Ladybrille Magazine had the privilege of lending our support to this beautiful event by Actress Terri J. Vaughn benefiting troubled young teens. It was simply a fantastic event. We conducted a Ladybrille TV report we hope to bring to you all, soon. In the meantime, enjoy the report from the event:
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) Ever displaying a contagiously effervescent smile, superbly entertaining film and screen actress and native San Franciscan Terri J. Vaughn is founder of TAKE WINGS FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization that addresses social and life skills needs of at-risk teens. On Saturday, August 13, 2011, TAKE WINGS hosted its eighth annual black-tie affair to benefit the Foundation. Actresses Nicole Ari Parker and Malinda Williams were very able and entertaining co-hosts for the highly-attended affair. (Due to an unexpected obligation, Boris Kodjoe was unable to join his wife Nicole for celebrity host duties. Talented NAACP Image Award nominee Williams graciously stepped in to join Parker to co-host the evening event.) Grammy award-nominated R&B vocalist Kelly Price performed three scheduled soulful songs. At Parker’s urging, Price also performed an unplanned acappella gospel selection of encouragement to the youth.
ANGEL AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Take Wings Foundation presented its 2011 Angel Awards to two Bay Area community leaders in recognition of their respective professional contributions and community involvement.
Vaughn’s sister and Take Wings Foundation Executive Director Tracy L. Ward presented one of the two well-deserved awards to Edward Fitzpatrick, President of Fitzpatrick Dealership Group (Valley BMW and Valley Lexus in Modesto, and Coliseum Lexus of Oakland). Fitzpatrick is a philanthropic contributor to the arts, education and community enhancement. In recognition of the monetary commitment that he and his wife made to California State University, Stanislaus, the campus arena at the university was renamed Ed and Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena early this year. During his award acceptance speech, Fitzpatrick expressed how proud he is of Vaughn and the impact her Foundation is making on the community. He also encouraged the Take Wings youth to strive for higher learning, to follow their dreams, to be successful in their chosen fields, and be productive members of the community.
Helen K. Vaughn, Take Wings board member and mother of Terri J. Vaughn, was delighted to make the award presentation to Dr. Warren J. Strudwick Jr., while underscoring his many professional accomplishments and charitable works with Bay Area young people. Dr. Strudwick is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician. Among his many appointments, he is president of Sinkler Miller Medical Association and team physician for the Oakland Raiders and the U.S. Olympic Track & Field team. Dr. Strudwick serves on the Board of Trustees for Oakland’s St. Vincent’s Day School, and also works with young people on the Physicians Medical Forum “Doctors On Board Program,” a mentor program for youth interested in becoming physicians.
BENEFIT CONTRIBUTORS:
Among the House of Hennessy’s elaborate displays of support was its sponsored auction item–a future private dinner experience for ten, which will include a multi-course cuisine paired with a tasting of the Prestige range of Hennessy, conducted by Global Ambassador and eighth generation Hennessy family member, Maurice Hennessy. KBLX 102.9-FM radio personality Kimmie Taylor administered the fast-paced live auction. Adonal Foyle–former center for the Golden State Warriors, founder of the Lamplight Foundation, and a 2008 Take Wings Foundation Angel Award Honoree–was the successful bidder at $3,300. The auction proceeds will benefit Take Wings Foundation.
At the conclusion of his award acceptance, Dr. Strudwick announced that the Oakland Raider’s organization, along with other contributors, have made donations to support a book scholarship fund for Take Wings youth who are graduating high school, and going on to colleges and universities.
Vaughn and her Take Wings Foundation are grateful to the event’s sponsors Golden State Warriors, House of Hennessy, KBLX 102.9-FM, Safeway, Inc., Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, Ms. Ingrid Moore, Bay Area Orthopedic Sports & Spine, Coliseum Lexus of Oakland, Valero Energy Foundation and Ross Stores; individual and group table sponsors; and the many individuals and organizations who made separate donations and promises of ongoing support of the Take Wings Foundation.
ABOUT TAKE WINGS FOUNDATION:
Founded in 1997 by Terri J. Vaughn, Take Wings Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build the self esteem of San Francisco Bay Area at-risk teens between the ages of 13 and 18 by providing positive experiences and role modeling. The foundation’s core components in achieving its mission involve encouraging and enabling youth to provide community service, participate in life skills development activities and workshops, and earn academic scholarships, while emphasizing education, health and fitness. In 2010 TWF added a male youth module to its previously all-girls program. www.TakeWings.org
Photocredit: Horace Gipson
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
