On Thursday, November 19th, The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers hosted Project Morry's 13th Annual Autumn Elegance Gala to honor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Project Morry is an ongoing program dedicated to giving inner-city children enriching learning opportunities through a curriculum based on school meetings and an intensive summer camp program. This nonprofit organization focuses on giving children an opportunity to be challenged, understand their self-worth and personal responsibility, and grow together.

The event began with a cocktail hour. Guests enjoyed the stunning view of the Hudson while viewing the various tables of items displayed for the silent auction.

The alumni of the program - a group of adults who have known each other since nine years old - exemplified the organization's advantages. I chatted with a number of alumni, each filled with a contagious enthusiasm, respect, and gratitude for having been a part of Project Morry. Their loyalty to the cause and overall friendliness, made the elegant and formal event remain down-to-earth and unpretentious.

Toward the end of the hour, I spoke with Liza Gates, the charming daughter of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and one of the Gala Vice-Chairs. Ms. Gates was modest, kind-hearted, and filled with passion about the project. I had a brief discussion with Mr. Gates, Jr., about his interest and desire for his daughter to attend Columbia.

As the guests sat down for dinner and the awards ceremony, I was struck by the humbleness and kindness of Mr. Gates, Jr., as well as, everyone else I had encountered with throughout the evening.

-article by Hannah Christ for Scene B Seen

*photos courtesy of Project Morry

One of the Real Housewives needs to start acting real. 
This particular housewife boasts that she runs in a 
fabulous circle... Ummm... if your so fabulous, then 
why have I not seen you before this show? The real 
reason why I'm ranting about this unreal housewife is 
because she puts on this facade about being soooo 
involved in charity and non-profit work, yet a little 
birdy told me a very interesting story. Supposedly said 
housewife was recently asked to attend a charity event 
in NYC. Being the philanthropist that she is, she told 
my source that the only way she would attend this event 
was if she received an appearance fee!! I find this 
hysterical and quite disturbing. Hysterical in the fact 
that this housewife is not even a D-list celeb in my 
book but still had the chutzpah to insist on getting 
paid to appear at a charity event. Who does she think she is? 
It is disturbing  to hear stories like this and trust me she isn't the 
first person to ask for a fee, and I'm sure not the last.  The only time 
I would ever pay this woman to appear somewhere would be at a kid's 
birthday party dressed as a clown... 
So here's a little message for this tacky lady:
Either get real or shut the f*#k up!

*Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images North America
(L-R: Kelly Killoren Bensimon, LuAnn de Lesseps, Jill Zarin, Bethenny Frankel, Ramona Singer, Alex McCord)