More than 700 supporters decked out in Detroit chic attire attended the recent Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s 22nd Annual Partners Night, bringing the total raised from this year’s Partners Events to more than $800,000 to support the Institute’s cancer research programs.
Partners Night welcomed guests into a nightclub-style atmosphere with a strolling cocktail reception and entertainment by Jibs Brown. Interactive graffiti artist Antonio “Shades” Agee created a colorful Detroit mural and encouraged guests to add their own signature to the urban-inspired image promoting Detroit’s resilience, grit and passion.
Following the cocktail reception, guests were led to club-style seating surrounding a fashion runway. The program kicked off with a welcome by emcee Nathan Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Co., and included remarks from Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos Cancer Institute; honorary chairs Jennifer and Brian Hermelin; and Jay Farner, and president and chief marketing officer of Quicken Loans, who served as auctioneer.
Following the live auction, Forbes introduced the fashion show, presented by Somerset Collection, featuring the latest trends for fall and winter from designers including Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and Gucci. The fashion show completed with a lively performance by several dancers from Next Level Dance Company. The dancers wore special “Nothing Stops Detroit” T-shirts created especially for Karmanos and provided by Somerset Collection.
