Last week at IAC HQ, The Cool Culture UnGala 2017 brought together more than 200 diverse supporters to celebrate and fundraise for Cool Culture and its programs, and to acknowledge Teresita Fernandez and Reggie Van Lee for their commitment to social justice, diversity, and arts access to all.
More than a fundraiser, The UnGala, an evening including a sit down dinner, silent auction, awards presentations, and open bar, celebrated the cultural vitality of NYC through musical performances by Lion Babe (Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman), pianist Harold O’ Neal and the sounds of DJ Rich Medina.
Puerto Rican artist Miguel Luciano performed his Pimp My Piragua, the National Double Dutch League showcased their skills and artist Brian Paupaw created a live interactive mural.
Cool Culture partners with 90 NYC premiere museums and over 400 preschools to ensure that over 50,000 of New York’s most diverse families with preschool-aged children have free and unlimited access to arts and culture as a way to increase literacy and learning, family engagement, and strengthen communities.
Along with honorees Teresita Fernandez and Reggie Van Lee, actors Debi Mazar and Malik Yoba supported the event, as well as Agnes Gund, Catherine Gund, Bevy Smith, Gbenga Akinnagbe, June Ambrose, Tai Beauchamp, Edward Enninful, Tobias Truvillion, Faith Newman, Mickalene Thomas, Ramon Hervey, Khalil Kain, Sheila Johnson, and Renne Cox.
Pictured:
Edwina Meyers, Reggie Van Lee, Janelle Snowden, Candice Anderson, Shelia Johnson