Sheryl Huggins Salomon is senior editor-at-large of The Root and a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based editorial consultant. Follow her on Twitter.
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Actor Anthony Anderson (Law and Order) was the evening's emcee. Here, Egami Consulting Group founder Teneshia Jackson (right) is showing him around the tent where much of the evening's festivities were held.
The theme for Rush Philanthropic's primary annual fundraiser was "A Night of Wonder!"
Among those receiving awards were record producer Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean; lecturer and spiritual guru to the stars Deepak Chopra; entrepreneur Richie Akiva; and philanthropists Allison and Chip Brady. Here Chopra (center) is shown with MTV exec Walter Oden (right).
The Brooklyn Steppers marching band was among the groups to entertain guests that evening. Three of the group's members are pictured here with Russell Simmons (middle) and his daughter Aoki Lee Simmons (left).
Actors made up to look like statues of famous artists and fictional characters were so convincing in their performances that a number of the guests didn't notice the deception. Remember Alice and the Mad Hatter?
Shown in front of the Simmons' residence is a "living statue" representing the work of Zora Neale Hurston (left) and one representing a baseball player (right).
Artist and Def Poetry Jam co-creator Danny Simmons is the older brother of Russell and Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons.
Rush Philanthropic board president Javier Evans (left) took a moment to chat with The Root's deputy editor Sheryl Huggins Salomon (right). Also in attendance that evening from The Root was national sales director Michael Clark, who came with his wife, Laurielle.
Among the high-end items that were up for auction that evening were a Peter Tunney mixed media collage on canvas titled. John Legend's squeeze, model Christy Teigen, successfully bid $17,000 on private dinner for 10 at the Forbes Townhouse catered by celebrity chef Todd English.
To see more from the Art 4 Life bash, check out the video on CentricTV.com's Culture List blog.
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