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The Balm In Gilead, Inc.™ celebrates
the success of its black tie benefit gala performance at The Waldorf=Astoria.
The event featured legendary song stylist Miss Nancy Wilson, a true living legend,
who performed in the hotel's exclusive Starlight Roof. Miss Wilson, resplendent
in a sparkling white B. Michael gown, sang her signature classic Guess
Who I Saw Today among other numbers.
Prior to the event, The Balm In Gilead held
a press conference to launch the 15th Annual Black Church Week of Prayer
for the Healing of AIDS, March 7-13, 2004. Before Miss Wilson's performance,
the 300 guests feasted on duck and enjoyed Merlot. Miss Wilson kept the audience
captivated with numerous well-loved numbers including music from her new CD debuting
in April, entitled R.S.V.P. Miss Wilson also paid a captivating tribute to Lena
Horne, including Stormy Weather, Love Me Or Leave Me, If You Believe, and Happiness
is  Just
a Thing Called Joe.
A host of celebrities, local politicians
and other dignitaries turned out in full-force including event host and Emmy Award-winning
actress Lynn Whitfield; Star Jones, co-host of television's The
View, who came with her fiancé, Al Reynolds; the Honorable Charles
B. Rangel and his wife, Alma Rangel; former New York City Mayor David Dinkins;
and Geoffrey Holder, dancer, author, and Tony Award-winning director of
Broadway's The Wiz..
Pernessa C. Seele, Founder/CEO of
The Balm In Gilead, wore a shimmering Yuriko Fashions purple silk gown
and gave a truly inspired speech about The Balm's life-changing work both at home
and abroad. Erline Belton, of the Boston-based Lyceum group, and chair
of The Balm's Board of Directors was in attendance along with several other board
members each looking more glamorous then the next. Jessye Norman, renowned
American opera singer, served as the gala's honorary chairperson.
Also in attendance was Oprah Winfrey pal
Gayle King, along with and the gallant dancer and artistic director of
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Judith Jamison. Two-time Oscar
nominee and two-time Emmy winning actress, Helen Mirren, currently starring
in Calendar Girls, attended with her husband, Producer/Director Taylor
Hackford, who directed classics such as An Officer and a Gentleman
(1982), and the soon to be released, Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles
Story, starring Jamie Foxx and Regina King.
Several church leaders who have supported
The Balm's important work, including the Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon, founder
of Chicago's Christ Universal Temple were also there to lend their support. A
number of prominent corporate supporters were also in attendance from companies
such as Applebee's, Merck & Co., Inc., Digene Pharmaceuticals and Credit Suisse
First Boston. Many other people from Mayor Michael Bloomberg to actor and
entrepreneur Paul Newman supported the gala. The Balm In Gilead wishes
to thank everyone whose hard work and generous contributions helped make this
spring fling a night we'll never forget.
photo credit: Steve Sherman
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