4th Annual Diversity Affluence Brunch A Hamptons Hit! Supermodel Alek Wek Among Honorees

July 31, 2013 - PRLog -- Diversity Affluence (www.diversityaffluence.com) hosted their 4th Annual Brunch & Awards on Sunday, July 28th, 2013 to a packed room at B Smith's Restaurant in Sag Harbor, NY. The Brunch recognizes & celebrates the accomplishments of people from diverse backgrounds who have achieved success within their respective industries and take their success to the next level by progressing & influencing diversity & multicultural business agendas & positive social impact in the world.

Over 125 hand selected affluent African American guests including Valentino Carlotti, John Utendahl, Anthony Spikes, Erana Stennett, actress Tichina Arnold, Reginald Van Lee, Jocelyn Allen, Michael Robinson, Susan Akkad, Emil Wilbekin & Earl Graves attended the Brunch to honor four prominent leaders, achievers & pioneers of diversity including Robert F. Smith,  Chairman & CEO of Vista Equity Parners, Alek Wek, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Author & Supermodel, & Aaron P. Dworkin, Founder & President of the Sphinx Organization. This year a corporate honoree, M•A•C Cosmetics was added. "M•A•C Cosmetics is richly deserving of this award for their unwavering commitment in celebrating "the beauty of everyone." Their philanthropic & social impact passions influence positive change & positive outcomes. They make the world take notice", says Andrea Hoffman, Founder & CEO of Diversity Affluence. John Demsey, Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc attended on behalf of M•A•C Cosmetics.

This year's event, produced by Influence Events, began with an intimate Moët & Chandon toast given by Andrea Hoffman aboard the 42ft Wider Yacht moored along side B Smith's for the honorees & sponsors Marriott International, Barclays, The Estée Lauder Companies, Baume & Mercier, Belvedere Vodka, Black Gives Back & Collective.

The cocktail hour featured passed hors d'oeurve & specialty libations by Belvedere Vodka. Each guest was gifted with a stunning signature M•A•C Cosmetics box filled with goodies. After the opening welcome by Diversity Affluence partner Noel Hankin, award winning actor Malik Yoba hosted the afternoon with both humor & serious introductions of the sponsors & honorees. Tom Lee, Head of Global Banking for Barclays & Kristine Friend, Sr Director Segment Marketing for Marriott, both spoke of their delight in celebrating the honorees & their pride of partnership with Diversity Affluence. Friend presented each guest with a one year gift of Platinum Elite Status in their Marriott Awards Program.

As the honorees were introduced, they were given a special Baume & Mercier watch presented by Rudy Chavez, North American President of the luxury brand. Each honoree addressed the crowd giving thanks in their own voices to Andrea Hoffman & Diversity Affluence for the recognition & honors and spoke of thei true & personal committments to diversity & social impact. Two incredible surprise highlights were personal notes sent by Mrs. Ethel Kennedy on behalf of the Robert F. Kennedy Center to Robert F. Smith & by iconic fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg to Alek Wek.

Andrea Hoffman beautifully thanked the honorees, sponsors & guests with heartfelt words which inluded "Affluence provides the means for influence & influence provides the means for impact. Progress in multicultural initiatives & social impact is everyone's business." She then closed the afternoon by wowing the crowd with a video from President William J. Clinton who acknowledged the honorees for their philanthropic endeavors & non wavering commitment to social change, culminating in thunderous applause from the guests.

"Diversity Affluence is committed to raising awareness of affluent & influential ethnic consumers & related executives & brands that acknowledge them," says Hoffman. "Our Brunch celebrates the far reaching contributions of the incredible honorees & gives guests the opportunity to engage with affluent ethnic influencers, business & community leaders, upscale sponsors & multicultural tastemakers."