On May 2, the actor will be recognized as one of the bright stars of the New York City borough at the first-ever Bronx Children’s Museum Gala.

“Growing up in the Bronx shaped my mind, my heart, and my creative soul. I was fortunate to have parents who always encouraged my artistic pursuits and passions,” Washington said in a press release.

The museum holds a spot in Kerry’s heart not only because of where it is located but because of her mother, Valerie Washington, who serves on the board. Valerie will present her daughter with the award during the event.

“I know how vital it is to provide kids with places that inspire them to think, create and dream. I am honored to support our very own Bronx Children’s Museum,” she added.

Fans of Scandal surely won’t want to miss the gala as the night’s festivities include a live auction for a visit to the set of the drama in Los Angeles.

Other prizes being auctioned off include premium tickets to Hamilton and three other top-rated Broadway shows, a meet-and-greet with Jennifer Lopez at her Las Vegas show, “All I Have,” a morning on the set of the ABC daytime talk show The View, and rides in a fully-restored WWII plane owned by another of night’s honorees, Rafael Collado.

Collado is a successful entrepreneur, having built and sold three companies. Playwright, author, and activist Richard Abrons will also be honored during the gala.

Founded in 2005, the Bronx Children’s Museum “provides highly effective and innovative inquiry-based educational programs and exhibits to children and families throughout the Bronx.”

“When we learned a decade ago that the Bronx was the only New York City borough without a Children’s Museum, we were stunned, we are,” said Hope Harley, President of the Bronx Children’s Museum Board of Directors.

“Not only are we bringing equity to the Bronx, but we are redefining what it means to be a children’s museum in the 21st century,” she added, noting that BCM will soon start construction on a new site near Yankee Stadium.

“The Museum will always operate with and without walls… and we will have our walls by the end of 2018.”

Special guest appearances at the gala include comedian and Bronx native Tracy Morgan as well as Bronx-born jazz pianist and composer, Dr. Valerie Capers with Sounds by recording artist and producer Swizz Beatz.

“It will be a historic event,” said BCM Founding Executive Director Carla Precht “with former Bronx children coming back to their roots to support the only cultural institution in the Bronx whose sole mission is to inspire and celebrate the children of the borough.”

The Bronx Children’s Museum Gala takes place Tuesday, May 2 at the Tribeca Rooftop in New York City.

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The actress recently announced that she is joining forces with Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse campaign as an ambassador for the third year in a row.

Founded in 2005, Purple Purse has helped more than 800,000 victims escape abusive relationships by empowering them to take charge of their finances. This is all achieved through education.

During an interview with People magazine, Washington said,”For me, it’s just such an ideal partnership, because selfishly I just participate and work in areas that are very important to me, meaning both fashion and supporting women’s empowerment.”

The Purple Purse 2016 anti-domestic violence initiative introduces the #FreetoWalk campaign, which calls “attention to the barriers that keep women trapped in abusive relationships,” according to the foundation.

As an ambassador, Kerry will design a special purse for the foundation, which will be auctioned off. All proceeds go directly to the campaign.

Many women in abusive relationships can’t “just leave.”

Watch. Learn. Donate. https://t.co/VHkGkvVIWp#Kerry4PurplePurse

— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) June 15, 2016

“The goal is to really end the cycle of abuse so that… the choice to have a Purple Purse is solely aesthetic and not about making a difference and changing lives through fashion,” Kerry said.

Kerry continued, “Financial abuse is such an invisible weapon,” says Washington. “It’s not something we think of. We can see black eyes and we can see bruising and I think, we think a lot about the emotional abuse, and all of those things are valid, but to know that financial abuse is the number one reason why women stay and why they can’t walk away – it matters so much to be able to do something about that because it unlocks the solutions in the other areas as well.”

The #FreetoWalk campaign is inspired by a Michigan woman who was a victim of financial abuse and survived.

“By helping survivors understand the importance of financial self-sufficiency and helping them get the financial resources they need, we help survivors take steps toward financial independence and lives free from abuse,” said Vicky Dinges, senior vice president, Corporate Responsibility, Allstate Insurance Company.

Learn more about this initiative at the Purple Purse’s homepage.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

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