The Black and White Ball benefited Just One Break—the nation’s oldest nonprofit employment placement service for people with disabilities. Bill Boggs, Felicia Taylor, Storm Field, and guests like Jonathan Farkas and Somers White, Kristi Witker and Dick Coons, and Dawn Zimmerman and John Hummel helped honor Montel Williams, as well as Winners on Wheels, Paralympic marathoner Aimee Mullins, and Achilles Track Club prez Dick Traum.

Montel, talk-show host, actor, and writer, delivered an extremely moving speech and got choked up himself: “We’re in a society that believes illness is weakness. It’s shameful that this country, in this age and at this time, can be so concerned with the problems of other countries that we can’t even solve our own.” Williams bravely showed his vulnerability by sharing his own battle with MS, and as Felicia Taylor added: “I’ve yet to come to one of these events where I don’t leave crying.” But the night wasn’t all tears, as the band moved the crowd, especially on the dance floor.