HughE Dillon: GPTMC’s Philly 360 Party

Last week the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation held its annual Black History Month Philly 360° cocktail party at Tendenza in Northern Liberties, where they introduced the 2012 Creative Ambassadors. Below: Tenee Nelson, model, Serena Saunders, founder and lead artist at PassionArt Designs, DJ Diamond Kuts, and Meeka Johnson, fashion stylist. DJ Diamond Kuts and Serena Saunders were both named 2012 Creative Ambassadors.
 

 
On hand as master of ceremonies was CBS 3 anchor Ukee Washington, who introduced the Philly360 Creative Ambassadors. The ambassadors are known nationally and internationally for their work and have made a commitment to their hometown through their artistic endeavors, business enterprises and community involvement.
 

 
Below: Catherine L. Hughes, Radio One, Ahmeenah Young, president & CEO at Pennsylvania Convention Center, and Dyana Williams (center), on-air personality for 100.3 WRNB and celebrity media coach—and one of the 2012 Creative Ambassadors.
 

 
Below: Kristyn Aldrich, Focused Studios, Whitney Thomas, photographer, and Christal Watson, multicultural marketing manager at Southern Wine & Spirits.
 

 
Below: Harold Simms and Philly 360° Ambassador Kristin Haskins Simms. Kristin is a fashion designer, owner of Strangefruit clothing line, and past designer on Project Runway. The Simms are expecting their first child right about now. Kristin tells me that she designed this outfit herself, which doesn’t surprise me. Maybe, just maybe, she’s going to design a whole line of maternity wear.
 

 
Below: Bill Brown and Danielle Triplett, external relations officer at American Association for Cancer Research. Danielle was in L.A. for the Grammys last week, plus she attended the party where Whitney Houston gave her last performance. She said it was magnificent.
 

 
Below: Model Dawn Byrd is wearing Vera Wang and getting ready to walk in the Irina Sigal show at the Philadelphia Fashion Show that kicks off Thursday. She’s here with Nicole Rossi, from Twitchange, a social media site for charity.
 

 
Below: Two Philly 360 Ambassadors, Brandon Pankey (media entrepreneur, account manager at Sports & Entertainment Financial Group, executive director of the Destined to Achieve Successful Heights program, and one of Billboard’s 2011 30 Under 30), and Aisha Winfield (executive director at Jill Scott’s Blues Babe Foundation, and founder/executive director at Jr. Music Executive).
 

 
Below: Maori Karmael Holmes, Mercedes S. Martinez, and Tarana Burke. Maori came here for grad school and decided to stay here after falling in love with the city.
 

 
Below: Tyrone Hampton, Jr. and Philly 360 Insider James Claiborne, community engagement manager at Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. A “Philly Insider” is a local expert on what makes Philly so attractive.
 

 
Below: Dawn Frisby Byers, Tina Wells, CEO and founder of Buzz Marketing Group, Brooke Whitaker, education program associate at Kimmel Center, and Rhashidah Perry-Jones, director of institutional communications at the Kimmel Center.
 

 
Below: Meryl Levitz and Mayor Nutter pose with the 2012 Philly 360 Creative Ambassadors. The ambassadors are: Nnamdi Asomugha, cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles and lead ambassador; Andre Harris, Grammy-winning producer and songwriter; Vidal Davis, Grammy-winning producer and songwriter; DJ Diamond Kuts, DJ, producer and on-air personality for Power99; Curt Chambers, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist; Dyana Williams; Vikter Duplaix: DJ, event producer and judge on BET’s Master of the Mix; Andrew “Pop” Wansel, producer; Cody Wise, Interscope R&B/pop recording artist (Will.I.Am is executive producing his debut album); Kristin Haskins Simms; Brandon Pankey; Mike McArther and Jerome Hipps, music business entrepreneurs, owners of Mama’s Boys Music and founders of student entertainment industry program Destined to Achieve Successful Heights; Keven Parker, entrepreneur and owner of the Keven Parker Company; Whitney Thomas; Aisha Winfield; Veronica Chapman-Smith, classical singer and opera performer; and Serena Saunders.