Event Date: November 6, 2024
Location: The Post Oak at Uptown
Event: Luncheon
Beneficiary: reVIsion
No. in attendance: 350
Money raised: $300,000
Chairpersons: Paula Sutton and April McGee
Honorees: Jacqueline W. Bostic, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Lara Bell, Chree Boydstun, Honorable Theresa Chang, Tena Faust, Melanie Lawson, Tama Lundquist, Marian McClendon, Sneha Merchant, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Leila Perrin, Heidi Rockecharlie and Jerre Williams
Emcees: Deborah Duncan and Michael Garfield
Entertainment: Kenneth Gayle
Keynote Speaker: Jeffrey “Bboyjeffro” Louis
Photography: Priscilla Dickson
The Eighth Time was the Charm at the Annual Women of Substance Luncheon
For the eighth year, the Women of Substance were lauded at the annual luncheon for their commitment to philanthropy and non-profit organizations. Created and produced by Paul-David Van Atta and chaired by April McGee and Paula Sutton, more than 350 attended to celebrate the 2024 class of honorees, with proceeds of over $300,000 benefiting reVision.
Emcees Deborah Duncan and “High-Tech Texan” Michael Garfield opened the program by introducing the top donors and supporters. Receiving accolades were: Lifetime of Substance Honoree Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Sippi Khurana, M.D., Amy Pierce, April & Wells McGee 2024 Honoree Edna Meyer-Nelson, valet parking sponsors Gregg Harrison Law Firm and David Batagower, Laura Ward, Theatre Under the Stars, Kendall Pierce, Bella Chramosta, Jordan Seff, Melissa Juneau, Susan Boggio, Andrea Bryant and Bobbie Nau.
The presentation of honorees began on stage with “pop-art” portraits, taken by renowned photography studio Gittings being unveiled. Announced to great applause were Spirit of Substance Honoree Jacqueline W. Bostic, who was presented with the trademark original Angel Glass Sculpture created by famed Houston Glass Artist Bill Meek, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty (mentioned earlier), Lara Bell, Chree Boydstun, The Honorable Theresa Chang, Tena Faust, Melanie Lawson, Tama Lundquist, Marian McClendon, Sneha Merchant, Edna Meyer-Nelson (mentioned earlier), Leila Perrin, Heidi Rockecharlie and Jerre Williams.
Paying tribute to this esteemed class and audience were Houston revision CEO Charles Rotramel, famed Houston tenor Kenneth Gayle, who performed his rendition of “Thankful,” and U.S. Olympian, former reVision member, and UH graduate Jeffrey “Bboyjeffro” Louis, who provided a moving testimonial about his experience with the organization and the positive impact it had on his life.
The live auction was filled with “lively” items such as an Astros VIP Package for 30, a Vintage Rolex Datajust in stainless steel donated by Vintage Contessa and Times Past, an Alexander McQueen Clutch donated by Saks Fifth Avenue, and a week-long stay at a Martha’s Vineyard home donated by Gregg Harrison, which sold twice! All in all, an afternoon of substance for women whose works inspire!
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Leela Krishnamurthy, Debbie Festari, Kristina Somerville, Jordan Seff, Brigitte Kalai, Sherri Zucker, Donae Chramosta, Laura Davenport, Sidney Faust, Betty Tutor, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Beth Wolff, Cheryl Byington, Elsie Eckert, Elizabeth Stein, Eileen Lawal, Anita Smith, Rose Cullen, Betty Hrncir, C.C. & Duke Ensell, Diane Gendel, Rini Ziegler, Phyllis Williams, Laura Ward, Regina Rogers, Tammy Tran Nguyen, Dr. Peter Chang, Anne Neeson, Flo McGee, Judy Nichols, Cindy Burns, Hillary Hart, Aimee Snoots, Sandra Cooper, Roslyn Bazelle Mitchell, Philamena Baird, Angela Bryant, Mandy Kao, Marge Lundquist, Kim Padgett, Roseann Rogers, Ellie Francisco, Franelle Rogers, Zane Carruth, Chris Kase, Renee Logans, Honorable Tyra Jones McCollum, Honorable Toni Wallace, Suzanne Ebrahimi, Astrid Van Dyke, Kathi Rovere, Marian Harper, Dejon Hawthorne, John Guess, Cheryl Lawson and Dr. Monica Williams
