Lupita Nyong’o Honored at WildAid Gala with Special Guest Djimon

WildAid, the global conservation organization leading the fight to end the illegal wildlife trade, held its annual fundraising gala, “A Night in Africa,” on Saturday, November 9 at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o and CEO of Angermeyer Cruises, Fiddi Angermeyer were honored as this year’s Wildlife Champions for their partnerships with WildAid in support of the organization’s message, “Poaching Steals From Us All.” Gala sponsors included Elegance Brands Inc., Chantecaille, Moon Hollow Estate, and Kelleher International, all of whom support WildAid in its mission of wildlife conservation. 

Nyong’o accepted her award via a video message and spoke of her experience learning about elephants and the ivory trade with WildAid. 

“The work of WildAid is so important because it is a reeducation, a reorientation of the value of nature to us,” said Nyong’o. “What they are doing is making a huge difference in raising awareness on behalf of elephants, on behalf of wildlife, and on behalf of human beings, as well. It’s for our own good.”

Nyong’o has been a prominent advocate for elephant conservation, traveling to Kenya with WildAid in 2015 to publicize the threat of poaching and most recently partnering with WildAid on Discovery’s best-rated series, Serengeti, which follows the lives of Tanzania’s majestic animals.

WildAid and Yao Ming were instrumental in 2017 in supporting China’s historic ban on domestic ivory sales, the greatest single step in safeguarding the future of African elephants as well as reducing prices for ivory down by two-thirds. In Africa, WildAid works to strengthen wildlife conservation by building local public and political support for effective conservation. 

Special guest Djimon Hounsou gave the keynote speech, in which he praised African nations as stewards of some of the world’s remaining iconic wildlife.

“In my native country of Benin, we have one of the few remaining lion populations in the beautiful park of Pendjari. It is my deepest hope that Africa’s wildlife (which is part of our history and a deep part of our culture) continues to be an essential part of our future,” said Hounsou. 

He also introduced Bonang Matheba (Queen B), a South African media personality, who will receive the E! People’s Choice Award for African Influencer of 2019.

Additional gala attendees included Ashley Bell, John Corbett, Taylor Dayne, Bo Derek, Blake Freeman, Madison Hildebrand, Peter and Corie Knights, Eva LaRue, Jason Lewis, Louise Linton, Mena Massoud, AnnaLynne McCord, Thomas Middleditch, Carter Oosterhouse, Graham Phillips, Maggie Q, Eli Roth, Amy Smart, Jennifer Tilly, Jonathan Tucker, and more. 

Wildlife Champion, Fiddi Angermeyer owns Angermeyer Cruises, which has more than 30 years of experience in Galapagos Islands travel and is a world-class tourism operation that understands that conservation is good for business. In 2016, Angermeyer Cruises renamed their 173-foot luxury yacht to “WildAid’s Passion” and committed to donating proceeds from charters.

This year’s gala, “A Night in Africa,” featured musical entertainment, captivating performances from “The Cirque” and the Compton Kidz Club, and a vegetarian meal specially curated by the Beverly Wilshire following a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception with specialty drinks made with the newly released Elegance Vodka by Elegance Brands Inc. Attendees participated in a silent auction and live auction offering luxury items and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Live Auction sponsors included Blue Marble Private, ROAR Africa, Angermeyer Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, Misool Resort, Promontory and Meadowood Napa Valley, Meridian Adventure SAIL, Soneva, Elegance Brands Inc., and Natural World Safaris.