by Jaynelle Clarke
On Thursday night, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts held its inaugural Masquerade Gala at the Brooklyn Academy of Music [BAM] Lepercq Space. The event sparked its 15-year anniversary serving the community through arts and will aid in the museum’s fundraising campaign to support community programs. Along with raising funds for their continual programming, the event will help to fund their new larger museum in Brooklyn expected to open in 2018.
From the red carpet, the buzz and energy could be felt from BAM’s elaborate interior architecture to the festively dressed attendees. Celebrities, honorees, and Brooklyn politicians began by mingling on the carpet for photos and Q&A’s. Actress Rosario Dawson wearing a spring inspired white and yellow floral A-line dress seemed enamored to be supporting MoCADA’s cause. Singer Estelle wearing a sleek black and white number and Actor Malik Yoba both posed for photos on the red carpet.
As you entered the main room, the combination of sparkle & light along the brick industrial façade exemplified the feel of a ball in Brooklyn. Gold, silver, and multi-color masks, glitter eyelashes, and the clanking of glasses completed the ambiance. The guests mingled around the cocktail tables and visited the two bars to create a seamless experience. Food stations included salad and what seemed to be a special favorite – the southern style station serving a fried chicken and waffle hors d’oeurve.
The award portion of the ceremony was beyond influential as the Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, introduced the importance of empowering Brooklyn and communities working together. The Director of the Brooklyn Museum, Arnold L. Lehman introduced the founder of MoCADA and now councilwoman Laurie Cumbo and explained how she took the initiative to use art to build communities. James Bartlett, the Director of MoCADA announced his donation of $1,000 if 10 attendees would match him. And indeed, the 10,000 was raised within seconds with Rosario Dawson being one of the donors.
Artist Mickalene Thomas was presented with the Artistic Advocacy Award, and Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee were presented with the Philanthropic Advocacy Award. Tonya Lewis Lee expressed how it makes her feel good to see young people involved in community organizations such as MoCADA and ended her speech with ‘We sometimes say somebody should… Well often times that somebody is you.’
The evening continued while Kirk Douglas from the Roots serenaded the crowd.
PHOTO GALLERY
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