The live auction featured a Land Rover from the Warren Henry Auto Group, a car lease that went for about $22,000 and a 110-foot yacht lease donated by Steven Mariano that went for $42,000.
I must say, this year’s gala did not disappoint. For the 19th time, Roy and I had a full house of fabulous, fun people, amazing auction items and over the top performances by Taylor Hicks, Flo Rida, Whi5ker5 and DJ Trouble. It was a night that just kept getting better.
Taylor mesmerized guests with his harmonica, singing voice, Southern charm and award worthy performance. Flo Rida took the stage to a crowd that couldn’t stay seated; they danced the night away – on stage, on tables and on the dance floor. When Flo Rida took off his shirt to a solid, muscle torso covered with exotic colorful tattoos, the crowd went wild. His impromptu dance through the aisles on top of the shoulders of one of his buddies had the crowd screaming. There wasn’t a person in the ballroom that wasn’t under his spell.
Rumor has it Bravo was filming; and if it is true, the event certainly didn’t disappoint. The second Flo Rida finished, DJ Whi5ker5 put on a light and sound show, which kept the party going till way past midnight. The amazing 15 ft statuesque larger than life performers who looked like they were lit up from head to toe with Star Wars lighting, danced with the guests to the rocking music Whi5ker5 provided.
Guests of the gala were marvelous, with the ladies dressed like supermodels and the men in fabulous tuxedos or suits, and everyone was on their best and most generous behavior.
The live auction featured a Land Rover from the Warren Henry Auto Group, a car lease that went for about $22,000 and a 110-foot yacht lease donated by Steven Mariano that went for $42,000. Also, Light Weight Champion of the world, Bernard Hopkins, donated two sets of front row seats to the up-and-coming major fight in Vegas, which brought in $36,000, a beautiful limited edition Hublot watch, Jeffrey Rackover Jewels and a portrait of Marilyn Monroe painted by Dick Zimmerman who was the artist for the Thriller album were all sold at the live auction.
The night was a hit with a star-studded red carpet, gourmet food and wine and spirits flowing the entire night.
But now, we are happy its over! Whew! And there is money still coming in and some expenses still going out- so we are hoping we made lots of money for the kids that so need and deserve it. Our goal is to educate, rather than incarcerate, and recognize that sometimes good kids make bad choices and it’s up to us to show them the difference.
To experience a bit of the night- check out
www.theblacksannualgala.com
