It was a night filled with family, friends, fun and gratitude for Tina Knowles-Lawson and Richard Lawson, as the couple hosted their WACO Theater Wearable Art Gala for the second year in a row over the weekend.
Celebrating the impact of art through fashion and philanthropy, this year’s event was held at the Alexandria Ballroom in Los Angeles and honored two extraordinary women who each hold a special place in Tina’s heart: daughter Beyonce and Jay Z’s mother, Gloria Carter.
The proud mom dedicated the evening to recognizing her eldest child’s tireless commitment to giving back in communities around the world and providing support to a countless number of relief efforts throughout the course of her 20-year career in entertainment.
Following a pre-recorded message of congratulations from former First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce was moved to tears as she accepted the 2018 WACO Theater Center Humanitarian Award. During her speech, she credited her mother with teaching her the importance and value of helping, celebrating and appreciating others.
“Thank you to the most incredible woman, my mother,” She taught me that there’s something more valuable than any dollar amount, and that’s time,” she said while taking to the stage to receive her award. “Time to put someone else first. Time to change the trajectory of a child, of a village, of a community, and time to tell another person that you matter to me, you matter to the world and that your contributions are important.”
In addition to sharing Mrs. Knowles-Carter also touched briefly on why her years of charity work has often flown under the radar.
“I try to keep my charitable work quiet because I feel like these things should come from the goodness of your heart and nothing orchestrated as a campaign,” she added. “And if I’m honored, I keep it quiet because I feel like I could be doing more.”
Ms. Gloria Carter was honored with the WACO Theater Everyday People Award for her work as co-founder of The Shawn Carter Foundation, which aims to provide opportunities to individuals who face socio-economic hardships through higher education.
The star-studded charity event also featured a performance from multi-talented young starlets Chloe and Halle, with Jay Z, Magic & Cookie Johnson, Debra Lee, Bianca Lawson, LisaRaye McCoy, Holly Robinson Pete, Lil Rell and others among those who attended.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the WACO Theater Center.