Blacktie Service for Philanthropists and Nonprofits Launches in DC

 

 

Celebrating generosity in an age of austerity, nearly 100 hearty partiers showed up for Blacktie-DC's launch at Teatro Goldoni's in spite of the rain. American Red Cross National Capitol Region, Volunteers of America Chesapeake, ReachforCollege! are just a few of the nonprofits who braved the weather to get acquainted.  Co-Founder Kenton Kuhn traveled from Denver for meetings and the launch party.

Blacktie-DC's launch coincides with Blacktie-Colorado's 10th anniversary, and represents the 11th market for Blacktie.  20,000 covered events later, 1,100 nonprofit members treasure more than 200,000 photos of precious memories, now easily and instantly sent to family and friends via Facebook and Twitter from the Blacktie-DC site. Social networking wasn't only online, plenty of guests enjoyed connecting and conviving.

Taste of DC President Steuart Martens is profiled as the first, "Have You Met?" philanthropist. Jimmy Lynn, Managing Director, JLynn and Associates, let a creepy, crawly secret out of the box when he talked with Blacktie-DC for his profile. Jimmy showed off his skills introducing just about everyone to everyone else, who were all in attendance - everyone and everyone else.

Local and social celebrities in attendance included Carlos Gray, son of Mayor Vincent C. Gray, who whispered in Jan's ear sweet somethings about his favorite charity. Look for his second annual Christmas gifting event. Pamela Lynne Sorensen of Pamela's Punch, the girl who is famous enough to have a drink named after her. Pamela may be the next Arianna Huffington with a blogging empire that extensions all the way to LA baby. Bianca Grimaldi, President, Washington Writing Group, was sharing everything you would ever want to know about grants with Kenton Kuhn, who after talking with Bianca, was ready to apply.

Politicos haven't caught on to the charms of Blacktie-DC's registration software yet. If the Denver County Republicans are any kind of bell weather, the political wanna bees will be buzzing around Blacktie-DC quicker than a sting. Jack Simms, Director of Product Development, CMDI, and his lovely wife Caroline invested their time telling Kenton Kuhn about the witching ways of their stunning services, utilized by political pooh-bahs. Enough to make you fidget if you can't say widget.

Many guests were charities Blacktie-DC has contacted, including The Capitol Movement Project's Stephanie Jojokian and Amber Yancey, and Devotion to Children's Ban Tran of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, who escorted Rosemary Lauer, founder of Devotion to Children. James Wynn from Volunteers of America Chesapeake, and Lisa McGee, Disaster Relief Coordinator, Emergency and International Services, American Red Cross National Capitol Region.  Ali Hoffman's new charity, enjoy reading, will encourage children to read, beginning next year.

Another guest, Patricia McLaughlin, Assistant Vice President, Communications, Legacy for Longer Healthier Lives, and her friend, Danielle Debenedictis, talked shop with Kenton Kuhn about how associations use the registration and auction software.

Jonathan B. Williams, Executive Director, Reach for College! deserves a special mention. Once he found out about Blacktie-DC, he researched the Blacktie-Colorado site, then took a free webinar on registration, demonstrating that a man's reach never exceeds his grasp.

Nonprofits are supported by a lot of for profit people, although this is news in certain tent cities. Eddie Fam, CEO,  IMPACT Marketing and Events bought staff, Samantha Craig and Erika Zeballos, in case he needed them. On Fire! Media Group's David Maunder and Kimberly Lockheart have another good idea in the exploding online donation space, donateagift.org. Seems you can select items a la carte to dish out to your favorite charity.

Walid Karim, who knows everyone in DC (if not you why not?) and Jan Tyler, who no one knows yet (should you?), have an equal partnership in Blacktie-DC, the 11th national Blacktie market, including Houston, San Antonio and Pittsburgh. Together Walid and Jan are emailing, texting, calling and gasp, meeting in person, anyone and everyone who supports DC's more the 5,000 charities - local and national.

Shelby Burcham, Walid's fiancee, revealed fashion was the reason she agreed to talk with him after a lukewarm introduction. "He knew more than I did!" Walid sported his  trademark ascot and aviators, and added, "I said, you're hot!" Maybe that is why he is so popular.

Do you have a favorite philanthropist? Let Jan Tyler, Co-CEO of Blacktie-DC know. In the coming weeks, look for other Blacktie friends like Winston Bao Lord, Venga President, who will share the goods on his giving.

Teatro Goldoni's Michael Kosmides was the host with the most, juggling three private events, including a dinner where even the Blacktie crowd was impressed by Gloria Borger, CNN Political Analyst,  and Mark Shields, who were honoring Bob Merry, Editor of The National Interest.