The Celebration

The luxurious St. Regis Houston hosted twenty of the city’s most devoted philanthropists, and those who were there to celebrate them, for the 2020 CKW LUXE Top 20 Impact Makers Awards Gala. The significant awards are bestowed annually upon power couples and inspiring mother/father and daughter/son duos, women, men, and youth. Those honored with an Impact Makers Award are humanitarians who are generous in their support of others, dedicated to improving lives and living conditions, and devoted to finding better ways of helping. They have made an achievement that has had a positive impact on some area of the arts, science, education, humanitarianism, or medicine within our community.

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Gule Andrabi, Nick Mair, and Courtney Parrott formed the host committee for the exclusive evening. Shern-Min Chow of KHOU was the gracious emcee.

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The Story

Greeted by soothing harp music and soft blue lighting, guests entered an underwater paradise that could have been home to any fairy-tale ocean dweller. Scenes of swirling azure waves, fantastical centerpieces mimicking colorful maritime flora, shimmering crystal water drops descending from the ceiling, and tables dressed in under-the-sea blue set the scene for the aquatic-themed celebration. During the reception, guests posed for photos with a beautiful mermaid while sitting on a throne fit for marine royalty. Waiting to be taken home by eager readers, the latest issue of CKW LUXE magazine graced the ethereal transparent chairs circling each dining table. The masterful work of Royal Luxury Events, LG Event Entertainment & Production LLC, Lexis Florist, and M&V Decorations combined to make the event a captivating memory for all in attendance.

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The Moments

Connie Kwan-Wong, publisher of CKW LUXE magazine, made a special presentation to the event’s presenting sponsor, Momentum BMW Southwest, bestowing upon the company a certificate of appreciation for their tremendous support of the magazine’s endeavors from the very beginning. Courtney Parrot, Momentum’s marketing director, accepted the certificate. Kwan-Wong then welcomed attendees and thanked them for their allegiance to the magazine and its goals and congratulated the evening’s honorees, thanking them for their many contributions to the City of Houston. The moment everyone was waiting for arrived when Chow introduced CKW LUXE’s Top 20 Impact Makers for 2020 and Kwan-Wong presented them with their awards. Each award winner also received congressional recognition and a certificate of appreciation from the City of Houston. The honors were bestowed by Houston City Council member Michael Kubosh.

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CKW LUXE’s Top 20 Impact Makers for 2020

 

Top 20 Power Couple Impact Makers

Mady Kades and Ken Kades

Leela Krishnamurthy and Natesan Krishnamurthy

Amy Pierce and Rob Pierce

Robin Angly and Miles Smith

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Top 20 Inspiring Mother/Daughter Impact Makers

Jacqueline Whiting Bostic and Jacqueline Bostic McElroy

Cindi Rose and Erica Rose

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Top 20 Inspiring Woman Impact Makers

Cheryl Byington

Zane Carson Carruth

Donna Chapman

Dr. Diana Collins

Sidney Faust

Mehrnaz S. Gill

Maureen Higdon

Brigitte Kalai

Dr. Sippi Khurana

Dr. Shelena C. Lalji

Rozina Mohammad

Helen Shaffer

Barbara Van Postman

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Top 20 Inspiring Man Impact Makers

Dr. Behyar Zoghi

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The magical evening came to an end with a stunning performance by Mitsi Dancing School. Teacher and choreographer Xinyi Zhang and her students performed a spell-binding under-the-sea-themed dance choreographed by Zhang. Accompanied by her five-year-old daughter, Zoe, Kwan-Wong closed the event by once again thanking everyone for their attendance and ongoing encouragement.

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CKW LUXE would like to express its sincere gratitude to the evening’s presenting sponsor, Momentum BMW Southwest.

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CKW LUXE would also like to thank the event sponsors: Royal Luxury Events, LG Event Entertainment & Production LLC, Lexis Florist, M&V Decorations, William H. Reading MD, Amy’s Luxury MedSpa, and Ez Print.

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CKW LUXE would also like to thank its Wisdom Sponsors: Donna Chapman, Dr. Sippi Khurana, and Brigitte Kalai. Thank you, also, to its Kindness Sponsors, Robin Angly and Miles Smith, and to its Caring Sponsors: Cheryl Byington, Zane Carruth, Dr. Diana Collins, Sidney Faust, Maureen Higdon, Leela and Natesan Krishnamurthy, Amy and Rob Pierce, and Helen Shaffer and to all the evening’s honorees for their support.

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Without the assistance of everyone above, the event would not have been the incredible success it was.

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About CKW LUXE Magazine

CKW LUXE magazine is a philanthropic, inspirational, and quality living magazine. The three letters in our name, CKW, stand for Caring, Kindness, and Wisdom, encouraging us to CARE for one and all, treat everyone with KINDNESS, and be WISE in our understanding of others. The purpose of the magazine is to share enlightening stories that spread the message of love, hope, and positivity.