VIPs Gather for World AIDS Day Watch Party

Morris Malakoff
VIPs Gather for World AIDS Day Watch Party

WHILE MANY ORGANIZATIONS have returned to fully in-person fundraising events, others still are favoring virtual versions, like the World AIDS Day 2021 event, hosted by AIDS Foundation Houston.


The livestreamed evening featured remarks from AFH board members, clients, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and others, as well as special video cameos from celebs like Leslie Jordan and Carson Kressley.

VIPs gathered at BeDesign on West Alabama for a watch party that included cocktails, light bites and mingling amid festive lights and beautiful furniture displays.

World AIDS Day 2021 honoree Paul Kawata, the executive director of the National Minority AIDS Council, graciously spoke to the 200 virtual and VIP guests, sharing his hopes for ending the HIV epidemic in Houston, and offering encouragement to all as the Covid-19 pandemic endures.

In all, the evening — the largest of three annual fundraisers for the organization — garnered more than $60,000 for AFH.

Parties
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less

A WINE-TASTING rendezvous at the Post Oak Hotel benefited a heartwarming charity — to the tune of $410,000!

Keep Reading Show less

Outside The Kennedy (photo by Tarick Foteh)

A RESTAURANT OFFERING “refined, classic cuisine in an elevated, cocktail-lounge experience to Montrose and River Oaks” has opened where Montrose meets River Oaks.

Keep Reading Show less
Food+Travel