Jenesse Center is proud to welcome the incomparable nine-time Grammy Award winning recording artist, Mary J. Blige to perform at the 2012 Silver Rose Gala and Auction on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows at 6:00pm. 

 

An iconic American artist who has defined many key moments in the musical landscape of our time, Blige is ranked by Billboard Magazine as the "Most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years".  She is also ranked by VH1 as one of the "100 Greatest Women in Music" and by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".

 

Avis Frazier-Thomas, Jenesse Board President said, "We are honored and overjoyed to welcome one of the greatest artists of our time, Mary J. Blige.  She exemplifies the heart of many women here in America and around the globe.  Her music is a message of hope and joy, which is why it is such a privilege to have her join us to spread Jenesse's message of hope to women and families everywhere."

 

The event will raise funds and salute important community figures who advance Jenesse Center's mission to protect families from the ravages of domestic violence.  Jenesse Center is a national non-profit domestic violence intervention and prevention organization that provides a holistic, comprehensive program to nurture victimized families back to a place of mental, financial, physical and emotional well-being. 

 

The theme for the 2012 Silver Rose is "Welcome".  Frazier-Thomas said, “We chose the theme 'Welcome' because it's a simple word that embodies the hopes and dreams of families looking for a fresh start.  It's the affirmation that lets people know they are home."

 

This year's distinguished 2012 Silver Rose Honorees include Ingrid Roberts, Managing Director for First Picks Management and Xerox Corporation, who will be recognized at the Silver Rose Gala and Auction and Paula Williams Madison who will be recognized at the 4th Annual Halle Berry Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, April 16, 2012 at Wilshire Country Club.   These individuals and corporations are representative of Jenesse’s strategic vision to change the world by welcoming the very best ideas and opportunities for families.

 

Jenesse is proud to present the first ever Fannie Lou Hamer Award to Schinal Walker, a former Jenesse client who is now an active spokesperson and advocate for women and girls overcoming domestic violence.  Walker said, "No matter what we are feeling, it makes it worse when we feel it alone. We must use our voice to educate these women and girls who are battered and abused or in danger of that, and I will not stop using mine.  Never again will I silence my voice! I will continue to raise awareness and take a stance. This is just the beginning!"

 

Women from the Jenesse shelter will design the floral arrangements for this year's event, which will be available for auction at the end of the gala.   The event planners joined with Jenesse this year to teach the skill set of masterful floral design to the women, so they would learn a new skill set and enjoy an opportunity to contribute to success of the gala event.  Guests who bid on the floral arrangements will take home a treasure that was literally touched by one of the women who Jenesse helps and who represents the reason the event is produced.  Silver Rose Gala Chair, Pat Greene said, "We are proud of the women from our shelter who were hands on in designing our floral arrangements this year.  I have seen the arrangements and they are stunning.  What is more spectacular is the joy the women had in producing them and the pride they feel in not just designing the flowers but designing their own destiny to move towards hope and a fresh start in life."

  
The official sponsors of the 2012 Silver Rose Weekend  include Xerox, Verizon, BET Networks, Cîroc, Nestlé USA, NBC Universal, SEIU ULTCW, Southwest Airlines, Good Works Makes A Difference and The Tyler Foundation For Disabilities.  Karen Earl, Executive Director of the Jenesse Center said, "Jenesse Center has been fortunate to draw sponsors who make our mission their own and we are grateful for their contribution to help  give women and families peace and a chance at a new beginning."

 

Halle Berry, Silver Rose Chairperson said, "The Silver Rose Weekend will raise much needed funds and awareness to help families victimized by domestic violence.  Over the past 14 years I've watched the lives of countless families transformed and I am excited about the future for these families as we work to build on our success and bring an end to their suffering one family at a time. "
 
For more information on the 2012 Silver Rose Weekend, please call Jenesse Center at 323.299.9496, ext. 103 or visit the website at www.jenesse.org.   Event will feature a silent, live and national online auction.  All events are ticketed and open to the public.  

 

To view a video from last year's event, visit http://www.jenesse.org/media/events/srw11/index.html.