SimplyRides.com, an award-winning automotive lifestyle website founded by author and car journalist Sekou Writes, partnered with BMW of Manhattan for the 5th Annual SimplyRides.com New York Auto Show Mixer.
This year, the well-attended event was held inside the BMW of Manhattan car dealership and was hosted by Harriette Cole, nationally syndicated columnist and founder of DreamLeapers. Sil Lai Abrams, founder of Truth in Reality, was recognized for her nonprofit work and Kevin Williams, Head of Multicultural Marketing for BMW North America spoke to attendees about BMW’s impact in the multicultural community. Also in attendance were lifestyle bloggers Makho Ndlovu and Taren Guy, actress Janora McDuffie and Vanessa Tyler of “What’s Eating Harlem” among many other multicultural trendsetters.
Throughout the evening, guests were able to interact with all the cars on the showroom floor including the fabulous $140,000 BMW i8. BMW of Manhattan representatives were also on hand to provide info and facilitate potential sales. It was like a miniature BMW auto show!
Sekou gave a special “Nonprofit on the Move” award to Truth in Reality, a nonprofit created by Sil Lai Abrams to, “change the imbalanced media depictions of women of color, especially on violent reality television.” Partial proceeds raised at the event were donated to the organization. Also, a few limited edition Truth In Reality Bracelets were sold during the mixer. Each bracelet was hand made by Sekou, the Editor-In-Chief of SimplyRides.com and the creator of the SimplyRides.com NY Auto Show Mixer.
Sekou originally launched the Mixer to give the general public the opportunity to get up close and personal with “aspirational” vehicles. The event is held every year during the annual New York International Auto Show and highlights a single automotive sponsor, which means that attendees enjoy a high level of access to some of the hottest vehicles on the market, like the BMW i8.
The event sponsors included BMW of Manhattan, the New York International Auto Show, media sponsors Quintessential Gentleman, Industry Rules and Sheen Magazine, liquor sponsors Wolf Whiskey and Harlem Brewing as well as additional support by YA IndieGround House, GypsyJaunt.com, MAP Unlimited PR and djFRiTZo. The gift bags included products from the primary sponsors as well as Diane Da Costa, Van Laack, Essence Beauty Box and Kimo Bentley.
SimplyRides.com caters to affluent, multicultural car enthusiasts by providing car reviews written in layman’s terms. The brand also produces automotive video content and sponsors several automotive events throughout the year, including the New York Auto Show Mixer and the Morrison Golf Classic, which takes place on Cape Cod every August.
