PAY IT
4WARD
MADE By Ashlei Cooper
December 13, BMW hosted a networking
brunch at the Wheeler Mansion, in Chicago.
Four women were honored at the brunch, which
featured a cooking demonstration, car test
drives, and live jazz. The brunch was met with
such success that BMW announced it would
officially launch a series in 2016 modeled on
that initial experience.
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T
he brunch series, officially titled “Pay It 4Ward,”
made its second stop on May 15, in New York
City. Held at the STK rooftop lounge, guests
attended the brunch to witness four local
women who were honored for paying it forward.
The first honoree was Dr. Janna Andrews, an assistant
clinical professor of Radiation Oncology at Hofstra University
who specializes in Breast Cancer, Gynecological Cancer
and Gastrointestinal Cancer. Andrews is the founder of the
nonprofit foundation that BMW tapped as the official
philanthropic partner of the brunch series. The foundation,
Kicked It In Heels, is a 501(c)(3) foundation that provides
transitional services to breast cancer survivors of color.
“These corporations that take notice of community service
and giving back are really on target with what this country
needs,” Andrews explained. “I am extremely honored to have
been chosen.”
Guests at the brunch were invited to “Drive for a Cause.”
For every guest who chose to do so, BMW made a donation to
Kicked It in Heels.
“The series underscores BMW’s commitment to
celebrating diversity in professional industries and local
communities,” said Kevin Williams, head of Multicultural
Marketing at BMW Group.
A close friend to Andrews, entrepreneur and lifestyle
expert, Tai Beauchamp, emceed the brunch.