Announcements and breakthroughs

John Bartlett, Carolina Herrera, Nadja Swarovski, Diane von Fustenberg, Philip Crangi, Isabel Toledo, and Stan Herman at CFDA Awards Nominee Announcement cocktail party hosted by Swarovski at the Rooftop Gardens at Rockefeller Center.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation held its 2009 Annual Awards Dinner on Monday, March 16th at New York’s Waldorf=Astoria hotel. Hosted by legendary entertainer Bill Cosby for nearly three decades, the iconic event paid tribute to individuals who embody the humanitarian ideals of Jackie Robinson.

This years honorees included Robin Roberts, Good Morning America co-host, who was recognized not only her own pioneering career in broadcasting, but also for her unwavering commitment to advancing social change through her reporting.

John McGlade, Della Britton Baeza (CEO of JRF), Rachel Robinson, Dr. Sheila C. Johnson, Robert Redford, and Leonard S. Coleman (Chairman of JRF)

World renowned physician, educator and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John Hopkins University, Dr. Benjamin Carson, Sr., was also honored.

His breakthrough research and patient care has dramatically improved the human condition and he has served as a mentor and role model for scores of African American youth across the country who dream of becoming physicians.

John McGlade, Jimmy Roldan, Cara Roldan, Brenda McGlade, Chloe Sweeney, and Matt McGlade

In addition, the Foundation honored Robert Redford, founder of the Sundance Film Festival and one of the most iconic actors of our time. This entrepreneur and trailblazer in the world of cinema has spent his career opening doors for many giving voice to young filmmakers.

The JRF Annual Awards Dinner has recognized some of the most decorated names in business, politics, education, media, sports and the arts, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, J. W. Marriott, Jr., Clive Davis, Spike Lee, Ruth J. Simmons, Henry L. “Hank” Aaron, John Welch Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, George Lucas, Marian Wright Edelman, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, Tom Brokaw, Dr. Sheila C. Johnson and Katharine Graham.

Robert Redford, Rachel Robinson, Dr. Ben Carson, and Robin Roberts

Robert Redford and Leonard S. Coleman

Bill Cosby

Greg Gonsalves, Charmane Gonsalves, Grant Gonsalves, Rachel Robinson, and Christina Gonsalves

Dr. Ben Carson and James Pickens Jr.

Jerome Bettis

Gayle King and Robin Roberts

Tom Brasuell, Jacyln Parks, and Elizabeth Scott

Genhi Givings Bailey and Michael Meyer

Cara Roldan, Brenda McGlade, and Chloe Sweeney

Lee Lowenfish and Bill Collins

Tom Brasuell, Kate Gibson, Elizabeth Scott, and Delia Pobrowsky

Kenny Lattimore

John and Brenda McGlade

Jeff Idelson, Rachel Robinson, and Bradford Horn

Judson Shaver, President of Marymount Manhattan College and Lewis Frumkes, Director of the Writing Center of the college, hosted a private dinner at Doubles to celebrate the 16th Anniversary of the Writing Center.

Denise LeFrak Calicchio, Tina Flaherty, and Ethel LeFrak

Bruce Jay Friedman and Lewis Burke Frumkes

Author Bruce Jay Friedman was Guest of Honor and Ethel LeFrak was Special Honoree.

Barbara Taylor Bradford and Bob Bradford

Debby Applegate

Alex Sanger and Jeannette Watson

Dan and Judith Greenburg with Grace Chang

Hon. Charlyn Goins, Dr. Warren Goins, and Maria Wirth

Mary Higgins Clark

Judith Kelman and Dr. Peter Scardino

Elkon Abramovitz and Susan Isaacs

Malachy and Anne McCourt

Russell and Judy Carson

Stephen Jacoby and Hope Knight

Everett Raymond Kinstsler

Elizabeth Strong-Cuevas and friend

Tony Hendra and Regina Barreca

Ellen Marcus, Lisa Schiff, Jones Yorke, and Betsy Bartlett

Meg Wolitzer

Roy Blount Jr. and Joan Griswold

Amber and Timothy Frumkes

On Wednesday evening, March 4, 2009, The Jewish Museum presented its annual masked Purim ball, A Night in Persia at the Palace of Queen Esther, in the Grand Ballroom of The Waldorf=Astoria. The ball honored Nazee and Joseph Moinian for their leadership and their generosity to a broad range of causes - from those serving the New York community to those that deal with global and international issues that affect us all.

An original Purimspiel (Purim play), wittily retelling the heroic story of the Biblical figure, Queen Esther, was written for the occasion and performed by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Jon Robin Baitz. Donny Deutsch, Chairman of Deutsch Inc. and CNBC Host, served as Master of Ceremonies.

Joseph and Nazee Moinian

Sanaz Partovi

The Honorary Co-Chairs of the gala were Maria Cuomo Cole and Kenneth Cole, Sandi and Andrew Farkas, and Julie and Bruce Menin. The Vice-Chairs were Fanya Gottesfeld Heller, Betty and John Levin, Karen and Gustave K. Lipman, Leni and Peter May, Beth and Joshua Nash, Nancy and Morris W. Offit, Tracey and Robert Pruzan, and Jane and Jim Stern.

Maria Cuomo Cole, Matilda Cuomo, and Avis Richards

Robert Pruzan and Tracey Winn

Lynn and Glen Tobias

Darcie and Jonathan Crystal

Larry Silverstein with Nazee and Joseph Moinian

Elyse Buxbaum and Scott Stringer

Morris and Nancy Offit

Donny Deutsch

Beth and Joshua Nash

On Monday the CFDA announced their list of nominees for the upcoming annual awards. Marc Jacobs is up for three awards -- the 2009 Womenswear Designer of the Year award, Accessory Designer of the Year award and the International Award for his work at Louis Vuitton.

Also nominated in both categories were Narciso Rodriguez and Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy competing for the Womenswear title.

CFDA Awards Nominee Announcement cocktail party hosted by Swarovski at the Rooftop Gardens at Rockefeller Center.

And for the Accessories, also nominated were Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez and Vera Wang.

Jason Wu was nominated for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear, while Anna Sui is to receive the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michelle Obama will be honored with a special tribute from the group's board of directors at its annual awards gala in June. The ceremony is moving this year from the New York Public Library to Lincoln Center, which will also become the Fashion Week hub next year.