Latest news with #Aliya


Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How The ‘Dine With Dez' Series Fosters Community For Fashion Creatives
Desmond Sam, Flo Ngala, and Ramses Rubio; For publicist and experiential producer Desmond Sam, these moments present prime opportunities to craft immersive dining experiences that spark dialogue around pivotal fashion moments, elevate brand visibility, and cultivate industry relationships that drive collaboration and innovation. Fashion has been a business of social construct, as much as it is a functional necessity for every day. The social side of fashion happens during culturally relevant events like the Met Gala, Oscars, Art Basel, and Coachella, to name a few. For publicist and experiential producer Desmond Sam, these moments are prime for delivering dining experiences that foster conversation around those significant moments, build brand awareness, and foster relationships in the fashion industry that breed collaboration and cross-pollination across the market. Satchel Lee; Most recently, on May 4 ahead of this year's Superfine: Tailoring Black Style Met Gala, Sam's "Dine With Dez" dinner series hosted an intimate soirée at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn to celebrate the U.S. launch of UK-based beauty brand Nature Spell. Most recently on May 4, ahead of this year's Met Gala titled Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn, an intimate evening launched beauty brand Nature Spell in the U.S. market. Desmond Sam and his Dine With Dez dinner series welcomed the UK-based hair care brand, marking its official entrance into the American beauty market. 'In today's world, intimacy is needed for thought-provoking conversations,' said Sam in a published statement on his Dine With Dez brand. 'The beauty of our dinner is collectively finding the answers to the questions we face. Here we can express ourselves freely and have a true meeting of the minds, paired with phenomenal cuisine and drinks.' Armiel Chandler, Raisa Flowers, Desmond Sam; On May 4 ahead of this year's Superfine: Tailoring Black Style Met Gala, Sam's "Dine With Dez" dinner series hosted an intimate soirée at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn to celebrate the U.S. launch of UK-based beauty brand Nature Spell, marking its official debut in the American market while blending fashion, beauty, and curated conversation. The pre-Met Gala dinner event was co-hosted by trailblazing portrait and fashion photographer Flo Ngala, the first Black woman to be commissioned by Vogue to photograph the Met Gala. A nod to this year's Superfine theme and the tradition of Dandyism as bold and expressive elements to the evening, this dinner was prompted for heritage, elegance, and Black cultural pride within the sartorial lens. Dewayne Perkins; Fashion has long served as both a social construct and a functional necessity, with culturally significant events like the Met Gala, with most recently, on May 4 ahead of this year's Superfine: Tailoring Black Style Met Gala, Sam's Dine With Dez dinner series hosted an intimate soirée at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn to celebrate the U.S. launch of UK-based beauty brand Nature Spell. Dinner was prepared by renowned Chef Scotley Innis, working between New York City and Atlanta. A Caribbean-Asian-infused menu was preluded by specialty cocktails provided by Don Julio, a spirit brand inserting itself into fashionable moments. A visual installation presented by Black Girls in Archives honored the historical foundations of the 2025 Met Gala concept, fostering the legacy of Black creatives in fashion and art, including those hosting and attending the dinner series. The Dine With Dez dinner series hosted an intimate soirée at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn to celebrate the U.S. launch of UK-based beauty brand Nature Spell. The curated guest list included a roster of industry trailblazers and rising stars, including models and performers Lion Babe, Uglyworldwide, makeup artist Raisa Flowers, creative director Satchel Lee, and influencers like Armiel Chandler, and comedian Sydnee Washington and screenwriter Dewayne Perkins, naming a few. The cultural marker of a dinner conjures conversations around the craft of these unique individuals and brings awareness to dinner partner Nature Spell's U.S. expansion. Finding ways to celebrate fashion moments, and support brands and industry veterans among the celebrity gravitas of these larger events, Dine With Dez is an outlet from the sartorial chaos. Making his debut with its inaugural 'Black Excellence Dinner,' Sam has curated gatherings to celebrate fashion, culture, and culinary brilliance. Lion babe [right]; Sam's Dine With Dez dinner series hosted an intimate soirée at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn to celebrate the U.S. launch of UK-based beauty brand Nature Spell, marking its official debut in the American market while blending fashion, beauty, and curated conversation. Conceptualized by the Brooklyn, NY native, Sam has also partnered with Ramses Rubio, a fellow experiential creative, bringing together influential tastemakers, creatives, and thought leaders across industries. These names include influencers Nimay Ndolo, James Charles, Clermont Twins, Rickey Thompson, fashion designers Jerome Lamaar, Brendon Blackwood, and Coco & Breezy, as well as entertainers Erica Mena, Cleotrapa, and Jojo Siwa, to name a few. Each fashion calendar highlight is susceptible to a Dine With Dez moment for a memorable fusion of conversation with fashion insiders, cuisine from world-class restaurants and chefs, and connections built through the affinity of expression. Sam and Rubio have since built an intentional space where food is a catalyst, creating dialogue and cultural discovery within creative fields and fashion agendas. Dewayne Perkins, Sydnee Washington; Dine With Dez dinner series hosted an intimate soirée at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn to celebrate the U.S. launch of UK-based beauty brand Nature Spell, marking its official debut in the American market while blending fashion, beauty, and curated conversation. 'Creating a community through the act of breaking bread can forge the strongest bonds between strangers,' said dinner co-host and partner, Rubio. 'These events are about more than networking. They're about curating a space where creative ideas flourish.' The Dine With Dez" dinner series hosted an intimate soirée at Aliya's cocktail den in Brooklyn to celebrate the U.S. launch of UK-based beauty brand Nature Spell, marking its official debut in the American market while blending fashion, beauty, and curated conversation. From its first dinner event at Art Basel in December 2023, Dine With Dez has established itself as a novel cultural touchpoint in fashion and adjacent creative space. Conversations are unfiltered but constructive, community-driven, and centered around cuisine that adds to the ambiance, shaping an inclusive future in fashion.


Bloomberg
23-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Musk Backer to Join New Ownership at Reading Football Club
Aliya Capital Partners, a Miami-based investment firm, is joining the ownership group that bought out 154-year-old Reading Football Club from Chinese businessman Dai Yongge. Aliya will become a significant investor in Reading Football Club, subject to the league's approval, Ross Kestin, chief executive officer and founding partner of Aliya, said in an interview on Friday. Kestin will join the board of the club, which is competing in the UK's third-tier EFL League One.


Black America Web
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
The Melanin Overfloweth At Our Women To Know: Modern Mavericks Dinner
Source: Andre 'DreVinci' Jones / Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Swanky Brooklyn hotspot Aliya was the scene for HelloBeautiful x MadameNoire's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks diner and panel. Guests and honorees pulled up to Hotel Indigo for a curated evening of cocktails, bites, music, and good conversation. Before taking the elevator to the fourth floor, guests stopped by the backdrop for a photo op. The evening began with a panel featuring HB x MN's Modern Mavericks — Murjoni Merriweather, Latoya Hobbs, and Jewel Ham — from our latest Women To Know cover. As Black women artists, they're using their canvas to capture the beauty of Black existence. Each woman's unique personality shined as they answered questions from the moderator and Managing Editor of MadameNoire, Danica Daniels. Source: Andre 'DreVinci' Jones / Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Source: Andre 'DreVinci' Jones / Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Jewel Ham's larger-than-life personality was magnetic. She is as unapologetic as her artwork, which depicts everyday life for Black people. She is able to capture the vulnerability and authenticity of Black womanhood in her prints. Murjoni's smile was captivating as she gushed over her love for clay, the material she shifts and shapes to create lifelike sculptures. Hobbs' artwork is all about creating a legacy. At one point in the panel, she boldly stated, She's not making pieces to fit in your living room, she's making pieces to fit in the museum. Mic drop. Following the panel, we assembled at the lobby bar for signature drinks like the Dusse-spiked Hello, Madame. Waiters passed around Lobster and oxtail dishes, served over plantains. Finally, the night ended with us overlooking the pool while we dined, listening to the DJ who provided the vibes. Keep scrolling for the beautiful faces at our Women To Know dinner and panel. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones LaToya Hobbs, Murjoni Merriweather, and Jewel Ham pose for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Latoya Hobbs and her family pose for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Jewel Ham poses for a photo in front of the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones iOneDigital SVP of content, Allison McGevna, poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones HelloBeautiful Style & Beauty Director Shamika Sanders poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Director of Sponsor & Affiliate Content, Cliché Wynter, poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Vice President of Social Media , Victoria Fleary, poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Senior Editorial Project Manager , Krystle Homes, poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Social Media Manager, Tiffany Smith, poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones VP of Video, Tanya Hoffler-Moore, and Naima Simmons pose for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Director of Production, Naima Simmons, poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Modern Mavericks cover story writer Keyaira Kelly and her sister TJ Kelly, pose for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Abigail Bazile, Associate Director of Integrated Marketing, poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Journalist Aramide Tinubu poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Journalist Charise Frazier poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones HB writer Keyaira Boone poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Charlise Rookwood from 'The Black Vegan Cooking Show,' poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones A guest poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Christine Miller poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones Jewel Ham poses with her friends on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025. Source:Andre 'DreVinci' Jones iOneDigital's Hirut Sheta poses for a photo on the floral backdrop at our HB x MN's Women To Know: Modern Mavericks dinner + panel event at Aliya, Brooklyn, on May 13, 2025.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Birmingham Squadron tips off library tour
HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — With another season in the books, the Birmingham Squadron is now hitting the books. The franchise is on a summer library tour. It kicked off at the Homewood Public Library on Monday. That is the first of the 10 stops in the Birmingham area the Squadron will make over the summer as part of the tour. The Squadron said it's all part of an effort to promote youth literacy. Former MLB players play at Greystone to help preserve Rickwood Field 'Some books that we're reading are 'The Pelican Can!'' said Squadron community outreach coordinator Alyssa Ryals. 'This is fun to empower kids to learn a little more about birds, especially the pelican. And then we'll also be reading 'Aliya Can' that is written by one of our previous Squadron players and his wife, who's in the WNBA. They have been empowering their daughter Aliya, so they wrote a book for her called 'Aliya Can.'' In addition to listening to the books, children who attend the summer series can take home Squadron merchandise. For more information on the Squadron's summer events, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Malaysian Reserve
25-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Aliya Health Group Appoints Innovative Industry Veterans to Key Leadership Positions
PITTSBURGH, April 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aliya Health Group, a leading nationwide network of addiction and mental health treatment centers, is pleased to announce the addition of three industry veterans to its executive team. These strategic hires bring decades of industry experience and leadership that will help elevate the organization's commitment to reducing the stigma around seeking help and expanding access to high-quality care. Courtney Burge has been appointed Vice President of Admissions for Aliya Health Group. A behavioral health executive with more than 20 years of experience, Burge brings a proven track record in high-volume admissions and call center operations. His leadership roles at Foundations Recovery Network, Discovery Behavioral Healthcare, New Season Treatment Centers, and Lakeview Health underscore his ability to drive growth, streamline workflows, and improve client access. Burge holds a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems from Hampton University and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University. Frank Severino joins Aliya Health Group as Chief Marketing Officer. A respected strategist and leader in behavioral health marketing, Severino brings decades of expertise in client acquisition, business development, and strategic consulting. As former CEO and Senior Partner at SMG & Associates, he led transformative initiatives in market analysis and recruitment across various healthcare sectors. His organized leadership style and comprehensive marketing vision are expected to bolster Aliya's national presence and outreach. David Woods, MBA, has been named Executive Director of Footprints to Recovery in Elgin, Illinois, one of the brands under the Aliya umbrella of treatment centers. With over 38 years of experience in the behavioral health field, Woods brings a dynamic and compassionate leadership style grounded in clinical, operational, and administrative expertise. A graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, Woods holds Silver Certification in LEAN and FEMA Incident Command System Certification. His experience across multiple leadership roles ensures a patient-centered approach to treatment and operational excellence. David Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Aliya Health Group, shared his enthusiasm about the new additions to the team: 'The experience and expertise that Courtney, Frank, and David bring to Aliya Health Group will further position us as a top provider of addiction and mental health services nationwide. Their leadership will not only strengthen our operational and outreach capabilities but also make access to high-quality, compassionate care more attainable for individuals and families in need.' Aliya Health Group remains committed to building a team of industry-leading professionals who are passionate about transforming lives and making recovery possible for all. With these latest hires, the organization continues to move forward in its mission to provide innovative, client-focused treatment across the country. For more information, please visit the Aliya Health Group website or contact Frank Severino, Chief Marketing Officer, at (888) 352-4445 or email fseverino@ About Aliya Health Group: Aliya Health Group is a nationwide provider of addiction and mental health treatment. Our mission is to empower clients to lead fulfilling lives in recovery. With treatment facilities in eight states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Washington State, Aliya Health Group delivers personalized clinical care and supports clients and families on their path to healing.