Hearts of Gold 20th Annual Fundraising Gala

On Thursday, October 27, 2016, Hearts of Gold will host its 20th annual charity fundraising gala in New York City.

The organization "reimagines the future of homeless mothers and their children, together" – a critical mission as homelessness in New York City has reached record levels. "Hearts of Gold's ultimate goal is to break the cycle of homelessness among mothers and their children living in the shelter system," said Deborah Koenigsberger, Hearts of Gold's Founder & President. "Since 1994, we've raised more than $10 million to help 21,000 individuals."

Co-Mistresses of Ceremonies, Soledad O’Brien and Rhonda Ross, invite you to join this year’s Black Tie Ball: “All that Glitters” chaired by Nicholas and Shelley Schorsch and Michael Weil and Shirley Madhère-Weil.

via photos.prnewswire.com

O'Brien is Mistress of Ceremonies at Kunta Kinteh Premiere

Soledad O'Brien wears South African gown
 at Kunta Kinteh VIP screening.
Photos: Alicia Edwards, Urban Style Examiner

Tyler Perry and filmmaker Elvin Ross held a black tie screening of the new documentary film produced by Elvin Ross Studios, Kunta Kinteh Island: Coming Home Without Shackles. The event in Atlanta, premiered the film which honors the African captive, Kunta Kinteh, who gained worldwide recognition in the 1977 ABC television series Roots.Soledad O'Brien served as the mistress of ceremonies at the event.

Perry, Ross with his sons  and Soledad at the premiere

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC

On April 26, 2011 CBS’s Julie Chen was in New York being honored with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC Communications Award. CNN’s Soledad O’Brien was the Mistress of Ceremonies at the 32nd annual Sidewalks of New York Awards Dinner at The Waldorf-Astoria.

blacktiemagazine.com/society_2011_may/BBBS_32nd_Annual_Sidewalks_of_NY_Dinner.htm

Soledad O'Brien at Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing & Fine Arts

Soledad O'Brien, Reginald Van Lee and Cicely Tyson attend
the Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing & Fine Arts
grand unveiling on October 24, 2009 in East Orange, New Jersey.
(10-23-09  Photo: Brian Killian/Getty Images North America)

The $143-million state-of-the-art facility opened its doors to more than 1,000 students in September and celbrated its formal unveiling October 24th.

"Its like carrying a child and giving birth," said Tyson, who has been an active participant in school decisions, graduations and other events since the school was named for her in 1995. "The birth date is Oct. 24."

The celebrity guests included singer-songwriters Nick Ashford and his wife, Valerie Simpson, actresses Angela Bassett and Tamara Tunie, gospel singer BeBe Winans, an active supporter of the school, Susan Taylor, the editor emeritus of Essence magazine who is also an author and philanthropist, and Faye Wattleton, the former president of Planned Parenthood of America who is currently the president of the Center For Advancement of Women.

Gov. Jon Corzine headed up the elected officials who attended, including East Orange Mayor Robert Bowser, several members of the city council, and state Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex).

CNN's Soledad O'Brien, who served as mistress of ceremonies for the performances during the event, said she was "amazed" by the school and the students.

"In this school, the young people can follow their dreams, but also receive an intense academic experience," O'Brien said, adding that school officials and staff care about "the whole person here."



SoledadOBrien.info

Soledad O'Brien at Hearts of Gold

Hearts of Gold, a not-for-profit organization that improves the lives of New York City’s homeless mothers and their children, will present its 13th Annual Fall Fundraising Gala, “It’s A Love Thing,” on Thursday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street.

The event will feature co-Mistresses of Ceremonies Soledad O’Brien, Anchor and Special Correspondent for CNN and Goodwill Ambassador for Hearts of Gold.

Soledad will be joined by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’s Tamara Tunie, also an accomplished producer and director as well as a member of Hearts of Gold’s esteemed Advisory Board.

The family-friendly evening will include a cocktail reception and a live auction. The highlight of the 1970s-themed night will be a runway fashion show with the fall collections of Beth Bowley, Teenflo, Transit, Zapa, and other designers yet to be announced. And, for the first time this year, the gala will also feature an after-hours party dubbed “Love Unlimited” to be held following the fashion show and auction at Metropolitan Pavilion.

Proceeds from “It’s A Love Thing” and “Love Unlimited” will be used to support the more than 450 children and over 375 mothers in residence annually at three Manhattan shelters. Though New York City has the country’s second-largest homeless population, Hearts of Gold Founder & Executive Director Deborah Koenigsberger’s vision is to expand the organization, so that struggling families get real-time support not just in New York but across the nation. The funds raised in the annual gala are critical for both the organization’s immediate local needs and longer-term national goals.

“I know our entire nation continues to struggle with the prolonged economic downturn, but NYC’s homeless mothers and children are among those hurting the most. The families that Hearts of Gold serves need our help more than ever,” said Deborah Koenigsberger, Founder & Executive Director.

“I am honored that Soledad and Tamara are generously supporting Hearts of Gold again this year as we improve the lives of these families in their time of immediate need and put them on a road to stability and success.”

Individual tickets for “It’s A Love Thing” are available for $250, $500, and $1,000, with tables starting at $2,500. Tickets to the after-party, which runs from 10:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. and includes open bar and dancing, are $50. A limited number of event sponsorship opportunities are still available. Companies or individuals interested in participating in the event can learn more, purchase tickets, or make a donation by calling (212) 206-1461 or by visiting www.heartsofgold.org.

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Soledad O'Brien in Cincinnati for Beacon Awards

Soledad O'Brien will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the Beacon Awards Luncheon, to be held at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati on June 20.

Major League Baseball announced that Bill Clinton will give the keynote speech, and during lunch, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron and Bill Cosby will be honored.

After the luncheon, the Reds will play the Chicago White Sox. This will be the first regular season Civil Rights Game after two pre-season Major League exhibitions in Memphis. The Gillette Civil Rights Game were developed "to pay tribute to all of those who fought on and off the field for equal rights for all Americans.

Proceeds from the Luncheon will benefit the MLB Urban Youth Foundation, the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.