Fashion and retail current and future stars shined brightly last month, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City’s Times Square as style expert Lloyd Boston hosted the BRAG 43rd Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala which honored Terry Lundgren, Chairman, President and CEO of Macy’s Inc., who received the BRAG Business Achievement Award; Iman, CEO & Founder of Iman Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances who was honored with the BRAG Legacy Award; and for the first time in BRAG’s history, a graduate of the BRAG internship program was honored, Alain Lafontant, who is now Vice President of Business Development/Brand Manager for Sean John, received the BRAG Special Recognition Award.
BRAG is a non-profit organization that prepares and educates professionals, entrepreneurs and students of color for executive leadership in the retail, fashion and related industries. For more than 42 years, BRAG has served as one of the rare organizations that offer guidance to high school and college students and young professionals entering the retail and fashion industries. As BRAG celebrates excellence in fashion and retail, it also awards scholarships to students who are interested in careers in the industry, have achieved academic success and who have exhibited financial need.
Over 600 guests, joined BRAG to celebrate the organization, the honorees and their work as advocates for inclusion of ALL people of color in retail and fashion related industries.
BRAG President, Gail Monroe Perry, revealed that this years gala, was the most successful to date meeting their goal of raising over $1 Million and more than doubling the number of scholarships awarded from 30 to 67. Additionally, Over $35,000 was generated at the event through a live auction and on site donation, which can support 7 students in the internship program.
During the gala, a scholarship recipient stated, “Because of BRAG scholarships, we are given the character, confidence and education we need to succeed. To us, these scholarships not only represent funding for school, but it affirms our dreams, our hard work as students and our individual ambitions.”
Nick Cannon, who recently launched a new tie collection at Macy’s, was a surprise performance at the black tie gala.
For more information on BRAG visit www.BRAGUSA.org and check out some of the event pics below (how great to Iman and Beverly Johnson look), Giving Is Good!
