Society: Wright museum rolls out music-laden gala
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History presented its sixth-annual gala Saturday, and it was a splendid triumph. Co-chaired by Tiffany Douglas (a high-ranking manager at Bank of America) and Laura Hughes (a Strategic Staffing Solutions vice president), this year’s gala, themed “Music on My Mind,” celebrated African-American music and the role it has played in advancing a culture.
Staying with the notion that music arouses intuitive experiences that virtually every individual has encountered, during a brief presentation to VIP ticketholders in the museum’s auditorium, Douglas and Hughes shared a few of their personal special music moments before introducing Emmy Award-winning violinist Damien Escobar.
After the awesome private performance, VIP ticketholders joined the other guests under a magnificent tent erected on the museum’s manicured grounds. The slick, contemporary decor was a spectacular pairing of black and white elements with huge bursts of brilliant color. Forte Belanger, as always, did a tremendous job serving a vast array of passed hors d’oeuvres, and then a hearty dinner that included everything from fried calamari to tenderloin sliders to sinfully delicious macaroni and cheese.
Detroit-based Collective Peace featuring Grammy-nominated saxophonist, LaDarrel “Saxappeal” Johnson also dazzled guests with their amazing talent.
“Laura and I are very proud to have co-chaired this year’s very successful gala,” Douglas says, “but the Charles Wright museum is the real winner here. The Wright was placed in a position to shine and move dramatically into its next half-century serving this community
“The event was a look to the future of events that support institutions and how we can make space for the historic and usher in the next generation of leaders and supporters. It was a wonderful night. The food was great, and several sponsors have committed to next year.”
More than 500 people attended the event, with tickets starting at $375 per person.
Chuck Bennett is the creator of TheSocialMetro.com and is the Fox 2 News Style Ambassador.