The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation is putting the program together for its upcoming gala — the Elizabeth Taylor Night of Compassion to be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sept. 18 — by drafting Tina Knowles to receive a marquee honor.
The business mogul, designer, best-selling author and activist has been selected to receive the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award for her ongoing support for people living with HIV and for her allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. The gala event, fronted by standout TV host Melvin Robert (who departed his post at Extra and Good Day L.A. to replace the late Sam Rubin at KTLA as entertainment anchor), will feature Cookie Johnson as ETAF’s 2025 champion. Supported by presenting sponsor Gilead Sciences, the Elizabeth Taylor Night of Compassion will include a reception, culinary experience, live performance and views of select items from the Elizabeth Taylor archive.
“This is a critical time for support to people living with HIV, and we could not be more excited to have Mrs. Cookie Johnson as our 2025 ETAF Champion. Having known and joined Elizabeth Taylor in her work, Mrs. Johnson is deeply committed to the prevention and treatment of people at risk for and living with HIV. In addition, we are thrilled to honor Ms. Tina Knowles with the Commitment to End AIDS Award for her years of dedication and advocacy on behalf of people living with HIV. Both of these outstanding, selfless and iconic women join in our founder’s vision of an AIDS-free world,” praised Catherine Brown, executive director of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Knowles launched her career as a makeup artist, hairstylist and owner of successful hair salon in Houston, where she made a name for herself styling what would become a blockbuster group, Destiny’s Child, featuring daughter Beyoncé. She segued to helping craft Beyoncé’s world tours, TV performances, movie roles and red-carpet appearances.
She co-founded the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth in Houston and spearheaded the anti-hunger initiative, Miss A Meal. Knowles is credited with supporting communities through hurricane relief and COVID-19 testing. Knowles is the driving force behind the WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and empowering artists across diverse communities.
Melvin Robert
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Cookie Johnson
Credit: Christina House/Courtesy of Subject
