Brenda Braxton Hosts Obama NYC Inauguration Celebration 1/20

New details have been announced for the New York City celebration of the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. The inaugural cocktail gala will now take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at BBRAXTON in Harlem (1400 Fifth Avenue at West 116th Street).

Hosted by Broadway actress Brenda Braxton, the inaugural celebration will begin at 8 p.m. and will feature a celebrity DJ, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, premium spirits, and a tape-delay broadcast of Obama's inauguration in Washington D.C.

A New York City native and longtime Broadway favorite, gala host Brenda Braxton is a 1995 Tony Award nominee for her performance in the hit musical Smokey Joe's Cafe. She can currently be seen in the lead role of Velma Kelly in Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical smash Chicago. Also a thriving entrepreneur, Braxton owns and operates the upscale Harlem gentlemen's grooming parlor BBRAXTON Exceptional Grooming for Exceptional Men, now in its third year.

All proceeds from the celebration will be donated to The Actors' Fund of America and the Columbia Community Service program of Columbia University, the alma mater of Barack Obama.

"This is a truly momentous occasion in American history," said Ms. Braxton, "To witness the inauguration of the first African-American president is something that millions of Americans and countless New Yorkers could never have envisioned. And in that respect, we've decided to hold the event at BBRAXTON in order to make it an all-inclusive celebration.

"The Obama/Biden campaign was funded by four million people who all gave what they could afford to give, so it's fitting that this inaugural celebration be equally affordable for everyone. And at the same time, all monies raised will be donated to these two amazing charities - The Actors' Fund and Columbia Community Service."

Tony Award-winning producer Tamara Tunie serves as creative consultant for the NYC Inaugural Gala.

"What a thrill it is to commemorate the start of this amazing new chapter in our nation's story" said Tunie. "We are so pleased to be able to celebrate this momentous new chapter in our nation's history."

Tickets for the New York City inaugural cocktail gala are available for $50 each (fully tax-deductible) and are now available by visiting www.bbraxton.com or by calling 212-369-3094.