FAME 19th annual celebration

The Place: The August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Downtown on Wednesday night.

The Purpose: The 19th annual celebration of FAME (Fund for Advancement of Minorities Through Education). “This is a chance to give our scholars recognition,” said event chair Ann Hoover.

The Party: Nearly 300 guests were encouraged to roam the lobby and the second floor and mingle with the seven high school seniors from the participating schools, who showcased their high schools and the colleges and universities where they had been accepted and have chosen to attend. Passed hors d’oeuvres, several bars and a pasta station all helped guests keep their energy up as they socialized.

The Program: Everyone moved into the auditorium where emcee Lynne Hayes-Freeland introduced Ciara Bailey, who offered the invocation. FAME CEO Darryl Wiley then welcomed all. This was the first year FAME celebrated with an evening event rather than a luncheon. After a video presentation, Dennis Briggs, a University of Pittsburgh graduate and FAME alumni, reflected on the opportunities he found through FAME. The evening’s keynote speaker was Larry Jennings Jr., senior management director and one of the founders of ValStone Partners. The retiring head of The Ellis School, Robin Newham, spoke before Sterling Myers, this year’s valedictorian of The Kiski School, offered his reflections. The evening ended with Malcolm Thomas being honored with the Andrew W. Mathieson Award for Community Service.

The People: Among those applauding were the FAME partner school heads Tom Cangiano of Shady Side Academy, Chad Barnett of St. Edmund’s Academy, Gary Niels of Winchester Thurston School, Christopher Brueningsen of The Kiski School and Christopher Burner of Western Reserve Academy. FAME board chair Vincent Johnson, founder Pat Getty, board members Richard Reed, Dina Clark, Anne Naqi, Jane Nicholson, Lori Brookins, Darlene Motley and so many more.

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