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New York, N.Y. –
On Wednesday, April 5, 2017, the New York City Mission
Society will hold its annual Champions for Children
fundraising Gala. This year’s event will honor legendary
actress and singer Diahann Carroll and entrepreneur Don
Peebles, as well as recognize three lifetime members of the
Mission Society’s Board of Directors. Co-chaired by Jean
Shafiroff and Katrina Peebles, the benefit will support the
Mission Society’s programs and services that help youth and
families in our city’s most underserved communities break
the cycle of poverty and achieve success.
“We are proud to chair the annual benefit for this worthy
organization, because the New York City Mission Society
makes a real - and lasting - difference in the lives of so
many New Yorkers,” Jean Shafiroff and Katrina Peebles said.
“Through robust programs, events, and services, the Mission
Society is leveling the playing field for New Yorkers who
live in some of our city’s poorest neighborhoods. It’s
important to step up, and use our hands and hearts to change
lives for the better.”
The Gala will be held at the Mandarin Oriental at 80
Columbus Circle in Manhattan, starting with cocktails at
6:30 PM followed by a 7:30 PM program with dinner, music,
and dancing. To purchase tickets to the event and learn
about sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://www.nycharities.org/Events/EventLevels.aspx?etid=9605
In addition to Gala Co-Chairs Jean Shafiroff and Katrina
Peebles, this year’s Gala Committee includes Tommie Pegues
(Gala Vice Chair), Peggy and John Bader, and Leah and
Stanley Rumbough. Benefit Committee Members are: Alston &
Bird, LLP, American Securities Foundation, Flo Anthony,
Elaine Bernanke Appelle, Kim Bingham, Sophia Bishop, Jerry
Bonura, Geoffrey Bradfield, Henry Buhl, Victor de Souza, Lee
Fryd, Penny Grant, Jo’Vion (J.D.) Greer, Shannon Hales,
Michelle Herbert, Missy Kilroy & Jay Moorhead, Barbara and
Francis Kairson, Jr., Margo Langenberg, Brian Monroe, Riki
Kane Larimer, Dustin Lujan, Lauren & James Peterson, Kim
Renk & Greg Dyer, Natalie S. Ross, Helen Shelton, and Brooke
and Derek Steinhiser.
At the Gala, the Mission Society will honor the ongoing and
vital support of three lifetime members of its Board of
Directors: actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill Hartley,
whose family has supported the Mission Society for four
generations; Lloyd W. Brown, II; and LTC Francis W. Kairson,
Jr. (Ret).
WABC News Anchor Bill Ritter, a longtime supporter of the
Mission Society, will emcee the event. Performing that
evening will be Kathy Sledge, the legendary voice of Sister
Sledge; acclaimed singer Alex Donner and his Orchestra, and
students enrolled in the Mission Society’s free afterschool
music education program, GRIOT.
The Mission Society will present the legendary Diahann
Carroll with its Champions for Children Award. Born in
Harlem, Ms. Carroll is an award-winning and trailblazing
actress, successful entrepreneur, and devoted humanitarian.
One of America’s major performing talents, she has starred
on stage, screen, and television. In addition to winning
Tony and Golden Globe awards, Ms. Carroll has been nominated
for Emmys, Grammys, and an Oscar over her long and
prestigious career. She also has devoted considerable time
to support causes that are important to her. She served as
an ambassador and national spokesperson for Lifetime
Television’s breast cancer awareness campaign, and has been
recognized for raising awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Ms. Carroll was the first black actress in television
history to star in her own series, Julia, on NBC,
which soared to the top of the Nielsen ratings and received
an Emmy nomination. Her television credits include Dynasty, A
Different World, Soul Food, Strong Medicine,
and Whoopi. Her recent appearances include White
Collar on the USA Network and a role in the film Peeples.
Equally stunning on stage, Ms. Carroll has received acclaim
for her performances in Sunset Boulevard, Bubbling
Brown Sugar, and House of Flowers, and won a Tony
Award for her performance in Richard Rodgers’ No Strings.
Her film work includes Claudine, Carmen Jones, Paris
Blues, Porgy & Bess, Hurry Sundown, I
Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and Eve’s Bayou.
In 2010, she filmed her stage show, “The Lady-The Music-The
Legend” for PBS TV, and her one-woman show at Feinstein’s
regularly sold out.
Recognized as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in
the nation, R. Donahue (Don) Peebles is Founder, Chairman,
and CEO of The Peebles Corporation, one of the country’s few
national privately held real estate investment and
development companies with portfolio of projects in New
York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, and Miami
Beach. Mr. Peebles also is a top-selling author of The
Peebles Principles and The Peebles Path to Real
Estate Wealth. He a regular guest on CNN, CNBC, and FOX,
as well as a highly sought-after speaker.
Mr. Peebles is an avid supporter of mentoring to expose
youth to the value of entrepreneurship. He serves as
Chairman of the Board of the Congressional Black Caucus, is
on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater New York,
is a member of Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Giménez’s
Business Roundtable, was a two-time former member of
President Barack Obama’s National Finance Committee, and
former Chairman of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors
Bureau.
About the New York City Mission Society
The New York City Mission Society has been on
the frontlines of the war on poverty for more than 200
years. Today, our progressive portfolio of educational,
workforce development, cultural enrichment, and
community-building programs make a positive, long-term
impact on the City’s most underserved communities by
promoting academic achievement, and providing career
opportunities and cultural enrichment. Each year, we serve
more than 12,000 children and families throughout New York
City with our programs, supportive services, and community
events. Learn more at http://www.nycmissionsociety.org.
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