Oprah Winfrey: Championing Former Essence Frontwoman's Latest Endeavor

Oprah Winfrey was among the black glitterati who came out in full force last night to celebrate Susan L. Taylor's National CARES Mentoring Movement (NCMM) at New York City's ESPACE.

The Queen of All Media, who originally made a $500,000 commitment to the cause -the largest single donation to date, was so moved by the spirit of the evening that she doubled her donation-a total of $1 million-to undergird the mission.

Taylor, the former front-woman of best-selling black woman's magazine 'Essence,' was elated with the grand contribution. "What a blessing Oprah's generosity is to the healing of so many young lives," she said. "Her extraordinary gift of love took my breath away."

Susan L. Taylor Pictures

Renowned as the visionary and heart behind one of the most respected African-American brands in the world, Taylor has shifted her focus to community service with the newly established organization – her calling is to help secure a generation of black children through the work of NCMM.

Ruby Dee, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Common, Michael Eric Dyson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Roland S. Martin, Maurice DuBois, Lola Ogunnaike, Stephanie Jordan, Kephra Burns, Kevin Powell, Dr. Adelaide Sanford, Terrie M. Williams, and Rev. Al Sharpton, were among the more than 300 guests who turned out for the event, which was co-hosted by comedian/actress Phyllis Yvonne Stickney. Gospel music superstars Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin performed.

"With this kind of continued support, we will end the cycles of academic and social disengagement that are debilitating our communities and country," Taylor, said. "Mentoring is the answer. It is the best and most meaningful gift we can give this holiday season."

Originally founded by Taylor as "Essence Cares" in 2006 in response to Hurricane Katrina, the organization is a mentor-recruitment movement that works to fill the pipeline of youth-supporting organizations throughout the country with mentors. Its mission is to save a generation by putting a caring adult in the life of every at-risk child and those who have already fallen into peril.

National CARES Circles operate in more than 50 cities around the country such as: Anchorage, Annapolis, Austin, Augusta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Broward County (FL), Charleston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Montgomery, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Raleigh, Sacramento, Seattle, Washington, DC and others.