Hill Harper, Mayor Kasim Reed, Dr. Jackie Waters attend the 5th “ 50 Shades Of Pink” Fundraiser Fas
[photos by Marcus Ingram]
(ATLANTA) - October 15, 2017 - Last night, the 50 Shades of Pink Foundation, founded by award-winning OBGYN and tv personality Dr. Jackie Walters, presented its 5th Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Atlanta City Hall was immaculately transformed into a pink wonderland of chic decor, as over 200 guests - dressed in 1920s flapper-style attire - filled the Atrium to celebrate the breast cancer survivors and supporters featured on the runway. The event began with a heartfelt poem by Hank Stewart followed by welcome remarks from Atlanta Municipal Court Judge and honorary event chair Terrinee Gundy and 50 Shades of Pink Foundation executive director Gary Andrews. Andrews then introduced the evening's host -- actor/author/philanthropist Hill Harper, who shared his story of being diagnosed with cancer several years ago. The fashion show opener was a lively tap dance routine by Chloe Arnold's Syncopated Ladies, after which, dozens of beautiful models strutted the runway in designs by Linda Bezuidenhout and Bramer Leon. The sight of the models - many of whom were recent cancer "warriors" - was inspiring and illustrated the foundation's mission of catering to the emotional well-being of breast cancer patients and their families. After the fashion presentation, Hill Harper and Dr. Jackie led an auction to find individual donors to sponsor the 50 Shades of Pink Gift Baskets that the foundation provides to breast cancer patients. Then, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed closed the program with a surprise check for $20,000 to the foundation to further their efforts to bring comfort and care to breast cancer survivors. Special guests in attendance were Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms, "Married to Medicine" stars Dr. Heavenly Kimes, Mariah Huq, Curtis Berry and many more. Sponsors of the 50 Shades of Pink Fundraiser were Ford Motor Company, The Cochran Firm, Jack Daniels, and All N One Security Services. Special thanks to event producer Eboni Cummings, S.T.E.P.S. Events and the City of Atlanta. For more information on the 50 Shades of Pink Foundation, visit 50ShadesofPinkFoundation.org.
