Great leaders and grand visions

Meanwhile when the town’s around, as it is here in New York, there is a lot going on in the philanthropic worlds; and today we are devoting our space to seven events including the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s annual Spring Ball, which is one of the top social events of the season, black tie of course, and the women show you the fashion (for that sort of thing) and look chic and fabulous. Plus there’s a cocktail party to celebrate the supportive friends of the Lighthouse Guild. There’s the Luisa Diaz Foundation’s annual Mi Amor Graciousness (MAG) Gala; And also The Museum of the City of New York’s CENTENNIAL GALA; plus the Police Athletic League Executive Committee cocktail reception; the annual Waxman Luncheon, benefitting the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation; as well as ADDF’s 13th Annual Great Ladies Luncheon and Fashion Show in D.C.

And it is the season for another week or ten days when Summer is a-comin’ in and everything quiets down and the only steady sound in my neighborhood is the hum of the a/c’s keeping things cooler inside.

The Luisa Diaz Foundation hosted its Mi Amor Graciousness (MAG) Gala, in support of survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The annual event returned to New York for its ninth anniversary at the Plaza Hotel with an evening of compassion-meets-fashion and the “Runway of Hope.” Funds from the 2023 event benefited three charities: Safe Passage Heals, Hope’s Door and Team TLC NYC and raised awareness of the importance of the work of the Luisa Diaz Foundation.

Luisa Diaz and Valerie Vazquez.

Trish Steele.

Seth Herzog.

Survivors of domestic violence who have completed the program to break the vicious cycle of domestic abuse walked in the MAG Gala’s empowerment fashion show, dressed by designers Jovani, Anne Fontaine and Chiara Boni. The walk on the runway signifies the transition from a place of darkness to one of hope and light.

Luisa Diaz with models.

This year’s celebration also included an official proclamation from New York City declaring May 18th as “Kindness is Cool Day” from that day forth.

Notable Attendees included: Luisa Diaz, Ernie Anastos, Johnny Drinks, Seth Herzog, Jean Shafiroff, Deborah Hung, Nikki Haskell, Alan Brown, Noreen Donovan, Jose, Carmen, Tina Radziwill, Carmen D’Alessio, Maria Elena Christensen, Valerie Vazquez, James Brynes, Noreen Donovan, Bryan Griffin, Sofie Mahlkvist, Nadja Sayej, Sarah Prendes, and Joan Jedell.

Ernie Anastos, Luisa Diaz, and Alan Brown.

Hall of Fame broadcaster, WABC radio and “Positively America” host Ernie Anastos served as the evening’s host. Influencer Johnny Drinks was live streaming and served up the “Kindness is Cool” martini. Seth Herzog, resident comedian, and sketch performer with The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, presided over a live auction. The evening’s entertainment will include an electrifying performance by Sarina the Violin Diva and DJ Show N Tell.

For more information, please visit: www.luisadiazfoundation.org

Tina Radziwill, Carmen D’Alessio, Maria Elena Christensen, and Luisa Diaz.

Luisa Diaz and Deborah Hung with friends.

https://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/great-leaders-and-grand-visions/