Haute Living, HSBC, and AtomicMind Honor Forest Whitaker and Celebrate the Premiere of “Godfather of Harlem” S...

Haute Living, HSBC, and AtomicMind honored Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian Forest Whitaker at Avra Madison. The post Haute Living, HSBC, and AtomicMind Honor Forest Whitaker and Celebrate the Premiere of “Godfather of Harlem” S... appeared first on Haute Living.

May 9, 2025 - 21:39

Haute Living, HSBC, and AtomicMind Honor Forest Whitaker and Celebrate the Premiere of “Godfather of Harlem” S...

On May 8, Haute Living, HSBC, and AtomicMind honored Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian Forest Whitaker at Avra Madison, celebrating the return of “Godfather of Harlem” for its fourth season and his Haute Living New York April/May 2025 cover.

Photo Credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

The exclusive dinner brought together a dynamic circle of tastemakers and leaders across industries, including Racquel Oden, CEO of Wealth and Global Private Banking for HSBC U.S., who had appeared earlier in the day on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” as well as AtomicMind CEO Leelila Strogov, who underscored the brand’s mission of championing excellence and meaningful cultural dialogue, John Utendahl, finance luminary and owner of the Utendahl Group, attorney and TV personality Star Jones who just launched her new beauty line Star Jones Beauty, Charles Phillips, chairman of the Board of InforHarlem, creator and acclaimed screenwriter Tracy Oliver, “Godfather of Harlem” executive producer Markuann Smith, NBA standout Matisse Thybulle of the Portland Trail Blazers, and more.

Racquel Oden, Forest Whitaker, and Seth Semilof

Photo Credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

The evening paid tribute, not only to Whitaker’s powerful presence on screen, but also to his global impact as a philanthropist and changemaker with commemorative speeches from Seth Semilof, COO of Haute Media Group, Leelila Strogov, and Racquel Oden.

Photo Credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images During the evening, guests sipped on Champagne Telmont and Don Londres Tequila while savoring IKRAA caviar blinis and a curated Mediterranean-inspired menu with entrées such as Faroe Island salmon, organic grilled chicken with Mediterranean spices, and yogurt-marinated lamb kebabs, accompanied by sides like truffle fries and sautéed spinach.