Deborah Kenny, the founder of the Harlem Village Academies, is a true hero, a visionary who has transformed so many lives. I have visited the school, met with teachers and students and was really impressed with the results. This year, Deborah decided to have a benefit concert at the famous Apollo Theater to raise funds for the school. What a turn out it was…with Hugh Jackman as the MC, Joss Stone, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash performing… the audience went crazy. But it wasn’t only the music… Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson came and announced that the school had a 98% score, and then Rupert Murdoch presented his gift of $5.5 million. The crowd was full of applause and optimism…it was a real victory!!

Diane von Furstenberg requires the flash plugin and javascript must be turned on.