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Denzel Washington sure knows how to make a statement.
At last night's well-heeled 1st annual Steve Harvey Foundation Gala, the two-time Academy Award-winning thespian didn't only show up to collect his award for his philanthropic efforts, he also brought his checkbook.
The recent Tony Award nominee donated $1 million to Harvey's eponymous foundation, which aims to mentor young men from underprivileged backgrounds.
"We don't usually make announcements about what we do, but we are going to put $1 million toward your organization," Washington told a stunned audience, shortly after accepting his award. "What this man and his wife are doing is too important. ... Anything we can do, I will be there. And anything we can do financially, we will do."
"We love and appreciate the work you guys are doing. Thank you for honoring me, but we came to honor you," Washington said before encouraging the audience – which included the likes of Common, Sherri Shepherd, Rev. Al Sharpton, boxing promoter Butch Lewis, Malik Yoba, BET honcho Debra Lee, Island Def Jam chief Antonio "L.A." Reid and Nicole Ari Parker– to do what they can.
On receiving Washington's donation, Harvey said, "I am stunned, but at the same time I'm not, because this gift exemplifies Denzel and [wife] Pauletta. Giving comes real easy to them and although that's surprising to a lot of people, it's not surprising to us."
The event took place at Cipriani Wall Street and was hosted by entertainer Steve Harvey and Robin Roberts of 'Good Morning America.' Sponsored by Neiman Marcus, Neiman Marcus Charitable Funds and Essence magazine, the inaugural affair also honored the groundbreaking educator Geoffrey Canada, of the Harlem Children's Zone, and Pam El, of State Farm Insurance, for their commitment to mentoring.
Grammy-winning singer Toni Braxton, who released her album 'Pulse' today, performed at the intimate event, which raised more than $1.3 million for the Steve Harvey Foundation and its mentoring programs.
"[We] are so grateful, and will use this money in the spirit it has been given -- to change the lives of young men around the world."
Hosting the inaugural Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend for Young Men during Father's Day Weekend in 2009, Harvey brought 100 teenage boys and their guardians from around the country to his ranch in Dallas.
The program's success inspired the best-selling author and renaissance media personality to expand his mission nationwide and create 10 satellite mentoring programs this year in, among others, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
This year's Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend for Young Men will take place in Dallas, June 17-20, with sponsorship from American Airlines, State Farm, The Home Depot, Hillshire Farm, Glory Foods, Sam's Club, Budget, FBI, Choice Hotels, 21st Century Foundation, Soft Sheen Carson, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kmart.
Steve Harvey Foundation Gala
Steve Harvey Foundation Gala
Steve Harvey
Marjorie Bridges Harvey, Steve Harvey and BET COO, Deborah Lee
Steve Harvey
Marjorie Harvey, Robin Roberts and Paulette Washington
Toni Braxton and BET COO, Debra Lee
Antonio 'L.A.' Reid and Erica Reid
Butch Lewis, guest, Greg Mathis and Reverend Al Sharpton
Robin Roberts and Steve Harvey
Robin Roberts
Comments: (65)
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By: wisdom on 5/04/2010 7:25PM
This is what i like to see
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By: Will on 5/05/2010 12:32PM
About four weeks ago, BV featured a story about Steve Harvey's problem with the IRS. No one was allowed to blog about it because BV would not allow anyone to say anything negative about Mr. Harvey. Why is that BV? Why are u kissing Steve's ass. I commend him for what he is doing for the children, but he needs to stop denigrating his callers. A woman who ran a children's nursey called in to sing and when she told Steve what she did for a living, he called her a glorified babysitter. She was of course insulted because she explained to him that they prepared the children for kindergarten. She then told him that if indeed he thought of her as a glorified babysitter, at least she was a glorified babysitter with a Masters Degree in Psychology. He laughed it all off and kept it going.
Now, was it necessary for him to hate on her like that? This is only one of perhaps three incidents per day where Mr. Harvey increasing denigrates his callers. Well, since he claims to know God so well, at least he knows that on his way back down God will be there for him too.
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By: DALLAS on 5/06/2010 12:38AM
wow.
you seem very hurt by that.
....you're not the "glorified babysitter" are you??
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By: Will on 5/06/2010 1:25AM
Lol @ Wisdom...You're not as smart as you think you are.
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By: Smart Alec on 5/06/2010 10:49AM
Looks like DALLAS is looking for attention
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By: Will on 5/06/2010 1:47AM
Sorry about that Wisdom, that was meant for Dallas. To answer your question Dallas, NO, I'm not hurt. I am disgusted that just because it's Steve's show he feels that he has the right to disrespect people. I have heard him say it a few times that it's his show and he can say whatever he want to
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By: aberdeen allen on 5/04/2010 9:23PM
Kudos to Denzel for giving back and to Steve for providing the vehicle for the donation. Maybe other AA celebs will take notice and do the same thing. Tom Joyner, Bill Cosby, and Oprah are others who seem to know that they have an obligation to reach back and try to help those who are trying to make a difference in our community. Hopefully the young men involved in the mentoring programs will see that there are AAs out there who have "made it" and want to help them do likewise. Just my two cents. Peace
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By: DEBRA on 5/06/2010 10:35AM
I WANT THANK STEVE HARVEY FOR STANDING UP FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVES HAVE CHANGED FROM THE PAST. I AM A WOMEN WHO HAD A PAST AND THE SYSTEM MAKES IT SO HARD TO EVEN GET A JOB IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WE NEED MORE WOMEN SPONSORS TO ALSO HELP THE WOMEN. I MEAN THIS THEY NEED TO ENFORCE THE SECOND CHANCE ACT LAW IN THE STATESOF SOUTH CAROLINA. SO MANY OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO A BETTER LIFE. I KNOW THAT THINGS WILL GET BETTER BUT THE ONLY WAY IS THROUGH GOD. YOU SEE I AM 47 YRS OF AGE AND I HAVE LEANED THE HARD WAY. BUT THANK GOD I LEARNED. SO THET I WILL FIGHT UNTIL THE END FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP TO BETTER THERE LIFE. I SUPPORT EVRY THING THAT STEVE IS DOING TO HELP. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GOD BLESS YOU.
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By: yaza on 5/05/2010 9:59AM
Oprah and Cosby have given more than a measly 1 mil to black organizations. Why aren't black men going after the black male rappers and athletes who have done nothing to help black boys? They are always looking in Oprah’s pocket. That is so typical of black men leeching off black women than disrespecting them every chance they get. Always putting down Cosby for telling the truth about black males being their own worst enemies. Violent, stuck on stupid, dumb, lazy, self destructive, homo thugs, pants sagging butt crack showing losers. Go after the black male million dollar athletes and entertainers and see how much money they give up. They have enough money to spend it on staying out of prison for committing crimes that could be spent on programs for black boys.
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By: chris on 5/05/2010 11:22AM
Don't you think you should say "some" Black men?What you are doing is EXACTLY what Black women get mad at when Black men do it.I've been with the same woman for 15 years (I am 37 now).She's a good woman and we both work. But my ex before her cheated on me left and right.Had a child by my own blood cousin.The child is not only my kids sister but COUSIN too!Now at age 36 she has 15(fifteen)kids,with about 7 or 8 dads.Not even making this up.My point is this:She was a trifling lowlife.But if I were to judge every women I met by her actions,I'd still be single.So not ALL Black men sponge of Black women. We are not all bad...we're HUMAN.
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