will.i.am’s i.am.angel Foundation’s Trans4m Gala
February 2016. Los Angeles, The Future
Once again, the Grammy Awards had Los Angeles buzzing with high-profile events. For the fifth year, Empire was called upon by the visionary artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist will.i.am to produce the annual TRANS4M Gala, benefiting his i.am.angel Foundation. This year’s Gala honored Producer Norman Lear and was co-hosted by Marc Benioff, Ron Conway, Laurene Powell-Jobs, Sean and Alexandra Parker, and Dean Kamen. The foundation supports transfomation and revival in will.i.am’s hometown of Boyle Heights in east Los Angeles by providing opportunities in STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and college readiness.
On the evening of February 11, 2016, over 200 supporters gathered at will.i.am’s studio and headquarters known as ‘The Future’ for an intimate evening that showcased the Foundation’s programs and students. i.am.angel’s donors enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as they made their way through The Future’s space, engaging with students in a variety of demonstrations related to i.am.angel’s STEAM programming.
Students showed off their innovative technology projects including a solar car, catapult, hand-built robots and ESRI maps. Guests also had the opportunity to view and bid on work by artist Janne Kyttanen, best known for his revolutionary work with 3D printing. In addition, “Made of Japan”, a 3D-printed light sculpture, was available for guests to bid on. This work was originally created as the centerpiece for Onitsuka Tiger’s multi award-winning Electric Light Shoe campaign and features a network of Tokyo-inspired streets and highways.
After cocktails, guests made their way to Milk Studios, which had been transformed into an elegant dining room with long rustic wooden tables. Flourishes including hanging greenery, pin-spotted tabletop florals, and flickering candlelight gave the space a warm yet forward-looking style.
Cynthia Erenas, an i.am.angel success story, kicked off the program and warmed the stage with her heartfelt tribute to will.i.am for his commitment to STEAM education. will.i.am,was joined on stage by i.am College Track Site Director Silvestre Vallejo, i.am.angel Director of STEM Lilly Kam, STEM Academy of Boyle Heights Teacher Leo Magallon, and their students.
As the evening progressed, auctioneer Zack Krone took the stage and led guests to bid on a 3D Printed Fashion Masterclass, tickets to the GRAMMY Awards and After-Party, an autographed guitar from Sting, a private tour of DEKA Research and Development Facility with Dean Kamen, yoga with Russell Simmons, and tickets to the taping of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon with a backstage tour with The Roots.
The evening’s highlights also included a performance by the first lady of neo soul, Erykah Badu, and an intimate conversation between the evening’s honoree, Norman Lear, and Touré that covered Mr. Lear’s seven decade career. Guests wrapped up the evening by dancing the night away with DJ Adam 12.
Empire is honored to continue our long-term partnership with the i.am.angel Foundation and to serve as producer of this exclusive event.
For more information on this innovative foundation, please visit www.iamangelfoundation.org