ShareThisLoida Nicolas Lewis Shares that Excellence, Integrity
and Hard Work are Keys to Success
Loida Nicolas Lewis and Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Imelda Nicolas
Former NYC Mayor David Dinkins
Honorees Eugene A. Profit and Harvard Law School Bussey Professor Emeritus Frank E. A. Sander
Loida Nicolas Lewis with daughter Leslie, mother-in-law Carolyn Fugett and grandchildren Christian Roy and Savilla Joy
Christina Lewis Halpern and Mike Muse
CBS 2 News Anchor Maurice DuBois and wife Andrea
Renowned Filipino Event Designer Jerry Sibal created this classy look for the benefit
JULY 25, 2011, New York, NY — Prominent figures in business and society recently converged in East Hampton, New York for the sold out Reginald F. Lewis Foundation Gala Luncheon at the Lewis Estate hosted by the family of Filipina American businesswoman and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis. Television personality and author Star Jones, Mayor David Dinkins and NFL player Dhani Jones were among the many guests at the event, which was sponsored by J.P. Morgan, ONEX, BET Networks and Bloomberg.
Honorees included Eugene A. Profit, CEO of Profit Investment Management, who received the Reginald F. Lewis Award; and Harvard Law School Bussey Professor Emeritus Frank E. A. Sander, who received the Millennium Member Award.
The fundraiser was hosted by CBS2 News Anchor Maurice DuBois and included music by celebrity spinner DJ M.O.S and a jazz performance by the Marcus Johnson Trio. A portrait of author-essayist Dr. William Pickens, Sr. by artist Hale Woodruff—soon to be seen at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture—was unveiled.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love for our father,” said Lewis’ daughter Leslie Lewis Sword, who served as event chair. “It shows us that his memory and legacy continue to inspire others.”
For Loida Nicolas Lewis, carrying on the legacy of her late husband has given her the opportunity to uplift and encourage her fellow Filipinos.
”Reginald Lewis has had an impact in with my Filipino compatriots. In fact, in Sorsogon where I was born and grew up, there is The Lewis College, where the objective is excellence, integrity and hard work. Those are the three secrets of success.
“When I was deciding whether I should take over the company of my husband which had two billion dollars in sales when he died, I said, ‘Magaling tayo!’, we are good as Filipinos. Kaya natin! So for my fellow Filipinos, don’t be afraid to take on a challenge. Keep close to God and listen to people around you who are wise, and then just do it!”
Speaking of accomplishments, the Gala Luncheon raised over $700,000 that reached a $1 million endowment challenge grant from The Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation designed to ensure the continuation of the vital work of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. In December, the Brown Foundation is scheduled to write a matching check donation. Located in Lewis’ hometown of Baltimore, the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest African-American museum on the East Coast.
The charitable affair—produced by Sharon Lopez of Purple Giraffe Productions, with event and floral design by Jerry Sibal Design Fusion—was additionally sponsored by Ariel Investments, GenNx360 Capital Partners, Belvedere Vodka and Y Interact.
For more information, please visit www.reginaldflewis.com