Creatives, tastemakers, and industry leaders recently gathered in downtown Manhattan for an exclusive dinner experience called ‘The Toast, New York.’ Presented by entrepreneur Candis Grace and in partnership with UBS, the intimate event celebrated culture, excellence, and the lasting legacy of Black trailblazers.
Honoring Trailblazers in Culture and Business
Held at The Chica & Don on November 6th, the evening featured modern Latin American cuisine and drinks from notable Black-owned spirit brands, including D’usse, Gran Coramino, and Ja Rule’s Amber & Opal. The event specifically honored three individuals making significant impacts in their fields: Carlos King, CEO of Kingdom Reign Entertainment and a renowned reality TV producer; Cari Champion, a respected sports broadcast journalist; and Santi Miller, Head of Diverse Wealth Initiatives at UBS.
Champion, accepting the ‘Champion of Women in Sports Award,’ spoke passionately about her commitment to advocating for Black and brown people and women. “I was at ESPN for 10 years, and now I’m at CNN, and I am unapologetic in the fact that my agenda is for Black and brown people [and] for women,” she stated. “It’s costly and sometimes scary, but I know that when it is all said and done, if you look in the history books, I’m doing it for the right reasons.”
Stories of Legacy and Empowerment
Carlos King, receiving the ‘Cultural Storyteller Award,’ reflected on his behind-the-scenes work, noting, “It is not every day that I get celebrated because, being behind the scenes, it’s our job to celebrate others.” The award was presented by former NFL player Wale Ogunleye, who now serves as Executive Director and Head of Sports and Entertainment at UBS.
Santi Miller was honored with ‘The Legacy Builder Award.’ She shared how her upbringing as someone who often felt like an outsider, being born in Vietnam, fueled her passion for empowering diverse communities. “I was born in Vietnam, and I was always the other,” Miller explained. “The higher you climb, the lonelier it gets. And, guess what? The dots get smaller and the target gets bigger.” Her work at UBS focuses on expanding the firm’s presence in diverse markets, ensuring authenticity and relevance within the communities it serves.
A Vibe of Community and Collaboration
Beyond the honorees, ‘The Toast, New York’ brought together a notable group of activists, authors, and reality stars, fostering an atmosphere of community, collaboration, and Black excellence. Attendees included music executive Lenny S. Santiago, Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy Abraira, media personality Bevy Smith, former VIBE Editor-in-Chief Datwon Thomas, and social justice advocate Tamika D. Mallory.
Candis Grace, founder and CEO of The Brand Group, described the event’s vibe as intentionally “unorthodox, beautiful, sexy, and vibey,” moving away from anything “stuffy.” She aimed to create a space where guests could genuinely have fun and celebrate their peers. Jeffrey Morneau, founder of Jeffrey Morneau Atelier, who partnered with Grace on the event’s production, praised the collaboration, stating, “Candis’ vision and commitment to uplifting our community made this collaboration especially meaningful.”
Grace also acknowledged UBS as an invaluable partner, highlighting their continued support for her annual events. BLACK ENTERPRISE was also recognized as a media partner, having previously honored Grace with the 2024 Business Disruptor Award. “Black Enterprise has been an integral part of my journey from the very beginning,” Grace said, expressing deep gratitude for their support in uplifting the community.
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