The Art Institute of Chicago’s Leadership Advisory Committe planned a fete to toast the accomplished and renowned architect, whose firm was chosen to design the highly anticipated National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Beginning with cocktails and canapes at Terzo Piano, VIP guests such as Daryl Hackett, Marcus Boggs, Naomi Beckwith, Ebs Burnough, Kevann Cooke, Les Coney, Todd Heiser, Chanel Coney, Eunice Fatoki & Feyi Aduroja, in Duro Olowu F/W ’15 was Thelma Golden-Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, to name a few, had the opportunity to chat with Adjaye before remarks were made by one of the evening’s presenting sponsors, Merrill Lynch and Adjaye himself, who was introduced by the exhibit’s curator, Zoe Ryan.
Following the reception hour, guests were led down to Griffin Court of the Modern Wing where dinner and the rest of the evening’s festivities were to take place. Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye was spotted catching up with Victoria Rogers on one end of the room while entertainment journalist Alicia Quarles with friend artist Stephon Senegal, who were guests of Eric McKissack, checked out the exhibit on the first floor.
Setting the mood was DJ Kiss, who has spun for top fashion, music, art parties and named one of Vanity Fair’s Top 10 Best-Dressed Female D.J.’s. With Kiss in sight, you knew it was going to be a fun night. Douglas Druick-President and Eloise W. Martin Director, Leah Hope, the evening’s emcee, addressed and thanked guests for their support.
In between dinner and guests hoping tables, were some of the faces you would see in a Crain’s Who’s Who including Marty and Anita Nesbitt (he best friend of President Obama and in charge of the President Obama Library), Neal Zucker, Desiree Rogers, Linda Johnson Rice, Cheryl Whitaker, Peter and Linda Bynoe, Sandra Rand and Deven Rand, Theaster Gates who would celebrate the opening of his Arts Bank the next night.
- Linda Johnson Rice, Desiree Rogers, Friends, Theaster Gates (far right)
- David Adjaye, Diane Primo, Quintin Primo
- Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye, Victoria Rogers
Following the sit down three course dinner guests were able to check out the exhibit, consisting of furniture, housing and public building models and master plans organized by Haus der Kunst, Munich and the Art Institute of Chicago, which spans the first-floor Abbott Galleries and the second floor architecture and design space. Desert, dinner and dancing followed. Those that were still up to hang headed south to the Theaster Gates hosted after party.
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photos: Cameron Moore
Bolaji Sosan
pronounced: Boh-la-jee, like the Bellagio but w/o the O. SLC Editorial Director, loves to write about topics at the intersection of career and lifestyle for today's young professional and future leaders.
