Designer Praised For Her Commitment To Women Of All Sizes & Shapes
The New York Urban League saluted black fashion designer Tracy Reese for her pledge to make women of all ages shapes and sizes feel beautiful.
The designer was among a group of women who were honored for their community work by the nonprofit advocacy group, which hosted it’s 52nd annual Frederick Douglass Awards Dinner March 16 at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
Reese, dressed in one of her creations, took the modest route as she collected her award, thanking her father for giving her seed money to start her business, and promising to continue to represent for all women.
“I love what I do,” Reese said, “and it’s my mission to provide women of all sizes and colors to look and feel beautiful….I hope we can all make a difference in someone’s life. That’s the beauty of life, when you can share it.”
Also honored at the fete were Erica Payne, the president of Patriotic Millionaires, and Tiffany Warren, the president and founder of Adcolor, which encourages at-risk youth to take up painting.
The event raised $35,250, which will help fund the Urban League’s programs and services, like STEM education and job training.
Tuesday’s gala brought out the likes of journalist and entrepreneur Tai Beauchamp, Essence Magazine editor in chief Vanessa De Luca and former New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson.
Gala co-chair Manny Gonzalez, the senior director of multicultural marketing for Moet Hennessy, later led the crowd in a toast to the honorees and the New York Urban League.
“Some of us are wondering where the country’s leadership is,” Gonzalez said. “But one thing we don’t have to worry about is the New York Urban League and the leadership of Arva Rice.”