Willie Brown Jr. & Sonya Molodetskaya

We were delighted to attend the The Museum of African Diaspora’s (MoAD) recent celebration of its 4th birthday in San Francisco. Committed to connecting all people through the celebration and exploration of art, culture and history of the African Diaspora, the museum recently appointed veteran arts administrator Grace C. Stanislaus as its new Executive Director.

“Love Bush,” by Richard Mayhew

This year’s gala not only served as Ms. Stanislaus’ coming-out-party, it also brought together some of the movers and shakers of San Francisco’s business and financial world in support of the institution. It started with a VIP reception at the MoAD where guests were treated to a private tour of the retrospective of Richard Mayhew’s work, on display at the museum through January 10th, 2010. It then moved to the ballroom at the St. Regis for dinner and the awards presentations, followed by dancing to the sounds of Motown provided by Top Shelf.

Leonard Berry, Richard Mayhew, Grace Stanislaus

The honorees for 2009 were Frankie Jacobs Gilette, founding MoAD board member, Frederick E. Jordan, CEO of F.E. Jordan & Associates, Kenneth P. McNeely, president of AT&T California, and Lloyd Dean, President & CEO of Catholic Healthcare West. Pam Moore and of KRON 4 and Dave Clark of KTVU Channel 2 served as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, and the awards were presented by MoAD’s president Ernest H. Urquhart and Willie Brown Jr.

Frankie Jacobs-Gillette, Maxwell Gillette

Maija Frisble, Ernie Bates, Marlene Bates

Anna Banks, Gregory Hunter, Christina Anderson, Tarrell Gamble

Martha Gonzales & Manuel Diaz

Frederick E. Jordan

Claudia Juestel & Holly Baxter

Ernest Urquhart

Pam Moore & Harold Jones

Stefano Cassolato, Patty-Jo Rutland, Steve Ike

Nancy Hollis, Les Hollis, Sabrina Brutus, Jacques Brutus

Michele Davis & Gladys Moore

Tarrell Gamble, Kimberly Freeman, Harold Lowe, Tamera Raspberry

Nathan Dean, Nicole Dean, Suzanne Dean, Lloyd Dean

Sophie Maxwell & Brenda Winstead

Dave Clark & Rosalynn Smith-Clark

Kenneth P. McNeely & Fran Streets

Brenda Wright & Steve Bowdr

Photos: Drew Altizer [drewaltizer.com]