May 31, 2018
By Jeff Williams
Contributing Writer
The Pink Pump Affair is much more than a great excuse to wear pink, it’s celebration of women and spreading the awareness of kids with autism. Areva Martin first started this event with a goal of help give kids the opportunities to attend camps, to “meet friends and be in a safe and nurturing environment.” 10 years later, Areva is a talk show host, civil rights attorney, and author, with an annual star-studded gala, that recently celebrated its anniversary.
Beverly Hills Hotel was the location for the 10th Annual Pink Pump Affair, and it didn’t disappoint.From big name actresses, to award winning journalist, this event brought together some very powerful and influential women and men. Robin Mcgraw, a New York Times best-selling author and friend of Areva said, one of the biggest takeaways from this event is, “If you don’t know how you are going to change a child’s life…then you will never really have that feeling of changings a child’s life.” She goes on to say “It’s about doing it, experiencing it.”
Actress Kim Whitley, who is on the board of the Special Needs Network alongside Areva Martin, served as the host for the auction. Kim made sure to tell us that men are encouraged to come and join in on this great event, and jokingly added to “give their women, their wallets.”
This event included a Fashion show that featured the work of fashion designer, Kevan Hall, who also made a one-of-a-kind dress for the host, Ms. Areva Martian. This year, the Affair highlighted Vivica A. Fox as their 2018 Pink Pump Gala Icon Award recipient, and had it presented by longtime friend, Morris Chestnut. The gala was full of laughs, love and a few tears of joy, all in hope of raising money for children with autism.