On Saturday, May 4th, Amref Health Africa held its annual ArtBall and auction in NYC. The event took place it INDUSTRIA in Brooklyn, NY.
Amref Health Africa’s mission is to empower African communities by providing accessible, sustainable, and culturally sensitive healthcare solutions. The annual ArtBall is all about celebrating African culture and philanthropy.
The event started with an exclusive pre-party dinner and salon which included conversations with Kehinde Wiley and Mark Lacey.
Guests were treated to bites from YESBABE and Amazing Grace, NY and cocktails provided by Ten To One, iBest Wines, Mary Taylor Wines, Mishka, Martell, Cantera Negra, and Aplos.
There was even a live performance by Les Ballet Afrik, a dance company that focuses on West African and Afrobeat dances.
The event’s co-chairs were former NBA star Carmelo Anthony and Spike and Tonya Lewis Lee. The ArtBall was hosted by Sahr Ngaujah and Frank Sirmans.
The evening’s hosts awarded renowned artist Kehinde Wiley with the Rees Visionary Award. Upon receiving this honor, Wiley announced a $700,000 donation to Amref.
Amref also held a virtual live auction in conjunction with Sotheby’s, which concluded on May 6th at 12:00 p.m. The collection included 42 pieces of Contemporary African, Pan-African, and Black Art. The proceeds are given to Amref so that they continue their healthcare mission.
The auction was carefully curated by Storm Ascher, Cierra Britton, Alexandra Scotland, Natalie Kates, and Nadia Nascimento. Notable auction artists this year include Hank Willis Thomas, Khalif Tahir Thompson, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Alex Anderson, Damien Davis, Genevieve Gaignard, Jamel Robinson, Lewinale Havette, Megan Gabrielle Harris, Crystal Yayra Anthony, Roscoe B Thicke, Rudy Shepherd, Troy Jones, and Turiya Magadlela.
Notable guests at the ArtBall include Lindsey Peoples, Earl Nurse, Storm Ascher, Indira Cesarine, Nadia Nascimento, Nadja Sayej, Carol Jenkins, Malik Roberts, Wanjiru Mwangi, Tariku Shiferaw, and Quiana Parks.
The annual Amref ArtBall was certainly a night to remember.
