Well Done! NYC Awards

Tonight we came out to celebrate those in the non profit and community action area who are making an impact in the Big Apple. I had the honor of being a presenter for the first annual Well Done! NYC Awards. Held at Libations Lounge in Soho, the evening celebrated the individuals and organizations that give so much to the New York City community.

Honored at tonight's event was Uptown Girl Power, New York Cares, Mamma Foundation for the Arts, and National Action Network. All of this evenings proceeds will benefit these organizations in support of their incredible work.

Several speakers joined us for the evening, including good friend and author Lucinda Cross! I met Lucinda this summer when I emceed for the NYC Women's Empowerment Conference (check out that blog post.) She spoke about the power of "yes". We so often tell ourselves no in life: no I shouldn't go blonde, no I'm not good enough to apply for that school, no I shouldn't compete for Miss New York. But Lucinda believes in saying "yes". Why not? Why not allow yourself to hit go and find out what happens? I said yes to my dream of acting and, though a scary road to travel, am so glad that I will never have to look back and ponder upon the ever haunting "what if?" I recommend checking out Lucinda's book. Huge fan of her vision and work.

Also speaking tonight was Rebecca King Crews (brilliant speaker and star of BET's The Family Crews) and Helen Troncoso (reigning Miss New York Belleza Latina). Entertainment was provided by DJ Laa Choc, Clarisa Rose, and Notorious (house band on 106 & Park) and our host was Fresh 102.7's Jasmine Sanders. I was thrilled when the ever beautiful, ever incredible Mallory Hagan (Miss Manhattan 2011) joined us for the night!

Congratulations to all of tonight's honorees. It is so important that people take the issue of improving our world into their own hands, and your organizations are doing just that. You provide opportunities for others to help their neighbors, and for many to find help and support in improving their future. Thank you to the guests who came out to support tonight's cause!

Also, thank you to the creator of tonight's event, Tawana Sharee Butler (founder of La Frai DS.) I am so glad to be able to support this inaugural event, and look forward to watching it grow in the years to come! You have brought a wonderful thing to the city of New York!