If parties were rated in baseball jargon, the night would have qualified as a homerun. The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) hosted its 2008 annual Awards Dinner the Waldorf to celebrate the Foundation’s 35th anniversary. The gala, hosted by Bill Cosby, raised more than $1 mil, which will provide distinguished minority students with four-year college scholarships and mentoring. Among the guests were Spike Lee, Ahmad Rashad, former basketball star Howard White, Bill Russel, and ABC Good Morning America contributor Melody Hobson.

This wasn’t just any ordinary awards dinner; there were sparks. Jordin Sparks, that is. Last year’s American Idol winner with the powerful pipes performed to a riveted audience. The event honored individuals who have shown themselves to be true humanitarians and have achieved unparalleled success in their professional careers. George Lucas was presented with the ROBIE Achieve ment in Industry Award by actor
Jimmy Smits; Dr. Johnetta Cole accepted the ROBIE Humanitarianism Award, given to her by Dr. Camille Cosby; and Clive Davis accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to him by actress Julie White.

Jackie would have been proud.