Magnificent Masterpieces, Majestic Music, and a Mayoral Proclamation Highlight the CKW LUXE Tenth Anniversary and Star Impact Makers Awards Gala

CKW LUXE Magazine bestows eight Star Impact Makers Awards during a splendid celebration at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

 

The Celebration

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, CKW LUXE Magazine celebrated its tenth anniversary and 2025 Star Impact Makers Awards Gala at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). Those honored with a Star Impact Makers award are humanitarians who are generous in their support of others, dedicated to improving lives and living conditions, and devoted to finding better ways of helping. They have made an achievement that has had a positive impact on some area of the arts, science, education, humanitarianism, or medicine within our community.  This year’s categories of Star Impact Makers awards are: Lifetime Achievement Star Impact Makers Award, Caring Siblings Star Impact Makers Award, Inspiring Woman Star Impact Makers Award, and Inspiring Mother/Daughter Duo Star Impact Makers Award. CKW LUXE Magazine founder and publisher, Connie Kwan-Wong, hosted the elegant event, and Gina Gaston of ABC 13 emceed.

 

Welcoming attendees was the evening’s host committee, made up of community leaders, including: Dr. Peter Chang and Honorable Theresa Chang; Dr. Diana Collins; Dr. William and Teresa Reading, RN; Farida Abjani; Gule and Dr. Sara Andrabi; Flora and Francis Choy; Donna Cole; Katya Dow; Sidney Faust; Pat Houck; Tommy Kuranoff; Perri Palermo Motamedi; Helen Shaffer; Betty Tutor; Jane and Larry Wagner; and Sherri Zucker. 

 

The Story

Upon entering the European Gallery of the Audrey Jones Beck building of the MFAH, guests found themselves basking in sublime northern and southern European, as well as Central and South American, art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. To add to the elegance of the surroundings, tables were embellished with lavish gold and emerald-colored place settings and crowned with multicolored floral centerpieces from House of Blooms. The newest issue of CKW LUXE, which will not be available to the public until March, sat eagerly at each place waiting to be taken home.

 

The Moments

A brief overview of some of the ways in which Kwan-Wong and CKW LUXE support the community was delivered by the emcee. Kwan-Wong then welcomed attendees and thanked them for their loyalty to the magazine and its goals. She also congratulated the evening’s honorees, thanking them for their many contributions to the City of Houston. Dr. Bradley Bailey, the curator of Asian art at MFAH, came to the stage to describe the Wong family’s support of MFAH. Zoe Wong, Kwan-Wong’s daughter, then introduced Girl Chess Power and Beyond, her new girl empowerment nonprofit, to those in attendance. Gigi Lee, Chief of International Affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of Houston, then presented Connie with a proclamation proclaiming January 25, 2025 as CKW LUXE Magazine Day.

 

The moment everyone was waiting for arrived when Gaston introduced CKW LUXE’s Star Impact Makers for 2025. Each award winner received a 2025 Star Impact Makers Award, a certificate of appreciation from the City of Houston, and Congressional recognitions. The honors were bestowed by Kwan-Wong, Judge Clarease Rankin Yates; and Gigi Lee, Chief of International Affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of Houston.

 

 

CKW LUXE’s Star Impact Makers for 2025

 

Lifetime Achievement Star Impact Makers Award 

Leela and Natesan Krishnamurthy

 

Caring Siblings Star Impact Makers Award

Dr. Parmis Khatibi and Dr. Nikan Khatibi 

 

Inspiring Woman Star Impact Makers Award

E. Michelle Bohreer 

Chi-mei Lin 

Rosalinda Martinez  

Dr.  Zeenat Kassam Mitha 

Jacqueline St. Germain

 

Inspiring Mother/Daughter Duo Star Impact Makers Award

Thanh Le and May Le

 

After the awards presentations, while guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, they were entertained with beautiful music performed by Ars Lyrica. The unique ensemble specializes in Baroque music, as performed on period instruments with careful attention to historical style and context. Its imaginative programming features neglected gems alongside familiar masterworks, including fully-staged operas and oratorios. After dinner, the quartet presented a highlighted performance of Handel's Royal Fireworks.

 

After the performance, Gaston invited everyone to stay for the after party and to visit the first-floor galleries.

 

Before closing the event, Kwan-Wong was surprised by the singing of Happy Birthday, a birthday cake, and the presentation of a framed compilation of each magazine cover from 2015 to 2025 celebrating CKW LUXE Magazine’s tenth anniversary.

 

Kwan-Wong then closed the event by thanking everyone for their attendance and ongoing encouragement.

 

CKW LUXE would like to extend a sincere thank you to: Our Event Sponsors:

Momentum BMW Southwest, The House of Blooms, Gule and Dr. Sara Andrabi, Dr. Diana Collins, Flora Choy and Francis Choy, Dr. William H. Reading, Teresa Cox Reading, and Sherri Zucker and Perri Palermo Motamedi with KNOWAutism Foundation; Our Table Sponsors: Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy, Sidney Faust, Gule and Dr. Sara Andrabi,  and Donna Cole and friends; Our Couple Sponsors: Dr. Peter Chang and Honorable Theresa Chang, Jane and Larry Wagner, Helen Shaffer and Jim Shaffer, and Jackie and Raymond St. Germaine;  and Our Individual Sponsors: Farida Abjani, Betty Tutor, Priscilla Zhou, and Dr. Peta-Gay Ledbetter.

 

CKW LUXE would also like to thank the Mayor of the City of Sugar Land, Joe R. Zimmerman; the Mayor of the City of Piney Point Village, Aliza Fan Dutt; Judge Clarease Rankin Yates, CKW LUXE 2019 Top 20 Impact Maker; Honorable Theresa Chang, CKW LUXE 2019 Top 20 Impact Maker; Chief of International Affairs, Office of the Mayor, City of Houston, Gigi Lee; Director of the Mayor's Office of Education and Youth and Engagement, Olivera Janovska; and Council Member of the City of Sugar Land, Naushad Kermally, CKW LUXE 2024 Top 20 Impact Maker, for their attendance and support.

 

Without the assistance of everyone above, the event would not have been the memorable success it was.  

 

About CKW LUXE Magazine  

CKW LUXE magazine is a philanthropic, inspirational, and quality living magazine. The three letters in our name, CKW, stand for Caring, Kindness, and Wisdom, encouraging us to CARE for one and all, treat everyone with KINDNESS, and be WISE in our understanding of others. The purpose of the magazine is to share enlightening stories that spread the message of love, hope, and positivity.