Warwick’s AIDS Benefit Raises $225,000

In some ways, the power of Nelson Mandela’s weekend Coliseum appearance was felt most strongly across town at the Warwick Foundation’s third annual AIDS benefit gala, where his strongest constituency, a predominantly black activist crowd, was assembled, and where there was palpable frustration over schedule conflicts that kept them from hearing the South African leader’s speech.

Foundation founder Dionne Warwick said she “would have loved to have made a merger of the two events.” But for the guests Friday night at the Beverly Hilton, it came down to making the tough choice between fighting apartheid or AIDS. Comedian Byron Allen noted that while the struggle continues in South Africa, “at least Mandela’s out of jail--we still have to find a way to stop AIDS.”

Education is the foundation’s way to help stop the disease. The black-tie gala chaired by Altovise Davis was part of a week of events, underwritten by the makers of Johnnie Walker Black Scotch, including seminars and forums aimed at minority communities. “In terms of health services, minorities are completely underserved,” said Warwick. “The government has got to start paying attention to the folks who make this country work.”

The foundation raised about $225,000 with a show headlined by Barry Manilow and Allen. Honorees were foundation treasurer and major donor Bettiann Gardner, who spoke briefly, and Barbara Sinatra, who was in Europe.

Among those on hand were supporters Burt Bacharach, with wife Carole Bayer Sager; Diahann Carroll; Vidal Sassoon; Frances and Sid Klein; Clive Davis; “Soul Train’s” Don Cornelius; Mary Wilson of the Supremes; Air Supply’s Russell Hitchcock and Larry Antonino; and Mayor Tom Bradley, who had been with Mandela at City Hall that afternoon and left after the gala reception for the Coliseum.