By Angela Bronner Helm
The party is always more fun when the Hamptons are flush with folk, and so it was on that sunny Sunday at B. Smith’s dockside restaurant, host of the 4th annual Diversity Affluence Brunch and Awards. Russell Simmons’ fundraising fete Art For Life happened the day before and set a most fabulous stage.
After a bubbly Moet & Chandon toast given by the CEO of Diversity Affluence, Andrea Hoffman, over 125 guests made their way to B.Smith’s sunlit dining room to honor Robert F. Smith, Chairman & CEO of Vista Equity Partners, Alek Wek, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, Author & Supermodel, Aaron P. Dworkin, Founder & President of the Sphinx Organization, and corporate honoree, MAC Cosmetics. Actor Malik Yoba was the hilarious emcee, and this year’s honorees were gifted a special Baume & Mercier watch presented by Rudy Chavez, North American President of the luxury watch brand.
“I was honored to be recognized by Diversity Affluence,” notes Wek. “I’m always thrilled to highlight South Sudan and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Their vital work is bringing life saving support and long term hope to so many families torn apart by war. Being honored by Diversity Affluence gives me the opportunity to continue to have a platform to help bring about positive change and for that, I am grateful.”
The over 100 hand selected mostly African American guests came to toast this year’s honorees including Goldman Sachs’ senior partner Valentino Carlotti, the Utendahl Group’s John Utendahl, actress Tichina Arnold, Reginald Van Lee, GM’s Jocelyn Allen, Jet magazine’s Mitzi Miller, Earl Graves and other venture capitalists, investment bankers, entertainment, media and tech industry executives. “Diversity Affluence is committed to raising awareness of affluent and influential ethnic consumers and related executives and brands that acknowledge them,” says Hoffman.
