MIAMI BEACH, Fla., -- Nat King Cole Generation
Hope, Inc., a non-profit foundation to benefit music
education in South Florida schools, kicked off with
an elegant Gala at The Forge in Miami Beach on
November 29. The foundation was established by the
Cole twins, Timolin and Casey of Boca Raton, the
youngest daughters of music legend Nat King Cole.
The Nat King Cole Generation Hope Black and White
Gala was chaired by philanthropist and international
financier Al Malnik and his wife Nancy Malnik. The
Forge, a Miami Beach restaurant and bar, has served
as the institution of elegance and taste and was
founded by Al Malnik in 1968. The historic landmark
and American icon has been the home of great music
events throughout the years including performances
by Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
The Gala featured star-studded entertainment
including performances by Grammy-winning,
Oscar-nominated producer songwriter Siedah Garrett
and 11 time Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer
Dennis Lambert. Melanie Fiona, an artist with SRC
Records, dazzled guests with “The Midnight Train to
Georgia.” Marie Petticar, talented a senior from
Miramar High School, serenaded guests as well.
The event was emceed by Willard Shepard of NBC
Miami. Celebrity guests included Kyle MacLachlan of
“Desperate Housewives,” and his wife Desiree Gruber,
producer of “Project Runway,” Niche Media CEO Jason,
Binn, and celebrity rappers Cool and Dre. The Cole
twins were joined by their mother, Mrs. Nat King
Cole, their husbands, Gary Augustus and Julian
Hooker, and friends from Florida, California and
around the country.
The Gala sponsors included Al and Nancy Malnik,
Madelyn Savarick, UNUM, Goldman Sachs, USI, Excel
Services, Lincoln Financial, United Healthcare, The
Fountainbleau, Chocolit, designer Paul Rubin, Saks,
Guava Media, Ellis and Lisa Jones, Guy and Lee Ann
Mancini, and Denise and Jordan Zimmerman.
The evening kicked off with a silent auction in The
Forge’s famed wine room with a lively cocktail hour
featuring entertainment by DJ Irie, a 2007 BET Award
nominee and winner of Miami New Times’ 2005 Best
Club DJ. Designer Rubin Singer showed his creations
during an informal fashion show and he dressed the
Cole twins in black and white Grecian-style gowns.
Following the cocktail party, guests proceeded into
the black and white themed ballroom for dinner and
an intimate concert. Guests then danced and
continued the party at the Glass Bar at The Forge
for the official after party.
The Cole twins launched the Foundation after
learning of budget cuts in South Florida public
schools. The Foundation was created to provide
funding for music education to children of all ages,
ethnic backgrounds and diversities, including music
instrument instruction, music composition and
songwriting, technical instruction in the recording
arts, music instruments and equipment, and music
related seminars and field trips.
“We were thrilled by the tremendous support from our
friends and the South Florida community and the
funds raised will help music programs in South
Florida schools,” said Timolin Cole. “By enriching
students with the opportunity to enhance their
musical talents and abilities, our father’s legacy
lives on.”
Casey Cole added, “We will continue with fundraising
efforts over the next 12 months and are working with
school officials in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and
Broward Counties to determine where the funds are
most needed.”
Nat King Cole was one of the most popular singers
ever to hit the American charts. A brilliant
recording and concert artist during the 40s, 50s,
and 60s, he attracted millions of fans around the
world with a sensitive and caressing singing voice
that was unmistakable. Cole had a rare blend of
technical musical knowledge and sheer performing
artistry topped off with an abundance of
showmanship. In the 23 years that he recorded with
Capitol Records, he turned out hit after amazing hit
– nearly 700 songs – all the while managing to
remain a gentle, tolerant and gracious human being.
In 1965, Nat King Cole died tragically of lung
cancer. He was only 45. Nathaniel Adams Coles was
born in Montgomery, Alabama on March 17, 1919. He
was the son of Baptist minister, Edward James Coles,
and mother, Perlina Adams, who sang soprano and
directed the choir in her husband’s church. Cole
grew up in Chicago, met and married a girl in New
York named Maria Hawkins, who was from Boston. They
had five children and lived in Hancock Park in Los
Angeles.
NKC Generation Hope, Inc. has been established as a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization in South Florida.
Its officers are Timolin and Casey Cole, both of
Boca Raton. Honorary Board Members are: Mrs. Nat
King Cole of Ponte Vedre, Fla.; Ms. Natalie Cole and
Ms. Carole Cole, both of Los Angeles; Ms. Madelyn
Savarick of Boca Raton; Mr. Jimmy Cefalo of
Pittston, Pennsylvania; Mr. Colin Cowie of Los
Angeles; Mr. Anthony C. Gruppo of Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Jones of Los Angeles;
Ms. Leslie Linder of West Palm Beach; Mr. and Mrs.
Al Malnik of Palm Beach; Ms. Marylynne Stephan
McGlone of Palm Beach; Ms.Holly Robinson and Mr.
Rodney Peete, both of Los Angeles, and Mr. and Mrs.
Jordan Zimmerman also of Boca Raton.
To obtain more information on Nat King Cole
Generation Hope, Inc., please visit:
www.natkingcolefoundation.org