Manhattan took a new look at Africa in late October, when over 450 guests at the annual Change-Maker's Ball heard that "the American dream is also Africa's dream".
"I've never met an African who didn't have that same dream," said Ray Jordan, CEO of Self Help Africa, which benefited from the gala evening at Chelsea Piers. "Africa is a continent full of budding entrepreneurship, of women and men who want to work hard and pull their families out of poverty through the fruits of their labors."
The black-tie event attracted a host of celebrities, including Fox News regular Jehmu Greene, former Irish rugby star Denis Hickie, along with leading figures from business, media, sports and entertainment.
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"This is a great night, a night to take a different look at Africa, to celebrate African achievements and to support Self Help Africa's work,"said Greene, who served as master of ceremonies at the event. "There's a really positive message of hope, of self-help and empowerment for Africa running through it all."
An added attraction on the night was the launch of a new piece of jewelry by Rachel Dooley, based on the seeds that Self Help Africa uses to help African families increase their food supply. Dooley's jewelry line, Gemma Redux, is worn by stars such as Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba and many more and features on the hit TV series Gossip Girl.
"I took this image of the seed because I believe that this tiny thing is really so very large, because it symbolizes what Self Help Africa is doing - giving people the opportunity to grow their way out of poverty," said Dooley.
There were personal testimonies on the night from a range of supporters who visited Self Help Africa projects during 2011, including Denis Hickie and Heather James, principal of Federal Street Partners.
A signature cocktail, designed for the night by award-winning mixologist Joann Spiegel, gave the gala guests a chance to support Self Help Africa's work and a chance to win a prize trip to Africa. The $100 drinks sold out long before the dancing ended, but not before some very heavy bidding in the other highlight of the evening - a live auction that included an all-expenses-paid safari trip to South Africa.
The silent auction continued late into the evening, as did the whiskey tasting, combing to make it a night to remember.
"I'm just stunned at the size and scope of this event," said Jordan, who travelled from Kenya for it. "Manhattan has really engaged with Africa, and with Africa's future, here tonight. Part of me wants to take everyone at this event to Africa, so I can show people first hand what a difference our work makes. The other part of me wants to bring the beneficiaries of our programmes in Africa here to Manhattan, to show them what a generous city and country this is."
"This event couldn't have happened without the generous support of so many people here in Manhattan, and also our sponsors," he said. "Because of this support, thousands of families will be given an opportunity to escape from a life of poverty in 2012."
A special thanks to our 2011 Patrons and Prize Sponsors:
Patrons: Digicel, MPS Global, Gemma Redux, MINT Partners, Sullivan & Worcester LLP, EDUN, FGC Partners, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Aer Lingus,iBoutiques.com, Teneo, Mintz Levin and Arik Air;
Many thanks to our fabulous prize donors:
Aer Lingus, Denis Hickie, Gemma Redux, South African Airways, Singita Game Reserves, Ellerman House, La Residence, ProAfrica, The Shelbourne Hotel, Orbitz.com, Radisson Hotels, TravelPro, Etienne Touzot, Jean-Louis Gerin, Le Wine Shop, AKA, ALK Technologies, Antinori Wine, Arik Air, Beckett’s Bar & Grill, Arcade Creative Group, Bluelounge, Bono & Ali Hewson, Braeburn Golf Club, Brass Monkey, Bronx Zoo, Chelsea Piers, Clean Plates, The Clarence Hotel, Cobra iRadar, Sean Cunningham, The David Letterman Show, Diana Von Furstenberg, Disneyland, Dooleys Car Rental, Ronan Downs, The Dubliner, Edun, Eileen Shields, Elizabeth and James, Equinox, Exhale Spa, Fountainblue, Gabreilla Wines, Gansevoort Park Hotel, Insider NYC, Jack Wills, The Irish Arts Center, The Irish Repertory, Theatre, 1st Irish Theatre Festival, The John Barrett Salon, The K-Club, David Kavanagh, Keen Company, Jared Koch, Toni Lastella, Law and Order, Literally Alive Chidren’s Theatre, M&M, Mad Dog and Beans, Macnean House, Neven Maguire, Sal Malafronte, Edgar Mora, Olives Restaurant, Organic Avenue, Origin Theatre Company, Parknasilla Hotel and Spa, Plaza Food Hall, Dr. Laura Potvin, Power Pilates, Primary Stages, Rag & Bone, Rosses Point Golf Club, Sally Hershbergher, Salmueria Rosi, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Law Offices, Sandals Resorts, SPOT Connect, Stone Street Tavern, Tap Room, 59E59 Theatres, THEIA, Travelzoo, Two Chicks with Chocolate, The Veranda Hotel Turks and Caicos, Vineyard Vines, Waterville Golf Club, Matthew Williams.
For more information please contact us at contact@selfhelpafrica.org or call
212-206-0847. |
