When I first thought about the idea of going to a charity event in Midtown Manhattan, there were three terms that came to my mind "stuffy, boring and uneventful." Last week's "L'africana Celebration" was anything but boring, stuffy or uneventful. It was the perfect combination of all things good about social charity events. Hosted by the Macdella Cooper foundation, the event was perfect for not only supporting a worthy cause, but as the room was packed with educated professionals, it was also a perfect playground for networking and collaboration opportunities.
In 2010 the Macdella Cooper Foundation, launched the MCF Academy, a Liberian school dedicated to providing children with free education, room and board. This event is one of several hosted by the foundation to help Liberian children affected by poverty due to the Liberian Civil War.
Unfamiliar with Macdella Cooper, the Macdella Cooper Foundation, or the MCF Academy, I really didn't know what to expect. The invitation stated it was "A Cultural Affair", but I was unsure about the vibe. I was also curious about whether it would be a toned down corporate version of "african" or an authentic cultural experience. As I stepped off the elevator at the Salisbury Hotel in midtown Manhattan, I knew it was going to be the latter. I knew was going to have a great night. Here are the three things that made my night amazing:
- Culture
- Charity
- Connections
The authenticity of the event is what made it such a success. It was real and while it provided great networking opportunities and great performances, the need to support the MCF Academy was not overshadowed. For more information about the Macdella Foundation or the MCF Academy, visit MacdellaCooper.Org .
