Last night Rihanna hosted the inaugural Clara Lionel Foundation Diamond Ball in Beverly Hills. The foundation is named in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Brathwaite. Founded in 2012, the Clara Lionel Foundation works to improve the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts, and culture. The foundation is focused on raising funds to promote health, education, arts and culture globally. RiRi who since age 17 has lent her name and time to serval causes and donated over $3 million of her own earned says she hopes to improve the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts, and culture. Last night’s ball is estimated to have raised over $2 million, guests included: Big Sean, Kim Kardashian, Brad Pitt, Tyreese and Selma Hayek among many others. Rihanna and Big Sean performed, Rihanna with a full orchestra.
“One of the greatest benefits of my job was being able to start the Clara Lionel Foundation in honor of my grandparents,” said Rihanna. “There is truly nothing I’m more proud of and we’ve just gotten started. I’m excited to continue my work and thrilled to be able to host the Diamond Ball – a night that promises to be elegant and inspirational.”
The Clara Brathwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was officially named in 2012. What began with a heartfelt, personal donation has transformed into a comprehensive effort to deliver quality treatment for cancer patients in Barbados. Rihanna witnessed first-hand the inefficiencies and great need for development in the healthcare system during her grandmother’s battle with the disease. To date Rihanna has personally donated funds to establish the existing center and purchased the facility’s first modern radiotherapy machine, the Equinox Beam. Funds raised from the Diamond Ball will go into improving the center, purchasing equipment and infrastructure planning, a projected cost of $2.4 million.
The second phase of CLF’s endeavor to support quality medical care in Barbados is in development. There is a great need for the purchase of additional radiotherapy equipment and a healthcare infrastructure that can sustain quality treatment standards. The organization aims to address these issues and others as the program expands.
Check out the full photo gallery below, looks like it was truly an evening to remember!
Photos by Jason Merritt/Getty Images
