Foundation Event Draws Celebs

 Robi Reed welcomes guests to the Honorees Reception, held at actor Jamie Foxx's home.

Sheryl Lee Ralph and Robi Reed  

Emmy® Award-winning casting director and talent executive Robi Reed held her Labor Day weekend end-of-summer event, "Robi Reed's 11th Annual Sunshine Beyond Summer Celebration" - The Day Party With A Purpose, benefiting The Reed For Hope Foundation, on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx house, just outside Los Angeles. Reed brought together a group of more than 500, ranging from Hollywood insiders and business executives to community leaders, close friends and associates.

(L-R): Tasha Smith, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Keri Hilson, Kimberly Steward, Eva Marcille,

Robi Reed, Vanessa Williams, Dr. Rachael Ross, and Naturi Naughton

The Honorees Reception was hosted by actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (BET's "The Game") and later, actress/model Eva Marcille.  DJ Dorian Missick and DJ Jermaine kicked-off the festivities, and MC Lyte curated the music. A  menu of healthy food was prepared by chef Judson Todd Allen.

MC Lyte kept the crowd on the dance floor

Additionally, guests participated in a silent auction and were treated to complimentary Pinkberry yogurt, Robeks smoothies, foot massages, Nike gift bags, and OraQuick in-home rapid HIV test kits, as well as the Love Healthy Lounge by OraQuick, where guests participated in intimate conversations about romantic relationships and discussed topics of sexual behavior and testing together as an affirmation of powerful love.

Terry Crews and Robi Reed

In attendance were  Luke James, Tasha Smith, Terry Crews, Tatyana Ali, Naturi Naughton, Kevin McCall, Annie Ilonzeh, Glynn Turman, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Margaret Avery, Lloyd Klein, Shaun Robinson, Coby Bell, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Nicki Micheaux, Keith Robinson, Vanessa Williams, Aaron D. Spears, Rolonda Watts, Datari Turner, Bre'ly Evans, and Stephen Hill, among others.

Reed presented special awards to philanthropists Magic and Cookie Johnson, The Jamie Foxx Foundation, singer Keri Hilson, physician Dr. Rachael Ross (CBS's "The Doctors"), entrepreneur Kimberly Steward (Kess Agency), and NFL player Ndamakong Suh (Detroit Lions).

Guests partying the afternoon away

"I'm so thankful to all of the partners, sponsors, honorees, and guests that came out to support my annual Sunshine Beyond Summer Celebration and the Reed For Hope Foundation.  This year's event was phenomenal and I look forward to continued growth," said Reed.

The Reed For Hope Foundation (RFHF), which raises funds to support several important health initiatives, has enlisted RFHF Awareness Ambassadors, including actress/singer Keke Palmer, singer Keri Hilson, and newest addition, television personality LaLa Anthony.   These remarkable young women have been tapped by Reed to lend their voices for various programs, such as "The Love Healthy" Concert Series and Intimate Conversations, which are designed to encourage people around the country to get screened for HIV/AIDS, STD's, blood pressure and breast cancer, working with partners like Walgreens, the largest drug retailing chain in the United States.    

The 2013 SBS Celebration was sponsored in part by the Kess Agency, OraQuick, Walgreens, Nike, Red Bull, and Bling H20.  Event ground transportation was provided by Wings Limousine Service.  For more information, visit www.sunshinebeyondsummer.org.

About Robi Reed
Robi Reed is an Emmy® Award-winning casting director and producer, with more than 50 films to her credit. She began her career with the film, School Daze, written and directed by Spike Lee.  She went on to work with the writer-director on subsequent projects, including Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, and Clockers.  She cast Denzel Washington's directorial debut, Antwone Fisher, and Oprah Winfrey's acclaimed ABC television movie, Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Her most recent films include Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls and I Can Do Bad All By Myself.  She is currently Vice President of Talent and Casting for Original Programming at BET Networks, where she oversees all scripted and reality shows for the network.

About The Reed For Hope Foundation
The Reed For Hope Foundation's (RFHF) mission is to improve the vitality of the global village by changing specific cultural attitudes about wellness, disease prevention and health disparities through the strategic implementation of messages that impact pop culture.  We aim to inspire our friends, our partners and our communities to join us in raising our voices on targeted health issues while bringing focus, action and HOPE to causes that enhance the quality of living for all.  For more information, visit www.reedforhope.org.