SAVORY SESSIONS

Episode I:

Chef Cynthia Chea Pean and athlete, actor, philanthropist Stevie Baggs Jr.
Conduct conversations surrounding the importance of knowing your history, cultural similarities & differences, social linguistics, and the importance of sewing back into the community.
All while creating a delicious plate of Caribbean Black Beans.

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HOST

CHEF CYNTHIA CHEA PEAN

BIOGRAPHY

A first-generation American of African and Caribbean descent, Chef Cynthia Chea Pean focuses on nutrient-dense, disease-fighting cuisine featuring ingredients, techniques and flavors of the African diaspora. As an avid traveler throughout Africa, the Caribbean and the United States, she takes every opportunity to expose herself to native foods and local traditions, adapting her recipes to honor the history and communities behind them.

Her innovative and unique globally inspired cuisine is beloved by A-list Hollywood celebrities, Tastemakers, and political icons.

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GUEST

STEVIE BAGGS JR.

BIOGRAPHY

The Athlete. Many know Stevie Baggs Jr. for his athletic career as a three-time All-American linebacker, playing in both the NFL and CFL, for teams including the Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. During his college football career, Stevie Baggs Jr. earned his nickname, “Shakespeare”, by making plays on and off the field. He graduated in 2005 with a degree in International Business from Bethune Cookman University.The Inspirational Speaker. Drawing from his experience in professional sports, Stevie Baggs Jr. has dedicated time in his career to empowering youth and adults as an international inspirational speaker. His driven attitude and gracious service to the community has gained him the support and partnership of many renowned charitable, educational, health and sports organizations. Named Health and Wellness Ambassador for the City of Atlanta by Mayor Kasim Reed, Stevie continues to be a strong voice for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.The Actor. Stevie can be spotted on the big screen having worked alongside Will Smith in the movie “Focus.” In 2016 he was the Star of WE tv’s “A Match Made in Heaven”. He has had guest star roles on the hit show “Star” on FOX, “Coins for Christmas” on TVOne, season 3 of “Cobra Kai” for Netflix and “The Underground Railroad” for Amazon. He is currently playing the role of Oliver on Tyler Perry’s “Ruthless” on BET. In addition to his acting endeavors, Stevie Baggs Jr. has made TV appearances on The Steve Harvey show, Wendy Williams and The View.

The Philanthropist. As an advocate for change, Stevie Baggs Jr. works in communities to enhance the minds of youth to fuel the future through his CETA (Creating Empowerment Through Autonomy) foundation. The CETA Foundation, currently celebrating 17 years of service, envisions a world where all individuals have the health and wellness tools, resources, and support to maximize their quality of life. The Author. Recognized as the only athlete to play for eleven professional teams in ten years, “Shakespeare” continues to inspire and make plays off the field. In his bestselling book, “Greater than the Game,” Baggs shares how his experiences on the field prepared him for purpose beyond the stadium and guides readers to self-discovery by challenging them to examine how they can elevate their personal “game.” As a man of many hats, Stevie continues to execute his destiny with an unwavering heart of leadership and service. With all that he does, he knows “I’m not flawless, but I am faithful.” Stevie’s latest book entitled “WOKE” is a dictionary for the conscious mind. This is a thought leaders dream book.

RECIPE

CARIBBEAN BLACK BEANS

1 – 13.5 oz cans of black beans (make sure the can is BPA free)
1 – 13.5 oz can coconut milk /reduced fat is fine
1/4 cup chopped bell peppers – not green
1/4 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic minced
Sprig of thyme
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
Salt to taste

SEPTEMBER GRAY
Proprietor of September Gray Fine Art Gallery

BIO 

Gray’s life’s work is a reflection of her enduring passion for the arts. Following a noteworthy career in the performing arts, Gray launched a successful fine art consultancy practice wherein she was celebrated for her ability to assist corporate and private collectors with articulating and executing single acquisition and long–term collecting strategies. Gray’s career in the arts and decade as an art consultant inform her role as gallerist. An avid collector, Gray has a talent for “speaking the language” of both artist and collector and a knack for connecting the gallery’s clients to works by artists whose vision and methodologies resonate with their individual tastes, complement their existing collections and honor their overall investment strategy and appetite for risk. Gray holds a B.A. in Art History from DePaul University. A committed art education advocate, Gray serves on a number of non-profit boards and is co-founder of The Gray Foundation, an organization committed to building a world of enriched life options for youth through the promotion of art and education. Gray shares art news and collection strategies in her electronic quarterly journal, The Gray Book.

https://septembergrayart.com/

JUSTIN SULIVAN, CFP
Senior Vice President Market Leader

BIO 

Justin oversees a team of professionals striving to achieve the highest level of client satisfaction. His top priority is that the team not only meets, but also exceeds the client’s expectations. Through Justin’s leadership and commitment, he helps ensure that the client benefits form a full complement of investment, trust, financial planning and private banking services to help them achieve their financial goals.

XAVIER DANIELS

BIO  

Paintings are influenced by his experiences with brotherhood at both Morehouse and as a firefighter. In creating his art, he is actively thinking about the perception of black men and attempting to be a catalyst for a different view on the black male experience. According to Daniels, the conversations happening in popular culture about black males leave them invisible in discussions about themselves. The portraits of black men Daniels creates are large in an effort to symbolically assert black male presence into those conversations. His work has been shown around the world through Almine Rech and Richard Beavers Gallery. Xavier lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia.

https://xavierdaniels.com/

MARRYAM MOMA

BIO

A Tanzanian-Nigerian visual artist based in Atlanta, GA, is renowned for her prolific exhibition history. Moma’s dedication to her art has earned her prestigious residencies at The Migration Artist Residency, Atlanta, GA, and a blended residency and teaching opportunity at The Swimming HoleFoundation in Upstate NY. The Hambidge Center for the Arts awarded her a Distinguished Artist Fellowship, enriching her narrative-driven solo exhibitions like “ICONoclasts.” This showing intertwines paper cut elements to celebrate and empower revolutionary Black figures. Moma continues to innovate within her practice, expanding her presence through murals, public art installations and exhibitions including an indoor mural for Clark Atlanta universities student innovation lounge sponsored by Dell Technologies and Home depot, ICONoclasts Atlanta building-wide public installation sponsored by Dashboard and If Not Us then Who public digital art mural sponsored by A&E Atlanta. 

https://www.marryammoma.com/

DL WARFIELD

BIO

Atlanta-based artist DL Warfield, a veteran artist who has consistently proven himself a talent of the highest caliber – one who has delivered at the highest levels repeatedly throughout his life and career. Yes, many artists are talented; DL Warfield is prolific.

Warfield’s body of work proves his instinctive knowledge and understanding of pop culture and has given him a permanent place at the cutting edge of the new and next. From St. Louis to New York City, Atlanta and worldwide, his talent, skill and endless creativity have taken him to the top of his field again and again, and he intends to push forward wherever a path to artistic excellence can be forged.

The following is a snapshot of his works and clientele. 

Nike, Sprite, Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, Geffen Records, Sony Entertainment, DreamWorks, Sony Music, OutKast Inc., Universal Records, Boys & Girls Clubs, HBO, Virgin Records, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Vibe Magazine, automotive giant Ford Motor Company. He designed the branding for the City of Atlanta’s Film and Entertainment office and at the same time, His fine art has been featured at national landmarks, including the Time-Life Building in New York City, and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY, which he loaned two original pieces for three years.

https://dlwarfield.com/

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region. 

www.eddiefontno.com

RSVP

We are no longer accepting RSVPs for the Art of Luxury Lifestyle Dinner, but you are welcome to RSVP Here for the Portrait Reveal Event from
9:30PM to 11:30 PM!

ROBERT KOOL BELL| LE KOOL CHAMPAGNE

BIO

For many years, Robert Kool Bell, Leader and Co-founder of Kool & The Gang, sought out Grand Cru Vineyards from owners that have been selling for generations and decided to work with Paul Berthelot a Multi-Vintage producer since 1884. Voila The Celebration Champagne was born! 

https://lekoolchampagne.com

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region.

Website: www.eddiefontno.com