Washington D.C. native, actor and activist Jeffrey Wright gathers the area’s African American power players to support Taia Peace Foundation and Maxwell

By Michael M. Clements

Maxwell

It wasn’t an ordinary Friday afternoon at downtown posh eatery Oya Restaurant (777 9th St NW) as Jeffrey Wright thought it was appropriate to show legendary performer Maxwell – in town playing at the Verizon center – D.C.’s VIP side. The room was filled some of the city’s top African American power players. Once again, behind the scenes hosts Tanya Lombard, Yelberton Watkins, Isaac Fordjour, and Chaka Burgess pulled together an impressive group. As always, there was a worthy cause involved – the Taia Peace Foundation (www.taiapeace.org.)

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Cynee Simpson, Julian Epstein and Michelle Yankey

Location: Luxe Studio, Home of Fendi Casa

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tony Powell and Zaid Hamid

TOP OF THE HILL: Is there anything Hill Harper can’t do? The Harvard- educated star of CSI: NY is the author of two inspiring books, Letters to a Young Brother and Letters to a Young Sister, and a formidable philanthropist. This night belonged to his Manifest Your Destiny Foundation – dedicated to empowering, encouraging, and inspiring underserved youth to succeed. REPRESENTING: A heavyweight crowd showed support including hosts Tanya Lombard and Yelberton Watkins, co-host Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Adam Schiff, Darrell Smith, Lamell McMorris, John Orlando, Marie Sylla, Peck Madigan, Tami Boyd, and Ben Jealous.

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The National Museum of African Art fetes its new director Johnnetta Cole

By Michael M. Clements

Timothy Bork, Vice Co-Chairs, African Art Advisory Board; The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Director, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; Dr. Wayne Clough, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution

“Africa is beautiful,” could be the calling card for this night that saw the board of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) assemble at the home of gracious hosts Tim and Shigeko Bork to honor newly named director, Johnnetta Cole. Cole, whose speaking prowess and sheer dynamism was on full display during the intimate gathering of key friends and supporters of the NMAfA, is set to take over the museum with lofty goals.

“We want the [Museum of African Art] to be the best of the Smithsonian’s nineteen museums. And I’m not even counting the zoo,” Cole coolly commented as she stood and personally thanked each board member as well as those in attendance who have been so instrumental in the growth of the museum.

Washington D.C. representative Ellen Holmes Norton along with Ambassador HE Roble Olhaye, from the Republic of Djibouti, lead the list of esteemed attendees.

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Jeffrey Ross and Sarah Silverman. Photo by Tony Powell

Location: FUR Nightclub

WL SPONSORED EVENT - Photos by Tony Powell, Joseph Allen, Nancy Ostertag, and Sterling Elmendorf

IT’S TRICKY: This celeb-filled tribute to comedy and politics was one of the hottest parties of the inauguration. Hosted by Nelly, the concert included performances by Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels and Ludacris that rocked the 2,000 attendees.

MAKING AN IMPACT: The event was organized by the Impact Film Fund (IFF) co-founders Kimball Stroud, Jody Arlington, and Jamie Shor, who partnered with Funny or Die and “The Great Schlep,” (starring Sarah Silverman). VIP’s included actress Jessica Alba, Cash Warren, Rep. Linda Sanchez, Lisa Edelstein, Tanya Lombard, and Robert Glennon. The night was co-sponsored by UPS, Toyota, Group Inc. Kaze Design, Vox, and Beck’s – who provided liquid courage in the VIP area.

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