Spending a three-day weekend with Grammy Award winning singer Mary J. Blige, actors Vanessa Williams, Leon and Journee Smollett and Halley Berry was well worth it for the 2012 Jenesse Silver Rose Weekend. This year’s theme “‘Welcome’ [is] a simple word that embodies the hopes and dreams of families looking for a fresh start. It’s the affirmation that lets people know they are home,” according to Avis Frazier-Thomas, president of Jenesse’s board.
Hosted by two-time Grammy award winning music producer Bryce Wilson, the fundraising event paid special tribute to individuals and corporations that support the advancement of Jenesse Center’s mission, which is to provide domestic violence intervention through a holistic program and to nurture families back to a place of mental, financial, physical and emotional well-being.
During the Silver Rose Gala and Auction held on Saturday, April 14, at the Beverly Hills Hotel, honorees included Ingrid Roberts, managing director for First Picks Management and Blige, who performed soul-stirring anthems: “No More Drama” and “Living Proof.”
“We are so grateful that someone of Mary J. Blige’s caliber was so gracious [as] to join us. She sang like she was at Madison Square Garden, performing for 50,000 people. She sang her heart out, energizing and rejeuvenating us all to keep doing the work that we do,” says Berry, Jenesse’s ambassador and Silver Rose chair.
Schinal Walker is formerly a Jenesse client and currently an active spokesperson and advocate for women and girls overcoming domestic violence. She was awarded with the first ever ‘Fannie Lou Hamer Award,’ which was presented by her friends Jazz and Journee Smollett. “Never again will I silence my voice. I will continue to raise awareness and take a stance. This is just the beginning,” said Walker confidently.
Xerox Corporation executives Dawn Sutherland, Diane Martin and other top executives were on hand to accept honors also.
On Monday, August 16, the 4th Annual Halle Berry Celebrity Golf Classic, held at the Wilshire Country Club, was reportedly the biggest ever. Participants included Berry, Cedric the Entertainer, Sugar Ray Leonard, Kevin Farley, Boris Kodjoe, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Dondré Whitfield, Chris Spencer, Eric Dickerson, Eric Laneuville, Kenny Lofton, Quinton Aaron, Dorian Missick, Eddie Murray, Louis Price, Kathleen Bradley, Dawnn Lewis and Flex Alexander.
Xerox,Verizon, BET Networks, Cîroc, Nestlé USA, NBC Universal, SEIU ULTCW, Southwest Airlines, Good Works Makes A Difference and The Tyler Foundation For Disabilities sponsored the activities.
“Jenesse Center has been fortunate to draw sponsors who make our mission their own and we are grateful for their contribution to help give women and families peace and a chance at a new beginning,” offers Karen Earl, executive director of the Jenesse Center.
Halle Berry adds, “The Silver Rose Weekend raised much needed funds and awareness to help families victimized by domestic violence. Over the past 14 years, I’ve watched the lives of countless families transformed and I am excited about the future for these families as we work to build on our success and bring an end to their suffering one family at a time. ” –yvette caslin
(Photos provided by Steven Williams Photography)
