Black Fairy Godmother Foundation sets Purple Diamond Awards gala for Oct. 24 in Bloomfield

The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation will host its 2026 Purple Diamond Awards Black-Tie Gala and Masquerade Ball on Oct. 24 at The Brookside Banquets in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The event will honor community leaders, feature Vanessa Freeman, Shanice and Shannon Watts, and raise support for women and families in underserved communities.

Why it matters: - The gala is a fundraising and recognition event tied to the Black Fairy Godmother Foundation’s work with women and families in underserved communities. - Proceeds and attention from the event support emergency relief, domestic violence advocacy and direct aid efforts. - The honorees reflect a focus on community leadership, service and advocacy.

What happened: - The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation will host the 2026 Purple Diamond Awards Black-Tie Gala and Masquerade Ball on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. - The event will take place at The Brookside Banquets in Bloomfield, New Jersey. - Vanessa Freeman, news anchor at PIX11 News, will host. - Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice will perform live. - Shannon Watts, founder emerita of Moms Demand Action and New York Times bestselling author of Fire Up, will serve as guest speaker.

The details: - This year’s Purple Diamond Awards honorees are Angela Yee for the Hall of Fame. - Lucy Del Gaudio will receive The Beacon Diamond Award. - Craig Mainor will receive the Diamond of Community Leadership Award. - Leslie K. Brown will receive the Visionary Diamond Award. - Sonja R. Herbert will receive the President’s Circle of Honor Award. - Dupree “Do It All” Kelly will receive the Guiding Diamond Award. - Cathy Loup will be recognized as Humanitarian and Angel of Service. - Guests will get a cocktail reception, plated dinner, dessert and champagne toast. - The evening will also include red carpet interviews and valet parking. - A cash bar will be available. - Black-tie formal attire and a masquerade mask are requested. - The Foundation focuses on emergency relief, domestic violence advocacy and empowerment for women of color and families in underserved communities. - Founder Simone Gordon has used grassroots fundraising, direct aid and online outreach to help families access food, housing, medical care and educational resources. - Event sponsors include TMT, Wegmans, 4imprint, UCC Newark, Megababe, Poppi, Huzzy Smart Sips, Omar Coffee Company, Urban Glow Cosmetics, Touch of Oshea, Mayor Jenny Mundell, Partners for Women and Justice, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey, Tubby Todd, Scripted Fragrance and Li-Lac Chocolates, among others. - Event details list the venue address as 41 Broughton Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003.

Between the lines: - The honoree list and sponsor roster suggest the gala is built to blend philanthropy, local civic recognition and lifestyle branding. - The event’s black-tie and masquerade format is designed to make the fundraiser feel like a signature community showcase, not just a dinner. - Gordon’s quote frames the event as both celebration and validation for people working on community care.

What's next: - The Foundation will hold the gala on Oct. 24 at The Brookside Banquets. - Attendees are expected to follow the black-tie formal dress code with a masquerade mask. - More information about the Black Fairy Godmother Foundation