An afternoon of celebration commenced at the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation’s 2nd Annual Luncheon, held at the late trailblazer’s Lily Pond estate in East Hampton. The brilliant financier, who in 1987 bought up the international division of Beatrice Foods—a deal that at the time was the largest leveraged buyout of overseas assets by a US company—left a roster of accomplishments and was known as a generous philanthropist and family man.

Hosts Loida Lewis (Reginald’s widow), Gabriella Morris, and Lolita Valderrama Savage and emcee Maurice DuBois welcomed guests including former Mayor David Dinkins, B. Smith, Don King, and Newark Mayor Cory Booker to honor R. Donahue Peebles and Retired Colonel Lee A. Archer Jr. and raise funds for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland for African American History and Culture. The Dance Theater of Harlem topped the festivities with a fabulous performance from young budding dancers.