By The Brand Ambassador of Le CITY deluxe, Derek Sparks.
On October 25, 2014, the Le CITY Deluxe Brand Ambassador – Derek Sparks – attended one of South Florida’s most prestigious, star-studded charity events, “The Blacks’ Annual Gala,” at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Headlined by legendary singer, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, the event benefited The Consequences Charity, Teach for America, Breakthrough Miami and other worthy causes that support at-risk youth – a cause for which “The Blacks’ Annual Gala” has raised several million dollars over the last two decades.
Generously underwritten by Fort Lauderdale entrepreneur Steven M. Mariano of The Mariano Foundation, the Andy Warhol-themed event kicked off with celebrity arrivals, including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Courtney Love and special guest host Ross Mathews of E!. Even more, Lea and Roy Black welcomed Charlie Crist, Governor of Florida; Philip Levine, Mayor of Miami Beach; Flo Rida; Swiss Beatz; Amy Purdy of Dancing with the Stars; David and Jacqueline Siegel of The Queen of Versailles, among other celebrity guests. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by a gourmet dinner featuring a special video presentation with personal video messages from Gala supporters Andy Cohen, Mario Lopez, Andrea Bocelli, Rush Limbaugh, Heather McDonald, Amy Philips, Congressman Patrick Murphy and Lennox Lewis, a live auction and an exclusive performance by Aretha Franklin. Mayor Levine also proclaimed October 25 as “Lea Black Day” and presented her with a key to the city as recognition for 20 years of fundraising and philanthropy.
Sponsors included Grey Goose, The World’s Best Tasting Vodka; Fontainebleau Miami Beach; Beck’s Sapphire; Haute Living Magazine; Nuage Linen Service; Electric Picks; Indulge Magazine; The Miami Herald; Natural Impression Design Invitation Branding; wine kindly donated by Massanois Imports; Warren Henry Jaguar, a division of Warren Henry Auto Group; and Black, Srebnick, Kornspan & Stumpf, P.A.
Photo captions:
Photo 1: Roy Black, Steven M. Mariano of The Mariano Foundation, Sara Olenechuk, Gloria Estefan, Courtney Love and Lea Black
Photo 2: Aretha Franklin performs at The Blacks’ Annual Gala
Photo 3: Charlie Crist, Governor of Florida, and Roy Black
Photo 4: Victoria’s Secret model Ina Lettman and socialite Rita Rusic
Photo 5: Flo Rida with his new Pop Culture LivingTM “life of the party” barware and home accessories line.