The Hummingbird Gala: A Celebration of Jamaican Culture and Philanthropy
The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) Gala
The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) gala, one of the most prominent charity events in New York City, will feature a new collection from Jamaican fashion and cultural business Cooyah this evening.
Event Details
The event will be held at the Plaza Hotel in New York and will include a specially designed Cooyah pop-up store.
The Hummingbird Gala
The Hummingbird Gala, an annual fundraiser for AFJ, honors notable figures who have contributed to Jamaica’s progress. This year’s honorees include American luxury shoe designer, hotelier, gallery owner, and restaurateur Vanessa Noel; Kingston-American singer, songwriter, model, and actress Jones; and brothers Robert and Mark White, who founded Sanmerna Paper Products in 2003 and were homegrown Jamaicans who were instrumental in establishing a robust paper industry in Jamaica.
About the Honorees
Jones, who started the cross-dressing movement in the 1980s, appeared in a number of well-known movies and had a major impact on the disco music scene before going on to fuse genres, has been credited with inspiring many other artists. She was named the 40th best dance club musician of all time by Billboard in 2016.
Cooyah’s Involvement
Cooyah views the collaboration with the AFJ as the perfect way to start its "Welcome back to New York" weekend. The brand will showcase pieces from its latest resort collection for ladies, along with button-down shirts, polos, and limited-edition coats. A portion of the sales revenues will be donated to the charity by Cooyah.
Quote from Cooyah’s Managing Partner
"We are happy to collaborate with AFJ in this way as the gala provides a platform for the diaspora to unite for impactful causes. This aligns seamlessly with the AFJ’s commitment to advancing education and healthcare for vulnerable communities in Jamaica." – Gary Codner, Cooyah’s managing partner
The After-Party
This year’s Gala is anticipated to be an incredible celebration of the island’s influence on world culture, with performances by Baby Cham, Lukie D, and Max Glazer during the after-party.
Unique T-Shirt and Silent Auction
The streetwear brand and Blue Mahoe worked together to design a unique T-shirt that will be delivered especially for each gala attendee. Additionally, Cooyah will display unique works by renowned artist Homer Bair. To help with the gala’s fundraising, the item will be put up for auction.
Event Details
A fascinating silent auction collection, three courses of food, fine wines, and other glittering accents will all be included at the 2024 Hummingbird Gala.
Conclusion
The 2024 Hummingbird Gala promises to be an unforgettable evening of fashion, music, and philanthropy, with a focus on celebrating Jamaican culture and giving back to the community.
FAQs
- When and where is the event taking place?
- The event will be held at the Plaza Hotel in New York.
- Who are the honorees this year?
- The honorees include Vanessa Noel, Grace Jones, and brothers Robert and Mark White.
- What will be featured at the Cooyah pop-up store?
- The brand will showcase pieces from its latest resort collection for ladies, along with button-down shirts, polos, and limited-edition coats.
- How can I get involved in the fundraising efforts?
- A unique T-shirt designed by the streetwear brand and Blue Mahoe will be put up for auction, and a silent auction collection will be held.
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