Brooklyn Black Tie Ball Raises $1 Million. John Krasinski, Matt Damon, Matthew Rhys, Rose Byrne
Event raised $1 million, benefiting the park’s programming
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Brooklyn Black Tie Ball, held on Thursday at Brooklyn Bridge Park, raised $1 million for the Conservancy’s free and low-cost events and activities.
This year, the Conservancy recognized and celebrated Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Buzzy O’Keeffe, restaurateur and owner of the iconic River Café, for their leadership, stewardship and tireless work for the Brooklyn community.
Eric Adams was born in Brownsville and raised in South Jamaica. His dedication to New York City led him from serving as a captain in the NYPD, where he founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, to the New York State Senate. With his track record of advancing reforms that aligned with NYC values, Adams was elected Brooklyn borough president, becoming the borough’s first Black leader. As the representative of one of the nation’s largest counties, Eric fought tirelessly to grow the local economy, invest in schools, reduce inequality and improve public safety. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the city, Eric worked around the clock to deliver donated meals and PPE to essential workers and vulnerable Brooklynites.
Michael (“Buzzy”) O’Keeffe was born and raised in New York City and has been a pioneer for the Brooklyn waterfront community since he opened The River Café in 1977. The restaurant’s innovation in its location, which ignited the development of the waterfront, is matched only by the culinary excellence that is synonymous with its name. Although The River Café has weathered many storms, O’Keeffe’s enduring commitment to New York City and Brooklyn has served as a beacon in even the most uncertain of times. O’Keeffe is a board member of Waterfront Alliance, Audubon NY, University of Limerick, and Futures in Education.
In addition to Adams and O’Keeffe, party guests included Olympic swimmer Lia Neal; former NBA player JJ Redick; film and television actors Rose Byrne, Matt Damon, John Krasinski, Matthew Rhys, and Alison Wright; Co-Founder of Fashion Label Rag & Bone Marcus Wainwright; Co-Founder/CEO of Maisonette Sylvana Durrett; U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez; Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin; State Sen. Brian Kavanagh; Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon; DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman; Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Chair Chris Coffey; Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation President Eric Landau; and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Executive Director Nancy Webster.
Brooklyn Bridge Park has provided New York City with an extraordinary place to play, learn, connect, and be inspired. Today, as the park’s main programming partner, the Conservancy works in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to produce the park’s yearly cultural, educational, and recreational events. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of New Yorkers – many who were not able to leave the city – had access to a rich season of diverse programming on the Brooklyn waterfront. Events this season included the Conservancy’s signature outdoor film series, live music and dance, kayaking, waterfront workouts, poetry and book readings, stewardship opportunities, fishing clinics, environmental education programs for kids and families, and more.
Proceeds from the Brooklyn Black Tie Ball directly support the Conservancy’s more than 500 free and low-cost activities and events. Over 1.8 million visitors have enjoyed the Conservancy’s cultural, recreational, and education programs to date.
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