Lori Brener Scholarship Fund of Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Bollywood Celebration

Photography by Pavle Janjic on February 12th, 2019 in Lifestyle

Miami, FL – February 20, 2019 – The Spring Season kicked-off in grand style as close to 400 hundred guests danced the night away at the fabulous Gables Estates home of gracious hosts Cecil and Ana Milton. The event celebrated the 6th anniversary of the Lori Brener Scholarship Fund of Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami. Karim J. Alibhai, principal of Gencom served as Honorary Chairman and Presenting Sponsor, along with Co-Chairs, Renee Lopez-Cantera and Carol Chin. The luxurious and exciting auction was organized and presented by Co-Chairs Betty Barrios and Neyda Raola. Guests were treated to an authentic Indian buffet dinner by Taste Buds of India and delectable desserts by Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop and a beautifully designed celebratory cake by Gallery Cakes. Bacardi USA provided drinks that kept the party going while guests were entertained by Making Moves Universal Dance Co. and celebrity DJ Khush.

Other sponsors of the evening included Kaufman Rossin, Eikon Digital,Latta Shintre and Alefiya Ghadiali Association of Indians in America who served as Bollywood colaborators, Halo Events, Dr. Niraj Mehta ,Miami Luxury Magazine, and Sonia Gibson & Associates. Gale Nelson,President and CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami, welcomed guests and introduced Raphaella Alexandre, a ‘Little” from the program and recent recipient of the Lori Brener Scholarship who shared the heartwarming story of her life in Haiti; her new life in America and how receiving this prestigious scholarship changed her whole life. Raphaella,has been accepted to 9 different Universities; she plans to study biological engineering. Longtime supporter of the BBBS program, Miriam Salazar; Lori Brener’s mother, received a special recognition and proclamation for her commitment and passion to this program from the Miami-Dade School Board by former Lieutenant Governor of Florida, Carlos Lopez-Cantera. Lori Brener was born in Miami, graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Fine Arts and Drama. She started out to be an actress, but her passion was to work behind the camera. She moved to Los Angeles and went on to become a successful commercial, video and film producer. Brener became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteered at many events alongside her mother. Sadly, we lost Lori much too soon, but her legacy lives on through this meaningful event. To learn more or make a donation to the Lori Brener Scholarship Fund, please contact Jessie Rosario at jrosario@bbbsmaimi.org. About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Big Brothers Big Sisters is a donor and volunteer supported organization that transforms the lives of at-risk children through supportive adult mentor relationships. For more information, visit http://www.bbbsmiami.org/.

Miriam Salazar, Karim J. Alibhai, & Sonia Gibson

Ana Milton, Miriam Salazar, Elvira Pupo, Neyda Raola, & Sonia Gibson

Sharon Macivor Demaria, Lynette Lorenzen, Cindy Eisaman, Bronwyn Miller, & Andreina Kissane

Carol Chin & Kat Elagina

Lata Shintre & Karim J. Alibhai

Louis Hermes & Gale Nelson JR

Renee Lopez Cantera, Karim J. Alibhai, & Carol Chin

Sonia Gibson, Danny Jelaca, & Bronwyn Miller

Alefiya Ghadiali & Neeraj Mehta

Neil Flaxman, Cathy Jones, Miriam Salazar, Laurie Evan, & Ian McCluskey

Jon Judice, Sonia Gibson, Miriam Sanchez, Jeanine Blandon, & Will Perez

Gale & Shauntell Nelson, & Gale Nelson JR

Neyda Raola, Raphaella Alexander, & Jay Messer

Lourdes Tudela, Kat Elagina, Judy Rosenblum, Neyda Raola, Sonia Gibson, Carol Chin, Renee Lopez Cantera, Lynette Lorenzen, Betty Barrios, & Miram Salazar