June is busting out all over. There are birthdays, graduations, weddings and the end of the school year. Best wishes and bon chance (French for good luck) to everyone.
Hosting a spring fling to launch her campaign for the New York State Assembly was Inez Dickens, and all of her posse were there to support her. Everywhere you looked you saw folks such as Shirley Scott, Daniel Paterson, Thelma Dye, Regina Darby, Ruth Clark, Geoffrey Eaton, Lloyd Douglas, Victoria Horsford, Kyndell Reid, Judge Franc Perry, Herman Denny Farrell, Leslie Wyche, the Londel twins, Charles and Julia Mitchell and, of course, her main man, Keith Wright, whose seat she is seeking because Keith is seeking Rangel’s seat in Congress. Let’s hear it for the home team.
Having a fling of her own was Regina Darby, who hosted a surprise birthday party for Sonya Dixon, Peter Dixon, Ronnie Johnson and George Tribble, friends who flew in from San Bernardino, Calif., for what they thought was just Regina doing her thing. Friends, including Judge Ray Bruce and wife Darlene, along with Deborah Downing, sister of Lisa, were among those who were wined and dined.
I must say, I was so remiss not to recognize Memorial Day, a sobering time when we are reminded of all of those who valiantly gave their lives for this country, the land of the free and the home of the brave. I was very fortunate to have received an email from Phillip Jackson, which included a few historical facts concerning the contributions and sacrifices made by our Black men and women of the military.
First, however, there was the story behind “The American Dream” photo at West Point. Featured was a photo of 2016 graduating West Point Cadet, Alix Idrache, as he stood saluting at the commencement ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy. The shot, captured by Army photographer Staff Sgt. Vito T. Bryant, shows Idrache with tears streaming down both of his cheeks. When asked why he was overcome with such emotion, Idrache, a Haitian immigrant, replied, “Never did I imagine that such an honor would be one day bestowed on me. Men and women who have preserved the very essence of the human condition have stood in this position and took the same oath. I am both humbled and shocked to find my face all over Facebook and with it myriad of amazing comments about my accomplishments. Thank you for giving me a shot at the American Dream and may God bless America, the greatest country on earth.” According to a West Point news release, Idrache was named a regimental commander last summer and was a leader in his class of 950 cadets. He became West Point’s top graduate in physics, earning the school’s Brigadier General Gerald A. Counts Memorial Award. Idrache, who grew up in Port-au-Prince, attributes his inspiration to watching U.S. troops performing humanitarian missions.
After this story were vintage photos of the Black Tuskegee Airmen, the Black 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, known as the “Triple Nickles,” the Black Montford Point Marines, Black Sailors from the USS Mason, the Black 761st Tank Battalion and the Black 6888th Central Postal Directory of the Women’s Corp. Accompanying these photos, which just blow your mind, were two YouTube links, one to see and hear Ray Charles perform “America the Beautiful,” and the other link to see and hear Marvin Gaye perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Now that was Memorial Day to me. I am keeping this email forever. For those of you who would like me to forward the email to you, contact me at montana2us@yahoo.com.
For those of you who care to know, the infamous Four Seasons Restaurant will officially close its doors July 16 to relocate to their new digs at 280 Park Ave., between 48th and 49th streets. The new 20,000-plus square foot space will undergo six months of structural changes to the building itself and a 12-month build-out of a state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen, two public dining rooms, a private events space, an outdoor cocktail lounge on one side of the building and sidewalk al fresco on the other.
Dalila Reyes-Dawson, Shad Mohammed, Thomas Moore and Tiffany Fraiser looked tres chic, and Jaila Graham and Julian Dean were the cutest couple ever at the American Friends of the Louvre’s Young Patrons Circle annual spring gala. The event, held at the Villard Mansion of the Lotte New York Palace, supports the mission of American Friends of the Louvre efforts to make the Louvre’s collections and exhibitions more widely accessible to art lovers in the U.S. and around the world.
Taking a new twist on things, the event was divided into two main segments. The evening began with a seated three-course dinner in the Madison Room, followed by a cocktail soirée in the club’s dazzling Gold Room, where guests enjoyed music by DJ NatDodge. The silent auction featured a magnificent collection of luxury goods, including items from Air France, Baccarat, Bernardaud, Billecart-Salmon, Longchamp, L’Occitane en Provence, Petrossian and other exquisite brands.
Darius De Haas, currently starring in Broadway’s “Shuffle Along,” and Tito Puento Jr. provided lively entertainment at the annual “Give Kids a Shot!” gala at The Pierre Hotel, where the National Meningitis Association honored New England Patriot and Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch with the Nancy Ford Springer Award. Branch’s son Deiondre contracted meningitis at an early age and, thanks to the miracles of modern science and medicine, is a teenage survivor and the true inspiration for Branch to raise awareness of the disease. Dr. Paul Lee, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and advocate, was awarded the Health Achievement Award.
Monday, June 13, Community Works and Mist Harlem, in partnership with the Harlem Arts Alliance, present “From Downtown to Uptown: Reflections on the Cultural History Of Harlem.” The evening will feature a conversation with Lee A. Daniels, Farah Jasmine Griffin, Deirdre Hollman, Ozier Muhammad and a screening of “Black New Yorkers,” by Jamal Joseph. The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required.
In the meantime, enjoy the outdoor cafes along Lenox, entertainment along Seventh, the parks and warm sunshine.
Until next week … kisses.