy’s, BET Networks, BNY Mellon, The Coca-Cola Company, Chase, and TVOne.   Special thanks to American Airlines, Belvedere Vodka, Bronson van Wyck, Bite, Magnolia Bakery, Rogers Eckersley Design, and Manhattan Magazine.

Featured tweet from the event:

Tonight was everything to me, I grew up attending shows at the @ApolloTheater & now I'm a grown up & I support the gala! #apollogala
— bevysmith (@bevysmith) June 11, 2013

Source:  Press release/Apollo Theater
Photo credit:  Shahar Azran

Fourth Annual William Wilson Invitational Benefits Victims of Domestic Abuse

Clothier William Wilson (r) with Justin Kutcher of Fox Sports at the Pre-Pairings Party of the William Wilson Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament on May 20, 2013 in Charlotte, NC.

Family violence motivated clothier William Wilson to become a man cut from a different cloth

Charlotte, NC —While growing up, William Wilson felt the emotional pain and powerlessness of seeing his mother abused.  He vowed his family’s suffering would not be in vain and committed to becoming successful so his mother would have a man in her life she could be proud of.  Wilson's mother fortunately escaped the situation, but her story is an exception.

Today Wilson is an accomplished clothing designer, based in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Accepting only five new clients each month and operating by appointment only, the U.S. Navy veteran and University of Arkansas alumnus has become one of the most exclusive, private clothing designers in the country.

 

Ben Simon of Windsor Jewelers, an event sponsor, and guests Denada Jackson and Felisha Davis at the William Wilson and Jetpool Pre-Pairings Party

In 2010, Wilson founded the William Wilson Foundation (WWF) to raise funds to fight domestic violence.  WWF supports programs that help empower victims of domestic violence to change their circumstances.  Its signature fundraising event is the William Wilson Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament, which took place May 21 at Carolina Lakes Golf Club, a par 72 championship course.  The field included 25 avid golfers and 25 celebrities, most from professional sports.

 

Celebrity golfers Bill Lester of NASCAR/Grand Am Racer and Omarosa Manigault of The Apprentice at the William Wilson and Jetpool Pre-Pairings Party

On the eve of the golf tournament, Wilson hosted a pairings party with fellow U.S. Navy veteran Ryan Stone, the founder and chair of Jetpool, LLC, a private jet management firm.  Wilson and Stone boast that the annual event is one of the most sought after tickets in Charlotte.  Inside a jet hangar on May 20th, golfers and guests attending the Jetpool Pre-Pairings Party mingled over drinks and food.  Sponsors Jetpool and Rolls Royce Motor Cars of Raleigh showcased private jets and Rolls Royce models in which guests took seats and lots of photos.

 

Guests Tasha and Michael Burks inside a private jet at the ‘hangar party’

Turning Point, a domestic violence shelter, and Autism Speaks, a research and advocacy group, are the two nonprofit organizations that benefit from funds raised by the Pre-Pairings Party and tournament.  During the party, the hosts spoke poignantly about their respective cause and charitable organization and urged guests to give.  Wilson has said he realizes he cannot save the world, but by contributing to Turning Point and empowering victims of domestic violence he knows firsthand that he can help a generation and save a family.

“I’ve always tried to give back.  I made a pledge to myself as a kid that if I ever got to a point where I was making any kind of money then I would always try to help out wherever I could,” said Wilson.  “Start out with a dollar here, and then it just builds. I always try to give.”

One of the largest shelters in the southeastern United States, Turning Point is an 11,000 square foot, 42-bed facility, located in Monroe, North Carolina.  It began serving women and children affected by domestic violence in 1985.

“A domestic violence shelter such as ours operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and is incredibly expensive because we’re never closed,” said Naomi Herndon, executive director of Turning Point.  “Law enforcement shows up in the middle of the night, on Christmas Day, at any time.  Financial donations help us to stay afloat and to educate the community—taking this silent killer out of the shadows and into the light.  When William reached out to us, we were delighted.”

 

Guests Bradford Picot, Steve Weissman of ESPN SportsCenter and Justin Kutcher of Fox Sports at the ‘hangar party’

Wilson’s story and foray into business are remarkable.  He taught himself about the custom clothing industry via the Internet and even with no contacts in the fashion industry, he established William Wilson Clothing.  Within two and a half years, his designs were seen on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards in 2010 and 2011.  Grammy nominee Calvin Richardson was named “Best Dressed on the Red Carpet” in 2010, while donning Wilson’s wear.

Wilson has gone on to design clothing for the Oscars and the Emmy Awards.  He is the “Official Clothier for Charlotte Motor Speedway Club” and designed the official member jacket for the Speedway Club.   He also designs the champion's jackets for the Coca-Cola 600, Bank of America 500, Sprint All-Star Race; the winner’s jacket for the Bronko Naguski Award; and the tournament champion’s jacket for the Chiquita Classic on the PGA Web.com Tour.

 

Golfers Adonest Dean, Mike Solarte of News 14, William Wilson, Eric Bostic and Tom Womack of Major League Baseball at the 2013 William Wilson Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament

 

Kelly Golden, Angel Wilkes, Chad Kerr, Carla Paxton and Andrea Beach at the 2013 William Wilson Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament

Story submitted by Valaida Fullwood
Described an “idea whisperer,” Valaida brings unbridled imagination and a gift for harnessing wild ideas to her work as a writer and project strategist. She is a founding member of Charlotte’s New Generation of African American Philanthropists and author of “Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists.” On Twitter, follow @ValaidaF and @BlkGivesBackCLT.

Photos provided courtesy of CapturedbyKevin.com

BLOOM Initiative for L.A.’s Black Male Youth Celebrates One Year with Town Hall Meeting

Event designed to offer solutions for L.A.’s nearly 5,000 system involved black male youth

Actor and BLOOM spokesperson Larenz Tate Will Tweet Live From The Event – Follow @LarenzTate To Ask Questions


LOS ANGELES – The California Community Foundation (CCF) will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities for Men (BLOOM) initiative with a town hall meeting at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   Actor and BLOOM spokesperson Larenz Tate will tweet live from the event and will take questions via twitter, @LarenzTate.

A blueprint initiative for other cities across the nation, BLOOM is a five-year, $5 million grantmaking initiative focused on black male youth between 14-18 years of age in South Los Angeles who have been involved with the Los Angeles County probation system.

“There’s a moral imperative to act on behalf of our young people,” said Robert Lewis, BLOOM Initiative Director.  “Ultimately, BLOOM cannot fail.  Too many eyes are watching across the country.  We could light a fire for a BLOOM Detroit, BLOOM Chicago and BLOOM New Orleans.”

Today, approximately, 5,000 black male youth are under probation supervision in Los Angeles County.  BLOOM’s goal is to help 1,200 youth complete high school and 1,000 youth become gainfully employed by 2017.  A possible ripple effect could mean a 10 percent decrease in the number of black male youth on probation in the county.  This translates into a significant financial impact on Los Angeles County.  To house a youth in a probation camp, Los Angeles County taxpayers pay $100,000 per youth, per year.  BLOOM’s potential impact on Los Angeles County would save the county approximately $50 million, by 2017.

The California Community Foundation’s BLOOM initiative is the only philanthropic organization in the nation specifically focused on black male youth involved with the probation system.   BLOOM youth are under the direction of BLOOM’s community partners, which include Brotherhood Crusade, Los Angeles Urban League, Community Coalition, Youth Justice Coalition and Youth Mentoring Connection.  In addition, BLOOM will add several more youth-serving community partners later this month.  These partners will be announced to the community at the event.

Information will also be available for parents, guardians, service providers and concerned citizens on how they can get probation-involved youth enrolled in BLOOM programs and help steer these youth toward educational and employment success.  In addition, a number of celebrity advocates have been invited to join this important discussion.

During the past year, BLOOM has enrolled more than 170 youth through its community service partners.  BLOOM has also partnered with multiple businesses within Los Angeles County to provide BLOOM youth with job opportunities and/or internships.   Partnering companies include: AEG, Metro Transit Authority, Martin Outdoor Media, Buffalo Wild Wings and many more.

The CCF/BLOOM Town Hall Meeting is free and open to the public.  For more information on BLOOM or to RSVP for the event, visit www.calfund.org/BLOOM.  Follow BLOOM on Twitter at @BLOOMSouthLA and “like” BLOOM the BLOOM Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/BLOOM.CCF.  Los Angeles Trade Tech College is located at 1937 S. Grand Ave, North Tent, Los Angeles, 90015.

New Generation of African American Philanthropists Celebrates 7th Anniversary

Group portrait of New Generation of African American Philanthropists featured in Giving Back, which was published by the giving circle.

Award winning Charlotte giving circle reaches milestone, reflects on accomplishments and revs up for what’s ahead

Charlotte, NC — With a roomful of 60 people to generate ideas and momentum, seven years ago, 17 Charlotteans embarked on what was the founding of New Generation of African American Philanthropists, a giving circle known as NGAAP-Charlotte.  A great deal has occurred since the initial gathering on June 8, 2006 at The Wadsworth Estate, including ten new members joining the circle.

 

Ed Franklin, a project manager at Bank of America and member of NGAAP-Charlotte, sharing information about the giving circle at a community forum in February.

Through grant awards, community service, civic engagement and leadership, NGAAP-Charlotte has invested nearly $200,000 to benefit local nonprofit organizations and the broader community.  The circle’s mission is “to promote philanthropy—the giving of time, talent and treasure—among African Americans in the Charlotte region, with the goal of enhancing the quality of life within our communities.”  Its grants have supported nonprofits working on shelter and support for the homeless, skills and jobs for the unemployed, financial literacy for girls, mentorship for Black boys and healthcare for the uninsured.

 

NGAAP-Charlotte produced and published the award-winning book Giving Back, which was released in October 2011.

To inform and engage more people around Black philanthropy, NGAAP-Charlotte launched the Giving Back Project in 2007.  The civic engagement initiative aims ultimately “to ignite a movement of conscientious philanthropy by empowering a generation to recognize their power and responsibility to give back.”

Under the project, NGAAP-Charlotte produced and published Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists, which earned the 2012 McAdam Book Award.   The giving circle also is beneficiary of sales from the book.  Every book purchased keeps giving, since proceeds support the circle’s grantmaking and civic engagement—and since the stories themselves will inspire readers to give.

This weekend, during its 7th anniversary celebration, a guest asked whether the circle has a suggested reading list.  Favorite reads among circle members include: the essay “Four Traditions of Philanthropy” by Elizabeth Lynn and Susan Wisely; the seminal study and book A Hand Up: Black Philanthropy and Self-Help in America by Emmett Carson, Ph.D.; Tracey Webb’s blog BlackGivesBack.com; and, of course, the circle’s own book Giving Back.

“It is hard to believe that seven years have passed.  I am so proud to be a member of New Generation of African American Philanthropists and of our accomplishments.  But more important, I am excited about our future and the impact we will make in the world of philanthropy,” expressed Cathy Peterson, a registered nurse and founding member.

 

NGAAP-Charlotte members Meka Sales, Dawn Fisher and Diatra Fullwood

 

Charles W. Thomas and Valaida Fullwood, photographer and author of Giving Back and members of NGAAP-Charlotte

 

Meka Sales, a program officer at The Duke Endowment and member of NGAAP-Charlotte, at a Giving Back book reading

Attracting new donor-members is an ongoing interest of NGAAP-Charlotte, and residents of the Charlotte region are invited to inquire about membership.  The circle comprises men and women from a variety of backgrounds, sectors, walks of life and generations. Since 2006, circle members have included: Men Tchaas Ari, Renee L. Bradford, Heather Carty Ward, Deborah Charles, Rashad Davis, Tonya Edwards, Dawn Fisher, Ed Franklin, Diatra Fullwood, Valaida Fullwood, Melandee Jones, Ohmar Land, Eric Law, Tameka Lester, Clarence Lyons, Patricia Martelly, Fontella McKyer, Jennifer Miles, Vernetta Mitchell, Cathy Peterson, Meka Sales, Jenene Seymour, Jehan Shamsid-Deen, Idris Talib, Annette Taylor, Charles W. Thomas, Jr. and Keysha Walker.

NGAAP-Charlotte is one of 14 giving circles nationwide, composing the Community Investment Network.

Story submitted by Valaida Fullwood
Described an “idea whisperer,” Valaida brings unbridled imagination and a gift for harnessing wild ideas to her work as a writer and project strategist. She is a founding member of Charlotte’s New Generation of African American Philanthropists and author of Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists. On Twitter, follow @ValaidaF and @BlkGivesBackCLT.

Photos by Charles Thomas and Micheel Sales

The Insider: Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation

Ed Foster-Simeon (left) with First Lady Michelle Obama at a U.S. Soccer Foundation event.

Our latest Insider is a U.S. Navy veteran and a champion for soccer as a vehicle for youth development and social change.  Ed Foster-Simeon is president and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, a leader in sports-based youth development that has awarded over $59 million in financial support to soccer organizations and field building initiatives nationwide.  He first began working with the foundation as a volunteer in 2004 and served on several key committees, including the Executive Committee.  At the grassroots level, Foster-Simeon possesses over 20 years’ experience at the local, state and national levels of soccer in the United States as a former Vice President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and past president of Prince William Soccer, Inc. — a 3,000-player recreational and travel club in Northern Virginia.

Under his leadership, the foundation was named winner of the 2010 Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy which is presented by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  In 2011, the foundation received a prestigious federal Social Innovation Fund award to advance its work using soccer as a vehicle to improve health outcomes among children in low-income communities.

Prior to being named CEO, Foster-Simeon served as Deputy Managing Editor at USA TODAY where he was responsible for Washington, Political and Foreign news operations.  During his 15 years there, Foster-Simeon opened the newspaper’s Beijing bureau and organized and executed coverage and logistics for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Read on to learn how he transitioned from journalism to the non-profit sector, issues areas where the foundation is having the greatest impact, his advice to aspiring non-profit CEOs, and how you can get involved.

Hometown:  Brooklyn, NY

Education:  Bachelor of Science in Journalism, University of Maryland University College

Community Involvement:  Board of Directors,  Campaign to End Childhood Obesity; Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame; Member, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) Scaling What Works Advisory Group

You first began at the U.S. Soccer Foundation in 2004 as a volunteer. Four years later, you were promoted to president and CEO. What first brought you to the foundation and how did your advancement progress within the foundation?

I'd been involved in soccer as a volunteer ever since my eldest son started playing 25 years ago when he was just four.  I went from being drafted as a coach, even though I did not play soccer growing up, to serving as travel team manager and eventually President of the 3,000 player youth club in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.   I was later elected Vice President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and eventually asked to serve on the Board of the U.S. Soccer Foundation where I served on the Executive Committee and chaired a number of ad hoc committees.  Those volunteer positions gave me an opportunity to learn a lot about the organization.   In the meantime, I was advancing my career in journalism at USA Today.  When my predecessor at the Foundation told me he was retiring, he asked if I would put my name in for consideration.  The Board conducted a national search and I was fortunate to be selected.   My wife told me I would be crazy not to pursue the position since it would allow me to pursue full time my personal passion for the game and the positive impact it can have on the lives of children.

In 2011, the foundation received a federal Social Innovation Fund grant award to advance its work using soccer as a vehicle to improve health outcomes among children in low-income communities. Please share more about this grant and your progress to date.

In 2011, the U.S. Soccer Foundation was awarded a grant from the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), on behalf of the Corporation for National and Community Service, to support programs that promote healthy lifestyles and reduce obesity rates for children in urban underserved communities.  The U.S. Soccer Foundation was one of five intermediaries to receive an award from SIF in 2011 – and with this award, we were able to replicate and expand our program, Soccer for Success, in 2012.  By the end of the 2012-2013 program year, we will nearly double the number of cities and children we serve through our Soccer for Success program. More information about Soccer for Success can be found here.


What are some of the issue areas that the foundation's grant making is having the greatest impact?

Children in urban, underserved communities need a safe place to play and positive programming surrounded by caring, consistent adults that can help them lead healthy and happy lives.  The Foundation’s grants are designed to support organizations that are utilizing soccer in a positive way and provide children with a safe place to play.

By supporting community based organizations that share our philosophy, we help grow the game in underserved communities and provide sustainable, impactful programming to children nationwide. The most dangerous time for children are the hours immediately following the close of school and many underserved communities lack the resources to provide youth programming.  Many of the programs we support help to provide children with a safe outlet during those critical hours and have a low-cost barrier of entry so that all children have the chance to play a sport that encourages positive development.  We help children develop the soccer skills they need to enjoy and excel at the game on the field and to develop the life skills they need to succeed off the field.

Additionally, many urban areas lack the green space available to play outside.  By providing funding to support the building or enhancing of innovative field projects nationwide, we give children the opportunity to play this wonderful sport, in a safe area that can help their physical and social development.


What advice do you have for an aspiring president/CEO of a national non-profit organization?

Non-Profit CEOs have to be artful jugglers of three key priorities -- organizational culture, the organization's impact in communities and getting the most out of your Board of Directors.  Few excel at all three, but that's what we should strive for.  A couple of other points I try to keep in mind:

• You need a growth mindset, one that embraces challenges, learns from criticism, and persists in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
• In pursuing goals it's important to strike the right balance between a sense of urgency and patience. You need both.
• Understand that in the non-profit world the real knowledge is in the community. It's among the people you seek to serve.
• It also helps to be both strategic and opportunistic. You need a well thought out plan, but you need to remain nimble enough to act on opportunities you didn't plan for.

The same skills that lead to success in business are needed to succeed at running a non-profit.  The big difference is that non-profits have multiple bottom lines.  In addition to pursuing revenue and controlling expenses, you also have the bottom line on the organization's mission.  What impact is the work you are doing having in the communities you serve? That is a critical measure of success.

How can readers get involved to support the U.S. Soccer Foundation?

There are a few ways that readers can get involved with our work. We encourage them to visit our website to view our different programs (http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org/our-programs/) and contact Wylie Chen, our Director of Programs & Grants (wchen@ussoccerfoundation.org) to learn more about how to get involved.  Anyone can donate funds or new and gently used equipment to our programs, to help us grow the game and provide children, who might not have had the chance to play otherwise, the opportunity to play soccer.   You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


Anything else you'd like to share?

It has been quite a transition from the newsroom to a non-profit board room.  Having the opportunity to use soccer in a way that goes beyond winning and losing to improve health and social outcomes among our children is incredibly rewarding and the kind of work that can make a real difference in under-resourced communities.  It truly is a blessing being in a position to serve.

Harlem Art Center Hosts “Art Splash, Larger Than Life” Honoring Business and Community Leaders

Event celebrated contributions of famed artist LeRoy Neiman

HARLEM, NY- The Council of Advisors of The LeRoy Neiman Art Center recently hosted its 2nd annual fundraiser, "Art Splash, Larger Than Life" that honored Muhammad Ali, Councilwoman Inez E. Dickens, Business Leader Walter J. Edwards and Restaurateur Londel Davis.

The evening featured an awards ceremony, exhibition, buffet dinner, cocktails and a silent auction that celebrated the legacy of famed artist LeRoy Neiman and his vision to provide arts education to young children of Harlem.

While sipping wine, attendees viewed an extraordinary exhibition of works by celebrated artists including Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, Janet Byrne, Otto Neals, Ramona Candy, Donovan Nelson, Al Johnson, Pau DEO, Curtis James, Tafa, Sir Shadow and the Center's benefactor, LeRoy Neiman that included his famed portrait of his friend the great Muhammad Ali.

Following warm welcomes by Howard Teich, Chair, Council of Advisors for The LeRoy Neiman Art Center and Marline Martin, the Center's director along with touching remarks by two of the Center's students Emma Blankenship and Fatoumatta Jallow, the awards took place.

The legendary athlete and activist Muhammad Ali was honored with the organization's LeRoy Neiman Humanitarian Award.  Unable to attend the event himself, Mr. Ali's daughter Miya Ali accepted the award on her father's behalf.  NYC Councilwoman Inez E. Wilkins received the Community Service Award presented by fellow Council Member Robert Jackson.  The Image Award was presented to Walter J. Edwards, CEO, Full Spectrum of NY and Chair, Harlem Business Alliance, Inc. by Lloyd A. Williams, President, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.  The Business Award went to pioneering Harlem restaurateur Londel Davis, owner of Londel's Supper Club and was presented by Curtis L. Archer, President, Harlem Community Development Corporation.

Dinner sponsors included Billie's Black, Dinosaur Bar B-Que, Foridita, Island Spice & Southern Cuisine, Lido Harlem, Quality Cakes, Tonnie's Minis, Yatenga French Bistro & Bar and Norma Jean Darden's acclaimed Spoonbread.

 

Councilman Robert Jackson, Honoree Councilwoman Inez E. Dickens, Marline Martin and Howard Teich

 

Honoree Londel Davis; Leslie Wyche and Donel Davis

 

Scott Tucker, Howard Teich, Tracey Brooke Rowell and Lloyd A. Williams

Special kudos to artist and designer Scott Tucker, a Council of Advisors member, and special events whiz Tracey Brooke Rowell who conceived the fundraiser as a way to bring the community into the vibrant life of The Center.

About The LeRoy Neiman Art Center

Located at 2785 Frederick Douglass Boulevard near 148th Street in central Harlem, The LeRoy Neiman Art Center was launched by a generous gift from the renowned painter LeRoy Neiman and on-going support from The LeRoy Neiman Foundation, corporations, individuals and other organizations.

The Center includes a 2,000 square foot gallery space and rear workshop area where quality arts experiences in daytime, after-school and Saturday programs for all ages are offered.  In addition, The Center is proud to host a 29' wall dedicated exclusively to the art of LeRoy Neiman.  The Center welcomes schools and tour groups, and provides youth and the community with creative classes and exposure to the arts.

Top photo: Miya Ali (left) accepts award for her father, Muhammad Ali.