Happy Valentine’s Day. Arriving on a Sunday this year, it’s a wonderful day to pull out all of the stops and make it the most romantic day of the year. Look into each other’s eyes and say, “I love you.” Go dancing, even if it’s in your living room, and rock to your favorite playlist. Dance fast or slow, as long as it’s together. Walk down the street and hold hands. Have dinner together. Kiss. Use your imagination and go crazy—crazy in love.
Khary Ward and Brian Hutchinson looked absolutely dashing in their black, long-tail tuxedos, accessorized with white bow ties, vests and white gloves as they escorted ladies dressed in white ball gowns and tiaras. At the Quadrille Ball, where Chandra Jawalaprasad and Darien LaBeach made a lovely couple, they all looked very elegant. The Quadrille is a 17th century court dance that was performed by 20 pairs of young professionals.
Hosted by the Germanistic Society of America, the Quadrille Ball seeks to build friendships and understanding among young people from countries around the world through an international cultural exchange. Proceeds from the ball, which included a silent auction sponsored by Tiffany’s, Stuart Weitzman and others of that ilk, provided funds benefitting the international scholarships for both American and German undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students, selected by the International Institute of Education and Columbia University. To date, more than 600 scholarships have been awarded, totaling more than $3 million.
Book publisher Simon & Schuster is celebrating Black History month with “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace.” Written by Jeff Hobbs, this book is the true life story of Robert Peace, who escaped the cruel streets of Newark, N.J., and attended Yale University. Even Yale couldn’t save Peace from the mean streets of Newark, which never released its grip on him, sucking him back into the life. Yet, all is not lost.
“Notes to the Future,” by Nelson Mandela proves miracles do happen, and where there is life, there is hope. “Reach,” a collection of personal essays by Black men from all walks of life, proves inspiring as they share how ultimately each in his own way, somehow, some way, became a source of hope for others. It’s a good time to pick up a book, cozy up and read. Remember the New Year’s resolution?
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has opened its Human Resource doors and is now accepting resumes. If you’re interested, polish up your resume and cover letter and apply. To learn more, check out https://a127-jobs.nyc.gov.
Happy birthday to Toni Still Carson, who is off to New Orleans to celebrate with a big party known to us as Mardi Gras. Toni is a descendant of the Still family, whose ancestor ran part of the Underground Railroad. As Harriet Tubman once said, “I brought 1,000 slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad and could have brought 1,000 more, if only they knew they were slaves.” Also celebrating Mardi Gras were Valerie Dargan, Davell Crawford and Jude Lastrapes, just to name a few, at Chez Lucienne.
Just as we get use to committing to our resolutions, it’s time for Lent. Gee, what’s a girl to do? Depending on how you look at it, you don’t have to sacrifice anything during the Lenten season as much as spend time reflecting on your life. In some circles, that is a sacrifice.
For doggie lovers everywhere, the Animal Medical Center hosted its annual Top Dog gala at Cipriani 42nd Street. In attendance were hundreds of dog lovers and more than a few dogs. Honored were former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and the NYPD’s K-9 Unit. Among the co-chairs were Nancy Kissinger, who towers way above her husband, Henry; Elaine Langone, whose husband is CEO of Home Depot; and Annette de la Renta, wife of the late high-fashion designer, Oscar. The NYPD’s canines receive all of their medical care free at AMC, and Kelly was only too happy to wow the crowd.
Talk among the revelers was that Kelly might run for mayor next year and thinks he would be darn good. Maybe. The event raised more that $1.3 million to support all of AMC’s core missions. The centerpiece for each of the tastefully decorated tables was a paper mache dog adorned with a collar and tie. It was really cute.
The Harlem Fine Arts show had a magnificent display of some of the finest art ever to grace the stage. Since its inception in 2009, the show has traveled to more than 10 cities throughout the United States. The HFAS is anxiously anticipated each year, and it just gets better with time. Although the HFAS provides a platform for artists of all genres to express their interpretation of the African Diaspora through their creativity, the vision seeks a future “where the arts and sciences are equally valued, and professionals in both fields are given the necessary resources to succeed.”
On sale this year among the fine art was art of another type: the latest book by our lovely, ever so graceful Barbara Smith. “Before I Forget” tells of a malady she never expected— Alzheimer’s disease.
The book, written with Vanity Fair Contributing Editor Michael Shnayerson, reveals the ups, downs, happy moments, dark days, challenges, love of family and friends and lessons learned that Smith and her devoted husband, Dan Gasby, are undergoing on a day-to-day basis. With a foreword by Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D, the book’s cover alone is enough to make you lose yourself in love.
Smith was born in rural western Pennsylvania. Overcoming what seemed like insurmountable obstacles, becoming one of the first Black supermodels, a highly acclaimed chef, founder of three successful restaurants and a magazine and host of a nationally syndicated television show. If that wasn’t enough, she is still the only African-American woman with home products distributed exclusively at Bed Bath & Beyond. Her husband has been a television media sales executive and television producer, and he co-founded Smith’s lifestyle retail brand. A true love story, just in time for a true holiday: Valentine’s Day.
Until next week … kisses.