BREAKTHROUGH MIAMI SUPPORTS SCHOLARS
A much-sought after ticket, a who’s who of the South Florida philanthropic set headed to Miami Beach to support education and the future of our community. That’s right, it’s that time again for the 7th Annual SupportA-Scholar Celebration to benefit Breakthrough Miami, an academic and social enrichment program for highly motivated students from under-resourced communities to access excellent educational opportunities, graduate high school and complete college.
The Breakthrough Miami program operates throughout the school year on Saturdays and for six weeks in the summer on the generously donated campuses of the University of Miami and local independent schools: Ransom Everglades School, Gulliver Schools, Miami Country Day School, Carrollton School of the Sacred
Heart, and Palmer Trinity School. “The development of Miami’s educational opportunities’ landscape is one that will continue to evolve and improve over time,” said Lori-Ann Cox, CEO of Breakthrough Miami. “Every year, our Support-A-Scholar celebration gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to Breakthrough Miami’s legacy, highlight our mission, the organizations, the companies, the donors and the alums that have supported us throughout the year, while allowing us to reflect on how far we’ve come together as a village.”
Breakthrough Board Chair Jeffrey Miller and wife, Tina once again opened up their spectacular residence where partygoers and supporters from these school communities joined forces to along with many corporate and community partners to raise more than $550,000 to ensure motivated yet under-resourced youth have a more level playing field of opportunities, networks, mentorship and resources to reach their dreams. Three-time Emmy-award winning Entertainment and Lifestyle Reporter for WFOR,
CBS4 Lisa Petrillo and Life Coach and Founder of Atreve-T marketing, Magda Lopez, served as event emcees at the Support-A-Scholar party- dubbed “not your average gala.” The unique backyard bash welcomed guests who were greeted by a larger than life photo opportunity resembling a “break through” huge frame. A Vintage 9 Mobile Bar served up Bovard House of Rosé as revelers dove right into gourmet treats from Sushi Maki, Churrasco Brasil, Joanna’s Marketplace and Curbside Gourmet. Did I mention the nitrogen ice from Chill-N at the “science bar” and cryogenics facials provided by the doctors at the Carillon Resort and Spa? Oh, yes, very coooool! From dancers grooving in transparent spheres floating in the pools to caricature artists creating art masterpieces of the benefactors, the Support-A-Scholar was definitely the ultimate “party with a purpose.”
Along with event hosts Jeff and Tina Miller, the 7th Annual Support-A-Scholar Celebration was chaired by Allison and Justyn Feldman, Hollen and Ryan Rosenberg, Jennifer and Neil Sazant, Coco Palenque Torre and Venny Torre,
Kim Kolisch Viñas and Frank Viñas, and Rebecca and Jimmy Whited. Notables including Heads of Schools in attendance: Penny Townsend (Ransom Everglades), Dr. Bill Green (Vice Provost, University of Miami), Olen and Kim Kalkus (Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart,) Frank and Betsy Steel (Gulliver) and
Patrick and Laura Roberts (Palmer Trinity) joined philanthropic patrons including Stuart Miller (Chairman, Lennar Corp), Leslie Miller (Founder and CEO, Achieve Miami), Amanda Gluck, (Fashionable Hostess) Andy Ansin (Executive, Sunbeam Television, Sunbeam Properties and WSVNChannel 7, Melissa Krinzman (Krillion Investments), Sharon and Howard Srebnick (Partner, Black, Srebnick, Kornspan and Stump ) , Maria Alonso (CEO of United Way), Stacy and John Buldoc (Board Member, Ransom Everglades), Eric and Kim Mendelson (Board, Ransom Everglades/ Co-President, HEICO), Breakthrough Miami Board Members Michael P.
Elkin C.P.A. (Vice Chair), Partner, Kaufman, Rossin and Company,
Barry S. Gould C.P.A. (Treasurer), Partner, EisnerAmper LLP, Regina Jollivette Frazier (Secretary), Retired, University of Miami Hospitals and Clinics, Thomas Bean, Director of Public and Community Engagement, Florida Power and Light, John Hall, Managing Member, Brickelle Ventures LLC, Sara B. Herald, Attorney, Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price and Axelrod, LLP, Jackie Kamin, Former Member, New York City Board of Education, Laura Koffsky, Vice President, Greater Miami Jewish Federation Board of Directors, Elizabeth Barkin Leight,
Psy. D., Chair, United Way Center for Excellence in Early Ed., Kathryn Meyers, Law Office of Kathryn A. Meyers, The Heckscher Foundation for Children, Josh Navarro, Director of Investments, JPMorgan Chase and Kara Stearns Sharp, Principal, Kaufman, Rossin and Company, Alvaro Tafur, Vice President, Goldman, Sachs and Co., Penny Townsend, Head of School, Ransom Everglades School and Taylor White, Senior Managing Partner, Banyan Street Capital.
Chica
“Cel-e-brate good times, come on!” Absolutely!! Hundreds feasted and partied for hours as John Kunkel of 50 Eggs Hospitality Group, celebrity Chef Partner and television star Lorena Garcia and Haute Living celebrated the launch bash for new restaurant and hot spot, CHICA by Chef Lorena Garcia. The sensational, star-studded foodie fete featured a “Dia de Los Muertos” themed atmosphere complete with Garcia’s signature Latin and South American inspired bites, specialty cocktails and live performances and music by DJ HAPA and The Horns. Located in Miami’s historic MiMo district, CHICA by Chef Lorena Garcia is now open for reservations. This is the second location for the high-energy restaurant; the flagship location for the critically acclaimed CHICA opened in Las Vegas in 2017 and occupies a signature spot on Restaurant Row at the Venetian Resort.
Notables including Kamal Hotchandani, CEO, Haute Living, Michelle Bernstein, Chef, Café La Trova, Carlos Calderon, Univision, Despierta America, Ilia Calderon, Univision, Migbelis Castellanos, Former Nuestra Belleza Latina, Univision, Natasha Cheiji, HolaTV, Dr. Maritza Fuentes - Anchor MegaTV, Jeremy Ford, Chef, Stubborn Seed, Michelle Galvan, Univision, Primer Impacto, Carlos Gastelum - TV personality, Maggie Gimenez - TV personality, Elyangelica Gonzalez, Univision, Periko y Jessi Leon, singers, Eli Lopez - Anchor MegaTV, Karla Martinez, Univision, Despierta America, Raul de Molina, Univision, El Gordo y la Flaca, Ana Maria Polo, Telemundo, Caso Cerrado, Satcha Pretto – Univision, Despierta America, Ana Quincoces, Celeb Chef, Zac Stern, Zac the Baker, Shawn Sullivan, Partner, Rockwell Group, Chef Yisus, Univision, Despierta America turned out to salute the grand opening with Kunkel and Garcia! Live music, bejeweled dancers and a whole-lot of fun kept the evening rocking!!
STEPH SEZ SCOOP
Fortune International Group kicked off the gala season with an exclusive reception featuring designer Mayda Cisneros, previewing her latest couture collection of evening gowns. Each of the 10 designs was paired with an extraordinary selection of Graff jewels from the jeweler’s
Bal Harbour Shops boutique. Ana Cristina Defortuna, Executive Vice President of Fortune International Group, co-hosted the event at Fortune International Group’s award-winning condominium, Jade Signature in Sunny Isles Beach.
STEPH SEZ SCOOP
STEPH SEZ…HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!