The Southampton African American Museum (SAAM) held its summer champagne brunch and summer fundraiser at the Southampton Inn with Jean Shafiroff (Event Chair) and Brenda Simmons (SAAM Founder & CEO).
The brunch’s aim was to support the museum’s campaign to support its operations and endowment. The Southampton African American Museum, a former Black barber shop, opened on Juneteenth, 2021. It is the first African American site to be a historically designated landmark in the Village of Southampton, NY, and the first Black barbershop to be transformed into a museum in the United States.
Many awards were presented to celebrate individual’s excellence and community impact, including Donna Rodrick, National President, Drifters Inc. (Community Empowerment Award), Nikki Paul, SEPA Chapter President, Drifters Inc. (Community Empowerment Award), Marianne Morrison (Visionary Supporter of the Arts Award), Dr. Georgette Grier-Key (Champion of the Arts Award), and Novi Brown (Bold Voice in the Arts Award).
The brunch followed the success of the 4th Annual Art and Soul: Hamptons, a vibrant day-long celebration of Black art, culture, and community in the heart of the Hamptons hosted in collaboration with the Southampton African American Museum, the Southampton Arts Center, and Hidden Gem NY.
Notable guests included: Jean Shafiroff (Event Chair), Brenda Simmons (SAAM Founder & CEO), Novi Brown (Award-winning Actress (SISTAS, BET Networks)), Martin Shafiroff, and NYS Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.
